Better Red than Med?

A More Cultured Way To Cruise

Yummy Mummies and why we’re looking forward to winter.

With that nice Carol Kirkwood forecasting temperatures in the mid-20s later this week there’s every chance that the sunshine has been switched on at the end of the inexorable tunnel called winter. Clement weather is the order of the day, you’ll be dusting the cobwebs off your sunscreen and this weekend might even be time to get your legs out into the sun.

Who Ra, Who Ra, Who Ra!

Talk of sun worshippers and the mind immediately flips to Ra – great Sun God of the Egyptians. Once there it’s only a short cognitive leap to dial the mind back to 3,000BC or so and start imagining Luxor, Cairo, the Sphinx and all things Pharaohic. And, just in case you think we’re Pyramid selling – you’re absolutely right because this coming winter we’re back cruising the Red Sea and Suez area, gateway to wonders so indescribable that we simply can’t describe them. You need to come and see them for yourself.

Your Winter Rose

The itinerary takes in all the best bits of Egyptian legends but perhaps the most mind-boggling place of all is Petra, Jordan. Also known as the ‘Rose City’ this absolutely world class delight is not to be confused by the eponymous Blue Peter dog – who was actually a ringer drafted into the show after the original mutt shuffled off to doggy heaven from distemper after only 2 days on set. However, in typical Fertile Crescent dynastic fashion, Petra begat Shep and the rest is history.

Splendours of The Red Sea

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Tel Aviv/Herzliya Marina, Israel

Join the good ship Harmony G from 13:30 and settle in. This evening we have a welcome dinner and introduce you to our resident Egyptologist who will brief you on the week ahead. Overnight at sea.

Day 2

Port Said, Egypt

We arrive this morning in Port Said, the jumping off point for our optional all-day excursion to Cairo – city of mystery, the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids at the Giza Necropolis. It’s an ideal day for connoisseurs of ancient history (and souvenir shoppers!). Return to the ship by 22:00 for the ship to join the Canal Convoy at 22:30. Start transit of Suez Canal.

Day 3

Suez Canal Crossing, Egypt

A full day’s cruise crossing the Suez Canal, built by Ferdinand de Lesseps and opened in 1869. It may look small on the map, but it’s 101 miles long, about 350 yards wide and 80 feet deep. Now owned by Egypt over 17,000 ships make the transit every year bringing $3 Billion in revenue. Afternoon canal exit in Suez. Overnight at sea to Hurghada.

Day 4

Gubal islands or El Gouna – Hurghada, Egypt

We arrive around lunchtime in either Gubal or El Gouna. After stopping for a swim we’ll fire-up the BBQ on deck. Later this evening we arrive in Hurghada for dinner and an overnight in port.

Day 5

Hurghada – Luxor Egypt

We disembark this morning and board a bus to transfer to Luxor, for an overnight stay in a selected deluxe hotel, all included as part of your cruise itinerary. The reason for the visit to this wonderful city, on the site of ancient Thebes, the Pharaoh’s capital at the height of their power, is the opportunity to join an optional excursion to visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor. Overnight in Luxor hotel.

Day 6

Luxor – Hurghada, Egypt

Our optional excursion today crosses the River Nile to discover the Valley of the Kings, the Hatschepsut Temple, dedicated to the only ever female Pharaoh, and the Colossi of Memnon. This afternoon we return to Hurghada to re-embark the ship. Overnight at sea to Aqaba.

Day 7

Aqaba, Jordan

Mid-day arrival in Aqaba where the major attraction is the option to visit the world famous Wadi Rum, one of UNESCO’s protected World Heritage Sites since 2005. The name Wadi Rum translates as either ‘Valley of light sand’, or ‘Roman Valley’ due to the propensity of Roman architecture in the area. Somewhat confusingly others know it as the ‘Valley of the Moon’. One thing for sure, it’s the largest desert valley in Jordan and the sandstone and granite landscape has been used as an extra-terrestrial surface in numerous science-fiction films. Overnight in port.

Day 8

Aqaba

We disembark after breakfast to board the transfer back to Tel Aviv. Alternatively, you can make an optional all-day excursion transfer to Tel Aviv via Jerusalem which includes a stop and lunch in Masada. A second option is a Jordan land Tour ending in Amman or in Tel Aviv – with a transfer organized between Amman and Tel Aviv.