Ancient Cities Express
This
12-day itinerary takes you to Athens, Cairo and the ancient cities of
the Nile, including a four-day (three-night) luxury Nile cruise, and
Nile-side journeys aboard a first-class sleeper train. Compare with
Greece, Palestine and Israel Tour

Extend
your stay in Greece - Sunset over Santorini
A Honeymooners paradise Greek Island
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Saturday - Weekly - Year Round
We take off aboard
our wide-body jet from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport,
bound for Athens. Air fare add-on is available from major cities in
the USA
DAY 2 - ATHENS
Sunday
We arrive in the
ancient-modern city of Athens, where our staff meets you at the airport
and escorts you on a half-day sightseeing tour of the Greek capital,
with special attention to the Acropolis. After settling in at our hotel,
the rest of the day is yours to explore the city-and its shops!- as
you like.
DAY 3 - ATHENS
- Day Greek Cruise Monday
Cruising to Antiquity Epidaurus – Mycenae – Aegina
Islands
After
an early breakfast at the hotel , we'll assist with your transfer to
Piraeus to board a luxurious cruise boat and enjoy an unforgettable
journey by crossing the Saronic gulf and visiting the temple of Aphaia
in Aegina island - explore the Mycenaean civilization – meet with
the perfection of the acoustic and harmony of dimensions at the unique
ancient theatre of Epidaurus and feel the smell of Mediterranean sea,
relax under the sun in the golden sandy beaches of Aegina below the
temple of Aphaia or swim on the magical scenery of patricianly sunken
ancient port of Epidaurus.
Sail: 08:15 Sailing
from Piraeus to the Argolis ancient port of Epidaurus, arriving at this
lovely fisherman village, with patricianly sunken ancient city, the
picturesque valley with olive and orange trees and the well-preserved
small Roman theater on the side where concerts and drama still performance.
Things to do:
1. Swim on a clear blue water of the ancient port and relax
in one of the beaches with typical Greek restaurants and cafes.
2. Choose one of the optional guided tours with air-conditioned coaches
to
a) The unique well-preserved Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (built 2.500
years ago) where famous artists give performances. a perfection in the
acoustic and harmonious dimensions .
b) The ruins of the famous palace of the Mycenaean King Agamemnon-the
leader of Greek army during the Trojan War with the Cyclopean Wall,
the Lion’s Gate was (built 3.300 years ago), and the well-preserved
tomb of King Agamemnon.
At 14:00 we leave
from the ancient port of Epidaurus ,enjoying lunch onboard while being
entertained with Greek music, we arrive at the picturesque port of Aegina
Island, famous all over the world for the excellent quality of peanut
production.
Things to do:
Strolling in the narrow streets of the port, tasting Greek
coffee or peanuts and shopping or taking an optional tour at the top
of the hill to the famous Temple of Aphaia to admire the infinity view
of the Saronic Gulf discovering the mystery of the equilateral triangle
with Parthenon (at the Acropolis of Athens) and the temple of Poseidon
in Sounio (God of the sea).
Back on board we'll enjoy a Greek folklore show before heading back
to Piraeus and on to your hotel.
DAY 3 - ATHENS
- ( BL ) Tuesday
A half-day private city tour shows you this great city's layout: we
visit Syntagma Square, the heart of Modern Athens, drive by the parliament,
and climb up to the Acropolis. Private air-conditioned vehicle , private
chauffeur .. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant. In the
afternoon we have a guided tour of the historical Plaka district.
DAY 4 - ATHENS - CAIRO
( B ) Wednesday
Our Athens local
rep. escorts you to the airport for your evening flight to Cairo, where
our Cairo staff meets you and escorts you to your hotel.
Visa fee is included
and issued upon arrival for : American , Canadian, Western European,
Australian, NZ & Japanese citizens, passport must be valid fro at
least 6 month beyond the date of arrival. After settling in, plunge
into fascinating Cairo! Take a stroll along the Nile, have Arabic coffee
in a local café, or drop in at any of the city's many world-class
museums.
Visa
will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some
stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops,
at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers.
There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding
a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp
from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport
officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport
as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist
you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting
the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle)
to the hotel
DAY 5 - CAIRO - Wednesday
(BLD)
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.
Today, you'll explore the wonders of the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures
of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, precious stones and metals.
King Tut's Gold Treasure Room is included Travellers have long come
to Cairo just to gaze on these sights, but your day has just started.
You'll also see the Citadel of Saladin and the alabaster mosque of Mohammed
Ali. Lunch is included at Naguib Mahfouz restaurant. Dinner
is included at La Bodega restaurant .
DAY 6 - CAIRO
- Giza Thursday (BLD)
Private air-conditioned
vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.
Today, we'll drive to the edge
of Cairo and Giza, you'll gaze in awe at the mysterious Sphinx and the
Pyramids , we tour as well Cheops Royal Barge . Lunch is included at
the Mena House. We stop at Haraniya Village as well on our way back
to Cairo .
For those interested a complimentary ticket is included for entry to
the King's chamber inside the Pyramid, you must be physically fit to
be able to climb.
In the evening, we depart for Aswan aboard the Nile Express first-class
sleeper train. Private compartment. We rate the train modest 3 stars.
Dinner is served on board
DAY 7 - ASWAN
Friday- Board Your Nile Cruise (cBLD)
Upon arrival at
Aswan Station, we escort you to your luxury Nile cruise vessel. After
lunch, explore Aswan's lively bazaar, or stroll along the banks of the
Nile, as you like. In the evening, we cast off and cruise down the Nile.
DAY 8 - KOM OMBO
& EDFU Saturday (cBLD)
We visit the twin
temples at Kom Ombo, then set sail for Edfu with its great Temple of
Horus. The evening finds us docked at Esna.

DAY 9 - ESNA
& LUXOR Sunday (cBLD)
We pass the locks
at Esna and cruise down the Nile, past bucolic scenes little changed
from ancient times, until our late afternoon arrival at Luxor.
DAY 10 - LUXOR-CAIRO
Saturday (cBD)
We check out of
our cabins after breakfast, and fly back to Cairo and your hotel .
DAY 11 - CAIRO
Monday (cB)
Full day at leisure in Cairo , or ask for available optional tours.
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread .
. . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo ! You'll be
invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked
specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations,
and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be
about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own
background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and
find that you have more in common than you ever suspected, of course,
you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting
us know your preferences.
DAY 12 - DEPARTURE
Tuesday (B)
After breakfast,
we escort you to the airport for your flight home on Olympic Airways
via Athens to New York.
RATES
per person in US $
| |
Deluxe
|
First
Class |
Tourist
Class |
| Triple |
US$
5565 |
US$
5165 |
US$
4980 |
| Double
|
US$
5685 |
US$
5285 |
US$
5000 |
| Single |
US$
6445 |
US$
6185 |
US$
5800 |
Air
fare supplement : For May thru end of Sep as well as Dec 23 - Jan 2
: Please add : $ 450 high season supplement
This tour
departs every weekly from New York, year round. These rates are subject
to change without notice. Rates are guaranteed only after receipt of
your deposit by Nubian Cruises, Inc., According to the Terms & Conditions
in our web site : www.nubiannilecruises.com
The
tour includes...
- international
airfare New York-Athens-Cairo-Athens-New York on BA, LH, KLM etc.
or Olympic Airways, tax included (although we reserve the right to
use any accredited IATA international air carrier)
- Cairo-Aswan
and Luxor-Cairo first-class sleeper train tickets and domestic air
ticket , the domestic air is in economy class, tax included
- Four-day
(three-night) Nile cruise, including onboard accommodations, all meals,
and daily sightseeing excursions
- All
transfers within Greece and Egypt, always on a private basis
- Hotel
accommodations in Athens and Cairo, including all taxes and service
charges, based on the rate category you choose
- Meals
as indicated in the itinerary by the codes "cB" for continental
breakfast, "L" for set-menu lunch, and "D" for
set-menu dinner
- Guided,
escorted sightseeing tours as indicated in the itinerary, including
all entry fees
Not
included:
- Gratuities
Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
- Trip
cancellation insurance, travel insurance
- Meals
that are not listed/specified
- Beverages
Nubian
Cruises, Inc. can arrange for add-on airfares at excellent rates from
many cities in the USA to get you to New York for the tour departure.
Please ask for a copy of the Nubian Cruises hotel flyer, which contains
detailed information on these fares. The flyer also provides information
on the individual hotels and Nile cruise vessels visited on this tour.
The
complete Terms & Conditions which govern this tour are printed in
our tour catalog entitled In Search of Ancient Lands which accompanies
this tour itinerary. (If you did not receive a copy of the catalog,
please request one from Nubian Cruises, Inc. or your travel agent, or
refer to our Internet web site .Please read the complete Terms &
Conditions before paying your tour deposit; receipt of a tour deposit
by Nubian Cruises, Inc. Confirms that you have read and fully accept
the Terms & Conditions which govern this tour.
The
Great Pyramid of Cheops . . . Are You Up to the Adventure?
A journey into the heart of the Great Pyramid is a real-life Indiana
Jones adventure. But it can also be a taxing and frightening one.
You'll follow claustrophobic passages cut into the heart of the pyramid,
feel the pull of the mass of stone directly above. For better or worse,
you have placed yourself in the hands of the engineering expertise of
the ancients.
As
you continue along the unventilated passages, the oxygen becomes depleted,
the air becomes noticeably warmer and more pungent. The ascent of steep
stairways consumes more energy than you imagined, and you find yourself
short of breath. Lighting is dim, every footstep must be carefully calculated.
Low passageways repeatedly oblige you to advance while bent down, and
your muscles protest. Where walls disappear into the dark above, you
feel wedged into a shaft. Despite warnings, and your own resolve, claustrophobic
feelings are hard to suppress.
Finally,
you behold the King's Chamber at the heart of the Great Pyramid. The
effort to reach it has made the reward more exhilarating than you imagined.
If only you can face the return.
Is
the King's Chamber for you? If you're not used to bending and regular
exercise, you might find the challenge beyond your capabilities. Turning
back is more difficult the farther you go, and the experience could
leave you aching for days afterwards.
Be
realistic about yourself, your abilities, and your disposition. And
remember that there are many other rewarding sights and adventures at
Giza, without the physical challenge and risks of the King's Chamber.
The
decision is up to you.
Extend
your stay and enjoy a spa or Turkish Hamam package

Compare
with Greece, Palestine and Israel Tour
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