Windstar’s Arabian Nights & Egyptian Days cruise is a nine-day journey on the Red Sea, visiting ports in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. In addition to pure wonders and historic websites alongside the coast, this itinerary provides friends the chance to see a number of inland points of interest, together with the pyramids of Giza and the traditional metropolis of Petra.
The coral reefs within the Red Sea are dwelling to an abundance of marine wildlife, and you’ll have the chance to snorkel in Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. From camel rides with Bedouin guides to a 4×4 tour on the sting of the Sahara Desert, there aren’t any scarcity of shore excursions for adventurous vacationers. Guests can even have two days on the magnificent temples in Luxor, full with an in a single day at a lodge alongside the Nile.
Here are the highlights:
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Once a small fishing village, Jeddah has turn out to be the nation’s greatest port metropolis, providing a mixture of historical past and modernity. The previous city district of Al Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s dwelling to the Matbouli House Museum, amongst different points of interest. Dating again 400 years, this museum is a superbly preserved conventional Hijazi service provider’s dwelling, providing a singular have a look at what life was like tons of of years in the past in Al Balad. Looking for coastal surroundings? The New Jeddah Corniche is a three-part waterfront walkway that stretches 20 miles, boasting unbelievable views of the Red Sea. You’ll see King Fahd’s Fountain, which shoots water 850 ft within the air, making it the tallest fountain on the earth. The Baab Makkah, or Makkah Gate, is among the extra widespread architectural websites in Jeddah, together with the Al Rahma Mosque, also referred to as the Floating Mosque.
Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Yanbu is among the oldest ports on the Red Sea, courting again practically 2,500 years. Yanbu’s financial system has lengthy been related to the spice commerce and the export of dates, and it’s also acknowledged for being a serious hub for pilgrims. The Yanbu Waterfront runs for practically eight miles, and this corniche provides entry to gardens, marinas, motels, parks and aquariums. In addition to fabulous views of the Red Sea, enterprise past town for a glimpse at Radwa Mount, the towering string of red-rock peaks, that are a part of the Yanbu Al Nakhil Mountains. Yanbu can also be identified for its distinctive SCUBA diving, because of its massive, unspoiled coral reefs teeming with wildlife. Another widespread spot is the not too long ago restored Souq Al-Lail evening market, which is open till midnight. You might also wish to make time to go to the dwelling as soon as occupied by T.E. Lawrence, the well-known British officer who was instrumental within the Great Revolt of 1916-1918.
Safaga (Luxor), Egypt
The charming port metropolis of Safaga serves as a gateway to Luxor, which has some of the spectacular collections of tombs and temples on the earth. Windstar provides a two-day tour to Luxor that explores points of interest on the east and west banks of the Nile River, and friends keep on the Hilton Luxor Hotel, which is located proper on the water. You’ll marvel on the twin statues of King Ramses II on the Luxor Temple, and the numerous pillars, sphinxes and pylons on the much more spectacular Karnak Temple advanced. Construction started on the temple round 1950 BC and continued for practically 2,000 years. The Karnak Temple additionally has a spectacular sound and light-weight present each night, providing guests a singular alternative to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site after darkish. Along the West Bank is the Valley of the Kings, which is dwelling to the tomb of the famed baby king, Tutankhamun, in addition to the Hatsheput Temple. Beyond the jaw-dropping temples, you’ll have the possibility to experience on a felucca, a standard boat that has been used to sail the Nile since historic instances.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
From snorkeling within the Red Sea to using camels within the desert, Sharm El Sheikh provides entry to locations in Egypt which can be off the crushed path. Located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mahammad National Park is one among Egypt’s hottest diving and snorkeling websites, dwelling to greater than 220 species of coral and over 1,000 species of fish. If you’re extra focused on staying on land, you’ll have the chance to go on a camel experience within the desert with Bedouin guides. You’ll have time to talk over tea together with your guides and study their semi-nomadic way of life and connection to the land. History buffs will wish to make the journey up the winding roads of Mount Sinai to St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is the oldest repeatedly inhabited Christian monastery on the earth. The monastery’s king publish truss is the oldest identified surviving roof truss on the earth, and the location is sacred to each Christians and Muslims. Back within the metropolis, you’ll wish to try the Al Mustafa Mosque, together with the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is taken into account some of the stunning church buildings on the earth.
Ain Sokhna, Egypt
Named after the close by scorching springs within the Ataka Mountains, Ain Sokhna is the right place to sit back and calm down. While town is legendary for deep sea fishing and kite browsing (to not point out its uncrowded seashores), it’s additionally near various bucket-list points of interest. Cairo and the pyramids of Giza are a two-hour drive to the west, and the St. Paul Monastery is 2 hours to the south. The monastery, which was established within the 4th century AD, has a collection of wall work of holy knights and the hermits who based the monastery, plus a library with over 1,700 manuscripts.
Hurghada, Egypt
Hurghada is yet one more fashionable seashore resort metropolis, and it is dwelling to a number of spectacular diving and snorkeling sports activities. If you’re not a seasoned diver, contemplate trying out the marine life by way of a semi submarine, the place you possibly can take pleasure in views from the underside or high decks, with the possibility to swim and snorkel. Another widespread exercise for adventurous of us is a 4×4 safari tour, which brings you proper to the sting of the sprawling Sahara Desert. As a part of this tour, additionally, you will go to a Bedouin camp and share tea together with your hosts. The metropolis itself holds loads of appeal, and from espresso outlets to the native fish market, make sure you enable time to walk by way of the streets and vendor stalls earlier than you board your Windstar yacht.
Aqaba (Petra), Jordan
Aqaba is Jordan’s solely port, and this gorgeous metropolis has unspoiled seashores and lux resorts, making it an interesting place to remain for a number of days. Aqaba is only a one-hour drive from the otherworldly Wadi Rum Desert, which has gorgeous rock formations and sand dunes — plus a spread of distinctive lodging choices. Aqaba is a two-hour drive from the traditional metropolis of Petra, dwelling to the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh. After wandering by way of a lovely slot canyon, you’ll catch your first have a look at the temple, which is carved proper into the purple sandstone cliffs. You might also have the possibility to take an evening tour of Petra, which is an unbelievable method to expertise this archaeological surprise.
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