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The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean

The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean
The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean

This is sponsored content from Cruise Offers.

Experience the romance and wonder of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean on these Cruise Offers tours.

Choose from one of two departures, January 29 or February 26, 2021, where you start the tour in Athens after a flight from Australia.

The first stop by coach is Delphi which is set on Mount Parnassus and home of 4th century BC Temple of Apollo and residence once to a legendary oracle.

Spend the next morning on a sightseeing tour of Delphi and its extensive mountainside archaeological complex including the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia. Visit the Delphi Archaeological Museum and its array of artifacts.

Arrive in Kalambaka, Greece the following day. Burnt down by the Nazis in WW11, the town has been delightfully rebuilt. Wonder at the monasteries of Meteora on day five, perched as they are atop massive boulders.

The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean
The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean

While the tour passed through Athens originally, it is now time to head back and marvel at the perfection of Greek architecture with a close up look at the Acropolis and the Parthenon, built to honour the goddess Athena.

Another two full days are devoted to Athens as the tour explores the historical Plaka district at the foot of the Acropolis. See the Panathinaiko Stadium, the venue of the first Olympic Games.

With so much to do and see, you can choose for yourself where you want to visit on a free day. Take in one of many museums such as the Acropolis Museum, or the Benaki Museum which contains Greek art from prehistorical to modern times.

By day nine it is time to steady yourself for sea as you embark on cruise ship the Celestyal Crystal.

Relax as you enjoy the magnificent facilities of the ship before arriving in intriguingly exotic Alexandria, Egypt. A tour through the desert will get you to the Nile River and then onto Cairo.

The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean
The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean

In Giza be spellbound by the wonders of the ancient world in the form of the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Enjoy some shopping time before heading back to the ship.

From Egypt head to Israel where you might like to take a tour to Jerusalem to the breathtakingly beautiful, holy, walled city.

Visit Jerusalem's oldest quarter, the Jewish Quarter and the massive Western Wall, or 'The Wailing Wall,' part of the Temple Mount foundation - the most sacred Jewish site in the land.

Walk 'The Way of Suffering,' the narrow, cobbled road Jesus walked carrying his cross.

Later in the day travel past Mount Scopus to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ and David, King of Israel.

The ancient port of Limassol in Cyprus is next on the itinerary.

The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean
The Wow factor of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Mediterranean

Explore the many points of interest here before heading to Rhodes, Greece, the largest island on the archipelago called Dodecanese and the capital of this group of islands. Enjoy an excursion of the old town taking in the castle and the Grand Masters residence.

The Celestyal Crystal arrives at Kusadasi, on Turkey's Aegean coast on day 15. Explore the Roman city of Ephesus, one of the most extensive archaeological sites in the world, in an included excursion. Wonder at the chariot wheel ruts in the marble streets made 2000 years ago.

From here the ship takes you back to Athens and a flight home to Australia.

This once in a lifetime cruise starts at $4999 per person twin share for an inside cabin, $5399, oceanview cabin and $5799, balcony suite. Call Cruise Offers on 1800-630-343, or go to cruiseoffers.com.au

This is sponsored content from Cruise Offers.