19 Days, airfare included from USA

This exceptional Greece and Egypt travel package includes a tour in Athens , tour of the GREEK ISLES ,Egypt in all its variety, from the wonders of the Great Pyramids to a Nile cruise, and even the unspoiled beaches of the Red Sea. As well as the mighty temples at Abu Simbel, Queen Nefertari's Tomb, Denderah Temples, Diving or snorkeling, and a CAMEL CARAVAN to a Nubian Village .
In Greece we spend 8 days Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

Compare with the Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise Edition . Compare with the 14 Day edition .
Add Petra , Morocco , or Alexandria & Fayoum Oases

DAY 3 - CAIRO - sailing the Nile Tuesday (cBLD)
Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummies Room. We'll continue to Royal Manial Palace of former Crown Prince Mohamed Ali , on to the Coptic Museum, and the Church of Abu Sergha, and the Beni Ezra Synagogue. We'll see where,according to the legend, Moses was found along the banks of the Nile. We'll take our lunch at a local restaurant.

Enjoy a 30 minute felucca sailing on the Nile to see Cairo from a different angle before we head back to your hotel.

DAY 4 - DAHSOUR (cBL)
After breakfast, we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza.
The museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years , the wooden boat was readied for the king's daily journey with the sun god, Ra . Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt.

Those who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber your ticket is included with our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking a camel ride (Included) is entirely your own choice!

Continue to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant or your hotel.

DAY 5 - The Red Sea resort of Sharm , Thursday (cB)
Head for the airport and a short flight to Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this unique desert beach resort. Relax by the cerulean waters, take a camel ride at your option. For deluxe category: Rotana , Hyatt Regency resort, or the Savoy.

DAY 6 - Sharm El Sheikh, Snorkel or Dive- Friday (cBD)
The Red Sea just off "Sharm" is replete with fascinating coral and aquatic species unique to this area. You'll spend the full day today exploring these wonders as you snorkel or scuba dive (for which proof of certification is a must ). There's also time to relax, take an optional excursion, or look into the life of the Bedouins who have made a way of life in the desert. Evening Bedouin Dinner.

DAY 7 - LUXOR & Cruise to Denderah -Saturday (cBLD)
An early flight takes us to Luxor,along the Nile in fabled Upper Egypt, where We'll navigate the waters of the Nile to Denderah in a day excursion cruise ( or by car) , to visit the best preserved temple in Egypt, then its back to Luxor for a spectacular sound & light show at Karnak temple. Accommodation on board your Nile Cruise. One large bottle of mineral water in your cabin with our compliments.

DAY 8 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS Sunday (cBLD)
Today's tour include as well a visit to the Valley of the Kings, temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and Colossi of Memnon, on Deir El Medinah , where you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.

Returning to our Nile cruiser for lunch. Following lunch aboard, we visit the great Temple of Luxor, and the gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, returning to our vessel in time for tea. Complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin.

DAY 9 - ESNA & EDFU- Monday (cBLD)
We cruise to Esna during the night and pass through the locks. After breakfast we cruise to Edfu and board horse-drawn carriages to get to the fine Temple of Horus. In the evening, we have a jolly galabia party. A Galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments.

DAY 10 - KOM OMBO & ASWAN , CAMEL CARAVAN -Tuesday (cBLD)
We explore Kom Ombo's twin Temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, before cruising south to Aswan. After lunch aboard, we board a graceful felucca for a cruise among the Nile islands .Then to really immerse yourself, try your hand at a complimentary camel riding! We'll take willing passengers on a traditional caravan to enjoy tea with Nubian villagers. Only Travel In Style & Nubian Nile Cruises afford this unique opportunity to meet & interact with local Nubians. We are proud to offer this insight into the Nubian way of life. Back in your cabin : Complimentary Egyptian pastry & sweets platter.

DAY 11 - ASWAN & ABU SIMBEL/CAIRO Wednesday (cB)
The mighty Aswan dams are our first goal this morning, followed by a trip by motor launch to the Philae temples. Back on land, we visit an ancient Pharaonic red granite quarry, then Nubia Museum before a short flight to Abu Simbel. There we'll marvel at the temples dedicated to Ramses the Great and Queen Neferatri, saved from rising waters of the Nile when the High Dam was built, fly back to Aswan and connect with our returning flight to Cairo .

DAY 12 - ATHENS -Thursday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight to Athens. Air ticket is included in our rate Cairo Athens , in economy class, tax included. Arrive at Athens Airport, where our representative will meet you, and assist with the transfer to your hotel .

Day 13 , Athens- Friday (B)
A morning sightseeing tour takes us to all the high points : The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Syntagma Square, The Parliament& The world famous Acropolis. Afternoon at leisure. Why not have lunch at a taverna in the Plaka, take in a museum or gallery , then do some cafe-sitting and people -watching in Syntagma Squab.

Day 14 , Athens / Mykonos- Saturday (B)
Early morning transfer to the pier at Piraeus to board the ferry boat heading for Myconos. And your selected hotel. We'll have a representative on hand to meet you, and check you in to your hotel. Relax! Reserve some time to stroll the cobbled lanes of Mykonos, to sip an ouzo or a retsina at a waterside cafe, to discover a beach or two, to pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at sea.

Day 15 , Mykonos - Sunday (B)

The day is totally yours. There's no need to venture beyond the grounds of your lovely hotel. But on the other hand, there's plenty of reason to do so, starting with 350 whitewashed churches and chapels, dramatic cliffs, blue seas, and secluded beaches.

Day 16 , Santorini- Monday (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your morning ferry heading for Santorini. On arrival, we'll see that you're checked in to your hotel. Santorini Hotel/Apartments

Day 17 , Santorini - Tuesday (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel and linger for as long as you wish. When you venture out, explore the cliff top town of Thira with its winding paths leading from view to spectacular view. We offer an optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, reputed to be the center of the lost civilization of Atlantis. Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

Day 18 , Athens- Wednesday (B)
Morning transfer to the port to embark the ferry boat back to Piraeus. Upon your arrival, transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 19 , Departure- Thursday (B)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. We'll pick you up and see you to Athens Airport, Kalo Taxidi!

Bon Voyage!

RATES per person in USD

• This tour departs , weekly, year round For departures during Christmas, New Year's or Easter weeks, please add 20 % to the rates above.
  
• Please note that the Nile vessels and cruise itineraries are subject to change.
  
• Upgrade to these ultra deluxe Nile cruise :
  Click here for more info on these luxurious cruises: ( Supplement : 20 % to be added to the
  Deluxe rate : Movenpick M/S Royal Lilly , M/S Royal Lotus , M/S Radamis II ( Swiss Management) .
  The Sonesta M/S Star Goddess , Sonesta M/S Moon Goddess all suites with private balconies
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AIRFARE NOTES

• Our airline partners are British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss International
  For Boston, DC : Please add:$250 , for Chicago, Miami, Houston : $ 300. Most West Coast cities : $ 400
  
  In addition, for any departures from May 1 through Sep 30 , please add $450 high-season airfare surcharge to the rates shown above. This air fare supplement doesn't apply when you handle your own airfare.
  
• If you choose to make your own arrangements for international airfare, please deduct $ 700 per person from the rates.

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES :

• International airfare : New York / Cairo /Athens/ New York , in economy class . US departure tax.
• Egyptian & Greek domestic airfares as described in the itinerary.
• All airport transfers and taxes in Egypt.
• Hotel and or Villa/Apartments ( in Santorini) accommodations (including taxes), as per itinerary.
• And set-menu (table d'hôte) meals as indicated in the itinerary above.
• Nile cruise with all shore excursions and meals.
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
• Large bottle of water ( per person ) delivered to you cabin daily while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
• Tea or coffee an bottled water with each / every meal while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
• Guided sightseeing by air-conditioned motor coach, including all admissions fees.
• Egyptian Visa fee issued upon arrival for American Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens, passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival.
• Ferry ticket between Athens & the islands as per itinerary.

Not included:

• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Beverages.
• Meals that are not specifically listed .
• Trip cancellation insurance / travel insurance

DRESS CODE :

All of our Nile cruise vessels are fully air conditioned. Onboard dress is casual except at dinner, when smart casual is the rule. Lightweight cotton and other natural fiber clothing is best, with swimsuits and sun hats for the sundeck and pool. Bring a light sweater or light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, but most days are warm to hot, with very little rain. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for shore excursions.

Visit to El Djarrah Cave in the Egyptian that was discovered in 1873, and then forgotten for more than 100 years. Even today, few visitors are privileged to penetrate its depths to admire its stalactites and ancient rock art

Nefertiti Turns Egypt Upside Down!!

The first bloodless religious revolution against the established church in Ancient Egypt
And the seat of power that rested with the priests in Karnak

Nefertiti Turns Egypt Upside Down!! 1350 BC - Queen Nefertiti is reported to have led her Egyptian subjects on a wild spree of idol-smashing, temple-destruction, and forced migration, all part of a campaign of religious reformation.

"From now on, there will be only one Deity, and that Deity is Aten, the Sun Disc," she has commanded.

Reliable sources in the Nile Valley report that all temples to gods other than Aten have been closed, and that a hefty fine will be imposed on anyone caught with an outlawed statuette.

Idols are to be smashed immediately, and the shards turned over to the priests of Aten.

"The capital of Egypt will now be at Tel El Amarna," reads a decree widely circulated in cuneiform on clay tablets.

"All priests are to settle within one hour's journey of the new Temple to Aten. All bidders on public works contracts will likewise have their head offices within the same specified distance."

Egyptian leaders in exile have disputed the motives behind the upheaval. "It's just a ploy to concentrate power and wealth in her hands and those of her husband, Ikhnaton," stated one defrocked priest.

"Everybody knows that Nefertiti has risen to her position on qualities that have nothing to do with religion.

She isn't called Incarnation of Beauty for nothing," he added, referring to the literal meaning of her name. The source asked not to be identified, fearing reprisals. Tel El Amarna, Nile Valley, 2004 - from Paul Glassman, special correspondent "Wow," commented Joe Shiner, an agro-businesman from Des Moines, as he toured the main temple at Tel El Amarna. "It's one thing to hear that Nefertiti was a real beauty. But it's quite another to visit in person and learn the real story." "Until I came here, I didn't know that she was behind the idea of having only one god-even before the Hebrews and Christians and followers of Mohammed.

"And now that I see her picture, I can understand why people followed her. This is not what I expected . . . not at all!" Mr. Shiner gestured as he spoke to a temple painting of a well-endowed Nefertiti in a chariot, wearing only a see-through cloak and thong-style panties.

"If she was my queen, I'd follow her to the end of the . . . "
Mr. Shiner's comments were interrupted by the approach of his wife.

Disclaimer: The facts presented are as accurate as can be ascertained from the archeological record. Mr. Joe Shiner is a composite of the satisfied clients of Travel in Style.