Greek Isles and Ancient Nile
Greece & Egypt

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 one week Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise, and even the mighty temples at Abu Simbel, and a CAMEL CARAVAN to a Nubian Village . In Greece we spend 8 days Athens, Mykonos & Santorini . In Cairo we stay at the Four Seasons Hotel , in Egypt we fly Business class . Wed . weekly in Cairo : May -Oct

Weekly in Cairo on Wed, Thu, Fri ,Sat , or Tue . Embarkation: Luxor or Aswan

Honeymoon on the Nile Cruise - Ultra Luxury on the Nile at the Four Seasons Hotel

How would you like to cruise the Nile the way the Pharaoh & Cleopatra did ? These graceful boats will allow you to cruise the great river in a stately Pharaonic style. Our 8-day "soft adventure" cruise visits all of Upper Egypt's top sights, and gives you the chance to see the timeless Nile as adventurers have seen it throughout the ages. If you're on your honeymoon, we can provide a private sailing boat. Add Greece

DAY 1 - Wednesday Cairo
Weekly in Cairo year round - We'll be happy to work and custom tailor around your own arrival date, subject to Nile Cruise availability.

Arrival at Cairo Airport, Visa fee is included and issued upon arrival for citizens of : EU , US, Australia, NZ, Canada, Mexican & Japan, you're responsible for your passport being in order and valid .
Transfers in Egypt are provided on private basis , on to your hotel:

Ultra Deluxe Hotels :
Four Seasons Hotel, or the Mena House Oberoi, Pyramid view, subject to availability and your preference.

DAY 2 - Thursday Cairo - Family Home Hosted Diner (BD)
Full day at leisure. Explore Cairo on your own with your guidebook at hand ( We'll send you one with our compliments)

Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! 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 dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 3 - LUXOR ( or Aswan) Friday (BLD)
After an early breakfast in Cairo at the hotel we'll assist with your transfer to Cairo Airport to board your domestic flight to Luxor ( included in our rate), business class , in Luxor we'll provide you as well with a transfer, to your hotel : Old Winter Palace Hotel, Nile View (Subject to availability)

When the embarkation is in Aswan, then we start by flying to Abu Simbel, touring the might temples of Ramses the Great and Queen Nefertari return to Aswan and the Old Cataract Hotel -Nile view.

Day 4- Nile Cruise - Saturday (BLD)
Breakfast at the hotel. Our local rep. will assist with your transfer to your Nile Cruise.
Check- in : Welcome drink is served upon arrival. Welcome fruit basket, with our compliments.

Morning tour of Deir El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Morning tour of Deir El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Deir El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank 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.

Return to the cruise for a delicious lunch, complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin. Afternoon at leisure , maybe to explore the local bazzar on your own. Evening Sound & Light show at Karnak Temple.

Nile Cruise Shore Excursions : For private guide, private air-conditioned car, private driver for cruise shore excursions, please add $150 per person to the above listed rate. This supplement doesn't apply when you book the Presidential Suite.

DAY 5 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS Sunday (cBLD)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, including King Tut's tomb, Valley of the Queens

Please note that Queen Nefertari's tomb is closed for urgent repairs, so we 'll be touring instead : Ancient Workers Village at Medinet Habu, as soon as Nefertari is opened again, we will reinstate it in our programs.

The Queen for whom the sun shines (closed for now ) :
Long before Cleopatra humbled the ruler of Rome, an Egyptian queen held power over the heart and soul of Ramses, Egypt's greatest pharaoh. In the 12th century BC, a brokenhearted Ramses built a grand funerary tomb for Queen Nefertari, "the Beautiful one," in the Valley of the Queens. It's been exquisitely restored with the aid of an American endowment, and is among the rarest sights in all Egypt: the only great tomb ever built by a pharaoh for his late queen. Artistically, it is the closest thing you could ever come to see the original Ancient Egyptian art in all of its glory and finesse.

Because of its fragile nature, only a limited number of visitors are allowed entry each day. We are the only company to include a visit to Nefertari's tomb in our daily program. Because of the limited access we must rise early for our visit, appropriate as Ramses named Nefertari "the one for whom the sun shines."

Then it's on to Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. After a shipboard lunch. Sail for Edfu where we dock for the night.
Cabin amenity tonight: One large bottle of water ( one for each guest).

DAY 6 - EDFU & ASWAN Monday (cBLD)
In Edfu, we board horse-drawn carriages for the ride to the Temple of Horus. The best preserved temple in Egypt. Returning to our ship, we set sail for Aswan .Complimentary Galabya , you may wish to try on for the evening when there's a jolly galabia party aboard. A complimentary galabya will be delivered to your cabin.

DAY 7 -Abu Simbel - ASWAN & CAMEL CARAVAN Tuesday (BLD)
Get ready for the tour of Aswan Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, The Nubian Museum, and Philae Temple ,before we head back for our lunch aboard. In the afternoon we board a graceful felucca and cruise among the islands of the Nile, be our guest if you wish on a complimentary short camel caravan to a near by Nubian Village for tea with the locals.

ABU SIMBEL ( private guide and private car in Abu Simbel)
Abu Simbel We've planned our visit to Abu Simbel to be a highlight of your Egyptian adventure. Air fare is included in business class between Aswan and Abu Simbel, round trip .

In the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which we fly back to Aswan and your Nile Cruise

Cabin amenity: Complimentary Egyptian sweets/pastry platter.

DAY 8 - KOM OMBO Wednesday (BLD)
Morning tour of Kalabsha Temple dedicated to the ancient god Mandulis, and the goddess Isis . Built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus , the small rock-cut temple of Beit El Wali, built by Ramses the Great , and the small yet charming Kiosk of Qertassi. In the afternoon we sail for Kom Ombo. Where we dock for the night.

DAY 9 - KOM OMBO Thursday (BLD)
We explore the twin Temples of Haroeris , the Sun God, and Sobek , the Crocodile God, at Kom Ombo, . Returning to our ship in time for tea. We set sail for Luxor.

DAY 10 - LUXOR Friday (BLD)
After breakfast, on to the Gigantic Temple of Karnak & the great temple of Luxor are our goal this morning , after lunch we see the most recent discoveries housed in the relatively new & charming Luxor Museum. Return to our Nile cruiser in time for afternoon tea

DAY 11 - LUXOR ( or Aswan ) Saturday (B)
After breakfast, check - out. Transfer is included to the Old Winter Palace or Old Cataract in Aswan if the boat is Aswan to Aswan. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 12 - CAIRO- Sunday (B)
After breakfast, check - out. Transfer is included to the the Airport as well as your flight back to Cairo in business class , in Cairo transfer is included to your hotel

DAY 13 - Monday Cairo (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure. Explore Cairo on your own.

DAY 14 - Tuesday Cairo-Departure for Athens (B)
After breakfast, check-out, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Athens in business class , tax included .

DAY 15 - ATHENS -Thursday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight to Athens. Arrive at Athens Airport, where our representative will meet you, and assist with the transfer to your hotel .

Day 16 , 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 17 , 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 18 , 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 19 , 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/ Villas

Day 20 , 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 21 , 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 22 , 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!

Bon Voyage. Have a nice flight .

RATES are  per person in USD

M/S Amarco

Rate Includes :

• All the Nile cruise shore excursions on a private basis : Private car/driver and Egyptologist.
• Air fare Cairo Athens in business class, tax included
• All entrance fees for all listed tours .
• The service of a private Egyptologist / English Speaking guide while on board the Nile Cruise
• Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, as listed .
• Afternoon tea daily onboard.
• All transfers in Egypt and Greece on a private basis
• Hotel accommodation as listed .
• The visa for Egypt is issued a complimentary basis (upon arrival at Cairo Airport), they must be holding American Passports, passports must be valid at least for 6 month beyond date of arrival.
• Domestic airfare in Egypt , in business class ( subject to availability)
  
  
• Large Bottled water ( per person) delivered daily to your Nile Cruise cabin ,while on board the cruise portion.
  
  
• One small bottled water ( per person) with each meal : Breakfast/lunch/dinner , while on board the Nile cruise
  
• Junior Suite on the Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruises :
  Ultra Deluxe Movenpick new Royal Lotus or Radamis II , M/S Queen TiYi , or M/S Amarco
  M/S Senator ( all suites & Private balconies ) , M/S Philae , M/S Alexander the Great

Or Presidential Suite on : Deluxe Nile Cruises
M/S Mojito , Monaco or Monte Carlo Nile Cruise , M/S Adonis

Not Included:

• Tips.
• Beverages except the ones listed.
• Laundry and any item of personal nature such as phone calls, room service etc.
• Any type of insurance, we'll be glad to send you the flyer upon request.
• International air fare from/to your home country

Cruise itinerary varies from one boat to another, some sites may not be covered by one boat or another, please check & verify the itinerary we confirm for exact details on the final confirmation for your booking.

Itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Jacquie Kennedy & Abu Simbel:

All Americans alive during the 1960s remember President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Most Americans from that time also remember Abu Simbel, the dramatic, ancient Pharaonic temple threatened by the rising waters blocked by the new Aswan High Dam . It's worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have been lost. Read More

* Dining Room Reservations: Meet other passengers :
YOU will not require any, our dining rooms do accommodate all our guests in one seating, one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner.

Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. For Shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are essential

.

* Clothing on Board: Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat. Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. All ships are fully air conditioned

* Departure days varies between Deluxe & First class.

Why book with us ?

Honeymoon on the Nile Cruise - Ultra Luxury on the Nile at the Four Seasons Hotel

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.