On arrival on Day 2, a Vantage representative will greet you at the airport and arrange a transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Get acquainted with Jordan’s ancient and modern capital—one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities—on this morning’s panoramic tour featuring the ancient Citadel, the Roman Theater, the Jordan Archaeological Museum, and the Jordan Folklore Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, journey through the mountains of Gilead to Jerash, an ancient settlement that is one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside of Italy.

Follow the route of the ancient spice trade today as we transfer to Petra along the 5,000-year-old King’s Highway. Cultural Connections: Visit the Madaba School of Mosaic and see the oldest mosaic map of the Holyland. We’ll also visit Mt. Nebo, believed to be the burial site of Moses.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to the ancient “Lost City” of Petra. Stop en route at Wadi Mujib, a picturesque canyon, and at Kerak, to explore the castle complex built by the Crusaders in 1142.

Petra — recently voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World — is a breathtaking complex of 800 monuments carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs. Established 2,000 years ago, Petra mysteriously lay undiscovered for centuries. Approach its ruins by way of the siq—a narrow chasm—and spend the morning exploring its tombs, funerary halls, temples, and arched gateways. Lunch is included. Then, proceed toward Aqaba, the port city on the Red Sea made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Cultural Connection: En route, stop at a Bedouin camp, and experience the traditional lifestyle of this hospitable people. Then, board the Superior First-Class M/Y Harmony G and enjoy dinner on board.

Cruise this morning to the Israeli coastal town of Taba to explore this morning, or join an excursion to Pharaoh’s Island, renowned for a 12th-century Crusaders’ fort once visited by Lawrence of Arabia. Return to the ship for lunch and a cruise to Sharm el-Sheikh, a world-class resort.

Today, embark on a full-day journey to St. Catherine's Monastery, one of the world’s oldest continuously operating monasteries, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses is fabled to have beheld the Burning Bush and received the Ten Commandments. Cultural Connection: Tonight, enjoy a Greek evening on board ship.

During breakfast, your ship will dock at Duba, one of the stops along the Hajj—the storied pilgrimage route to Mecca. Duba is an ancient town that first appeared in records dating to the 13th-century. Your morning half-day tour will reveal an ancient Arabic port town that has evolved, in many respects, to the modern world. You’ll also have time at leisure here this afternoon to stroll around before returning to the ship.

Your ship is docked today in the resort town of Hugarda for a day at leisure. Or join an optional overnight tour to Luxor, on the east bank of the Nile. Here, you’ll view the antiquities at the Luxor Museum, see the temples at Luxor and Karnak, and cross the river to explore the Valleys of the Kings and Queens and see the Colossi of Memnon.

Today, the ship sails for the Gubal Islands in the Gulf of Suez. Perhaps you’ll take advantage of the Harmony G’s swimming platform, or simply relax onboard.

Arrive in Ain Sukhna, renowned for its hot springs, and enjoy a full-day excursion to two fortified Coptic Christian monasteries: the fifth-century Monastery of St. Paul, and the Monastery of St. Anthony.

Disembark the ship this morning, and board a motorcoach bound for the Suez Canal. Enjoy close-up views during this morning’s visit. Your journey continues across the desert to Alexandria, which was founded in 332 BC by Alexander the Great. On arrival, take in spectacular views as you enjoy lunch in a former palace and stroll the Royal Montazah Gardens that surround it. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the New Library of Alexandria and later check into your seaview room at a Superior First-Class hotel.
Day 13 includes a morning tour; visit the National Museum, one of the finest museums in the country, and Fort Qaitbey, a 15th-century fortress built from the stones of the fabled Pharos lighthouse. Your afternoon is at leisure, or join an optional tour to the ancient Roman theater and catacombs.

Your journey culminates in Cairo, Egypt’s capital. Arrive after lunch and enjoy time to explore on your own. On Day 15, visit a Wonder of the Ancient World on today’s full-day excursion to the famed Giza Plateau, where you can ponder the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Cultural Connection: Stop by a carpet-making school, and then, enjoy a guided tour of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, with its gallery of the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun. Tonight, perhaps you’ll take an optional dinner cruise on the Nile.

Enjoy an included half-day tour of Old Cairo today. Cultural Connection: Learn the art of jewelry making during a visit to a jewelry bazaar. The afternoon is free, or join in an optional tour of Saladin Citadel and Mohammed Ali mosque.  Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

After a very early, light breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

This itinerary also operates in reverse, in which case the Israel extension will be post-trip. For those on the Cairo to Amman (U.S. departure date 10/31), Day 16 in Amman will include a full day sightseeing tour of Amman and a Farewell Dinner. Your transfer to the airport will be at midnight. You will depart Amman to the U.S. on Day 17 at 3:00 a.m. This means you will depart from your hotel at approximately midnight. You will have your room right up until departure on that evening.

PLEASE NOTE: In general, wind and weather conditions may alter your cruise itinerary, and alternate stops will be made if a particular port cannot be reached.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The above day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur while on board ship or on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager. Also, pending weather conditions, your cruise itinerary is subject to changes, and Vantage cannot be held responsible for missed ports.