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Itinerary

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Day 1 Sun Depart USA Evening departure. Meals and refreshments are served on board. Day 2 Mon Rome Morning arrival in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Tonight experience the Roman dining scene and Dolce Vita. Day 3 Tue Rome This morning's city tour startswith Najads Fountain, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Stop near St. Peter's Square. Religious functions permitting, you may explore this majestic church on your own and admire Michelangelo's masterpiece, La Pieta. Afternoon sightseeing highlights the monument to King Victor Emanuel II, Piazza del Campidoglio which was designed by Michelangelo and complete your tour with a stop by the Colosseum. (B) Day 4 Wed Rome Enjoy a full day at leisure or join an optional excursion to Naples and Pompeii. In Naples, see the San Carlo Opera House and the striking Maschio Angioino. After lunch in Pompeii, visit the excavations where Pompeii was covered by ashes during the Mt. Vesuvius eruption in the year 79 A.D. The remains reveal the every day life of the Imperial Age and scenes of the eruption tragedy. Should you opt for staying in Rome, indulge in shopping at any of the marvelous signature shops and boutiques that dot the city... Gucci... Ferragamo... Bulgari. (B) Day 5 Thu Rome (Florence) Travel to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. The city tour includes the Accademia which houses the famous statue of David by Michelangelo, then the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with the beautiful dome by Brunelleschi, Giotto's Belfry and Piazza della Signoria, the very 'heart of Florence'. Enjoy an included lunch at an authentic Florentine restaurant and resume your tour at the church of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo is buried. You may visit on your own shops exemplifying ancient Florentine crafts of mosaics, leather and goldsmithing. (B,L) Day 6 Fri Rome/Cairo Departure by air for Cairo where you will be met and taken to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. (B) Day 7 Sat Cairo Full day city tour including the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, with the world's largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts and treasures from Tutankhamen's tomb. Next drive to the Citadel to view important Islamic structures, including the Muhammad Ali Mosque. In Old Cairo, we visit Al Moallaka Church (Hanging Church) and Ben Ezra Synagogue. End this city tour at Khan el-Khalili, Cairo's labyrinthine shopping Mecca. Best buys: gold, silver, papyrus, galabiyas, perfumes, antiques, and famous Egyptian cotton. Lunch is included during tour. (B,L) Day 8 Sun Cairo (Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Sakkara) Full day tour of the Giza complex, including the Pyramid of Khufu (the Great Pyramid), the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the Great Sphinx. After Giza proceed to Memphis and tour the 'open air museum', site of the Colossus of Ramses the Second and the Alabaster Sphinx. Your visit to Sakkara will include the Step Pyramid, the first pyramid ever. You will subsequently view the Pyramid of Teti. Lunch is included during tour. (B,L) Day 9 Mon Cairo/Luxor/Cruise After a short flight to Luxor, you will board the M/S Sonesta Nile Goddess in time for lunch. Admire the temple complex of Karnak (ancient Thebes) and Luxor. In the early evening there will be a Belly Dancing show and in the evening an optional Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple. Overnight on board ship in Luxor. (B,L,D) Day 10 Tue Cruise (Luxor/Esna) After breakfast visit the necropolis on the Nile's West Bank that includes the Valley of Kings and Queens, the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna. In the early evening there will be the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party and later in the evening fun at the Disco. Overnight in Esna. (B,L,D) Day 11 Wed Cruise (Esna/Edfu/Kom Ombo) Sail to the ancient settlement of Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile where you visit its Temple. of Horus, the Falcon God, the major Ptolemaic temple. Of all the temples that remain in Egypt, it is the most completely preserved. Sail for Kom Ombo to visit the Temples of Sobek and Haroeris. In the evening there will be a Galabiya Party. Overnight on board ship in Kom Ombo. (B,L,D) Day 12 Thu Cruise (Kom Ombo/Aswan) Sail to Aswan and enjoy a tour of the High Dam, an outstanding water project to prevent the Nile River from flooding. Also stop at the Granite Quarries, which in antiquity furnished the stone for the monolithal, colossal statues, obelisks, and shrines which are found throughout Egypt. See the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, Goddess of Magic. The temple had to be relocated block by block to its current location because of the rising waters caused by the dams built on the Nile. End this day tour with a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sailboat, around Kitchner's Island botanical garden and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Overnight in Aswan. In the evening there will be the Nubian Flokloric Show or an optional Sound & Light Show at the Temple of Philae. Overnight on board ship in Aswan. (B,L,D) Day 13 Fri Cruise/Aswan/Cairo After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. Once there, you will be assisted and transferred to your hotel. You may also elect to take an optional excursion and flying to Abu Simbel to visit two magnificent temples, relocated under the auspices of UNESCO. The Great Temple, with four colossal statues of Ramses II, dedicated to the sun god Ra Horakhti. Engravings record victories of Ramses II over the Hittites. Abu Simbel's smaller temple, called the temple of the goddess of love and beauty, was built by Ramses II for his beautiful wife Nefertari. Statues of Ramses II and Nefertari adorn the temple and decorations depict Ramses and Nefertari offering sacrifices to the gods. After visiting this magnificent site, you will fly to Cairo and transferred to your hotel. When in Cairo, whether you came directly from Aswan or from Abu Simbel, the balance of the day is at leisure for a last visit to a shopping bazaar, enjoy Cairo's exciting nightlife, or take an exciting optional Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids. (B) Day 14 Sat Cairo to USA (or extend your stay) Morning transfer to Cairo International Airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments are served aloft. (B)

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Rates

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2012 Scheduled Departures Rates (except cruise portion) indicated on the website are subject to currency fluctuations.  For an accurate rate, please call our Reservations Department at 1-800-935-5000. Once we have received the deposit on your booking, the land price is guaranteed from any future fluctuations in the rate of exchange.

Hotel Category Dates: City: Type: ★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ Rates for 2012 * * from   Jan. 1, 2012 Land & Cruise from $3,372 $3,816   Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 2012 Land & Cruise from $3,330 $3,816   Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2012 Land & Cruise from $3,330 $3,816   Mar. 4, 11, 18, 2012 Land & Cruise from $3,330 $3,816   Mar. 25, 2012 Land & Cruise from $3,863 $4,374

 

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Associated Hotels

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Hotel Class City ★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

J W Marriott

Le Meridien Pyramids

Marriott Hotel

Sonesta Cairo Hotel

Dei Mellini D lnghilterra

Special Airfares are available for this selected packages.

Plus applicable airport taxes and fees.

Price is per person based on double occupancy and may vary according to hotel seasonality, weekend surcharges, holidays and local events. Rates for Triple and Children and additional nights in Rome and Cairo are available. A SELECTION OF OTHER HOTELS IS AVAILABLE. SPECIAL AIRFARES ARE AVAILABLE.

Please note that as of January 1st, 2011 the City of Rome has introduced an overnight accommodation tax for all guests staying at any hotels (Law number 78 dated 05/31/2010). This small fee (2 or 3 Euros, per person, per day depending on hotel category) will be collected locally by the hotels.

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Ship Information

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M/S Sonesta Nile Goddess

M/S Sonesta Sun Goddess is a category 5-Star Deluxe vessel, built in 1989 – completely renovated year 2008, offering superlative luxury and comfortable cruising for the experience of a lifetime. The boat features 5 decks including 49 standard cabins. 4 extravaganza suites with private terrace. 4 deluxe suites with private lounge. All suites & cabins have broad panoramic windows. Private direct-dial telephones. Safety deposit boxes & mini bars. Music system. Individual climate control. Wireless internet access. Plasma TVs and marine satellite. Bathrooms are equipped with bathtubs and hairdryers. Panoramic elevator. Barbecue area on deck. Gym room, Massage room, Sauna and Jacuzzi. Technical Data : Length 236.22 feet - Width: 42.65 feet - Height: 36.09 feet Water purification station (ultra violet), filtered and softened before distribution - Sound proof and fire resistant panels and ceilings - Fire alarm protection and sprinkler system 3 engines 380 hp (VOLVO PENTA) - 3 generators. Classification : Awarded the Certificate of Excellence from the American Bureau of Shipping (A.B.S.). Classified as A1 River Service.

Amenities
Onboard Entertainment: Entertainment on board is a marvelous complement to the daily activity ashore. Have fun in a state of the art Discotheque, Belly dancer show, "Gallabiya" party, a Nubian folklore show.and all other nightly entertainment. A great highlight is the Captain’s cocktail party. During the day time enoy the outdoor swimming pool with bar service, jogging track located on the sun deck, billiard and Spa. In order to stay in form, before or after the daily adventures ashore, the M/S Sonesta Sun Goddess gives you a Gym room, Massage room, Sauna and Jacuzzi.

Dining
Savor the superb international gourmet cuisine available in the many boat’s venues. Main Dining Room: serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a la carte dinners are served in an atmosphere of elegance on the lower deck. Sun Deck Bar: overlooking the Nile, offering refreshing cocktails all day until sunset, as well as barbeque specialties. Lounge: adjacent to the lobby, the lounge which features a dance floor, serves light meals for lunches and dinners and also a wide range of cocktails and beverages in a comfortable and stylish ambiance. Bar service can also be found on the sun deck by the Outdoor Swimming Pool which also offers a jogging track, billiard and the Spa

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Optional Excursions

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Sightseeing Tours

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Half-day ancient Ostia Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Ancient Ostia
Departure time: Between 8:00am and 8:40am
Schedule: From March to October and on Tuesdays and Fridays only
Duration: 3 hours

Highlights: Via delle Tombe, Porta Romana, Decumanus Maximus, Terme di Nettuno, theatre built by Agrippa, Forum, Capitolium, temple of Rome and Augustus, Basilica, House of Diana, Thermopolium, Via dei Dipinti, and Museo Ostiense.

Full-day Capri Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Capri
Departure time: Between 6:30am and 7:15am
Schedule: Daily, except Christmas and New Year s Day
Duration: Full day

Highlights: Travel by motorcoach to Naples and board the hovercraft to Marina Grande. Weather permitting, board motorboats to the Blue Grotto. Panoramic drive to Anacapri. Lunch at a local restaurant. NOTE: If bad weather conditions will not permit the trip from Naples to Capri, a tour of Pompeii will be offered instead (the difference in price will be refunded).

Half-day Christian Rome Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Christian Rome
Departure time: Between 2:00pm and 2:40pm (from March to October) and between 1:30pm and 2:15pm (from November to February)
Schedule: Daily, except Easter, Christmas and New Year s Day
Duration: 3 hours

Highlights: Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Holy Staircase, Basilica of Saint John in Laterano, ancient Appian Way, Catacombs of San Callisto, Santa Domitilla or San Sebastiano, Baths of Emperor Caracalla.

Classical and Imperial Rome Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Classical and Imperial Rome with lunch
Departure time: Between 8:00am and 8:40am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Appros. 6 hours

Highlights: Basilica of St Peter (visit are not allowed during religious functions), Piazza della Repubblica,Trevi Fountain, the Colonna of Marco Aurelio, Palazzo di Montecitorio, the Pantheon (including visit), Palazzo Madama, Piazza Navona. After lunch see Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Campidoglio, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Colosseum.

Full-day Florence Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Florence
Departure time: Between 6:30am and 7:15am
Schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from March to October. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, except Christmas and New Year s Day from November to February.
Duration: Full day

Highlights: Academia Museum, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Baptistry, Giotto Bell Tower, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza and Church of Santa Croce. Lunch included at typical Florentine restaurant.

Half-day Imperial Rome Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Imperial Rome
Departure time: Between 2:00pm and 2:40pm (from March to October) and between 1:30pm and 2:15pm (from November to February)
Schedule: Daily
Duration: 3 hours

Highlights: Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Campidoglio, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Basilica of St. PAul Outside the Walls, Colosseum.

Full-day Naples & Vesuvius Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Naples and Vesuvius
Departure time: 6:30am
Schedule: Daily, except Christmas and New Year s Day
Duration: Full day

Highlights: In Naples, see of Castel Dell'Ovo, Piazza del Plebescito, Royal Palace, Basilica of San Francesco Di Paola, San Carlo Opera House, Gallery of Umberto I and Maschio Angioino. Continue to Mount Vesuvius.

Full-day Orvieto & Assisi Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Orvieto and Assisi
Departure time: Between 6:30am and 7:15am
Schedule: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays only from March to October. Mondays and Fridays only from November to February.
Duration: Full day

Highlights: Orvieto (including lunch), Trasimeno Lake, Assisi (including Church of St. Claire, Townhall Square with its People Palace, Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva, St Francis Basilica) and town of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Half-day Papal audience Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Papal Audience
Departure time: Between 7:00am and 7:40am
Schedule: Wednesdays only, based on His Holiness schedule
Duration: 3-4 hours

Highlights: The Papal Audience takes place in St. Peter Square, St. Peter Basilica or the Audience Hall, based on weather conditions and the number of participating pilgrims.

Papal blessing at Castel Gandolfo Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Papal blessing at Castelgandolfo
Departure time: Between 7:00am and 7:40am
Schedule: Sundays, during summer months only and based on His Holiness schedule
Duration: 4 hours

Highlights: Travel along the ancient Appian Way to His Holiness summer residence, near volcanic lake of Albano. The Papal Blessing will take place in the square facing the Papal palace of Castelgandolfo.

Half-day Roman Castles Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Roman Castles
Departure time: Between 2:00pm and 2:40pm
Schedule: From April to October and on Tuesdays and Saturdays only
Duration: 4 hours

Highlights: View Baths of Caracalla, Ancient Appian Way, Road of the Lakes, Colli Albani. Visit Castelgandolfo, Rocca di Papa, Grottaferrata, and Frascati, including local wine tasting.

Rome by night Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Rome by night with dinner
Departure time: 7:00pm
Schedule: Daily, except Christmas Eve and New Year s Eve
Duration: 3-4 hours

Highlights: Panoramic tour of the city including a stop at the Trevi Fountain, followed by a traditional Roman dinner at a typical local restaurant (including drinks).

Half-day Tivoli Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Tivoli
Departure time: Between 2:00pm and 2:40pm (from March to September) and between 8:00am and 8:40am (from October to February)
Schedule: Daily (except Mondays) - from March to October. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays only from November to February.
Duration: 4 hours

Highlights: Villa Adriana, Villa d'Este and its fountains

Half-day Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Rome
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Departure time: Between 7:00am and 7:40am
Schedule: Daily, except Sundays and Religious Holidays
Duration: 3 hours

Highlights: Vatican Museums, Gallery of the Tapestries and the Geographical Maps, Sistine Chapel.

Full-day Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Citadel Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Citadel
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 7 hours

Highlights: See the pyramids of Cheops, Chephran and Mycerinus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a monument that stands 65 feet high and 187 feet long, and that combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body. See the Citadel, one of the world s greatest monuments and most important landmarks in Cairo. Visit the Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque, due to the extensive use of alabaster stone for the exterior walls. Visit the Egyptian Museum. Situated on Tahir Square in Cairo, with its 107 halls, it is the most important museum in Egypt. Statues, mummies, antique jewels and the Tutankhamon treasures are on display. Lunch is included

Full-day Pyramids, Sphinx, Solar Boat, Memphis & Sakkara Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Pyramids, Sphinx, Solar Boat, Memphis and Sakkara
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 8 hours

Highlights: See the pyramids of Cheops, Chephran and Mycerinus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a monument that stands 65 feet high and 187 feet long,and that combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body. Continue with a visit of Memphis, the first capital city of Egypt, and Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in Egypt. Lunch is included

Full-day Alexandria Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Alexandria
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 6 hours

Highlights: Visit the National Museum with Greek and Roman artifacts, the Library, the Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa and the Qaitbay Fort, the ancient lighthouse. Lunch is included

Half-day Citadel Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Citadel
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 2 hours

Highlights: See the Citadel, one of the world s greatest monuments and most important landmarks in Cairo. Visit the Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque, due to the extensive use of alabaster stone for the exterior walls.

Half-day Egyptian Museum Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Egyptian Museum
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 3 hours

Highlights: Situated on Tahir Square in Cairo, with its 107 halls, it is the most important museum in Egypt.Statues, mummies, antique jewels and the Tutankhamon treasures are on display.

Half-day Memphis & Sakkara Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Memphis and Sakkara
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Highlights: See Memphis, the first capital city of Egypt. Continue with a visit of Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in Egypt.

Half-day Pyramids & Sphinx Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Pyramids and Sphinx
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 3 hours

Highlights: See the pyramids of Cheops, Chephran and Mycerinus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a monument that stands 65 feet high and 187 feet long, and that combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion s body.

Sound & Light Show at Pyramids Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Sound and Light Show at Pyramids
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily, except Thursdays and Sundays
Duration: The show is approx. 1 hour

Highlights: Evening performance by the Pyramids