Israel and Ancient Egypt

Dover

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Gibraltar

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

Watching over the entrance to the Mediterranean, stands the unmistakable limestone Rock of Gibraltar. At its base lies Gibraltar which is connected to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a sandy isthmus and offers an intriguing blend of British and Spanish culture. Discover Gibraltar’s Palladian architecture and typically British sights, such as red pillar boxes and familiar highstreet chains, during an included panoramic excursion. Alternatively, visit the military museum or ascend the limestone monolith by cable car for panoramic views and to meet the mischievous Barbary macaques. From the top of the Rock you can look out over two continents: Africa lies just 13 miles to the south, whilst Europe stretches to the north.

Included excursion

Uncover Gibraltar’s quirky British charm on an included panoramic excursion.

Optional excursions

Go in search of dolphins and other marine life in Gibraltar’s bay.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Syracuse, Sicily

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

Originally a Greek colony, home to Archimedes, Syracuse is renowned for its well-preserved ancient Greek ruins. The archaeological site in the northwest of the town showcases a theatre built to seat 15000 spectators. The historic centre of Syracuse, known as Ortygia, is set on a small island surrounded by the Ionian Sea and is connected to the mainland by three bridges. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ortygia has an attractive piazza, Piazza Duomo, and the remains of the Temple of Apollo, a Doric structure dating from the 6th-century BC.

Included excursion

Explore the surrounding scenery on an included panoramic excursion.

Spend the day at sea.

Souda (for Chania), Crete

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The port of Souda offers a gateway to Chania, around two-and-a-half miles away. The attractive city of Chania evolves around its 14th-century Venetian harbour where a distinctive lighthouse with Venetian and Egyptian influences guards the entrance. The narrow streets of the old town, surrounded by Venetian walls, are filled with colourful boutiques and welcoming tavernas, and you can see the excavated remains of the original settlement known as Kydonia here too.

Rhodes Town, Rhodes

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The island of Rhodes is a blend of ancient architecture and modern amenities. Its strategic position has been recognised since the fifth century BC, passing from Roman to Byzantine hands into possession of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, the Ottomans, Italians, finally becoming part of Greece in 1948. Rhodes Town was founded in 408 BC and has a rich history, which you can discover on an included panoramic excursion. Said to be the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe, many of the historic buildings in the old town were built in the 14th and 15th centuries, whilst the new town features much Italianate architecture. Within the walled town is the long, cobbled 'Street of the Knights' where, in the 16th century, knights and visiting dignitaries could find a home-from-home and speak their native language in the Inns of the Tongues.

Included excursion

See some of the island’s highlights on an included panoramic excursion.

Antalya, Turkey

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Situated at the foot of jagged mountains, overlooking the Mediterranean, the sun-drenched resort of Antalya is often referred to as the 'capital of Turkish tourism'. The old town, known as Kaleici, is an inviting warren of narrow lanes, punctuated by shops, and overlooked by Ottoman houses huddled against the city walls.

Here you can see architectural remnants from previous occupations, including the 13th-century fluted minaret, the triple arched Hadrian's Gate built in 130AD, and the Hidirlik Kulesi tower – reputed to be a former Roman lighthouse. The Archaeological Museum boasts extensive artefacts from the Bronze Age, through Roman rule and into the Ottoman era, and is often described as one of the country’s finest museums.

Paphos ⚓, Cyprus

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Once the ancient capital of Cyprus, Paphos is a well-contained city where historic ruins sit alongside the amenities of a modern resort as you will see during an included panoramic excursion. There is a wealth of archaeological treasures nearby, including the Tombs of the Kings – an ancient necropolis where approximately 100 Ptolemaic aristocrats were buried, and Paphos castle, which dates from the Byzantine era.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion offers a relaxing introduction to Paphos.

Ashdod, Israel

Arrive 0800. Depart 2100.

Ashdod is an important Israeli industrial centre and is a new port of call for Spirit of Discovery. The modern city grew in the mid-1950’s following the establishment of modern Israel, but the earliest settlement was established here in the 17th century BC and was the subject of numerous mentions in the Bible. 50 miles to the east of Ashdod is one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem, home to famous sites such as the Wailing Wall, Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

Optional excursions

Visit some of the most sacred sites in the Holy Land with a tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Haifa, Israel

Arrive 0800. Depart 2100.

The northern Israeli port city of Haifa extends from the Mediterranean up the north slope of Mount Carmel in tiers. The city’s most iconic sites are the UNESCO-listed Baha'i Gardens and, at their heart, the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab. The Viewing Balcony here offers a view over the shrine and out toward the sea. At the foot of the gardens is the German Colony, with shops, art galleries and cafes. This multicultural city is a new port for Spirit of Discovery.

Optional excursions

Journey to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee to see the many highlights and religious sites including the Church of the Annunciation, the Mount of the Beatitudes and the River Jordan.

Spend the day at sea.

Alexandria, Egypt

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has a thriving port along its 20-mile coastline and is a new port for Spirit of Discovery. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city was home to the Library of Alexandria, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Alexandria has many buildings of historic interest from 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay overlooking the Mediterranean to the vast Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque. Numerous archaeological treasures can be found within the city’s museums, such as the Alexandria National Museum which contains over 1800 priceless pieces.

Included excursion

Explore your surroundings on an included panoramic excursion.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Valletta, Malta

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700. Cruise into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, which is overlooked by forts built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century. The surrounding UNESCO-listed streets exude old-world charm at every turn. An included panoramic excursion will reveal more of the island's scenery. Included excursion Enjoy an included panoramic island tour.

Optional excursions

Visit the ‘Silent City’ of Mdina or even head underground to the Byzantine-era Catacombs of St Paul.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Ceuta, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The Iberian enclave of Ceuta is set on a peninsula that juts out from the North African coast. It combines an exotic fusion of Spanish and Moroccan culture and has many fortifications, such as the 15th-century Royal Walls, that reflect its tumultuous past.

Optional excursions

Visit Tétouan in neighbouring Morocco. Its small but well-preserved medina encompasses three distinct sections: Andalusian, Jewish and Berber, earning it a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Portsmouth

Arrive 0730.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.