MARCH 2, 2016
INDIA & THE WONDERS OF
THE RED SEA A MAGICAL 26-DAY JOURNEY FROM DELHI TO JORDAN
EARLY BOOKING FARES APPLY S M A L L - S H I P
CRU I S I NG
AT
I T S
BE S T
UNTIL 31/7/15
26-days departing march 2, 2016
A voyage
your itinerary DATE
PORT
MAR 2
Depart UK
MAR 3
Arrive DELHI India Transfer to hotel
overnight hotel
MAR 4
DELHI India
overnight hotel
MAR 5
Drive from DELHI to AGRA (Taj Mahal) India
overnight hotel
MAR 6
Drive from AGRA via FATEHPUR SIKRI to JAIPUR India
overnight hotel
MAR 7
Fly from JAIPUR to MUMBAI India Embark Aegean Odyssey
MAR 8
MUMBAI India
MAR 9
PORBANDAR India
MAR 10
At Sea
MAR 11/12 MUSCAT Oman MAR 13
At Sea
MAR 14
SALALAH Oman
ARRIVE
DEPART
overnight noon 8.00am
1.00pm
9.00am
overnight
8.00am
2.00pm
MAR 15-20 Cruising the Arabian Sea and Red Sea MAR 21
SAFAGA/LUXOR Egypt 8.00am Drive to Luxor. Afternoon sightseeing overnight hotel
MAR 22
LUXOR/SAFAGA Egypt Morning sightseeing. Drive to rejoin ship
MAR 23
AQABA/PETRA Jordan Disembark and drive to Petra
MAR 24
PETRA/AMMAN Jordan Morning sightseeing in Petra. Afternoon drive to Amman
overnight hotel
MAR 25
AMMAN Jordan
overnight hotel
MAR 26
AMMAN (Jerash) Jordan
overnight hotel
MAR 27
AMMAN Jordan Transfer to Amman Airport for flight home
6.00pm
11.00am overnight hotel
AEG160307 Traditional Jaipur
to Ancient wonders India’s beautiful Taj Mahal – Egypt’s pharaonic temples and tombs – Jordan’s ancient Nabataean city of Petra and Roman Jerash! Cruise to the world’s ancient wonders on this magnificent 26-day journey from India’s Golden Triangle to the treasures of the Red Sea.
Amman Petra Jordan Egypt Safaga Aqaba Luxor
Red Sea
Muscat
Delhi Jaipur Agra
Oman Porbandar
Salalah
INDIA
Mumbai
Arabian Sea
Cruise features include: • 4-night land tour of India’s Golden Triangle with hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur • Visit Gandhi’s birthplace • Overnight on board in Muscat • Overnight land tour and hotel stay in Luxor • 4-night land tour of Jordan with hotel stay and sightseeing in Petra and two nights in Amman SPECIAL EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS
Res er v e you r ca bin n ow – call 0845 437 9737 or vis it www. voyages toa n tiqu ity. com
sail from the treasures of India to the ancient wonders of the red sea March 2, 2016
YOUR JOURNEY
Day 1 London to Delhi Overnight flight to Delhi. Day 2 Delhi India Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Day 3 Delhi Delhi is India's sprawling, historic capital where you can see New Delhi's British Raj buildings, visit the magnificent Indo-Muslim monument of Qutub Minar and see Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Begin your sightseeing with a tour of the victory tower known as Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, admire the President's Palace, Parliament House, India Gate and Raj Ghat. Day 4 Delhi – Agra After breakfast, leave Delhi and drive to Agra. Agra was one of the most important cities in India under the Mughals and witnessed a great deal of ambitious building activity. Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the Yamuna River and his grandson Akbar raised the towering ramparts of the Great Red Fort. Shah Jahan, known for his keen interest in
Taj Mahal, Agra
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continue past the Parsi Tower of Silence to explore India's ancient heritage at the Prince of Wales Museum. On the return, stop before the 262-foot-high Gateway of India, overlooking the Arabian Sea, built to mark the 1911 visit of King George V.
TeGrand Mosque, Muscat
architecture, gave Agra its most prized monument, the Taj Mahal. Day 5 Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur Leave Agra and head for Fatehpur Sikri. Built in the sixteenth century by Akbar the Great, the result is an epic poem in red sandstone. Today, this majestic ghost town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a unified architectural ensemble blending Hindu, Persian and Indo-Muslim traditions. Continue by road to Jaipur. Day 6 Jaipur – Mumbai In the morning, you will be guided around the magnificent city of Jaipur. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is a city of palaces built from rose-coloured
Indian culture
stone. You will visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, and also see the magnificent Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Another highlight is the Amber Fort with its lavish interiors. Fly from Jaipur to Mumbai and board Aegean Odyssey. Day 7 Mumbai View the colonial heritage as you drive from the pier past such Victorian Gothic Revival landmarks as Rajabhai Clock Tower, Mumbai University, High Court, Crawford Market and the marvellous Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Glimpse political India when you visit the charming residence of Mahatma Gandhi, Mani Bhawan. Capture the flavour of spiritual India at the ISKON Krishna Temple and
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Day 8 Porbandar Today we visit Porbandar, birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, India's "Great Soul", and a once thriving Mughal port. First drive to the heart of Porbandar to visit the only temple in India dedicated to Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna. After a visit to the lively local market, continue to Bharat Mandir Hall. Admire the lovely gardens, huge marble map of India and colourful pillars. Day 9 At sea Relax as the ship sails the Arabian Sea to Muscat. Days 10/11 Muscat Oman The 16th-century Portuguese admiral Alfonso de Albuqueque described Muscat as a “very elegant town with very fine houses,” and his description of the capital of Oman still holds true today as you will discover on this morning’s tour.
The old town is dominated by two great stone forts, Al Jalali and Al Mirani, which were built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century, and on the waterfront stands the Sultan's imposing palace. In the afternoon, there is the opportunity to join a traditional dhow cruise along the Omani coast. Day 12 At sea Soak up the sun as the ship makes its way to Salalah. Day 13 Salalah Salalah is a city of antiquity. Start your sightseeing with a scenic drive that heads to Mughsail Beach where white sand stretches for miles. Legend holds that the prophet Job is buried outside Salalah at a site which is sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews. Al Husn Palace, the summer residence of His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman is an imposing landmark with towering stone walls and teak doors. Then stroll among the vendors and colourful stalls heaped with mounds of frankincense, myrrh and incense at the Al Husn Souq, in this city once called the perfume capital of Arabia.
Petra, Jordan
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Ancient Karnak, Luxor
Days 14-19 At sea Six wonderful, relaxing days at sea to enjoy the comforts and facilities on board Aegean Odyssey. Day 20 Safaga – Luxor Egypt In the morning, you will disembark in Safaga and transfer to your Luxor hotel. The afternoon will be spent exploring the temple complex of Karnak, including the magnificent Temple of Amun and the openair museum. Built over a 1,300 year period, the 100-acre site comprises a stunning array of archaeological treasures. In the evening, you may wish to see the worldfamous Karnak sound and light show.
Unique landscapes of Wadi Rum
Day 21 Luxor – Safaga On the opposite bank of the Nile from Karnak is the site of the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes and the necropolis known as the Valley of the Kings, burial place of the New Kingdom pharaohs (including Tutankhamun). These tombs and temples have attracted tourists since the time of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. After spending the morning here, you return by road to Safaga to rejoin Aegean Odyssey. Evening departure for the port of Aqaba, Jordan. Day 22 Aqaba – Petra Jordan Arrive in the late morning and leave by road for Petra. On the way you will visit
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Wadi Rum, one of the most enchanting deserts in the world, an open space and a setting that resembles that of the moon. Surrounded by steep cliffs, narrow canyons and dramatic scenery, the Wadi has been inhabited by many cultures, including the Nabataeans, since pre-historic times. Arrive in Petra in time for dinner. Day 23 Petra – Amman A morning walking tour of Petra. One of the great moments in travel is when you emerge from the narrow winding Siq to encounter the extraordinary rose-red city of Petra and the impressive colonnaded Treasury building. This guided tour is entirely on foot so you can more intimately
EXPERT GUEST SPEAKERS Karen Exell lives in Doha, Qatar,
Roman Jerash, Jordan
interact with this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, leave by road for Amman, Jordan’s capital. Day 24 Amman This morning is spent touring the historic city of Amman. Sitting on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel al-Qala’a, the Citadel is the site of the ancient Ammonite capital of Rabbath-Ammon. Here you will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Folkloric Museum, the Byzantine basilica and the gate to Umayyad Palace. Also, see the Roman theatre, which was built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161AD). Afternoon at leisure.
Day 25 Amman (Jerash) After breakfast, travel by road to Jerash. Jerash is known for the ruins of the GraecoRoman city of Gerasa, and is sometimes misleadingly referred to as the "Pompeii of the Middle East", referring to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation (though Jerash was never buried by a volcano). Enjoy a walking tour throughout this fantastic ancient city seeing all the main sights before returning to Amman. Day 26 Amman to London Transfer to Amman Airport for the flight home.
where she is lecturer in Museum Studies and directs the MA in Museum and Gallery Practice at University College London, Qatar. She has worked for over 15 years in museums, heritage organisations and universities in the UK and Egypt. She has a BA in Egyptology from Oxford University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies from the University of St Andrews and a PhD in Egyptology from Durham University. Karen's research interests include the reception and perception of Egypt in the West, museums and the creation of knowledge. Lecture topics LIVING IN QATAR TODAY – What is it like to live in a Gulf city as a western woman? This lecture presents a first-hand experience of four years living in Doha, from the extraordinary experience of Qatari weddings to the day-to-day negotiation of the city. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: From the Taj Mahal to the Valley of the Kings – This lecture/workshop explores the benefits and challenges of the World Heritage List for the countries and communities, using case studies such as the Taj Mahal, Hampi and the Valley of the Kings.
Meet our guest speakers who will be accompanying you on this voyage. Here is a taste of what to expect...
Professor Sandy Primrose is a biologist
by training and has degrees from the University of Strathclyde and the University of California. After undertaking research in Australia he returned to the UK and took up lecturing positions at the universities of Edinburgh and Warwick. He has 20 years experience as a biotechnology consultant as well as being an adviser to various UK governmental organisations (Health Protection Agency, Food Standards Agency, and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to the Food Standards Agency and has written a number of very popular scientific textbooks. Lecture topics FRANKINCENSE, MYRRH AND THE INCENSE TRAIL – The incense trail parallels on land the route of our cruise. It was used to transport frankincense and myrrh that had been harvested in Oman through Petra to the ports of the Eastern Mediterranean. FROM THE HORN OF AFRICA TO STARBUCKS: How coffee conquered the world – The history of coffee including its early development in the Arabian peninsula, its introduction to Europe, its role in the founding of Lloyds of London and the rise of modern mass consumption.
David Kennedy David’s academic
Trevor Bryce Emeritus Professor Trevor
Bryce is a Classicist and Near Eastern historian. Trevor is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and has held visiting Fellowships at Princeton, Oxford, Sydney and Canberra. His extensive publications deal primarily with the history and civilisations of the ancient Near and Middle Eastern world. He was awarded a Doctor of Letters Degree at The University of Queensland. Lecture topics THE ANCIENT ARABS: Who were the earliest Arabs in history? – Their role as international traders, the Arab cities of Petra and Palmyra, and the Arabs’ most famous women leaders – the Queen of Sheba and Palmyra’s Zenobia. THE BIBLICAL EXODUS STORY: History or Folk Tradition? – Do we have archaeological or historical evidence that this story records an actual historical event? We shall discuss the fundamental importance of the Exodus legacy in the ancient Jewish world.
career began with 13 years at the University of Sheffield and since 1990 he has taught at the University of Western Australia. He is an Associate Member of the School of Archaeology, University of Oxford. He has been a Member at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and held visiting fellowships at Brasenose College, Oxford and has taught widely across Greek and Roman Archaeology and History. His fieldwork has been mainly in Turkey and – in particular, Jordan, where he has worked almost annually since 1976. Lecture topics ROME AND INDIA – The Roman Empire conducted extensive trade with India through its Egyptian Red Sea ports. Out went such items as wine, cereals, fine pottery and glass; in came ‘luxury’ items – spices, silk and porcelain. There were evidently Roman traders based in India and numerous coins have been found along the west coast, in Sri Lanka and far round into the Bay of Bengal. PETRA AND THE NABATAEANS – It was once commonly believed the architectural wonders of Petra must have been the work of the centuries of Roman rule. Now we know they are the work of the Nabataeans. An indigenous Semitic people they created an astonishingly vibrant civilisation. Petra itself is the greatest wonder – recently voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the Modern World’.
Please note these lecturers and their chosen topics are subject to change
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HOLIDAY READING IDEAS There’s nothing like a good book to accompany you on your travels. Our associates at Blackwell’s of Oxford have put together a selection of books that we feel would provide the perfect accompaniment for this magnificent voyage.
William Dalrymple CITY OF DJINNS
Marquerite van Geldermalsen MARRIED TO A BEDOUIN
ISBN: 9780006375951
'Could you show me a djinn?' I asked. 'Certainly,' replied the Sufi. 'But you would run away.' From the author of the Samuel Johnson prize shortlisted 'The Return of a King', this is William Dalrymple's captivating memoir of a year spent in Delhi, a city watched over and protected by the mischievous invisible djinns.
ISBN: 9781844082209
“Where you staying?” the Bedouin asked. "Why you not stay with me tonight – in my cave?” Thus begins Marguerite van Geldermalsen's story of how a New Zealand-born nurse came to be married to Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin souvenir-seller from the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Jane Taylor Gertrude Bell TALES FROM THE QUEEN OF THE DESERT
ISBN: 9781843915478
A new selection of inspiring writings from Gertrude Bell, a pioneering British diplomat, archaeologist and explorer of the Middle East, soon to be the basis of a major new film.
Queen Noor A LEAP OF FAITH
ISBN: 9780753817568
The dramatic and inspiring story of one woman's incredible journey into the heart of a man and his nation. Born into a distinguished ArabAmerican family, Lisa Halaby was a strongly independent young woman. After studying architecture at Princeton, her work on projects in the Middle East gave her a profound understanding both of the links between the environment and social problems, and also of the tumultuous history of the Arab nations. Then, in 1974, her life took a very different turn, when her father introduced her to the world's most eligible bachelor, King Hussein of Jordan.
PETRA AND THE LOST KINGDOM OF THE NABATAEANS ISBN: 9781848850200 The Nabataean Arabs, one of the most gifted peoples of the ancient world, are today known only for their hauntingly beautiful rock-carved capital – Petra, a magnificent city carved out of the mountains, and one of the most breathtaking achievements of the ancient world. This book recounts the story of this remarkable but lost civilisation.
Aravind Adiga WHITE TIGER
ISBN: 9781848878082
Meet Balram Halwai, the 'White Tiger': servant, philosopher, entrepreneur, murderer. Balram was born in a backwater village on the River Ganges, the son of a rickshaw-puller. He works in a teashop, crushing coal and wiping tables, but nurses a dream of escape.
Exceptional value fares
DELHI TO AMMAN
DOUBLE ACCOMMODATIONS
FULL FARE
SAVER FARE
M
Inside cabins with shower Standard Inside
£4,695
£3,795
L
Premium Inside
4,950
3,950
Premium Inside
5,195
4,195
K
Outside cabins with shower
• 17-DAY CRUISE aboard Aegean Odyssey • 4-NIGHT LAND TOUR of India’s Golden Triangle – with hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur • 4-NIGHT LAND TOUR of ancient Jordan – with hotel stays in Petra and Amman
J
Standard Outside
5,395
4,295
I*
Premium Outside
5,595
4,495
H
Premium Outside
5,795
4,645
Premium Outside
5,995
4,845
• Scheduled economy class AIR FARE • EXPERT guest speaker programme on board
G
Deluxe outside staterooms F
Deluxe Stateroom, Outside
6,250
4,995
E
Deluxe Stateroom, Outside
6,450
5,195
Deluxe balcony suites and staterooms D
Deluxe Stateroom, Balcony
6,795
5,445
C
Deluxe Stateroom, Balcony
6,995
5,645
B
Junior Suite, Balcony
7,550
6,050
A
Owner’s Suite, Balcony
7,995
6,495
SINGLE ACCOMMODATIONS
• 14 INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS as described with specialist-guide
• ALL MEALS on board Aegean Odyssey • COMPLIMENTARY WINE (or beer/soft drinks) with dinner on board • GRATUITIES for on-board restaurant staff and your cabin steward • TRANSFERS & BAGGAGE handling on arrival and departure overseas
MM
Standard Inside
5,895
4,995
JJ II*
Standard Outside
6,495
5,395
Premium Outside
6,750
5,650
HH*
Premium Outside
6,995
5,845
SPECIAL EARLY BOOKING FARES
GG*
Premium Outside
7,295
6,145
EE
Deluxe Stateroom, Outside
7,695
6,440
Save up to £3,000 per cabin
CC
Deluxe Stateroom, Balcony
8,295
6,945
PLUS LOW FARES FOR SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Air Credit (when making your own arrangements) Category C: Deluxe Stateroom with balcony
THese prices include
Cruise Only Credit (no air or land included)
850
†
Reserve your cabin now
2,150 AEG160307
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include all discounts. †Saver fares vary per cabin category and are valid until 31/7/15. *Please note: Category GG, I, II and some HH cabins have restricted view. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our brochure or website. Ship’s Registry: Malta.
Call 0845 437 9737 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com
winter 2015/16 Cruise portfolio: NOVEMBER 19, 2015
DECEMBER 18, 2015
VOYAGE TO
JANUARY 4, 2016
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH AFRICA
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BE S T
BURMA &
THE MALAY PENINSULA
S M A L L - S H I P
ON AN EXTRAORDINARY VOYAGE
CRU I S I NG
AT
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AT
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BE S T
B E S T
SAIL FROM CAPE TOWN TO COLOMBO THROUGH THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL OCEAN
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S M A L L - S H I P
CRU I S I NG
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SAIL FROM THE MYSTERIES OF MALAYSIA TO THE TREASURES OF INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE
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BE S T
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CRU I S I NG
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CRUISE THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL ON A JOURNEY TO ANCIENT SITES OF THE AEGEAN SEA
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I T S
AT
CLASSICAL GREECE
A MAGICAL 26-DAY JOURNEY FROM DELHI TO JORDAN
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CRU I S I NG
MARCH 19, 2016
THE RED SEA
SRI LANKA & INDIA
CRU I S I NG
S M A L L - S H I P
ANCIENT JORDAN TO
INDIA & THE WONDERS OF
PASSAGE TO
S M A L L - S H I P
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UNTIL 31/7/15
MARCH 2, 2016
FEBRUARY 20, 2016
FEBRUARY 5, 2016
SAIL INTO THE HEART OF BURMA
CRU I S I NG
INDIAN OCEAN
A 2-WEEK ADVENTURE TO THE NATURAL WONDERS AND VIBRANT CITIES OF SOUTH AFRICA
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SOUTH AFRICA & THE
SOUTH AFRICA
THE BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA ON A 19-DAY CELEBRATION VOYAGE
AN EXTRAORDINARY 31-DAY JOURNEY FROM MALAGA TO CAPE TOWN
JANUARY 16, 2016
GAME PARKS OF
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR IN
AT
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B E S T
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AWARDS
To find out more, watch our inspiring videos online or request cruise portfolio booklets at
www.voyagestoantiquity.com/cruisebooks For all enquiries call 0845 437 9737
VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY BEST FOR ADVENTURE
2016/06.15 10093
ABTA No.Y2206