Minarets & Monuments

Abu Dhabi

The brash, bold city of Abu Dhabi is a modern marvel, capital of
the wealthy United Arab Emirates and headquarters of the world's
richest oil operating companies. The pulsating city, with
futuristic skyscrapers and wide tree-lined boulevards, is
capitalising on its sophistication, amazing duty-free shopping
zone, luxury hotels and top-class transport and communication
infrastructure to attract tourists. They come not only for the
'retail therapy' and glitz, but also to explore the fascinating
culture of the vast Abu Dhabi Emirate itself (it is the largest of
the seven Emirates), with its miles of desert and interesting
oases.

The city juts out into the Persian Gulf, with land having been
reclaimed from the sea to make way for a long seafront Corniche
lined with lush gardens and gushing fountains. It is a relatively
young city, the area having been first settled by nomadic tribesmen
in the mid-18th century. It remained little more than a fishing
village until oil was discovered in the 1950s and the financial and
trading boom began.

Today the international airport and deep water port bring in
visitors from around the world, most clutching credit cards and
cash, set on spending as much as possible in the enticing shopping
malls and buzzing souk (market). Limousines are a common sight in
the congested streets, and restaurants that offer the cuisine of
many nations do a roaring trade, especially along the waterfront.
Shopping fever is at its height during the annual Shopping
Festival. Those taking a break from modern luxury can escape to the
desert for a Bedouin feast under the stars, or a camel ride through
the dunes.

Cruising the Gulf of Oman

Cruising the Arabian Sea

Salalah

Salalah, located in the beautiful country of Oman, is a hidden gem that boasts natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance. Nestled along the Arabian Sea, Salalah offers visitors a unique experience unlike any other destination in the Middle East. With its pleasant climate, lush landscapes, and welcoming locals, it's no wonder that Salalah has become a popular destination among travelers seeking an authentic Arabian experience.

One of the main highlights of Salalah is its stunning natural beauty. The city is blessed with a unique microclimate known as "khareef," which creates a lush green landscape during the monsoon season. The rolling hills, waterfalls, and a network of wadis or valleys, give Salalah a refreshing and picturesque charm. Visitors can explore the famous wadis such as Wadi Darbat and Wadi Shuwaymiyah, where they can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature by taking a walk, having a picnic, or even swimming in the crystal clear waters.

Salalah is also renowned for its pristine beaches, stretching along the coast for miles. The beaches offer visitors a chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the warm Arabian sun. Popular beach destinations include Al-Mughsail Beach, which is known for its blowholes and rock formations, and Ayn Razat Beach, known for its tranquil turquoise waters. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to read a book or indulge in adrenaline-pumping water sports such as snorkeling and scuba diving, Salalah's beaches have something for everyone.

In addition to its natural beauty, Salalah is steeped in cultural richness and history. The city is well-known for its annual Salalah Festival, which showcases traditional Omani music, dance, and folklore. Visitors can witness vibrant performances of the famous "Ardah" dance, traditional music concerts, and camel races. The festival offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the vibrant culture of Oman and interact with locals.

For history enthusiasts, Salalah is home to numerous historical sites that showcase the city's ancient past. The most notable among them is the ancient ruins of Al-Baleed, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you wander through the impressive remains of the ancient port city, you can envision life in the past and explore the museum that houses artifacts from the region's rich maritime history.

Salalah also offers a variety of outdoor activities for adventure seekers. From hiking in the impressive Dhofar Mountains to exploring the vast desert landscapes, there is no shortage of thrilling experiences in this region. Visitors can embark on a 4x4 journey to the stunning Qara Mountains, home to charming villages, frankincense trees, and breathtaking views. The nearby Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve is a nature lover's paradise, offering the opportunity to spot wildlife such as Arabian leopards, gazelles, and a wide variety of bird species.

Lastly, no visit to Salalah would be complete without indulging in its exquisite cuisine. The city is known for its delicious Omani dishes such as Shuwa, a traditional slow-cooked lamb dish, and Majboos, a spiced rice dish with meat. Visitors can also savor freshly caught seafood delicacies and enjoy Omani coffee, known as "kahwa," along with dates and halwa, a traditional Omani sweet treat.

In conclusion, Salalah is a destination that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and historical significance. With its year-round pleasant climate, picturesque landscapes, and warm hospitality, it is an ideal getaway for those seeking an authentic Arabian experience. Whether you're exploring its lush wadis, relaxing on its pristine beaches, or immersing yourself in its lively festivals, Salalah will leave you with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of Oman.

Cruising the Arabian Sea

Cruising the Gulf of Aden

Red Sea Seas

Jeddah

Red Sea Seas

Safaga

On the coast of the Red Sea is the port town of Safaga, Egypt. It offers a range of ancient historical sightseeing, water sports and a dip in its healing mineral waters. This picturesque landscape has all kinds of adventures to offer. The town is best known for its phosphate mines, diving opportunities and beautiful reefs and also attracts tourists year round with its warm climate and attractive landscape.

'Aqaba

As Jordan's only outlet to the sea, the tourist resort of Aqaba
is known for its fantastic diving opportunities, mild winter
climate and sandy beaches. Situated on the tip of the Red Sea in
southern Jordan on the Gulf of Aqaba, the town's greatest
attraction lies offshore in the colourful coral reefs that are
rated as the best in the world. These boast an incredible marine
life and provide wonderful opportunities for divers and snorkelers
in the clear waters year-round.

Besides underwater escapades, Aqaba is an ideal location for
swimming, water-skiing, parasailing, fishing or sunbathing. For the
history enthusiast, Aqaba contains sites dating back to 4000 BC,
including the recent discovery of what is believed to be the
world's oldest church (3rd century), the remains of the medieval
walled city of Ayla and a Mamluk fort. These are proof of Aqaba's
strategic position as the main port on the trading route to the Far
East from Africa in ancient times, which made it a thriving town,
and it is this same location today that makes it an important
tourist centre. It is also conveniently situated for excursions to
the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum and the ancient rock
city of Petra.

Suez Canal Transit

Haifa

Haifa is an attractive seaport and one of the most culturally
mixed cities in the country. The Israeli saying 'Haifa works,
Jerusalem prays, Tel Aviv plays' hints at the destination's
blue-collar roots.

Regarding culture, the Haifa Theatre, the Krieger Centre for
Performing Arts, and the Ein Hod artists' colony are all
well-established and worth visiting. Haifa also hosts an annual
(and well-attended) International Film Festival.

There are many interesting attractions in the city, including a
wealth of museums, gorgeous temples and mosques, and sunny,
child-friendly beaches. For those fascinated with biblical history,
Tel Megiddo, the supposed site of the end of the world, is located
about 20 miles (32km) southwest of Haifa.

The majority of Haifa's visitors go there for the amazing
gardens of the Baha'í World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
once known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa. This magical place has
a golden shrine and lovingly maintained terraces, and is deemed by
Baha'i followers as a 'gift to all humanity'. The beauty of the
gardens and the amount of care that goes into their upkeep is both
palpable and inspiring. They're one of Israel's most-visited
tourist attractions, welcoming over half a million visitors every
year.

Limassol

Then known as Lemesos, Richard the Lionheart visited
Limassol during the Crusades to free his betrothed from the
Byzantine sovereign. The subsequent wedding party remains
legendary, probably why modern Limassol is still a centre of
. This lively ambience is aided and abetted
by the fact that Limassol is the centre of winemaking on the
island.

Today, it's Cyprus's second-largest city with around
200,000 inhabitants. Many people travel to Limassol to enjoy its
lovely beaches, sidewalk cafés, and lively nightlife. Visitors can
take an evening stroll on the seafront Akti Olympion, followed by a
visit to a traditional
tavern for live music. The Old Town radiates from
the fishing harbour, with narrow streets lined with shops and
boutiques.

The foothills of the Troodos Mountains lie north of
the city and offer charming country walks that meander through
friendly villages. A quick drive to the Kourion, only nine miles
(15km) away, also offers historic sites such as The House of
Achilles, the Altar of Apollo, and Curium Beach.

Rhodes

Knights once used Rhodes to protect the Christian west from the
east. Today, the island remains subject to invasion, though from
tourists rather than intruders.

Said to be Greece's sunniest island, Rhodes has a well-preserved
and picturesque old city. The legendary Colossus of Rhodes, one of
the Seven Wonders of the World, guarded its harbour in antiquity.
Present-day visitors will find statues of deer. Nevertheless, the
old city has plenty of wonders to offer.

The rest of the relatively large island offers miles of beaches,
interesting archaeological sites and natural beauty spots. The best
beaches are on the east coast. Lindos is especially attractive.
Faliraki, on the other hand, is a developed resort area, bustling
with young visitors.

Kusadasi

Kusadası is a large resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast, and the centre of the seaside district of the same name within Aydın Province. Kusadası is 95 km (59 mi) south of İzmir, and about 60 km (37 mi) from Aydın. The municipality's primary industry is tourism. Kusadası is a hugely popular tourist destination due to its perfect combination of culture, amazing beaches and fantastic things to eat and do. The area features several well-known local beaches, including Ladies Beach, the beach at the centrum, the beaches between the Batıhan Hotel and the Nazilli Site, the beach at Güzelçamlı, and the Dilek Peninsula National Park beach, referred to by locals as simply Milli Park.

Piraeus

Athens exudes a unique charm through its mix of street markets,
vine-covered tavernas, souvenir stalls, ancient monuments and
high-rise buildings. For tourists, a plus is that most of the
capital's attractions are accessible by foot.

Athens was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.
According to mythology, she won the city after duelling against
Poseidon, god of the sea. Indeed, Athens can chart its history back
thousands of years and is regarded as the cradle of Western
civilisation. More specifically, it's democracy's birthplace, and
where philosophy, art and architecture were refined.

The city declined after the Classical Age, dwindling to nothing
but a town in the colourful area now known as the Plaka. It emerged
as independent Greece's capital in 1834.

Today, the city is bustling. And though the pollution, frantic
gridlock and dingy buildings are a striking contrast to the open
beauty of Greece's coast and islands, Athens is truly the country's
beating heart. Ancient wonders like the Acropolis, the Parthenon,
and the Temples of Zeus and Hephaestus ensure that the city will
always lure travellers.

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea

Sorrento

Sorrento is a coastal town in southwestern Italy, facing the Bay of Naples on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Perched atop cliffs that separate the town from its busy marinas, it’s known for sweeping water views and Piazza Tasso, a cafe-lined square. The historic center is a warren of narrow alleys that's home to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a 14th-century church with a tranquil cloiste

Civitavecchia

Rome is like a living museum, liberally
dotted with fascinating ruins, ancient relics and archaeological
sites. Centuries are peeled back from the Eternal City with each
new vista in this great metropolis of fearsome gladiators and
gorgeous art. Vespas, sports cars and nippy Fiats speed past trendy
sidewalk cafes, bistros and nightclubs, revealing the Rome of
Fellini's La Dolce Vita, while the stark facades of the Stadio
Olimpico reminds visitors of Mussolini's attempts to reinvent the
architecture of the Caesars.

For a taste of the Baroque, visitors need
only climb the famous Spanish Steps, walk through the Piazza Navona
or toss a coin into the beautiful Trevi Fountain. Renaissance
splendour is best revealed in the Vatican Palace, specifically
Michelangelo's efforts on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From
early Christian Basilicas and the Roman Forum to the Colosseum and
the Pantheon, the sequence of history trails back to the dizzying
heights of the empire.

It may sound like a city of contrasts, but
Rome's timeless magic lies in its ability to blend the old with the
new. Empires have risen and fallen, old gods have been replaced
with the new, but Rome nonetheless remains.