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Visit Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Egypt, an Greece over the course of 37 nights aboard the Star Clipper. The variety of towns to be visited makes the trip worthwhile. From traditional old towns, to modern fishing harbors, this trip has it all.
Athens, Greece
Walking in the shadow of the Acropolis in the Agora, you can almost hear the voices of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle arguing about who was the greatest philosopher. In the soaring, subtly curved Doric columns of the Parthenon you see the masterful hand of Pericles, Athens' greatest general and builder. And in the ethereally graceful bodies of the Karyatids supporting the porch of the Erectheum, you behold the beauty of the immortals. Ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy and epicenter of western civilization, is a city for all eternity.
Mykonos, Greece
One of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands and quite justifiably attracting visitors from all over the world, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches. Hora, the capital, spreads around a colorful harbor in which fishing boats nestle side by side with luxury yachts. The brilliant white cubic houses with white-washed balconies built close together with little shops and tiny churches, make up the backstreets of the town. The harbor is overlooked by a variety of tavernas, and is a popular meeting place as the sun goes down, turning the brilliant whites to beautiful shades of pinks and reds.
Mykonos, the classic Greek isle, with hundreds of white-washed churches and cubist houses; round, thatched windmills catching the brisk breeze; and a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxury yachts. Sit in the shadow of a café and watch as native fishermen and jet set Europeans pass by. Or explore the Parportiani church, a Byzantine architectural masterpiece.
Rhodes, Greece
The beautiful island of Rhodes (Island of Roses) has a rich and varied history. The beach at Lindos is among the best on the island, whose capital, Rhodes Town is a bustling mecca for both sightseers and shoppers alike. This thriving port provides access to the many beautiful sights on this popular island. On the Eastern coast of Rhodes, poised high above two spectacular bays is the Acropolis of Lindos below which one can find a labyrinth of winding streets and dazzling white buildings. Lindos was once the principal city of the island before the founding of Rhodes Town in 408 BC.
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Alexandria, Egypt
The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. Its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country, although it is only 225 kilometers from Cairo. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt.
Port Said, Suez Canal, Egypt
From Port Said at the entrance to the Suez Canal, an optional tour takes you to Egypt's capital of Cairo and the ancient monuments of Giza and the Pyramids. More than 18 million people are jammed into the teeming city split by the River Nile. In Cairo's famed Egyptian Museum, be dazzled by the multi-colored sarcophagus and golden mask of King Tut. At the desert's edge in Giza, the Great Pyramids of Cheops and the staring face of the Sphinx offer up a whole new perspective on eternity.
Suez Canal Passage
101 miles across the desert, the Suez Canal crosses the isthmus which links Africa and Asia. Opened in 1869, and nationalized by Nasser in 1956, this is an essential navigation route that allows the sailor to avoid 5000 miles of sailing around the African continent.
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Sharm El Sheik, Egypt
Squeezed between Africa & Asia is Sinai: arid mountains, desert plateaus, seasides planted with palms, sand dunes... Nearby, Ras Mohammed and its exceptional marine fauna are sheltered within more than 150 types of coral, some millions of years old. Further afield, you can visit the famous St. Catherines Monastery.
Within the last 10 years a booming development in the tourist sector has completely changed the identity of Sharm El Sheik. What once was a favored place for fisherman to sort out their tremendous catches on a romantic isolated bay has been transformed into a luxury modern holiday resort most treasured by divers and sun lovers.
Safaga, Egypt
From Safaga on the Red Sea coast, take an optional journey back in time to Luxor and the unforgettable Valley of the King's, where the Pharaohs created their gargantuan mausoleums on the banks of the Nile. Explore 3,000 years of history in the stupendous tombs of Ramses and Tuthankhamen, Luxor's Theban Temple of Karnak and the Colossus of Memnon.
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Salalah, Oman
With crescents of white sands stretching as far as you can see, it's no wonder the Sultan chose Salalah as Oman's summer capital. The other reason is Salalah's wondrous climate. Watered copiously by summer monsoons, coastal Dhofar is green and inviting, while just beyond the hills lies the arid desert. See the Tomb of the Prophet Job and follow the Frankincense Trail to Mughsail, where you can walk through ancient groves of gnarled frankincense trees older than Job himself!
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Goa, India
The port city of Goa is a lovely throwback to an earlier era, retaining a faded elegance from the time when it was the pearl of Portugal's spice trade empire. The Manueline architecture and imposing structures of Goa's several 16th century cathedrals attest to the colony's importance. See the remains of St. Francis Xavier in the Basilica de Bom Jesus. Goa's world famous beaches are a haven for hippies and partygoers alike.
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Cochin, India
India's seductive Malabar Coast entices visitors to enter an exotic and languorous world. Chinese fishing nets with wings spread to the sun and the old Portuguese fort greet you to Cochin's harbor. Take a backwater cruise through winding canals. Visit the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Marvel at the splendor of the Dutch palace of Mattancherry or the treasures of the ancient Jewish synagogue and catch a riveting performance of Kathakali dancers.
Cochin, India
India's seductive Malabar Coast entices visitors to enter an exotic and languorous world. Chinese fishing nets with wings spread to the sun and the old Portuguese fort greet you to Cochin's harbor. Take a backwater cruise through winding canals. Visit the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Marvel at the splendor of the Dutch palace of Mattancherry or the treasures of the ancient Jewish synagogue and catch a riveting performance of Kathakali dancers.
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A teardrop sliding off the nose of the Indian sub-continent, Sri Lanka was once known as Serendib (from whence serendipity came), and then Ceylon, the resplendent land. Colombo is a graceful city dominated by sprawling colonial buildings and its often-photographed clock tower. Explore the Pettah bazaar, stroll through Cinnamon Gardens, or visit the ancient hill capital of Kandy, home of the sacred tooth of Buddha.
At sea
Your ship will be underway, at sea, with no port calls. Just time to enjoy the routine of shipboard life, getting to know your shipmates, and exploring your home upon the ocean.
Similian Islands, Thailand
The Similan Islands, or Nine Islands as they are also known because of their number, nestle in the Andaman Sea to the north of Phuket and are world-renowned among diving enthusiasts for underwater sightseeing. Accessible only by sea, The Similan Islands are stunningly beautiful, with scenes straight out of your dreams of a tropical paradise.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea and is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations, with a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Phuket is a holiday paradise with the lively area of Patong providing the up-beat resort life with its many shops, restaurants and bars, leaving the rest of the island to show off her natural beauty and unspoiled culture.
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