After a delicious buffet breakfast, meet with your resident Egyptologist guide and get acquainted. The study of ancient Egyptian language, history and architecture has obsessed archaeologists and linguists for centuries, and Egyptology has become a respected discipline across the world. With no more than 12 travellers in your tour group, expect a personal and tailored experience.
Waste no time mining your guide’s expert knowledge as you head to The Giza Pyramids. The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Truly monumental in scale, the largest of these ancient structures is estimated to have taken over two million blocks to complete.
Nearby rests the enigmatic Sphinx, watchful guardian of the colossal funerary monuments. Covered by the desert sands, about a thousand years after its construction a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx promised him the title of Pharaoh if he cleared the sand away. See the story for yourself, carved on the famed Dream Stele placed between the Sphinx’s great paws.
Enjoy a lunch of traditional Egyptian cuisine at 9 Pyramids Lounge and relax in Bedouin-style seating overlooking the spectacular pyramids of Giza.
This afternoon, visit The Grand Egyptian Museum for a guided tour through its impressive collection of artifacts, including the fascinating collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures. This newly opened space boasts a grand staircase that acts as an open-air gallery with over 60 towering, historically significant artifacts from the museum’s collection.
Later, return to your accommodation for an afternoon of leisure and a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence luxury stay
After a scrumptious breakfast, journey to the legendary city of Memphis, founded almost 5,000 years ago by the Pharaoh Menes, who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Memphis became the capital of the Old Kingdom and the heart of Egypt’s busy import-export activity, with traders from around the world giving it a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Visit the necropolis of Saqqara, where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides featured on other pyramids, these stepped pyramids represent the pharaoh’s stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known pyramid in Egypt and the world’s first freestanding stone structure.
Enjoy a set menu lunch at Le Pacha 1901, an astounding floating palace moored on the bank of the great Nile.
After lunch, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, where over 120,000 artifacts bring Ancient Egypt’s rich history to life.
Return to your luxurious accommodation in Cairo for another evening spent in Egypt’s vibrant capital.
Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence luxury stay
Transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your included flight to Luxor (LXR), where you will be transferred to your luxury vessel for your four-night Nile River cruise.
Step aboard the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, where a zaffa procession of drums and flutes welcomes you before settling into your luxurious cabin.
Over the next few days, embrace live entertainment, from a colourful galabeya party, where guests dress in traditional Egyptian attire, to a Dervish show, a belly dance performance and a fascinating lecture by your Egyptologist guide. Elegant interiors, opulent cabins, serene surroundings and lavish, freshly prepared meals – all complemented by daily sightseeing along the river – make a luxury cruise along the Nile an unforgettable experience.
En route, explore the majestic Temple of Luxor and Temple of Karnak on the East Bank, both part of Luxor, known as the world’s largest open-air museum.
Back onboard, enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge and meet your boat manager over canapes and Egyptian wine. Tonight, indulge in a memorable gourmet dinner beneath the stars.
Travel time: Flight – approx. one hour
After an energising buffet breakfast, set sail for the West Bank of Luxor and uncover the fabled Valley of the Kings. Witness the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, then take the chance for an optional visit to one of the ancient tombs of the Valley of the Queens. On your return, pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, built to depict King Amenhotep III in a resting position and known for the mournful sounds they’re said to make at dawn.
You may wish to enjoy an optional luxury hot air balloon flight over the Luxor skies, catching the breeze that sweeps the Nile, taking a new view of the ancient city. Your pilot will guide you as you spot notable landmarks and learn more about the area’s rich history.
Back aboard your vessel, enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea and laze in the Egyptian sun, then savour a mouth-watering dinner before a movie night onboard.
After breakfast, spend the morning exploring Egypt’s largest and best-preserved Pharaonic temple – the Temple of Edfu. Built to venerate ancient Horus, god of the Sun – later identified by the Greeks as Apollo – the site is a breathtaking glimpse into Hellenistic Egypt.
Back onboard, partake in an Egyptian cooking class as you cruise onward to the millennia-old agricultural settlement of Kom Ombo, positioned on a bend in the river where sacred crocodiles once basked in the sun. Follow your guide to the unique double temple, dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility, and Haroeris, the falcon god of the sky.
Return to your vessel and continue towards Aswan. In the evening, partake in an ‘Egyptian Night’ party, with the chance to don traditional Egyptian jellabiyas – loose-fitting garments associated with the Nile Valley – and enjoy a lavish buffet of local delicacies.
Following breakfast aboard, hop on a motorboat to the island of Agilika. As you approach, take in the island’s lush surroundings before stepping ashore to explore the intricate temple structures. Next, marvel at the enormity of granite quarries and survey the gargantuan Unfinished Obelisk.
Enjoy a delectable lunch back onboard before taking to the water in a traditional felucca – a unique wooden boat used along the Nile for centuries. Sweep by Elephantine Island, Aswan Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum, before taking afternoon tea to the melodious sounds of an oud trio.
Mark your final evening cruising the Nile with a fine-dining farewell dinner, accompanied by a Dervish show and belly dance performers.
After one more buffet breakfast out on the waters of the Nile, disembark and transfer to Aswan International Airport (ASW) for your flight to Abu Simbel.
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex hewn entirely out of stone, Abu Simbel was constructed under the command of Ramses II – one of Egypt’s longest-ruling Pharaohs – and stands as one of the most enduring symbols of Egypt. Wander through the two mighty temples, including the Great Temple of Ra-Harakhte, which is flanked by massive statues and dedicated to Queen Nefertari.
These magnificent temples were moved in the 1960s when the creation of Lake Nasser threatened their existence. Organised by UNESCO, the relocation of these structures remains one of the greatest feats of preservation in history. Lunch will be provided during your adventures.
Later, take a flight back to Cairo, where you will be transferred to your luxury hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking, whether you wish to explore Cairo’s vibrant street life or settle in for indulgent comfort at your accommodation.
Travel time: Flight 1 – approx. 45 minutes / Flight 2 – 2.5 hours.
Included flights to Abu Simbel
After breakfast, bid farewell to enchanting Egypt and transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your onward flight to Amman.
Once you arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), look out for your Luxury Escapes representative before immigration. They will assist with your visa and baggage, and then guide you to your driver for your hotel transfer.
Populated by hypnotic desert landscapes, ancient structures and biblical sites, Jordan owes its unique beauty to both the human and the earthly. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your elegant hotel to rest.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 90 minutes
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and set off for a morning tour of Amman, the capital of Jordan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. During your time here, you’ll be accompanied by a new guide, an expert in Jordan.
Visit the ancient Amman Citadel, with its monumental Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, the fascinating Jordan Archaeological Museum and the nearby Folklore Museum. Take in panoramic views from the top of one of Amman’s seven jabals (hills) and then wander five minutes downtown to the colossal Roman Theatre, one of the most impressive relics of ancient Philadelphia.
The next stop on your journey is the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, famed for its well-preserved Roman ruins and evidence of human occupation since the Neolithic era.
This afternoon, enjoy an included lunch before returning to relax in the comfort of your five-star hotel.
Tonight, you’ll join your fellow travellers again for a Lebanese feast at one of Amman’s most acclaimed restaurants.
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide and begin your journey to Petra, with stops along the way.
Visit Mount Nebo, where Moses was believed to have seen the promised land before his death. Take to the road to visit Madaba, the ‘City of Mosaics’, where you’ll dine at picturesque Haret Jdoudna Restaurant, a 19th-century house designed to evoke the ancient past. Sample fragrant local mezza dishes and oven-baked specialities.
Admire each delicate fragment of the dazzling Madaba Map at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church, then step into the Church of the Apostles to see expert craftsman Salamanios’ breathtaking masterwork, The Personification of the Sea.
Head to Shobak for a glimpse into the Crusader era, then continue to Petra and check into your hotel to recharge before an exciting day ahead.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours
Gather your energy over breakfast, then strike out to explore the ‘Rose City’ of Petra with your expert guide.
Begin your visit with an optional horse ride from Petra’s main gate to the old city’s entrance.
Bear witness to the enormous Djinn Blocks and the remains of the Obelisk Tomb, then step up to the Siq – the entrance to this ancient Nabatean city. Follow your guide as you excavate history on your tour of this incredible collection of tombs and temples, carved into pink sandstone walls dating to 300 BCE. Discover one of the Seven Wonders of the World as you study the intricately carved facade of the Treasury, the grand Roman Theatre, Colonnade Street and the awe-inspiring Grand Temple and Qasr al-Bint, each cut directly from the rock face.
Indulge in lunch at the centrally located Basin Restaurant, then take your time wandering these peaceful avenues, perhaps ascending to the remote monastery for a truly jaw-dropping view.
This evening, savour a well-deserved dinner in a one-of-a-kind setting – a bar nestled inside a Nabataean tomb.
After fuelling up with breakfast, begin your trip to the mysterious Wadi Rum, a maze of monolithic rock formations. Watch as the scenery changes from hills to open desert, dotted with rocky outcrops. Wadi Rum’s landscape is truly otherworldly, with endless sands stretching toward a hazy horizon.
Check in at your spectacular luxury camp in the heart of the desert and energise with lunch. Later, set off for your two-hour 4WD excursion through the sands. Transport yourself to this alien landscape, seemingly older than time itself, and look out for the black Bedouin tents and flocks of sheep and goats of the Jordanians who still practise this traditional lifestyle. Among the towering dunes, mark an incredible Wadi Rum sunset and toast to the natural beauty with canapes and champagne (one glass per person).
This evening, tuck into an aromatic feast, enjoyed under the innumerable stars that paint the heavens above.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Wadi Rum luxury desert camp
Wake to a refreshing breakfast, then leave behind the red sands in pursuit of the striking blue salt water of the Dead Sea.
One of the planet’s most spectacular destinations, the Dead Sea is not only the lowest point on Earth – coming in at 400 metres below sea level at the surface – but it’s also considered one of the world’s most spiritual landscapes, filled with dramatic, natural wonders. Restorative saline waters and mineral-rich mud are certain to leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Check into your five-star hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, making the most of the resort’s top-tier amenities and breathtaking surroundings.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4 hours
Rise for breakfast, then step into the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea. The day is free for you to experience the therapeutic effects of this natural marvel. Feel the water’s unique buoyancy as you float effortlessly atop the blue surface. Choose to take a restorative Dead Sea mud bath that will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Celebrate your final evening with your fellow travellers over a farewell dinner and raise a glass to your incredible odyssey.
After a final breakfast, bid farewell to the restorative waters of the Dead Sea and transfer to Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) for your included flight to Barcelona. Flying with EgyptAir via Cairo, you’ll traverse the Mediterranean bound for Barcelona.
Upon touching down, make your own way to your five-star accommodation, Nobu Hotel Barcelona. Backed by the iconic name, dining is part of the destination here, with a legendary menu of signature dishes and local specialties crafted by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa in a design-forward atmosphere. This distinctive luxury extends to the rooftop pool – the highest in Barcelona – which commands sweeping views over the terracotta-hued city and glittering Mediterranean beyond. The Nobu Spa is another sanctuary worth discovering: sleek concrete finishes and ambient lighting create a cocoon of calm, complete with sauna, hammam and indulgent treatment rooms.
This is your home for the next five nights, where Barcelona’s enchanting beauty beckons by day, and the hotel’s world-class luxury welcomes you back each evening.
Nobu Hotel Barcelona stay
Begin mornings with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Perhaps try a complimentary yoga class or energise at the state-of-the-art fitness centre. If taking it slow is more your pace, you might like to retreat to Nobu Spa’s Japanese-inspired sanctuary for a treatment or lounge at Barcelona’s highest rooftop pool, where sunshine and sea breezes frame unparalleled views of city and sea.
Beyond the hotel, Barcelona beckons. Wander Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, from the soaring Sagrada Família to Park Güell’s mosaic wonderland. Visit iconic sights like La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Barcelona Cathedral, as well as walking down the trendy, tree-lined La Rambla. Stroll through enchanting alleys, eat like a local with tapas at every turn or soak up the sun at one of the nearby beaches.
Nobu Hotel Barcelona stay
Wake to another day of exploration and relaxation in Catalonia’s captivating capital. Begin mornings with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Perhaps try a complimentary yoga class or energise at the state-of-the-art fitness centre. If taking it slow is more your pace, you might like to retreat to Nobu Spa’s Japanese-inspired sanctuary for a treatment or lounge at Barcelona’s highest rooftop pool, where sunshine and sea breezes frame unparalleled views of city and sea.
Beyond the hotel, Barcelona beckons. Wander Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, from the soaring Sagrada Família to Park Güell’s mosaic wonderland. Visit iconic sights like La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Barcelona Cathedral, as well as walking down the trendy, tree-lined La Rambla. Stroll through enchanting alleys, eat like a local with tapas at every turn or soak up the sun at one of the nearby beaches.
Nobu Hotel Barcelona stay
Barcelona continues to reveal its treasures as you spend another day at your leisure. Begin mornings with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Perhaps try a complimentary yoga class or energise at the state-of-the-art fitness centre. If taking it slow is more your pace, you might like to retreat to Nobu Spa’s Japanese-inspired sanctuary for a treatment or lounge at Barcelona’s highest rooftop pool, where sunshine and sea breezes frame unparalleled views of city and sea.
Beyond the hotel, Barcelona beckons. Wander Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, from the soaring Sagrada Família to Park Güell’s mosaic wonderland. Visit iconic sights like La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Barcelona Cathedral, as well as walking down the trendy, tree-lined La Rambla. Stroll through enchanting alleys, eat like a local with tapas at every turn or soak up the sun at one of the nearby beaches.
Nobu Hotel Barcelona stay
Savour your final full day in Barcelona, making the most of every moment. Begin mornings with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Perhaps try a complimentary yoga class or energise at the state-of-the-art fitness centre. If taking it slow is more your pace, you might like to retreat to Nobu Spa’s Japanese-inspired sanctuary for a treatment or lounge at Barcelona’s highest rooftop pool, where sunshine and sea breezes frame unparalleled views of city and sea.
Beyond the hotel, Barcelona beckons. Wander Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, from the soaring Sagrada Família to Park Güell’s mosaic wonderland. Visit iconic sights like La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Barcelona Cathedral, as well as walking down the trendy, tree-lined La Rambla. Stroll through enchanting alleys, eat like a local with tapas at every turn or soak up the sun at one of the nearby beaches.
Nobu Hotel Barcelona stay
Today, the next part of your adventure begins: you embark on the cruise of a lifetime aboard Scenic Eclipse II. Make your own way from the hotel to Barcelona’s port by 2pm.
Be warmly welcomed by the crew before your personal butler escorts you to your luxurious Deluxe Verandah Suite. As evening falls over Barcelona, join your fellow travellers on the Sky Deck for pre-dinner cocktails and watch the city lights shimmer along the Mediterranean coastline.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Wake to ocean views from your luxurious Deluxe Verandah Suite – today you’re in Palamós. Nestled along Spain’s Costa Brava (Wild Coast), Palamós is a stunning resort town where yachts bob in the harbor, sandy beaches beckon, and historic colourful buildings exude Mediterranean charm.
With one Scenic Freechoice experience included each day, select from a range of shore excursions. Visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres, home to the world’s largest collection of his surreal masterpieces, or take a scenic drive to Girona for a walking tour through its captivating Old Town. Alternatively, explore the medieval villages of Costa Brava, or visit Bell Lloc estate to sample premium wines and olive oil.
Return to your ship to unwind over another delicious dinner with your fellow travellers. Share stories of the day’s discoveries and anticipate tomorrow’s new destination.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Today you’re greeted by the seaside charm of Sanary-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Once a humble fishing village, its marina is still filled with hundreds of brightly coloured wooden boats. Wander the palm-lined harbour, discover quiet pedestrian streets and watch fishermen deliver the day’s catch to open-air restaurants.
Choose your complimentary Scenic Freechoice experience from a selection of daily shore excursions. Join a guided e-bike tour along the coastal roads to discover the best of Sanary-sur-Mer or visit the resort town of La Ciotat – just 30 minutes away – where turquoise beaches and an olive oil tasting await. Alternatively, venture to the famous wine region of Bandol to visit a miellerie (house of honey) and learn about its production, or head to Domaine de Fregate winery in Castellet for a wine tasting amid the vineyards.
Head back to the ship to relax over dinner, share the day’s highlights, and look forward to your next port of call.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Today Cannes is yours to explore – home to the world’s most prestigious film festival, where Hollywood’s elite gather each year in a dazzling celebration of cinema. Glitz and glamour define this French Riviera resort city, so spend your time browsing haute-couture boutiques, relaxing at a trendy beach club, or sipping cocktails at a beachside bar.
Choose your complimentary Scenic Freechoice experience from a selection of daily shore excursions. Go on a guided tour of Cannes or sample local flavours in the Old Town. Alternatively, spend time in Grasse, the Capital of Perfume, with an exclusive perfume-factory tour, or enjoy a wine tasting at Château St Martin in Taradeau, set within its beautiful grounds.
Enjoy another evening aboard the Scenic Eclipse, where good food and great company await. Tonight, you’ll sail towards Saint-Tropez.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Wake to the sun rising over Saint-Tropez’s famous azure harbor. Once a humble fishing village, it rose to fame in the 1950s when ‘And God Created Woman’, starring Brigitte Bardot, put it on the map, and has since become a playground for the rich and famous.
Each day includes one Scenic Freechoice experience – simply choose your preferred shore excursion. Set out on a walking tour of the town’s landmarks or venture on a coastal hike, spotting glamorous villas along the way. Alternatively, cruise across the harbor to St Maxime, where you can explore Thoronet Abbey before settling in for a leisurely lunch.
Settle in aboard Scenic Eclipse for another memorable evening at sea.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Step back in time today in Marseille, France’s oldest city and once a bustling port crossroads of immigration and trade dating back to 600 BCE.
With a complimentary Scenic Freechoice experience included daily, pick the shore excursion that speaks to you. Explore Marseille on foot with an expert guide while sampling local delicacies, or journey inland to the refined town of Aix-en-Provence, celebrated for its elegant squares, ornate fountains and plane-tree-lined boulevards.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Today the beautiful island of Menorca beckons as you arrive in Mahón, its capital city perched on a bluff overlooking a magnificent harbor. It’s truly paradise here, with turquoise waters rarely seen elsewhere in the world, golden sandy beaches framed by rocky coves and a blissfully slow pace of life.
Select your daily Scenic Freechoice experience from our curated shore excursions. Discover Menorca with a tour of its caves and the whitewashed village of Binibeca, or take a different perspective, exploring Menorca’s northern coast by sea kayak, gliding through hidden coves and pristine beaches.
Return to the ship and settle into Scenic Lounge Bar, drink in hand – a fine wine, or perfectly aged whisky selected from over 130 varieties – and toast to a day of Mediterranean magic. Later, savour another delicious dinner and then unwind in the luxury of your suite.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Today you arrive in Palma de Mallorca, the sun-drenched capital of Spain’s largest Balearic island. This is a city where centuries of history unfold at every turn – from Roman foundations to Moorish palaces and Catholic cathedrals, each era has left its mark since 123 BCE.
Choose your complimentary Scenic Freechoice experience from a selection of daily shore excursions. Journey through Sóller Valley on a guided hike, where olive groves and citrus orchards carpet the hillsides, or discover the mountain village of Valldemossa and its historic monastery. Prefer a slower pace? Join a walking tour through Palma’s storied quarters or find your zen with an oceanview yoga class above the sparkling Mediterranean.
Tonight’s late departure is an invitation to savor the moment. Retreat to the Sky Deck as dusk settles over Palma, drink in hand, and watch the city’s golden glow reflect across the Mediterranean.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Today you arrive in Ibiza, an island that reveals itself as so much more than its legendary party reputation. Beyond the beats lie superb beaches, fascinating archaeological sites and timeless villages where life moves at a slower pace.
Each day includes one Scenic Freechoice experience – simply choose your preferred shore excursion. You might enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Town, or perhaps a bike tour along the coastline. There’s the option to visit a family-run farm for a hierbas liqueur workshop or take a drive to an aloe vera plantation.
Tonight’s late departure is perfectly timed for Ibiza’s most celebrated show: the sunset. Claim a seat at a waterfront bar and watch as the sky transforms into a masterpiece.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Your final full-day port is Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, where cutting-edge skyscrapers share the skyline with historic buildings. Celebrated for its extraordinary food scene, the Central Market is essential – an Art Nouveau food hall where vendors showcase the region’s finest produce. And of course, sample the city’s signature paella, crafted with the freshest local seafood.
Choose your final complimentary Scenic Freechoice experience from the curated shore excursion options. Join a walking tour of Valencia’s best sights, take a cooking class with local wine tastings and traditional paella, or follow Valencia’s ‘orange route’ to learn about its citrus heritage.
Savour your final night aboard Scenic Eclipse over dinner, swapping stories and favourite moments with fellow travellers as the Mediterranean slips by one last time.
Scenic Eclipse cruise
Your voyage comes full circle as you return to Barcelona. Disembark after breakfast, bidding farewell to fellow travellers and crew, and carry with you the memories of an extraordinary adventure.
Meet your transfer and make your way to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) for your onward journey.