Ancient civilisations of the Eastern Mediterranean10 nights, call for pricing

Itinerary

In partnership with PARIS MATCH, with the exceptional presence of Dominique de Villepin, former Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Interior Minister.  Board Le Champlain for a brand-new 11-day cruise from Valletta, the capital of Malta to Aqaba and the Jordanian shores. As you sail along the waters of the Near East on this journey through the Eastern Mediterranean, the cultural discoveries and stunning landscapes are sure to impress you. Your cruise will start in Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta, and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta. Your ship will take you to the southern Aegean Sea to discover the capital of Crete, Heraklion, built on a hillside overlooking the port and encircled by formidable Venetian walls. You will then set a course for Turkey, where you will call at Kusadasi. An old fishing village with history going back 5,000 years, not far from the Ephesus site, the town is now one of the country' most famous seaside resorts. In Rhodes, you will fall under the charm of the Gothic architecture in the medieval city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After sailing through the legendary Suez Canal, you will call at Ain Sokhna, the ideal starting point for a visit to the Egypt of the Pharaohs. Le Champlain will make a brief incursion into the warm waters of the Red Sea before sailing to the other side of the Sinai Peninsula and reaching Eilat in Israel. You will be able to discover the majestic fortress of Massada looming over the Dead Sea. Your journey will end in Aqaba, a Jordanian port city on the shores of the Red Sea.