Path Of The Great Empires

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. Read more about Athens, Greece

Heraklion is the largest urban centre in Crete, the capital of the region, and the economic centre of this Greek Island. It is a town with modern buildings, but it is probably the surrounding area of amazing beaches, delightful villages, and impressive gorges that accord it its popularity. Heraklion is home to some of Greece's most important archaeological sites. Read more about Heraklion, Crete, Greece

(NOTE: Check that your cruise still visits Haifa due to current safety concerns.) Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers. The lowest is the centre of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa, the middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel consists of older residential neighbourhoods, while the upper level is known for its modern suburbs. Read more about Haifa, Israel

(NOTE: Check that your cruise still visits Haifa due to current safety concerns.) Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers. The lowest is the centre of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa, the middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel consists of older residential neighbourhoods, while the upper level is known for its modern suburbs. Read more about Haifa, Israel

Port Safaga is a town in Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea, in what is now known as the Red Sea Riviera. With its unpolluted atmosphere, black sand-dunes and mineral springs, Safaga City is considered - by important medical researchers - an important therapeutic tourist centre, and has resulted in attracting international tourism. It also serves as an embarkation point for flights to Luxor and the Upper Nile, enabling visitors to explore the wonderful highlights of Egypt that include the Karnak Temple complex and Valley of the Kings at Luxor. Read more about Safaga, Egypt

Port Safaga is a town in Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea, in what is now known as the Red Sea Riviera. With its unpolluted atmosphere, black sand-dunes and mineral springs, Safaga City is considered - by important medical researchers - an important therapeutic tourist centre, and has resulted in attracting international tourism. It also serves as an embarkation point for flights to Luxor and the Upper Nile, enabling visitors to explore the wonderful highlights of Egypt that include the Karnak Temple complex and Valley of the Kings at Luxor. Read more about Safaga, Egypt

Sharm el-Sheikh, or just Sharm, is a well-known port and resort town at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It includes smaller coastal towns as well as the very well-known Saint Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai which, for many, are essential places to be visited. With its dramatic landscape, mainly dry, temperate climate, crystal clear water, magnificent corals, exotic under water flora and rare tropical fish, it is not surprising that Sharm el-Sheikh's major industry is foreign and domestic tourism. Read more about Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Aqaba, in the far south of Jordan, is the country’s only port city and, due to the rich coral reefs in the Gulf, is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Cooled by a steady northerly breeze, and ringed by mountains that change in colour with the change of hours, many visitors simply just relax on the sandy beaches. Aqaba is the port for the 3800 year-old ‘hidden city’ of Petra, 100 km to the north. Read more about Aqaba, Jordan

Jeddah is a Saudi Arabian city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. The city is the principal gateway to Mecca, Islam's holiest city. With a thousand years of trading behind it and home to some of the world most successful merchants, it is natural that Jeddah is the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia. Read more about Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Salalah, which lies in the southern Dhofar region, is the second largest city in Oman, and is known for its glorious history, heritage, rich culture, traditions and wonders of nature. The beautiful beaches are also very popular, with scuba diving and bird watching favourite tourist activities. Not surprisingly, it is known as the ‘Stunning Jewel’ of Oman. Read more about Salalah, Oman

Dubai, The Pride of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the southern Arabian Gulf. The subtropical climate sees blue skies, temperatures reaching the mid-40s, and little annual rain. The city is all about contemporary shopping with more than 70 shopping malls in the city and indoor entertainment. Read more about Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, is an island city in the NE of the Persian Gulf. The climate is hot and arid, with sunny skies yearlong. Temperatures pass 40°C in April through September, but are cooler from November to March. Read more about Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Doha, in the State of Qatar, is a multicultural city and home to most of the country's population, as well as expatriate communities from a range of origins. It lies on a small peninsula (80 km by 190 km) in the Persian Gulf, off the Arabian Peninsula and border with Saudi Arabia. Doha is Qatar's largest city and capital, and is the economic centre of the country. Read more about Doha, Qatar