13 days through your journey
Welcome to Athens, the capital of Greece and birthplace of democracy. For thousands of years, residents of Athens have carried on their daily lives against the fabulous backdrop of the Parthenon, its Doric columns standing sentinel over their timeless city. Settle into your hotel before gathering for dinner.
Begin your exploration of Athens at the Acropolis Museum, marveling at artifacts Athenians used in everyday life, as well as finds from the slopes of the Acropolis. Stroll the Plaka, filled with flower shops, taverns and charming boutiques, where you also enjoy lunch. Visit the Acropolis, one of the greatest icons of the ancient world, viewing the Parthenon in the early evening light. Savor an A&K-exclusive dinner at a 19th-century private townhouse, located on the oldest street in Europe.
Visit the glorious Hagia Sophia, marveling at the structure’s imposing façade, matched only by the grandeur of its towering, vaulted ceilings; and the sixth-century Basilica Cistern. See the nearby Hippodrome and city walls. Later this afternoon, cruise the Bosphorus, toasting to its beauty and your journey with a refreshing cocktail in hand.
Enter the beautiful domed 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque, created by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, whom Frank Lloyd Wright called “the supreme master builder of all time.” Explore the dazzling Grand Bazaar, a monument to the “Rise of Istanbul.” Wander, shop and bargain among its 3,500 shops. Explore the Spice Bazaar as well as the Rustem Pasha Mosque, also built by Sinan, to marvel at its breathtaking tiles.
Discover Topkapi Palace, the massive headquarters for the Turks, who once ruled most of the Mediterranean. Take in the building’s distinctive mix of Islamic, European and Ottoman architectural styles, peruse the priceless artifacts on exhibit and stroll in the serene courtyards that complement this venerable icon of Istanbul. Briefly visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum for a glimpse into Turkey’s earliest cultures. The rest of the day is yours, free for relaxing or exploring the city on your own.
Fly by private charter to Aswan, where you board the intimate dahabiya Zein Nile Chateau. Boat to the island of Agilika and view a show at Philae Temple.
Go ashore at Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god), and view the mummified remains of crocodiles that once basked on the Nile’s banks. Visit the Selsela Tombs, known as the “Place of Rowing,” a major quarry site.
Cruise to Luxor, where you roam through the Valley of the Kings, legendary burial ground of the pharaohs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was here in 1922 that the tomb of “the boy king,” Tutankhamun (King Tut), was found by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Now, discover it for yourself as you set foot inside its 35-century-old walls. Also visit the tomb of Seti I, the father of Ramses II, one of the best-preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Discover the Temple of Karnak and walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, and then behold the Temple of Luxor, with its massive statues of Ramses II.
Disembark to fly by private jet to Cairo, where beyond the remnants of ancient glories lies a bustling, bursting metropolis, with tree-lined boulevards and souks fragrant with cinnamon and sumac. Accompany your A&K Egyptologist to view the galleries of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza that showcase artifacts dating back millennia, such as stone tools and pottery of the earliest human settlements along the Nile and the spectacular treasures of King Tut. Check in at your hotel, located along Cairo’s Corniche.
Venture across the Giza Plateau to view its iconic pyramids, entering one of these soaring Fourth Dynasty tombs. Go up close to the Great Sphinx, enjoying special private access to the paws of the enigmatic monument — close enough to touch them. Gather for a delightful farewell dinner.