Elegant Cruises & Tours, a niche cruise line specializing in
culturally enriching travel to Europe, presents Monasteries of the
Lonely Desert, a new cruise-tour program through the Red Sea and
Gulf of Aqaba aboard the 62-passenger M.S. Monet.
The maiden voyage of the 14-day sea and land adventure will
depart Cairo on Dec. 18 and cruise through the Gulf of Suez to the
Red Sea. The program’s focus will be on early Christian monasteries
and convents, Roman ruins, Egyptian temples and the Greco-Roman
architecture of antiquity.
“This is a rare opportunity for an intimate encounter with
history, from the grand temples of Egypt’s Pharaohs to the earliest
foundations of Christianity and monastic way of life in the
desert,” said Tatjana Stanovic, executive vice president, Elegant
Cruises & Tours. “By combining land excursions and optional
Cairo extensions with the cruise, and providing expert guest
lecturers, we offer passengers the chance to immerse themselves in
the culture and color of the destinations.”
The itinerary includes a full-day excursion to two of the oldest
monasteries in Egypt. The monastery of St. Paul is located near the
site of the cave he lived in, displaying the monastic life in the
Arab Desert. Other highlights include jeep tours of Wadi Rum, the
Bedouin village that served as a base for Lawrence of Arabia; the
monastery of the Seven Nuns; the world-renowned St. Catherine’s
monastery; the church of the prophet Moses; the Karnak Temple
Complex at Luxor; the crusader castle of Kerak; the Greco-Roman
site of Jerash; and Amman’s Gold Market, bazaars and the desert
landscapes.
Nine 14-day Red Sea cruise tours are planned between Jan. 1,
2009 and Feb. 16, 2009, including special voyages featuring
lecturers onboard.
Prices for the all-inclusive package begin at $3,512 per person,
double occupancy. The cruise-only package (exclusive of the
land/overnight excursions) begins at $2,706 per person, double
occupancy. Group and charter fares are also available.
800-683-6767
www.elegantcruises.com
