FRIDAY 20 MAY

AUCKLAND – SINGAPORE

After connecting flights from other points, the group assembles in Auckland late this morning for the early afternoon flight to Singapore. Arrival into Singapore is early evening where the group is met and transferred to the hotel for a 2 night stay.

SATURDAY 21 MAY

SINGAPORE (B)

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Singapore City, showcasing the contrasts between the old and the new and the blend between East and West. We visit the Botanical Gardens and see the wonderful orchid display, Mt Faber for great views over the harbour, Chinatown and lots more. The afternoon is at leisure – what about high-tea at Raffles as an option. Very late this evening, we are transferred back to Singapore Airport.

SUNDAY 22 MAY

SINGAPORE – CAIRO (D)

We depart Singapore around 2.00am for the flight to Cairo. Arrival time is around 8.00am and we are met and transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is free to relax and rest up after the journey from home.

MONDAY 23 MAY

CAIRO – LUXOR (B,L,D)

An early morning breakfast before we are transferred to the airport for the flight to Luxor. On arrival Luxor, the group is met and transferred to our first class Nile River cruise ship, our home of the next seven nights. Our ship will be the modern cruise vessel “Beau Soleil” or something similar.

TUESDAY 24 MAY

LUXOR – EDFU (B,L,D)

After breakfast on board this morning, we cross the river to the West Bank where we visit the Valley of Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. Also the Temple of Queen Hatsheput which blends dramatically into the cliffs, and the towering Colossus of

Memnon. We return to the ship for lunch and later this afternoon, it sets sail up the Nile for Edfu. Dinner on board.

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY

EDFU-KOM OMBO (B,L,D)

Today, we visit Edfu and the astonishing Temple of Horus, the Nile’s best preserved temple. After lunch on board, sail to Kom Ombo. Kom Ombo is known for its celebrated twin temples dedicated to the sun and crocodile gods and their beautiful murals. We can also enjoy superb views over the Nile. Lunch and dinner on board.

THURSDAY 26 MAY

KOM OMBO-ASWAN (B,L,D)

This morning’s sightseeing reveals the Aswan High Dam and also as an absolute contrast, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Granite Quarries. We enjoy a sail around

Kitchener Island on a traditional Nile ‘felucca’ (Egyptian sailing boat). Lunch and dinner on board.

FRIDAY 27 MAY

ASWAN -ESNA (B,L,D)

Today our ship remains in Aswan and the day is free to relax or explore the local area independently. Many will want to take advantage of the opportunity to take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel (cost approx. US$230.00). Abu Simbel is the most beautiful and imaginative construction of the greatest of the Egyptian pharaohs, Ramses II. The façade consists of four colossal statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne. To the Pharaoh’s architects, this temple presented a tremendous challenge which two thousand years later was taken up again by engineers of the world community in order to save the temple from the waters of the Nile. The excursion involves return flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel. After lunch we sail on to Esna.

SATURDAY 28 MAY

ESNA-LUXOR (B,L,D)

This morning, we sail for Luxor. Today’s highlights include the Temple of Luxor located on the East Bank of the river. The Luxor of today was originally the ancient city of Thebes and the temple dates back to the 14^th century BC. We also visit the gigantic Temple of Amon at Karnak which is in fact a city of temples built over a period of 2000 years. The sacred lake next to the temple still preserved today was once a site for the daily temple rituals.

SUNDAY 29 MAY

LUXOR (B,L,D)

Our ship is moored in Luxor for the day and the day is free for independent activities, shopping, relaxing, whatever you like. Luxor has been described as the world’s greatest open-air museum and has been attracting visitors for thousands of years.

MONDAY 30 MAY

LUXOR – CAIRO (B,D)

After breakfast it is time to farewell our floating hotel as we disembark from our ship and are transferred to Luxor Airport for the flight to Cairo. On arrival we enjoy a full day of sightseeing in and around Cairo, “The Triumphant City”. We visit the Egyptian Museum where among the many thousands of artifacts we view Tutankhamen’s splendid treasures. We then travel to the outskirts of the city to Giza where we see the magnificent Pyramids and The Great Sphinx. An awe-inspiring day to remember.

TUESDAY 31 MAY

CAIRO (B,D)

Another memorable day today as we visit Memphis (the capital of the Old Kingdom) and Sakkara where we view the Step Pyramids of Zoser I dating from 2686BC. We also visit the Citadel where we get a breathtaking view of the whole city. The Citadel was commenced in the 12^th century by Salah El Din, but owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great alabaster Mosque we visit. What visit to Cairo would be complete without a visit to Khan el Khalili, the world’s oldest market. “The Khan”, as it is commonly called, was first built in the 14^th century and is still the major shopping area of Cairo.

WEDNESDAY 01 JUNE

CAIRO (B,D)

Today is a free day – a chance to relax and enjoy the facilities at the hotel, or maybe revisit some of the highlights of your Cairo stay. There is also the opportunity for an optional day tour to Alexandria.

THURSDAY 02 JUNE

CAIRO – MADRID (B)

Sadly, it is time to leave Egypt as this morning the group is transferred back to Cairo Airport to join the flight to Madrid. On arrival Madrid, we are met and transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay.

FRIDAY 03 JUNE

MADRID (B)

A rest day today after travelling from Egypt and before the commencement of the Spain Portugal Morocco tour - maybe an opportunity for a private visit to the world famous Prado Museum. This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink with our Insight Vacations European Tour Director and fellow travellers.

SATURDAY 04 JUNE

SPAIN, MOROCCO, PORTUGAL TOUR

MADRID – SALAMANCA (B,D)

Leaving Madrid, we travel first to Toledo, capital of Castile. We walk through the cobbled streets to the Cathedral and visit El Grecos Masterpiece in the Chapel of Santo Tome. We continue on our journey past the mighty walls of Avila, home to St Theresa, en route to Salamanca, a famous “World Heritage” site and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. We see the Plaza Mayor and the new and old cathedrals and the university buildings before settling into our hotel for an overnight stay.

SUNDAY 05 JUNE

SALAMANCA – FATIMA - LISBON (B)

From Salamanca, we drive across the Portuguese border to the world famous shrine at Fatima where we visit the great white Basilica. Our scenic drive then takes us via the magnificent Serra d’aire Mountains to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon for a 2 night stay.

MONDAY 06 JUNE

LISBON (B,D)

After breakfast this morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city. With a local guide, we visit the cobbled streets of the “Alfama” quarter to see Sao George Castle before continuing on to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower, the starting point for Portugal’s great navigators and explorers, and the famous Jeronimo’s Monastery. The afternoon is free. This evening, a taste of Portugal as we enjoy dinner in a typical local nightspot specializing in Fado melodies and folklore entertainment.

TUESDAY 07 JUNE

LISBON - SEVILLE (B,D)

Leaving Lisbon, our journey takes us via the Alentego region of Portugal with its many cork forests. Then it is across the Sierra Morena into Andalucia . We arrive in Seville in time to join a local guide for a visit to the cathedral to see the tomb of Christopher Columbus, then we continue to the Giralda Tower, Alcazar and the Santa Cruz quarter. This evening, we enjoy a highlight dinner and Flamenco show.

WEDNESDAY 08 JUNE

SEVILLE (B,D)

Today is a free day, a chance to enjoy this “World Heritage’ city at your leisure. For those who prefer to be on the move, there is also the opportunity for an optional tour to the most perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba with its magnificent 8^th century mosque. This evening, let us “shout” you a tapas meal and drink at a local tapas restaurant / bar.

THURSDAY 09 JUNE

SEVILLE - TANGIER (B,D)

Leaving Seville, we first travel to Gibraltar, a British Territory since 1704. There is time to explore the town and take a trip to the top of the Rock to see the fortifications, St Michaels Cave and the Barbary Apes before continuing to Algeciras where we join the ferry for the short trip from Europe to North Africa We commence our stay in Morocco with an overnight stay in Tangier.

FRIDAY 10 JUNE

TANGIER – FEZ (B,D)

We begin our day with a short sightseeing tour of Tangier where we see the Medina and the Kasbah. We then travel inland past the Rif Mountains to the most ancient of Morocco’s cities, Fez, for a 2 night stay. This evening, we enjoy a dinner of Moroccan specialties as well as a Folklore show with drums and belly dancing.

SATURDAY 11 JUNE

FEZ (B,D)

On our guided tour of this “City of the Mind”, we visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, Mosques and tiny workshops and the ancient Bazaar; we also visit a carpet co-operative where you can purchase a beautiful Moroccan carpet as an everlasting souvenir. The afternoon is at leisure (maybe an optional visit to a Berber village).

SUNDAY 12 JUNE

FEZ – MARRAKESH (B,D)

Today we drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages and onto Marrakesh for a two night stay, Africa’s most popular year round sun resort. It was once the favourite holiday spot of Winston Churchill.

MONDAY 13 JUNE

MARRAKESH (B)

On our guided tour this morning, we see the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs and explore the Medina with its many souks. The tour ends in Jemaa el Fina Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain you. The afternoon is at leisure.

TUESDAY 14 JUNE

MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA – RABAT (B,D)

Today we leave Marrakesh and head north to Casablanca, scene of Humphrey Bogart’s most magical moments and some of North Africa’s best beaches. Here our orientation tour shows us some of the city highlights before we continue on along the Atlantic coast to the modern capital of Rabat where we see the Royal Palace and the Hassan Tower. We enjoy an overnight stay in Rabat.

WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE

RABAT – COSTA DEL SOL (B)

We continue our drive north along the Moroccan Atlantic coast back to Tangier where we rejoin the ferry for the Straits of Gibraltar crossing to Algeciras; then, it’s along the sun drenched Costa del Col coastline past the exclusive resorts and coastal settlements to our overnight stay at Marbella.

THURSDAY 16 JUNE

COSTA DEL SOL - GRANADA (B,D)

This morning, our drive continues along the coast until we turn inland and cross the Sierra Nevada to hilltop Granada. This afternoon, a guide takes us on a tour of the magnificent Alhambra Palace, Spain’s most beautiful Moorish building and former residence of the Moorish Kings. We also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence where we can enjoy fine views over the town and hills. We overnight in Granada

FRIDAY 17 JUNE

GRANADA - MADRID (B)

We continue our journey north through the town of La Mancha where Don Quixote tilted at the windmills as his faithful Sancho Panza looked on. We pass through the wine centre of Valdepenas with its roads lined with “bodegas” (wine cellars) before arriving into Madrid late this afternoon for a 2 night stay.

SATURDAY 18 JUNE

MADRID (B,D)

This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of the city, down the tree-lined avenues to see the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de Espana. Also included is a visit to the State Apartments of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, we enjoy a celebration dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant with wine and entertainment included.

SUNDAY 19 JUNE

MADRID – BARCELONA (B,D)

This morning, we return to Madrid Airport in time to join the short flight to Barcelona. On arrival, we join our coach for an afternoon sightseeing tour of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of Spain’s most spectacular and vibrant cities. Our tour includes the Gothic quarter with its magnificent cathedral and also Gaudi’s “Segrada Familia” as well as many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. After checking into our hotel for the night, we enjoy dinner together and sample the local cuisine.

MONDAY 20 JUNE

BARCELONA – SINGAPORE (B)

After our all too short visit, it is time to farewell Barcelona and Spain as we are transferred back to the airport in time to join our overnight flight to Singapore

TUESDAY 21 JUNE

SINGAPORE – AUCKLAND

We arrive Singapore this morning where hotel rooms are reserved at the airport. There is time to relax, rest-up, shop, take a swim or a trip into the city before continuing the homeward journey this evening as we join the overnight flight to Auckland.

WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE

AUCKLAND

Journey’s end with a morning arrival into Auckland.