• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury 40 seat touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary transfers Day 2 & Day 10 between the airport and your tour hotel

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner in Madrid at a local restaurant (HD)
• 8 buffet breakfasts (BB), 2 three course table d’hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

PLEASE CALL US FOR ITINERARY DETAILS

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Insight's Cruising

• 3 Night Nile cruise on MS Miriam or MS Sapphire (or similar) with all cruise boat gratuities included
• First Class and Deluxe hotels with servicecharges, taxes & porterage
• Scheduled air travel Luxor to Cairo
• Overnight sleeper train, Cairo to Aswan with twin berth cabins
• Sightseeing by air-conditioned coach
• Professional multi-lingual Egyptologist/ Tour Director to escort you
• Services of Insight’s Manager in Cairo
• Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Excursions & Sights

• See the Rameses II statue & Alabaster Sphinx
• See the Step Pyramid of Zozer in Sakkara
• See the Great Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
• See Tutankhamun’s treasure in the Egyptian Museum
• Views over Cairo from the Citadel & visit to Mohamed Ali’s alabaster Mosque
• Visit the Aswan High Dam & see the unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries
• Sail on a traditional ‘felucca’
• Visit the Temples at Edfu & Kom Ombo
• Tour the temples of Luxor & Karnak
• See the Colossi of Memnon and visit the Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut temple

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour in Cairo.
• Orientation tours in Luxor and Aswan

Complimentary Transfers

• Complimentary arrival and departure transfers between Cairo airport and the tour hotel

Quality Dining

• Egyptian Dinner and Galabea Party with entertainment
• 8 Buffet Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 special-menu Dinners, or Buffets, plus bottled water or tea or coffee while cruising

10 Days ~ Egypt

DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Cairo.

DAY 2 – SAT – ARRIVE CAIRO
Welcome to Egypt! You are met at Cairo airport and transferred to your tour hotel.
Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 3 – SUN – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Drive to Memphis to see the statue of Rameses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. Continue on to Sakkara to view the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, which is the oldest in the world. Now time to gaze in awe at the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. (BB)

DAY 4 – MON – CAIRO – OVERNIGHT TRAIN
Visit the Egyptian Museum to see King Tutankhamun’s mask and other treasures recovered from the Pharaoh’s tomb. At the citadel of Salah El Din enjoy fine views over the city before visiting the alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Spend a leisurely afternoon in Cairo before boarding your overnight sleeper train to exotic Aswan. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – TUE – ASWAN SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing begins with a visit to the Aswan High Dam. Then take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. See the unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries before continuing to your hotel for afternoon tea on the terraces so loved by Agatha Christie.
Hotel: New Cataract. (BB)

DAY 6 – WED – CRUISING ASWAN
Maybe take an optional excursion to the Temples of Rameses II at Abu Simbel, this morning. Later, board your Nile cruiser.   Ship: MS Medea/MS Sapphire (or similar). (BB,L,D)

DAY 7 – THU – CRUISING EDFU
Enjoy a ride around the Aswan Botanical Gardens on a traditional Nile felucca before setting sail for Kom Ombo. Here, visit the Temple of Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. Enjoy the scenery now as you cruise to Edfu. Spend the evening enjoying an Egyptian dinner and Galabea party. (BB,L,HD)

DAY 8 – FRI – CRUISING LUXOR
Visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. Continue cruising through Esna Lock to Luxor where you visit Luxor Temple. (BB,L,D)

DAY 9 – SAT – LUXOR – CAIRO
Cross to the West Bank of the Nile to see the huge Colossi of Memnon and visit the Temple of Hatshepsut. Continue to the Valley of the Kings to visit several of the Pharoahs’ tombs. Return to Luxor and the enormous Temple complex of Karnak. Among its many splendors is the Hypostle Hall, the largest of any temple in the world. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 10 – SUN – RETURN TO USA
There are transfers to the airport today for your onward flights. (BB)

Fellow Passengers
In times past you may have found yourself rubbing shoulders with Julius Caesar, Napoleon or Agatha Christie. Nowadays, your companions will be like-minded people who enjoy travelling in comfort and style, and who have been lured by the romance and history of this ancient land.

Highlights
The Pyramids, Karnak, the Egyptian Museum, Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo – they are all here. The superior standard of hotels and the Nile cruise ship is also a highlight, as is the chance to soak up Egypt’s past as you take high tea on the famous terrace in Aswan.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Insight's Nile Cruising

• 3 night Nile cruise on the top rated MS Tower Prestige (or similar)with cruise boat gratuities included
• Deluxe hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Scheduled air travel between Cairo/Aswan & Luxor/CairoSightseeing by air-conditioned coach
• Insight’s professional multi-lingual Egyptologist/Tour Director accompanies youServices of Insight’s Representative in Cairo
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Excursions & Sights

• Visit the famous Khan El Khalili bazaars & see the Sakkara Step Pyramid in Cairo
• Visit the unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries & see Aswan High Dam
• Sail on a ‘felucca’ around Aswan’s Botanical gardens
• Tour the temple at Kom Ombo dedicated to Sobek & Horus
• Tour Luxor Temple and the awesome Karnak Temple See the Colossi of Memnon

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour with audio headset in Cairo. Orientation tours in Luxor & Aswan

Complimentary Transfers

• Complimentary arrival & departure transfers between Cairo airport and your tour hotel

Quality Dining & Entertainment

• Egyptian dinner and Galabea Party with entertainment while cruising (HD)
• All local wine and local beers and soft drinks included while cruising9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 3 Lunches (L) and 2 Dinners, plus bottled water or tea or coffee (D)

11 Days ~ Egypt

Tour Pace
Relaxed and leisurely as you would expect with our most upmarket Nile cruise. With four nights in Cairo, and overnight stops in Aswan and Luxor, you have the opportunity to take in and fully appreciate all the ancient tombs, museums, temples and monuments on this well paced tour.

DAY 1 – MON – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Cairo.

DAY 2 – TUE – ARRIVE CAIRO
Welcome to Egypt - part of the Holyland, furnished with ancient temples and tombs, and lavish backdrop for many of history’s most enthralling tales. On arrival in Cairo, you will be met and transferred to one of the best hotels in Cairo, where your room will overlook the River Nile.
Hotel: Conrad.

DAY 3 – WED – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast and a detailed pre-tour briefing with your Tour Director, there is no better introduction to Egypt than a visit to the Egyptian Museum! There are mind boggling exhibits from all periods of Egyptian history, but it’s the treasures recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb that will take your breath away. Then time to visit the famous Khan El Khalili bazaars to try your bargaining skills. This evening attend a magical Sound & Light Show at the world famous Pyramids, which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza! (BB)

DAY 4 – THU – CAIRO – ASWAN
A morning flight across the Egyptian desert takes you to the exotic city of Aswan. There is the option of joining an excursion by air to Abu Simbel to view the fabulous temples carved out of the cliff side by Rameses II and later transported, in an amazing feat of modern engineering, out of the rising waters of Lake Nasser (see page 158 for details). Later, take a ride in a local sailing boat, a felucca, around Kitchener Island, to see Aswan’s Botanical Gardens. Stay on the banks of the Nile in one of Egypt’s most elegant hotels, built in the 19th century by Thomas Cook. As night falls, you are treated to high tea on the terrace of your hotel while enjoying the glowing sunset.
Hotel: Old Cataract. (BB)

DAY 5 – FRI – ASWAN – CRUISING
Visit the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries where many of Ancient Egypt’s obelisks were made. See the unfinished obelisk still attached to the granite bedrock, commissioned by Hatshepsut but abandoned due to a large fault line. Take a motorboat across the Nile to the extraordinarily preserved temple complex of Isis on the island of Philae before boarding one of the most stylish and spacious boats in Egypt for your all-inclusive cruise. Set sail for Kom Ombo to see the riverside temple, uniquely dedicated to both the crocodile god, Sobek, and the falcon-headed Horus. Continue cruising and dock overnight at Edfu.
Ship: MS Tower Prestige. (BB,L,D)

DAY 6 – SAT – CRUISING
This morning you visit the well preserved temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God. Sit back and relax with a cold soft drink, local beer, glass of wine or bottle of water – all included on the cruise. Enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you float downstream to Luxor. On arrival, take a horse & carriage ride to visit the beautiful temple of Luxor. In the evening, don traditional attire for a fun-filled Egyptian Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

DAY 7 – SUN – CRUISING
Cross the Nile by air-conditioned coach to the West Bank to see the huge Colossi of Memnon, and visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where the archeologist Carter unearthed Tutankhamen’s secret tomb. Return to Luxor to visit the immense Karnak temple, dedicated to the sun god Amon. Wander amid the avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns – an unforgettable journey into the world of Ancient Egypt. (BB,L,D)

DAY 8 – MON – LUXOR AT LEISURE
Disembark your cruise boat this morning and check into your famous hotel. Originally built in 1886 to attract the nobility of Europe, it has been home to Howard Carter, Jane Fonda, King Farouk as well as many other crown princes and princesses. Spend the afternoon at leisure. A visit to the Luxor Museum is just one suggestion.
Hotel: Old Winter Palace. (BB)

DAY 9 – TUE – LUXOR – CAIRO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo where you are at leisure. Perhaps take an optional excursion to visit the Coptic Museums and hanging church?
Hotel: Conrad. (BB)

DAY 10 – WED – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Your tour comes to an exciting climax today with a tour of the riches of Giza. First drive to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser; the oldest pyramid in the world, it dates from 2700 BC. Now enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you see the enigmatic Sphinx and the magnificent Pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations! (BB)

DAY 11 – THU – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to Cairo Airport. (BB)

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

• 3 night Lake Nasser cruise on MS Prince Abbas (or similar) and 3 night Nile cruise on MS Giselle or MS Miriam (or similar) including all cruise boat gratuities.
• Deluxe Cairo hotel with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Scheduled air travel Cairo/Aswan/Abu Simbel and Luxor/Cairo
• Sightseeing by air-conditioned coach
• Professional multi-lingual Egyptologist/Tour Director to escort you
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival & departure transfers between Cairo airport and the tour hotel

Excursions & Sights

• Visit Mohammed Ali MosqueVisit the Khan El Khalili bazaars
• Overview Kasr Ibrim & visit Amada, Wadi
• El Sebou & Kalabsha temples
• Sail by traditional ‘felucca’Visit the Kom Ombo & Edfu TemplesTour the Luxor and Karnak Temple

• In-depth sightseeing tour with audio headset in Cairo
• Orientation tour in Luxor & Aswan

Quality Dining

• Egyptian dinner and Galabea Party (HD)
• 10 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 6 Lunches (L) and 5 Dinners (D), plus bottled water or tea or coffee with included lunches & dinners whilst cruising

12 Days ~ Egypt

DAY 1 – TUE – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Cairo.

DAY 2 – WED – CAIRO AT LEISURE
Welcome to Egypt! You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax and settle in, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 3 – THU – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Join your Tour Director for a detailed pre-tour briefing. Then visit the Citadel of Salah El Din, with its panoramic view of the city followed by a visit Mohammed Ali’s great alabaster mosque. Then time test your bargaining skills in the famous Khan El Khalili bazaars. Continue to the famous Egyptian Museum to see the amazing treasure recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun. (BB)

DAY 4 – FRI – CAIRO – CRUISING – ABU SIMBEL
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Nubian lands near Egypt’s southern border where you board your cruise boat on Lake Nasser. Get your camera ready now as you visit the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. You are confronted by four towering statues of Rameses II, carved out of a single slab of rock. The smaller Temple of Hathor, built for Rameses’ wife Nefertari, is also guarded by six 10 metre statues. Tonight experience the monuments lit in all their glory at the sound and light show.
Cruise: MS Prince Abbas. (BB,L,D)

DAY 5 – SAT – CRUISING – WADI EL SEBOU
Enjoy the ever changing scenery as you cruise to the ancient citadel of Kasr Ibrim, the only construction still occupying it’s original strategic high ground. Cruise on to Amada to visit the temple dedicated to Amun-Re and Re-Harrakte. Also explore the Tomb of Penniut, deputy of Nubia. (BB,L,D)

DAY 6 – SUN – CRUISING – ASWAN
This morning visit Wadi El Sebou, – the ‘Valley of the Lions’, named after the great Avenue of Sphinxes which led to the Temple of Rameses II. Now time to relax and enjoy your superb cruise facilities as you continue on to Aswan. (BB,L,D)

DAY 7 – MON – CRUISING – ASWAN
Visit the Temple of Kalabsha dedicated to the local god Mandulis. Disembark now and cross over the Aswan High Dam to your second cruise ship which will transport you up the Nile. This afternoon sail on a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan’s Botanical Gardens.
Cruise: MS Giselle/MS Miriam. (BB,L,D)

DAY 8 – TUE – CRUISING – EDFU
Take a motorboat to the Temples of Philae, rising from the waters of the Nile. Return to your ship via the granite quarries used by the pharaohs. Your cruise continues to Kom Ombo to visit the only temple in Egypt dedicated to two gods - Horus the Elder and the crocodile headed Sobek. Set sail again for Edfu. Tonight celebrate in true Egyptian style at an Oriental Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

DAY 9 – WED – CRUISING – LUXOR
In Edfu this morning, two black granite falcons guard the entrance to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. After exploring the beautifully preserved wall reliefs, continue your Nile cruise to Luxor. On arrival visit Luxor Temple. (BB,L,D)

DAY 10 – THU – LUXOR – CAIRO
Drive over to the west bank of the Nile and stop for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. Next, visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. Return to Luxor to the Temple complex of Karnak. Among its splendors is the Hypostle Hall, the largest of any temple in the world. Later, board your flight back to Cairo.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 11 – FRI – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Drive out to Memphis, to admire the colossal statue of Rameses II and great alabaster sphinx. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser I; dating from 2686BC, it’s the oldest in the world. Now to Giza where you venture inside one of the magnificent Pyramids and see the enigmatic Sphinx! (BB)

DAY 12 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
Your tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (BB)

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury 40 seat touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary transfers on Day 1 & Day 12 between the airport and your tour hotel

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner of Italian cuisine in Rome (HD)
• 11 buffet breakfasts (BB), 5 three course table d’hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

12 Days ~ Italy

Tour Pace - This is a perfectly paced tour with two-night stays in Rome, Sorrento, Venice and Florence. All travelling days are of a reasonable length with interesting stops en route for refreshments, sightseeing or photos.

Fellow Passengers - This popular itinerary suits those looking for a well-paced, comprehensive tour of mainland Italy. It focuses on history, art, and architecture from Roman times through to the golden age of the 15 & 16C.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE ROME
Welcome to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome - once hub of the vast Roman Empire. Complimentary transfers to your Insight tour hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30 hours. Later, join your fellow guests and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace.

DAY 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Meet your guide in the Vatican State, the richest community in the world, and visit the superb Vatican Museums. Browse through the vast art collection before emerging into the Sistine Chapel, immortalised by Michelangelo's painted ceiling. Your tour continues inside St Peter’s Basilica, designed by some of history's greatest architects - Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Another highlight takes you inside the massive Colosseum, scene of great excitement in imperial times. Then look out over the ruins of the Forum - once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. (BB)

DAY 3 – ROME – SORRENTO
Travel southwards towards Pompeii, the incredibly preserved Roman city, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius (still one of Europe's few active volcanos) in 79 A.D. After a walk with a local guide through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples, continue along the Bay of Naples to the lively cliff-top resort of Sorrento. Why not dine at one of Sorrento’s top restaurants tonight?
Hotel: Michelangelo. (BB)

DAY 4 – SORRENTO SIGHTSEEING
Visit Sorrento’s Piazza Tasso and watch the art of ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Cruise to the island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. There is time to explore before returning to Sorrento. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – SORRENTO – ASSISI
You pass beneath the hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino today, before climbing into the foothills of the Appenine Mountains. Stop first at the massive Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built around the tiny chapel of the monastery founded by St Francis himself. Now ascend to the charming hill-town of Assisi, a perfectly preserved medieval community of cobbled streets and houses of warm pink stone. Visit the impressive basilica, housing the saint's tomb and decorated with frescoes by Giotto.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Assisi. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – ASSISI – VENICE
A delightful mountain drive takes you through the heart of the Appenines to the Adriatic coast and on to Ravenna, the 'City of Mosaics' and meeting point of Roman, Christian and Byzantine cultures. At one time a Roman naval base and the site of Dante's tomb, your guide reveals some of Ravenna’s great artistic treasures and famous buildings. Continue through the marshes of the Venetian lagoon and across the causeway to the unique city of Venice. Your hotel is located directly on the Grand Canal.
Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Venice - a living treasure! What better way to see it than from a private launch? Cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark’s Square. See the Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! Now turn the corner, and the gilded regalia of St Mark’s Basilica comes into view. Finally, watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. (BB)

DAY 8 – VENICE – COMO
This morning travel to Verona, setting for one of history's saddest love stories. Here view the maze of elegant squares, the Roman Arena, where Opera is still performed, and glimpse the Capulet House with its famous balcony. Cross the fertile northern plains and pass by the outskirts of Milan, the commercial capital, before heading north to the Italian Lake District and the stunning beauty of Lake Como, your destination for tonight.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Di Como. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – COMO – FLORENCE
Head towards the Mediterranean and stop at Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the 'Field of Miracles', and also the 11th century Cathedral and Baptistry. Continue to your hotel in the heart of Florence, treasure house of the Renaissance.
Hotel: Cosmopolitan. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide for a walking tour and highlight visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. Finally watch a demonstration of leatherwork in the area around Santa Croce Basilica. Then, there’s free time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue sightseeing. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 11 – FLORENCE – ROME
Travel through the Chianti vineyards and olive groves to Siena, Renaissance rival of Florence. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets, lined with palaces and mansions to reach the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place. See the Town Hall, Della Quercia's ‘Fountain of Joy’, and climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome. Drive to a local restaurant tonight for a highlight farewell dinner including pasta, vino and entertainment.
Hotel: Villa Pamphili. (BB,HD)

DAY 12 – ROME
Sadly, our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Transfers from the hotel arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 & 09.30 hours. (BB)