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Between Orient and Occident - Dubai
- Monte Carlo
COX1307 | April
1-18, 2013
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Book your cruise now! 5% early booking discount until September 3, 2012.
From the frankincense trade route to the cultural treasures of Egypt - fascinating landscapes,
monumental buildings and fairytale-like impressions await you.
Highlights of your cruise
• Overwhelming impressions in the frankincense city of Salalah
• History carved in stone - Petra, the 2,000-year-old rock city
of the Nabateans
• Biblical scenes at St. Catherine's Monastery
• Daytime passage through the Suez Canal
• Sicily's mighty landmark - the volcano Mount Etna |
| Days |
Date
|
Destination |
| Mon |
1-Apr-13
|
Embarkation on the COLUMBUS
2 |
| Tue |
2-Apr-13
|
Dubai, departure 2.00 hrs |
| Wed |
3-Apr-13
|
Relaxation at sea |
| Thurs |
4-Apr-13
|
Salalah, 12.00 - 22.00
hrs |
| Fri |
05 Apr - 08 Apr
2013
|
Relaxation at sea |
| Tue |
9-Apr-13
|
Aqaba, arrival 20.30 hrs |
| Wed |
10-Apr-13
|
Aqaba, departure 19.00
hrs |
| Thurs |
11-Apr-13
|
Sharm el Sheikh, 6.00 - 18.00
hrs |
| Fri |
12-Apr-13
|
Suez, arrival 6.00 hrs |
| Sat |
13-Apr-13
|
Suez, departure approx. 5.00
hrs.
Daytime passage through the Suez
Canal |
| Sun |
14 Apr - 15 Apr
2013
|
Relaxation at sea |
| Tue |
16-Apr-13
|
Passage through the Strait of
Messina. Messina, 8.00 - 18.00 hrs |
| Wed |
17-Apr-13
|
Relaxation at sea |
| Thurs |
18-Apr-13
|
Monte Carlo, arrival 7.00
hrs.
Disembarkation |
|
Dubai/United Arab Emirates
The city of superlatives is the
starting point of a cruise with many highlights. The COLUMBUS 2 will set sail during your first
night on board.
Salalah/Oman
Coconut, banana and papaya - in the "garden city of the south", you
will not only perceive the scent of exotic fruit, but also a fragrance that was once of inestimable
value - frankincense. The aromatic resin is derived from the scraggly trees in the mountains of Oman
and was considered a precious offering in the ancient temples. Even today, a tantalising waft is
characteristic of Salalah and its surroundings* - stroll across the Al Husn Souk and discover
the tomb of Nabi Ayoub, who is referred to as Job in the Bible and is believed to have found his final
resting place here. Depending on the surf, you can also admire the water fountains called "Blow Holes"
on Mughsail Beach. Or you may wish to encounter fascinating legacies of bygone centuries in Samhuram
and Taqah*.
Aqaba/Jordan
Follow the myth-enshrouded frankincense trade route all the way to
Aqaba, which was already a significant commercial hub in ancient times and belonged to the empire of
the Nabateans until well into the 1st century. With the rock-carved city of Petra*, these nomads
of Arab descent left behind a true synthesis of the arts - let yourself be mesmerised by the more than
2,000-year-old temples, palaces and burial chambers, the monumental facades of which were hewn straight
from the rocks. Only discovered in the year 1812, the ensemble has been a UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage Site since 1985. The rock walls in the valley Wadi Rum* not only provided the setting
for the classic movie "Lawrence of Arabia", but also the habitat of many cultures since prehistoric
times - the jeep excursion augurs an unadulterated desert atmosphere.
Sharm el Sheikh/Egypt
At the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula lies a pulsating
holiday resort: With a breathtaking mixture of desert landscape and mountain scenery, fabulous sandy
beaches and crystal-clear water with exotic coral reefs, the "Bay of the Sheik" is one of the most
beautiful dream destinations on the Black Sea coast - fantastic for snorkelling and relaxed sunbathing.
At the foot of Mount Sinai, Saint Catherine's Monastery* makes biblical history tangible.
According to the Bible, this is the ground on which the Burning Bush from the Book of Exodus once
stood. An unforgettable natural phenomenon will be revealed to you in Colored Canyon* -
following a jeep ride, you will hike through an impressive canyon, the different rock layers of which
feature a vast array of brilliant colours.
Suez/Egypt
Before the sea route to India around the Cape of Good Hope was
discovered, Suez was one of the most important trade centres for the coveted goods from the Orient.
Today, the city lies at the mouth of the Suez Canal, which was opened in the year 1869. Explore the
city resting on the ruins of the ancient town of Kolzum. Or discover the highlights of Cairo*.
In the Egyptian metropolis, the famous citadel and the Pyramids of Giza with the Sphinx, one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, await you. You will also be thrilled by the visit to a papyrus
workshop and the Oriental lunch on a traditional Nile felucca. Treasures such as the artifacts found in
the tomb of Tutankhamun can be admired at the Egyptian Museum.
Daytime passage Suez Canal
Your daytime passage through the Suez Canal begins early
in the morning - the voyage on the more than 160 km long waterway will reveal unforgettable impressions
to you.
Messina/Sicily
A sea of lights on the shores of the Strait of Messina marks your
return to the western world. The "gateway to Sicily" welcomes you with Italian charm. A cathedral
dating back to the 12th century with the largest astronomical clock in the world as well as numerous
fountains are characteristic features of the likeable city that invites you to stroll through it and
relax as you please. An aerial tramway takes you up to the historic district of Taormina*, from
where you will enjoy unforgettable views across the Bay of Naxos. Look forward to an atmosphere
reminiscent of mediaeval times, which you will capture on your guided walk through the town. You can
spend half a day or an entire day exploring the picturesque landscape and the craters of Mount
Etna* - the excursion to Sicily's mighty landmark is sure to provide you with lasting memories.
Monte Carlo/Monaco
As a crowning conclusion to your cruise, you will be greeted in
style in the principality of the Grimaldi family.
*These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The shore activities listed here are in the
planning stage and are subject to changes. |
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∗United States Dollar prices are subject to change. These
rates do not include Airfare
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The COLUMBUS 2 all-inclusive package is offered at a surcharge to complement the
advertised cruise and can only be booked prior to the beginning of the cruise. The package price
includes a credit for the shore excursions of your choice, beverages with the meals and free
selection from 81 beverages on the bar menu of the COLUMBUS 2. The mini bar as well as a selection
of other beverages, for example champagne, are not included in the COLUMBUS 2 all-inclusive
package. The credit for your shore excursions worth € 60 will automatically be credited to your
on-board account.
¹ You pay only the guaranteed price for double occupancy shown here. Accommodation will be provided in
an inside cabin of Category 1 or an outside cabin of Category 3 to 4, subject to availability. If you
book a combination of several cruises in a guaranteed two-berth cabin, we cannot promise that you will
be allocated the same cabin throughout your whole stay. You will receive your cabin number with your
final travel documents (limited allotment).
² If you book your cruise 210 days (approx. 7 months) or earlier prior to departure, you will receive
an early booking discount of 5% on the cruise-only price (catalogue price minus surcharge for travel
arrangements to cruise departure point and from cruise arrival point and share of fuel costs).
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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