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HighlightsTraveling with You - Reverend Richard Coles. Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest. He co-presents Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 and appears, from time to time, on QI, Have I Got News For You, and Would I Lie To You. He has won Christmas Masterchef, Celebrity Mastermind twice, and captained Leeds to victory in Christmas University Challenge in 2019. A contestant on Strictly in 2017, he scored a lamentably low mark for a Paso Doble. He writes regularly for The Sunday Times, and is the author of half a dozen books, including a best selling autobiography, ‘Fathomless Riches’, and the bereavament best seller ‘The Madness of Grief’ after the death of his partner the Revd David Coles. He is the author of the number one bestselling Canon Clement Mysteries. Richard is Patron of Greatwell Homes, a Housing Association providing social and affordable housing in east Northants, and is Chancellor of the University of Northampton.

                    Highlights
                    Traveling with You - Reverend Richard Coles. Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest. He co-presents Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 and appears, from time to time, on QI, Have I Got News For You, and Would I Lie To You. He has won Christmas Masterchef, Celebrity Mastermind twice, and captained Leeds to victory in Christmas University Challenge in 2019. A contestant on Strictly in 2017, he scored a lamentably low mark for a Paso Doble. He writes regularly for The Sunday Times, and is the author of half a dozen books, including a best selling autobiography, ‘Fathomless Riches’, and the bereavament best seller ‘The Madness of Grief’ after the death of his partner the Revd David Coles. He is the author of the number one bestselling Canon Clement Mysteries. Richard is Patron of Greatwell Homes, a Housing Association providing social and affordable housing in east Northants, and is Chancellor of the University of Northampton.

Ship Hebridean Sky

Capacity: 114, Type: Luxury Small Ship Cruise

Here is a passage through antiquity, an incomparable journey featuring a wealth of sites including the fascinating ancient city of Hegra in Saudi Arabia which has only recently opened to tourists and the magnificent ‘Rose Red City’ of Petra. These sites are irresistible attractions for the genuine traveller and as you explore these vast and complex Nabataean cities, whose wealth came from their proximity to the ancient Middle East trade routes, you cannot help but be impressed by the industry and sophistication of this ancient civilisation.

We begin our journey in Greece where we will explore the sacred island of Patmos and the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the delightful island of Rhodes before enjoying a relaxing day at sea as we head to the coast of North Africa. After our transit of the iconic Suez Canal upon arrival in Cairo we will focus on the great achievements of the Ancient Egyptians as we spend time exploring some of the city’s many wonders including the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Continuing to the Red Sea we will enjoy a day’s exploration of its colourful underwater world before we sail to Saudi Arabia to discover Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and Petra’s sister city. Untouched and inaccessible to visitors until recently, Hegra is a truly captivating site which offers clues about the mysterious Nabataean Kingdom.

After disembarking in Aqaba our journey continues with four days of exploration in Jordan, which from the grandeur of Petra to the desert sands of Wadi Rum and the mystical Dead Sea is a country steeped in history and awe-inspiring beauty. Petra, a city set deep in the Edom mountains and lost to Western ‘civilisation’ for hundreds of years, was hewn directly from the rock by the Nabataeans and is an amazing feat of engineering and construction.

This unusual itinerary offers a fascinating mix of some of the world’s most impressive and historic sites combined with time to relax on board the 118-passenger MS Hebridean Sky. We have planned the journey for spring when temperatures will be pleasant for exploring and with the aid of our knowledgeable local guides and excellent Guest Speaker, we will learn of some fascinating ancient civilisations and empires.

Traveling with You - Reverend Richard Coles. Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest. He co-presents Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 and appears, from time to time, on QI, Have I Got News For You, and Would I Lie To You. He has won Christmas Masterchef, Celebrity Mastermind twice, and captained Leeds to victory in Christmas University Challenge in 2019. A contestant on Strictly in 2017, he scored a lamentably low mark for a Paso Doble. He writes regularly for The Sunday Times, and is the author of half a dozen books, including a best selling autobiography, ‘Fathomless Riches’, and the bereavament best seller ‘The Madness of Grief’ after the death of his partner the Revd David Coles. He is the author of the number one bestselling Canon Clement Mysteries. Richard is Patron of Greatwell Homes, a Housing Association providing social and affordable housing in east Northants, and is Chancellor of the University of Northampton.

There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.

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Day 1 London to Athens, Greece.

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky in Piraeus. Sail this evening.

Day 2 Patmos.

Of all the Greek islands, Patmos is the most sacred to Christians both Orthodox and Western and it was here that St John received his revelation. This morning we will make our way to the grotto of St John. This small cave, now converted into a beautiful chapel, is where the Saint lived, had his revelation and wrote ‘Book of the Apocalypse’. From here continue to the village of Chora, with its simple houses and Byzantine churches and climb to the Monastery of St John the Theologian. Upon entering into the courtyard, admire the intricate pebbled laid floor, decorated arches and frescoes adorning the entrance to the chapel of Christodoulos. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to explore the picturesque town of Skala.

Day 3 Rhodes.

Our final call in Greece is the island of Rhodes from where we visit the ancient Acropolis of Lindos. From here the views of the Pelagus and St Paul’s Bay, where the apostle anchored during his voyage to Ephesus, are stunning. The Medieval walls which guard Lindos were constructed by the Knights of St John. This afternoon there will be the opportunity to relax on board or explore at leisure before sailing in the late afternoon.

Day 4 At Sea.

Spend the day at sea as we cross the Mediterranean towards the North African coast. Maybe join a lecture or find a spot on deck.

Day 5 Suez Canal Transit.

Spend the day in transit of the Suez Canal and the Great Bitter Lake.

Day 6 Cairo & Giza, Egypt.

A full day tour is dedicated to the capital city of Cairo. From our berth in Sokhna we drive to the impressive Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the tombs of the great pharaohs and their queens. After lunch we visit the Egyptian Museum with 107 halls that are separated into seven sections. The museum houses statues, jewels and treasures of Tutankhamun. We will visit the Amarna Room and see the Fayoum portraits and monuments from the later periods of the Greeks and the Romans.

Day 7 Sharm el Sheikh.

Sail through the Gulf of Suez and arrive in the late morning at the resort town of Sharm el Sheikh. It is, however, offshore that our interest lies with the clear waters of the Red Sea. Maybe join a snorkelling tour to the Ras Mohamed National Park. Designated a National Park in 1983 the reef ecosystems here protect a diversity of fish species and coral. Alternatively take a glass bottomed boat tour as we view some of the many species of colourful fish, coral and sponges that live in these waters.

Day 8 Al Wajh & Hegra, Saudi Arabia.

From our berth in Al Wajh there will be a choice of activities today. A full day tour will drive inland to the Alulah region and ancient Hegra, the largest conserved site of Nabataean civilisation south of Petra. Hegra was both a trading centre and military stronghold enabling the Nabataeans to control the Arabian caravan trade and the site has been left practically undisturbed for 2000 years. Here, surrounded by desert, we can find over 100 well-preserved tombs hewn from the rocks of the Hijaz mountains, featuring beautifully carved facades dating back to the first century BC. The largest of the tombs is that of Lihyan, son of Kuza, at 72 feet tall. Alternatively explore the city of Al Wajh, once a key port for silk road merchant ships. Visit the atmospheric old town and market, the 200-year-old Al-Ashraf Mosque, which overlooks the bay and Al Wajh Castle which was built in 1875 toward the end of the Ottoman period.

Day 9 At Sea.

Spend a relaxing day at sea as we prepare for our Jordan tour programme.

Day 10 Aqaba & Wadi Rum, Jordan.

Disembark in Aqaba this morning and drive to Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon where the desert landscape is mixed with awe-inspiring shapes to create an almost supernatural atmosphere. We will embark on an adventurous excursion by a Bedouin open top four-wheel drive vehicle. We begin at the visitor centre from where there is a view in the distance of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the famous landmark named after the book by T.E. Lawrence ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. During our excursion we will also see the Alameleh inscriptions which are a good example of ancient rock drawings, Siq Um Al Tawaqi, a short canyon containing a carving of the head of T.E. Lawrence and ruins of Allat (Goddess) Temple of the AAD tribe. After lunch in the desert we continue our journey to Petra. Check into the hotel and enjoy some free time before we meet for dinner this evening.

Day 11 Petra.

After breakfast in the hotel we will explore the breathtaking Nabatean city of Petra which was carved out of rose-red sandstone about 2000 years ago and has been voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Walk past the Obelisk Tomb and then through the Siq, the narrow 1.2 kilometre gorge that leads to Petra’s most impressive monument, the Treasury, which was carved out of the pale reddish sandstone in the 1st century BC. Pass by the dozens of classical Nabatean ruins and tombs known as the Street of Facades, the remarkable 3000 seat Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Byzantine Church, the Temple, the Monumental Arch and the mighty Qasr el-Bint Faroun. After lunch amidst the ruins of Petra you will have the option to return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure or stay and explore the site further independently. Those feeling active may choose to climb about 900 steps up to the large, 1st century AD monument known as the Monastery with its remarkable views over Wadi Araba. Meet this evening for dinner.

Day 12 Little Petra & Kerak.

This morning we visit the spectacular site of Little Petra, where a modest gorge (Siq el-Barid) leads into the area of carved tombs and monuments. See the Painted Cave which is believed to have been a shelter for a sect focused on Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, as it contains remains of Greek-style plaster artwork, quite unique for Petra, displaying tangled vines and flowers with brightly coloured birds and cupid-like figures. We continue north to the imposing Crusader stronghold of Kerak where we visit the fortified castle which was built in AD 1142 and witnessed many battles between the Crusaders and Saladin’s Muslim armies. See the network of dimly lit vaulted rooms and long winding corridors, which lead into each other through heavy arches and doorways. After our visit we transfer to our hotel on the Dead Sea.

Day 13 Dead Sea & Bethany.

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and a leisurely morning. You may wish to swim or float in the Dead Sea which, at 423 metres below sea level is the lowest spot on earth. The high salt content prevents the existence of any life forms but is also believed to provide healing properties with the mud on the seabed being rich in minerals. After lunch in the hotel restaurant we will drive to Bethany, the site where John the Baptist met and baptised Jesus Christ. The excavations conducted at Bethany in Jordan have uncovered a 1st century AD settlement with plastered pools and water systems, which were almost certainly used for mass baptisms, a 6th century Byzantine settlement with churches, a monastery and other structures most probably catering to religious pilgrims. This evening we will meet for dinner at the hotel.

Day 14 Amman to London.

Check out this morning and transfer to Amman airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

show main itinerary

Itineraries are subject to change.

Check out this morning and transfer to Amman airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Spend a relaxing day at sea as we prepare for our Jordan tour programme.

Spend the day in transit of the Suez Canal and the Great Bitter Lake.

Spend the day at sea as we cross the Mediterranean towards the North African coast. Maybe join a lecture or find a spot on deck.

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky in Piraeus. Sail this evening.

* = Indicative

Hebridean Sky

Length	90 metres
Built/refurbished	1992/2016

Hebridean Sky has always been known for its effortless elegance, impeccable service and atmosphere of charm and camaraderie. Now we add increased adventure options and an on-site Passenger Service Representative. Hebridean Sky is the perfect blend of luxury and adventurous exploration. Is it a luxury ship? An adventure ship? It’s both! The vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016.

ONBOARD DINING

Great expeditions require great food! We are pleased to offer daily changing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with an emphasis on providing well balanced and nutritional cuisine. Our team of international chefs has boat loads of creativity and you are sure to experience a variety of interesting dishes throughout your voyage. The restaurant is located on Deck 2 and our service team looks forward to providing a memorable dining experience.

IMPECCABLE SMALL-SHIP AMENITIES

Returning from excursions, passengers enjoy complimentary refreshments, afternoon tea and all-day coffee in The Club, a gracious space for relaxation, surrounded by panoramic windows. Other Sea Explorer features include:

Library with Internet access

Lounge with audiovisual facilities

Dining room

Wraparound sun deck with Jacuzzi

Exercise room

Medical facilities with available doctor

Elevator serving all passenger decks

Swimming/zodiac platform

All Voyages Include:

Up to Two Pre-Voyage Hotel Nights

Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner

Certified Emergency MD and Clinic

World Class Cuisine

Live Entertainment

Complimentary Coffee/Tea station

Voyage Photographer

Dedicated Passenger Service Manager

Complimentary Expedition Jacket

Please note deck plan may vary.

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