Doha to Piraeus (Athens)

Extravagant shopping malls, gleaming skyscrapers and mosques studded with intricate carvings all contribute to the Pearl of Qatar’s flourishing skyline. A futuristic vision kept grounded by its heritage, this sprawling metropolis’s ambitious structures echo the ancient Arabic art that long preceded its rise. Explore the luxurious and fascinating tapestry of interwoven extravagance and tradition that is Doha’s trademark, as you soak up the sun, sea and skyline of this ever-sparkling city. Founded in the 1820s, Doha has grown apace from its pearl-farming village origins.

A well of oil riches helped to propel the city on its upward trajectory, fuelling a cityscape of twisted metal and glass that shimmers amid the peninsula’s desert blaze. Despite the vertical ambitions, you can quickly lose yourself in Doha’s tight web of alleyways, as you delve into the oldest souk in Qatar – which swallows visitors up in a cacophony of bartering and bantering. Goods have traded hands here for over a hundred years, and it’s still, the place to pick out handfuls of fresh dates and nuts, or perch at restaurants serving up saloona – a heavily spiced and perfumed broth of lamb and soft aubergine. Wander the Corniche’s four-mile parade, which unspools at the feet of skyscrapers that glow, jewel-like with multicoloured allure as night descends. You’ll walk with the vibrant colours of the Persian Bay stretching out next to you. The palm-tree-lined boulevard culminates in the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art, which stands proudly like a giant, glinting sandcastle. Doha may have blossomed rapidly, but it’s clear that the ambition doesn’t stop here – and the city’s boom continues as its time in the sun of the 2022 FIFA World Cup draws ever closer.

Think dreamy Arabian landscapes juxtaposed with uber-modern buildings reaching up to the sky and you have probably pictured Al Manama. The capital of Bahrain, Al Manama, is as old as it is new – vestiges of the 16th-century trade route port remain, while the steel and glass skyscrapers line the streets of the busy financial district. The most notable of these is undoubtedly the 2008 World Trade Centre, a 240-metre, 50-floor twin tower complex housing a five-star hotel and a luxury shopping mall, amongst others.

Al Manama was first mentioned in Islamic chronicles in 1345, so expect aeons of culture here. The city is still relatively unknown on the tourist trail, which is good news for us. Locals are warm and welcoming and above all, completely genuine. Expect invitations to taste homemade delicacies, bowls laden with Muslim hospitality and tradition. This is most apparent in the enormous Bab el-Bahrain Souq, which aside from restoration delivers everything from jewellery to carpets. Culture vultures will not be disappointed. The famous Al Fateh Mosque gives weary travellers a welcome respite. Al Fateh is also known as the Great Mosque, due to its immense size, 6,500 m2 and able to accommodate 7,000 worshipers at a time. The Mosque itself is beautiful with marble floors and glass chandeliers, but visitors should note that it is a Muslim place of worship and traditions must be respected; shoes should be removed, and ladies must cover their heads at all times. The Bahrain National Museum is just a stone’s throw from the Mosque and houses an impressive collection of culture, customs and history.

Emerging from the desert’s sands like a mirage, Abu Dhabi’s bold, brash and brilliant skyline continues to reach new heights. The extravagance on show can be dizzying at times, but it’s counterpointed by authentic history and culture, and majestic religious statements. You’ll shrink before the scale of the 50 exquisite, pearl-white domes of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which is the UAE’s largest and most revered religious space.

A healthy pearl trade, and strategic location, brought prosperity in the 19th century, before the discovery of rich oil reserves propelled the city giddily skywards in the latter half of the 20th century. Nowadays, palatial hotels tower above dazzling ocean and white sands, while ever-reliable weather and remarkable extravagances, make Abu Dhabi a location of unbridled opulence and intrigue. The city’s cultural scene is also burgeoning, with a stunning Louvre outpost recently opening for business. Find your bearings by ascending 300 metres to the heights of the Etihad Towers’ viewing platform – where you can butter scones while enjoying a ‘high tea’ in every sense. The relentlessly glorious weather makes the coral-blue sea’s sparkle ever-tempting, and at Saadiyat Public Beach you’ll find clear blue waves lapping soft, sugar-white sand. Wade out to enjoy bath-like temperatures of 30 degrees. The Corniche, meanwhile, is a sweeping coastal walkway, stretching for eight kilometres and offering rich views of the coral-blue ocean back-dropped by jagged skyscrapers.

Emerging from the desert’s sands like a mirage, Abu Dhabi’s bold, brash and brilliant skyline continues to reach new heights. The extravagance on show can be dizzying at times, but it’s counterpointed by authentic history and culture, and majestic religious statements. You’ll shrink before the scale of the 50 exquisite, pearl-white domes of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which is the UAE’s largest and most revered religious space.

A healthy pearl trade, and strategic location, brought prosperity in the 19th century, before the discovery of rich oil reserves propelled the city giddily skywards in the latter half of the 20th century. Nowadays, palatial hotels tower above dazzling ocean and white sands, while ever-reliable weather and remarkable extravagances, make Abu Dhabi a location of unbridled opulence and intrigue. The city’s cultural scene is also burgeoning, with a stunning Louvre outpost recently opening for business. Find your bearings by ascending 300 metres to the heights of the Etihad Towers’ viewing platform – where you can butter scones while enjoying a ‘high tea’ in every sense. The relentlessly glorious weather makes the coral-blue sea’s sparkle ever-tempting, and at Saadiyat Public Beach you’ll find clear blue waves lapping soft, sugar-white sand. Wade out to enjoy bath-like temperatures of 30 degrees. The Corniche, meanwhile, is a sweeping coastal walkway, stretching for eight kilometres and offering rich views of the coral-blue ocean back-dropped by jagged skyscrapers.

It may be known as the Norway of Arabia – in reference to the spectacular fjords that cut and shape the Musandam Peninsular – but Khasab’s scorching sun and desert landscape is a constant reminder that you’re a long way from Europe. Sitting isolated on Oman’s Northern coast – cut off by a slice of the United Arab Emirates’ territory – this small city has a dreamy, introverted atmosphere – until you head out in a 4X4, to slip and slide across its rip-roaring mountain scenery that is. View less

Explore the incredible desert fjords and folding sandy mountains by boat, and be on the look out for the rubbery noses of bottlenose and humpback dolphins poking through the water. Legendarily friendly and curious, don’t be surprised to see them swimming through the blue waters with you, displaying all of their aquatic athletic prowess as you sail by traditional wooden dhow. Cruise up along the Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran, and marvel at the long stretches of dramatic golden fjord scenery. Back on land, learn of local history at Khasab Castle, which was originally built in the 17th century by the Portuguese, to defend the narrowing of the Persian Gulf at this highly strategic point. It’s accompanied by a museum, which depicts local life here back through the ages. Or drive out to Bedouin villages and hold on tight during the white-knuckle drive up to the viewpoint at Khawr Najd – where sweeping views of the flayed fjords unveil themselves.

Salalah is the capital of Dhofar Province, which is the southern region of the Sultanate of Oman. Green areas scattered across town give the city a tropical atmosphere and have earned it the name “Garden City.” It is a laid-back place with a few resort hotels dotting the sandy seashore.
The Dhofar region has been known for centuries for the production of frankincense. The narrow belt and the mountain range benefit from the southwest monsoon winds, which are an unusual feature for the Arabian Peninsula. The moisture-laden winds bring rain from the end of June to August. Heavy mists blanket the coast and mountains during these months, creating lush, green hillsides and cooler temperatures, the perfect environment for frankincense trees to grow. Behind the mountain range lies the hot desert, unaffected by the monsoon, and the domain of the hardy Bedouins and their camels.

Along the coast lie miles of deserted beaches, bordered by a brilliant blue sea. Other attractions around the countryside include ancient forts, archaeological sites, fishing villages and the tombs of prophets. But it is mainly the rugged landscape and the beaches that appeal to visitors with a penchant for unspoiled destinations. Indeed, Salalah has to be appreciated as an off-the-beaten-track location and for the uniqueness that marks the Dhofar region.

The port city of Safaga is located on the western flank of the Red Sea, across from the shores of Saudi Arabia. The dusty streets are for the most part quiet, save for the occasional truck or bus. Diving enthusiasts come to the few resort hotels located north of Safaga to enjoy one of the world’s best and relatively unspoiled locations for underwater exploration. Their number is steadily increasing. As a result, Safaga’s facilities are gradually improving.
For cruise vessels calling here, Safaga serves as the gateway to Luxor, which ranks among the most important destinations in Egypt, topping the list of must-see attractions. Guests who are not planning to take the excursion to Luxor will find very limited activities in Safaga itself, except for souvenir shopping at some tourist villages and diving and snorkeling tours at resort hotels. A half day trip to the resort of Hurghada is also an option.

With glorious, sun-bathed beaches, balmy seas, and the tempting shade of palm trees, Sharm El Sheik is Egypt’s laid-back leisure hotspot. This holiday city has blossomed from small fishing village roots to a global tourism centre, and it boasts exceptional dive sites, rich heritage and adrenaline-raising desert scenery among its many assets. The gorgeous waters of the Red Sea invite you to bathe, swim and dive in amongst incredible marine life, painted with every colour of the spectrum. View less

The Red Sea is famous for the world of life that thrives below its glittering surface, and you can snorkel among the swirling fish, or lounge at leisure on the soft sands of Egypt’s sun-drenched shores. Head out to find the treasured diving and snorkelling spots – swimming amid corals gently swaying in underwater currents. Angelfish, clownfish and gliding rays all inhabit the reefs here, along with a confetti of tiny red and yellow fish. Ras Mohammed National Park, which waits on a peninsular nearby, is renowned for having some of the best diving opportunities in the world. Back on land, explore lively Na’ama Bay, where humming restaurants, cafes and shisha bars are filled with holidaymakers. The bay’s golden beach is the original heart of Sharm El Sheikh’s tourism resort, and you can camp out here in a prime spot or settle into the luxury of a resort’s private sands. Encounter the massive El Mustafa Mosque with its marvellous domes and minaret rocketing up into the blue sky, impelling worshippers to pray. Wade into the market, to enjoy the challenge of securing a bargain – haggling is an essential part of the local culture here. Or, get your thrills by roaring across rolling biblical desert scenery, whipping up a wave of fine sand in your wake, as you storm the landscape in a 4X4.

Al-‘Ain al-Sokhna is a town in the Suez Governorate, lying on the western shore of the Red Sea’s Gulf of Suez. It is situated 55 kilometres south of Suez and approximately 120 kilometres east of Cairo.

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A city of legend, civilisation and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece’s capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus’ giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of the Athens’ urban area.

From there it’s a simple jaunt to the centre. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon – which date back to the 5th century BC – stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens’ best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city’s enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it’s an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry – try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation.