For older families and retirees, Holy Land Cruises can be a great way to take in the Middle East and surrounding areas. Such Middle East cruises are usually at least a week in duration, but most last 10 or more days. A typical cruise to the Holy Lands may span Istanbul, Turkey to Athens, Greece, or Athens to Rome, Italy. There are several types of 10, 12 and 14 day cruise packages, with even more Holy Land tours and excursions to choose from once you're off the dock.
From museums and mosques in Turkey to libraries and catacombs in Alexandria, Egypt, you'll find many tours, historical explorations and excursions to give you a unique taste of each land. Cruise prices vary, not only between cruise lines, but also for the type of stateroom you choose. Obviously, you will pay more for a suite with a balcony than an interior room. Your itinerary all depends on what you want to see and for how long. Perhaps you'd like to take an Israel cruise, stopping at Haifa to see the
Baha'i World Centre, featuring the golden Shrine of the
Ancient Kamiros, built in the 7th century.
at Piraeus, the Port of Athens. A must-see here is the
Temple of Olympian Zeus, an ancient temple in the center of Athens. While there, head to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, showcasing
artifacts from all over Greece.
Whatever Middle East cruises or Holy Land tours you select, you're sure to get a healthy dose of each destination's religion, culture and historical significance to take home with you.