DAY 2 Monday November 1, 2010 Athens, Greece
We are met at Athens airport and transferred to our hotel. After time to freshen up we have a sightseeing tour of the ancient city of Athens, capital of Greece. Athens is home of the Acropolis and the ultimate ancient Greek architectural perfection, the Parthenon. Our sightseeing tour today delves into the glorious history of Athens. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the Acropolis, still dominating the frantic bustle of modern Athens. We admire the Parthenon, built to honour the goddess Athena, and one of the wonders of the world. We have a welcome cocktail party this evening to meet members of our group.

DAY 3 Tuesday November 2, 2010 Athens, Greece
Today we board the Aegean Odyssey in the port of Piraeus.

DAY 4 Wednesday November 3, 2010 At sea
We have free time today to get to know the ship as we sail for Syracuse. Tour members will be able to enjoy introductory lectures on the history and sights of Syracuse, Malta and North Africa.

DAY 5 Thursday November 4, 2010 Syracuse, Italy
The group will be guided around the wonderful Archaeological Museum and visit the Tomb of Archimedes and the ancient Greek Theatre in Syracuse this morning. In the afternoon we visit the island of Ortygia the picturesque original heart of Syracuse. We see the original fortifications built by the Greeks in 402BC.

DAY 6 Friday November 5, 2010 Valletta, Malta
The capital of Malta, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St John in 1566. Its purpose was to strengthen the Order’s position on the island following the siege of Malta by the Turks in 1565. The sightseeing tour includes visits to St Johns Co-Cathedral and the magnificent Palace of the Grand Masters. We also visit Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital. The afternoon is free to visit Valletta’s wonderful museums or palaces.

DAY 7 Saturday November 6, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
This morning we have a tour of Carthage now a suburb of modern Tunis. There are only traces of the original Punic Carthage remaining, but there is an excellent museum and Roman archaeological remains from the original Carthage. We have a guided tour to the Bardo Museum with its unique collection of Roman Mosaics.

DAY 8 Sunday November 7, 2010 Sousse, Tunisia
This morning we have a sightseeing trip to the spectacular Roman amphitheatre in El-Jem. This 3rd century amphitheatre is remarkably well preserved. We will spend this afternoon at sea.

DAY 9 Monday November 8, 2010 Tripoli, Libya
We have a full day sightseeing in the bustling and fascinating capital of Libya. We have a guided tour of the Jamahiriya Museum and then see the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, the only surviving monument of the ancient Roman city of Oea. In the afternoon we travel to the beautiful Roman city of Sabratha, where we see the world famous and largest Roman theatre in Africa. There is also the wonderful 5th century Byzantine, Judicial Basilica.

DAY 10 Tuesday November 9, 2010 Leptis Magna, Libya
We have a full day sightseeing at Leptis Magna. Founded by the Phoenicians about 1100 BC, it is one of the great archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Leptis fell to Rome in the 4th century BC. In 193 AD, Lucius Septemus Severus was born at Leptis and became Emperor. Under his patronage the city flourished.

DAY 11 Wednesday November 10, 2010 At sea
A day to relax on the ship and enjoy one of the interesting lectures.

DAY 12 Thursday November 11, 2010 Benghazi, Libya
We have a tour this morning of the ancient city of Tolmeita, the Roman capital during the time of the Pentapolis of Cyrenaica. We visit the excellent museum and see a spectacular collection of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins including the famous Roman “Villa of Columns”. There is an optional tour to the covered market of Souq al- Jreed and the Commonwealth War Graves. This afternoon is at sea.

DAY 13 Friday November 12, 2010 Cyrene, Libya
We travel from the port of Darnah to the Greek city of Cyrene. Founded by Greeks from Thera (present day Santorini) in the 7th century BC, Cyrene boasts a host of memorable ancient buildings including the 5th century BC Doric Temple of Zeus and the colonnaded gymnasium. In the afternoon we sail for Alexandria.

DAY 14 Saturday November 13, 2010 At sea
A day to relax as the ship sails to Egypt. Films and lectures are available.

DAY 15 Sunday November 14, 2010 Alexandria, Egypt
The morning will be spent at the Roman amphitheatre at Kom al-Dikka, the Graeco- Roman Museum and Fort Qait Bey, a stronghold protecting the old harbour. The afternoon is free for individual exploration.

DAY 16 Monday November 15, 2010 Cairo, Egypt
We disembark this morning and travel through the desert to the Nile River and on to Cairo, the vibrant exciting capital of Egypt where we will stay for the next two nights. We visit Giza and see one of the wonders of the ancient world: the Pyramids, built by the Pharaohs over 4500 years ago. We see the Sphinx, usually dated to 2,500 BC. We will have a guided tour to explain the history of these ancient buildings.

DAY 17 Tuesday November 16, 2010 Cairo, Egypt
This morning we visit the Cairo Museum and see the treasures of the Tomb of Tutankhamen, including the amazing gold mask. Our sightseeing tour also includes a visit to the Muslim section, Al-Fustat. We see the impressive Citadel and the maze of narrow congested streets teeming with life. There are many mosques most of which are open to non-Muslims. We visit Khan al-Khalili, the medieval bazaar selling a vast array of spices, water pipes, handicrafts and silks. The afternoon is free for individual exploration.

DAY 18 Wednesday November 17, 2010 Departure
We travel to the airport after breakfast for our flight to Australia.

DAY 19 Thursday November 18, 2010 In flight

DAY 20 Friday November 19, 2010 Australia
We arrive in Australia this morning and tour arrangements conclude.