Jewish Singles Eastern Mediterranean Cruise
Greece - Turkey - Israel - Egypt
July 14 - 24
$2690*

Discover 3 Continents on this Jewish Singles Vacation and all from the luxury of your cruise ship. Cruising and mingling by night and sightseeing by day gives you the maximum amount of time in each of the fascinating cities you will visit. Start your cruise on the European continent in Athens, Greece, sail to Istanbul, then journey to the African shores of Egypt before discovering the treasures of the east in Israel, Asia. Wonders of the past are at your fingertips from the Parthenon in Athens to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Alexandria to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. So many photo opportunities, so many memories....

Click to Download Jewish Singles Eastern Mediterranean Cruise  

Day 1 - Wednesday: Depart from Home
Depart from your hometown on an overnight flight to Athens, Greece.

Day 2 - Thursday:  Athens, Greece
Our singles vacation begins when you meet up with other single and solo travelers at Athens Airport.  You will be transferred to our hotel; shuttles will be running throughout the day.  Meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00 for a night to remember and get to know your group at an optional dinner in a taverna in the Plaka.

Day 3 - Friday:  Athens, Greece

Morning at leisure to relax, shop the Plaka or visit the Acropolis museum. This afternoon we have a 1/2 day tour of Athens. From the Acropolis to Omonia Square see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens. Pass the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament House, the Panathenian Stadium (site of first modern Olympic Games) see the Presidential Palace, government buildings and elegant homes. After seeing modern Athens, visit the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis.

Board our cruise ship, the Louis Cristal bound for Istanbul, settle in to your Outside Premium Cabin and watch the sun set over the Aegean this evening.

Day 4 - Saturday:  Istanbul, Turkey

Drop anchor in Istanbul, the last stop on the Silk Road and the only city in the world to span two continents. With a day here, there’s plenty of time to visit numerous heritage sites and shop the Grand Bazaar.

In 1492 Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition arrived at Istanbul and were welcomed by the Ottomans. Many of them settled in the Galata neighborhood where you'll visit the Galata Tower, offering a great view of the old city. From the Tower walk to Neve Shalom Synagogue and then visit the Zulfaris Synagogue, the Jewish Museum of Turkey, where you'll see the story of 700 years of amity between Turks and Jews.

A glorious example of the rich cultural life of Turkish Jews is the Ahrida Synagogue*, the oldest of Istanbul's 16 synagogues still in use today.  Located in the neighborhood of Balat, the Ahrida dates from the 15th century.

*Please note that special permission is needed to enter the synagogue. A vistors form must be filled out by every traveler and sent to the synagogue, so please sign up early..  sign up late no guarantees.

Check out Emperor Constantine’s Agia Sophia and the magnificent Topkapi Palace, former home of the sultans. Next is the stunning Blue Mosque, an amazing building with a series of domes and minarets dominating the skyline, complete with a breathtaking interior of tens of thousands of blue tiles.

Ready to shop? The Grand Bazaar is an unforgettable shopping experience, where tacky trinkets and authentic treasures are sold side by side. With carpets, jewlery, spices, music, electronics and more, the place is buzzing, so make sure you are ready to bargain.

Day 5 - Sunday:  Cruise to Mykonos

On Mykonos you will find beautiful beaches, chic boutiques and elegant nightclubs. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and whitewashed island with its beautiful windmills. If you're a beach lover and water enthusiasts then visit the world famous Super Paradise Beach. Sand, sun, drinks, music, good food, fun & beautiful people best describes this hot spot. While on the island you may also choose to take the excursion to the neighboring island of Delos the visit the Temple of Apollo and other fascinating archeological sites.

The early evening scene is centered on Little Venice where you can sip a cocktail at one of the many bars and cafes which are so close to the water's edge that your feet get soaked when a boat passes.

Day 6 - Monday:  Fun Day At Sea

There’s a day’s sailing ahead of us, so let's take advantage of the fantastic facilities available onboard. You can start your day with a work out at the fitness center followed by a complete make over in the beauty salon or check out the full service health spa.

Position yourself poolside and enjoy the sun, read your favorite book, play a game of cards in the library, take dancing lessons or just relax and make the most of views from the sun deck.

At sunset the lights come on and the atmosphere onboard changes completely! Enjoy the company of newfound friends, try your luck in the casino, enjoy the show and then hit the dance floor in the disco till early morning hours!

Day 7 - Tuesday:  Israel

We arrive in Israel early this morning and head to the ancient town of Jerusalem. We begin our exploration with a tour of the Old City. There is a magical quality about the Old City of Jerusalem that does not exist anywhere else in the world. Perhaps it is due to the glorious history of the towering stone walls and ancient buildings, or the sacred atmosphere that surrounds the holy sites of Jewish, Christian, and Moslem religions. Visit the tomb of King David and the room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish Quarter. Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian Quarter and continue to the Western Wall. Proceed to the Mount of Olives for a magnificent panoramic view of the Old City.

Drive to the City of David, the most ancient section of Jerusalem including new discoveries in the Spring Tower, option to visit Hezakia tunnel. Then free time for exploring or shopping before we have to head back to our ship.

Day 8 - Wednesday:  Egypt

Early morning departure as we drive to Cairo. Prepare yourself for a breathtaking experience as we marvel at one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx, which casts its enigmatic gaze across the sands of the desert. They are the only survivors of the 7 ancient wonders of the world and are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Take time for an optional camel ride or climb deep inside the Pyramid.

After a stop for lunch visit the Egyptian Museum including the treasures of the child King Tutankhamen. Artifacts on display include the gold funerary mask and sarcophagus, four huge gilded boxes that fit inside each other, an ancient trumpet, thrones, and even a royal toilet seat

Ben Ezra Synagogue is a historical monument and the most-visited Jewish site in Cairo. The Ben Ezra Synagogue was originally a Christian church, which the Coptic Christians of Cairo had to sell to the Jews in 882 AD in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. The famous medieval rabbi Moses Maimonides worshipped at Ben Ezra synagogue when he lived in Cairo.

It is time for a visit to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar and shopping, shopping, shopping. The souk dates back to 1382 and is known for selling good-quality clothing, cloth, spices, souvenirs, traditional jewelry and perfumes at reasonable prices.

Day 9 - Thursday:  Cruise to Crete

Relax on board this morning as we make our way to the biggest of the Greek Islands, Crete.

The port of Heraklion is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. Our guide will explain the ancient Greek Myths as he walks us through these ancient ruins.

Day 10 - Friday:  Athens, Greece

After the cruise ship docks, we will visit the Jewish Museum of Greece where we will have a guided tour. The Museum was founded in 1977 to collect, preserve, research and exhibit the material evidence of 2,300 years of Jewish life in Greece.  The collection contains more than eight thousand artifacts (some of which are unique) pertaining to the domestic and religious life, as well as the history of the Greek Jews.

Afternoon at leisure to get that last minute souvenir and enjoy lunch in the Plaka.  Join the group for our last dinner together under the stars (optional).

Day 11 - Saturday - Depart Athens
After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport to fly back home. Say goodbye to all your new friends and the end of another Jewish singles vacation.