Silversea Middle East: 15 nights from Athens with Silver Muse
Nov 17, 2026

Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital of Cray. It is the largest port and economic center of the island and the third largest city in Greece. This city hosts the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church and has religious buildings of great interest.

Heraklion is located in the center of the northern coast of the Greek Islands. With more than 100,00 inhabitants, the city is the capital of Crete, a Venetian fortress during the Middle Ages. The ancient city, with its squares and wide cobbled streets, balconies with wonderful view on the sea, mantains numerous fortifications. In particular there are important and magnificent monuments such as the Church of Agia Ekaterini, dated back to 1555, where the Museum of Sacred Art is hosted. The Archaeological Museum, home to ceramic sculptures, jewellery and frescoes on the Minoan culture. The Historical Museum, home to the only exhibited work of the painter Domenico Theotokopoulos (The Greek), and where you can have a view of Mount Sinai. The Cathedral of St Mena, the patron saint of the city, built between 1862 and 1895 is one of the largest buildings in the area.

Heraklion has an important port and a considerable center for the coastal trade of oil, soap, wine and hides. It has ferry boats and ships with regular itineraries to the islands of Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Karpathos and Syros. There are also several daily ferry bgoats to Piraeus, south-west of Athens. The Venetian fortress, still in perfect condition, protects the entrance to the port.

The large combination of reality and mythology, tradition and modernity, make Herklion a cosmopolitan center and one of the most important tourist destination in the Mediterranean. Great beaches, lively nightlife, sunny people, excellent cuisine and the strange "interplay" between the old and the new, guarantees to tourists an unforgettable holiday.

Sharm El Sheik

Safaga

Safaga, also known as Port Safaga, is a city in Egypt located on the coast of the Red Sea where natural beauty, historical depth, and modern attractions are perfectly mixed together making the city a multifaceted destination for visitors. Safaga's economy benefits from its port activities. It has always played an important role for the city thanks to its import and export of goods. Historically, Safaga has served as an important port city since ancient times. It has been a trading hub, linking the African interior with the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. The ancient port of Myos Hormos, which was a vital center for trade between the Roman Empire and India, is located nearby.

Not only is the port important for its economy but it is also important for tourism. Safaga is an important hub for both regional and non-regional cruise tourism. The port is a departure point for ships traveling to Saudi Arabia, making it a key link in regional transportation. It also serves as a gateway to various inland destinations in Egypt, including Luxor. Safaga is a popular destination for tourists who love the sea and the beach, in fact the city is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and stunning coral reefs. The black sand of Safaga's beaches is reputed to have healing properties, particularly for those suffering from conditions like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. This has led to the development of health tourism in the area.

Safaga is a popular destination for those interested in water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and scuba diving. The city is famous among divers for sites such as Panorama Reef, Middle Reef, and Abu Kafan. These spots offer breathtaking underwater landscapes, teeming with diverse marine species, making them popular for both beginner and advanced divers.

Salalah

Muscat

Muscat is the capital of Oman and one of the most ancient cities in the Middle East. Its history dates back to the 2nd century A.D. and its worldwide fame is mainly linked to the strategic location of the port, which has made trade the country's main source of income. In addition to trade, the port has played a crucial role in another sector: tourism. Thanks to its location, the city offers the opportunity to visit the coast and the internal area of the country.

One of the best ways to reach the city is aborad a cruise ship. Choose a cruise that depart from Doha or that has the city as a stop is the ideal choice for those who want to discover the beauties of Middle East. The city offers a wide range of attractions that make the city the ideal destination for all types of tourists. Religious sites, residents of sultans, wide parks, local markets and beautiful beaches are just some of the places that deserve to be visited. Not to be missed is a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the third largest mosque in the world as well as the third most important religious building in the country.

Its architecture, with sumptuous walls made of white Carrara marble, renowned worldwide for its high quality, and the huge chandelier made of Swarovski crystal cascading down from the golden dome, always leave visitors breathless and make it one of the ideal subjects for your posts to share with friends. For history and culture lovers, a visit to the National Museum of the Sultan of Oman is a not to be missed experience. It hosts fourteen permanent exhibitions that perfectly represent the history of the city with the aim of promoting the traditional values of the country and helping visitors to discover the history of Doha.

If you like strolling along the streets and admiring the beauties around you, Mutrah district is the right choice. You can visit the district during the day for its elegant buildings and religious sites or at sunset to enjoy breathtaking views. If you want to relax and you are a beach lover, Muscat offers beautiful beaches like Qurum Beach, where you have the opportunity to bathe in the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Oman and relax under the palms.

For history and culture lovers, a visit to the National Museum of the Sultan of Oman is a not to be missed experience. It hosts fourteen permanent exhibitions that perfectly represent the history of the city with the aim of promoting the traditional values of the country and helping visitors to discover the history of Muscat.

Bombay