Middle East Cruise - Egypt, Italy, Greece and Israel

12 nights roundtrip cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

September 29 – October 11, 2012
Celebrity's Silhouette

Join Pied Piper Travel on our most exotic itinerary when our gay group on the new ship, Celebrity Silhouette, cruises to Egypt, Italy, Greece and Israel! You'll sail round trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) Italy to experience firsthand the mysteries of the ancient world. Your cruise will sail the beautifully cerulean blue Mediterranean Sea en route to experience the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece, Israel and Egypt.

On your Pied Piper cruise, you'll visit the holy city of Jerusalem, the pyramids of Giza, the lost cities of Pompeii & Herculaneum and the beautiful island of Mykonos. Experience this history and natural beauty onboard Celebrity's newest ship, the incomparable Silhouette!

All this is yours while you are pampered with gracious service, gourmet dining, and numerous venues for entertainment on the brand new and most up-to-date luxury cruise ship.

Celebrity's Silhouette

The very essence of luxury, this is Celebrity Silhouette. Shimmering in sophistication from bow to stern, she will exceed your expectations as soon as you step aboard. Delight in your choice of ten exceptional dining venues; relax in spacious and well appointed accommodations; or let the grass between your toes take you out to sea at the unprecedented Lawn Club. With every imaginably comfort, along with Celebrity's unrivaled guest services, you are bound for greatness no matter your destination.

Once Celebrity Silhouette joins Celebrity's fleet in 2011, you'll have another spectacular option for cruising Europe and the Caribbean. She'll have all the best-loved Solstice Class features. Go on a culinary adventure in Qsine. Get social at the icy Martini Bar & Crush. Stay connected in the Celebrity iLounge Internet center. Play games on soft, fresh-cut grass at the Lawn Club. And enjoy sweeping veranda views in 85% of staterooms. There's also Galleria Tastings, an intriguing spot to take a break from the day with enticing "tastes" of food, drink, fashion and art. We've created an extraordinary ship experience. Again.

Celebrity Silhouette, the newest vessel to join the Celebrity Solstice Class in 2011, will deliver a cosmopolitan style coupled with high design features and stunning interior spaces. 85% of the staterooms will feature sweeping veranda views, and there are specialty dining venues that rival any 5-star restaurants on land or at sea! Superior service, a myriad of enriching activities on board, and stunning entertainment are hallmarks of this remarkable ship. Guests can also enroll in the AquaClass, where they'll be treated to spa programs available only to them! Prepare for an unprecedented ship experience!

Activities
On the Celebrity Silhouette, expect the unexpected - and get ready to have a great time! The ship has its own Lawn Club, which has freshly manicured grass lawns located on the highest deck of the ship! All outdoors, all your favorite lawn activities, and great company - all the time! Feel the grass between your toes and you'll know - it feels like home! Check out the Sky Observation Lounge for a birds-eye view of the ship and your glorious ocean surroundings! The floor-to-ceiling windows here will make any sunset a remarkable experience! Relax poolside, or treat yourself to a day at the AquaSpa - it's up to you!

Dining
Celebrity Silhouette will "wow" your tastebuds. Apart from the regular dining options - which all feature delicious menus and food prepared to order - the ship has three specialty restaurants! The Murano Restaurant is a venue that blends Classic and Modern continental cuisines to create a savory multi-course meal, which can be paired with any of the wines from its superb wine list. The Tuscan Grille Restaurant will provide you with the ultimate grill experience at sea. This sophisticated steakhouse features panoramic views, fine Italian wines, and delicious food. The Blu Restaurant is the exclusive dining venure for all AquaClass guests - it has a spa environment with fare fit for a spa - healthy meals, served in a sophisticated and soothing atmosphere.

Entertainment
The Celebrity Silhouette is full of amazing surprises - and the day doesn't end when the sun goes down! The night begins! Head over to Celebrity Central, where you can catch a movie, a comedy show, or even a live Broadway-esque performance! Cellar Masters is a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy great company, sample great wines - and learn about their origins too! Don't forget, the ship also has its' own nightclub! Go dance as the DJ plays your favorite songs, or relax at one of the ship's bars or lounges! If you're feeling lucky, check out the casino and play your favorite card games and slots!

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Once the center of the ancient world from which emperors ruled over nearly all of western civilization for hundreds of years, Rome is still considered by many to reign over all other European destinations. Here you can breathe the air once breathed by great Roman gladiators in the ancient halls of the Colosseum. Gaze upon the very ceilings Michelangelo painted at the Sistine Chapel. Or visit a monument to both size and faith, St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church ever built.

Colosseum
Completed 80 A.D., the circus was home to centuries of gladiatorial combats and featured 76 numbered entrances, marble seats and subterranean passages, where animals and apparatus were kept. The arena floor could be flooded to host naval combats.

Roman Forum
The ruins of the forum stand in mute testimony to what Byron described as the "grandeur that was Rome".

Sistine Chapel
The gem of the Vatican Museum is the celebrated chapel that is home to Michelangelo's frescoes 'The Creation' and 'The Last Judgement'.

Spanish Steps
The heart of Rome's old Bohemian Quarter (Keats and Shelley lived nearby), the steps take their name from the 16th century Spanish Embassy to the Holy Sea. Today the area surrounding Piazza Espagna is the city's chic shopping district.

St.Peter's Basilica
By far the largest church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica took more than 100 years to build. Some of the greatest figures of the Renaissance were employed in its creation, from Bramante and Bernini to Michelangelo and Raphael.

Trevi Fountain
Blue-green water cascades over the Baroque figures of Rome's most famous fountain. Follow custom and toss a coin into the fountain, a gesture that insures your return to the Eternal City.

Vatican City
The spiritual and administrative centre of Roman Catholicism is also one of the smallest independent states in the world. The Vatican mints its own coins, prints its own stamps, and maintains its own army of Swiss Guards.

Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt

Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city and its largest seaport. Known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean," it's found by many to have an atmosphere and culture that is more Mediterranean," it's found by many to have an atmosphere and culture that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. In ancient times, Alexandria was the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt; today, it's a city synonymous with commerce and sophistication.

The Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Sphinx
The enigmatic sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a man, guards the tomb of the Pharaoh Chephren.

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
Home to the finest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world, the museum boasts 107 exhibit halls.

Sakkara
The large necropolis - the archaeological term for a formal burial ground - is home to Egypt's oldest pyramid.

The Nile
The longest river in Africa - and the second longest river in the world the Nile has been the lifeblood of Egypt since the days of the first Pharaohs.

Roman Amphitheatre
The well-preserved amphitheatre features 13 tiers of seats in European marble, columns of green marble from Asia Minor, and mosaic paving.

Fort Qait Bay
The fortress was built on the ruins of Faros Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

National Museum
The collection in this newly opened museum includes thousands of items spanning from the Pharaonic Era, through Greco-Roman times, to the Modern Era.

Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa
These are the largest Roman burial sites discovered in Egypt to date, consisting of three tiers of tombs and chambers cut into the bedrock to a depth of about 115 feet (35m).

Jerusalem (Ashdod), Israel

A young, vibrant port city, Ashdod is nevertheless rich in history. From Biblical sites to Yam Fort, a tenth century fortress, you'll find historic relics from all eras. However, recent growth has given this city a much more cosmopolitan feel. Visit the brand new Ashdod Cultural Center, Yad LaBanim Concert Hall, and MonArt Performing Arts Center for an impressive display of modern culture in this ancient land.

Dome of the Rock
Located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, this is the oldest Islamic building in the world.

The Wailing Wall
The remains of the great Jewish temple, which had stood for close to 500 years. Praying at the Wailing Wall signifies being in the presence of the Divine.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
An important pilgrimage destination since the 4th century this church is in the Old City of Jerusalem and the holiest Christian site in the world. The site on which this Church stands encompasses where Jesus was crucified, and where he was buried.

Haifa, Israel

The roots of this city, on the slopes of the Carmel Mountains, can be traced back to 4th century B.C. Its five religions-Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Druze and Bahai-form the city's social fabric. Gaze in awe at the Bahai Temple and its breathtaking gardens, which sprawl from the top of Mt. Carmel into its foothills.

Elijah's Cave
The cave of Prophet Elijah is one of the most famous, important and sacred caves there are. Thousands of pilgrims attribute magical qualities and healing powers to the cave, and take many vows in this location.

Habonim Beach Nature Reserve
The natural beach is located within the reserve with the largest number of inlets, carved out by waves and wind, sandy recesses, reefs, caves and wave fountains.

Baha'i Shrine and Gardens
These gardens afford a spectacular view of the city. They were founded in the 1960's and 29 bronze sculptures were created and presented to the city of Haifa by the sculptor Ursula Malbin in 1976 for display in the garden.

Santorini, Greece

Santoríni is one of the many popular islands that comprise the Cyclades; the chain of islands surrounding the once sacred island of Delos. Delos (now uninhabited) is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece and is considered the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. This chain of islands is best known for its beaches and whitewashed cliff-top villages with stunning views. Santorini is the southernmost island of the chain and is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all the Greek islands.

The ship drops anchor off of Skala, which is 890 feet (270 m) below the small town of Fira (Thira), the island's capital. It can be reached from Skala by cable car or climbing the more than 600 steps. Firá overlooks the caldera and the island of Nea Kameni.

Devastated by an earthquake in 1956, Firá was re-built, and engraved into the volcanic cliffs with domed churches and barrel- roofed cave houses. The terraces are packed with hotels, bars and restaurants. With a population of about 2000, it is the largest community on the island.

Here on the island of Santorini, you'll find a classic Greek seascape-whitewashed houses accented by sea-blue roofs. This is a treasure trove for both professional and amateur archeology buffs, with sites that include tombs that date back to the 9th century and the sanctuary of Apollo.

Naples/Capri, Italy

Located on the southern coast of Italy, Naples has spectacular scenery that attracts artists from around the world. From this key spot, you can embark on a trip to the ruins of Pompeii or shop the many boutiques of Sorrento. You may work up an appetite for one of Naples' greatest inventions - pizza - invented to honor the Queen of Italy in 1889.

Pompeii
The ancient Roman resort was buried in ash during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Capri
This gem in the Bay of Naples has been a popular destination since the days of the Caesars.

Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast, stretching from Sorrento to Salerno, is one of the most stunning coastal drives in the world.

Positano
Jumbles of whitewashed and pastel-coloured houses make this one of the most photogenic villages on the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento
Set along the cliff tops, the flower-filled town is the gateway to both Capri and the Amalfi Coast.

Villa San Michele
This lovely garden villa is found in Capri's village of Anacapri.

Herculaneum
Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.