Walking in the shadow of the Acropolis in the Agora, you can almost hear the voices of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle arguing about who was the greatest philosopher. Ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy and epicenter of western civilization, is a city for all eternity.

Hydra is a town of stately mansions all built around 1800 by blockade runners who had made fortunes outwitting the British during the Napoleonic Wars. As there are no cars, for the spectacular view from the Monastery of Ilias you'll have to ride a donkey to the top.

From the shore, it's a big rock sticking out into the sea. Then you pass over the causeway, and through an iron fortress gate, and suddenly, the town of Monemvasia is before you, a perfectly preserved Byzantine fortified port, once 60,000 strong, now home to just a few hundred. You can readily see why the name Monemvasia means single entrance! In the rocky hills above, ancient Byzantine ruins loom over the town, while below a maze of red tiled roofs and twisting alleys hide tavernas and cafes and the home of revered Greek poet Yannis Ritsos.

The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. Around 1500 BC, a volcanic eruption destroyed the centre of the island, leaving a crescent shaped rim of cliffs around a harbour formed in the volcano's caldera.

The beautiful island of Rhodos (Island of Roses) has a rich and varied history. The beach at Lindos is among the best on the island, whose capital, Rhodos Town is a bustling mecca for both sightseers and shoppers alike.

Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, a revitalising spa (Royal Clipper only) and a peaceful library.

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”, has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. Its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km. from Cairo. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt.

From Port Said at the entrance to the Suez Canal, an optional tour takes you to Egypt's capital of Cairo and the ancient monuments of Giza and the Pyramids. More than 18 million people are jammed into the teeming city split by the River Nile. At the desert's edge in Giza, the Great Pyramids of Cheops and the staring face of the Sphinx offer up a whole new perspective on eternity.

Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, a revitalising spa (Royal Clipper only) and a peaceful library.

Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, a revitalising spa (Royal Clipper only) and a peaceful library.

From Safaga on the Red Sea coast, take an optional journey back in time to Luxor and the unforgettable Valley of the King's, where the Pharaohs created their gargantuan mausoleums on the banks of the Nile. Explore 3,000 years of history in the stupendous tombs of Ramses and Tuthankhamen, Luxor’s Theban Temple of Karnak and the Colossus of Memnon.