Press Release: Cross-Culture Journeys / Unforgettable Egypt with Diane Rehm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2009
CONTACTS:
Ati Jain, Cross-Culture Journeys, 413-256-6303 or ajain@ccjourneys.com
Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, 413-733-7095 or MGAuerbachPubRel@aol.com

Cross-Culture Journeys Presents "Unforgettable Egypt" with a Nile Cruise Hosted by NPR's Diane Rehm this Autumn

Amherst, MA---Cross-Culture Journeys has organized a 15-day/14-night, fully-escorted journey to "Unforgettable Egypt" with a Nile river cruise from October 27, 2009 through November 10, 2009. Nationally renowned radio host Diane Rehm will join the travelers throughout the trip, which has been developed for Washington DC public radio station WAMU 88.5 by Cross-Culture Journeys.

Travellers begin their tour in Cairo, Egypt's capital, with visits to the Saladin Citadel and its ancient mosques, museums and a palace; The world-renowned Egyptian Museum of Antiquities with its artifacts from the tomb of King Tut and its Mummies Room. After a short flight to Luxor, guests board the MS Jaz Legacy for a week-long cruise along the Nile. Ports of call include: Esna and the Greco-Roman temple at Khmun; Abu Simbel and the Aswan High Dam; the botanical gardens at Kitchener's Island; Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Temple, and more. Following the cruise, travellers visit Alexandria by the Mediterranean, and to Memphis, followed by time at the famous pyramids and Sphinx.

The MS Jaz Legacy, a state-of-the-art ship designed to cruise the Nile, enters service in February, 2009. The small ship with 78 cabins and two suites, has oceanliner amenities, including air-conditioned cabins with in-cabin showers, satellite in-room TV, decks, lounges, and a restaurant which can accommodate all passengers at one seating.

A pre-tour excursion to Israel (October 23-28) focuses on the sites surrounding Jerusalem, a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Moslems. Daily itineraries inclue visits to: the Mount of Olives with its panoramic views of Old Jerusalem; Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum; the Western Wall (sacred to Jews); the Dome of the Rock and El Aqza Mosque; and the Arab, Christian, and Jewish Quarters.

A post-tour extension to Jordan (November 9-14) includes visits to Jordan's cosmopolitan capital, Amman; a visit to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea with its theraputic muds and salt waters; Madaba, the "City of Mosaics"; Kerak's crusader's fortress; Jerash, the ancient city in the hills of Gilead; and Petra, the UNESCO world heritage site with its rose-red colors.

Prices with airfare from New York or Washington, DC begin at $5,695.00 per person, double occupancy. Prices with airfare from Boston begin at $5,895.00 per person, double occupancy. Single supplements are available in some cabin categories. The optional Israel pre-tour with airfare is $1,495.00 per person, double occupancy; the optional Jordan post-tour extension with airfare is $1,695.00 per person, double occupancy. Prices are all-inclusive excluding airline and government taxes and surcharges, port charges, and personal items. A portion of the fare benefits the programs and services of WAMU 88.5, although travellers do not need to be a member of WAMU to participate.

Diane Rehm is host and executive producer of "The Diane Rehm Show", which originates at WAMU 88.5. Each week, more than 1.7 million listeners across the country tune in to the program, which has grown in 29 years from a local morning call-in show to a public broadcasting powerhouse distributed by NPR, NPR Worldwide and SIRIUS satellite radio. Rehm is the author of two autobiographical books. She and her husband, John, have traveled with Cross-Culture Journeys and public radio listeners from other stations on travel programs to the Adriatic Sea and the Danube.

A description of the Unforgettable Egypt with the Nile Cruise itinerary with information on the MS Jaz Legacy, and optional pre-tour excursions to Israel and post-tour excursions to Jordan, is available online at http://www.ccjourneys.com/trip+details/0_311/unforgettable+egypt+and+nile+river+cruise.aspx. An in-depth itinerary with registration forms, terms and conditions is available by contacting Cross-Culture Journeys at 413-256-6303 or 800-491-1148.

Cross-Culture Journeys has been offering individual and customized group tours for over 20 years. Cross Culture Journeys features all-inclusive, small-group, in-depth cultural travel programs to over 40 unique destinations from Antarctica to Zagreb by air, land and small-ship. Over the last decade, Cross-Culture has developed travel programs for alumni associations and numerous public radio stations, including NPR member stations in Western New England, Washington, DC; Virginia, Ohio, Utah, and Texas. For information and itineraries, visit Cross-Culture Journeys' website at www.ccjourneys.com or call 800-491-1148 or 413-256-6303.

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