Set on Akrotiri Bay, Limassol is the island’s biggest seaside town with plenty to offer its visitors. Whether you’ve come here in search of age-old sights or bubbling bars, the town’s a mixed bag of delights that never fails to impress.

• Head to Paphos to tick off some of Cyprus’ most famous sights. First off, there’s the Petra tou Romious – also known as Aphrodites Rock – where the goddess of love is said to have risen from the sea. The Odeion amphitheatre is well worth a look, too. It was made entirely from limestone and dates back to the 2nd century. Nowadays, it’s used for theatre and music performances.

• Head for Curium, a major archaeological site that was one of the old kingdoms of Cyprus. Sights to capture on film include a Greek temple and an impressive cliff-top theatre.

• Experience the old and new faces of Limassol. Stand in the shadow of the Medieval castle, then head for the modern Yermasoyia quarter and sample a few of the bars and restaurants.

Arrive 22:30 (Day 2)

Built back in the 19th-century, the Suez Canal is still considered a bit of an engineering feat. Slicing through the Isthmus of Suez, it allows ships to shave a cool 7,000 miles off their journey between Europe and Asia. It’s seen its fair share of the spotlight since then, like in the Fifties when Britain and France got into a tug of war over who should control it. Now, it’s still an impressive sight, as huge ships sail through the heart of the desert.

• A taste of Egyptian culture is easy to come by on the canal. You’ll be joined by locals in rowing boats selling their wares, like Mother of Pearl and homemade carvings.
• The AK47 Bayonet Monument is a huge memorial dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Ismailia in 1973. It really dominates the shore, so you can spot it from quite a distance away.

Depart 17:30 (Day 3)

Arrives at 05:00 (Day 5)

As Jordan’s only port, Aqaba is your gateway to the magnificent ancient city of Petra. Petra, nicknamed the Rose City due to the colour of the stone from which it’s carved, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the last 30 years. Found in the middle of a deep valley, carved into the rock and surrounded by craggy mountains, it’s one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. And when you see it, you’ll understand why.

• No trip to Petra is complete without visiting The Treasury. Soak in the atmosphere with a refreshing cup of mint tea, as traditional Jordanian music sounds out. Top tip – beat the heat and see it in all its lantern-lit glory by night.
• While a hike up to The Monastery will offer some decent views, it’s the High Place of Sacrifice that offers the most impressive panoramic vistas. Climb the 800 plus steps up to the summit, and you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of The Royal Tombs and The Colonnaded Street.

Departs at 19:00 (Day 6)

Arrives at 12:00

Splashed with colour, this sub-tropical city is best known for its coconut-dusted sands, aromatic souk markets and papaya plantations. Tucked away in the south of Oman, Salalah’s fringed by sculpted mountain peaks on one side and the sun-warmed Indian Ocean on the other. Plus, it gets the tail-end of the Indian monsoon, which means the scenery’s anything but Arabic. Think bright-green hillsides, water-filled wadis and cascading waterfalls. In the city itself, you can expect a fragrant jumble of souks, where tables groan under the weight of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

• Don’t miss a trip to Mughsail. Nestled on a spectacular bay west of the city, it’s famous for its pristine sands and giant blowholes, which send jets of water 20 metres into the air at high tide.
• Peer into the city’s past at the Museum of the Frankincense Land. You can find out about the area’s most famous export at the museum, as well as exploring the nearby archaeological site.

Departs at 18:00

Dubai is the city that needs little introduction. It’s tossed out the rule book – case in point, the ear-popping 828-metre-tall Burj Khalifa. Throw in the extravagant Palm Jumeirah, and this just about sums up the city’s love of lavish manmade spectacles. Modern structures aside, it’s a heady mix of spice-scented souks and gold markets. Venture a little further out and you’ll find Dubai’s natural adventure playground – the desert.

• Start your sightseeing from the top with a visit to the observation deck of the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa. It’ll give you a real bird’s-eye view over the coast, the city and the desert.
• Dubai is known for its gold – haggle for it, and you can shave a lot off the price. The 50-year-old Gold Souk is a great place to head, whether you’re buying or just browsing. Here, more than 300 jewellers come laden with around 10 tonnes of gold.