Of course, we’re no strangers to discovering new destinations, finding unusual places to stay or unearthing unique ways to get there. Indeed, every year our planning team travel extensively looking for just those qualities. However, every once in a while, a new venture comes along that gets us all very excited.

The Zahra represents an entirely different way to experience the wonders of the Nile – with one foot in the nostalgic past and the other firmly rooted in the here and now. We are going to whisk you back to the grace and elegance that characterised Nile cruises in the 19th century. It was a time of the Grand Tour, when privileged aristocrats had all the time in the world to witness the wonderful sights of Egypt. They hired private dahabiyyas – beautifully crafted wooden ships – for days or even weeks at a time to cruise sedately down the Nile in complete luxury and style.

Recapturing forgotten elegance

And now we’re reviving those days with the Zahra, our very own dahabiyya, specifically designed to capture the classic splendour of days gone by, with all the refinements that modern life can offer.

On board this highly exclusive ship, you’ll be one of only a maximum of 12 passengers,wafting down the Nile under sail. Each of the 6 cabins is tastefully and individually decorated in colonial style with a dash of oriental inspiration. At the heart of the ship is the traditional communal lounge,where fellow guests rub shoulders, take dinner and relax over drinks. Or watch as the sights and sounds of Egypt gently slip by from the partly shaded top deck furnished in luxurious style.

Unique Itinerary

The Zahra’s route will take her past Egypt’s magnificent ancient sites, allowing guests to drink in the history on show, but she will also be visiting less well-known sites where guests will enjoy riverside picnics and barbeques. Few other rivers can offer anything close to the romance of the Nile but no other company can offer you this unique way to experience it – the Zahra is exclusive to Bales Worldwide. So why not take a step back in time and join us on a trip that not only captures the elegance of bygone days, but does it with style.

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View more info on luxury Nile cruises on the Bales Worldwide website.

About Raymond Howe

Other articles by Raymond Howe

Travelling is something that has fascinated me right from my childhood. I first claimed to my mother age 3 that I wanted to be a translator in Australia when I grew up. I never found that job but did end up inevitably working within travel for the last 22 years – all of which at Bales. I have been very fortunate to travel the world in that time continually stoking the burning desire to experience new cultures and see wildlife as intended. As I now start a new journey of discovery with my first child in the coming weeks – I fear my long travelling trips may be on hold for a while.