Silversea Luxury Cruises To AL MANAMAH

Explore the history of Bahrain during this panoramic, full-day sightseeing excursion to some of the oldest and most renowned landmarks in the Kingdom.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Fiberglass Dome

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Al Fateh Grand Mosque. Set against a backdrop of palm trees and the sea, the Grand Mosque strikes a beautiful picture. With its exquisite Bahraini architecture, crowned by the world's largest fiberglass dome and blessed with a tranquillity reserved for the holiest of holy places, the Grand Mosque truly lives up to its name. Leaving the Grand Mosque, re-board your coach and continue on to the Bahrain National Museum.

Bahrain National Museum, Paintings, Sculptures, Ceramics, Calligraphy, Photos, Pearl Exhibits

The Bahrain National Museum houses a wonderfully diverse collection of exhibits. Highlights include contemporary Bahraini paintings, sculptures, ceramics, scenes depicting life in the Dilmun civilization of 6,000 years ago, and even a reconstructed burial mound, complete with skeleton. A section on Arabic calligraphy, including a beautiful display of illuminated Qur'ans and other religious documents, is breath-taking. Traditional trades and crafts are cleverly displayed in a reconstruction of a typical souq of the 1930s. There are also photographs and models of pearl exhibitions, along with artefacts representing the former source of Bahrain's wealth before the advent of oil. From here, re-board your coach and head to the Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House.

Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House, Muharraq Houses, Lunch, Bahrain Bay, Manama World Trade Centre

The Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House was constructed by Shaikh Hassan Bin Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al-Fatih and utilised by Shaikh Isa Bin Ali as his residence and centre of Government from 1869 - 1932. The house, which features a wind tower and open courtyard, consists of four main sections; the Family Wing, Shaikh's Wing, Guest's Wing and the Attendant's Wing. Following your visit, take a guided stroll past the old Muharraq Houses en route to an Arabic lunch at the nearby Raazji restaurant. After lunch, re-board your coach and drive to Bahrain Bay for a photo stop at the Manama World Trade Centre (also called Bahrain WTC or BWTC), a 787-foot-high (about 240-metre-high). 50-floor, twin tower complex located in Manama. Built in 2008, it is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its award-winning design.

Bahrain Fort, Ancient Burial Grounds, Manama Souk

Next, re-board your coach and head to the Bahrain Fort. The Portuguese built the fort in 1522 on the ruins of an earlier, smaller fort built by the people of Bahrain. The Portuguese added the high walls, huge square towers and a surrounding moat which is still visible today. Following a guided tour, stop by the Ancient Burial Grounds. Perhaps the largest pre-historic cemetery in the world, it features an estimated 170,000 burial mounds dating back to between 3000 B.C. and 600 A.D. The best-preserved mounds can be seen at A'ali Village. Your last stop is at the bustling Manama Souk. Browse the narrow streets of the souk for traditional foods, spices, nuts, textiles, coffee, gold jewellery, pearls, Persian carpets, and handicrafts. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Experience a relaxing round of golf in the Kingdom of Bahrain during this unforgettable, full-day golfing excursion at the beautiful Royal Golf Club.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Royal Golf Club, Desert Landscaping and Vegetation

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Royal Golf Club, home to Bahrain's only 18-hole, Par 72 championship standard golf course and a Par 3, nine-hole course. Both courses were magnificently-designed by course architect and international golfing legend Colin Montgomerie. The desert feel is retained through the use of sandy waste bunkers, and the attractive indigenous vegetation and grasses used in the landscaping.

About the Royal Golf Club

The Royal Golf Club is managed by Troon, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, and was named Troon's 2013 Facility of the Year, the company's top accolade. Additional facilities at the Royal Golf Club include award-winning restaurants, a golf academy with full practice facilities, a golf and leisure shop, meeting and conference rooms, and a country club.

Clothing Change, Club Selection, Pre-Game Warm-Up, Electric Golf Cart, 18-Hole Round of Golf

Upon arrival, change into your golf attire, select your premium clubs and receive driving range balls for your pre-game warm-up. Your shared, electric golf cart with caddy and in-cart refreshments awaits your arrival. During this picturesque, 18-hole round of golf, gifts, additional refreshments, and food are available at the Pro Shop or Clubhouse at your own expense. At the conclusion of this unforgettable golf outing, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Embrace the rich culture of Bahrain during this scenic and informative, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Fiberglass Dome

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Al Fateh Grand Mosque. Set against a backdrop of palm trees and the sea, the Grand Mosque strikes a beautiful picture. With its exquisite Bahraini architecture, crowned by the world's largest fiberglass dome and blessed with a tranquillity reserved for the holiest of holy places, the Grand Mosque truly lives up to its name. Leaving the Grand Mosque, re-board your coach and continue on to the Bahrain National Museum.

Bahrain National Museum, Paintings, Sculptures, Ceramics, Calligraphy, Photos, Pearl Exhibits

Situated on the intersection of the Muharraq Causeway and King Faisal Highway, the museum houses a wonderfully diverse collection of exhibits. Highlights include contemporary Bahraini paintings, sculptures, ceramics, scenes depicting life in the Dilmun civilization of 6,000 years ago, and even a reconstructed burial mound, complete with skeleton. A section on Arabic calligraphy, including a beautiful display of illuminated Qur'ans and other religious documents, is breath-taking. Traditional trades and crafts are cleverly displayed in a reconstruction of a typical souq of the 1930s. There are also photographs and models of pearl exhibitions, along with artefacts representing the former source of Bahrain's wealth before the advent of oil.

Muharaq Island, Restored Traditional Bahraini Houses

Next, re-board your coach and head to Muharaq Island. Muharraq, the former Bahraini capital, is known for its cultural contributions through the many beautifully-restored traditional Bahraini houses that can be found amidst the narrow lanes and byways. The Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research provides an important insight into several particularly interesting aspects of Bahrain's heritage. Included are the 19th-century Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House, Kurar House, Bin Matar House, Sheikh Ebrahim Lecture Hall, Iqra Children's Library, Heraf al Diyar, Nukhida House, Kurar House, Abdullah al Zayed House, Bin Matar House, Bu Zaboon House, Mohammed bin Faris House, and Maison Jamsheer. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover the splendid beauty of the Bahrain Desert and origins of the Kingdom's oil industry during this private, half-day, sightseeing excursion.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Riffa Fort

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Sheikh Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fatih Fort, commonly known as the 'Riffa Fort' due to its location in Riffa, an historic landmark that stands witness to one of the most important junctures in Bahrain's history. Built by Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmed Al-Fatih in 1812, the fort sits on a high vantage-point overlooking the surrounding desert. Within its beautiful architecture lives the memory of the ruling family of Bahrain, the Al Khalifas. A series of programs organized by the Ministry of Culture have brought life back to the fort. The programs present a chronological history of the Al Khalifa family, and showcase the interior space designed by the French firm, La Meduse, and the local engineering firm, PAD, which took its inspiration from the fort's history and people.

First Oil Well, Stable

Next, re-board your coach and continue to deeper into the desert for a visit to the First Oil Well. As its name suggests, it is the first oil well in the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf, and located in Bahrain. Situated below Jebel Dukhan, this well was operated by Bahrain Petroleum Company, and oil first spurted from it on 16 October 1931. Near the well, which has been reconstructed to its original appearance, is a stable. Bahrain was the first place on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf where oil was discovered, and it coincided with the collapse of the world pearl market. Leaving the First Oil Well, walk over to the adjacent Oil Museum.

Oil Museum, Old Drilling Equipment, Rock Samples, Tree of Life

Founded in 1992, the Oil Museum houses old drilling equipment, samples of rocks found underground, topographical maps and some information about the companies that had participated in the exploration for oil. Leaving the Oil Museum, head to the Tree of Life in Bahrain. This approximately 400 year-old, 32-foot-high (about 9.75-metre-high) prosopis cineraria tree is located approximately 1.24 miles (about two kilometres) from Jebel Dukhan, and stands on top of an approximately 25-foot-high (about 7.6 metre-high) sandy tell that formed around a 500-year-old fortress. Trees and shrubs of Prosopis genus are extremely well adapted to arid environments, and possess one of the deepest known root systems. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 50-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover a host of unique, historical and cultural Bahraini landmarks during this comprehensive, half-day sightseeing excursion that's ideal for first-time visitors to the Kingdom.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain National Museum, Paintings, Sculptures, Calligraphy, Pearl Exhibits

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Bahrain National Museum. The museum houses a wonderfully diverse collection of exhibits. Highlights include contemporary Bahraini paintings, sculptures, ceramics, scenes depicting life in the Dilmun civilization of 6,000 years ago, and even a reconstructed burial mound, complete with skeleton. A section on Arabic calligraphy, including a beautiful display of illuminated Qur'ans and other religious documents, is breath-taking. Traditional trades and crafts are cleverly displayed in a reconstruction of a typical souq of the 1930s. There are also photographs and models of pearl exhibitions, along with artefacts representing the former source of Bahrain's wealth before the advent of oil.

Bahrain Bay, Manama World Trade Centre, Bahrain Fort

Next, re-board your coach and head to Bahrain Bay for a photo stop at the Manama World Trade Centre (also called Bahrain WTC or BWTC), a 787-foot-high (about 240-metre-high). 50-floor, twin tower complex located in Manama. Built in 2008, it is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its award-winning design. Leaving the Manama World Trade Centre, re-board your coach and continue on to the Bahrain Fort. The Portuguese built the fort in 1522 on the ruins of an earlier, smaller fort built by the people of Bahrain. The Portuguese added the high walls, huge square towers and a surrounding moat which is still visible today. Following a guided tour of the Bahrain Fort, stop by the Ancient Burial Grounds.

Ancient Burial Grounds, Royal Camel Farm

Perhaps the largest pre-historic cemetery in the world, the Ancient Burial Grounds include an estimated 170,000 burial mounds dating back to between 3000 B.C. and 600 A.D. The best-preserved mounds can be seen at A'ali Village. Leaving the Ancient Burial Grounds, re-board your coach and drive to the final stop on your tour, the Royal Camel Farm. This farm is owned by His Highness late Shaikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al Khalifa, who was the uncle of the current ruler. The farm is home to more than 500 camels. During your visit, you can see the baby and older camels here, provided they are not taken out for feeding. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 55-minute drive back to the pier.

Relax and unwind at one of the premiere seaside hotels in Manama during this leisurely, full-day excursion to The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Manama City, Grand Mosque, National Museum, World Trade Centre

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain via Manama City. En route, pass by renowned highlights that include the Grand Mosque, National Museum, World Trade Centre, Financial Harbour, and the City Centre Shopping Mall. Upon arrival, you are welcomed and escorted to your sun loungers, and served a refreshing glass of fresh orange juice. Afterward, the balance of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure amidst luxurious surrounds.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, Sunbathing, Swimming, Beachcombing, Private Beach, Gulf Views

During your visit, you can relax on your lounge and soak up the sun on this lovely stretch of private beach, a tranquil seaside oasis that offers spectacular views of the Gulf and beyond. You can also cool off with a refreshing swim in the shimmering pool, stroll about the private, white-sand beach, take to the crystal-clear waters of the sea.

5-Star Amenities, La Plage Beach Restaurant, Lunch

In addition to enjoying the 5-star amenities at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, a delicious lunch is served at the hotel's La Plage beach restaurant. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore Al Manamah at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Al Manamah at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Al Manamah at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.