"Reached Suez, at 11 a.m. Total of hours spent, 158+; or, in days, six days and a half." P. Fogg

We are arriving in Suez today, with a new lecture now available on our 80 DAYS site.

The Suez Canal opened in 1869 and Phileas Fogg travelled through it, just three years later, in 1872. Roger Butler tells us about this engineering miracle which was the brainchild of Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps. Thousands of workers toiled in the desert to link the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and the grand opening ceremony was attended by guests from across the world. The story is told through early photographs and paintings as well as contemporary images and landmarks - and there’s a surprising story about the Statue of Liberty.

Did you know? You can meet fellow virtual travellers and share your thoughts on the lectures and destinations, reminisce over past (and discuss future) holidays in exotic places and get tips and more content for each destination. If you are already a Virtual Traveller just click here and then click join to enter our group discussion for free.