Voyages to Antiquity’s 2011 calendar has added several historical destinations to its roster with stops throughout the Mediterranean, Aegean, Adriatic and the Black Seas.
Following its inaugural year, itineraries have been redesigned into Cruise-Tours including pre-and/or post-cruise hotel stays in renown cities throughout the Mediterranean, Greece, and Turkey.
An In Depth Exploration of Italy and Sicily
Sicily is a celebration of the greatest achievements of western civilization: the superbly well-preserved Greek temples of Segesta and the Valle dei Templi; the fortifications of Syracuse; the Norman Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo and Monreale Cathedral.
Guests can experience these highlights on the following itineraries “Shores of Mediterranean” (April 15, May 31 and September 6) and “Sicily is the Key to Everything” (May 19, August 25 and October 10).
Greece and Turkey
Ancient Greece revolutionized every aspect of civilized life from art, literature and architecture to politics, philosophy and mathematics. Voyages to Antiquity uncovers who these fascinating people were and how they lived in an intellectually compelling way for its guests by visiting Mycenae, the home of Agamemnon; the ruins of Delos, the birthplace of Achilles; Ephesus, one of the most famous Greco-Roman sites in the Mediterranean and the scant remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
During these journeys guests explore not only Turkey but also key port cities in Georgia, Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Highlights of these destinations include St. Sophia; the Greek trading colony of Batumi; the 8th Century Byzantine church of St. John the Baptist and the Livadia Palace, built as a summer home for Nicholas the Great and the site of the 1945 conference between President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Stalin.
These destinations are highlighted on itineraries “The Light of Greece” (May 7 and September 28), “Isles of Greece” (July 1 and August 11) and “All Things Begin with the Greeks” June 23 and August 17.
The Dalmatian Coast
The Kornati Islands, with mountains plunging into the sea, create bays only accessible by small ship, making a decidedly unique experience for guests. Dubrovnik has been called “The Pearl of the Adriatic” and the itineraries along the Dalmatian Coast include important historical highlights including the magnificent Palace of Diocletian; the Baroque Church of St. Blaise, the cathedral that boasts Titian’s Assumption; Corfu, home of the famous Battle of Lepanto; and Delphi, before sailing through the Corinth Canal.
The above are highlighted on itineraries “Venice—My Dream Became My Address” (June 14), “The Holy City of Byzantium” (July 20) and “Those Who Seek Paradise on Earth”, (April 29, August 3 and September 20th).
Enhancing these fascinating historical journeys is an in depth onboard guest lecture program featuring speakers from the renown Archaeological Institute of America on 14 departures.