Times journeys 2016 catalog

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Travels That Excite the Curiosity   and Challenge the Mind 2016 Departures

Travel with Book Now 855-698-1456


Contents 48 The Israeli-Palestinian Conundrum Politics & Perspectives 50 Tibet: In China and in Depth Politics & Perspectives 54

AFRICA 14 Egypt: To the Land of the Pharaohs Arts & Culture

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Ethiopia: Ancient Lands and Religious Festivals

Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia Sailing & Cruises

58 The Women of Jordan Women in Focus 60 Women and Society in India Women in Focus

Arts & Culture

22 Understanding the Fabric of South Africa History & Context 26 Tunisia: Birthplace of the Arab Spring Politics & Perspectives 28 Namibia: Saving the Rhino Science & Nature 30 West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community,

Health and Religion

EUROPE

12 Behind the Scenes at the Venice Film

Festival

Arts & Culture

Science & Nature

12 Inside the Carnival of Venice Arts & Culture

13 Opera and the Splendid Culture of

Austria

Arts & Culture

ASIA 34

Iran: Tales From Persia History & Context

38

Myanmar: Behind the Headlines History & Context

40 The ’Stans of Asia: Follow the Silk Route History & Context 44 Turkey’s Ancient Past History & Context 46 Vietnam: Lingering Legacies of a War History & Context

62 A Hike Around Mont Blanc Activities & Sports

64 Hiking the Pilgrims’ Footsteps at

El Camino de Santiago Activities & Sports

66 A Jane Austen Christmas Arts & Culture 68 Farewell to Edwardian: Art and Culture

Between the Wars Arts & Culture

70 Shakespeare and His England Arts & Culture 72 Cooking With the Sicilians Food & Wine


74 Flavors of Provence Food & Wine 76 Andalusia: Center of Christianity,

Judaism and Islam History & Context

78 Jewish Life in Central Europe History & Context

102 Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen

Mary 2 ®

Sailing & Cruises

106 Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land Sailing & Cruises 110 Women and Women’s Rights in Cuba Women in Focus

80 Remembering The Great War

(1914-1918)

History & Context

82 The Fall and Rise of Berlin History & Context 84 The Legacy of Alexander the Great History & Context 86 The Many Faces of Russia Politics & Perspectives

SOUTH AMERICA 112 Colombia: Because Reality

Is Very Different

88 The Northern Ireland Peace Process Politics & Perspectives

Arts & Culture

and Herzegovina

114 Galápagos: Evolution in Action Science & Nature

Politics & Perspectives

118 The White Continent: Fly and Sail

90 The Splintered Pasts of Bosnia

92 Tulip Time in Holland by Barge  Sailing & Cruises

NORTH AMERICA 13 Grant and the Unexpected Victory

at Shiloh

History & Context

96 Cuba. The Time Is Now:

A People-to-People Experience Arts & Culture

98 Cruising the Panama Canal Sailing & Cruises

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Antarctica

Science & Nature


The New York Times Times Journeys is about creating bespoke itineraries and traveling to destinations that tell a story accompanied by those who are expert on the subject matter — that is why we invite our journalists to join you and hand-pick other experts so they can help you discover more.

History “Times Journeys is a natural next step in the evolution of how The New York Times approaches travel.” — Monica Drake, Travel Editor

Travel has always been an important aspect of the newspaper, and one look into the archives clearly portrays this. As early as 1852, travel stories were already being published. However, a dedicated travel section didn’t fully emerge until 1923, under the guidance of Lester Markel — the man behind the Sunday editions from 1923 to 1964.

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Today

Our Future

Travel is so woven into our society that The Times regards this section as a pivotal part of its publication even today. Integrating hard-hitting world news with compelling journeys that delve into such topics as the Northern Ireland peace process or the plight of the planet in Antarctica, to bring it closer to you — Times readers — seems a natural progression in our approach to travel.

Times Journeys is the future of educational and pioneering travel. From the first travel articles to hit The New York Times pages to where we are today has been a journey in itself — and now we want to share that journey with you.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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Why Travel With The New York Times Small group tours and cruises From our collection of land-based journeys, limited to no more than 28 guests, to our specialist cruises on world-renowned cruise lines, you’ll travel with like-minded individuals and, where available, stay in authentic luxury or boutique hotels.

Times-selected experts A journalist or subject matter specialist joins every departure, from Pulitzer Prize winners to Egyptologists and depending on the tour, enjoy a mix of lectures, Q and A ’s and informal conversations during meals.

Destinations that tell a story Visit locations as diverse as Iran, Ethiopia, Bosnia or Sicily, exploring everything from their politics and history to their culture or natural wonders.

Exclusive access Escape the crowds with tours that include after-hours entrance to museums and access to attractions closed to the public.

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Times Journeys Experts When you travel with Times Journeys, you will be in good company; not only will you be traveling with like-minded individuals, but with New York Times journalists and Times-selected experts too. Depending on the tour, expect to be joined by experts in history, world affairs, politics, the arts. Their informative lectures are specifically designed to bring to life the remarkable civilizations and cultures of the regions you visit. Each one of our experts will educate and inspire you. Here are just a few of the experts confirmed for our 2016 program.

Ian Austen Times Correspondent Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land

Craig Benjamin, Ph.D. Associate Professor of History Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

Sandra Blakeslee Science Writer Galápagos: Evolution in Action

Celestine Bohlen INYT Columnist Inside the Carnival of Venice

John Burns Former Times Foreign Correspondent The Splintered Pasts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Richard Cohen Author and Publisher Remembering the Great War (1914– 1918)

Roger Cohen Times Op-Ed Columnist Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land

Anthony DePalma Former Times Correspondent Cuba. The Time is Now

Christopher Dickey World News Editor of The Daily Beast A Hike Around Mont Blanc

Maureen Dowd Times Op-Ed Columnist Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

Steve Erlinger London Bureau Chief Myanmar: Behind the Headlines

Sheri Fink M.D., Ph.D. Times Science Correspondent West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community, Health and Religion

George Freeman, J.D. Former Times First Amendment Attorney Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land

Jeffrey Gettleman East Africa Bureau Chief West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community, Health and Religion

Ruth Ellen Gruber Jewish Heritage Expert Jewish Life in Central Europe

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Clyde Haberman Former Times Correspondent Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ®

Warren Hoge Former Times Foreign Editor Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

Carl Hulse Chief Times Washington Correspondent Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

Raphael Minder Correspondent, INYT Andalusia: Center of Christianity, Judaism and Islam

Ron Nixon Times Washington Correspondent Cruising the Panama Canal

Joe Nocera Times Sports Columnist Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

Dennis Overbye Times Science Correspondent Accelerating Science: Particle Physics at CERN

Fred Plotkin Opera Specialist Opera and the Splendid Culture of Austria

David M. Ratzan Academic and Author The Legacy of Alexander the Great

Jim Robbins Times Science Correspondent Winter in Yellowstone and the Tetons

Frances Robles Times Correspondent Cruising the Panama Canal

Michael Schmidt Times National Security Reporter Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ®

Dan Schnur Academic Cruising the Panama Canal

John Schwartz Times Science Correspondent Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ®

Elaine Sciolino Times Writer and Former Paris Bureau Chief Iran: Tales From Persia

Marlise Simons Times Correspondent Tulip Time in Holland by Barge

Ray Sokolov Former Times Food Editor Cooking With the Sicilians

Luisita Lopez Torregrosa Former Times Correspondent Women and Women’s Rights in Cuba

Chris Wren Former Times Foreign Correspondent A Hike Around Mont Blanc

Nell McShane Wulfhart Travel Writer Vietnam: Lingering Legacies of a War

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Expert-Led Tours With a Focus On…

All Times Journeys have a tale to tell, one that will satisfy sophisticated curiosities. Whether it be unlocking the secrets of the Persian Empire or exploring the legacy of Alexander the Great — each Times Journey will help unravel some of the world’s geological, political, historical or sociological enigmas. Each tour has been placed into one of eight categories. With over 45 journeys traveling to over 35 countries, find your next vacation with The New York Times.

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Activities & Sports Designed for those who prefer to take part and not sit on the sidelines of life. Take a hike around Mont Blanc or through El Camino in Spain.

Arts & Culture Browse a selection of expert-led trips on themes ranging from art and architecture to film. Choose from journeys focusing on opera in its birthplace to the pleasures of Jane Austen.

Science & Nature Experience new climates and scientific discoveries, or get closer to wildlife and geographical wonders with these carefully selected tours. Choose from a visit to the CERN Large Hadron Collider to life in the Galápagos.

History & Context Discover the great events that have shaped and influenced the world we live in today, whether it is the troubled past of Myanmar, the rich history of Tunisia, or the battlefields of World War I or the American Civil War.

Politics & Perspectives In trips designed for those who have an interest in foreign affairs, discuss the Northern Ireland peace process with former combatants or delve into the splintered pasts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Food & Wine Whether you are interested in the vineyards of Provence or the cuisine of Italy, discover great tastes from globally renowned gastronomic destinations.

Women in Focus Gain in-depth knowledge of the status of women around the world, good and bad, on specially designed journeys to such international destinations as Cuba, India and Jordan.

Sailing & Cruises For those who think there’s no better vacation than one on board a ship, Times Journeys can take you to such exotic destinations as the Galápagos, Antarctica or Sri Lanka, or the bucket list classic of a Transatlantic crossing.

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In Association With... Times Journeys has collaborated with five world-class tour operators, each charged with sourcing and designing bespoke travel experiences exclusively targeting the intellectually curious.

Abercrombie & Kent  Abercrombie & Kent is the world’s foremost luxury travel provider, with more than 50 years of experience in combining authenticity and comfort in the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Through a network of 50 offices and a staff of thousands worldwide, A&K offers inspiring journeys to 100 countries on all seven continents.

Academic Travel Abroad®

Insight Cruises

Academic Travel Abroad® Inc. combines the competency of an educational travel company over 60 years old, with the depth of an international education (study abroad) provider. This unique pairing of skills, talents and resources gives it great breadth. As a result, ATA’s innovative itineraries delve deeper, go behind the scenes, access the authentic and shun the touristic.

Insight Cruises, founded in 1999, believes that education and travel foster growth and wholeness. Sensing that travel connects us and that the real journey is within, we create educational travel experiences for guests who value learning for its own sake. Insight Cruises welcomes you to a vital, engaging community for whom curiosity and discovery are second nature.

Judy Perl Worldwide Travel

Mountain Travel Sobek

Judy Perl Worldwide Travel has planned and operated special-interest cruises for groups of all sizes, all around the world since 2001. Our extensive cruise ship program experience ensures seamless event execution. President Judy Perl, recognized as one of the top cruise specialists in the world, brings insider experience from her own years at Cunard and Seabourn.

Mountain Travel Sobek is the premier, all-inclusive, specialty adventure travel company. Since 1969, MTS has pioneered authentic and deeply immersive experiential journeys worldwide. MTS creates fresh alternatives and unique experiences, and has an 85 percent repeat and referral rate. Clients often share how profound and moving their trip experiences have been.

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Relax: It’s All Taken Care Of.

Our travel consultants possess a passion for travel and for sharing their enthusiasm for exploring the world and the people in it. How to Book Call Online

855-698-1456 nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Introducing your Times Journeys Travel Consultants Whether you are interested in science, history or politics, have a passion for the arts or seek exhilarating outdoor adventures, your Times Journeys Travel Consultant will confidently review the pace of your trip, outline what’s included and work with your other special requests. They will help customize your pre- and posttrip desires and provide details about purchasing travel insurance and when to book your flights!

How do I reserve my Times Journeys trip?

You will be well cared for From the moment you inquire about a Times Journeys trip through to your departure, you will have access to the highest levels of planning services. You will receive a personalized and detailed pre-departure planning guide for your destination, along with our exclusive suggested packing list and other information. Your Travel Consultants will ensure that your pre-trip details will be as enriching as the trip itself, so that you are fully prepared for your world-class journey.

The real advantage Trust us to manage your reservation and pre-trip details wisely and in a timely manner, so that you can fully enjoy the anticipation of your journey as much as the journey itself! Call us toll-free TODAY at 855-698-1456.

Reserving a Times Journeys trip is easy. Contact us toll-free at 855-698-1456. Our dedicated Travel Consultants will review the many itinerary options to fit your interest, schedule and budget. Find all trip details online at nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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Journey Spotlight

Behind the Scenes at the Venice Film Festival Inside the Carnival of Venice Founded in 1932, the Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world. It attracts A-listers, film buffs and press in droves year after year. During this unique program, enjoy complete access to all screenings, press conferences, and other festival activities, as well as daily discussion groups with Times-selected expert.

At the Carnival of Venice, revelers don distinctive masks and elaborate costumes to take part in the exclusive Ballo del Doge, combining music, food, entertainment and visual spectacle. Engage in this extravaganza on this seven-day tour. Visit costume ateliers, wig makers and mask artists to learn the history of Carnival and then dress to the nines in preparation for the ball.

Arts & Culture

Travelers 25

Departing To Be Announced

Travelers 22

Price From $6,990

Departing February 2, 2016

Operator Academic Travel Abroad

Itinerary 7 days, 6 nights

Arts & Culture

Price From $9,895

Call 855-698-1456 to be notified as soon as details are confirmed.

Operator Academic Travel Abroad

Journey Highlights

Journey Highlights

• Take an exclusive after-hours guided visit to the magnificent Basilica

• Visit the artisans who create the vibrant costumes of Carnival,

di San Marco. • Attend panel discussions on the events of the festival so far, and maybe spot a Hollywood star in the crowds. • Visit the Atelier Nicolao, a costume manufacturer famous for creating elaborate period costumes for film and stage productions.

including a traditional mask maker. • Take private tours of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Venice opera house, La Fenice. • Learn the history of 18th-century Venetian art, and visit the collection at the Ca’ Rezzonico palazzo. • Prepare for the ball with appointments with costume fitters and hairdressers. • Attend Il Ballo del Doge in authentic costume at a private palace on the Grand Canal.

Featured Expert: Celestine Bohlen The former Rome bureau chief for The Times, she has returned often to Italy as a Paris-based columnist for the International New York Times. A frequent visitor to Venice, she has written about its history, floods, Biennales and the burning of the famous La Fenice opera house. She speaks Italian, Russian and French.

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Opera and the Splendid Culture of Austria

Grant and the Unexpected Victory at Shiloh

Austria has some of the world’s finest opera and musical performances. Hear the Vienna Philharmonic in Salzburg. Attend three operas with major stars in Vienna and go to the legendary Vienna State Opera Ball. Walk in Mozart’s footsteps with the opera expert Fred Plotkin. Feast on great food, wine, art and culture.

The two-day battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War produced more than 23,000 casualities overall, making it the bloodiest battle in American history at its time. On this five-day journey, trace the battle through its sites and learn about how Gen. Ulysses S. Grant turned what should have been a defeat into a victory.

Arts & Culture

History & Context

Travelers 24

Travelers 25

Departing January 29, 2016

Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights

Itinerary 5 days, 4 nights

Price From $8,995

Price From $2,500

Operator Academic Travel Abroad

Operator Academic Travel Abroad

Journey Highlights

Journey Highlights

• Attend a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Salzburg.

• Relive the Battle of Shiloh, the short but deadly fight, on the very fields

• Hear performances of “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata” and “Arabella” in Vienna.

Departing May 2, October 17, 2016

where it took place. • Visit Grant’s headquarters at Cherry Mansion and learn about Grant’s

• Join the exclusive Vienna State Opera Ball. • Explore the life and legacy of Mozart in Salzburg and Vienna. • Explore Salzburg and the historic center of Vienna, both Unesco World Heritage sites.

Last Line. • Visit the impressive Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center to learn about the greater effect of Shiloh and the Siege of Corinth on the Civil War. • With expert insight from Times-selected guides, gain a unique

• Savor the sophisticated food and wine of Austria.

Featured Expert: Fred Plotkin

understanding of this seminal battle.

Featured Expert: Christopher Dickey

Fred Plotkin is one of the world’s foremost opera

Christopher Dickey is the World News editor of The

experts, notable not only for the depth and breadth

Daily Beast, based in Paris. Previously he was the

of his knowledge but also for the joy and ease with

Paris bureau chief and Mideast editor for The Daily

which he shares it. He is the author of “Opera 101:

Beast and for Newsweek magazine. His latest book,

A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera,”

“Our Man in Charleston: Britain’s Secret Agent in the

the best-selling standard text in America for opera

Civil War South,” published in July 2015, is a New

education. He has lectured, consulted and held managerial or artistic roles at

York Times best seller.

some of the top opera companies, including La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He teaches opera at New York University, the Smithsonian and Oxford.

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Egypt: To the Land of the Pharaohs For more than 2,000 years, travelers have come to Egypt seeking traces of the powerful dynasties swept away by the sands of time. On this seven-day journey into the past, including a cruise on the mighty Nile, Times experts will help you piece together the life and times of one of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations and share the vision for the country’s future. Arts & Culture Travelers 24 Places visited Cairo, Giza, Abu Simbel, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Itinerary 7 days, 6 nights 1 Welcome to the Land of the Ancients 2 Journey to the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum 3 Rescued Temples in Abu Simbel, Aswan and the Nile 4 Gods, Gold and Crocodiles 5 Luxor and the Valley of the Kings 6 Historical Cairo, Mosques and Bazaars 7 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights

Itinerary

• Tour the Egyptian Museum with an Egyptologist. • Visit the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Valley of Kings. • Cruise the Nile and see the mammoth temples and statuary that the river almost swallowed. • Take a cooking lesson on board the ship. • Hear exclusive lectures and get exclusive insight into Egypt.

DAY 1

Africa

Tour operated by Abercrombie & Kent

Welcome to the Land of the Ancients

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel with spectacular Nile view rooms. The rest of the day is for relaxing and unwinding from your journey. Fairmont Nile City Hotel. DAY 2

Journey to the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum

Start the day at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant overlooking the Sphinx. With an Egyptologist, tour the Egyptian Museum, including the treasures of Tutankhamen. At dinner, talk to local experts about the country’s history and future. Fairmont Nile City Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

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Featured Expert: David Kirkpatrick February 17 Departure David D. Kirkpatrick, a reporter for The Times since 2000, was The New York Times bureau chief in Cairo for the last five years. He covered the Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and he has also written for The Times from Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. He was a Washington correspondent before moving to Cairo. We are delighted that he can join us for four days, sharing his insights.

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Egypt: To the Land of the Pharaohs

DAY 3

Rescued Temples in Abu Simbel, Aswan and the Nile

Fly to Abu Simbel and see the magnificent temple of Ramses II, relocated to escape the flood from the Aswan High Dam. Fly to Aswan and meet your Nile cruise ship. Visit the granite quarries that supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples. Sun Boat IV, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Gods, Gold and Crocodiles

See the Temple of Philae, also relocated here when the Aswan Dam was constructed. At Kom Ombo (“hill of gold�), visit the temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god). On board, take an Egyptian cooking class and dine on your creations. Explore the extraordinary Temple of Horus at Edfu, completed in 57 B.C. Sun Boat IV, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

Luxor and the Valley of the Kings

Tour the east bank of Luxor, with the graceful Temple of Luxor and the imposing Temple of Karnak. In the afternoon, cross to the west bank and tour the Valley of the Kings, with more than 60 tombs, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Sun Boat IV, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

Historical Cairo, Mosques and Bazaars

Fly back to Cairo and take a walking tour of a residential neighborhood dating to the Middle Ages, to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, with its licorice-tea sellers and spice markets. Join a local family for a traditional tea at their Cairo home and hear about their daily life, struggles and thoughts on the changes in Egypt. Fairmont Nile City Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 7

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the Cairo airport for your flight home or onward. Meal: B

Africa

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Deck Plan

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

FEB 17, 2016 – FEB 23, 2016 OCT 26, 2016 – NOV 1, 2016

Nile Deck Main Deck Bridge Deck Promenade Deck Presidential Suite Royal Suite

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

$5,695 $5,795 $5,895 $5,995 $7,195 $8,195

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

$895 $920 $945 $970 $1,395 $1,785

INTERNAL AIR

$685 $685 $685 $685 $685 $685

EXPERT

David Kirkpatrick To be announced

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Ethiopia: Ancient Lands and Religious Festivals Ethiopia may bring to mind its history of famine and the modernism of Emperor Haile Selassie, but the oldest independent country in Africa is among its most stable. This nine-day journey, coinciding with a national religious festival, will showplace the unique cultural heritage of Ethiopia, home to one of the oldest Christian churches, the Queen of Sheba and, legend has it, the Ark of the Covenant. Arts & Culture Travelers 24 Places visited Addis Ababa, Axum, Cave Churches of Lalibela, Gondar, Blue Nile Falls Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Welcome to Addis Ababa 2 Lucy and Cathedrals 3 The Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the Covenant 4 The Cave Churches of Lalibela 5 Cave Churches and Coffee 6 The Camelot of Africa 7 The Blue Nile 8 Lake Tana Cruise 9 Back to Addis Ababa and Home

Journey Highlights

Itinerary DAY 1

• Participate in a religious festival, a joyous ceremony and once-in-a-lifetime experience. • See the National Archeological Museum, home to Lucy, one of the oldest hominids ever found. • Visit churches, monasteries and cathedrals dating to early Christianity. • See ancient obelisks and the palaces of emperors and kings. • Learn about the variety and depth of religion in Ethiopia. • Attend an ancient coffee ceremony and learn of its importance to Ethiopia. • Exclusive access and insights available only for Times Journeys.

Africa

Welcome to Addis Ababa

Upon arrival at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, you will be met by a Times Journeys representative and transferred to your hotel. Addis Ababa (“New Flower”), Ethiopia’s capital, lies in the central highlands at an altitude of about 7,500 feet, making it the third-highest capital in the world. Sheraton Addis Hotel. DAY 2

Lucy and Cathedrals

View a replica of the 3.4-million-year-old skeleton of Lucy in the National Archaeological Museum. Then, visit the Ethnographic Museum to start learning about Ethiopia’s rich ethnic diversity. After lunch, visit St. George’s Cathedral, built in 1896, and Holy Trinity Cathedral, with stunning stained-glass windows. End the day at the largest market in Africa. Sheraton Addis Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Tour operated by Abercrombie & Kent

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Featured Expert: Ruth Fremson November 27 Departure Ruth Fremson is a Pulitzer Prizewinning staff photographer for The New York Times with extensive national and international experience. Currently based in Seattle, she spent many years working on assignment in Washington, D.C., the Middle East and South Asia. Her work, which has earned numerous awards, can be found in many books and is part of the Akron Art Museum’s collection.

DAY 3

The Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the Covenant

Fly to Axum and see the remains of the Queen of Sheba’s palace and massive pre-Christian obelisks. Next is the Church of Saint Mary of Zion, said to be the sanctuary of the Ark of the Covenant. This evening, hear a talk on the different religions in Ethiopia and their impact. Sabean Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

The Cave Churches of Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela to view some of its 11 medieval, monolithic churches. The churches are carved from the rock they stand in, and many have labyrinthine tunnels and crypts. In one corner of the largest are three empty graves, symbolically dug for the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Mountain View Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

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Ethiopia: Ancient Lands and Religious Festivals

DAY 5

Cave Churches and Coffee

Visit the Monastery of Nakuto Le’Abe and more of the cave churches built by King Lalibela. Later, attend a traditional coffee ceremony to see the time-honored process of roasting and brewing. Coffee plays an important role in the Ethiopian economy and religion: Monks used it to extend their night hours for prayers. Mountain View Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

The Camelot of Africa

This morning, fly to Gondar, “the Camelot of Africa,” famous for its medieval castles and churches. Visit the castles of various emperors. Then visit the Debre Berhane Selassie Church, the only church saved from the Mahdist invasion in the 1880s. Mayleko Lodge, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

The Blue Nile

Drive to the Blue Nile Falls, 328 feet wide and plunging some 150 feet, the source of the Blue Nile, which contributes 85 percent of the main Nile flow. Time permitting, tour Bahir Dar, with spectacular views of Lake Tana and the Blue Nile as it leaves the lake. Kuriftu Resort and Spa, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Lake Tana Cruise

Cruise on Lake Tana, the largest highland lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Disembark to visit churches and monasteries dating to the 14th century, including Ethiopian Orthodox examples, with mud-plastered round walls and thatched roofs. Attend a lecture on the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that is under construction. Kuriftu Resort and Spa, Meals: B, L, D

DAY 9

Back to Addis Ababa and Home

This morning, fly back to Addis Ababa. Day rooms will be available at the hotel, but the day is at leisure. This evening, join your fellow Times travelers one last time for a special farewell dinner, a perfect opportunity to toast your journey, swap stories and share experiences. Sheraton Addis Ababa Hotel, Meals: B, D

Africa

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Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

SEP 25, 2016 – OCT 3, 2016

$6,995 The Finding of the Cross (Meskel)

$1,595

$750

To be announced

NOV 27, 2016 – DEC 5, 2016

$6,995 Hidar Tisyon (Saint Mary’s Axum festival)

$1,595

$750

Ruth Fremson

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Understanding the Fabric of South Africa Few nations have seen the changes South Africa has. In this 12-day journey, travel through the past and present, and see the tribal lands, sophisticated cities and beautiful countryside that are woven together into what has become one of the most diverse nations in the world, if still not unified. History & Context Travelers 16 Places visited Durban, Isandlwana, Spioenkop, Lesotho, Mthatha, Pretoria, Johannesburg Itinerary 12 days, 11 nights 1 Welcome to South Africa 2 Introduction to Durban 3 The Zulu Battle Against Colonialism 4 The Battle of Isandlwana 5 Rise of Afrikaner Nationalism 6 Spioenkop Mountain in the AngloBoer War 7 The Kingdom of Lesotho 8 The Xhosa 9 Madiba’s Home 10 Marching to Pretoria 11 Johannesburg 12 Bound for Home or Elsewhere

Journey Highlights

Itinerary

• Learn Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the fight for equal rights in South Africa. • Visit the birthplace and final resting place of Nelson Mandela. • See the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, surrounded by South Africa but separate. • See major battle sites of the Anglo-Boer and Zulu wars. • Tour Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto and learn of their roles in South Africa’s history. • With the experienced guide Rob Caskie, gain insight into what makes South Africa unique.

DAY 1

Africa

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

Welcome to South Africa

Arrive in Johannesburg and connect to Durban, South Africa’s multicultural hub on the Indian Ocean, a home to Zulus, Indians and white South Africans of both English and Dutch descent. Before dinner, meet your fellow Times travelers over drinks at the hotel. Saint James on Venice Hotel, Meal: D DAY 2

Introduction to Durban

This morning your guide will give an overview of South African history, with special relevance to KwaZulu-Natal, the province that includes Durban. A tour of Durban will put it into context. You’ll also learn about Mahatma Gandhi and his role in the South African freedom struggle. Saint James on Venice Hotel, Meals: B, L

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Featured Expert: Alan Cowell March 26 Departure Since joining The Times in 1981, Alan Cowell has served as a
foreign correspondent and bureau chief based in Africa, the Middle
East and Europe. He chronicled the protest that led to the release of Nelson Mandela and was expelled by the apartheid regime for his reporting. Charles Wallace June 7 Departure Former foreign correspondent for UPI and Time, he worked in Africa and elsewhere for UPI, The Los Angeles Times, Time magazine and other publications. John Burns October 2 Departure Former Times foreign correspondent and the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, based in Johannesburg during Apartheid.

DAY 3

The Zulu Battle Against Colonialism

Drive inland via Pietermaritzburg, a historical town important to both English and Boers. Smaller than Durban, it is nevertheless the provincial capital and a charming center of learning and red-bricked Victorian architecture. Continue to the brooding mountain of Isandlwana, site of a seminal battle in the Zulu fight against British colonial rule. Isandlwana Lodge, Meals: B, D DAY 4

The Battle of Isandlwana

This morning, your guide will bring the dramatic events of the Battle of Isandlwana to life on the battlefield itself. In 1879, a 20,000-strong Zulu army inflicted the biggest defeat on the British army in colonial history. This afternoon, visit a local rural Zulu community where life has changed little since that battle. Isandlwana Lodge, Meals: B, L, D

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23


Understanding the Fabric of South Africa

DAY 5

Rise of Afrikaner Nationalism

Drive to Dundee, where the focus shifts to the Anglo-Boer War: Dutch South Africans who tried to escape English rule were forced into two bitter wars against the British army, fueling Afrikaner nationalism. Visit the Talana Museum in Dundee, recognized as a pre-eminent account of this period. Continue to Spioenkop. Three Trees Hotel at Spioenkop, Meals: B, D DAY 6

Spioenkop Mountain in the Anglo-Boer War

Ascend Spioenkop Mountain, an important Anglo-Boer battle site that involved Winston Churchill as a war correspondent, Mahatma Gandhi as a stretcher bearer and Louis Botha, who became the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa. This afternoon, head for the Drakensberg Mountains, known by the Zulus as the Barrier of Spears. Moorcroft Manor, Meals: B, D

Africa

DAY 7

The Kingdom of Lesotho

Ascend the Drakensberg Mountains by four-wheel drive into the independent kingdom of Lesotho, the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters, about 3,300 feet. The nation is surrounded by South Africa, and depends on that country for much of its livelihood. On a walk, meet the hardy Basotho people and learn about their customs and language, so different to the Zulus in KwaZulu-Natal below. The Basotho eke a living in some of the most hostile conditions in Africa, and you’ll have community food packs to give to the villagers. Lunch is in the highest pub in Africa. Moorcroft Manor, Meals: B, L

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DAY 8

The Xhosa

Framed by the Drakensberg Mountains, enter the Transkei, home to the Xhosa tribe, which has graced South Africa with many leaders, including two presidents: Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Arrive at Umtata, a bustling commercial center, where you will visit the Nelson Mandela Museum and the background to a free and democratic South Africa. Garden Court Mthatha Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

Madiba’s Home

This morning, a short drive takes you to Nelson Mandela’s childhood village, Qunu. As a symbol of the circle of life, Madiba, as he is affectionately known, is also buried here, near the house where he retired. This afternoon, fly to Johannesburg. The evening is on your own. The Winston Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 10

Marching to Pretoria

Visit Pretoria, the original capital of the Boer Republic. This is the story of the Afrikaner people. See the historic Boer Center, the Union Buildings and, by special arrangement, an evocative visit after nightfall to the Voortrekker Monument, commemorating Afrikaner history. The Winston Hotel, Meal: B DAY 11

Johannesburg

Johannesburg was the center of the fight against apartheid, vividly captured in your visit to the Apartheid Museum. Visit Soweto, and see Nelson Mandela’s original home and the site of the 1976 Soweto Uprisings. Lunch is at a typical Soweto shebeen (pub). This evening, your farewell dinner includes a typical South African experience. The Winston Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 12

Bound for Home or Elsewhere

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home or extension options to Cape Town or Victoria Falls. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM) EXPERT

MAR 26, 2016 – APR 6, 2016

$5,995

$1,000

$350

Alan Cowell

JUN 7, 2016 – JUN 18, 2016

$5,995

$1,000

$350

Charles Wallace

AUG 8, 2016 – AUG 19, 2016

$5,995

$1,000

$350

To be announced

OCT 2, 2016 – OCT 13, 2016

$5,995

$1,000

$350

John Burns

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

25


Tunisia: Birthplace of the Arab Spring Explore the past and present of this extraordinary nation on an 11-day journey. See the ruins of Dougga, El Djem, Sufetula and Gafsa and walk through amphitheaters used for chariot races. Explore Islamic heritage in the birthplace of the Arab Spring. Politics & Perspectives Travelers 27 Places visited Tunis, Carthage, Sousse, El Djem, Kairouan, Tozeur, Matmata, Djerba Itinerary 11 days, 10 nights 1 Welcome to Tunisia 2 The Ruins of Carthage 3 Roman Life in Dougga 4 Kerkouane and Sousse 5 The El Djem Amphitheater 6 The Great Mosque of Kairouan 7 The Ruins of Sbeitla 8 Date Palms and “The English Patient” in Tozeur 9 Selja Gorges Aboard the Red Lizard 10 Underground Homes in Matmata and the Lotus Eaters 11 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Explore the ruins of Carthage, capital of the ancient Carthaginian civilization, and some of the bestpreserved Roman ruins in Africa in Dougga, El Djem, Sufetula and Gafsa. • Drive into the desert near Tozeur to see where scenes from “The English Patient” were filmed, and the outskirts of Matmata, where parts of “Star Wars” were filmed. • Board the Red Lizard train for an excursion past the Selja Gorges and mountain oases near Metlaoui. • Meet Berber families who live in traditional underground homes.

Africa

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Tunisia

Arrive in Tunis. In the evening, gather with fellow Times travelers for a welcome reception and dinner. Hotel Dar El Marsa, Meals: R, D DAY 2

The Ruins of Carthage

In the ancient city of Carthage, explore the ruins atop Byrsa Hill, the Antonine Baths and the whitewashed village of Sidi Bou Said. Tour the Carthage National Museum and the Bardo Museum. Learn about the Arab Spring with visits to its main sites in Tunis. Hotel Dar El Marsa, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Roman Life in Dougga

In Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Northern Africa, visit the Capitoline temple, the Plaza of Winds and other highlights, and the ruins of Bulla Regia, where wealthy Romans would escape the summer heat. Hotel Dar El Marsa, Meals: B, L

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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DAY 4

Drive to the ruined Punic city of Kerkouane. At the tip of the Cape Bon peninsula are quarries whose sandstone was used to construct Carthage. Spend the evening in Sousse exploring its medina and archaeological museum. Mövenpick Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

The El Djem Amphitheater

Visit El Djem to see the third-century Roman amphitheater of Thysdrus, which could seat 35,000 people and was used for chariot races and gladiatorial combat. Visit the nearby museum, known for its mosaics depicting Bacchus and Africa. Mövenpick Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 6

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

Carlotta Gall is Senior correspondent for North Africa. A British national, she joined The Times in 1999, reporting from Kosovo and Serbia, and for over a decade from Afghanistan and Pakistan. She is author of “The Wrong Enemy: America in Afghanistan 2001-2014,” and co-author of “Chechnya: Calamity in the Caucasus.”

DAY 8

In Kairouan, see the Great Mosque of Sidi-Uqba, which holds hundreds of columns taken from Carthage. Visit the tomb complex of Sidi Sahab, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and the Aghlabid Basins, built in the ninth century to collect rainwater. Hotel La Kasbah, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Featured Expert: Carlotta Gall

Kerkouane and Sousse

The Ruins of Sbeitla

Travel to Sbeitla near the Roman ruins of Sufetula to examine the forum, baths, temples and remains of early Christian basilicas. Continue to Gafsa, which contains Roman pools still filled with steaming, bright blue water. Continue to Tozeur. Hotel Ras El Ain, Meals: B, L, D

Date Palms and “The English Patient” in Tozeur

Tour the old city and palm groves of Tozeur by horse carriage. The walls along the narrow roads are intricate brickwork. Drive into the desert to see where many movies have been filmed, including “The English Patient.” Hotel Ras El Ain, Meals: B, L DAY 9

Selja Gorges Aboard the Red Lizard

Board the Red Lizard train in Metlaoui for an excursion through the Selja Gorges and past mountain oases. See Chott el Djerid, the largest salt pan in the Sahara. In Douz, take part in a traditional Berber meal. Hotel Sun Palm, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Underground Homes in Matmata and the Lotus Eaters

Travel to the Berber town of Matmata, and have lunch in a traditional troglodyte underground dwelling. Head to Djerba, which some believe is the Land of the Lotus Eaters in Homer’s “Odyssey.” Visit the 2,000-year-old El Ghriba Synagogue. Fly back to Tunis. Hotel Dar El Marsa, Meals: B, L, D DAY 11

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, depart Tunis on individual flights home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

DEC 5, 2016 – DEC 15, 2016

$5,395

$750

N/A

Carlotta Gall

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

27


Namibia: Saving the Rhino Namibia is home to one of the largest black rhino populations in the world. Though their numbers are increasing, the black rhino is still under threat, killed for the horn that some cultures endow with medicinal properties. On this nine-day journey, join researchers and conservationists to study and learn more about this national treasure, and view other game in spectacular surroundings.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Namibia

At Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be met by a Times Journeys representative. En route to your hotel, take a short orientation city tour of Windhoek, the capital. Have dinner with your guides and a member of Namibia’s Save the Rhino Trust. Galton House, Meal: D DAY 2

Ongava Game Reserve

Depart for Andersson’s Camp in the Ongava Game Reserve on the southern border of Etosha National Park. If there is time, your guides will take you into the park for your first game drive. This evening, meet the chief warden of Ongava, one of Namibia’s prime private reserves. Andersson’s Camp, Meals: B, L, D

Science & Nature Travelers 12 Places visited Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Palmwag Concession, Damaraland Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Welcome to Namibia 2 Ongava Game Reserve 3 Game in Etosha National Park 4 Okaukuejo Ecological Institute 5 The Himba People 6 The Search for Rhinos 7 Palmwag Concession 8 Return to Windhoek 9 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Travel with one of Namibia’s most respected naturalist guides and rhino authorities. • Learn about rhino conservation in three distinct land management types. • View game in Etosha National Park and at a floodlit waterhole. • Visit an authentic Himba village. • Track desert-adapted rhino. • Collect field data in aid of rhino research.

Africa

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 3

Take private game drives in Etosha National Park, spending all day or returning to the camp for lunch. Spend time with Ongava’s superintendent. Etosha has over 340 bird species and some 114 mammal species, including elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, leopard and hyena, as well as the largest population of rhinos in Namibia. Andersson’s Camp, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Okaukuejo Ecological Institute

Spend another full day of game viewing within Etosha. You will also spend some time at the Etosha Ecological Institute at Okaukuejo and meet one of the government researchers and wardens there for an enlightening conversation on rhino conservation in Namibia’s state-owned national parks. Andersson’s Camp, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

Featured Expert: Charles Wallace

Game in Etosha National Park

April 13 Departure In a 30-year career as a foreign correspondent, Charles Wallace worked across the globe including in Africa, Russia and the Middle East. He has worked for the news agency UPI, the Los Angeles Times, Fortune magazine and Time magazine, won the Business Journalist of the Year award given by the City of London and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Overseas Press Club. Jeff Muntifering June 17, August 31 Departure Conservation Biologist and Save the Rhino Trust science advisor.

The Himba People

Head to Damaraland, one of the most scenic areas in Namibia. En route, spend a few hours with the Himba, nomads who move their cattle without notice, learning some of their culture. Meet a headmaster at a local rural school to discuss the challenges education faces in Namibia. Visit the Save the Rhino Trust headquarters in the Palmwag Reserve. Desert Rhino Camp, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

DAY 8

The Search for Rhinos

The Palmwag Concession covers about 1,800 square miles of arid wilderness and hosts the last free-roaming black rhino population on earth. Spend the day viewing game and tracking rhinos, gathering field data and learning about this particular population of black rhino, which is specially adapted for survival in the desert. Desert Rhino Camp, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Palmwag Concession

Spend another day in Damaraland viewing the game, including Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, desert-adapted elephant, ostrich, lion, oryx, hyena, cheetah and leopard. Continue tracking the black rhinoceros: Once widespread in the subcontinent, they remain endangered, though their numbers have doubled since the Save the Rhino Trust was founded in 1982. Desert Rhino Camp, Meals: B, L, D

Return to Windhoek

After a leisurely breakfast and relaxed morning, transfer to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight back to Windhoek. The day is at leisure, before a farewell dinner this evening. Galton House, Meals: B, D DAY 9

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, a Times Journeys representative will assist you with your onward international flight. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 13, 2016 – APR 21, 2016

$7,495 *

$1,100

N/A

Charles Wallace

JUN 17, 2016 – JUN 25, 2016

$8,865 *

$1,200

N/A

Jeff Muntifering

AUG 31, 2016 – SEP 8, 2016

$8,575 *

$1,200

N/A

Jeff Muntifering

* Plus mandatory Rhino Ranger donation of $1,415 per person.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

29


West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community, Health and Religion West Africa and Ebola have become almost synonymous, but Benin, Ghana and Togo, on the southern shore of West Africa, escaped the horrors. Yet they share the affected nations’ cultures of traditional medicine and suffered from misconceptions about Ebola. Highlighted in this 14-day journey, those practices and histories can help put the outbreak and its spread into an understandable context.

Science & Nature Travelers 24 Places visited Ganvie, Kétou, Abomey, Ouidah and the slave route, Lomé, Krobo, Kumasi, Elmina, Accra Itinerary 14 days, 13 nights 1 Welcome to West Africa 2 A Village on Stilts 3 Mask Dances of the Yoruba 4 The Slave Trade 5 The Zangbeto Mask Dance 6 Voodoo in Togo 7 The Markets of Lomé 8 Glass Beads and Giant Lake 9 The Ashanti Kingdom 10 Ashanti Culture in Kumasi 11 On the Road to Elmina 12 Slave Castle and Rain Forest 13 Fantasy Coffins in Accra 14 Homeward Bound

Africa

Journey Highlights • Put the Ebola outbreak into a cultural context in a unique learning environment. • Focus on the cultures and people along the coast and central regions of Ghana, Togo and Benin. • Learn about voodoo, which spread from West Africa and is an official religion in Benin. • See dancing mask ceremonies practiced by voodoo secret societies, rarely open to outsiders. • Learn about the ancient kingdoms of Kétou, Dahomey and Ashanti, whose traditions are still strong. • See the Door of No Return in Ouidah and learn how this area was the source of many slaves.

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to West Africa

When you arrive in Cotonou, Benin, you will be met at the airport and be transferred to your hotel. Cotonou is Benin’s commercial capital and largest city. Novotel Orisha Cotonou, Meal: D DAY 2

A Village on Stilts

Cross Lake Nokoué to Ganvie, one of the largest African stilt villages. The 25,000 Tofinou inhabitants live in huts on teak stilts with leaf-covered roofs. The village has preserved its customs like fishing, as well as its voodoo practices, often called vodun in Africa. Drive to Kétou via Porto Novo, Benin’s capital. Résidences Céline Hôtel, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Featured Expert: Sheri Fink, M.D., Ph.D. April 15 Departure Sheri Fink, M.D., Ph.D., is a New York Times correspondent and best-selling author of “Five Days at Memorial,” winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award. Her and her colleagues’ articles on the Ebola outbreak were awarded the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in international reporting. She received a 2010 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting and was formerly a relief worker in disaster and conflict zones.

Mask Dances of the Yoruba

Kétou is home to one of the largest Yoruba kingdoms in Benin. If he is available, you will meet the 50th Oba, or king. In the afternoon, attend the Gelede mask dance, promoting fertility, and the Egun mask dance, seeking the blessings of ancestors. Similar practices reign in the Ebola-affected nations. Résidences Céline Hôtel, Meals: B, D DAY 4

The Slave Trade

In Abomey, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey, see the Royal Palace. Dahomey kings captured thousands to be sold as slaves. In Ouidah, visit the Temple of the Pythons and the Portuguese fort, now a museum. Follow the slave route to the Door of No Return, where slaves from throughout Africa were loaded onto ships. Casa del Papa, Meals: B, L

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Donald G. McNeil Jr. March 4 Departure Science writer for The Times who has written extensively about health problems in Africa.

Jeffrey Gettleman August 19 Departure The East Africa bureau chief, he is a winner of the George Polk Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

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West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community, Health and Religion

DAY 5

The Zangbeto Mask Dance

Grand­-Popo, a village in southwest Benin, originally grew around the slave trade, and its crumbling old town colonial architecture reflects that time. Take a motorboat along the Mono River and in one village attend the Zangbeto mask dance, intended to cleanse the village of evil spirits. Similar rituals in the Ebola-affected nations may have delayed treatment by modern medicine. Casa del Papa, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Voodoo in Togo

Cross into Togo and take a big jump into voodoo world, which traveled with the slaves as they traveled throughout Africa and the world. Visit a sacred Guen village and meet its religious authorities and a traditional healer. View a voodoo ceremony, where spirits take possession of some of the dancers. Travel to Lomé, the capital of Togo. Hotel Sarawaka, Meals: B, L DAY 7

The Markets of Lomé

Lomé was colonized by the Germans, British and French, and reflects its history and African heritage. Visit the central market, colonial buildings and the fetish market, where you can find everything for magical concoctions. Lomé also is a center of African tribal art, folk art, modern paintings and handicraft. Royal Senchi Resort, Meal: B DAY 8

Glass Beads and Giant Lake

Krobo, Ghana, is famous for its beads, used for cult and aesthetic purposes. Visit a factory where beads are made the way they have been for centuries, using scrap glass. Later, see the Akossombo Dam, which formed Lake Volta, covering more than 3,200 square miles. Then, take a boat ride on the Volta River. Royal Senchi Resort, Meal: B DAY 9

The Ashanti Kingdom

Kumasi, Ghana, is the historical and spiritual capital of the old Ashanti Kingdom, one of the most powerful nations in Africa until the British annexed it. Today, Kumasi has one of the biggest markets in Africa, with Ashanti leather goods, pottery and kente cloth. Later, if one is available, attend a traditional Ashanti funeral. Golden Tulip Kumasi, Meals: B, L

Africa

32


DAY 10

Ashanti Culture in Kumasi

Visit the Ashanti Cultural Center, with its rich collection of Ashanti artifacts housed in a reproduction of an Ashanti house, and the Royal Palace Museum. In the Royal Palace of Kumasi (Ghana), if it is scheduled, attend the Akwasidae Festival, paying homage to ancestors, where the Ashanti king greets his subjects. Golden Tulip Kumasi, Meals: B, D DAY 11

On the Road to Elmina

Drive down to the coast to Elmina, the first European settlement in West Africa. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Coconut Grove Beach Resort, Meal: B DAY 12

Slave Castle and Rain Forest

Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in Africa, has been a warehouse for gold, ivory and slaves. In the old town, see the colorful Posuban, shrines created by traditional warrior groups. Drive to Kakum National Park, whose canopy walk, 120 to 150 feet above the ground, offers an incredible view of the rain forest. Coconut Grove Beach Resort, Meal: B DAY 13

Fantasy Coffins in Accra

In Accra, the capital of Ghana, meet the builders of fantasy coffins, shaped like fruits, animals or anything else. Visit the National Museum and James Town, inhabited by the native Ga people. At dinner, speakers from the United Nations and the American embassy will discuss their experiences with Ebola and its impact. Labadi Beach Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 14

Homeward Bound

You have a free day in Accra, with use of day rooms until 6 p.m. or your transfer to the airport for your trip home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAR 4, 2016 – MAR 17, 2016

$9,495

$2,000

N/A

Donald McNeil

APR 15, 2016 – APR 28, 2016

$9,495

$2,000

N/A

Sheri Fink M.D., Ph.D.

AUG 19, 2016 – SEP 1, 2016

$9,495

$2,000

N/A

Jeffrey Gettleman

NOV 11, 2016 – NOV 24, 2016

$9,495

$2,000

N/A

To be announced

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

33


Iran: Tales From Persia Persia. Iran. For 2,500 years, this powerful country has entranced and mystified the world. Discover the ancient secrets and modern complexities of this influential land on a 13day itinerary, visiting some of the world’s oldest archaeological sites and the family home of the religious leader who engineered Iran’s transition to an Islamic republic. Welcome to the onceforbidden land of Iran. History & Context Travelers 20 Places visited Tehran, Zagros Mountains, Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Yazd Itinerary 13 days, 12 nights 1 Welcome to Tehran 2 A Birthplace of Culture 3 Along the Trade Route 4 Falak-Ol-Aflak 5 On to Isfahan 6 Isfahan, the Center of Trade 7 Art and Architecture 8 Yazd and Religion 9 On to Shiraz 10 The Beauty of Shiraz 11 Persepolis, Rediscovered 12 Return to Tehran 13 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Learn about Iran’s power and influence tracing back centuries, to its controversial actions today. • Explore such historical sites as Persepolis and Pasargadae, which date to the fifth century B.C. • The cities of Isfahan and Shiraz form the crux of your journey, featuring the greatest architectural and intellectual achievements of Persian culture. • Follow ancient trade routes and see how they shaped the region. • With the guidance of a Times-selected expert, gain unparalleled insight into Iran.

Asia

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

34


Featured Expert: Elaine Sciolino Dec 27, 2015; March 1, Sept 1, Dec 6, 2016 Departures A writer for The New York Times, during her career she has held a number of positions including Paris bureau chief, United Nations bureau chief and chief diplomatic correspondent. Author of the award-winning book “Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran.” Roger Cohen February 14 Op-Ed columnist for The Times and former foreign correspondent and foreign editor.

Scott Peterson April 22 Journalist and photographer who covers the Middle East for the Christian Science Monitor.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Tehran

Tehran is a fascinating fusion of old and new; conservative elders uphold the traditions of the country’s past while the young and fashionable find ways to celebrate in a country that bans alcohol. The city itself may be crowded and a little on the dusty side, but the grit gives it flavor and even color, helped by hundreds of well-kept parks. In Tehran, you will visit several sites for insight into what you can expect in this ancient country, home at one time or another to many of the world’s religions. You will visit the Carpet Museum, Archaeological Museum and Jewelry Museum, which houses the Crown Jewels, most dating to the Safavid dynasty (1501−1736), often considered the beginning of Persian Islamic history. Laleh Hotel, Meals: L, D

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

35


Iran: Tales From Persia

DAY 2

A Birthplace of Culture

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Kermanshah, in Iran’s Kurdish northwest. After lunch, the afternoon will be filled with ancient sites and visits to the colorful bazaar. Kermanshah, considered one of the birthplaces of prehistoric culture, is also the birthplace of the author Doris Lessing. Parsian Kermanshah Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Along the Trade Route

Journey over the 7,000-foot-high Asadabad pass, and visit the remains of the Anahita Temple (247 B.C.–224 A.D.) in Kangavar before arriving in Bisotun to view the largest inscription from the first Persian Empire ever found. Explore what Judeo-Persians believe to be the tomb of Queen Esther and Mordechai. Zagros Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Falak-Ol-Aflak

In the Zagros Mountains, stop at the 1,800-year-old castle FalakOl-Aflak in Khorramabad. In Khomein, visit the family residence of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the cleric who engineered the fall of the Shah of Iran. Googad Citadel Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

On to Isfahan

This morning, drive to Isfahan and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, take a tour of the city including the 17th century Sio Se Pol and Khaju bridges, and Hasht Behesht palace. Kowsar Hotel or Abbasi Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

Isfahan the Center of Trade

Isfahan sits on both the east-west and north-south trade routes that transverse the country. Visit the Vank Cathedral, which belongs to the Armenian Christians who first came in the early 17th century. Continue with visits to the Sheikh Lotfollah, the first ladies’ mosque in the Islamic world, and see the incredible art and culture of Persian carpets at a gallery. Kowsar Hotel or Abbasi Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Art and Architecture

Today, visit Chehel-Sotoun Palace complete with frescoes and miniature paintings of the 17th-century Safavid dynasty, before viewing the Persian-Islamic architecture of the 1,000-year-old Jame’ mosque. After lunch, drive to Yazd, stopping en route in Nain, a Hebrew settlement that dates from the 6th century B.C. Arge Jadid or Moshir Hotel or Safiyeh Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Asia

36


DAY 8

Yazd and Religion

Today, visit a number of religious and culturally significant monuments including the “Tower of Silence” and the Zoroastrian fire-temple, whose flame has been kept alight continuously since 470 AD. From here, you'll walk through the old quarters of the city, visiting the prison of Alexander and Lariha Traditional House. After lunch, see the Dowlat Abad garden and its lofty wind tower. Arge Jadid or Moshir Hotel or Safiyeh Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

On to Shiraz

Today you drive to Shiraz, where on route you will visit a cleverly made ancient ice-house in Abarqu and the tomb of Cyrus the Great at the Unesco World Heritage site of Pasargadae town, the first Persian Achamenid capital in 6th century B.C. Bozorg Hotel or Chamran Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

The Beauty of Shiraz

Shiraz has long been synonymous with the arts: Genghis Khan spared it from destruction in the 13th century, and it was the Iranian capital in the 18th century. Visit the peaceful Eram Garden, the colorful bazaar

of Haji and the 19th-century Pink Mosque. Visit the tomb of the noted poet Hafez. Bozorg Hotel or Chamran Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 11

Persepolis, Rediscovered

Persepolis was looted by Alexander around 330 B.C. and lost under the desert. Modern excavation began in the 1930s, around the time Persia became Iran. Visit the remains of the Gate of all Nations, the Palace of 100 Columns and the Palace of Darius. Proceed to the royal necropolis in Naqsh-e Rostam. Bozorg Hotel or Chamran Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 12

Return to Tehran

Return to Tehran with a morning flight. Upon arrival you will drive to central Tehran to visit the 19th century Golestan Palace Complex, the residence of Qajar kings and the Coronation and Marriage Palace of the Pahlavi dynasty, with its art galleries and mirrored palaces. Laleh Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 13

Homeward Bound

This morning, transfer to the International Airport for your flights home or onward. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

DEC 27, 2015 – JAN 8, 2016 *

$7,195 sold out

$700

$150

Elaine Sciolino

FEB 14, 2016 – FEB 26, 2016

$7,195 sold out

$700

$300

Roger Cohen

MAR 1, 2016 – MAR 13, 2016

$7,195 sold out

$700

$300

Elaine Sciolino

APR 22, 2016 – MAY 4, 2016

$7,195 sold out

$700

$300

Scott Peterson

SEP 1, 2016 – SEP 13, 2016

$7,195 sold out

$700

$300

Elaine Sciolino

NOV 20, 2016 – DEC 2, 2016

$7,195

$700

$300

To be announced

DEC 6, 2016 – DEC 18, 2016

$7,195

$700

$300

Elaine Sciolino

* The 2015 itinerary differs slightly. Please call for a detailed itinerary.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

37


Myanmar: Behind the Headlines Myanmar has eased its 15-year restrictions on tourism. With insight from The New York Times and local experts, look into the heart of what was once called Burma on this 10-day journey. See golden pagodas, bountiful paddies and take an unvarnished look at Myanmar’s beauty and blemishes. History & Context Travelers 24 Places visited Yangon, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Bagan Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Myanmar 2 Around Yangon 3 The Floating Farms of Inle Lake 4 The Five-Day Market 5 A Cruise and Mandalay 6 The Buddhist Center of Myanmar 7 The Land of Pagodas 8 Ancient Temples and Religious Devotion 9 Dissidence in Myanmar 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Get exclusive insight into Myanmar’s troubled past from a Times journalist and local experts. • Visit the Five-Day Market, where local hill tribes come to buy and sell their goods. • Meet Ma Thanegi, former personal assistant of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and leader of the National League for Democracy. • Chat with a monk in a monastery in Mandalay. • Visit the last Jewish synagogue in Myanmar. • Join a chef on a visit to a local market to buy ingredients for a Burmese dish followed by a cooking lesson.

Asia

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Myanmar

Arrive in Yangon, formerly Rangoon, where contemporary and colonial Myanmar continue to coexist. Sule Shangri-La Hotel. DAY 2

Around Yangon

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda and its stupa with 8,688 solid gold slabs and thousands of jewels. Continue to the Reclining Buddha Pagoda, housing a 230-foot statue. Stop at Bogyoke Aung San Market, where Myanmar families shop. Sule Shangri-La Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

The Floating Farms of Inle Lake

Fly to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake. The lake is surrounded by floating islands, which are farmed by local women as the men fish nearby. Visit Ngaphaechaung Monastery, built on stilts over the lake. Pristine Lotus Spa Resort, Meals: B, D DAY 4

The Five-Day Market

Visit the Five-Day Market, where the local hill tribes come to buy and sell their goods. You and your chef will buy provisions, the chef and kitchen helpers will teach you how to prepare traditional Shan dishes for lunch. Pristine Lotus Spa Resort, Meals: B, L

Tour operated by Abercrombie & Kent

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Featured Expert: Steven Erlanger September 5 Departure Steven Erlanger became the London bureau chief of The New York Times in August 2013. He has held a number of bureau chief positions, including Paris, Jerusalem and Bangkok. He has traveled several times to Myanmar, writing about the refugee plight after the crackdown on the democracy movement. He shared a Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for a series on Al Qaeda awarded in 2002. Ray Wilkinson March 7 Departure Former foreign correspondent for UPI and Newsweek, covering principally the emerging world, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

DAY 8 DAY 5

A Cruise and Mandalay

Cruise to Indein. Visit the old Shwe Inn Dein, a collection of ancient Shan style stupas. See the silk weaving industry at Inn Paw Khone Village, then fly to Mandalay. Mandalay Hill Resort, Meals: B, D DAY 6

The Buddhist Center of Myanmar

DAY 7

Take a horse cart to Ananda Temple, known for its four large golden Buddha statues. Observe the ancient process of lacquerware at a workshop. See the Sulamani Temple, one of the largest ruins in the vicinity. Bagan Lodge, Meals: B, L DAY 9

Visit Shwenandaw Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda, with 729 marble slabs containing the entire Buddhist canon. Visit a gold-leaf-beating workshop and an image of a Buddha covered by many layers of gold leaf. Visit Sagaing, which supports dozens of monasteries. Talk one-on-one with a monk. Mandalay Hill Resort, Meals: B, L

The Land of Pagodas

Dissidence in Myanmar

Back in Yangon, tour Musmeah Yeshua, the last synagogue in Myanmar. Walking through Chinatown, hear Ma Thanegi, the former personal assistant of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate, speak candidly about the situation in Myanmar. Sule Shangri-La Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 10

In Bagan, the remains of 2,000 pagodas, temples and stupas dot the plains. Visit the market in Nyaung U and explore the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, built to house the Buddha’s collarbone, frontal bone and tooth. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River. Bagan Lodge, Meals: B, D

Ancient Temples and Religious Devotion

Homeward Bound

This morning, transfer to Yangon’s International Airport to depart for home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR(FROM)

EXPERT

MAR 7, 2016 – MAR 16, 2016

$5,795

$1,695

$565

Ray Wilkinson

SEP 5, 2016 – SEP 14, 2016

$5,395

$1,395

$565

Steven Erlanger

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

39


The ’Stans of Asia: Follow the Silk Route Though they were ruled by Russia or the Soviet Union for more than 100 years, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have remained far more connected to their earlier histories. This 11-day journey, with insight and guidance from Times-selected experts, will take you deep into the heart of these Silk Road nations. History & Context Travelers 20 Places visited Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Ashgabat, Khiva Itinerary 11 days, 10 nights 1 Welcome to the ’Stans 2 On the Road to Samarkand 3 A City of Mosques and Shrines 4 Master Ceramicists 5 Bukhara’s Old Quarter 6 On to Turkmenistan 7 Ancient Merv 8 A New City in an Old Land 9 Last Stop in Turkmenistan 10 Back to Tashkent 11 Homeward Bound

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to the ’Stans

Upon arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, (usually in the middle of the night), you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. In the morning, explore Tashkent, including the Khast Imam complex, the Chorsu Bazaar, Independence Square, Amir Timur Museum and Alisher Navoi Theater. Tashkent International Hotel, Meals: L, D DAY 2

On the Road to Samarkand

Take a high-speed train to Samarkand, a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Samarkand’s strategic location made it a major part of the Silk Road. Visit Registan Square, with its intricate designs and vibrant colors of the stunning blue-tiled mosques and madrassas. Dinner is in a Unesco-recognized old house. Registan Plaza Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Journey Highlights • Visit many legendary Silk Road cities including Samarkand and Bukhara. • Soak up the history of this region from Alexander the Great to Tamerlane to the Soviets. • Shop for famous carpets, handicrafts and spices in bustling, colorful markets. • Climb the Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara, known as the “Death Tower.” • Gain insight into the turmoils past and present in Central Asia.

Asia

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 3

In Samarkand, visit Guri Emir, the mausoleum where Amir Timur and his family are buried, and Registan Square, with intricate designs and blue-tiled mosques and madrassas (Islamic schools). Visit the mausoleums of Shah-iZinda, site of Central Asia’s most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of Bibi Khanum and the adjacent colorful market. Registan Plaza Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Featured Expert: Laura Shaine Cunningham

A City of Mosques and Shrines

Master Ceramicists

Drive to Gijduvan and visit a famous ceramist family, the Narzullaevs, who have made beautiful pieces for six generations. Watch the ceramic-making process; a master class is available on request. After lunch with the Narzullaevs, drive to Bukhara, the former capital of the once-powerful Emirate of Bukhara and now a Unesco World Heritage site. Asia Bukhara Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

May 23 Departure Laura Shaine Cunningham is an author, playwright and journalist. Her play, “Beautiful Bodies” (Devichnik in Russian) is the most popular contemporary play by a woman in Eastern Europe. Laura is the author of the best-selling novel “The Passion of Marie Romanov” and the forthcoming memoir: “Forbidden Russia: An American Writer Searches for her Roots and Royalties.”

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Jeanne Pinder Former Times International Desk Editor and expert on Soviet and Eastern European affairs.

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The ’Stans of Asia: Follow the Silk Route

DAY 5

Bukhara’s Old Quarter

Explore the old quarter, including Kalyan Minaret, one of Central Asia’s tallest and nicknamed “The Tower of Death.” Visit the Ark, the massive fortress that was home to the royal court for centuries. Have a dinner of plov, a local rice dish, and see a folklore and national dress show at Nodir Devonbegi Madrassa. Asia Bukhara Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

On to Turkmenistan

Drive to the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border and, after lengthy border formalities, have lunch in a local cafe and continue to Mary. Bordering the Caspian Sea and largely desert, Turkmenistan has large natural gas reserves. In recent years, its veil of isolation has lifted some, though it is still often criticized for authoritarian practices. Margush Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Ancient Merv

Visit ancient Merv, for about 300 years the biggest city in Central Asia. Merv was built and destroyed numerous times over the centuries, though its importance to the Silk Road gave it its most prominence. After touring Merv, return to Mary and explore the history museum. In the early evening, fly to Ashgabat. Oguzkent Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

A New City in an Old Land

Ashgabat, the capital, is a new city by Turkmen standards. All but destroyed in a 1948 earthquake, the city is a mix of Soviet-style buildings and grandiose monuments. See the biggest mausoleum complex in Central Asia, containing “Turkmenbashi,” Saparmurat Niyazov, the former president for life. Visit Old Nissa, the sanctuary of Parthian kings. Oguzkent Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

Last Stop in Turkmenistan

Fly to Dashoguz, an important stop on the Silk Road. Take an excursion to Kunya-Urgench, the former capital of the Khwarazmian Empire and a Unesco World Heritage site. Visit Kutlug Timur, the tallest minaret in Central Asia. Drive back into Uzbekistan, then continue to Khiva. Asia Khiva Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Back to Tashkent

Khiva was another Silk Road stop, but it was known for its slave trading. Set off to explore Khiva on foot, including Kunya-Ark Fortress and several mosques, madrassas and minarets, most of them restored by the Soviets. After lunch at a local family’s house, continue sightseeing, then fly back to Tashkent.Tashkent International Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 11

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meal: B

Asia

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Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 4, 2016 – APR 14, 2016

$6,195 sold out

$800

$280

Jeanne Pinder

MAY 23, 2016 – JUN 2, 2016

$6,195

$800

$280

Laura Shaine Cunningham

SEP 5, 2016 – SEP 15, 2016

$6,195

$800

$280

To be announced

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

43


Turkey’s Ancient Past At the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, Turkey has had an outsized role in civilization. On this 10-day journey, visit some of its archaeological treasures, above and below ground, and learn more about how Turkey maintains ties to its past. History & Context Travelers 20 Places visited Istanbul, Bodrum, Izmir, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Kaymakli Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Turkey 2 Istanbul’s Treasures 3 Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces 4 The Underwater History of Turkey 5 Greek Temples and Ruins 6 Ephesus and the Temple of Diana 7 Wind-Sculpted Rocks and Carved Churches 8 The Underground City 9 On the Bosporus 10 Homeward Bound

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Turkey

Arrive in Istanbul, replete with opulent palaces, mosques, churches, museums, bazaars, delectable dining and a thriving night life. Meet your fellow travelers for a cocktail, briefing and dinner. Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Meal: D DAY 2

Istanbul’s Treasures

Take a private, before-hours tour of the Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Visit the sixth-century Basilica Cistern, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and the Rustem Pasha Mosque. Continue to the Spice Bazaar and the 3,500-stall Grand Bazaar. Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces

Discover Topkapi Palace’s breathtaking grounds and alluring exhibits. It was from here that the Turks ruled most of the Mediterranean and Western Orient. Explore the 19th-century Dolmabahce Palace. Fly to Bodrum. The Marmara Bodrum, Meals: B, L, D

Journey Highlights • Visit Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture, before it opens to the public. • See the Spice Bazaar, where you will visit a coffee roaster and baklava master, and the 3,500-stall Grand Bazaar. • Don an apron and join a chef in his native Bodrum for a cooking lesson followed by lunch. • View the fantastic and mysterious rock churches of Cappadocia and an underground city in Kaymakli. • Lunch with a local family in Cappadocia in the garden of their home. • Attend a dinner with a Turkish journalist for insight into the press and freedom in Turkey.

Asia

Tour operated by Abercrombie & Kent

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DAY 4

Explore Bodrum’s Museum of Underwater Archaeology, containing amphorae and glassware dating from 2000 B.C. to 1200 A.D. Join a native chef for a Turkish cooking lesson and lunch. The Marmara Bodrum, Meals: B, L DAY 5

Greek Temples and Ruins

En route to Izmir, said to be the birthplace of Homer, stop at the Temple of Zeus at Euromos. Continue to the well-preserved ruins of Priene and the remnants of the once-mighty city of Miletus. Renaissance Izmir Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

Featured Expert: Alan Cowell

The Underwater History of Turkey

April 11 Departure Since joining The Times in 1981 he has served as a foreign correspondent and bureau chief based in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Ephesus and the Temple of Diana

Explore the remains of Ephesus. Visit the site of the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and tour the recently excavated Terrace Houses. Renaissance Izmir Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 7

Wind-Sculptured Rocks and Carved Churches

Fly to Cappadocia, where the soft volcanic rock has been sculptured into astonishing shapes by wind and erosion. Explore the rock-carved churches at the Goreme Open Air Museum. Stop at the potters of Avanos, whose craft is over 5,000 years old. Yunak Evleri Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Chris Wren May 9 Departure Former Times foreign correspondent based in Moscow, Cairo, Beijing and elsewhere. John Burns September 19 Departure Former Times Foreign Correspondent and the winner of two Pulitzer prizes, based in Johannesbug during apartheid.

The Underground City

Visit the Goreme Weavers Association to examine the tradition and art of weaving in Turkey. Discover the fascinating underground city at Kaymakli, as deep as 140 feet below ground. Lunch with a local family in their garden. Yunak Evleri Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 9

On the Bosporus

Back in Istanbul, and explore the ancient City Walls and Chora Church, known for its rich Byzantine decorations. Take a cruise along the Bosporus. Gather for dinner with a Turkish journalist, who will give insight into journalism in Turkey. Park Hyatt Istanbul – Macka Palas, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

Transfer to Istanbul’s International Airport for your departure flight. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 11, 2016 – APR 20, 2016

$6,995

$2,495

From $485

Alan Cowell

MAY 9, 2016 – MAY 18, 2016

$7,195

$2,495

From $485

Chris Wren

SEP 19, 2016 – SEP 28, 2016

$7,195

$2,495

From $485

John Burns

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

45


Vietnam: Lingering Legacies of a War The Vietnam War ended 40 years ago, but it resonates in names like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. This 10-day journey from north to south of this now-unified communist nation will show you the scars and spirit of this beautiful land. History & Context Travelers 20 Places visited Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Dong Ha, DMZ, Khe Sanh, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Vietnam 2 Around Hanoi 3 Ha Long Bay Cruise 4 To the Former Citadel of Vietnam 5 The Remains of War 6 Imperial Rule and Ancient Pagoda 7 On the Water and in Hoi An 8 Saigon, a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh City 9 The Tunnels of Cu Chi 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Visit iconic sites of the Vietnam War, in both the North and South. • See two tunnel networks that protected Vietcong soldiers and ordinary families. • Spend a night on a traditional junk. • See the cosmopolitan and yet still colonial cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. • Visit a city whose importance in Vietnam’s past allowed it to be protected from the war. • Meet with a Vietnamese veteran for personal insights into the war.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, meet your fellow Times travelers at a local restaurant. Hotel de L’Opéra, Meal: D DAY 2

Around Hanoi

Visit the local market on Ngoc Ha Street and see the remains of a B-52D shot down in 1972. Travel to sites heavily damaged by American bombs and hear a Vietnamese veteran’s personal story. Visit the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. Hotel de L’Opéra, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Ha Long Bay Cruise

Travel to Ha Long Bay, a Unesco World Heritage site with 3,000 islands of towering limestone. Board a private junk for a cruise of Ha Long Bay with your own captain, chef and waiter. Enjoy a meal of fresh seafood on deck. Private traditional junk, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

To the Former Citadel of Vietnam

Cruise and relax in the morning. Visit a Vietnamese martyrs’ cemetery in memory of those who died in the war, and stop at the traditional pottery village of Phu Lang. Take an evening flight to Hue, a former capital of Vietnam. La Résidence Resort & Spa, Meals: B, D

Asia

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 5

In Dong Ha, visit the Demilitarization Zone, the 17th Parallel and the Vinh Moc tunnel, where 60 families lived for more than six years. See the Ho Chi Minh Trail and meet the Paco minority people. Visit Khe Sanh, site of one of the war’s bloodiest battles. La Résidence Resort & Spa, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Imperial Rule and Ancient Pagoda

Visit the Imperial City and Citadel in Hue, the site of a major battle. Visit a garden house in Phu Mong and the ancient pagoda in Thien Mu. Drive to Hoi An via the scenic Hai Van Pass, stopping at the Da Nang beach nicknamed China Beach by U.S. soldiers. Boutique Hoi An Resort, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

On the Water and in Hoi An

Take a boat to the mouth of the Thu Bon River, then a smaller bamboo boat to explore a mangrove forest. Stroll to Hoi An town, spared by the war, with its well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Boutique Hoi An Resort, Meals: B, L DAY 8

Saigon, a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh City

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, and explore the former capital of French Indochina. Landmarks include the Reunification Palace, where the war ended in 1975; the ornate former City Hall; Notre Dame Cathedral; and the Central Post Office, by Gustave Eiffel. Renaissance Riverside Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 9

Featured Expert: Nell McShane Wulfhart

The Remains of War

Feb 22, Sept 19 Departures Nell McShane Wulfhart is a travel journalist who lived in Ho Chi Minh City from 2006 to 2010. She has traveled extensively in Vietnam and reported on Vietnamese culture, history, travel highlights, and food. Currently based in Uruguay, she is a contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Travel+Leisure, The Guardian, and other national and international publications. Ruth Fremson Oct 3 Departure Ruth Fremson is a Pulitzer Prizewinning staff photographer for The New York Times with extensive national and international experience. Currently based in Seattle, she spent many years working on assignment in Washington, D.C., the Middle East and South Asia. Her work, which has earned numerous awards, can be found in many books and is part of the Akron Art Museum’s collection.

The Tunnels of Cu Chi

Visit the tunnel network of Cu Chi, which sheltered over 16,000 Vietcong guerrillas during two wars; go inside, if you dare. Visit the home of a famous husband-wife team of musicians. Visit the Ben Thanh market, followed by a farewell dinner. Renaissance Riverside Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

The day is free at your leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Renaissance Riverside Hotel, Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

FEB 22, 2016 – MAR 2, 2016

$6,195

$900

$275

Nell McShane Wulfhart

MAR 14, 2016 – MAR 23, 2016

$6,195

$900

$275

To be announced

SEP 5, 2016 – SEP 14, 2016

$6,195

$900

$275

To be announced

SEP 19, 2016 – SEP 28, 2016

$6,195

$900

$275

Nell McShane Wulfhart

OCT 3, 2016 – OCT 12, 2016

$6,195

$900

$275

Ruth Fremson

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

47


The Israeli-Palestinian Conundrum Travel behind the media lens to explore the broad spectrum of the Israeli-Palestinian experience on a journey through 3,000 years of history, politics and religion. Enjoy extraordinary opportunities to hear from opinion makers, scholars, religious leaders, grassroots activists and media experts. Visit the highlights of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho and Caesarea.

Itinerary

Politics & Perspectives Travelers 25 Places visited Israel and Palestinian Territories Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Welcome to Israel 2 An Overview 3 On the Ground 4 Demographics and Tolerance 5 Christianity and the Ancient City of Safed 6 On the Road to Jerusalem 7 A Shared and Disputed City 8 Yad Vashem and the West Bank 9 Homeward Bound

Visit a border crossing along the 1967 Green Line dividing Palestinian and Israeli territory, including a special briefing by a strategic intelligence analyst (Col. (Res.) Miri Eisin on the March 2016 departure). Visit Caesarea, built by Herod the Great. Visit the Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa, an NGO fostering tolerance and promoting peace and advancement in the Middle East. Carlton Tel Aviv, Meal: B

DAY 1

Welcome to Israel

Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport and transfer to Tel Aviv, one of the Mediterranean’s most thriving and energetic cities. Check into the hotel and enjoy a welcome cocktail upon arrival. This evening, get to know your fellow New York Times travelers at a welcome dinner. Carlton Tel Aviv, Meal: D DAY 2

An Overview

Hear a briefing by a U.S. Embassy attaché on the current U.S.-Israeli relationship. Visit the Arab-Hebrew Theater in Jaffa. Then, meet with Dr. Dalia Fadila, the provost of Al-Qasemia Academy, an Arab college of education in Israel, to learn about her work leading projects on issues of gender, culture, identity and education. Explore Jaffa and visit Neve Tzedek, a Jewish neighborhood built outside the walls. Carlton Tel Aviv, Meals: B, L DAY 3

On the Ground

Journey Highlights • Visit border crossings, West Bank settlements, kibbutzim, cultural centers and organizations involved in the peace process. • Tour the Holy Land’s most famous sights, including Nazareth, Jericho, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives and the Western Wall. • Meet with local people affected by regional issues and gain an understanding of daily life in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Asia

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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During the tour you will meet with experts from both Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds. Please contact us for the most recent details.

DAY 6

On the Road to Jerusalem

En route to Jerusalem, stop at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, a leader in organic farming in Israel. In Jericho, on the West Bank, meet with a local Palestinian representative to discuss the Middle East peace process. Stop at Mount Scopus, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Inbal Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 7

DAY 4

Ascend the Mount of Olives, then walk the Old City to the Western Wall. Visit the Christian and Jewish Quarters. Take a borders and boundaries tour with an Israeli and a Palestinian. Meet Col. (Res.) Danny Tirza, in charge of planning the security fence. Tonight, you are scheduled to hear Linda Gradstein, a journalist and analyst. Inbal Hotel, Meals: B, D

Demographics and Tolerance

Visit Beit Hagefen in Haifa, an Arab-Israeli cultural center dedicated to promoting coexistence. At Haifa University, meet with Arnon Soffer, a geostrategic and adviser to the Israeli government. Lunch is in a Druze community on the slopes of Mount Carmel, followed by a drive to Nazareth for a tour of the city that was home to Jesus during his youth. Nof Ginosar Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

A Shared and Disputed City

Christianity and the Ancient City of Safed

Visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus is believed to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and the Capernaum synagogue where he preached. See the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, known as the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. After lunch, visit Safed, one of the four holy cities in the Jewish tradition. Nof Ginosar Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8

Yad Vashem and the West Bank

Visit Yad Vashem, the living memorial to the Holocaust. Then, visit Rawabi, outside of Ramallah, the first Palestinian planned city and the largest private-sector project undertaken in Palestine. Meet Sam Bahour, a Palestinian American businessman involved in the project. This evening, reflect on the experiences at a farewell dinner in Jerusalem. Inbal Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 9

Homeward Bound

Transfer to Ben-Gurion International Airport for flights home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

Meet with experts from both Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds.

MAR 18, 2016 – MAR 26, 2016

$5,950

$1,595

N/A

SEP 16, 2016 – SEP 24, 2016

$5,950

$1,595

N/A

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

49


Tibet: In China and in Depth China claims Tibet (the Tibetan Autonomous Region) as its own, but Tibetans have always considered themselves Tibetans, not Chinese: The thousands who live outside Tibet are both part of China and apart from it. In this 12-day journey, visit temples, cities and villages and see how Tibetans keep their cultures and religion alive. Politics & Perspectives Travelers 20 Places visited Linxia, Xiahe, Rebkong, Lijiang, Shangri-La Itinerary 12 days, 11 nights 1 Welcome to China 2 The Labrang Monastery 3 The Artistic Capital of Tibet 4 A Home to Many Lamas 5 A Day With Nature 6 The White Buddha Temple 7 The Little Tower Temple 8 The Venice of China 9 The Road to Shangri-La 10 Shangri-La 11 Nixi Black Pottery 12 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Visit Linxia, with its more than 90 mosques. • See the Labrang Monastery, with more priests than anywhere outside Tibet itself. • Dine with Tibetans in their homes to learn more about their lives. • Learn about the beautiful cloth thangkas of Rebkong and the black pottery of Nixi village. • View deep gorges and the view from high mountains.

Asia

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to China

Arrive in Beijing on your own, and fly to Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province. Upon arrival in Lanzhou, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. A trip briefing will be followed by a welcome dinner. Gansu Sunshine Plaza Hotel, Meal: D DAY 2

The Labrang Monastery

Visit the important Islamic center of Linxia, then head to Xiahe, at the confluence of Tibetan, Hui Muslim, Han Chinese and other ethnic groups. Visit the Labrang Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) School of Tibetan Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect, led by the Dalai Lama. Labrang Civil Aviation Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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Featured Expert: Richard Bernstein May 8, May 29 Departure One of the first American journalists to be stationed in the People’s Republic of China, Richard Bernstein opened Time magazine’s bureau in Beijing in 1980. He is the author of nine books, and his writings on China and other subjects have appeared in The New Republic, the International Herald Tribune, Foreign Affairs, and the New York Review of Books. John Burns April 18 Departure Long-time foreign correspondent for The Times and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, based in Johannesburg during apartheid.

Howard French June 12 Departure Formerly a Times correspondent based in China, Central America and West Africa, he is now an associate professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

DAY 3

The Artistic Capital of Tibet

Transfer to Qinghai Province and Rebkong (Tongren), often called the artistic capital of Tibet, known for its thangkas, elaborate, colorful paintings on silk or other cloth. Visit the Wutun Monastery — which is really two monasteries. Visit the house of a local Tibetan family to experience life as they live it. Regong Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

A Home to Many Lamas

Visit the Longwu Monastery, one of the leading monasteries in the Amdo Tibetan area, with more than 800 lamas living inside. Built in 1301, the monastery has many golden-eaved temples and labyrinthine alleyways, and a 40-foottall gilded statue of the founder of Gelugpa Buddhism, Tsongkhapa, one of the largest of its kind in Qinghai. Travel to Xining, capital of Qinghai Province and an important stop on the Silk Road. Qinghai Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

51


Tibet: In China and in Depth

Asia

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DAY 5

A Day With Nature

DAY 10

Visit Sun and Moon Mountain, whose 11,500-foot summit offers a superb panorama of prairie and farmland. Head to Kokonor (Qinghai) Lake, the largest lake in China, and the largest saltwater lake as well. Travel to Bird Island, a breeding ground for thousands of wild geese, gulls, cormorants, extremely rare black-necked cranes and other bird species. Bird Island Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

The White Buddha Temple

After breakfast, drive to Xihai via Gangcha. In Xihai, visit the White Buddha temple and spend time with a local Tibetan family. In the afternoon, transfer back to Xining. Qinghai Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

The Little Tower Temple

In the morning, visit the huge Kumbum Monastery in Xining, also called the Little Tower Temple. This complex, founded in 1583, is another of the six most important Gelugpa monasteries. It houses remnants of The Tree of Great Merit, said to have the face of Buddha on every leaf and the trunk. Later, fly to Lijiang. Banyan Tree Lijiang, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Shangri-La

This city, formerly known as Zhongdian or Gyalthang in Tibetan, was renamed in the early 21st century to evoke the utopian paradise described in the 1933 novel “Lost Horizon.” In the morning, visit the Songzanlin Monastery, the largest in Yunnan. Talk with a living Buddha or the bishop, if one is available. Visit Ringha Temple and an orphanage. Songtsam Retreat, Meals: B, L, D DAY 11

Nixi Black Pottery

Drive to Nixi village to learn about Nixi black pottery, where the process has not changed in thousands of years. Visit Yunnan’s only Tibetan monastery of nuns as well as the Monastery of East Bamboo Forest. Dinner will be in a local Tibetan family’s home, allowing you to experience the life of local Tibetans. Songtsam Retreat, Meals: B, L, D DAY 12

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights to Beijing via Kunming, and then home or onward. Meal: B

The Venice of China

The canals that wind through Lijiang give this city the nickname of the Venice of China. In the morning, go sightseeing in the ancient town of Lijiang. After lunch, move on to Wenhai Snow Town for a visit to the wizard of the Yi minority group. Dinner will be in a local home for authentic local flavor. Banyan Tree Lijiang, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

The Road to Shangri-La

Drive to Shangri-La with stops on the way at Zhiyuan Monastery, with its three gilded Buddhas on a lotus throne; the bend where the Yangtze River reverses direction; the ancient towns in Shigu; and Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river gorges in the world. Dinner will be on your own tonight. Songtsam Retreat, Meals: B, L

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 18, 2016 – APR 29, 2016

$6,995

$1,800

$1,450

John Burns

MAY 8, 2016 – MAY 19, 2016

$6,995

$1,800

$1,450

Richard Bernstein

MAY 29, 2016 – JUN 9, 2016

$6,995

$1,800

$1,450

Richard Bernstein

JUN 12, 2016 – JUN 23, 2016

$6,995

$1,800

$1,450

Howard French

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

53


Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia Take a kaleidoscopic voyage from Thailand’s lush landscape, to India’s beaches and urban scene, and the Arabian Peninsula’s ancient deserts and 21st-century skylines. Voyage from Singapore to the United Arab Emirates on the Celebrity Constellation. On board, hear from New York Times journalists and a world historian on topics ranging from Congress, politics, business and current events to international diplomacy and South Asian and Persian Gulf history. Sailing & Cruises Vessel Celebrity Constellation Places visited Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Cochin, New Mangalore, Goa and Mumbai (Bombay), India; Muscat, Oman; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Itinerary 16 days, 15 nights 1 Singapore: Sail Away 2 At Sea: Strait of Malacca 3 Phuket: Jewel of the Andaman Sea 4 At Sea: In the Andaman Sea 5 At Sea: Across the Bay of Bengal 6 Sri Lanka: Serendipity’s Home 7 At Sea: In the Sea of Pearls 8 Cochin: A Spicy History 9 New Mangalore: A Tale of Temples and Churches 10 Goa: European Echoes Amid India’s Biodiversity 11 Mumbai: The Bustling Big Picture of India 12 At Sea: In the Arabian Sea 13 At Sea: The Gulf of Oman 14 Oman: A Pragmatic Kingdom 15 Dubai: City of Imagination 16 Abu Dhabi: Homeward Bound

Asia

Journey Highlights • Mingle with award-winning Times journalists and experts. • Learn about politics, international and regional affairs, business and Asian history in exclusive settings. • Visit historic and exotic cities in ancient lands. • Expand your knowledge and experience many different cultures, and still have plenty of time to relax.

Itinerary DAY 1

Singapore: Sail Away

Arrive in Singapore, and board the Celebrity Constellation in late morning. Meet your fellow Times Journey travelers in the afternoon, as the Constellation heads into the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, separating Singapore from the Malay Peninsula. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: L, D aboard ship DAY 2

At Sea: Strait of Malacca

As the Constellation sails northwest through the Strait of Malacca, attend your first Times Journeys seminar, focusing on current affairs. There will also be time to relax and get to know the Constellation and your fellow travelers. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 3

Phuket: Jewel of the Andaman Sea

Your first port of call is Phuket, Thailand. Ruled at one time by Portugal and the Netherlands, Phuket has an interesting blend of cultures and architectural styles. Phuket offers great beaches, or take a boat trip on a local “longtail” boat in Phang Nga Bay, with its spectacular limestone islands sculpted by the elements. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship

Tour operated by Insight Cruises

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DAY 4

At Sea: In the Andaman Sea

Spend a day absorbed in sessions with Times journalists as you traverse the Andaman Sea en route to the Bay of Bengal. Known for its valuable fisheries, innumerable verdant islands, biodiversity and spectacular coral reefs, the Andaman Sea also has an archipelago: the Andaman Islands, some of which belong to India and some to Myanmar. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 5

At Sea: Across the Bay of Bengal

Enjoy another full day at sea, filled with intellectual stimulation and informed discussion with your Times journalists, historian and fellow Times passengers. Today you cross the Bay of Bengal, the largest bay in the world. An arm of the Indian Ocean bordering India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar, the Bay of Bengal is fed by the confluence of the legendary Ganges, Irrawaddy and Brahmaputra Rivers. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 6

Sri Lanka: Serendipity’s Home

Spend the day in Sri Lanka, a world unto itself. Formerly called Ceylon, and even earlier known as Serendip, this teardrop-shaped nation is home to many religious and ethnic groups. Spend the day with its Buddhist culture, or experience its world-leading spice industry. Visit a tea plantation, or just relax. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 7

At Sea: In the Sea of Pearls

Head northwest in the Laccadive Sea. The Gulf of Mannar, between Sri Lanka and the southern tip of India, has been a fertile source of natural pearls for thousands of years. On board, learn about timely and timeless issues and have an informal opportunity to ask speakers questions, exchange ideas or just chat. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 8

Cochin: A Spicy History

Cochin, also called Kochi, has been a hub of the spice trade for almost 3,000 years, known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” While away the tropical hours in a boat trip through the nearby Alappuzha lagoons and paddies, or focus on the architecture tour. Or witness a performance of Kathakali, a classical dancedrama form. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: L, D aboard ship DAY 9

New Mangalore: A Tale of Temples and Churches

Mangalore reflects the Indian and European cultures that shaped it, with many Christian churches and Hindu temples. Nearby Moodabidri is the center of Jain worship, with the Thousand Pillars Temple and Guru Basadi monument, as well as Hindu and Catholic sites. Nearby is Soans Farm, a model for sustainable farming of spices and local fruit. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship

Carl Hulse Carl Hulse is chief Washington correspondent of The New York Times and managing editor of First Draft, a political news stream and morning email newsletter. He has worked for The Times and its newspapers for nearly three decades. Craig Benjamin, PH.D. Craig Benjamin is associate professor of history in the Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, and president of the World History Association. He has spent much of his life hiking and climbing in many of the great mountain ranges of the world. Maureen Dowd Maureen Dowd is a Pulitzer Prize winner, author of two best sellers, and has been a Times Op-Ed columnist since 1995. During her tenure she also served as The Times's White House correspondent and wrote “On Washington,” a column for The New York Times Magazine. Warren Hoge Warren Hoge worked at The New York Times for more than 30 years, in positions that included bureau chief; editor of The New York Times Magazine; and an assistant managing editor. He is now a senior adviser to the International Peace Institute. Joe Nocera Joe Nocera is a Sports columnist at The Times. Prior to this he wrote an Op-Ed column, and before that the "Talking Business" column, as well as for The New York Times magazine. A Pulitzer prize finalist and winner of numerous awards, Mr. Nocera is also the author of three books and a commentator for NPR.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

55


Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

DAY 14

Oman: A Pragmatic Kingdom

An ancient seafaring and trading crossroads, Oman today is known for its cultural tourism. Outdoor activities, architectural tours, archaeological attractions and seafood-centered meals are a few of the many possibilities for a day in Muscat, Oman’s capital, or head for the souk for high-intensity shopping. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 15

DAY 10

Goa: European Echoes Amid India’s Biodiversity

Spend a day in Portuguese-inflected Old Goa, visiting historic churches and convents (including the tomb of Francis Xavier), or head out into Goa’s countryside to survey the terrain, visit the Shree Shantadurga temple, with its unusual pyramidal tower, and glimpse the flora and fauna Goa cherishes. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 11

Mumbai: The Bustling Big Picture of India

Mumbai, formerly Bombay, has 20 million people speaking 16 major languages and observing eight main religions. Spend the day soaking in this cultural bonanza. Get the big picture from Mumbai’s architectural landmarks, or experience life at some of its many markets. Visit historic sites from Portuguese colonial days, the British Raj and the life of Gandhi. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 12

At Sea: In the Arabian Sea

Dubai: City of Imagination

Traverse the Strait of Hormuz and arrive at the Emirate of Dubai, glittering night and day on the shore of the Persian Gulf. For your last full day, you can visit the improbable Miracle Gardens, imaginative Jumeirah Palm Island and the epic Dubai Mall. In late afternoon, head for the world’s tallest building, Burj Kalifa, and ascend to its SKY experience on the 124th, 125th and 148th levels to watch dusk fall, and later catch a light show at the Dubai Fountain. Or spend a day in Dubai’s compact and historic Bastakia Quarter. Take a traditional water taxi across The Creek to stroll the spice souk and exercise your bargaining skills at the gold souk, one of the least expensive places in the world to buy high-quality gold items. Back aboard ship, reflect on the discussions, people and cultures on your adventure, and exchange farewells. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 16

Abu Dhabi: Homeward Bound

After breakfast, disembark the Constellation for the last time and begin your trip home. Be warned, though: Abu Dhabi’s fusion of traditional culture and cosmopolitan modernity tempt many visitors to linger a bit longer before heading home. Celebrity Constellation, Meal: Breakfast aboard ship

As you sail northward into the Arabian Sea, spend the day in seminars with New York Times journalists and experts and in traditional shipboard pleasures. While the Arabian Sea is a crossroads of petroleum shipping, the sea harbors many species of whales, turtles and dolphins along with dugongs and porpoises. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 13

At Sea: The Gulf of Oman

Another day at sea, on the way to the Arabian Peninsula, allows you to attend more seminars with New York Times journalists and experts and reflect on this Times Journeys adventure. The Gulf of Oman has been an important trade conduit since pre-Roman times, and is an important migratory bird pathway between Asia and Africa. Celebrity Constellation, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship

Asia

Tour operated by Insight Cruises

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Deck Plans Millennium Class

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS

Celebrity Constellation

Occupancy: Tonnage: Length: Beam: Draught: Cruising Speed: Electric Current: Ship’s Registry:

®

Deck Plans

Sports Deck Sunrise Deck Resort Deck Sky Deck Panorama Deck Vista Deck Penthouse Deck Entertainment Deck Promenade Deck Plaza Deck Continental Deck

WATER LEVEL

Staterooms 6016, 6018, 6020, 6021, 6023, 6025, 7014, 7016, 7017, 7018, 7019, 7021, 8006, 8007, 8047, 8048, 8049, 8050, 8051, 8052, 8053, 8054, 9004, 9005, 9034, 9039 and 9090 have partially obstructed views.

DECK NUM BERS REFLECT UPPER GUEST LEV ELS CO N V ER T I BLE S O FA BED O N E U PPER BERT H

Staterooms 6102, 6108, 7136, 7142, 8102, 8108, 9094 and 9100 have smaller verandas that are semi-private.

T W O U PPER BERT H S CO N N ECT I N G STAT ER O O M S INSIDE STAT EROOM DOOR LOCAT ION W H EELC H A I R A CC ESS I BLE STAT ER O O M FEAT U R I N G R O LL- I N S H OW ER

Sports

2,170 91,000 965 feet 105 feet 26 feet 24 knots 110/220 AC Malta

Some staterooms are accessible for wheelchair users and other guests with disabilities, and include roll-in showers. Please see the specific ship deck plans forthe locations of all wheelchair accessible staterooms.

Sunrise

Resort

Sky

Panorama

Vista

Penthouse

Entertainment

Promenade

Plaza

Continental

To view a larger version of the deckplan, visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

APR 2, 2017 – APR 17, 2017

Interior Ocean View Balcony Sky Suite

$4,427 $5,217 $6,017 $9,070

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

$1,909 $2,199 $2,999 $5,999

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

EXPERT

Carl Hulse, Warren Hoge, Craig Benjamin, Maureen Dowd, Joe Nocera

57


The Women of Jordan Discover the beautiful country of Jordan through the eyes of its women. Considered one of the more progressive countries in the Middle East for women’s rights, Jordan has established a legacy focused on the positive future of gender equality. Meet with top female leaders throughout Jordan to understand how, with the help of the royal family, the country is working to eliminate gender inequality. Women in Focus Travelers 25 Places visited Amman, Iraq al Amir, Karak, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Jordan 2 Jordan’s Capital City 3 Female Cooperatives in Jordan 4 Female Inheritance and Ownership 5 Aqaba and the Red Sea 6 A Night in the Valley of the Moon 7 The Ancient City of Petra 8 Nabataean Pottery and Amman 9 Women in the Arts 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Enjoy a private lecture and dinner with a Jordanian senator. • Meet with a female C.E.O. of a marketing firm to learn about the role of Jordanian women in social media. • Learn about women’s cooperatives throughout Jordan and the importance of tourism and handicrafts to the Jordanian economy. • Spend a night under the stars in the Wadi Rum desert, staying in a Bedouin-style camp.

Asia

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Jordan

Arrive at the Queen Alia International Airport and transfer to your Amman hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner. Marriott Amman Hotel, Meal: R, D DAY 2

Jordan’s Capital City

Tour Amman, starting with the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theater, and ending at the Jordan Archaeological Museum. Meet with the mayor of Amman to learn about the initiatives to foster women in professional industries. Dine with the female C.E.O. and co-founder of a Jordanian marketing firm, and learn of the challenges she faces. Marriott Amman Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Female Cooperatives in Jordan

Visit the Iraq al Amir Women’s Cooperative, which since 1994 has employed women in the production of handicrafts and food processing. Meet with the directors and women there and have a traditional lunch. This evening, attend a lecture, meeting and dinner with a Jordanian senator, who will discuss the changes for women in Jordan since the Arab Spring. Marriott Amman Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Female Inheritance and Ownership

Stop in the small city of Karak and learn about the General Federation for Jordanian Women’s campaign to educate women on their rights to inheritance and ownership. After lunch, continue to Aqaba, the coastal city at the northeastern tip of the Red Sea. The rest of the evening and dinner are on your own. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba, Meals: B, L

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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DAY 5

Spend the morning at leisure, enjoying the beautiful city of Aqaba. Jordan’s only coastal city, Aqaba’s strategic location has figured in many wars. After lunch, meet with members of the Aqaba Committee for Women’s Affairs to discuss the issues facing women. Tonight, enjoy dinner at leisure. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba, Meals: B, L DAY 6

A Night in the Valley of the Moon

Visit the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation Aqaba Center for Women to learn about the projects to train unemployed secondary school graduates and disadvantaged women. Drive north to Wadi Rum, known as “the Valley of the Moon,” a Bedouin enclave. Settle into your Bedouin camp before a sunset drive through the desert and dinner under the stars. SunCity Camp, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Featured Expert: Ranya Kadri

Aqaba and the Red Sea

August 29 Departure Ranya Kadri is a journalist based in Jordan, where she was born and grew up. Kadri, who has a law degree, has reported on the Gulf War in 1991, the growth of terrorism, the effects of tribal insurgency and the Arab Spring uprisings. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Carlotta Gall May 16 Departure Times foreign correspondent who covered Afghanistan and Pakistan for 12 years; she is now based in the Middle East.

The Ancient City of Petra

Enjoy a traditional Arabic breakfast in the early morning light of the valley. Drive north to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, walking through the entrance of the Old City, Al Siq. Visit its greatest monument, the majestic Al Khaznah, carved into the mountainside. Prepare an evening meal alongside local women at the Petra Kitchen. Petra Marriott Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Nabataean Pottery and Amman

After breakfast, meet with women from the Taybeh Ladies Cooperative Pottery workshop to learn about the traditional Nabataean pottery techniques used at the cooperative, adhering to thousands of years of artisanship. Then, continue to Amman, stopping in Madaba to learn about the growing Jordanian wine industry and taste some of Jordan’s finest wines. Marriott Amman Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 9

Women in the Arts

Meet with members of the Jordanian National Forum for Women and learn about its success in promoting women’s participation in politics. After lunch, meet with artists from the new Aat Network, a collective of women artists, educators, activists and supporting men. Tonight, enjoy a special reception and farewell dinner in Amman. Marriott Amman Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport for your flight home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAY 16, 2016 – MAY 25, 2016

$6,795

$1,400

N/A

Carlotta Gall

AUG 29, 2016 – SEP 7, 2016

$6,795

$1,400

N/A

Ranya Kadri

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

59


Women and Society in India Women have held the highest political positions in India and are major players in finance, business and entrepreneurship. But headlines still depict a culture of abuse, lack of property rights and lower female literacy rates. On this 10day journey, discover India’s past and present through the part of its population that increasingly refuses to be overlooked.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to India

Arrive in Delhi, India’s capital, which has been continually inhabited from as early as the sixth century. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. The Lalit New Delhi. DAY 2

The Old and New City

Explore Old Delhi by rickshaw, seeing the mosques, forts and monuments that defined the city for centuries. Continue to New Delhi, and explore the Rajpath, India Gate and Parliament House. Enjoy an evening performance by Deepalaya, a group supporting girls’ education. The Lalit New Delhi, Meals: B, D

Women in Focus Travelers 25 Places visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to India 2 The Old and New City 3 Women of Delhi 4 To Agra 5 The Pink City 6 Festival Day 7 A Day in Jaipur 8 Exploring Mumbai 9 Bollywood and Banking in Mumbai 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Visit a community service project organized by an affiliate of the Clinton Global Initiative. • Explore highlights of Old and New Delhi such as India Gate, the Red Fort and Rajpath. • Attend a high-profile women’s panel in Delhi that covers education, health, family, politics, business and law. • Visit the iconic Taj Mahal and the imposing Agra Fort, both Unesco World Heritage sites. • Depending on departure, experience either the ancient Hindu spring festival of Holi or Diwali, the festival of lights. • Meet women in Jaipur and Mumbai who have founded N.G.O.s, or are leaders in the financial sector or Bollywood.

Asia

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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DAY 3

Meet with women working in India’s Parliament. Attend a discussion with women representing law, politics, journalism, education and health. Attend an evening hosted by the women’s division of the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Lalit New Delhi, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

To Agra

Travel to Agra and the Taj Mahal, the most recognizable structure in India. The ornate mausoleum was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Radisson Blu Agra Taj East Gate, Meals: B, L DAY 5

Festival Day

(March departure) Take part in Holi, the annual Hindu spring festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, with a local family. Also visit a community service project organized by Akshay Patra, an affiliate of the Clinton Global Initiative. (October departure) Begin the day with a visit to Akshay Patra. In the evening, celebrate Diwali — also known as the festival of lights — with a local family. ITC Rajputana, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

October 25 Departure Ruth Fremson is a Pulitzer Prizewinning staff photographer for The New York Times with extensive national and international experience. Currently based in Seattle, she spent many years working on assignment in Washington, D.C., the Middle East and South Asia. Her work, which has earned numerous awards, can be found in many books and is part of the Akron Art Museum’s collection.

The Pink City

Visit the Agra Fort, a Unesco World Heritage site constructed by the Mughals in the 16th century. The red sandstone fortress forms the shape of a crescent and took several generations to complete. In the afternoon continue to Jaipur, often called “the Pink City.” ITC Rajputana, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Featured Expert: Ruth Fremson

Women of Delhi

DAY 9

Bollywood and Banking in Mumbai

Learn how women gained prominence in the financial sector, and where advances still need to be made. Meet with women involved in the business of Bollywood, Mumbai’s most high-profile export. Conclude the trip this evening with a festive farewell dinner. Trident, Nariman Point, Meals: B, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

Depart the hotel this morning for individual flights home. Meal: B

A Day in Jaipur

Ascend the hill to Jaipur’s Amber Fort. Later visit the Hawa Mahal, which means “Palace of the Breeze.” Continue to the 18th century Jantar Mantar Observatory and the City Palace, which holds an impressive collection of traditional Rajasthani costumes and weapons. ITC Rajputana, Meals: B, D DAY 8

Exploring Mumbai

Fly to Mumbai, the financial capital of India and the heart of Bollywood. Take a city tour and see the Gateway of India; the Mani Bhavan museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi; the Hanging Gardens; and the Prince of Wales Museum. Trident, Nariman Point, Meals: B, D

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAR 18, 2016 – MAR 27, 2016

$6,895

$1,680

N/A

Harleen Singh

OCT 25, 2016 – NOV 3, 2016

$6,895

$1,680

N/A

Ruth Fremson

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

61


A Hike Around Mont Blanc Spanning three countries and sitting at 15,770 feet, Mont Blanc beckons thousands of visitors each year. The Mont Blanc massif features soaring peaks and magnificent valleys stretching into France, Italy and Switzerland. Hike Western Europe’s highest range, accompanied by local experts. Activities & Sports Travelers 18 Places visited Chamonix, Aiguille du Midi, Vallée des Glaciers, Bourg St. Maurice, Courmayeur, Champex, Argentière Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Welcome to the Alps 2 Introduction to Mont Blanc 3 In Search of Ibex 4 Cross Into Italy 5 An Up-and-Down Day 6 Land of Three Countries 7 A Hike Above the Rhône Valley 8 Back to Chamonix 9 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Hike the classic circuit of the Mont Blanc massif — a “must-do” for every hiker. • Learn about local history and geography from local French experts. • Hike through and over Alpine forests in the Rhône Valley. • See mountain wildlife and wildflowers.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to the Alps

Arrive at the airport in Geneva, Switzerland, and transfer by private van to the mountain-ringed resort town of Chamonix, France. At the hotel, you’ll have time to rest a bit or explore the town before orientation. After meeting the guides and the rest of your group, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Hotel Les Aiglons, Meal: D DAY 2

Introduction to Mont Blanc

Take a cog train to the Mer de Glace, the second largest glacier in the Alps. Traverse to Plan de l’Aiguille, and board a cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, and close-up views of Mont Blanc. Return to Plan de l’Aiguille by cable car; hike back to Chamonix, or take the cable car. (6 hours hiking, 6–8 miles, 3,960-foot elevation gain.) Hotel Les Aiglons, Meals: B, L DAY 3

In Search of Ibex

Hike up to the Col du Bonhomme (7,641 feet) and Croix du Bonhomme (8,100 feet). In the afternoon, hike downhill on a grassy trail to Les Chapieux (5,080 feet). Along the way, you may see some recently reintroduced ibex. Take a van to Bourg St. Maurice. (7 hours hiking, 10 miles, 4,200-foot ascent, 3,000-foot descent.) Hôtel L’Autantic, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Cross Into Italy

Take a relatively gentle hike over the Col de la Seigne (8,245 feet). Here the views of Mont Blanc are Himalayan in scale, as the mountain rises to the summit 10,000

Europe

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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Featured Expert: Christopher Wren June 9, September 1 Departure A reporter, foreign correspondent and editor for The New York Times for 29 years, he served as bureau chief in Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, Ottawa and Johannesburg. Over the years he climbed and hiked throughout the world, reporting stories from Mt. Everest and Tibet, Mt. Kenya in Africa and the Pamirs of Central Asia. Wren is returning to Mont Blanc, where he has climbed rock-and-ice on the Aiguille du Midi and skied down its 10-mile-long Valle Blanche.

feet above. Descend into Italy to Lac Combal and Visaille and transfer to Courmayeur (3,800 feet). (6 hours hiking, 10 miles, 2,300-foot ascent, 2,700foot descent.) Hotel Svizzero, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

An Up-and-Down Day

Transfer to Val Ferret and hike to Malatrà, with its high meadows, and then on to Pas d’Entre Deux Sauts. After a picnic lunch, begin the descent via the Vallon d’Armina down to Val Ferret. Take a van back to Courmayeur. (6.5 hours hiking, 7 miles, 3,300-foot ascent, 3,300-foot descent.) Hotel Svizzero, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Land of Three Countries

Walk past the spectacular Glacier de Pré de Bar. This is the meeting point of the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland. Enter Switzerland, and descend to La Fouly. Transfer to Champex (4,808 feet), a small lake resort that features typical Swiss-style chalets and charming gardens. (7 hours hiking, 10 miles, 2,500-foot ascent, 2,900-foot descent.) Hôtel du Glacier & Résidence Sporting, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Christopher Dickey September 15 Departure World News editor, Daily Beast and former Newsweek foreign correspondent and Paris bureau chief.

DAY 8

Transfer to the Col des Montets (4,800 feet) and hike to Les Chéserys (7,130 feet), enjoying views of the Le Tour and Argentière glaciers, and all the Mont Blanc range. After rejoining the Grand Balcon Route and La Flégère, descend to Chamonix. Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner with the group. (7 hours hiking, 10 miles, 2,700foot ascent.) Hotel Les Aiglons, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

A Hike Above the Rhône Valley

An hour and a half of easy walking and a rapid ascent brings you high over the Rhône Valley and the town of Martigny. Then, it’s an easy descent to the Col de la Forclaz (3,900 feet). Transfer to Argentière. (6 hours hiking, 12 miles, 2,800foot ascent, 2,200-foot descent.) Hôtel de La Couronne, Meals: B, L

Back to Chamonix

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the Geneva airport and your flight home or onward. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

JUN 9, 2016 – JUN 17, 2016

$6,195

$700

N/A

Christopher Wren

SEP 1, 2016 – SEP 9, 2016

$6,195

$700

N/A

Christopher Wren

SEP 15, 2016 – SEP 23, 2016

$6,195

$700

N/A

Christopher Dickey

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

63


Hiking the Pilgrims’ Footsteps at El Camino de Santiago Thousands of pilgrims travel the Camino de Santiago, or St. James’s Way, to the shrine of the apostle St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. In this 11-day trek, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pyrenees and Basque country. Activities & Sports Travelers 25 Places visited Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Burgos, León, O Cebreiro, Santiago de Compostela Itinerary 11 days, 10 nights 1 Welcome to Spain 2 First Steps on El Camino 3 Valleys and Forest to Pamplona 4 To the Land of El Cid 5 Farm Country 6 The Gothic Cathedral of León 7 El Crucero de Santo Toribio 8 Entering Galicia 9 The Burial Place of St. James 10 Santiago de Compostela 11 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Experience one of the world’s most epic pilgrimages via the famed Camino Francès route. • Explore the town of Pamplona, famous for the running of the bulls; the medieval city of Burgos, home of the 11th-century hero El Cid; and the ancient Christian capital of León. • Enjoy guided visits to historic towns, including Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre. • Hike gorgeous mountain and Basque scenery, with nights in luxury accommodations.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Spain

Meet your group in the morning and transfer to San Sebastián, a beautiful city along the Bay of Biscay, then to the old village of Roncesvalles, a historical site of the Basque Pyrenees (2.5 hours driving, no hiking). Hotel Roncesvalles, Meals: L, D DAY 2

First Steps on El Camino

Explore the old town of St. Jean Pie de Port, France, then take the first steps on El Camino: Start with a gradual climb to the Bentarte and Leopeder passes, then descend into Spain and Roncesvalles. (6 hours hiking, 10 miles, 1,650' gradual ascent, 1,350' descent.) Hotel Roncesvalles, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Valleys and Forest to Pamplona

Cross the Ebro Valley and hike to Zubiri in the Valley of Esteribar. Drive to Pamplona, the first big city pilgrims encountered in Spain. Walk the streets famed for the running of the bulls. (6 hours hiking, 14 miles, 600-foot ascent, 1,000-foot descent.) Hotel Tres Reyes, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

To the Land of El Cid

Begin at Ages, with a short ascent to Matagrande, passing several villages to arrive at Burgos, hometown of El Cid, the Spanish conqueror of Valencia. Tour of the cathedral, a Unesco World Heritage site. (5.5 hours hiking, 12.5 miles, 300-foot ascent, 600-foot descent.) NH Collection Palacio de Burgos, Meals: B, L, D

Europe

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 5

Cross Tierra de Campos, today known as Castilla. Walk to Carrión de los Condes, site of La Iglesia de Santa María del Camino. Visit the old town with a guide. (7 hours hiking, 15.5 miles, 165-foot ascent.) Hotel Real Monasterio San Zoilo, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

The Gothic Cathedral of León

Hike vast fields of crops and grasslands to the medieval market city of Mansilla de las Mulas. Transfer to León, the capital of Christian Spain. The famous Cathedral of León was constructed in the early Gothic style. Tour the cathedral. (6 hours hiking, 12 miles, 180-foot ascent.) Parador Nacional Hostal San Marcos, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Featured Expert: Laurie Goodstein

Farm Country

June 20 Departure Laurie Goodstein is the national religion correspondent for The New York Times. She joined The Times in 1997 after working as a correspondent at The Washington Post. She has received many awards including one from the Religion Newswriters Association. Mireya Navarro October 6 Departure A reporter based in Miami who has covered housing, the environment, New York City and national news.

El Crucero de Santo Toribio

From Hospital de Órbigo, with its picturesque old Roman Órbigo Bridge, hike an 11-mile flat route to Astorga. See El Crucero de Santo Toribio, the cross that has marked El Camino for centuries. (6 hours hiking, 11 miles, 200-foot ascent, 100-foot descent.) Parador Nacional, Villafranca del Bierzo, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Entering Galicia

Hike to Galicia, the last stage of the El Camino journey. From Las Herrerias, climb nearly 2,000 feet in the last five miles to reach O Cebreiro, the site of the miracle of the Eucharist. Spend the night in Lugo. (4 hours hiking, 6 miles, 2,100-foot ascent.) Hotel Méndez Núñez, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

The Burial Place of St. James

A flat day of hiking will bring you to Santiago de Compostela, the official destination of the Way of St. James. End at the cathedral, where St. James is said to be buried. (6 hours hiking, 12 miles, no ascent or descent.) Parador Nacional de los Reyes Católicos, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Santiago de Compostela

Visit the village of Finisterre on the Atlantic Ocean, once believed to be the end of the world. Take a guided cultural visit in the Santiago Cathedral and Old Quarter, followed by a festive farewell dinner. Parador Nacional de los Reyes Católicos, Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Santiago de Compostela for departures home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

JUN 20, 2016 – JUN 30, 2016

$6,595

$1,300

N/A

Laurie Goodstein

OCT 6, 2016 – OCT 16, 2016

$6,595

$1,300

N/A

Mireya Navarro

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

65


A Jane Austen Christmas Experience Jane Austen’s world as she would have known it at Christmas. Travel with fellow enthusiasts to explore the places she called home in Steventon Village and Bath, meeting with historians and Austen experts along the way. Celebrate Christmas at Winchester Cathedral, already centuries old in Jane’s time, and her final resting place. Enjoy traditional holiday delicacies with a special Austen-themed Christmas performance.

Arts & Culture Travelers 23 Places visited Chawton, Winchester, Steventon, Lacock, Bath, London. Itinerary 7 days, 6 nights 1 Welcome to the Life of Jane Austen 2 Christmas Eve in Winchester 3 A Quiet Christmas 4 Boxing Day With Jane Austen’s Inspirations 5 Picturesque Lacock and Historic Bath 6 Jane Austen’s Bath 7 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Explore Steventon Village in Hampshire where Jane Austen was born, which served as the inspiration for many of her novels. • Visit The Vyne, an elegant country house where Jane Austen and her family attended parties. • Enjoy a “Jane Austen Evening” celebrating Christmas in Jane Austen’s time, performed by the Madding Crowd. • Explore the historic city of Winchester, including Winchester Cathedral, where Jane Austen is buried.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to the Life of Jane Austen

Arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport; meet your expert guide, Rosalind Hutchinson. Depart for a visit to the Jane Austen House and Museum in Chawton, and a talk by the curator. Before dinner, enjoy “A Jane Austen Evening” by the Madding Crowd, a mummers play celebrating Christmas as in the time of Jane Austen. Hotel du Vin Winchester, Meals: L, R, D DAY 2

Christmas Eve in Winchester

Visit Jane Austen-related locations, including 8 College Street, where she spent her final weeks, and Winchester Cathedral, where she was buried. The afternoon will be at leisure. Have a Christmas Eve dinner with mince pies and mulled wine at the hotel tonight. Guests also have the option to attend midnight Eucharist at Winchester Cathedral. Hotel du Vin Winchester, Meals: B, D

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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DAY 3

For Christmas, you are free to relax, explore or attend services at Winchester Cathedral. There will be a Christmas Day luncheon, complete with Christmas crackers. In the evening, you may decide to dine at the hotel’s evening buffet. Hotel du Vin Winchester, Meals: B, L DAY 4

Featured Expert: Rosalind Hutchinson

A Quiet Christmas

Boxing Day With Jane Austen’s Inspirations

At Steventon Village, where Jane Austen was born in 1775, visit the rectory where she spent most of her first 25 years. She wrote “Northanger Abbey,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility” at Steventon. At The Vyne, the site of many parties, take a curator-led tour. Meet with a member of the Jane Austen Society. Hotel du Vin Winchester, Meals: B, L, D

Rosalind Hutchinson is an internationally experienced and renowned figure in the world of heritage interpretation, tourism, development and training. Rosalind’s contribution to the British tourism industry was formally recognized in 1997 when she was awarded the M.B.E for services to tourism. As an accomplished guide and lecturer she is engaged by a number of institutions, including the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to lead and host study tours and events. She works regularly at the British Museum and is the head guide at Spencer House in London.

DAY 5

Picturesque Lacock and Historic Bath

Visit the village of Lacock, which is sought after by filmmakers for its picturesque streets and historic cottages. After lunch in a historic pub, continue to Bath, where Jane Austen lived from 1801 to 1805. Relax and enjoy the rest of the day. The Royal Crescent, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Jane Austen’s Bath

Tour Bath, known for its healing waters. Highlights include the Pulteney Bridge and the houses where Jane Austen and her family lived at Sydney Place and Gay Street. Visit the Assembly Rooms, featured in her novels, the Jane Austen Centre and the Bath Fashion Museum. Continue to the Roman baths and the soaring Bath Abbey. The Royal Crescent, Meals: B, D DAY 7

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to London’s Heathrow Airport for your flights back to the U.S. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

DEC 23, 2016 – DEC 29, 2016

$6,995

$1,690

N/A

Rosalind Hutchinson

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

67


Farewell to Edwardian: Art and Culture Between the Wars Through the works of the Bloomsbury Group, an influential set of writers, artists and intellectuals, learn how the Edwardian era slowly faded and a new era took its place. Travel to Highclere Castle, Charleston, the publisher Faber & Faber and Sissinghurst to relive this time of monumental transition.

Arts & Culture Travelers 25 Places visited London, Burghclere, Sussex Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 The Interwar Years Begin 2 The End of an Era 3 The Bloomsbury Group 4 Sissinghurst 5 A Prestigious Address 6 The Power of the Written Word 7 Art and the Interwar Years 8 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

• Take guided tours of Highclere Castle, where “Downton Abbey” was filmed, and the stately Edwardian home of Polesden Lacey. • Explore places of significance to the Bloomsbury Group, including Charleston house, Sissinghurst, Berwick Church and Monk’s House. • Take a walking tour of the Bloomsbury area in London, from which the group took its name, exploring sites of interest and the lives of its most influential residents. • Visit the literature powerhouse Faber & Faber and discuss the history of a company that has published authors like T.S. Eliot, Barbara Kingsolver and Kazuo Ishiguro.

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Itinerary DAY 1

Featured Expert: Victoria Klein

The Interwar Years Begin

Arrive in London and transfer to your hotel in the Hampshire countryside. This evening, meet your Times Journeys expert and fellow travelers at a reception, followed by dinner at the hotel. Audleys Wood Hotel, Meals: R, D DAY 2

The End of an Era

Visit Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere, and view the works of the artist Stanley Spencer. Continue to Highclere Castle, the grand estate in the fictional “Downton Abbey.” After dinner, your expert will speak on the horrors of World War I. Audleys Wood Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

The Bloomsbury Group

Visit Polesden Lacey, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth honeymooned in 1923. In Sussex, see Charleston, the country home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, and see the works of such artists as Renoir, Picasso and Delacroix. Tonight, hear the history of the Bloomsbury Group. The Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Meals: B, Tea, D DAY 4

Sissinghurst

In Sissinghurst, wander the spectacular gardens created by Vita SackvilleWest, a fringe Bloomsbury member. Visit Berwick Church and the 20th-century murals painted during World War II by the Bloomsbury artists Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Quentin Bell. The Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Meals: B, D DAY 5

Victoria Klein has a master’s degree in architectural preservation and has been working in fashion and interior design over the course of her career. She is a passionate collector of Bloomsbury artists and a student of the Bloomsbury movement. She will be speaking on the arts, literature, interior and garden design, and the tangled web of relationships of this singular and provocative group which developed in post WWI England.

DAY 7

Art and the Interwar Years

Visit the Tate Modern and “Poetry and Dream,”dedicated to Surrealism. See paintings from Bloomsbury Group members Duncan Grant and Roger Fry. At the Victoria and Albert Museum, tour the Edwardian costume collection. End with a farewell reception and dinner. The Kensington Hotel, Meals: B, R, D DAY 8

Homeward Bound

Transfer to Heathrow Airport for individual flights back to the U.S. Meal: B

A Prestigious Address

Visit Monk’s House, Virginia Woolf’s country home from 1919 until her suicide in 1941. In London, tour Bloomsbury, the inspiration for the Bloomsbury Group’s name. This evening, hear from Alistair Bruce (pending confirmation), historical adviser to “Downton Abbey.” The Kensington Hotel, Meal: B DAY 6

The Power of the Written Word

Visit Faber & Faber, publisher of the likes of T.S. Eliot, Barbara Kingsolver and Kazuo Ishiguro. Visit the British Library and its collection of Virginia Woolf’s publications and manuscripts, and the National Portrait Gallery for iconic images of and by the Bloomsbury Group. The Kensington Hotel, Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

JUL 9, 2016 – JUL 16, 2016

$6,995

$1,300

N/A

Victoria Klein

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

69


Shakespeare and His England With 37 plays and 154 sonnets, William Shakespeare is considered by many to be the greatest English writer to have ever lived. Travel deep into the heart of Shakespeare’s England and learn more about what made him such a success. Explore his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, visit with key individuals at the Shakespeare Trust, and enjoy productions of some of his greatest works. Arts & Culture Travelers 25 Places visited Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leicestershire, London Itinerary 6 days, 5 nights 1 Setting the Stage: Shakespeare’s Humble Beginnings 2 The Legacy of the Bard 3 Shakespeare’s New Place 4 The Histories 5 Shakespeare’s Globe 6 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Participate in a master class or workshop with one of England’s premier Shakespearean practitioners. • Go on exclusive visits to sites in Stratford-upon-Avon with key members of the Shakespeare Trust. • Enjoy exclusive access to performances and private collections of Shakespearean artifacts. • Tour behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company and get best seats to one of its productions.

Itinerary DAY 1

Setting the Stage: Shakespeare’s Humble Beginnings

Upon arriving in London, drive through the Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Gardens in Shottery, where the young Shakespeare courted Anne. In Stratford, take a private, after-hours tour of Shakespeare’s birthplace, with costumed actors from the Shakespeare’s Aloud acting company performing excerpts from the Bard. Arden Hotel, Meals: R, D DAY 2

The Legacy of the Bard

Explore Hall’s Croft, the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna. At the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, hear a brief history of the trust and a talk on “Stratford, Shakespeare and Americans.” View a private archive display. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and attend a production at the theater. Arden Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Shakespeare’s New Place

Discuss the previous night’s production, followed by a Q. and A. with an actor from the performance. Visit the beautiful Holy Trinity Church and the grave of Shakespeare. At New Place, hear a private talk on “Shakespeare’s Final Home” and a private guided tour. Attend a performance at the Swan Theatre. Arden Hotel, Meals: B, D

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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Featured Expert: Patricia Cohen May 16 Departure Patricia Cohen, an award-winning reporter and editor at The New York Times, was formerly theater editor. She has also worked at The Washington Post, Newsday, and Rolling Stone magazine. She has a B.A. from Cornell University and a graduate degree from the Woodrow Wilson School in Princeton University. She is the author of “In Our Prime: The Invention of Middle Age,” published by Scribner. Anthony Holden September 5 Departure English writer, broadcaster and critic, known among other things for his biography of Shakespeare.

DAY 6

Homeward Bound

This morning, transfer to the airport for individual flights home. Meal: B DAY 4

The Histories

Visit Baddesley Clinton, a Tudor manor house built 500 years ago by Henry Ferrers, a lawyer, diarist and antiquarian. Visit Bosworth Battlefield in Leicestershire, site of the final battle of the War of the Roses, ending decades of civil war and ushering in the first Tudor king, Henry VII. Continue to London, and spend the evening at leisure. Royal Horseguards Hotel, Meal: B DAY 5

Shakespeare’s Globe

Visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and hear a Shakespeare’s Globe practitioner explore the historical and social context of the playhouse. Take a guided tour of the theater, the Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition and the Rose Theatre excavations and exhibition. Attend a workshop, and then attend the performance at the Globe. Royal Horseguards Hotel, Meals: B, L, D, R

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAY 16, 2016 – MAY 21, 2016

$6,995

$1,300

N/A

Patricia Cohen

SEP 5, 2016 – SEP 10, 2016

$6,995

$1,300

N/A

Anthony Holden

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

71


Cooking With the Sicilians This exclusive trip with the respected food writer Raymond Sokolov delves into both the history and cuisine of Sicily. Meet with artisans and chefs to explore every aspect of Sicilian cooking, from olive farmers and cheese makers to Michelin-starred chefs. Soak in the long history of the region from Baroque Italian architecture to ancient Greek and Roman ruins.

Food & Wine Travelers 28 Places visited Ragusa, Catania, Taormina, Mount Etna Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Welcome to Sicily 2 Cheese and Chocolate 3 Sicilian Architecture and a Cooking Lesson 4 Wine and Olive Oil 5 Baroque Churches and Sunset in Syracuse 6 Greek Theater and Gardens 7 Fishing and on to Taormina 8 Mount Etna 9 Homeward Bound

Europe

Journey Highlights • Learn about traditional cheese, chocolate, wine, and olive oil making processes from local artisans using centuries-old techniques. • Visit the ancient Greek amphitheater in Syracuse. • Admire Italian architecture from a range of time periods in Modica, the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palazzo Biscari and other sites. • Get up close to the impressive Mount Etna, an active volcano that has erupted as recently as 2014. • Attend a traditional Sicilian cooking lesson with Chef Cosimo Damiano Bassano.

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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Featured Expert: Ray Sokolov

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Sicily

Arrive at Catania Airport in Sicily and be met by a Times Journeys representative. Transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow Times travelers at a welcome reception. Donnafugata Resort, Meal: R DAY 2

Cheese and Chocolate

At Corfilac, a research center focusing on traditional dairy production processes, observe the cheese-making process, sample different varieties, and try your hand at creating your own. Continue to Modica, a Unesco World Heritage site, and visit Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate manufacturer in Sicily. After a tasting, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Donnafugata Resort, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Sicilian Architecture and a Cooking Lesson

Explore the winding streets and Baroque architecture of Ragusa Ibla, the lower portion of Ragusa. At nearby Sicili, tour a herb farm and enjoy a country-style lunch. Return to the hotel for some time to relax. This evening, attend a traditional Sicilian cooking lesson with Chef Cosimo Damiano Bassano, preparing Ragusan dishes with fresh local ingredients. Donnafugata Resort, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Wine and Olive Oil

Visit the Planeta Dorilli wine producers’ estate in Vittoria, stroll the grounds and winery, and have a private wine lesson and tasting. Proceed to Frantoi Cutrera, an upscale olive oil producer whose oil is created from six types of Sicilian olive trees. Return to the hotel; dinner is on your own. Donnafugata Resort, Meals: B, L DAY 5

Baroque Churches and Sunset in Syracuse

Travel to the historic city center of Noto, north of Syracuse, whose highlight is the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a walkway bordered by Baroque churches and palaces. Continue to Syracuse and check into the hotel. Take a sunset walking tour of the city from Piazza Archimede to the Piazza del Duomo. Grand Hotel Ortigia, Meals: B, D DAY 6

Greek Theater and Gardens

Raymond Sokolov has held numerous posts including foreign correspondent in Paris and cultural reporter and critic in New York for Newsweek. He was a food editor at The New York Times and edited the leisure and arts page of The Wall Street Journal. He returned to the Journal as restaurant critic in 2006. His many books include “The Saucier’s Apprentice” and “Fading Feast.”

DAY 7

Fishing and on to Taormina

Discover Catania’s bustling fish market, which takes place every weekday morning near the Piazza del Duomo. Meet with local vendors; admire the catch of the day and sample Sicilian street foods like arancini, cipollina and the almond cookies known as biscotti con mandorle. In the afternoon, arrive in Taormina. End the day with a sunset walking tour of Taormina. Hotel Villa Diodoro, Meals: B, L DAY 8

Mount Etna

Depart for Mount Etna, and examine the active volcano’s fragile environment. Have a wine tasting at the Barone di Villagrande winery, whose rich volcanic soil produces high-quality wines. Back in Taormina, your farewell dinner will feature the best of Sicilian cuisine at the Villa Antonio, offering one-star Michelin cuisine prepared by Chef Massimo Mantarro. Hotel Villa Diodoro, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meal: B

Visit the impressive Greek theater at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, built in the fifth century B.C. It could seat over 16,000 people, and was used to stage the works of Sophocles and Euripides. Continue to the lush Biviere Gardens, designed by Princess Maria Carla Borghese and her husband. The evening is at leisure. Grand Hotel Ortigia, Verdun, Meals: B, L

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

SEP 6, 2016 – SEP 14, 2016

$7,590

$1,100

N/A

Ray Sokolov

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

73


Flavors of Provence In a week that celebrates the worldrenowned gastronomy of Provence, go behind the scenes and have access to unique experiences. From a Michelin-starred restaurant to a home-cooked meal served in the hosts’ home, this journey is packed with the flavors of Provence. With a little walking to literally take you off the beaten path, this is a trip you won’t find in any guidebook. Food & Wine Travelers 22 Places visited Avignon, Châteauneuf du Pape, Gordes, Saint Rémy de Provence, Arles Itinerary 7 days, 6 nights 1 Welcome to Provence 2 A Day in the Vines of Châteauneuf du Pape 3 Avignon 4 An Abbey and Fruits Confits 5 Goat Cheese in the Mountains 6 The Land of Van Gogh 7 Arles and Adieu

Journey Highlights • Walk through vineyards, past fields of thyme and lavender, and in the mountains. • Visit the famous Les Halles market, where a chef will buy and prepare lunch for you. • Learn to cook specialties of Provence. • Visit farms and local producers, and taste their wares. • With expert guidance and private access, experience a Provence few can.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Provence

Meet in the afternoon in Avignon, papal city and Unesco World Heritage site. After a welcome meeting complete with local wine, meander through the labyrinth of cobbled streets in the old center, just enough to work up an appetite for a great meal in town. Cloitre Saint-Louis, Meal: D DAY 2

A Day in the Vines of Châteauneuf du Pape

Start at the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, whose vines produce the greatest of the Rhône Valley wines. Walk about four miles amid the grapes. Olivier Hickman, a wine specialist, will unveil the secrets of “terroir.” After a picnic lunch, taste some of Châteauneuf’s best wine. Take a private cooking class, resulting in dinner (with wine). Cloitre Saint-Louis, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Avignon

Tour Avignon. See Pope Clement V’s 14th-century palace, visible from 20 miles away, and the ancient Pont d’Avignon. Visit Avignon’s covered market, Les Halles, and have a lunch purchased and prepared by a chef. After lunch, transfer to the Lubéron mountains and the hilltop village of Gordes. (1.5 hours walking, 4 miles.) Hotel Les Bories & Spa, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

An Abbey and Fruits Confits

Walk today to a private tour of Sénanque Abbey, built in 1148, and framed by fragrant lavender fields. In a quiet village, Isabelle will cook and serve a table d’hôte meal in her private garden. After lunch, visit a local producer whose family has been making fruits confits, or candied fruits, for generations. (2 hours walking, 4 miles.) Les Bories & Spa Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Europe

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 5

Transfer to Saint Rémy de Provence. See the farm and the herds that produce local goat cheese, and taste the result. At the crest of the Alpilles, see from Mont Ventoux to the Mediterranean. Dinner will be in the perched village of Les Baux-de-Provence, with a population of only 25. (2 hours of walking, 3.5 miles.) Domaine de Manville, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

Featured Expert: Florence Fabricant

Goat Cheese in the Mountains

The Land of Van Gogh

Explore Saint Rémy de Provence, nestled at the foot of the Alpilles mountains. It’s an artists’ town, known for its most famous visitor, Vincent Van Gogh, who spent the last year of his life in Saint Rémy and did some of his most important work, including “Starry Night.” Visit the village with a local Van Gogh expert, walking the very paths and landscapes that inspired Van Gogh. After lunch, tour the 12th-century monastery-turned-asylum where Van Gogh spent his final year. Stroll through Les Baux-de-Provence, famed for its olive oil, visit a local mill, talk with the producer, and learn all about the history and variety of the region’s olives. For a farewell dinner, feast on the region’s most emblematic dish: bouillabaisse. (1.5 hours of walking, 3 miles.) Domaine de Manville, Meals: B, L, D

June 5 Departure Florence Fabricant contributes the weekly Front Burner and Off the Menu columns as well as frequently writing features that appear in the Food section. Fabricant has written 12 cookbooks, including “The New York Times Dessert Cookbook” “Venetian Taste” and “Wine With Food”, written with Eric Asimov. She holds L’Ordre National du Mérite from the French government, and is a member of Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America. Nicholas Delbanco May 15 Departure Author of thirty books, including one written on Provence.

Helene Cooper September 4 Departure The Pentagon correspondent for The New York Times, Helene shared a 2015 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.

DAY 7

Arles and Adieu

It’s Saturday morning, and the town of Arles has one of the few remaining authentic markets in the region. Spend the morning meandering through the colorful and fragrant market stalls before a transfer back to Avignon or some extra nights in Arles, exploring the town’s Roman monuments, including its coliseum. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAY 15, 2016 – MAY 21, 2016

$6,395

$1,400

N/A

Nicholas Delbanco

JUN 5, 2016 – JUN 11, 2016

$6,395

$1,400

N/A

Florence Fabricant

SEP 4, 2016 – SEP 10, 2016

$6,395

$1,400

N/A

Helene Cooper

SEP 18, 2016 – SEP 24, 2016

$6,395

$1,400

N/A

To be announced

OCT 2, 2016 – OCT 8, 2016

$6,395

$1,400

N/A

To be announced

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

75


Andalusia: Center of Christianity, Judaism and Islam Andalusia is the second-most populated autonomous region in Spain, and one of the few places in the world with such a rich Jewish, Muslim and Christian influence, with artifacts and holy sites of all three major religions coexisting. On this eight-day journey, examine the cultural and geographic diversity of this magical place. History & Context Travelers 25 Places visited Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba, Seville, Úbeda and Granada Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 Welcome to Spain 2 “The City of Three Cultures” 3 Christianity, Islam and Sephardi in Córdoba 4 The Wonders of Seville 5 Olive Groves and a Newly Discovered Synagogue 6 The Alhambra 7 The Old Quarter of Granada 8 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Savor Spanish and Sephardic food at fine restaurants and in private homes. • Visit Unesco Heritage sites in Córdoba and Granada. • Visit the Alhambra and the largest cathedral in the world. • Explore the recently discovered medieval Synagogue of the Water in Úbeda. • Explore Christian, Islamic and Jewish sites tracing back centuries.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Spain

Arrive in Madrid and transfer with the group to Toledo to check into the hotel. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. A local historian from the Red de Juderías, a Jewish network in Spain, will join you. Parador de Toledo Hotel, Meals: R, D DAY 2

“The City of Three Cultures”

Explore Toledo, “the City of Three Cultures,” with a local expert. Visit the cathedral, named one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe; Santo Tomé Church, painted by El Greco; and the Jewish Quarter, with a Sephardic lunch at one of Toledo’s best restaurants. Travel to Córdoba. The rest of the evening is free. Hospes Palacio de Bailío Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Christianity, Islam and Sephardi in Córdoba

Though few Jews returned to the city after their forced exile during the Inquisition, the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba remains well preserved. Explore the synagogue and the Jewish heritage in the city. Visit the cathedral, the local mosque and the alcázar for those legacies. Tonight, hear a private Sephardi concert at Casa de Sefarad. Hospes Palacio de Bailío Hotel, Meals: B, L

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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Featured Expert: Raphael Minder Raphael Minder, who is based in Madrid for the International New York Times, has covered Andalusia for years, focusing not only on politics but on social issues and traditions, like the Semana Santa celebrations in Seville. He has written about current debates as well as Andalusia's rich historical inheritance.

DAY 6

The Alhambra

Meet your guide and “climb” to the Alhambra, the most important existing building of Islamic civil architecture, though parts were destroyed and rebuilt in other styles over the centuries. Explore the gardens and water features of Generalife Gardens, the summer palace of the Granada emirate. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Palacio de Santa Paula Hotel, Meal: B DAY 7

DAY 4

The Wonders of Seville

Journey to Seville, and take a walking tour of Jewish Seville. After lunch at a private neo-Baroque palace, explore the Seville Cathedral, the largest in the world; the Giralda, a bell tower originally built as a minaret; the Real Alcázar and the Santa Cruz quarter. Back in Córdoba, the evening is on your own. Hospes Palacio de Bailío Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 5

The Old Quarter of Granada

Explore the Old Quarter on a guided walking tour. Visit the cathedral, Royal Chapel, Corral del Carbón and Albayzín district, with its Moorish winding streets. The afternoon is free, followed by a festive farewell dinner. Palacio de Santa Paula Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 8

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to Malaga International Airport for individual flights home. Meal: B

Olive Groves and a Newly Discovered Synagogue

Travel to Úbeda, home to some of the best Renaissance architecture in Spain. After lunch at a local restaurant, spend the afternoon wandering through idyllic olive groves and walking the Plaza Vázquez de Molina. Explore the recently discovered medieval Synagogue of the Water. Transfer to Granada and spend an evening at leisure. Palacio de Santa Paula Hotel, Meals: B, L

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAR 9, 2016 – MAR 16, 2016

$6,895

$1,200

N/A

Raphael Minder

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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Jewish Life in Central Europe Despite the crushing effect of the Holocaust and communism, Jewish culture has persevered in Central Europe. On this 10-day journey to Warsaw, Krakow and Prague, discover how each community commemorates its past and works toward a brighter future. Come away with an appreciation of the depth and breadth of a history that has endured in Europe for more than a millennium and still prevails today. History & Context Travelers 25 Places visited Warsaw, Krakow, Prague Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Warsaw 2 The POLIN Museum and the Warsaw Ghetto 3 Jewish Warsaw 4 Restoring Jewish Culture 5 Shabbat in Krakow 6 Krakow’s Old Jewish Quarter 7 Moravia’s Jews 8 A Walk Around Jewish Prague 9 Contemporary Prague and Kafka 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Warsaw

Arrive in Warsaw, and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow Times travelers at a welcome reception and dinner. Warsaw Intercontinental, Meals: R, D DAY 2

POLIN Museum and the Warsaw Ghetto

Visit the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Walk through the Warsaw Ghetto, hearing stories and viewing important sites in what was the largest Jewish ghetto during World War II. End at the Umschlagplatz Memorial, the place from which Jews were deported. Tonight, meet and dine with members of the Warsaw Jewish community. Warsaw Intercontinental, Meals: B, D DAY 3

Jewish Warsaw

• Meet and dine with members of the Warsaw, Krakow and Prague Jewish communities. • Take guided tours of the POLIN Museum in Warsaw, the Galicia Museum in Krakow and the Jewish Museum in Prague. • Visit the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague to explore the art of contemporary Jewish artists. • Explore the cuisine of Poland and the Czech Republic with carefully selected meals throughout the program.

Visit the Jewish Historical Institute, one of the most important research institutes on Polish Jews. Visit the Nozyk Synagogue, the only surviving prewar synagogue in Warsaw, followed by a tour through the Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery. Dinner is on your own. Warsaw Intercontinental, Meal: B

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

DAY 4

Restoring Jewish Culture

En route to Krakow, Poland’s old royal capital, in southern Poland, stop in Chmielnik, a small historic town that was all but emptied of Jews by the Nazis. Tour the town’s historic synagogue, now a Jewish museum. Arrive in Krakow in late afternoon and have Shabbat dinner at the Jewish Community Center. Grand Hotel Krakow, Meals: B, L, D

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DAY 5

Enjoy today at leisure. You can choose to attend Shabbat services at a local synagogue or explore Krakow on your own. Your Times Journeys staff is available to make activity suggestions for this day. (June Departure) The Jewish Culture Festival will be occurring during the program. Today, you can choose to attend festival events and concerts with the help of your Times Journeys staff. Grand Hotel Krakow, Meal: B DAY 6

Krakow’s Old Jewish Quarter

Take a walking tour of Krakow’s Old Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz. Once an enclave of Jews and Christians, Kazimierz was emptied of Jews in 1941 by the Nazis. After lunch as a group, visit the Galicia Jewish Museum, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust and celebrating contemporary Jewish culture and religion in Poland. Dinner is on your own. Grand Hotel Krakow, Meal: B DAY 7

Featured Expert: Ruth Ellen Gruber

Shabbat in Krakow

Moravia’s Jews

Depart for Prague, stopping in Boskovice, home to what used to be one of the largest Jewish communities in Moravia. After lunch, tour the town’s Jewish quarter, restored synagogue and cemetery. Continue to Prague, arriving in late afternoon. Tonight, meet and dine with members of the local Prague Jewish community. Boscolo Prague, Meals: B, L, D

June 21, September 6 Departure American author and journalist Ruth Ellen Gruber has chronicled Jewish developments in Europe for more than 25 years, and was a UPI correspondent based in Poland. She was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit, in September 2011, one of Poland’s highest honors granted to foreigners.

DAY 8

A Walk Around Jewish Prague

Explore Prague’s Jewish Quarter. Visit the Jewish Museum, comprising the Old Jewish Cemetery and four synagogues, including the Maisel Synagogue, which houses an exhibit on Jewish history, and the Pinkas Synagogue, memorializing those who died in the Holocaust. At the Old-New Synagogue, prayers have been offered continuously for more than 700 years. Your evening and dinner are at leisure. Boscolo Prague, Meal: B DAY 9

Contemporary Prague and Kafka

Visit the DOX Centre of Contemporary Art, one of the Czech Republic’s most progressive art institutions. After lunch on your own, visit the Kafka Museum for a guided tour, looking at the surrealistic and existential influences of the city on Kafka. This evening, enjoy a farewell reception and dinner with the group. Boscolo Prague, Meals: B, R, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

Transfer to Prague airport for individual flights. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

JUN 21, 2016 – JUN 30, 2016

$6,995

$1,425

N/A

Ruth Ellen Gruber

SEP 6, 2016 – SEP 15, 2016

$6,995

$1,425

N/A

Ruth Ellen Gruber

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

79


Remembering the Great War (1914–1918) The centennial of the Great War has attracted abundant attention in the media, and anniversary events will be taking place across Europe from 2014 through 2018. Join our experts and travel to many of the most important sites from the Great War, from Flanders Fields to Paris: 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

History & Context Travelers 25 Places visited Ypres, the Somme, Reims, Verdun, Saint-Mihiel, Paris Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Beginning With the End 2 Battle of Ypres 3 The Somme, 1916 4 First Battle of the Marne, 1914 5 Second Battle of the Marne, 1918 6 Verdun and Meuse-Argonne 7 Saint-Mihiel 8 On to Paris 9 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Remember the Great War during a centenary year, when extra commemorations and exhibitions will be taking place. • Walk the most famous and bloodiest battlefields of World War I, from the Somme to the Marne to Verdun with a military historian. • Stay in Ypres and Reims, two cities whose great medieval architectural treasures were badly damaged during the war but have been restored to their earlier splendor. • With the expert insight of your Times-selected guide, learn the lessons of the War to End All Wars.

Europe

Itinerary DAY 1

Beginning With the End

After arriving in Paris and meeting your fellow Times travelers, transfer by private coach to Ypres, Belgium. En route, visit the woods of Compiègne, France, where the armistice to end World War I was signed in 1918. Arrive in Ypres in time for a welcome reception and dinner. Ariane Hotel, Meals: R, D DAY 2

Battle of Ypres

The Ypres area was the site of desperate battle after battle. This morning tour the Ypres Salient, held by the British throughout the war including a stop in the village of Passchendaele, where perhaps the bitterest battle took place in 1917. This afternoon, visit the In Flanders Field Museum and Ypres Cathedral. After dinner attend The Last Post Ceremony at The Menin Gate (optional). Ariane Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 3

The Somme, 1916

The Battle of the Somme was supposed to be a breakthrough battle, but became a four-month conflict. Visit the sites of this momentous battle along the river, seeing the abundant memorials. Visit the American Military Cemetery at Bony, and drive by the Riqueval Tunnel. End the day in Reims. Hotel de la Paix, Meals: B, L, D

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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DAY 4

Visit the 800-year-old Cathedral of Notre Dame, known for its abundance of sculptured figures and its magnificent tapestries. Trace the dramatic events of the First Battle of the Marne including key battle locations around Reims. This afternoon take a tour of the cellars of one of the major champagne houses to discover the art of Champagne making. Reims: Hotel de la Paix, Meals: B, L DAY 5

Second Battle of the Marne, 1918

Visit the Musée de la Grande Guerre at Meaux, whose exhibits provide a unifying perspective on the war. Continue to the scene of the second Battle of the Marne. Visit the magnificent Château-Thierry American monument overlooking the Marne Valley, and walk through the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. Return to Reims for an evening at leisure. Reims: Hotel de la Paix, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Featured Expert: Richard Cohen

First Battle of the Marne, 1914

September 20 Departure Author of the acclaimed books “By the Sword” and “Chasing the Sun,” Richard Cohen was the first editor of Sebastian Faulks’s “Birdsong," the most successful World War I novel of the last 20 years. He has also commissioned and edited biographies for the war poets Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brook. Mitch Yockelson April 12 Departure A military historian and archivist, Dr. Mitch Yockelson works for the National Archives and also teaches at Norwich University.

The Meuse-Argonne

Drive to the spectacular Pennsylvania Memorial in Varenne en Argonne. Visit the nearby Argonne Museum and the U.S. Meuse-Argonne Military Cemetery, with more than 14,200 war dead. Have time to walk on the battlefields. Verdun, Hostellerie du Chateau des Monthairons, Meals: B, D

DAY 7

Verdun and Saint-Mihiel

Start the day with the battlefields and forts of Verdun including visits to Fort Douamont and Ossuary and the newly re-opened Verdun Memorial Museum. This afternoon visit Saint-Mihiel where you will meet with a local official to learn what it was like to live through these battles. Visit the majestic Montsec American Monument and explore villages where fierce fighting took place. Return to Verdun. Hostellerie du Chateau des Monthairons, Verdun, Meals: B, L DAY 8

On to Paris

En route to Paris, visit the poignant Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, commemorating the American expatriate aviators who served with French forces before the United States officially entered the war. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner. Hotel Édouard, Paris, Meals: B, D DAY 9

Homeward Bound

Spend your last few hours enjoying the city before heading to the airport for your individual flights home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 12, 2016 – APR 20, 2016

$6,695

$1,195

N/A

Mitch Yockelson

SEP 20, 2016 – SEP 28, 2016

$6,695

$1,195

N/A

Richard Cohen

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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The Fall and Rise of Berlin Berlin has survived defeat in World War I, the Weimar Republic, the rise and fall of the Nazi party, 40 years as a divided city, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. In this six-day journey, trace the epic story of Berlin to the amazing modern city it is today. Explore majestic architecture, historic monuments and the rich cultural legacy this unique city offers.

History & Context Travelers 25 Places visited Berlin, Potsdam Itinerary 6 days, 5 nights 1 Welcome to Berlin 2 Hitler’s Berlin 3 The Russian Advance 4 Potsdam 5 The Cold War and the New Berlin 6 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

• Follow the path of the Russian attack on Berlin in 1945. • Visit the ruins of the Führer Bunker and the “Topography of Terror.” • See Cecilienhof Palace, where Stalin, Churchill and Truman met to decide the future of Europe in the summer of 1945. • Step inside the former headquarters of the Stasi, the East German Secret Police. • Recall the Cold War era at the Berlin Wall and the Stasi Prison and Museum.

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Featured Expert: Serge Schmemann October 10 Departure Serge Schmemann is a member of the editorial board of The New York Times focusing on international issues. He worked for many years as a correspondent and bureau chief in Johannesburg, Moscow, Bonn, Jerusalem and the United Nations. Mr. Schmemann was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1991 for coverage of the reunification of Germany.

on May 8, 1945; and Treptower Park and the Soviet monument amid the graves of the fallen soldiers. The Westin Grand, Meals: B, L DAY 4

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Berlin

After you arrive in Berlin, take a brief orientation tour en route to the hotel, in the heart of the city. Get to know your fellow Times travelers at a welcome reception and dinner this evening. The Westin Grand, Meals: R, D DAY 2

Hitler’s Berlin

DAY 3

Head to Potsdam and Wannsee Villa, where the Nazis planned the “final solution” in 1942. Cross the Glienicke Bridge, location of many Cold War spy exchanges, to Schloss Cecilienhof, where Churchill, Stalin and Truman met in 1945 to decide the future of Germany and Europe. Return to Berlin, stopping at the British World War II Cemetery. The Westin Grand, Meals: B, L DAY 5

Walk along the Wilhelmstrasse from the rebuilt Reichstag to the site of the Reich Chancellery and the Führer Bunker, where Hitler died. Visit the “Topography of Terror,” the former site of Gestapo headquarters. End back at the Reichstag, and have lunch on the roof next to the famed glass dome. Later, visit the Jewish Museum. The Westin Grand, Meals: B, L

The Russian Advance

Follow the Russian armies in their fight from the Oder River to the Reichstag, the heart of the Third Reich. Visit the fascinating joint Russian-German Museum at Seelow Heights; Karlshorst, where the German Army surrendered

Potsdam

The Cold War and the New Berlin

Investigate the divided Berlin of the Cold War starting at the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie before visiting the sobering Stasi Secret Police prison and Stasi headquarters, which is unchanged from the time the regime collapsed. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. The Westin Grand, Meals: B, D DAY 6

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

JUN 13, 2016 – JUN 18, 2016

$4,995

$650

N/A

John Tagliabue

OCT 10, 2016 – OCT 15, 2016

$4,995

$650

N/A

Serge Schmemann

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

83


The Legacy of Alexander the Great In his 32 years, Alexander the Great became one of the most powerful rulers in the world, and among history’s most brilliant military leaders. His most enduring achievement was that he Hellenized the ancient world, spreading the Greek language and culture. For eight days, we will follow the life of Alexander through Greece and Macedonia, and put his ancient conquests in modern context. History & Context Travelers 24 Places visited Athens, Thessaloniki, Pella, Amphipolis Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 Welcome to Athens 2 The Acropolis 3 The Heart of Alexander’s Macedonia 4 Alexander’s Capital 5 Philippi and Saint Paul 6 The Tomb of Philip II 7 Explore Thessaloniki 8 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Expert guides and New York Times context offer exceptional insight into one of history’s greatest conquerors. • Visit the Acropolis, the seat of ancient Athenian culture and worship. • See Alexander’s birthplace, Pella, the capital of the Macedonians. • Visit Byzantine churches with exquisite mosaics and frescoes. • Travel through the important cities of Alexander’s Macedonia. • Visit early Christian sites and view intricate mosaics. • Explore the newly discovered tomb of Philip II, Alexander’s father.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Athens

After arriving in Athens and meeting your fellow Times travelers, transfer to your hotel and check in. This evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner. St. George Lycabettus Hotel, Meals: R, D

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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DAY 2

Visit the Acropolis Museum to view models of the Acropolis, the Parthenon Frieze and the iconic bust of Alexander. Continue to the Acropolis itself and explore its temples and architectural genius. After lunch in the Plaka, the old historical neighborhood of Athens, continue to the Agora, Athens’s ancient marketplace and birthplace of democracy. St. George Lycabettus Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 3

The Heart of Alexander’s Macedonia

Fly to Thessaloniki, in Macedonian Greece, named in honor of a half sister of Alexander. Visit the Byzantine church of Hosios David, and explore an impressive collection of Hellenistic period Macedonian artifacts at the Archaeological Museum. Meet the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Yiannis Boutaris. Electra Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Featured Expert: David M. Ratzan, Ph.D.

The Acropolis

April 30, September 17 Departures David Ratzan is head librarian at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University. An expert in ancient Greek and Roman history and papyrology, Ratzan has travelled widely in the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt, where he participates in NYU’s archaeological excavations at Amheida in Egypt’s Dakhleh Oasis.

Alexander’s Capital

Pella, Alexander’s birthplace and capital, is known for its floor mosaics and recent excavations. Explore the new Archaeological Museum and have lunch at the estate winery of Kir-Yianni Boutaris. In Mieza, visit the School of Aristotle, where Alexander and his companions were tutored, and Lefkadia, site of four Macedonian tombs with vivid paintings. Electra Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 5

Philippi and Saint Paul

Founded by Philip II, Philippi is also where Saint Paul established the first Christian community in Europe. Explore the striking ruins of a theater, an agora (marketplace) and early Christian basilicas. Continue to Amphipolis, a prosperous colony of Athens. Visit its museum and the best-preserved ancient gymnasium in Greece. Electra Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 6

The Tomb of Philip II

Ancient Aigai, now Vergina, is where Philip II was assassinated in 336 B.C. Visit the underground museum with recently discovered tombs, including that of Philip II. In Veria, visit small Byzantine churches and a restored Jewish synagogue as well as the library, which won a Gates Foundation award for access to learning. Electra Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 7

Explore Thessaloniki

Rotunda of St. George and its early Christian mosaics. Return to Athens after lunch. St. George Lycabettus Hotel, Meals: B, L, R, D DAY 8

Visit Thessaloniki in depth, its Byzantine tradition expressed in architecture, churches and monasteries. Visit the Jewish Museum and synagogue, and the

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, depart for the airport and your journey home or onward. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 30, 2016 – MAY 7, 2016

$4,895

$800

N/A

David M. Ratzan

SEP 17, 2016 – SEP 24, 2016

$4,895

$800

N/A

David M. Ratzan

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

85


The Many Faces of Russia A complex and enigmatic country, Russia has been friend and foe, sometimes both at once. During this eight-day itinerary, unlock some of the ancient secrets this fascinating country holds, with exclusive access to sites from the Kremlin to Peter the Great’s summer home. Welcome to Russia. Politics & Perspectives Travelers 24 Places visited Moscow, St. Petersburg Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 Welcome to Russia 2 The Kremlin, in Private 3 Cold War Shelter and Art 4 The Gorbachev Years and St. Petersburg 5 The Romanovs and the Hermitage 6 Pushkin and Fabergé 7 Peterhof 8 Homeward Bound

Itinerary DAY 1

Journey Highlights • Join the Russian TV presenter Boris Notkin for an informal discussion on Russian politics, where he will offer his insights into the long and convoluted history of the Soviet Union. • Enjoy a private tour of the Armoury Museum in the Kremlin territory. • Have an exclusive meeting with Pavel Palazhchenko, the principal interpreter for Mikhail Gorbachev. • Experience the Hermitage, in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. • Hear from Zoya Belyakova, an expert on the Romanov dynasty. • Go on a private tour of Czar Peter’s summer palace at Peterhof.

Europe

Welcome to Russia

Arrive at Domodedovo Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax. Reconvene later in the evening for welcome cocktails and dinner at the hotel, where you will meet your fellow Times travelers. Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel, Meal: D DAY 2

The Kremlin, in Private

The Kremlin will open early for you, and you’ll see a vast collection of precious stones, jewelry and Fabergé eggs, as well as two of the Kremlin’s cathedrals. Later, explore the Park of Fallen Idols and the Novodevichy Convent cemetery. End the day with a walking tour of Red Square. Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Cold War Shelter and Art

Join the Russian TV presenter Boris Notkin for a discussion of Russian politics. Next, visit the former top-secret Soviet command post known simply as GO-42, which houses Moscow’s Cold War Museum, deep underground. Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery and its exquisite collection of Russian icons and pre-Revolutionary art. Dinner and the evening are at leisure. Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel, Meals: B, L

Tour operated by Abercrombie & Kent

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DAY 4

This morning, meet with Pavel Palazhchenko, the principal interpreter for Mikhail Gorbachev. Discuss the Gorbachev years, including U.S.-Soviet summit talks, which in turn led to the end of the Cold War. Palazhchenko now heads the Gorbachev Foundation. Midday, travel by rail to St. Petersburg, and take a private journey on a canal boat. Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

The Romanovs and the Hermitage

Begin the day with a lecture by Professor Zoya Belyakova, an internationally acclaimed specialist on the Romanov dynasty. Then see Nevsky Prospekt, Palace Square, the Admiralty and Vasilievsky Island. Visit Peter & Paul Fortress and St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Then it’s the Hermitage, in the lavishly decorated Winter Palace, housing three million pieces of art. Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, Meals: B, L DAY 6

Featured Expert: Serge Schmemann

The Gorbachev Years and St. Petersburg

June 3 Departure Serge Schmemann is a member of the editorial board of The New York Times focusing on international issues. He worked for many years as a correspondent and bureau chief in Johannesburg, Moscow, Bonn, Jerusalem and the United Nations. Mr. Schmemann was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1991 for coverage of the reunification of Germany. Laura Shaine Cunningham May 13 Departure Author, plawright and journalist. Her play, "Beautiful Bodies," has been a sold-out hit in Russia for nine years.

Pushkin and Fabergé

Head to Tsarskoe Selo (the czar’s village), more commonly known as Pushkin. Set in landscaped parkland, one of the baroque palace’s highlights is the famous Amber Room, decorated with amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors. Return to St. Petersburg for a guided tour of the stunning treasures at the Fabergé Museum. Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, Meals: B, L DAY 7

Peterhof

Visit Peterhof and the summer estate of Peter the Great on the Gulf of Finland. Your guide will escort you before opening hours, explaining the relevance, architecture and meaning of several palaces, summerhouses and pavilions. Travel back to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil, where the afternoon is free before a farewell dinner. Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, Meals: B, D DAY 8

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to St. Petersburg airport for your departure flight. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAY 13, 2016 – MAY 20, 2016

$6,195

$995

N/A

Laura Shaine Cunningham

JUN 3, 2016 – JUN 10, 2016

$6,195

$995

N/A

Serge Schmemann

JUL 15, 2016 – JUL 22, 2016

$6,195

$995

N/A

To be announced

AUG 12, 2016 – AUG 19, 2016

$6,195

$995

N/A

Jeanne Pinder

SEP 9, 2016 – SEP 16, 2016

$6,195

$995

N/A

To be announced

OCT 7, 2016 – OCT 14, 2016

$6,195

$995

N/A

To be announced

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

87


The Northern Ireland Peace Process The Troubles split Northern Ireland asunder for 30 years, pitting Catholic against Protestant, Republican against Loyalist, neighbor against neighbor. With experts from both sides and The New York Times’s perspective, this eight-day itinerary will take travelers deep into the conflict that took hold of Northern Ireland in 1968 and has not quite let go.

Politics & Perspectives Travelers 26 Places visited Omagh, Derry (Northern Ireland), Dublin (Republic of Ireland) Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 Starting at the End: Omagh Bombings 2 Free Derry 3 Giant’s Causeway and the City of Belfast 4 Promoting Peace and Reconciliation 5 The Peace Process 6 Irish Eyes: Belfast to Dublin 7 Dublin’s Political Past 8 Homeward Bound

Europe

Journey Highlights • Dine with Máirtin Ó Muilleoir, former Lord Mayor of Belfast and Sinn Féin politician, for unique insights. • Tour the Falls and Shankill Roads led by Republican and Loyalist ex-combatants. • Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast with a private dinner in the members’ Long Gallery. • Visit the Museum of Free Derry and speak with its director, John Kelly, who lost his brother during Bloody Sunday. • View the Little Museum of Dublin on a private tour from its curator.

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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Itinerary DAY 1

Featured Expert: Douglas Dalby

Starting at the End: Omagh Bombings

Arrive in Dublin and meet your guide, then travel to Omagh. On Aug. 15, 1998, a bombing by a splinter group of the I.R.A. killed 29 people. Visit the site, now marked with a pillar made from six tons of glass. Over lunch, your guide will discuss the ramifications of the bombing. Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Meals: L, D DAY 2

Free Derry

Visit Bogside, the site of riots in 1969 and Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers killed 14 unarmed protesters. Tour the Museum of Free Derry, where its director, John Kelly, will discuss the events of Bloody Sunday: He lost his brother in the rioting. After lunch, visit the Gasyard Heritage Centre. Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 3

Giant’s Causeway and the City of Belfast

En route to Belfast, stop at Giant’s Causeway to explore the giant basalt columns that figure large in Irish mythology and social history. Lunch is in Bushmills, home of the whiskey distillery. In Belfast, tour industrial Belfast City, including the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, the Opera House and the Harland & Wolff Shipyard, where the Titanic was built. Europa Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 4

DAY 6

The Peace Process

Hear both sides of the story on a walking tour of the largely Republican Falls Road and the predominantly Loyalist Shankill Road, joined by both Loyalist and Republican ex-combatants. Visit the 17th-century Crumlin Road Gaol, used to house political prisoners. Visit the Stormont Parliament Buildings where the peace process was brokered for a behind the scenes tour and a private dinner in the member’s Long Gallery. Europa Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Irish Eyes: Belfast to Dublin

Head for Dublin and a guided city tour, including the elegant Georgian squares dotted around the city, Phoenix Park and Christchurch. No tour of Dublin is complete without at least a glimpse of the Guinness brewery. After lunch, tour Trinity College for a closer look at its architecture and history. Stephen’s Green Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 7

Promoting Peace and Reconciliation

Visit the Corrymeela Retreat Centre, which promotes reconciliation and peace building, and meet its executive director, Colin Craig. Next, join chief librarian John Killen in Linen Hall Library, and visit Belfast City Hall. In the evening, Máirtin Ó Muilleoir, the former Lord Mayor of Belfast, will join you for a dinner discussion. Europa Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 5

May 22, October 2 Departures Over almost three decades as a journalist, Douglas Dalby has held several senior editorial positions in various national newspapers, including The Irish Times, The Sunday Times (Ireland) and The Australian. Based in Dublin, he has been writing for The New York Times on all matters Irish since 2010.

Dublin’s Political Past

Delve into Dublin’s political past at the Little Museum of Dublin on a tour from its curator. Move to Leinster House where the Parliament meets, the National Museum of Ireland — Decorative Arts & History, and the An Post Museum at the General Post Office. End with a traditional Irish dinner at O’Connell’s in Donnybrook. Stephen’s Green Hotel, Meals: B, D DAY 8

Homeward Bound

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport and your travel home or onward. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAY 22, 2016 – MAY 29, 2016

$5,495

$850

N/A

Douglas Dalby

OCT 2, 2016 – OCT 9, 2016

$5,495

$850

N/A

Douglas Dalby

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

89


The Splintered Pasts of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina has been part of a tug-of-war for centuries, the very symbol of the term “Balkanization.” In this 10-day journey, travel to medieval villages, war-scarred but modern cities, and a land where Croats, Serbs and Bosnian Muslims coexist, at times uneasily. Politics & Perspectives Travelers 24 Places visited Sarajevo, Bosnian Alps, Srebrenica, Mostar, Trebinje Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Sarajevo 2 Sarajevo’s Complex Past 3 A Peek Into a Mountainous Tradition 4 A Trip to the Middle Ages 5 The Srebrenica Massacre 6 The Scars of War 7 Historic Sites of Herzegovina 8 Karst, Caves and an Orthodox Monastery 9 Honey and Battlefields 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • See architecture from the Middle Ages, the Ottoman Empire and beyond. • Learn the complicated and bloody history of the region. • See mountain villages maintaining medieval customs. • Visit monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques. • See the ancient and modern arts and crafts of a diverse people.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Sarajevo

Arrive in Sarajevo in the morning, and be escorted to your hotel. Join your fellow Times travelers for a welcome dinner at the Hedona Wine Club, a slowfood experience in Bosnia’s only champagne vineyard, high above Sarajevo. Europe Hotel, Sarajevo, Meal: D DAY 2

Sarajevo’s Complex Past

Visit the old town hall, damaged by Serbian shelling in the 1990s. See the Latin Bridge, site of Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914, and the 2,600-foot tunnel that was Sarajevo’s sole supply line during the 1,400-day siege by Serbs. Meet guidebook author Tim Clancy. Europe Hotel, Sarajevo, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

A Peek Into a Mountainous Tradition

Hike to 14th-century Lukomir, Bosnia’s most isolated mountain village, where traditional clothing and lifestyles still reign. This area’s remote location spared it most of the horrors of the 1990s war. Europe Hotel, Sarajevo, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

A Trip to the Middle Ages

Visit the small medieval village of Kraljeva Sutjeska and the nearby citadel of Bobovac, once home of two Bosnian kings. See the Bosnian Franciscan monastery’s museum. In Sarajevo, meet Mirnes Kovac, a journalist and political analyst, to discuss Islam in Bosnia. Europe Hotel, Sarajevo, Meals: B, L, D

Europe

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 5

Visit the somber Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center and Cemetery. In 1995, Bosnian Serb forces massacred over 8,000 Bosniak men and teenage boys. At a local youth organization, discuss how those born after the war deal with its lingering effects. Europe Hotel, Sarajevo, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

The Scars of War

Travel to Konjic, where Josip Broz Tito, the iron-fisted president of Yugoslavia, took 26 years to build an atomic bunker. In Mostar, violently split during the war of the early 1990s, meet Sulejman Demirovic to discuss Ottoman architecture and postwar reconstruction. Old Town Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Historic Sites of Herzegovina

The 16th-century monastery in Blagaj is one of the most mystical places in Herzegovina. Continue to Pocitelj, with its stunning oriental architecture. Lunch is at Zilavka-Brkic Vineyards in Citluk, then visit Medjugorje, where six local Catholics have reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Old Town Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Karst, Caves and an Orthodox Monastery

Visit the Orhideja Women’s Farmers’ Cooperative in Stolac. Continue to the limestone karst fields and Vjetrenica Caves, then to the Old Town of Trebinje, as a command and artillery base of the Yugoslav People’s Army. Platani Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

Featured Expert: John Burns

The Srebrenica Massacre

June 5 Departure Former London and Baghdad bureau chief for The New York Times, John F. Burns was the longest-serving foreign correspondent in The Times’s history. For more than 30 years he was a fearless representative in embattled regions — from South Africa during apartheid to the siege of Sarajevo and then to Iraq before and after the war. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, one of which was awarded for his coverage of the siege and destruction of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. Alex Crevar July 3, August 7, September 4 Departures A freelance journalist, he has covered the Balkans for nearly 20 years, and filed articles for The New York Times for more than a decade.

Honey and Battlefields

Sample some of the world’s best honey right from the hives at breakfast with a local beekeeper. Lunch in Sutjeska National Park, site of one of the bloodiest battles in World War II. Reflect on your journey over a farewell dinner. Europe Hotel, Sarajevo, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Sarajevo for your flights home or onward. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

JUN 5, 2016 – JUN 14, 2016

$5,595

$400

N/A

John Burns

JUL 3, 2016 – JUL 12, 2016

$5,595

$400

N/A

Alex Crevar

AUG 7, 2016 – AUG 16, 2016

$5,595

$400

N/A

Alex Crevar

SEP 4, 2016 – SEP 13, 2016

$5,595

$400

N/A

Alex Crevar

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

91


Tulip Time in Holland by Barge Travel as they did in Holland’s 17th-century Golden Age: by private barge through the beautiful countryside. Visit great Dutch cities with their historic architecture and famous museums. The highlight of this nine-day journey is a visit to the famous Keukenhof tulip garden, where millions of tulips of every description and color will be in bloom.

Itinerary DAY 1

Arrive in Amsterdam, where you will be met by a tour representative and transfer to the hotel. Relax, perhaps taking a walk along the canals, before meeting your New York Times expert and shipmates at a welcome reception and dinner. The Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Meals: R, D DAY 2

Amsterdam

Take an in-depth tour of the glorious and newly renovated Rijksmuseum, which holds paintings of great masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, and treasures of medieval sculpture, prints and Dutch silver. After lunch on your own, transfer to the M.S. Magnifique. This evening the captain and crew will greet you, followed by dinner. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, D DAY 3

Sailing & Cruises Vessel Name M.S. Magnifique Travelers 28 Places visited Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Leiden, Delft, Gouda, Oude Wetering Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights 1 Welcome to Holland 2 Amsterdam 3 Amsterdam to Haarlem 4 Haarlem to Leiden 5 The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam 6 Kinderdijk to Gouda 7 Gouda to Oude Wetering 8 Oude Wetering to Amsterdam 9 Homeward Bound

Welcome to Holland

Amsterdam to Haarlem

Relax on deck as you cruise to Haarlem. After lunch on your own, take a walking tour. Pass by the Town Hall, in use since 1100, and the Grote Kerk (Great Church), home to Holland’s largest pipe organ, used by Beethoven and other composers. Visit the Frans Hals Museum. Dinner is back on board. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, D DAY 4

Haarlem to Leiden

Every spring, the Keukenhof tulip garden attracts visitors from across the world for a beautiful and flower-packed extravaganza. After enjoying the flowers, take a bus to Leiden, Rembrandt’s birthplace, to visit the Lakenhal Museum, a museum dedicated to the Pilgrim Fathers and the Windmill de Valk Museum. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, D

Journey Highlights • Sail through Holland during the Tulip Festival, when thousands of acres of flowers are in bloom. • Visit museums to see works of Dutch master painters. • Explore the famous Keukenhof tulip garden. • Visit a Delftware factory, where the delicate blue and white pottery is made. • See centuries-old windmills and learn how the Dutch keep the sea at bay.

Europe

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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Featured Expert: Marlise Simons Marlise Simons is a Dutch-born foreign correspondent for The New York Times based in Paris since 1989. She reports on European economics, politics, diplomacy, the environment and cultural matters and writes frequently about her homeland, in particular the work of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

DAY 5

The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam

In The Hague, visit the newly renovated Mauritshuis Museum, whose collection includes works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and other old masters. At Gemeentemuseum, view its collection of Mondrian paintings. Continue to Delft, its canals lined by Gothic and Renaissance houses. Visit a factory where Delftware is still made. Rejoin the M.S. Magnifique in Rotterdam for dinner. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, D DAY 6

Kinderdijk to Gouda

Sail to Kinderdijk, a Unesco World Heritage site, which has the largest remaining concentration of traditional 18th-century windmills in the Netherlands. Then it’s on to Gouda to view the Gothic city hall, completed in 1450, and St. Janskerk (St. John’s Church), with its world-famous 16th-century stained-glass windows. After some free time, return to the M.S. Magnifique. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Gouda to Oude Wetering

Visit the Cheese Weighing House and sample some of its many varieties. Then continue along the canals toward Gouwsluis. After lunch on board, you can join the ship’s chef for a Dutch specialties cooking class or take a bike ride through the nearby countryside. After dinner, attend a presentation and tasting of Dutch beer. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, L, D

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

93


Tulip Time in Holland by Barge

Europe

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DAY 8

Oude Wetering to Amsterdam

DAY 9

Travel early to Aalsmeer and FloraHolland, the largest flower auction market in the world, where millions of flowers are sold before being shipped around the world. Sail back to Amsterdam. After lunch on board, the afternoon is free to explore this great city before a festive farewell dinner on the M.S. Magnifique. The M.S. Magnifique, Meals: B, L, D

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for your flights home. Meal: B

Deck Plans

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

MAY 6, 2016 – MAY 14, 2016

Standard Junior Suite

$6,295 $7,295

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

$2,300 N/A

N/A N/A

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

EXPERT

Marlise Simons

95


Cuba. The Time Is Now: A People-to-People Experience Both frozen in time and poised for change, this nation has intrigued Americans even as they were threatened by its Soviet partner. At the cusp of normalized relations with the United States, Cuba remains an enigma. Times Journeys’ trips to Cuba are permitted by a general People-to-People license for The New York Times from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Arts & Culture Travelers 25 Places visited Havana, Las Terrazas, Viñales Itinerary 9 days, 10 nights 1 Miami: Steppingstone to Cuba 2 Hop to Havana 3 The Crumbling Beauty of Habana Vieja 4 Cuba’s Lush Countryside: Las Terrazas 5 Cuba’s Lush Countryside: Viñales 6 Return to Havana 7 A Land of Changes 8 Havana’s Moment 9 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights

Itinerary DAY 1

Miami: Steppingstone to Cuba

Arrive in Miami and check into the hotel. This evening, begin your understanding of Cuba with a welcome reception and a lively, thought-provoking panel discussion on the most vital issues facing Cuba today. Sofitel Miami, Meals: R, D

Hop to Havana

• Tour the timeless city of Havana accompanied by local experts in the fields of art and economics. • Visit Las Terrazas, a sustainable community in the mountains of Sierra del Rosario, a Unescodesignated Biosphere Reserve. • Discuss evolving U.S.-Cuba relations with Cuban citizens at the first English-language bookstore. • Talk with journalists and ordinary citizens about the huge economic and social changes Cuba faces. • Learn about social issues such as gender equality and gay rights at meetings with social advocates in Havana.

DAY 2

North America

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

Board your group flight from Miami to Havana. After passing through customs and having lunch, visit Ernest Hemingway’s home, Finca Vigía. Relax in the afternoon, and meet for an informational briefing, followed by a welcome dinner.* Parque Central Hotel, Meals: B, L, D * This day’s itinerary may vary according to the charter flight schedule. DAY 3

The Crumbling Beauty of Habana Vieja

Meet with an urban planner and architect to discuss the challenges of restoring Havana’s colonial architecture. Walk through Habana Vieja, “Old Havana,” and hear locals’ take on Cuba’s economic changes. After lunch, take a walking tour of the city’s Prado, and meet with the city’s cuentapropistas (self-employed). Parque Central Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

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DAY 4

Head to Las Terrazas, a sustainable community in the mountains of Sierra del Rosario, and walk through the village center. At lunch, experience the Cuban “farm-to-table” movement. Meet some locals at an informal community gathering at Pinar del Río. La Moka Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

Cuba’s Lush Countryside: Viñales

Walk through the unique landscape of Viñales Valley. Stop at an operating tobacco farm and meet with campesinos, or farmers, and visit another “farm-totable” project, Wilfredo’s Organic Farm. Tour the local newspaper Guerrillero, and discuss the role of media in Cuba with local journalists. La Moka Hotel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

Featured Expert: Anthony DePalma

Cuba’s Lush Countryside: Las Terrazas

April 15, December 9 Departures Anthony DePalma spent 22 years as a reporter and foreign correspondent for The New York Times, focusing most of his attention on Mexico and Cuba. His book “The Man Who Invented Fidel,” about U.S.-Cuba relations, was published in 2006. Erica Goode March 18 Departure A Times science writer, former environmental editor and reporter and a former Times foreign correspondent in Iraq.

Return to Havana

Return to Havana and visit the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) to discuss race and ethnicity in Cuba. Stop at the extraordinary studio of the artist José Fuster and the neighborhood he transformed with mosaic-covered whimsical structures. Visit Cuba’s first English-language bookstore and discuss life in Havana with Cubans. Parque Central Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 7

Marc Lacey January 15 Departure Times associate managing editor, previously a foreign correspondent covering Central America.

A Land of Changes

Visit the National Center of Sexual Education, where a representative will discuss the mission of the organization and its work in shaping social reform and advocacy for gender equality and gay rights. Then meet with editors and journalists at Granma, Cuba’s national daily newspaper. Parque Central Hotel, Meals: B, L DAY 8

DAY 9

Havana’s Moment

Visit the Museum of Fine Arts with a Cuban art historian followed by a private performance and discussion with an Afro-Cuban dance group. Tonight, gather for a farewell reception and dinner. Parque Central Hotel, Meals: B, L, D

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, check in for your flight back to Miami.* Meal: B * This day’s itinerary may vary according to the charter flight schedule.

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE INTERNAL AIR SUPPLEMENT (FROM)

EXPERT

JAN 15, 2016 – JAN 23, 2016

$6,695 sold out

$850

$525

Marc Lacey

FEB 19, 2016 – FEB 27, 2016

$6,695

$850

$525

Alex Garcia

MAR 18, 2016 – MAR 26, 2016

$6,695

$850

$525

Erica Goode

APR 15, 2016 – APR 23, 2016

$6,695

$850

$525

Anthony DePalma

NOV 11, 2016 – NOV 19, 2016

$6,695

$850

$525

To be announced

DEC 9, 2016 – DEC 17, 2016

$6,695

$850

$525

Anthony DePalma

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

97


Cruising the Panama Canal Transit the new Panama Canal on this Times Journeys cruise conference. Sail from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam, visiting rain forests, beautiful beaches, and coffee and cacao farms. On board, hear from three New York Times journalists, an expert on American Indians and a political expert on topics ranging from race relations and politics to the safety of our food.

Sailing & Cruises Vessel Name m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Places visited Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; Oaxaca, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Itinerary 16 days, 15 nights 1 Fort Lauderdale: Sail Away 2 At Sea: The Tropic of Cancer 3 At Sea: Into Caribbean Climes 4 Colonial Cartagena 5 The Panama Canal, an Epic Creation 6 At Sea: Where Rain Forests Meet the Ocean 7 Costa Rica: Pura Vida 8 Nicaragua: Lush Landscapes, Colonial History 9 Guatemala: Maya and Spanish Colonial Universes 10 Mexico: Puerto Chiapas 11 Oaxaca: On the Beach 12 At Sea: Mexico’s Pacific Coast 13 Puerto Vallarta: One City, Many Mexicos 14 Cabo San Lucas: Desert, Sea and Sky 15 At Sea: In Baja’s Waters 16 San Diego: Homeward Bound

Itinerary DAY 1

Fort Lauderdale: Sail Away

Board the Nieuw Amsterdam in Port Everglades, Fla., just outside Fort Lauderdale. This afternoon, gather for the first time as a group at a bon voyage cocktail party, where you’ll get your name badges and programs and meet your fellow Times Journey adventurers as the ship heads south in Atlantic waters. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: L, D aboard ship DAY 2

At Sea: The Tropic of Cancer

As you sail through Caribbean waters, Carl Hulse will put the fate of the Panama Canal treaty into today’s political perspective; Ron Nixon will discuss food safety; Frances Robles will look at the future of Cuba; and Frederick Hoxie will explore the first contact of Native and European worlds. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship

Journey Highlights • Combine your love of travel with your love of learning. • Mingle with award-winning Times journalists and experts. • Learn about politics, American Indians, food safety and other topics in exclusive settings. • Traverse the wonder of the Panama Canal and learn its history and future. • Visit exotic ports of call and relax in traditional cruise style.

North America

Tour operated by Insight Cruises

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DAY 3

At Sea: Into Caribbean Climes

En route to Cartagena, hear Frances Robles on how high-profile killings of black men have changed race relations in America, Ron Nixon on the lack of high-speed rail travel in the United States, Carl Hulse on the dysfunction in Washington, and Frederick Hoxie on the paradox of colonials seeking liberty but depriving the indigenous people of theirs. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 4

Colonial Cartagena

Spend the morning exploring Cartagena’s colonial architecture, long beaches and cafes. Back on board, hear Ron Nixon on how the United States has been complicit in wildlife trafficking and Carl Hulse on how the makeup of Congress in just a few months will be just as crucial as the new occupant of the White House. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, R, D aboard ship DAY 5

Carl Hulse Carl Hulse is chief Washington correspondent of The New York Times and managing editor of First Draft, a political news stream and morning email newsletter. He has worked for The Times and its newspapers for nearly three decades.

The Panama Canal, an Epic Creation

Spend the day watching and experiencing the marvel of the Panama Canal. Arrive at the Atlantic side entrance on the early morning, and traverse 48 miles of waterways including Gatun Lake, the Chagres River, Alajuela Lake, Miraflores Lake, the Port of Balboa and the Pacific exit. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 6

Frederick E. Hoxie Frederick E. Hoxie is Swanlund Professor of History at the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, where he is also affiliated with the College of Law and the university’s American Indian Studies program. He has written or edited more than a dozen books on American Indian issues, most recently the “Oxford Handbook of American Indian History.”

At Sea: Where Rain Forests Meet the Ocean

As you pass the lush Pacific coasts of Panama and Costa Rica, have a relaxed opportunity to talk with Carl Hulse, Ron Nixon and Frances Robles of The New York Times. Later, Ms. Robles will discuss the prospect of a new canal, which would bisect Nicaragua and disrupt thousands of indigenous people. A champagne reception precedes dinner. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, R, D aboard ship

Ron Nixon Ron Nixon is a Washington correspondent for The New York Times who covers federal regulatory agencies. Mr. Nixon has also reported from Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He teaches investigative reporting and data journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Frances Robles Frances Robles is a Miami-based correspondent covering Florida, Central America and the Caribbean for The New York Times, and immigration, wrongful convictions and money in politics in the U.S. Her examination of shoddy detective work in Brooklyn homicide investigations won a George Polk Award, and led to the overturning of five murder convictions. Dan Schnur Dan Schnur is director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California, where he teaches classes in politics communications, and leadership. He has worked for years as a political reformer and has held several leadership positions in this field. He has worked on four presidential and three gubernatorial campaigns.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

99


Cruising the Panama Canal

DAY 7

Costa Rica: Pura Vida

Costa Rica pioneered ecotourism featuring its rain and cloud forests, and you can spend a delightful day in nature, visiting a coffee farm, or on the beach, part of “Pura Vida” (“the good life”). Later, hear Dan Schnur discuss what it’s really like inside a campaign strategy session when the stakes are at their highest. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 8

Nicaragua: Lush Landscapes, Colonial History

Opt for a day in the countryside of Nicaragua, or head into colonial León, Nicaragua’s former capital. After your return, Dan Schnur will discuss how technology and candidates’ direct access to voters through social media has changed the role of the news media in the political conversation. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 9

Guatemala: Maya and Spanish Colonial Universes

Head into the volcanic highlands to the Unesco World Heritage site Antigua, capital of the Spanish colonial Kingdom of Guatemala. You can also tour the Maya site of Iximche. Back on board, hear Dan Schnur’s take on how the presidential campaigns decide which voters (and voting blocs) are more important than others, and how to target them. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 10

Mexico: Puerto Chiapas

Excursions to the Chiapas countryside may feature coffee production, chocolate — an ancient and significant component of Mesoamerican life — or the pre-Mayan ruins of Izapa. When you return, Dan Schnur will ask what has created an unprecedented era of hyperpartisanship and polarization, and what can be done to begin to fix a broken political system. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, R, D aboard ship DAY 11

Oaxaca: On the Beach

Dock in Huatulco, gateway to Oaxaca. Relax on one of Oaxaca’s beautiful beaches, visit a rural village, or take a raft trip on the Copalita River. Back on board, Dan Schnur will discuss the unprecedented array of global economic, security, environmental and diplomatic challenges facing a new president and Congress. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 12

At Sea: Mexico’s Pacific Coast

As you continue northward along Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Ron Nixon looks at America’s foreign aid program to see who benefits, how effective it is at satisfying policy goals and its potential future direction. Later, have an informal opportunity to ask Dan Schnur questions, exchange ideas or just chat, followed by an exclusive champagne reception before dinner. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, R, D aboard ship

North America

DAY 13

Puerto Vallarta: One City, Many Mexicos

Enjoy a day in Puerto Vallarta, where mountain, jungle and sea come together. Explore old Vallarta, take an ecotour, absorb local folkways in Jalisco’s mountain towns, or just enjoy a day at the beach. When you return, Carl Hulse will discuss the impact of the fast-growing Hispanic population on elections, and on support for substantial immigration reform. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 14

Cabo San Lucas: Desert, Sea and Sky

Sample the glimpses of traditional Mexico, abundant water sports, outdoor adventure and excellent shopping of Los Cabos. Later, Frederick Hoxie will discuss the “Greatest Generation” of American Indians, who refused to surrender to the forces of modernity and “progress” while reviving the idea that North America could be a homeland for both Native and non-Native peoples. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 15

At Sea: In Baja’s Waters

On your last full day aboard, hear Frederick Hoxie identify which aspects of Native American life have changed most clearly in the past generation, and which have not. Frances Robles will look at why so many Central American children hike through the desert for weeks to reach the United States. A farewell cocktail reception precedes dinner. Holland America Line’s m.s. Nieuw Amsterdam, Meals: B, L, R, D aboard ship DAY 16

San Diego: Homeward Bound

After breakfast, disembark and begin your trip home. San Diego’s parks, museums and beaches tempt many visitors to linger a bit longer before heading home. Meal: B aboard ship

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Deck Plans M AI N D EC K

LOW ER PROMENA D E D EC K

PROMENADE DECK

Staterooms 1001–1130 252 ft. from bow to Staterooms 1001 & 1002.

UPPER PROM ENADE DECK

VERANDAH DECK

U P P E R V E RA NDA H D E CK

Staterooms 4001–4189 103 ft. from bow to Staterooms 4001 & 4002.

Staterooms 5001–5193 103 ft. from bow to Staterooms 5001 & 5002.

Staterooms 6001–6181 112 ft. from bow to Staterooms 6003 & 6004.

ROTT E RDA M D E CK

NAV IGAT ION D E CK

Staterooms 7001–7143 140 ft. from bow to Staterooms 7001 & 7002.

Staterooms 8001–8175 186 ft. from bow to Staterooms 8001 & 8002.

L ID O D E CK

PA NORA M A D E CK

OBSE RVAT ION D E CK

Staterooms 10001–10046 140 ft. from bow to Staterooms 10001 & 10002.

Staterooms 11001–11010 252 ft. from bow to Staterooms 11001 & 11002.

ms NIEUW AMSTERDAM

J1031

J1034

J1037

J1038 J1044

J1043

J1048

J1049

J1054

J1053

J1058

J1059

J1064

J1063

J1068

J1069

J1074

J1073

M

W E

E

E

E

SCREENING ROOM

HUDSON HALF MOON

CASINO BAR

HH4058 HH4060 HH4062 G4064 HH4066 HH4068 HH4070 G4074 H4076 H4078 H4080 G4082 H4084 H4086 H4088 G4090

MERABELLA LUXURY SHOP

STUYVESANT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

SHOPS QUEEN’S LOUNGE & CULINARY ARTS CENTER

SHOPS

K1116

E E

K1115 K1119 K1125

M E E

E

E

PINNACLE GRILL

W

E

E

E

E

PINNACLE BAR

ATRIUM

D1083 D1085 D1087 D1089 D1091 D1093 D1095 D1097 D1099 DD1101 DD1103 DD1105 DD1107 DD1109 E1111 E1113 E1117 E1121 E1123 E1127

H4092 E

E

E

OCEAN BAR

PHOTO GALLERY

W M E

E E

KING’S ROOM

LOWER MANHATTAN DINING ROOM

W E

E

E

E

M

UPPER MANHATTAN DINING ROOM

VA4132 VA4134 VB4136 VB4138 VB4140 E VB4142 E VB4144 VB4146 VB4148 VB4152 VC4154 VC4158 VC4160 VC4164 VB4166

VB4178

SB 4176

L4170

VB4168 VC4172 VC4174

75 ft. to stern from Stateroom 1130.

Fully obstructed view Connecting rooms Shower only Single-sink vanity

VA4129 VA4131 VB4133 VB4135 VB4137 E VB4139 E VB4141 VB4143 VB4145 VB4149 VC4151 VC4155 VC4157 VC4161 VC4163 VC4167 VC4171 VC4173 L4175 VC4177 L4181 VC4179 SB 4183

5 ft. to stern from Staterooms 4182 & 4189.

STATEROOM SYMBOL LEGEN D

Triple (2 lower beds, 1 sofa bed) Quad (2 lower beds, 1 sofa bed, 1 upper) Partial sea view

G4091 H4093 H4095 H4097 H4099 G4101 H4103 H4105 H4107 H4109 G4111 HH4113 HH4115 HH4117 HH4119 G4121 HH4123 HH4125 HH4127

V5100 V5102 V5104 V5106 V5108 V5110 V5112 V5114 V5116 V5118 V5120 V5122 V5124 V5126 V5128 V5130 V5132 V5134 V5136 V5138 V5140 VB5142 VB5144 VB5146 E VB5148 E VB5150 VB5152 VB5154 VB5158 VC5160 VC5164 VC5166 VC5170 VC5172 VC5174 VC5176 VC5178 VC5180 VC5182 L5184 SB 5186

E

SS6058

SS6055

SB6060

SB6057

SA7040

SB6062

SB6059

SA7042

SS6068

I-6065

SS6070

SB 5187

7 ft. to stern from Staterooms 5192 & 5193.

SA7048

SS6072

I-6073

SS6071

SS6074

I-6075

SS6077

I-6079

SS6076

SS6085 SS6087 E

E

SS6089

SS6086

SS6091

SS6088

SS6093

SS6090

SS6095

SS6092

SS6097

SS6094

SS6099

SS6096

SS6101

SS6098

SS6103

SC6100

SC6105

SC6102

SC6107

SC6104

SC6109

SZ6106

SZ6111

SY6108

SY6113

VC6110 VC6112 VC6114 VC6116 VC6118 VC6120 VC6122 VC6126 VD6130 VD6134 VD6138 VD6142 VD6146 VD6148 VD6150 VD6154 VD6158 VD6162 SB 6164

E E

K6124 K6128 K6132 K6136 L6140 L6144

L6152 L6156 L6160

E E

K6127 K6131 K6135 K6139 K6143 L6147 L6151 L6155 L6159 L6163 L6167 L6171

SA7037 SA7043

I-7046

SA7045 SA7047

CONCIERGE

SA7049

NEPTUNE LOUNGE

SA7051

SA7054

SA7053

SA7056

SA7055

SA7058 E E

SS6084

SA7033 I-7035 I-7039 I-7041

SA7052

SS6083

E E

E

SA7050

SS6081

SS6078

SS6082

V5095 V5097 V5099 V5101 V5103 V5105 V5107 V5109 V5111 V5113 V5115 V5117 V5119 V5121 V5123 V5125 V5127 V5129 V5131 V5133 V5135 VB5137 VB5139 VB5141 E VB5143 E VB5145 VB5147 VB5151 VB5153 VC5157 VC5159 VC5163 VC5165 VC5169 VC5171 VC5175 VC5177 VC5181 L5185 VC5183

SA7044

SS6063 SS6067

E

SA7038

SB6061

I-6069

E

PS7031

SS6053

I-6066

E

PS7036

SS6056

SS6080

E E

VE7022 VD7024 VD7026 VD7028 VD7030 VD7032 VD7034

E

E E

SA7060

SA7059

SA7062

SA7061

SA7064

SA7063

SA7066

SA7065

SA7068

SA7067

SA7070

SA7069

SA7072

SA7071

SA7074

SA7073

SA7076

SA7075

SY7078

SY7077

SY7080

SY7079

VC6115 VC6117 VC6119 VC6121 VC6123 VC6125 VC6129 VC6133 VD6137 VD6141 VD6145 VD6149 VD6153 VD6157 VD6161 VD6165 VD6169 VD6173

VD7082 VD7084 VD7086 VD7088 VD7090 VD7092 VD7094 VD7098 VE7102 VE7106 VE7110 VE7114 VE7118 VE7120 VE7122 VE7126 VE7130

SB 6175

SB 7132

9 ft. to stern from Staterooms 6170 & 6181.

SA7057 E

E E

E

E

E

E

L7096 L7100 L7104 L7108 M7112

L7093 L7097 L7101 L7105 L7109 M7113

M7117 M7121 M7125 M7124 M7129 M7128 M7133

M7116

VD7081 VD7083 VD7085 VD7087 VD7089 VD7091 VD7095 VD7099 VE7103 VE7107 VE7111 VE7115 VE7119 VE7123 VE7127 VE7131 VE7135 SB 7137

14 ft. to stern from Staterooms 7138 & 7143.

FITNESS CENTER

VF8002 VF8004 VF8006 VF8008 VE8010 VE8012 VE8014 VE8016 VE8018 E VE8020 E VE8022 VE8024 VA8026 VA8028 VA8030 VA8032 I-8033 VA8034 I-8037 VA8036 I-8041 VA8038 I-8045 VA8040 VA8042 VA8044 VA8046 VA8048 VA8050 VA8052 VA8054 I-8056 VA8058 I-8060 VA8062 VA8064 VA8066 VA8068 VA8070 VA8072 VA8074 E

E E

VF8001 VF8003 VF8005 VF8007 VE8009 VE8011 VE8013 VE8015 VE8017 E VE8019 E VE8021 VE8023 VA8025 VA8027 VA8029 VA8031 VA8035 VA8039 VA8043 VA8047 VA8049 VA8051 VA8053 VA8055 VA8057 VA8059 VA8061 VA8063 VA8065 VA8067 VA8069 VA8071 VA8073 VA8075 VA8077

E

E E

VA8079 VA8076 VA8081 VA8078 VA8083 VA8080 VA8085 VA8082 VA8087 VA8084 VA8089 VA8086 VA8091 VA8088 VA8093 VA8090 VA8095 VA8092 VA8097 VA8094 VA8099 VA8096 VA8101 VA8098 VA8103 VA8100 VA8105 VA8102 VA8107 VA8104 VA8109 VA8106 VA8111 VA8108 VA8113 VA8110 VA8115 VA8112 VA8117 VA8114 VA8116 VA8119 VE8118 VE8121 VE8120 VE8123 VE8122 VE8125 E E VE8124 VE8127 E E VE8126 VE8129 VE8128 VE8131 VE8130 VE8133 VE8132 VE8135 VF8136 MM8134 MM8137 VF8139 VF8140 MM8138 MM8141 VF8143 VF8144 MM8142 MM8145 VF8147 VF8148 MM8146 MM8149 VF8151 VF8152 MM8150 MM8153 VF8155 VF8154 VF8157 VF8156 VF8161 VF8158 VF8163 VF8160 VF8167

THERAPY ROOMS

K6027 K6021 L6015

GREENHOUSE SPA & SALON

SB 8162

M W

Suites SA7058 & SA7057 are wheelchair accessible, bathtub and roll-in shower. Suites SY5002 & SY5001 and staterooms VA8119, VA8116, I-8033, VA8026, VA8025, V6052, V6049, VB6002, VB6001, V5140, V5135, V5054, V5051, VA4134, VA4131, H4092, H4089, VA4052, VA4051, D1100, D1099, C1082, C1081, J1074, K1012 & K1011 are wheelchair accessible, roll-in shower only.

2,106 Guests • 86,700 Gross Tons • 936 Feet Long •

• •

Automatic Stabilizers 11 Guest Decks

14 Guest Elevators • 4 Outside Elevators •

5 Restaurants • 2 Show Lounges • Outdoor Swimming Pools (one with sliding glass roof) •

Spa & Salon Fitness Center • Suite Lounge •

• •

E

HYDRO POOL

THERMAL SUITES

M

W

CQ10003

CQ10004

CQ10002

E

E

E

E

IQ10040 IQ10039 IQ10044 IQ10043

SQ10005 VQ10007 VQ10009 VQ10011 VQ10013 VQ10015 VQ10017 VQ10019 VQ10021 VQ10023 VQ10025 VQ10027 VQ10029 VQ10031 VQ10033 VQ10035 VQ10037 VQ10041 VQ10045

CROW’S NEST EXPLORATIONS CAFÉ

M

VQ11002 VQ11004 VQ11006 VQ11008 VQ11010

W

E

E

E

E

VQ11001 VQ11003 VQ11005 VQ11007 VQ11009

CABANA CLUB

The deck plans are color-coded by category of stateroom, and the category letter precedes the stateroom number in each room. All staterooms are equipped with flat-panel television, DVD player, mini-bar, mini-safe, data port, telephone and multichannel music. Important Note: Not all staterooms within each category have the same furniture configuration and/or facilities. Appropriate symbols within the rooms on the deck plans describe differences from the stateroom descriptions below. VE R AN DA H SU I T E S

PS

Pinnacle Suites: Bedroom with 1 king-size bed, oversize whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, living room, dining room, dressing room, private verandah with whirlpool, pantry, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, microwave, refrigerator, guest toilet, private stereo system, floor-to-ceiling windows. SQ ▼

DIVE-IN SILK DEN

E

SS

CLUB HAL

M

W E E

E

E E

E E

E

E

M W

E E

E

E

E

E

E

E W M

CANALETTO RESTAURANT

TAMARIND RESTAURANT

CLUB HAL THE LOFT

LIDO RESTAURANT

SA

SB

SC

Neptune Suites: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, floor-to-ceiling windows. Staterooms SQ10005 and SQ10006 have 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed.

SLIDING DOME COVER

LIDO BAR

SY

SZ

Signature Suites: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 1 person, floor-to-ceiling windows. VE R AN DA H STAT E RO O M S

VQ▼

V

VA

VB

VD

VE

VF

VH

VC

Verandah: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queensize bed, bathtub & shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. VQ staterooms 11001–11010 have viewing balconies. OC E AN - V I E W STAT E RO O M S

CQ ▼

LIDO RESTAURANT VOLLEYBALL COURT

C

D

DD

E

F

Large: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower.

M W W

E

E

E

E

SLICE

SEA VIEW POOL

BASKETBALL COURT

M

634 ft. to stern from Staterooms 11009 & 11010.

SEA VIEW BAR

596 ft. to stern from Staterooms 10043, 10044, 10045 & 10046.

16 ft. to stern from Staterooms 8168 & 8175.

Volleyball Court

H

HH

I NT E R I O R STAT E RO O M S

IQ ▼

I

J

M

MM

N

K

L

▼ Spa

Observation Deck Panorama Deck Lido Deck Navigation Deck Rotterdam Deck Upper Verandah Deck Verandah Deck Upper Promenade Deck Promenade Deck Lower Promenade Deck Main Deck

Casino Basketball Court

G

Large: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower, floor-to-ceiling windows. All G-category staterooms have partial sea views. All H- & HH-category staterooms have fully obstructed views.

Large or Standard: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower. Staterooms IQ10043 and IQ10044 have fully obstructed views.

SB 8169

Duty-free Shops • Internet Center • Library •

E

E

LIDO POOL

W

E

SAUNA

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS & FACILITIES

Staterooms have solid steel verandah railings instead of clear-view Plexiglas® railings

M

SQ10006 VQ10008 VQ10010 VQ10012 VQ10014 VQ10016 VQ10018 VQ10020 VQ10022 VQ10024 VQ10026 VQ10028 VQ10030 VQ10032 VQ10034 VQ10036 VQ10038 VQ10042 VQ10046

CQ10001

L6009 F6003

K6034 K6028 K6022 L6016

E

SB6064

SS5093 E

E E

E E

G4094 H4096 H4098 H4100 H4102 G4104 H4106 H4108 H4110 H4112 G4114 HH4116 HH4118 HH4120 HH4122 G4124 HH4126 HH4128 HH4130

ATRIUM

OCEAN BAR

E

E

V6052 V6054

SS5091

SS5098

H4089 E

E E

E

EXPLORER’S LOUNGE

E

K5029 K5023 L5017 L5011 L5005

K5036 K5030 K5024 L5018 L5012 L5006

SS5096

K4162 K4156 K4150

E E

I-4072

W

ART GALLERY

D1084 D1086 D1088 D1090 D1092 D1094 D1096 D1098 D1100 DD1102 DD1104 DD1106 DD1108 DD1110 E1112 E1114 E1118 E1120 E1122 E1124 E1126 E1128 E1130

VA4053 G4055 HH4057 HH4059 HH4061 G4063 HH4065 HH4067 HH4069 G4071 H4073 H4075 H4077 G4079 H4081 H4083 H4085 G4087

M

E

SHORE EXCURSIONS

W

CASINO

E

FUTURE CRUISES THE ATRIUM

FRONT OFFICE

M

L7006 L7010

MM8165 MM8159

D1027 D1029 D1033 D1035 D1039 D1041 C1045 C1047 C1051 C1055 C1057 C1061 C1065 C1067 C1071 C1075 C1077 C1079 C1081

J1025

J1028

E

E

VE7001 VE7003 VE7005 VE7007 VE7009 VE7011 VE7013 VE7015 VE7017 VD7019 VD7021 VD7023 VD7025 VD7027 VD7029

VC8164 VC8166 VC8168 VC8175 VC8173 VC8171

J1021

J1024

D1026 D1030 D1032 D1036 D1040 D1042 C1046 C1050 C1052 C1056 C1060 C1062 C1066 C1070 C1072 C1076 C1078 C1080 C1082

PIANO BAR

E

E

BRIDGE

VE7002 VE7004 VE7008 VE7012 VE7014 VE7016 VE7018 VE7020

VB7136 VB7138 VB7143 VB7141 VB7139

J1017

J1018

E

E

VB6001 VD6005 VD6007 VD6011 VD6013 VD6017 VD6019 VD6023 VD6025 VD6029 VD6031 VB6033 VB6035 VC6037 VC6039 VC6041 VC6043 VC6045 VC6047 V6049 V6051

VB7134

K1011

K1012

E

E

K5168 K5162 K5156

E

E

VB5188 VB5190 VB5192 VB5193 VB5191 VB5189

E

E

VB6002 VD6006 VD6008 VD6012 VD6014 VD6018 VD6020 VD6024 VD6026 VD6030 VD6032 VB6036 VB6038 VC6040 VC6042 VC6044 VC6046 VC6048 VC6050

VB6166 VB6168 VB6170 VB6181 VB6179 VB6177

M

F1001 F1003 F1005 F1007 F1009 D1013 D1015 D1019 D1023

L4169 L4165 K4159 K4153 K4147

E

VB4180 VB4182 VB4189 VB4187 VB4185

E

L5179 L5173 L5167 K5161 K5155 K5149

N4030 N4024 N4018 N4012

THE SHOWROOM AT SEA BALCONY

W

F1002 F1004 F1006 F1008 F1010 D1014 D1016 D1020 D1022

N4029 N4023 N4017 N4011

THE SHOWROOM AT SEA BALCONY THE SHOWROOM AT SEA

SY5002 SY5001 VB5004 VB5003 VB5008 VB5007 VB5010 VB5009 VC5014 VC5013 VC5016 VC5015 VC5020 VC5019 VC5022 VC5021 VC5026 VC5025 VC5028 VC5027 VC5032 VC5031 VC5034 VC5033 VB5038 VB5035 VB5040 VB5037 VB5042 VB5039 VB5044 VB5041 VB5046 VB5043 E E VB5048 VB5045 VB5050 E VB5047 E VB5052 VB5049 V5054 V5051 V5056 V5053 V5058 V5055 V5060 V5057 V5062 V5059 V5064 V5061 V5066 V5063 V5068 V5065 V5070 V5067 V5072 V5069 I-5074 V5076 V5071 V5078 V5073 V5080 V5075 V5082 V5077 V5084 V5079 V5086 V5081 V5088 V5083 V5090 V5085 V5092 V5087 V5094 V5089

L6010 F6004

deck plans & staterooms VH4001 VH4003 VF4005 VF4007 VF4009 VE4013 VE4015 VE4019 VF4021 VF4025 VF4027 VF4031 VF4033 VF4035 VF4037 VF4039 VF4041 VB4043 E VB4045 E VB4047 VB4049 VA4051

VH4002 VH4004 VF4006 VF4008 VF4010 VE4014 VE4016 VF4020 VF4022 VF4026 VF4028 VF4032 VF4034 VF4036 VF4038 VF4040 VF4042 VB4044 E VB4046 E VB4048 VB4050 VA4052 VA4054 G4056

Suites and Staterooms. Opt for the serenity of a Spa Suite or Stateroom, featuring modern spa amenities.

To view a larger version of the deckplan, visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

APR 10, 2016 – APR 25, 2016

Interior $3,359 Oceanview $5,034 Balcony $5,734 Signature Suite $7,134

$1,875 $1,600 $3,500 $4,950

N/A

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

EXPERT

Carl Hulse, Dan Schnur, Frances Robles, Ron Nixon, Frederick E. Hoxie

101


Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ® Immerse yourself in luxury and your mind in intellectual pursuits on this seven-night Atlantic crossing aboard Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2®. Five stellar New York Times journalists will accompany you on The New York Times Insights Cruise, offering eye opening takes on topics from aging to sports, from labor and economics to social change.

Sailing & Cruises Vessel Name Queen Mary 2® Cunard Places visited New York, NY; Southhampton, England Itinerary 9 days, 8 nights (January 2 Departure); 10 days, 9 nights (July 23 Departure) 1 Welcome to The New York Times 2 Embarkation 3 At Sea 4 At Sea 5 At Sea 6 At Sea 7 At Sea 8 At Sea 9 Disembarkation

Journey Highlights • Enjoy a one-night pre-cruise stay in New York City. • Visit The New York Times Building for both brunch and a tour of the newsroom, including lectures from some of our journalists. • On board ship, a range of events including small group Q. and A.'s with our journalists and experts, cocktail parties and a luncheon at Todd English.

North America

Tour operated by Judy Perl Worldwide Travel

102


Clyde Haberman January 2 Departure Clyde Haberman is a contributing writer and former columnist for The New York Times. A graduate of City College of New York, he wrote the NYC column for 16 years, covering most aspects of life in his native city. David Johnston January 2 Departure David Cay Johnston won a 2001 Pulitzer Prize for his New York Times reporting on the tax code. Since 2009 he has taught the principles of property, tax and business law, starting with Hammurabi’s Code, at Syracuse University College of Law. Peter H. Lewis January 2 Departure Peter H. Lewis, now a freelance writer and novelist, was a Senior Writer, Deputy Travel Editor, Assistant Science Editor, and technology columnist at The New York Times. Michael Schmidt January 2 Departure Michael S. Schmidt is a national security reporter for The New York Times, who has been based in Washington, D.C., since 2012. In the past two years, Mike has covered the Boston Marathon bombings, the rise of ISIS, the Secret Service scandals and several other high profile stories.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to The New York Times

Arrive in New York City and spend the night at your chic and luxurious hotel in Times Square. InterContinental Hotel. DAY 2

Embarkation

Spend the morning at The New York Times going behind the scenes with a visit to the newsroom guided by journalists who will join you on the cruise. Enjoy brunch on the 15th floor of The New York Times Building, overlooking the Hudson River and just feet away from Pulitzer Hall, where you can peruse the 117 Pulitzer Prizes The Times has won since 1918. Queen Mary 2 ®. Meals: B, L, D

John Schwartz January 2 Departure John Schwartz is a science reporter for the Times whose work focuses on climate change. Since coming to the Times in 2000, he has covered legal affairs, the space program, infrastructure issues and many other topics. He is the author of several books, including the memoir “Oddly Normal.” All guests on board will have access to the lectures and seminars delivered by the five Times-selected experts who are scheduled to speak during our cruise.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

103


Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ®

Neil Amdur July 23 Departure Over five decades Neil Amdur has been involved in all areas of journalism - newspapers, television, magazines, books and film. He is the author of five books, and counts amongst his career moments reporting on the 1972 Munich Olympics and the Borg-Wimbledon singles final in 1980. Dinitia Smith July 23 Departure Dinitia Smith was a longtime reporter on the arts for the New York Times, where she wrote frequently on literary subjects and intellectual trends and ideas. She is also an Emmy Award winning film maker whose work has been shown at the New York Film Festival, the Whitney and the Museum of Modern Art.

DAYS 3-8 At

Sea

At sea, you will be able to attend talks by five New York Times journalists: Neil Amdur, a longtime sports reporter and editor whose career spans more than 30 years; Steven Greenhouse, recognized as one of the nation’s leading labor reporters; Jane Gross, who founded “The New Old Age” blog for The Times and has an established reputation as a sensitive and insightful reporter; Ari Goldman, whose work centered around religion for the majority of his 20 year tenure at The New York Times, and now teaches at Columbia University; and Dinitia Smith, who covered literature and the arts for The Times and has written three novels, including “The Illusionist,” based on a true story. Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

Disembarkation

Arrive in Southampton, England, the entry point to Europe for hundreds of years. As you leave the Queen Mary 2, reflect on the depth and breadth of knowledge you have gained. From here, you may travel home or continue to London and further adventures. Meals: B

North America

Ari Goldman July 23 Departure Ari Goldman, a former reporter for The New York Times, is a professor of journalism at Columbia University and the author of four books, including the best seller “The Search for God at Harvard.” His most recent book is “The Late Starters Orchestra.” Goldman lectures widely on religion, music, journalism and ethics. Steven Greenhouse July 23 Departure Steven Greenhouse was a New York Times reporter from 1983 through 2014, his last 19 years as labor reporter. He is author of “The Big Squeeze, Tough Times for the American Worker.” Jane Gross July 23 Departure Jane Gross, a retired New York Times correspondent, and for many years its San Francisco bureau chief, founded the Times’s “new old age” blog and is the author of “A Bittersweet Season: Caring for our Aging Parents — and Ourselves.”

104


To view deckplan, visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

JAN 2, 2016 – JAN 10, 2016*

$2,030

$1,035

N/A

Clyde Haberman, John Schwartz, Michael Schmidt, Peter H. Lewis, David Cay Johnston

JUL 23, 2016 – AUG 1, 2016

$2,730

$1,495

N/A

Jane Gross, Neil Amdur, Dinitia Smith, Ari Goldman, Steven Greenhouse

EXPERT

* Please visit our website for this departure's itinerary details

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

105


Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land Turn the page on summer with a fall foliage voyage through iconic Canadian Maritime and New England seascapes. Join the Times Journeys community of lifelong learners and explore current topics with three longtime New York Times experts on a cruise conference. Sail from Quebec’s Old World ambience to the crisp vibe of New York City aboard the Crystal Serenity, consistently rated one of the top cruise ships in the world.

Sailing & Cruises Vessel Name Crystal Serenity Places visited Quebec, Sept-Iles, Halifax, Portland, Boston, Newport, New York Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Montreal: Old City Charm 2 Quebec: French Canadian History 3 Quebec and the Saint Lawrence 4 Sept-Iles: Fresh Breezes and Fall Foliage 5 At Sea: Eastward to the Atlantic 6 Halifax: Deep Roots and High Energy 7 Portland: Lobster and Lighthouses 8 Boston: The Cradle of Liberty 9 Newport: Gilded Seascapes 10 Autumn in New York

North America

Journey Highlights • In the company of like-minded travelers, gain insight into current events and topics from New York Times journalists: • Hear from Roger Cohen, an award-winning Times Op-Ed columnist, on what a diaspora means today and how to balance writing books and writing journalism. • Hear George Freeman, who spent 30 years defending The New York Times against libel suits and First Amendment challenges, discuss your privacy rights (and lack of them) and the implications in the tug-of-war between national security and a free press. • Hear Ian Austen, who has covered Canada for decades, on topics like how BlackBerry, a Canadian company, missed the smartphone boat, and what competitive cycling looks like in a postArmstrong world. • Spend time ashore in the cities of Quebec; Halifax; Portland, Maine; Boston; and Newport, R.I., and in the more remote area of Sept-Iles. (Guided excursions at extra cost.)

Tour operated by Insight Cruises

106


Featured Expert: George Freeman, J.D. George Freeman is executive director of the Media Law Resource Center, a nonprofit trade association supporting the media industry in legal matters. For over 30 years, he was a First Amendment attorney in the Legal Department of The New York Times Company, where he was primarily responsible for litigation and for advising editors and reporters. Ian Austen Ian Austen has been the Canada correspondent for The New York Times for more than a decade. Much of his work has focused on Canada’s technology industry, including the rise and fall of BlackBerry. An amateur cyclist, he has covered the Tour de France nine times since 1992, including much of the Lance Armstrong era.

Itinerary DAY 1

Montreal: Old City Charm

Arrive in Montreal, an island at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, and relax at your Montreal hotel. You can venture out for an evening amid the complex blend of languages, cultures and ethnicities that has led to Montreal’s unofficial title as Canada’s cultural capital. Hyatt Regency Montreal DAY 2

Roger Cohen Roger Cohen has worked for The New York Times for 25 years as a foreign correspondent, foreign editor and now columnist. He has taught at Harvard and Princeton and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Britain’s Next Century Foundation and a prize from the Overseas Press Club of New York.

Quebec: French Canadian History

Transfer to Quebec City via motor coach and meet the Crystal Serenity. Spend the rest of the day exploring the forts, museums and sights of Quebec City on your own. A Unesco World Heritage site, Quebec stretches from the Saint Lawrence to the foothills of the Laurentians, the oldest mountains on earth. Return to the Serenity for dinner. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, D DAY 3

Quebec and the Saint Lawrence

Spend part of the day exploring Quebec further. Perhaps you’ll want to take in the vistas from Dufferin Terrace, overlooking the Saint Lawrence next to the Château Frontenac. Return to the Serenity in the afternoon and attend an exclusive cocktail party this evening as the Serenity sails out on the Saint Lawrence River. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, R, D aboard ship

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

107


Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land

DAY 6

Halifax: Deep Roots and High Energy

Spend the day in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can soak up its thriving folk music scene, or visit the seaside on the wellnamed Bluenose Coast, or historic Lunenberg, a Unesco World Heritage site known for its British colonial architecture. When you’re back, George Freeman will discuss why U.S. libel law is so different from other nations. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 7

Portland: Lobster and Lighthouses

Channel your inner Longfellow in Portland, Maine, where gray flannel and plaid flannel coexist companionably. Head to Portland’s outskirts to visit its iconic lighthouses; downtown has the Portland Museum of Art’s significant holdings (including Winslow Homer treasures), Longfellow’s home, Victorian architecture and seaport views. You have a whole day to play, with no seminars scheduled. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 8

Boston: The Cradle of Liberty

In Boston, you can walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, and see Revolutionary sites. Visit Boston’s historic neighborhoods, the Kennedy Library or Plymouth Rock. After returning to the ship, hear George Freeman on the complexities of balancing free speech and the protection of groups, individuals and ideas, especially when the speech is hateful or insulting. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 9

DAY 4

Sept-Iles: Fresh Breezes and Fall Foliage

Spend the day in Eastern Quebec’s wild beauty at Sept-Iles. You can visit an Innu camp, or take a Zodiac to a bird sanctuary. Later, Ian Austen will discuss the impact more than a decade of Conservative rule has had on Canada, and Roger Cohen will look at the geopolitics of the Arctic in the context of climate change. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 5

At Sea: Eastward to the Atlantic

Sailing through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, hear Roger Cohen on why so few people vote, on being an author and a journalist, and on the many diasporas; Ian Austen on the love-hate relationship Canadians have with Americans, the failure of BlackBerry, and competitive cycling post-Armstrong; and George Freeman on the balance between a free press and national security. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, D aboard ship

North America

Newport: Gilded Seascapes

Newport, R.I., is an exemplar of grass-roots historic preservation in partnership with philanthropy, the yachting capital of the world and home of the Naval War College. Absorb Newport’s Gilded Age mansions (they call them “cottages”), walk the Colonial historic district’s restored homes, or experience an America’s Cup sailboat expedition in Narragansett Bay. Return to the ship to hear George Freeman talk about invasion of privacy, the fine balance between the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to be left alone. The Crystal Serenity. Meals: B, L, D aboard ship DAY 10

Autumn in New York

Sail under the graceful Verrazano-Narrows Bridge into New York Harbor. Share the view of millions of immigrants to the New World as you sail past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, up the Hudson River past New York’s iconic skyline. Disembark the Crystal Serenity at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, and head onward. Meal: B aboard ship

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Deck Plans

To view a larger version of the deckplan, visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SEP 23, 2016 – OCT 2, 2016

Oceanview Verandah Penthouse

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

$3,999 $6,298 $8,798

$999 $1,960 $6,075

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

N/A

George Freeman, Ian Austen, Roger Cohen

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Women and Women’s Rights in Cuba Explore Cuba through the eyes of its women in this eight-day journey. Learn how the Communist revolution – long criticized for its record on human rights – nevertheless made strides in gender equality. Visit with female leaders and visionaries to discuss how Cuba is dealing with women’s rights, facing many of the same challenges women do in the United States.

Itinerary DAY 1

Miami: Setting the Stage

Arrive in Miami and transfer to your hotel. Attend a welcome reception and a lively, thought-provoking panel discussion on the most vital issues facing Cuba today. Sofitel Miami, Meals: R, D DAY 2

Hop to Havana

Fly to Havana. After lunch, attend a private performance by an Afro-Cuban dance group. Meet later for an informational briefing, followed by a welcome dinner. April: Melia Habana, November: Melia Cohiba, Meals: B, L, D

Times Journeys’ trips to Cuba are permitted by a general People-to-People license for The New York Times from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Women in Focus Travelers 25 Places visited Miami, Havana Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 Miami: Setting the Stage 2 Hop to Havana 3 Gender Equality in Cuban Society 4 Women in Politics 5 The Afro-Cuban Female Experience 6 Women in the Workplace 7 Health, Wellness and the Arts 8 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Discuss the impact of the U.S.–Cuba embargo on Cuban women with members of the Federation of Cuban Women. • Enjoy a performance by Cuba’s female-only string orchestra. • Discuss Cuba in the greater context of Latin America concerning female reproductive rights. • Meet with a representative from the National Center of Sexual Education (Cenesex) to discuss L.G.B.T. rights in Cuba.

North America

Tour operated by Academic Travel Abroad

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Featured Expert: Luisita Lopez Torregrosa April 1 Departure The journalist, writer and former editor for The New York Times has reported from all over the world, including Havana, Manila and Miami. Torregrosa is the author of two books, including “Before the Rain: A Memoir of Love & Revolution,” and is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Fordham University.

DAY 3

Gender Equality in Cuban Society

DAY 7

Walk around Habana Vieja, “Old Havana,” and talk with workers, including female entrepreneurs. At the Federation of Cuban Women, discuss the impact of the U.S.-Cuba embargo on Cuban women and children. This evening, have dinner at a local paladar. April: Melia Habana, November: Melia Cohiba, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Women in Politics

DAY 5

Visit a female-led community project focusing on happiness and health through dance and the arts. Visit an independent female art collective and learn about the challenges women face in the Cuban art world. April: Melia Habana, November: Melia Cohiba, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

Meet with the head of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) to discuss women in politics in Cuba. Visit a Cuban maternity home to discuss Cuba’s health care system and its unique position compared to the rest of Latin America. April: Melia Habana, November: Melia Cohiba, Meals: B, L

Health, Wellness and the Arts

Homeward Bound

Return to Miami and your connecting flights home. Meal: B Please note: This final day will vary depending on the timing of the charter flights in 2016.

The Afro-Cuban Female Experience

Visit the National Union of Writers and Artists to meet a female Cuban filmmaker and a female Cuban poet. Meet with female athletes and coaches to learn about the National Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Recreation’s support of women in sports. Attend a performance by an all-women string orchestra. April: Melia Habana, November: Melia Cohiba, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

Women in the Workplace

At the Union of Cuban Jurists, learn about the rights of women in the workplace, divorce law and the effect of the Revolution on women. At the National Center of Sexual Education, discuss L.G.B.T. rights in Cuba. Hotel Parque Central, Meals: B, L

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

APR 1, 2016 – APR 8, 2016

$6,595

$850

$525

Luisita Lopez Torregrosa

NOV 4, 2016 – NOV 11, 2016

$6,595

$850

$525

To be announced

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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Colombia: Because Reality Is Very Different Take a private Colombian dance class, head to the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena, and learn how to cook some of the nation’s traditional fare. On this 10-day journey across Gabriel García Márquez’s Colombia, see how the nation has survived decades of conflicts and emerged spirited, beautiful and friendly. Arts & Culture Travelers 20 Places visited Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena Itinerary 10 days, 9 nights 1 Welcome to Colombia 2 A Day of Art and Culture 3 Coffee Country 4 Valle Cocora 5 On to Medellín 6 The Transformation of Medellín 7 Cartagena, a Seaport for Pirates 8 The Forts of Old Cartagena 9 Food Tour of Cartagena 10 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Take a trip through the coffee plantations of rural Colombia guided by local coffee experts. • Explore the bustling art scene of Bogotá. • In Cartagena, visit a food market, take a cooking class and try a few salsa steps. • See how Medellín has transformed from a drug capital to a safe, cosmopolitan city. • Trek in the cloud forests of Colombia. • With Times-provided insight, learn of the violent past and promising future of this nation.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to Colombia

Arrive in Bogotá. About 8,600 feet above sea level and rimmed by mountains, Bogotá is home to a dazzling array of museums, churches, colonial mansions and stately buildings. Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia, Meal: D DAY 2

A Day of Art and Culture

Journey through the Colombian world of history and art. Visit La Candelaria, Bogotá’s oldest part, to meet artists in their studios. Head to the top of Monserrate, whose 10,300 feet dominate the city center. Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Coffee Country

The coffee region of Colombia is a spectacular panorama of plunging valleys and snow-capped peaks rural life has little changed for centuries. Tour the plantation Café San Alberto, and see the whole coffee process from seedling to coffee cup. Hotel Casa Nogales, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Valle Cocora

In the beautiful Valle Cocora, trek into the cloud forest, to the Acaime Nature Reserve, with the opportunity to see up to a dozen species of hummingbirds. Descend to a local restaurant. Hotel Casa Nogales, Meals: B, L, D

South America

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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DAY 5

On to Medellín

Travel to Medellín, the former headquarters of one of the country’s most notorious drug cartels. It is now one of the nation’s most important cities in business, politics, fashion and nightlife. Medellín’s cable car is emblematic of how local government revived a previously underdeveloped part of the city. Hotel Park 10, Meals: B, D DAY 6

The Transformation of Medellín

Visit San Javier and its open-air escalators. Ride on the metro and cable cars to Parque Biblioteca España, built in disadvantaged areas of Medellín, and have lunch at a restaurant that benefits social projects. Visit the Parque Berrio and the Museum of Antioquia, with many Botero works. Hotel Park 10, Meals: B, L DAY 7

Featured Expert: Ernesto Londoño August 19 Departure Ernesto Londoño is an editorial writer for The New York Times who has written extensively about Latin America. As part of his coverage of the Colombia peace process, he interviewed leaders of the FARC guerrilla group in Havana. Before joining The Times in 2014, Londoño was a foreign correspondent and Pentagon correspondent for The Washington Post. He was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. Juliana Schatz May 27 Departure Juliana Schatz is a ColombianAmerican radio and video journalist. She is currently working on two documentaries for Canal Capital, Bogota’s public television network.

Cartagena, a Seaport for Pirates

Travel to Cartagena, founded in 1533, and the place the Spanish stored their plunder, and where African rhythms and indigenous influences mix with Spanish colonial splendor. Sir Francis Drake’s attacks in 1586 led to the plans to fortify the city: These walls still stand. Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara, Meals: B, D DAY 8

The Forts of Old Cartagena

Visit the massive Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and Convento La Popa, the city’s highest point. Visit the home of Rafael Núñez, Colombia’s former president. Hear about and visit the walls of the old city. Subject to availability, visit the Heredia Theater for impressive colonial Spanish architecture. Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara, Meals: B, L DAY 9

Food Tour of Cartagena

A professional chef and local guide will take you through the Caribbean market of Bazurto, then to a private colonial house, where you will learn how to cook a typical dish from the region. Take a dance lesson and practice the salsa, cumbia and champeta. Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Homeward Bound

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meal: B

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

EXPERT

MAY 27, 2016 – JUN 5, 2016

$6,195

$1,250

$450

Juliana Schatz

AUG 19, 2016 – AUG 28, 2016

$6,195

$1,250

$450

Ernesto Londoño

OCT 28, 2016 – NOV 6, 2016

$6,195

$1,250

$450

To be announced

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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Galápagos: Evolution in Action Charles Darwin called the Galápagos Islands “a little world within itself.” Daily nature walks bring you close to dancing blue-footed boobies and prehistoric-looking iguanas, and you’ll feel a wonderful sense of creation in progress while walking across bizarre lavascapes created just a century ago. Explore the world’s most fascinating wildlife destinations while cruising in airconditioned comfort on this 11-day journey. Science & Nature Vessel Galaxy Places visited Quito, Ecuador, Galápagos Islands: Baltra, Mosquera, Bartolomé, Genovesa, San Cristóbal, Española, Floreana, Santa Fé, South Plaza, Santa Cruz Itinerary 11 days, 10 nights 1 Welcome to South America 2 Historic Quito 3 Baltra and Mosquera Islands 4 Sullivan Bay and Bartolomé 5 Bird Island 6 San Cristóbal Island 7 Española Island 8 Floreana Island 9 Santa Fé and South Plaza Islands 10 Santa Cruz Island and Charles Darwin Research Station 11 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Visit islands with inhabitants found nowhere else in the world. • See sea lions, seabirds and iguana that exist nowhere else. • Stroll beaches of fine white or green sand, or smooth volcanic flows. • Snorkel and swim in pristine lagoons and see multicolored fish. • With interpretation from Times experts, gain unique insight into a unique place.

South America

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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Featured Expert: John Noble Wilford July 7 Departure John Noble Wilford has reported on science and space exploration for The New York Times over the last 50 years. His bylines dominated the front pages for all the Apollo astronaut landings on the Moon. He also wrote about the early space shuttle flights and nearly all the robotic missions to distant planets. This work earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1984 and another one in 1987, shared with colleagues who covered the aftermath of the Challenger disaster. Wilford is the author of five books, including “The Mapmakers” and “The Riddle of the Dinosaurs,” and editor or co-author of four others. He is a fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Sandra Blakeslee January 7 Departure Author and science writer whose work often appears in The Times.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to South America

Arrive in Quito, Ecuador, at 9,350 feet above sea level. A Times Journeys representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Swissôtel, Meal: D DAY 2

Historic Quito

Enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of colonial Quito, the oldest part of the city. Your tour may include Independence Plaza, the archbishop’s palace, and the cathedral built in the 16th century. Among the churches you may visit are El Sagrario, San Francisco, and La Compañía. After lunch explore on your own. Join your group for a pre-trip meeting and dinner. Swissôtel, Meals: B, L, D DAY 3

Baltra and Mosquera Islands

Fly to Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour Island, and your entry to Galápagos National Park. Meet your naturalist guide and board the Galaxy. Spend the afternoon

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Galápagos: Evolution in Action

on the island of Mosquera, one of the smallest in the archipelago, to see large colonies of sea lions and to stroll on the beautiful white sand beach. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Sullivan Bay and Bartolomé

Explore Sullivan Bay, home of the Galápagos penguin, and walk on recent black, ropy lava flows called pahoehoe. See some of the early colonizing plants, Mollugo verticillata (carpetweed) and Brachycereus nesioticus (lava cactus). After lunch, visit iconic Bartolomé, an exceptional place to observe volcanic geology and to snorkel. See the iconic Pinnacle Rock, a symbol of the Galápagos. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D DAY 5

Bird Island

Explore the cliffs on a small fishing boat called a panga en route to Genovesa Island, called Bird Island by many. At Prince Phillip’s Steps, you may see the redbilled tropicbirds, nesting nazca and red-footed boobies and frigate birds. Next, head to Darwin’s Bay, a protected bay in a submerged volcanic crater. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D

South America

DAY 6

San Cristóbal Island

Visit San Cristóbal, the first island Darwin visited. San Cristóbal (also known as Chatham Island) is also home to Baquerizo Moreno, the administrative capital of the Galápagos. Visit the Interpretation Center, then head up to El Junco, a freshwater lagoon. Next, visit Isla Lobos, to see blue-footed boobies, common frigate birds and two species of sea lions. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

Española Island

Land on Española Island, the oldest and most southern in the Galápagos and visit Punta Suáres to witness the millions of birds nesting on the island. Then visit the great white sand beach at Gardner Bay and walk, swim or snorkel, or snooze with the sea lions. Sea turtles nest here, too. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D

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DAY 8

Deck Plans

Floreana Island

On Floreana Island, visit Post Office Bay, where whalers dropped their mail in the barrel for passing sailors to deliver home. Visit Green Beach, named for its volcanic olivine crystals. See pink flamingos and other wading birds on the way to Flour Beach, an extremely fine white-sand beach. At Champion Islet, snorkel for a view of multihued fish. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D DAY 9

Santa Fé and South Plaza Islands

Spend a half-day on Santa Fé (also called Barrington Island), one of the oldest in the chain and home to very large land iguanas and the largest of the Opuntia prickly pear cactuses. Swim and snorkel in the lagoon. On South Plaza, one of the smallest yet richest islands, the ground color changes by season. Galaxy Yacht, Meals: B, L, D DAY 10

Santa Cruz Island and Charles Darwin Research Station

On your last day in the “Enchanted” Islands, head to Santa Cruz (also called Indefatigable), the second largest and most populous island, and the town of Puerto Ayora. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will learn about the conservation efforts to restore giant tortoise populations to their original islands. (This was where Lonesome George, the last of the Pinta Island tortoises, lived until his death in 2012.) Transfer by ferry to Baltra and fly back to Quito. Swissôtel, Meal: B DAY 11

Homeward Bound

Transfer to the airport for your flights home or onward. Meal: B To view a larger version of the deckplan, visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Dates & Pricing SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR

EXPERT

$6,395 (11-15 guests) sold out $6,895 (9-10 guests) sold out

$3,200

$535

Sandra Blakeslee

$6,395 (11-15 guests) $6,895 (9-10 guests)

$3,200

$535

John Noble Wilford

DATES

PRICE

JAN 7, 2016 – JAN 17, 2016 JULY 7, 2016 – JULY 17, 2016

Upon arrival, $100 must be paid for the Galápagos National Park Fee.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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The White Continent: Fly and Sail Antarctica Antarctica is so hostile to human life that its only inhabitants are researchers. On this eight-day journey, retrace the footprints of some of the world’s greatest polar explorers, and see seals, whales and penguins amid the stunningly desolate, beautiful ruggedness of the Antarctic. Science & Nature Vessel M/V Hebridean Sky Places visited Chile, King George Island, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Deception Bay Itinerary 8 days, 7 nights 1 Welcome to the Bottom of the World 2 Into the Wild 3 Cuverville Island 4 Paradise Bay 5 Lemaire Channel 6 Deception Bay 7 Farewell to the Antarctic 8 Homeward Bound

Journey Highlights • Spend the holidays in a real winter wonderland of snow and ice during this fly and cruise expedition. • Fly directly to King George Island from Punta Arenas and spend six full days in Antarctica. • With 17 guides for 71 visitors, guests receive a personalized schedule adhering to their particular interests. Chat on board with ornithologists, geologists and polar historians, ensuring all of our ports of call are put into context. • Sail down narrow passages carved through 3,000-foot-high ice walls, dodging gigantic icebergs. • Get out on the Zodiacs, or go snowshoeing into the remote wilderness in small groups.

Itinerary DAY 1

Welcome to the Bottom of the World

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile. You’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel, where a briefing will outline guidelines for safety and environmental concerns for your time in Antarctica. Relax with your fellow travelers for a true Chilean dining experience. Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Meal: D DAY 2

Into the Wild

Fly to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Visit Chile’s Frei Station and the Russian Bellingshausen research station to witness firsthand the work that goes on. Expect to see different kinds of seals in the shallows, as well as many penguins. M/V Hebridean Sky, Meals: B, L, D

South America

Tour operated by Mountain Travel Sobek

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Featured Expert: Claudia Dreifus December 26 Departure Claudia Dreifus, writes “A Conversation With…” feature of the Tuesday Science section of The New York Times. There she interviews some of the leading scientists of our time about their lives and work. She also teaches journalism to scientists enrolled in graduate programs at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. Richard Cohen December 21 Departure Richard Cohen is an author and lecturer. He traveled to Antarctica whilst researching his book, "Chasing the Sun," where he witnessed the solar eclipse and organized a violin recital in the snow.

DAY 3

Cuverville Island

Meander through the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic mainland. You may be able to take Zodiacs to places like Cuverville Island, home to the largest colony of gentoo penguins in Antarctica. M/V Hebridean Sky, Meals: B, L, D DAY 4

Paradise Bay

Expect to visit Paradise Bay (or Paradise Harbor), ideal to explore in the smaller Zodiac boats. Watch for blue-eyed shags and breeching whales so close that their blow can momentarily blur your vision. Climb to a 360-degree panorama of the bay. M/V Hebridean Sky, Meals: B, L, D

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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The White Continent: Fly and Sail Antarctica

South America

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DECK PLAN SEA EXPLORER DECK 6 DECK 5 DECK 4 DECK 3 DECK 2

Deck Plans

Penthouse Suites 325 sq.ft. incl. Veranda 2 Single or 1 Queen, with private Veranda and sitting area

DECK 6

EXERCISE ROOM

Lemaire Channel

Expect to visit the Lemaire Channel, and cruise through a narrow passage bordered by mountain walls jutting hundreds of feet out of the sea. Keep an eye out for minke, Orca and humpback whales, and seals on the ice floes. M/V Hebridean Sky, Meals: B, L, D DAY 6

OUTDOOR CAFÉ

Superior Suites 220 sq.ft. 2 Beds, with window and sitting area

Deception Bay

Single Suites 230 sq.ft. 2 Beds, with window and sitting area

Window Suites 225 sq.ft. 2 Beds, with window and sitting area

DECK 3

Farewell to the Antarctic

Back on King George, explore a bit before flying back to Punta Arenas. End the day reminiscing over a final dinner together. Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Meals: B, L, D DAY 8

DECK 4

BAR

Expect to visit Deception Bay, the caldera of an active volcano and where thousands of white-faced chinstrap penguins pair off for the mating season. Explore an abandoned whaling station and an old British base, or hike to the rim of the crater. M/V Hebridean Sky, Meals: B, L, D DAY 7

DECK 5

PANTRY

DAY 5

Veranda Suites 260 sq.ft. incl. Veranda 2 Single or 1 Queen, with private Veranda and sitting area

Triple Suite 240 sq.ft. 2 Beds, 1 sleepingPorthole Sofa, withSuites window and sitting area 237 sq.ft. 2 Beds, with portholes and sitting area

Homeward Bound

DECK 2

Following a breakfast with your new friends, depart the hotel for your onward, or homebound travel. Meal: B

© 5/16/2014 by team-graf.at / CabinPlans SeaExplorer AXXI / Design by B. Graf - AUSTRIA

To view a larger version of the deckplan, visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

Dates & Pricing DATES

PRICE

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

INTERNAL AIR (FROM)

DEC 21, 2016 – DEC 28, 2016

Promenade Suite $16,595 Veranda Suite $18,495 Penthouse Suite $20,995

$4,400 N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

Richard Cohen

DEC 26, 2016 – JAN 2, 2017

Promenade Suite $16,595 Veranda Suite $18,495 Penthouse Suite $20,995

$4,400 N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

Claudia Dreifus

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

EXPERT

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Terms and Conditions These are the terms under which we offer Times Journeys Tours. By registering and paying your deposit for a Tour, you are entering into this Participant Agreement with us. Please read these terms carefully before making a deposit or payment for a Tour. These terms may be supplemented by additional terms and conditions specific to your Tour (“Supplemental Terms”). In the event of a conflict between this agreement and the supplemental terms, the Supplemental Terms will apply.

If we receive your cancellation notice ninety (90) to sixty-one (61) days prior to the departure date, we will retain twenty percent (20%) of the Tour price based on double occupancy, excluding optional payments.

If we receive your cancellation notice sixty (60) to thirty-one (31) days prior to the departure date, we will retain fifty percent (50%) of the Tour price based on double occupancy.

If we receive your cancellation notice thirty (30) days or fewer prior to the departure date, we will retain one hundred percent (100%) of the Tour price.

Any penalty imposed by an airline, including for airline service between points on the Tour (“Internal Air”) or travel to or from the Tour, is your responsibility.

TIMES JOURNEYS PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT Times Journeys, a part of The New York Times Company, acts only as the trip sponsor and is not responsible for the acts or omissions of other parties. The trip described on the Times Journeys website (the “Website”) or in your brochure (the “Tour”) is provided by an independent tour operator named on the Website or in your brochure (the “Operator”). Times Journeys and the Operator are collectively referred to as “we” or “us.” The terms and conditions of this Participant Agreement apply to your Tour and the program for the Tour (the “Itinerary”). Pricing and Inclusions: Quoted Tour prices are per person, double occupancy except where indicated. Prices include programming, planning, handling and operational charges and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes in effect at the time of publication. We reserve the right to increase Tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, taxes and V.A.T. received after prices are published and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. We will not give a breakdown in the price of a Tour or its parts. Modification of Tour content size will not affect the published price. Exclusions: Quoted Tour prices exclude: trip insurance; airfares between points on the Tour; international airfare, including airfare and other transportation to and from the Tour (unless otherwise noted); costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes (unless otherwise noted); excess baggage charges; gratuities to the Tour directors, drivers and guides; meals other than those specified in the Itinerary; sightseeing not included in the Itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability). Reservations and Payments: The Tour deposit amount is listed on the Website or in your brochure. The deposit is required in order to confirm your booking. Upon receipt of the deposit, the Operator will send you confirmation of your booking. Your final payment date will be listed on the confirmation. If a Tour is already full, we may accept deposits on a standby basis. If space becomes available, you will have the choice of joining the Tour by paying in full or forfeiting the space in return for a refund of your deposit. Final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure unless otherwise indicated on the Website or in the brochure. If your reservation is made within ninety (90) days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation. Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and medical insurance. The Operator will provide the insurance applications along with your booking confirmation. Any questions about what travel insurance does or does not cover should be addressed directly to the travel insurance company. If you decline insurance coverage, you will personally assume full responsibility for any financial loss associated with your travel arrangements, and you could lose your travel investment and/or have to pay more money to correct the situation. Single Travelers: Tour prices are based on double occupancy. Single travelers will be expected to pay the single supplement fee. Cancellation by You: We must receive your cancellation notice in writing by email, fax or overnight courier, and your cancellation date will be the date on which we receive your notice. •

If we receive your cancellation notice ninety-one (91) days or more from the Tour departure date, we will refund fifty percent (50%) of the deposit amount and all of the Tour price to the extent that you have made that payment.

Your decision not to participate on the Tour due to State Department warnings, fear of travel, illness or any other reason will be deemed a cancellation. If a flight or other delay for any reason prevents you from joining the Tour on the Tour departure date and time, you will be considered a no-show, and we cannot provide a full or partial refund or credit toward a future Tour, but you may join the Tour late if you wish. Air Transportation during the Tour: Internal Air is not included in the price of the Tour. Estimated Internal Air costs will be identified separately on the Website or in your brochure. Internal Air costs and availability are subject to change at any time prior to final payment for your Tour and we reserve the right to increase Tour prices accordingly. We will not change your seat assignment request on commercial aircraft without your permission. However, airlines often change seat assignments to satisfy their loyalty members or because of equipment changes (aircraft type). We are not notified of these changes in advance, and often travelers are not made aware of these changes until they arrive at the airport. We cannot be responsible for seat assignment changes made by the airline. Frequent flier programs are private agreements between airlines and passengers, and we cannot be held responsible for mileage discrepancies involving airline loyalty reward programs. Passports and Visas: You are solely responsible for complying with passport and visa requirements. For U.S. travelers, international travel requires a passport valid six (6) months beyond your intended return travel date. In many cases, you will also need to have multiple consecutive blank visa pages within your passport (the number varies depending on the destination(s)). Many destinations also require that visas be obtained prior to travel. It is recommended that you check with the U.S. Department of State website for the latest passport and visa requirements. Cancellation or Substitution by Us: We will make commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Itinerary as it has been published; however, the final Itinerary may vary due to availability and factors beyond our control. We may in our sole discretion substitute services such as hotels or goods of similar quality for any service or good stated in the Itinerary. If a Times Journeys speaker (“Speaker”) cancels, the Operator will make every effort to find a replacement. You will not be refunded in whole or in part when the Operator is unable to find a replacement Speaker. We reserve the right to cancel any Tour because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate or because of our concerns with respect to the safety, health or welfare of our travelers or staff. If we cancel a Tour, our liability is limited to a full refund of your payments to us and we will not be liable for any other costs, damages or refunds of any kind for any loss, delay, inconvenience, disappointment or expense whatsoever in such circumstances. If a Tour in progress must be interrupted or canceled, our liability shall be strictly limited to refund of the recoverable cost of any unused portion of the Tour. Other Taxes and Fees: Some governments charge departure taxes and/or fees. These fees are the responsibility of each passenger traveling to the designated country and are not included in the Tour price unless stated. Baggage: We assume no liability for loss or damage to baggage in transit to and from a Tour or while on a Tour. We recommend purchasing a supplemental travel insurance package.

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Children: Unless otherwise indicated in the Tour description, all Tour passengers must be at least ten (10) years of age. However, some activities contained within an Itinerary may have a different age restriction than the overall minimum age requirement, in which case details will be provided at the time of booking. We reserve the right to marginally exceed the published maximum group size on family Tours to accommodate a family. Suppliers Acts or Omissions: The Operator acts only as an independent contractor to supply or arrange for the travel services named in your Itinerary or otherwise to procure services or goods from third parties such as airlines, hotels and other lodging providers, local hosts, guides, bus lines, car rental companies, driving services, restaurants and providers of entertainment (the “Suppliers”). The Operator and Times Journeys assume no responsibility for any personal injury, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission of any of the Suppliers. Conduct During the Tour: You are responsible for respecting the authority and following the directions of the Tour guide and the laws of the countries in your Itinerary during a Tour. We may exclude you from participating in all or any part of the Tour if, in our sole discretion, your condition or behavior renders you unfit for the Tour or unfit for continuation once the Tour has begun. Unfitness may include, without limitation, any behavior that, regardless of its cause, is inappropriate or offensive or interferes with the delivery of Tour services or may constitute a hazard or embarrassment. In such case, our liability shall be strictly limited to refund of the recoverable cost of any unused portion of the Tour. Should you decide for any reason not to participate in certain parts of the Tour or use certain goods included in the Tour, no refunds will be made for those unused parts of the Tour or goods. You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any costs, damages, losses or liabilities arising out of (a) the actions or omissions of any minors traveling with you and (b) if you checked the box indicating that you are signing on behalf of yourself and your traveling companions, your companions’ claims that you were not authorized to agree to this Participant Agreement on their behalf. Limitation of Liability and Damages: In no event will we be liable for any injury, loss, claim, damage or any special, punitive, exemplary, direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind, whether based in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, that arise out of or are in any way connected with the Tour, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Travel Advisories and Warnings: It is your responsibility to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U.S. State Department’s travel website at www.travel.state.gov or by phone at 888-407-4747. Force Majeure: We assume no responsibility for any personal injury, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any matter beyond our exclusive control, including, but not limited to, a delay or cancellation that causes you to miss all or any portion of the Tour; acts of God, acts of government, war; terrorist acts, riots, disaster, weather extremes or strikes. We have no special knowledge regarding the financial condition of the Suppliers, unsafe conditions, health hazards, weather hazards or climate extremes at locations to which you may travel. You understand that health care standards, facilities and services abroad may be different or even inadequate for treating health conditions. For information concerning possible dangers at foreign destinations, we recommend contacting the Travel Warnings Section of the U.S. State Department at (202) 647-5225 or www.travel.state.gov, and click on “Travel Warnings.” For medical information, we recommend contacting the Centers for Disease Control at (877) FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov/travel.

whatsoever, which you now have or which may hereafter arise out of or in connection with your Tour or participation in any activities in which you participate. Arbitration and Waiver of Trial by Jury: You agree to present any claims against us within ninety (90) days after the Tour ends and to file any suit within one (1) year of the incident, and you acknowledge that this expressly limits the applicable statute of limitations to one (1) year. In lieu of litigation and jury trials, each of which is expressly waived, any dispute concerning, relating or referring to this Participation Agreement, the brochure or any other literature concerning your trip or the Tour shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in New York City, New York, according to the then-existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceeding will be governed by the substantive law of the State of New York. The arbitrator(s) and not any federal, state or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability or formation of this Participant Agreement, including, but not limited to, any claim that all or any part of this Participant Agreement is void or voidable. General: You hereby consent to our use of pictures or video of you in our marketing materials without compensation. Facsimile or scanned transmission of any signed document shall be deemed delivery of an original. If there are any conflicts between this Participant Agreement and the Itinerary, this Participant Agreement shall apply. We reserve the right to decline to do business with anyone on a nondiscriminatory basis. Active Elements, Medical Conditions and Special Assistance: Some of our Tours incorporate active elements such as hiking, climbing or canoeing; you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the level of activity that will be involved in your Tour. You must disclose in your Participant Information Form (or at such later time when you become aware of such a condition) any existing physical or mental illness, disability, pregnancy or any other condition which may create a health hazard for yourself or others during the Tour, or for which you may require medical attention or special accommodation during the Tour. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your needs, but you must notify us at the time of booking for a determination of what assistance we can reasonably provide. We regret that we cannot accommodate you if you have special needs for ordinary daily activities, such as walking and dining. In no instance will our Suppliers or we physically lift or assist you on to or off any vehicles. If we cannot accommodate your special needs, you must be accompanied by a companion who will be responsible for independently providing the needed assistance. We reserve the right to decline acceptance of anyone we consider unsuitable due to fitness level. We also reserve the right to remove you from the Tour, at your own expense, if your condition is such that it could create a hazard to you or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers. Times Journeys’ trips to Cuba are permitted by a special People-to-People license from the Department of Treasury’s Foreign Assets Control. Quoted tour prices are per person double occupancy except where indicated and subject to availability. Excludes internal and international air. Programs subject to change. All terms and conditions can be found at nytimes.com/timesjourneys or you can call 855NYT-7979 and request a copy be sent to you. Abercrombie & Kent CST#2007274-20, Mountain Travel CST#2014882-10, Academic Travel Abroad CST#2059002-40, Insight Cruises CST#206538-40, Bermuda Judy Perl Cruises LLC CST# 2122227-40. SUPPLEMENTAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Assumption of Risks and Release: If you participate in activities during your Tour, certain risks and dangers may arise, including, but not limited to, the risk of accidents in remote places without access to medical facilities, transportation or means of rapid evacuation and assistance; the hazards of traveling in unsafe or politically unstable areas or under unsafe conditions; the dangers of civil disturbances, war, extortion, kidnapping and terrorist activities; dangers and risks inherent in activities in underdeveloped countries; and dangers of local law enforcement activity. You hereby expressly assume all of these risks and dangers, and you hereby expressly agree to forever release, discharge and hold us and our agents, employees, officers and directors harmless against any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, claims and demands of any and every kind and nature

Binding Arbitration Clause (for Mountain Travel only): I agree that any dispute with Mountain Travel coning, relating or referring to this contract, the brochure, or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceeding will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act. The arbitrator(s) and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including, but not limited to, any claim that all or any part of this contract is void or voidable.

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

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2016 Journeys by Destination DESTINATION

PAGE

TRIP

PRICE

AFRICA

ARTS & CULTURE

14

Egypt: To the Land of the Pharaohs

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18

Ethiopia: Ancient Lands and Religious Festivals

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

22

Understanding the Fabric of South Africa

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26

Tunisia: Birthplace of the Arab Spring

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SCIENCE & NATURE

28

Namibia: Saving the Rhino

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SCIENCE & NATURE

30

West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community, Health and Religion

From $9,495

POLITICS & PERSPECTIVES

ASIA

HISTORY & CONTEXT

34

Iran: Tales from Persia

From $7,195

HISTORY & CONTEXT

38

Myanmar Behind the Headlines

From $5,395

HISTORY & CONTEXT

40

The ’Stans of Asia: Follow the Silk Route

From $6,195

HISTORY & CONTEXT

44

Turkey’s Ancient Past

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

46

Vietnam: Lingering Legacies of a War

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POLITICS & PERSPECTIVES

48

The Israeli-Palestinian Conundrum

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POLITICS & PERSPECTIVES

50

Tibet: In China and in Depth

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SAILING & CRUISES

54

Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

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WOMEN IN FOCUS

58

The Women of Jordan

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WOMEN IN FOCUS

60

Women and Society in India

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EUROPE

ACTIVITIES & SPORTS

62

A Hike Around Mont Blanc

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ACTIVITIES & SPORTS

64

Hiking the Pilgrims’ Footsteps at El Camino de Santiago

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ARTS & CULTURE

66

A Jane Austen Christmas

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ARTS & CULTURE

12

Behind the Scenes at the Venice Film Festival

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ARTS & CULTURE

68

Farewell to Edwardian: Art and Culture Between the Wars

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ARTS & CULTURE

12

Inside the Carnival of Venice

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13

Opera and the Splendid Culture of Austria

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70

Shakespeare and His England

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FOOD & WINE

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Cooking With the Sicilians

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FOOD & WINE

74

Flavors of Provence

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

76

Andalusia: Center of Christianity, Judaism and Islam

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

78

Jewish Life in Central Europe

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

80

Remembering the Great War (1914–1918)

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

82

The Fall and Rise of Berlin

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HISTORY & CONTEXT

84

The Legacy of Alexander the Great

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POLITICS & PERSPECTIVES

86

The Many Faces of Russia

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88

The Northern Ireland Peace Process

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POLITICS & PERSPECTIVES

90

The Splintered Pasts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

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SAILING & CRUISES

92

Tulip Time in Holland by Barge

From $6,295

SCIENCE & NATURE

See website

Accelerating Science: Particle Physics at CERN

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NORTH AMERICA

ARTS & CULTURE

96

Cuba. The Time Is Now: A People-to-People Experience

HISTORY & CONTEXT

13

Grant and the Unexpected Victory at Shiloh

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SAILING & CRUISES

98

Cruising the Panama Canal

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SAILING & CRUISES

102

Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ®

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SCIENCE & NATURE

106

Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land

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SCIENCE & NATURE

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Winter in Yellowstone and the Tetons

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110

Women and Women’s Rights in Cuba

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WOMEN IN FOCUS

SOUTH AMERICA

ARTS & CULTURE

112

Colombia: Because Reality is Very Different

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SCIENCE & NATURE

114

Galápagos: Evolution in Action

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SCIENCE & NATURE

118

The White Continent: Fly and Sail Antarctica

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124


EXPERTS See nytimes.com/timesjourneys for departures for specific experts

DEPARTURES JAN

David Kirkpatrick

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Ruth Fremson

Alan Cowell, Charles Wallace, John Burns

NOV

• •

Carlotta Gall

Jeff Muntifering, Charles Wallace

Donald McNeil, Jeffrey Gettleman, Sheri Fink

Elaine Sciolino, Roger Cohen, Scott Peterson

Steven Erlanger, Ray Wilkinson

• •

Alan Cowell, Chris Wren, John Burns

Nell McShane Wulfhart, Ruth Fremson

To be announced

Richard Bernstein, John Burns, Howard French

Carl Hulse, Warren Hoge, Craig Benjamin, Maureen Dowd, Joe Nocera

• 2017

Carlotta Gall, Ranya Kadri

Ruth Fremson, Harleen Singh

Christopher Wren, Christopher Dickey

Laurie Goodstein, Mireya Navarro

• •

Rosalind Hutchinson

To be announced

Victoria Klein

Celestine Bohlen

• •

Patricia Cohen, Anthony Holden

Ray Sokolov

Nicholas Delbanco, Florence Fabricant, Helene Cooper

Raphael Minder Mitch Yockelson, Richard Cohen

• •

David M. Ratzan

Serge Schmemann, Laura Shaine Cunningham, Jeanne Pinder

Douglas Dalby

John Burns, Alex Crevar Marlise Simons

Chris Dickey

• •

Frederick E. Hoxie, Carl Hulse, Ron Nixon, Frances Robles, Dan Schnur

• •

George Freeman, Ian Austen, Roger Cohen

• •

Luisita Lopez Torregrosa

Ernesto Londoño, Juliana Schatz Sandra Blakeslee, John Noble Wilford

Dennis Overbye

Jim Robbins

John Tagliabue, Serge Schemann

Clyde Haberman, John Schwartz, Michael Schmidt, Peter H. Lewis, David Cay Johnston, Jane Gross, Neil Amdur, Dinitia Smith, Ari Goldman, Steven Greenhouse

Ruth Ellen Gruber

Marc Lacey, Erica Goode, Anthony DePalma, Alex Garcia

Jeanne Pinder, Laura Shaine Cunningham

Fred Plotkin

DEC

• •

Claudia Dreifus, Richard Cohen

Call our travel experts at 855 698 1456 or visit nytimes.com/timesjourneys

125


2016 Journeys by Category CATEGORY

PAGE

TRIP

PRICE

ACTIVITIES & SPORTS EUROPE

62

A Hike Around Mont Blanc

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EUROPE

64

Hiking the Pilgrims’ Footsteps at El Camino de Santiago

From $6,595

ARTS & CULTURE AFRICA

14

Egypt: To the Land of the Pharaohs

From $5,695

AFRICA

18

Ethiopia: Ancient Lands and Religious Festivals

From $6,995

EUROPE

66

A Jane Austen Christmas

From $6,995

EUROPE

12

Behind the Scenes at the Venice Film Festival

From $6,990

EUROPE

68

Farewell to Edwardian: Art and Culture Between the Wars

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EUROPE

12

Inside the Carnival of Venice

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EUROPE

13

Opera and the Splendid Culture of Austria

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EUROPE

70

Shakespeare and His England

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NORTH AMERICA

96

SOUTH AMERICA

112

Cuba. The Time Is Now: A People-to-People Experience

From $6,695

Colombia: Because Reality Is Very Different

From $6,195

FOOD & WINE EUROPE

72

Cooking With the Sicilians

From $7,590

EUROPE

74

Flavors of Provence

From $6,395

HISTORY & CONTEXT AFRICA

22

Understanding the Fabric of South Africa

From $5,995

ASIA

34

Iran: Tales from Persia

From $7,195

ASIA

38

Myanmar Behind the Headlines

From $5,395

ASIA

40

The ’Stans of Asia: Follow the Silk Route

From $6,195

ASIA

44

Turkey’s Ancient Past

From $6,995

ASIA

46

Vietnam: Lingering Legacies of a War

From $6,195

EUROPE

76

Andalusia: Center of Christianity, Judaism and Islam

From $6,895

EUROPE

78

Jewish Life in Central Europe

From $6,995

EUROPE

80

Remembering the Great War (1914–1918)

From $6,695

EUROPE

82

The Fall and Rise of Berlin

From $4,995

EUROPE

84

The Legacy of Alexander the Great

From $4,895

13

Grant and the Unexpected Victory at Shiloh

From $2,500

NORTH AMERICA

POLITICS & PERSPECTIVES AFRICA

26

Tunisia: Birthplace of the Arab Spring

From $5,395

ASIA

48

Tibet: In China and in Depth

From $6,995

ASIA

50

The Israeli-Palestinian Conundrum

From $5,950

EUROPE

86

The Northern Ireland Peace Process

From $5,495

EUROPE

88

The Many Faces of Russia

From $6,195

EUROPE

90

The Splintered Pasts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

From $5,595

SAILING & CRUISES ASIA

54

Idyllic Sri Lanka, India and Arabia

From $4,427

EUROPE

92

Tulip Time in Holland by Barge

From $6,295

NORTH AMERICA

98

NORTH AMERICA

102

Cruising the Panama Canal

From $3,359

Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 ®

From $2,030

SCIENCE & NATURE AFRICA

28

Namibia: Saving the Rhino

From $7,495

AFRICA

30

West Africa’s Deep Roots: Community, Health and Religion

From $9,495

EUROPE

See website

Accelerating Science: Particle Physics at CERN

From $6,595

106

Autumn Indulgence at Sea and on Land

From $3,999

NORTH AMERICA

NORTH AMERICA

See website

Winter in Yellowstone and the Tetons

From $3,895 sold out

SOUTH AMERICA

114

Galápagos: Evolution in Action

From $6,895

SOUTH AMERICA

118

The White Continent: Fly and Sail Antarctica

From $16,595

WOMEN IN FOCUS ASIA

58

The Women of Jordan

From $6,795

ASIA

60

Women and Society in India

From $6,895

Women and Women’s Rights in Cuba

From $6,595

NORTH AMERICA

110

126


EXPERTS See nytimes.com/timesjourneys for departures for specific experts

DEPARTURES JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

Chris Wren, Chris Dickey

Laurie Goodstein, Mireya Navarro

David Kirkpatrick

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

Ruth Fremson

Rosalind Hutchinson

To be announced

Victoria Klein

Celestine Bohlen Fred Plotkin

• •

Patricia Cohen, Anthony Holden Marc Lacey, Erica Goode, Anthony DePalma, Alex Garcia

• •

Ernesto Londoño, Juliana Schatz

Ray Sokolov

Nicholas Delbanco, Florence Fabricant, Helene Cooper

Alan Cowell, Charles Wallace, John Burns

Elaine Sciolino, Roger Cohen, Scott Peterson

Steven Erlanger, Ray Wilkinson

• •

Jeanne Pinder, Laura Shaine Cunningham

Nell McShane Wulfhart, Ruth Fremson

Raphael Minder

Alan Cowell, Chris Wren, John Burns •

Ruth Ellen Gruber

Mitch Yockelson, Richard Cohen

Serge Schmemann, John Tagliabue

David M. Ratzan

Chris Dickey

• •

Carlotta Gall

Richard Bernstein, John Burns, Howard French

To be announced

Douglas Dalby

Serge Schmemann, Laura Shaine Cunningham, Jeanne Pinder

John Burns, Alex Crevar

Carl Hulse, Warren Hoge, Craig Benjamin, Maureen Dowd, Joe Nocera

• •

• 2017

Marlise Simons

Frederick E. Hoxie, Carl Hulse, Ron Nixon, Frances Robles, Dan Schnur Clyde Haberman, John Schwartz, Michael Schmidt, Peter H. Lewis, David Cay Johnston, Jane Gross, Neil Amdur, Dinitia Smith, Ari Goldman, Steven Greenhouse

• •

Jeff Muntifering, Charles Wallace

Donald McNeil, Jeffrey Gettleman, Sheri Fink

Dennis Overbye

• •

George Freeman, Ian Austen, Roger Cohen

Jim Robbins

Sandra Blakeslee, John Noble Wilford

Claudia Dreifus, Richard Cohen

Carlotta Gall, Ranya Kadri Ruth Fremson, Harleen Singh Luisita Lopez Torregrosa

DEC

• •

• •

127


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