Voyages to Antiquity | Shore Excursions in 2016

shore excursions

MEDITERRANEAN, AEGEAN, ADRIATIC & ATLANTIC CRUISES

2016

2074/12.15

CONTENTS

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AGADIR Morocco AMMAN Jordan AMMAN/PETRA/DEAD SEA Jordan ANCONA Italy ANTALYA Turkey ATHENS Greece (Hotel Stay) BARCELONA Spain BORDEAUX France BRINDISI Italy CADIZ Spain CANAKKALE Turkey CANNES France CARTAGENA Spain CASABLANCA Morocco CIVITAVECCHIA Italy CORFU Greek Islands DARTMOUTH England DELOS Greek Islands

6 7 8–9 10 11 12 – 15 16 – 17 18 – 19 20 21 22 – 23 24 – 25 26 27 28 – 29 30 31 32

DIKILI Turkey DOVER England DUBROVNIK Croatia EL MARSA Moroccan Sahara FALMOUTH England FEZ/VOLUBILIS Morocco FUNCHAL Madeira GYTHION Greece HERAKLION Crete, Greek Islands HONFLEUR France ISTANBUL Turkey (Hotel Stay) ITHACA Greek Islands IZMIR Turkey KATAKOLON Greece KAVALA Greece KUSADASI Turkey LA CORUNA Spain LANZAROTE Canary Islands LA PALMA Canary Islands LA ROCHELLE France LIMASSOL Cyprus

33 34 – 35 36 37 38 – 39 40 41 42 – 43 44 45 – 47 48 – 51 51 52 53 54 55 – 56 57 58 59 60 61

LISBON Portugal LIVORNO Italy LONDON England MADRID Spain MALAGA Spain MARRAKESH/EL JADIDA Morocco MARSEILLES France MONTE CARLO Monaco MOTRIL Spain MOUNT ATHOS (sailing) MYKONOS Greek Islands NANTES France OPORTO Portugal PALERMO Sicily, Italy PATMOS Greek Islands PIRAEUS Greece PORTOFINO Italy PYLOS Greece RAVENNA Italy RHODES Greek Islands ROME Italy (Hotel Stay) SALERNO Italy SANTORINI Greek Islands SARANDE Albania SETE France SEVILLE Spain (Hotel Stay) SKIATHOS Greek Islands SORRENTO Italy SPLIT Croatia SAINT-MALO France TANGIER Morocco TAORMINA Sicily, Italy THESSALONICA Greece TRAPANI Sicily, Italy VALENCIA Spain VENICE Italy VIGO Spain VOLOS Greece ZADAR Croatia

62 – 63 64 – 65 66 – 68 69 70 – 71 72 – 73 74 75 76 – 77 77 78 78 – 79 80 – 81 82 – 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 – 93 94 95 96 97 98 – 99 99 100 101 102 103 104 – 105 106 – 107 108 109 110 – 111 112 113 114

MEDITERRANEAN, ADRIATIC, AEGEAN & ATLANTIC CRUISES 2016

Dr Samuel Johnson once wrote, "The grand object of travelling, is to see the shores of the Mediterranean. All our religion, almost all our law, has come to us from the shores of the Mediterranean�.

Today, when you consider the variety and splendour of the historical treasures to be found in this region, it is hard to disagree with him. From the great Doric temples of Sicily and the magnificence of the Roman Palace of Diocletian in Split to the sparkling genius of the mosaics of St Mark's in Venice and the glories of Rome, the artistic and architectural jewels of the Mediterranean have dazzled visitors for thousands of years.

Inside this brochure you will find information and insight on all the fantastic sites that are featured in Voyages to Antiquity's 2016 cruises.

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excursions guide Your cruise includes shore excursions, except on the odd occasion, such as at Portofino, and the Greek islands of Mykonos, Ithaca and Skiathos where little or no organised sightseeing is available. Some ports offer multiple opportunities for sightseeing, and in these instances, Voyages to Antiquity offers carefully selected excursions – some as an alternative to the included excursion, some at an additional cost.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TOUR These sightseeing programmes are outstanding but can be challenging.

Visits to archaeological sites require walking over uneven surfaces, up and down multiple steps, and therefore a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Some passengers may decide to take a break on certain days and explore the environs around the port.

Look for the symbols above each tour description (see key opposite) to get a good idea of the level of walking that may be involved. Tour durations are approximate and, to be sure you get the most out of the excursion and to avoid

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overcrowding, the sequence of site visits and operating times may vary. The on-board staff will brief you nightly on the expected plans for the following day.

All departure times and meeting points will be advised in the Daily Journal on board. Some countries require you to carry certain documents ashore and this will be advised on board at the appropriate time. Please note that we reserve the right to change, cancel or substitute an included excursion at any time.

OUR GUIDES It is one thing to see Aphrodisias and quite another to see it in the company of a good guide who speaks your language and can share his/her knowledge and passion for history. All off our shore excursions feature qualified Englishspeaking guides who seek to enlighten your visit with their expertise.

SHOPPING From Greek gold in Minoan designs to kilim carpets in Turkey, the crafts of the Mediterranean have evolved over the centuries. While these shore

excursions focus on the history, culture and archaeology of this area, some offer the chance to visit local workshops and observe demonstrations. Voyages to Antiquity has no connection with any shopping establishment and does not assume responsibility for purchases made ashore. We also recommend insurance on anything you choose to ship home.

TRANSPORTATION Various modes of transportation are used, depending on the excursion. Most motorcoaches are deluxe, air-conditioned vehicles unless unavailable in that port.

VISITS TO SITES/MUSEUMS On occasions, substitutions need to be made due to opening/closing times of some sites/museums, but all possible is done to ensure schedules operate as described. If a change is made, guests will be advised with their final documents.

KEY TO EXCURSION SYMBOLS Please note the symbols featured in each tour description: Moderate walking over relatively level terrain and some steps.

Medium to heavy walking indicates cobblestones, or slippery surfaces, and some stair climbing. Guests with physical limitations will want to take this into consideration.

Heavy walking for one or more hours over uneven terrain, with multiple uphill segments or where excursion features climbing in and out of local boats or small vehicles.

Dining at local restaurant Tender Port

Note: For passengers on Grand Voyages, availability of included and optional excursions in Istanbul, Piraeus, Venice, Cannes, Seville, Civitavecchia, Dover, Lisbon and Malaga will be advised on board.

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AGADIR

AGADIR morocco Taroudant AGA1

Half day

INCLUDED

Sometimes known as the “Little Marrakesh”, Taroudant is an old trading centre located in Morocco’s Souss Valley.

Surrounded by citrus groves, protected by magnificent red-mud walls and with the snowcapped peaks of the High Atlas beckoning beyond, Taroudant’s situation is truly enchanting. Despite its medieval souks and squares, this is not simply a tourist destination, as Taroudant is a working market town where Berbers trade the produce of the rich and fertile Oued Souss plain.

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On your drive there from the port of Agadir, keep an eye out for the tree-climbing goats that call this part of the world home. Upon arrival, step inside this 11th-century citadel and prepare to be hurled back in time.

Resting peacefully within its ramparts, Taroudant has avoided time’s march, retaining its traditional look and feel. Four miles of chunky walls encircle the city, pierced by five impressive gateways. Within them lie Taroudant’s most famous attractions, the daily Berber market and the Arab souk.

AMMAN

AMMAN jordan Amman City Tour AMM1

Half day

INCLUDED

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is one of the great cultural centres of the Middle East and there is much here to interest the visitor. It is also a city of surprises and many of these are to be found in the area known as the Citadel. Sitting on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel al-Qala’a (about 850m above sea level), the Citadel is the site of the ancient Ammonite capital of Rabbath-Ammon.

Artefacts dating from the Bronze Age show that the hill was a fortress and/or agora (open space for commerce and politics) for thousands of years. The complex is surrounded by 1700m-long walls, which were rebuilt many times during the Bronze

and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods.

Here you will visit the Archaeological Museum – a small museum housing an excellent collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the 15th century – the Folkloric Museum, the remains of the Roman Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine basilica and the gate to Umayyad Palace.

Also, see the Roman theatre which was built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161AD) and can accommodate 6,000 spectators. Afterwards there will be a short tour of modern Amman.

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AMMAN

AMMAN/PETRA/DEAD SEA jordan Ancient Jerash AMM 2

Half day

INCLUDED

Located some 48 km (30 miles) north of the capital Amman, Jerash is known for the ruins of the Graeco-Roman city of Gerasa, and is sometimes misleadingly referred to as the "Pompeii of the Middle East", referring to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation (though Jerash was never buried by a volcano).

Jerash became an urban centre during the 3rd century BC and a member of the federation of Greek cities known as the Decapolis ("ten cities" in Greek). Jerash prospered during the 1st century BC as a result of its position on the incense and spice trade route from the Arabian Peninsula to Syria and the Mediterranean region. Jerash was a favourite city of the Roman emporer, Hadrian, and reached its zenith in AD130, flourishing economically and socially. Jerash began to

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decline in the 3rd century, later becoming a Christian city under the rule of the Byzantine empire. The Muslims took over in AD635, but the final blow to the city was dealt by Baldwin II of Jerusalem in AD1112 during the Crusades.

You will depart from Amman for the short drive to Jerash. Here you will find a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates. Enjoy a walking tour throughout this fantastic ancient city seeing all the main sites including the Temple of Artemis, Hadrian’s Arch and the Hippodrome before returning to Amman.

AMMAN

Walking Tour of Petra PET1

Half day

INCLUDED

One of the great moments in travel is when you emerge from the narrow winding Siq to encounter the extraordinary rose-red city of Petra. This guided tour is entirely on foot so you can more intimately interact with this UNESCO World Heritage Site, chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Together with your guide, start your walk from the main gate to the obelisk tombs. Then continue to the Siq, the sole entrance to Petra, a long winding path between two overhanging cliffs that acts as the city's main gate.

As you proceed along this mile-long fissure, your guide will point out such details as Petra's ingenious water system where some of the original terracotta pipes are still in place. Your first sight will be the magnificent spectacle of Al Khazneh (The Treasury), carved out of the rock by Nabataean Arabs some 2,000 years ago. You may continue along the Street of Façades taking in such sights as the amphitheatre and the Royal Court, where recent excavations have revealed a public pool and gardens.

Note:The guides will take you to the Treasury area and from this point you will have the option of continuing on to the Street of Façades. Please note that there is an optional, one-way horse ride included in your ticket. Horse drawn carriages are available at the site entrance but passengers should be reminded that these are not recommended and are at the passenger’s own risk.

SWIMMING IN THE DEAD SEA Treat your body and soul to an experience unmatched anywhere, floating on the water of the Dead Sea. The lake lies 1,407 feet below sea level and with 34% salinity is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world.

Our drive takes us along a route where the surreal scenery suggests the red planet, Mars, as you descend into the Jordan Valley to arrive at the lowest part of the earth’s surface and the Dead Sea. Pause for lunch at a rest house and take a dip in the sea’s salutary buoyant waters before our drive onward to Petra.

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ANCONA

ANCONA ITALY Renaissance Urbino ANC1

Full day

INCLUDED

Situated on a hilltop, Urbino is a small town with a big history. This place had a huge influence on Renaissance culture and Urbino’s Ducal Palace is one of the finest buildings of the period. In the fifteenth century, Urbino was ruled by the Montefeltro family, and reached its peak during the reign of the Duke Federico da Montefeltro.

Urbino was also the birthplace of the artist Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio 1483-1520) and your tour includes a visit to the house where he lived up to age of 14. This modest dwelling contains memoirs and artistic furniture of that period. Raphael was born here in 1483 and trained at home at least until the age of 11, when his father died. There is a small mural attributed to the boy painter in one room, but the house is chiefly interesting as an atmospheric 15th-century home/workshop.

Your visit continues to Palazzo Ducale, Italy’s most beautiful Renaissance palace built for Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who ruled

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Urbino between 1444 and 1482. Since he was a man of the arts as well as a soldier, he enriched his palace with a comprehensive library, famous paintings including works

by Piero della Francesca, Raphael and Titian and refined architecture.

Another of Urbino’s magnificent buildings is the Duomo built in 1789 on top of a sixthcentury sacred site. Completed in 1604, it was destroyed by an earthquake and then rebuilt. The duomo now has a neo-classical appearance and houses several important artworks, including a painting of the Last Supper by Federico Barocci. The Museo Diocesano has a collection of glass, ceramics, and religious items. After visiting the cathedral there is some free time for lunch on your own in one of Urbino’s many restaurants (you may wish to try Antica Osteria della Stella, an ancient inn that claims to have hosted Raphael and Piero della Francesca) and souvenir shopping.

ANTALYA

ANTALYA TURKEY Perge & Aspendos ANT1

Full day

INCLUDED

A few miles outside Antalya are the isolated sites of Perge and Aspendos, once part of the ancient kingdom of Pergamon. Your adventure includes both destinations, beginning with a drive to the site of Perge, whose impressive ruins date back to around 1,000BC. Legend has it that the city was founded by two Greek seers returning from the Trojan War. Though Perge was not as large, its theatre was spectacular with seating for 14,000, an orchestra, and a stage that still bears traces of the marble reliefs that once covered the entire façade. Perge played an important role in the spread of early Christianity and we visit the basilica where St Paul preached his first sermon in 46AD. The stadium here is one of the best-preserved in Anatolia, a huge arena where over 12,000 could watch athletic competitions. Walk through the Roman Gate, the entrance to the city, and follow a fine colonnaded avenue that once took the ancients to the Nymphaeum, the Baths Complex and the Agora.

Aspendos, located on the Eurymedon River and splendidly backed by the Taurus Mountains, was a major port city in Roman times. To date, only parts of Aspendos have been excavated, but the well-preserved Roman theatre was one of the most spectacular buildings of its time. The theatre was built by two wealthy brothers during the reign of Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd century AD. The architect Xenon gave it a public entrance, dressing rooms, a colonnaded gallery, rows of marble seats and suites for the dignitaries, as well as a canopy to protect patrons from the weather.

After lunching on local Turkish food, we drive to the Antalya Archaeological Museum which offers an excellent survey of the great periods in Pamphylia’s history, from the neolithic on through the Bronze age, to Hellenistic and Roman times. You will admire the statues of divinities, mostly from Perge and the Gallery of Roman Emperors.

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ATHENS

ATHENS GREECE (Hotel Stay) The Acropolis & its Museum ATH1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Visit the sublime expression of Classical Greece, the Acropolis with its sweeping views of Athens. Commissioned

by Pericles in the 5th century BC, the site is dominated by the majestic Parthenon: a building that embodies the stunning achievements of the Athenian “Golden Age”.

Surrounding the great temple are the other architectural masterpieces of the citadel: the Propylaia (monumental gateway), the Erechtheion with its beautiful Karayatid Porch and the Temple of Athena Nike

(Winged Victory). Below the temple complex is the theatre of Dionysos where the dramas of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed.

Then explore another marvel: the longanticipated $200-million, 226,000-square-foot Acropolis Museum. In the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, ascending floors of glass literally “float” you above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below.

* Note: In Athens, you have a choice of included excursion (either ATH1 or ATH2).

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ATHENS

Byzantine Athens ATH2

Half day

National Archaeological Museum INCLUDED*

Never in the history of Christianity has a school of artists infused such a high degree of spirituality into its work. Byzantine theologians insisted that painters and mosaicists reflect the image of God. This morning's sightseeing reveals the splendour of Byzantine art in a tour that combines visits to both the Byzantine Museum, home to the world's largest collection of icons, and also the Monastery of Kaisariani with its fine frescoes and elegant gardens.

Drive from the pier to Illissia Mansion, winter residence of the Duchess of Piacenza, and home to the Byzantine and Christian Museum. Founded in 1914, this renowned museum focuses exclusively on Byzantine art from the 4th to 19th centuries. In addition to its impressive icons, frescoes and tapestries, there are paintings, sculptures and illuminated manuscripts. Displays recreate Byzantine churches from the 5th to 11th centuries.

Continue next to the slopes of Mt. Hymettos, for a visit to the Monastery of Kaisariani, a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture.

Inside its high walls discover the 11th-century catholicon, or main church, built in a Greek cross shape. The dome is supported by four columns from an earlier Roman temple and colourful frescoes from the 14th to 18th centuries enliven the interior walls. There is also an 11th-century bathhouse. Later additions include a refectory, the monks’ cells and a 19th-century bell tower. Savour the views of Athens and the serenity of this delightful spot before returning to the ship.

ATH3

Half day

OPTIONAL $48pp

Founded at the end of the 19th century to house and protect antiquities from all over Greece, the National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important in the world devoted to ancient Greek art.

During your visit you will be able to see Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean and Classical Greek art, and you'll also view sculptures from the Archaic and Hellenistic periods, along with pottery from the Geometric period. A few of the museum's most important exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, the head of Hygeia (Goddess of Health), the bronze statue of the "Jockey-Boy" of Artemision, the golden mask of Agamemnon and the brilliant Minoan frescoes from the site on Thira (Santorini).

Within the museum's walls more than 11,000 exhibits provide a panorama of Greek art from prehistory to late antiquity. Wander amid the royal tombs of Mycenae, dating from 1500BC. Marvel at sculpture from the 7th to 5th centuries BC, including the kouroi, nude male athletes, carved in Naxian marble. Admire a delicate bronze by Praxiteles and frescoes from Akrotiri, buried over 3,500 years ago in a volcanic eruption. Trace the evolution of Greek pottery from earliest times in collections including rare white clayware. This astonishing museum even includes Egyptian and Cypriot antiquities, as well as treasures from the sea. A shipwreck at Antikythera produced a scientific instrument used for astronomical calculations in the 1st century BC.

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ATHENS

ATHENS GREECE (Hotel Stay) Ancient Corinth & Epidaurus ATH4

Full day

INCLUDED*

Leave Athens by road for the famous Corinth Canal. The concept of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth to link the Ionian and Aegean Seas was first proposed in the 6th century BC by the tyrant Periander, founder of Ancient Corinth. The magnitude of the task defeated him so he opted instead to built a paved slipway across which sailors dragged small ships on rollers – a method used until the 13th century. Nero, one of Rome’s most infamous emperors, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with his golden spade, but this attempt took a while to finish as it wasn’t finally completed until 1893.

Enjoy a brief photo stop before continuing your tour to the once rich and powerful city of Ancient Corinth. A city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of the numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. St Paul lived and

worked in Corinth for 18 months, making converts where he could. The Bema (platform) where the Roman governor tried him is still visible. See one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Market Place, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times, and the Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lechaion.

From here enjoy a scenic drive through the Argos Plain towards one of the most renowned of Greece’s ancient sites, as reflected by its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Situated on the cool slopes of a beautiful and wooded valley, Epidaurus was known throughout the Hellenic world for its unique medical facilities and healing treatments. Dedicated to Aesclepius, the god of healing, who restored health to the sick and sometimes (it was said) life to the dead, the city was filled with curative spas and baths and only priests had access to certain secret rites.

Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, with the exception of the astonishing theatre. Still used for special performances, the theatre is in an admirable state of preservation. Built into the ground, rather than above it, the theatre is known for its fantastic acoustics, which we will observe during our visit. After the visit enjoy a traditional Greek lunch before returning back to ship. * Please note that this excursion is included on April 19, April 30, September 5 and September 16 sailings only..

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ATHENS

BARCELONA

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BARCELONA SPAIN Barcino: The Roman City

Barcelona: Velasquez to Miro

BAR1

BAR2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Descend to a unique underground museum for a glimpse of everyday life in Barcino, as Roman Barcelona was called.

Hidden under the medieval buildings and squares of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is a town of far greater antiquity. Roman troops arrived here during the Punic Wars (264 to 146BC) and remained for over 600 years, putting their imprint on the language, law and culture. Not all of the ancient colony is underground. Sections of the original walls, towers and gates can be seen en route to Plaza Ramon Berenguer and Plaza Nova, where an aqueduct and main road once connected Barcino with the rest of the Empire. View the Forum with its remains of a 1st century temple to Caesar Augustus.

Then take an elevator to get an in-depth look at daily life in Roman times. Visit one of Europe's largest underground archaeological sites at the Barcelona City History Museum.

Stroll metal walkways through workaday Barcino with its laundry, dye shop, salted fish factory and wine shop to get a slice of life – 20 centuries ago. Collections of objects found at the digs include Roman portraits, mosaics, Roman and Hebrew inscriptions, as well as the utensils of daily life. Emerge from this tour with an enriched understanding of Roman influence and appreciation of Barcelona's antiquity.

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Half day

INCLUDED*

Barcelona is an art historian’s dream destination as its galleries contain some of the greatest works of art ever created.

Your tour will start, however, with a drive towards the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s oldest neighbourhood. Take a stroll through the maze of streets and after a photostop at the Gothic Cathedral, continue your drive towards the Montjuic mountain. This site was selected for several venues during Barcelona’s 1992 Summer Olympics and hosts spaces like the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Ring and other sporting facilities.

You will then head to the National Art Museum of Catalunya (MNAC). The MNAC is housed in the fabulous National Palace of Montjuic, a spectacular building with wonderful views over Barcelona. Here you will have the opportunity to gain an extraordinary insight into the development of Catalonia’s – and some of Europe’s – finest artists over the centuries. The gallery’s most famous works date from the 16th to 18th centuries, and include paintings by El Greco, Velazquez, Rubens and other masterpieces from the Spanish Golden Age. The collection also includes a wide range of styles of the 19th and 20th centuries, from Neoclassicism to Avant-gardes of the 1950s. There are artworks

by Fortuny, Casas, Rusinol, Gaudi, Picasso and Miro.

* Note: In Barcelona, you have a choice of included excursion (either BAR1 or BAR2).

BARCELONA

Gaudi’s Golden Works BAR3

Half day

OPTIONAL $59pp

Antoni Gaudi's work is admired by architects around the World as being one of the most unique and distinctive architectural styles. His work has greatly influenced the face of Barcelona’s architecture and you will see stunning examples of Gaudi's work all around the city centre.

Departing from the pier, you will start with a brief panoramic drive to the Sagrada Familia (outside visit), Gaudi’s most emblematic work and the greatest example of his genius. This famous structure has become a symbol of Barcelona all over the world.

Next, you will head to Passeig de Gracia, the famous boulevard where Gaudi’s houses of La Pedrera and Casa Batllo are located. The present Casa Batllo is a result of a total refurbishment of an old previous conventional house built in 1877. Some people regard Casa Batllo as a building that embodies a unique fusion of art, architecture and design.

It is celebrated for its visual solutions and its creative use of materials and colour. Casa Batllo has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since July 2005.

After your tour of the interior, you take a short walk to La Pedrera for a photo stop. Once you arrive, you will look in vain for straight lines and admire the sumptuous curves of the façade, the wrought iron balconies with forms of plants, the paintings on the ceilings of the foyers, and much more.

Before returning to the ship – time permitting – you will have the chance to admire the Olympic Stadium while enjoying a panoramic drive through the Montjuic Mountain.

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BORDEAUX

BORDEAUX FRANCE UNESCO Bordeaux BDX1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Depart by coach from the ship for a panoramic walking tour of Bordeaux.

Drive along the river front where the wine trade has flourished for centuries and then view the Second World War German submarine base. In the summer of 1941, Admiral Dönitz decided to build highly fortified U-Boat pens in Bordeaux and construction began in September 1941.

They were constructed with reinforced concrete and the roof above the pens was 5.6 m (18ft 4 in) thick.

Then on to L’Esplanade des Quinconces.

This is one of Europe’s largest squares (12 hectares) and its principal monument was erected between 1894 and 1902 in memory of the Girondists who fell victim of the Reign

of Terror during the French Revolution. Stop at the Palais Rohan, the 18th-century former home of the Archbishop that is now the City Hall and walk to the 13th-century Cathedral of St Andrew, where Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII, for an inside visit. Continue to the nearby the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux which was built by the architect Victor Louis and inaugurated in 1780. This is one of the most beautiful theatres in Europe and a pure work of art from the 18th century.

Strolling through the Old Bordeaux area, you will come across beautiful squares such as La Place du Parlement, the former royal marketplace (1760) with its harmonious façades and fountain, and Place de la Bourse, the former royal square dedicated to Louis XV (1729).

* Note: In Bordeaux, you have a choice of included excursion (either BDX1 or BDX2).

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BORDEAUX

Panoramic Bordeaux & Wine Tasting

Saint-Emilion Village

BDX2

BDX3

Half day

INCLUDED*

For many years Bordeaux was known as “La Belle au Bois Dormant” (Sleeping Beauty) due to its magnificent buildings being shrouded in centuries of black soot. Then in 2000, the mayor, former Prime Minister Alain Juppé, roused Bordeaux, restoring its neoclassical architecture and implementing a high-tech public transport system. His efforts paid off: in mid-2007 half of the entire city (18 sq km, from the outer boulevards to the banks of the Garonne) was UNESCOlisted, making it the largest urban World Heritage Site.

After a panoramic tour of the main sites including the 13th-century cathedral, the Palais Rohan and the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux, you will leave the city for the nearby world-famous vineyards that surround Bordeaux.

The history of Bordeaux wine spans almost 2,000 years to Roman times when the first vineyards were planted. In the Middle Ages, the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine opened the Bordeaux region to the English market and eventually to the world's stage. Today, Bordeaux wine remains the world’s most popular and sought-after wine. You will stop at one of the prestigious wine estates such as Chateau La Louvière, Chateau Haut Bailly, Chateau Carbonnieux or Chateau Latour-Martillac to visit their cellars, be introduced to the art of wine making and, of course, to enjoy a wine tasting.

Half day

OPTIONAL $75pp

Saint-Emilion is a charming medieval village located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine area. This is a very special place that combines world-famous wineries, beautiful architecture and great monuments. A local legend says that the village was founded by a monk from Brittany who fled from his hometown of Vannes to seek refuge in one of the natural caves in the 8th century.

His name was Emilion and for many years, he lived as a hermit. He is said to have performed a few miracles and rapidly became famous in the region and beyond. Soon he had many disciples and with their help, he made the town a religious centre. Even after his death his followers carried on his legacy and named the town after him: Saint-Emilion. In 1999, the vineyards of Saint-Emilion became the first winery in the world to be given World Heritage status by UNESCO. Note: Only available on 25 June sailing.

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BRINDISI

BRINDISI italy Ancient Lecce BRI1

Half day

INCLUDED

Lecce is a city of outstanding historical and architectural treasures. With its abundance of ancient ruins, Baroque churches and noble palaces carved out of honey-coloured local stone, it is a place that will stay long in the memory. Set in the heart of the Salento region on the south-eastern tip of Italy’s “boot”, Lecce was founded in the 5th century BC and was later an important Roman city. The 25,000-seat amphitheatre dating from the 1st century BC in the Piazza St Oronzo is a magnificent legacy of the city’s Roman past and it is here that your tour begins. You will also pass by the Roman column that marks the end of the Appian Way and then continue on to the city centre to discover the remarkable buildings from a later time.

From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecce flourished under a period of great splendour and was duly embellished with Rococo and Baroque monuments. The local limestone

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was particularly easy to work, making the creation of decorative relief and delicate detail relatively easy and created a style known as Lecce Baroque.

You will visit the Santa Croce Basilica, which is sumptuously decorated and represents the triumph of Baroque art in Lecce. Nearby, admire the impressive façade of the Governor’s Palace (the former monastery of the Celestine monks). Visit one of the finest and most impressive squares in southern Italy – Piazza Duomo. Explore the elegant streets of Lecce adjacent to the square and you will discover that the typical local crafts of the town, such as papier-mâché or Leccese stone items, are traditional art forms here. The objects created in the artisans’ workshops are crafted according to ancient traditions handed down from generation to generation.

CADIZ

CADIZ SPAIN Jerez and Sherry Tasting

Cadiz City Tour & Cathedral

CAD1

CAD2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Cadiz has clung to Spain’s Atlantic coast for over 4,000 years and in this time its influence has been felt far and wide. The city has long been considered a bridge between Europe and Africa and was the gateway to the Americas during the age of discovery.

The old city is immensely intriguing – a cluster of narrow streets opening on to charming small squares. You will appreciate the atmosphere and history of Cadiz during a drive through the city from the delightful ancient seaport, passing the 18th century baroque cathedral, then around the old part of the city with its splendid views over the bay. You will see the Plaza Espana and the gardens where the famous monument of Las Cortes (Spanish Parliament) of 1812 is situated. Then you will continue to the Moorish-style Alameda de Apodaca Gardens, a reminder of their occupancy in past centuries. The cathedral with its famous towering golden domes acts as a landmark against the Cadiz skyline, and the famous composer Manuel de Falla is buried here.

After this, you will drive inland to the historic town of Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez is home to dozens of sherry companies, and a visit will be made to the well-known Bodega Gonzalez Byass, which produces some of the most delicious sherry in the world. Here, the ageold process of blending is explained and then you will be invited to sample various types of the fortified wine in the unique atmosphere of the cellars.

Half day

INCLUDED*

Enjoy the picturesque views of the seaport as you make your way to the old quarter of Cadiz. Here you will see the most beautiful monuments of Cadiz. Start by passing the tobacco factory built in1741, which now serves as the Congress building, Santo Domingo Church, and the old Royal Prison.

Then carry on to the ancient Phoenician port of La Caleta, and the Santa Catalina Fortress.

Finished in the seventeenth century, Santa Catalina was part of a series of fortifications designed to protect Cadiz from the English after Sir Francis Drake had successfully breached the harbour in 1587 in an attack that became known as “singeing the King of Spain’s beard”.

You'll continue towards the San Carlos Gate for a tour of the old town. Among its many historical monuments, El Populo's stone gates were there to bid Christopher Columbus goodbye as he left the Cadiz harbour on his second trip in 1493.

Afterwards, you will visit the Cathedral of Cadiz and the Diocesan Museum. It took 116 years to complete this 18th century Baroque and neo-classical Cathedral. You then head to the picturesque Plaza Flores, and the Plaza de Espana with its massive monument commemorating the meeting of the Cortes, Spain’s first representative national assembly, in 1810-12.

Note: Visits inside the cathedral are not allowed on Sundays. The cathedral can also close at short notice on weekdays.

* Note: In Cadiz, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAD1 or CAD2).

21

CANAKKALE

CANAKKALE TURKEY Troy CAK1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Enter the world of Helen of Troy and Paris, Hektor and Achilles. The 13th or 12th century BC siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece has fired the imagination of poets over thousands of years. The site is one of the most significant demonstrations of early contact between the civilisations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. The shores of the Dardanelles, known in antiquity as the Hellespont, lead our way to the last vestiges of the fabled city called Ilion in Greek and Truva in Turkish. In legend, Troy was said to be founded by Dardanos, the son of Zeus and Electra. The site's existence was long considered merely a fable invented by Homer in The Iliad. Then, in 1870, Heinrich

22

Schliemann, an amateur archaeologist working more on passionate belief than empirical evidence, discovered the site.

Today, most historians agree that Troy was one of nine civilisations that inhabited the spot.

There is also evidence to support the tale of a ten-year siege, giving further weight to Homer’s tales. Alexander the Great, who declared himself a descendent of Achilles, made a pilgrimage to this site in 334BC. Today little remains of the 5,000 years of habitation.

Lecturer-guides bring its storied past to life as you view the massive walls, a Roman theatre and the reputed Palace of King Priam.

CANAKKALE

Gallipoli CAK2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Take a ferry across the Dardanelles to the moving memorials and battlefields of Gallipoli on the Gelibolu Peninsula. In World War I, over 500,000 Allied and Turkish troops died in the 8-month campaign as British commanders sought unsuccessfully to make a strategic rush through the Dardanelles to capture Istanbul and open the Black Sea for the Allied Army. It is here that a young Istanbul Colonel, Mustafa Kemal, distinguished himself and later become known as Ataturk, father of the Turkish Republic. Today the peninsula is a national park with over 31 cemeteries.

From the landing at Eceabat, drive to the major battlefields. Discover the stories

of North Beach, Anzac Cove and Beach Cemetery. Walk amid the sites of Lone Pine, a hauntingly beautiful memorial to the thousands of Australian and New Zealand men killed during the battle. At Chunuk Bair, learn of the epic stand by New Zealand's Wellington Battalion. At this site Ataturk exhorted his men "not just to fight, but to die" in a counterattack that claimed the lives of all his men. From here, the sweeping views of the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea let you glimpse Canakkale’s importance as a strategic military choke point. In this tranquil seaside setting, the horror of what happened in 1915 seems far away. On the ferry back, look for the memorials carved into the cliffs.

* Note: In Canakkale, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAK1 or CAK2).

2315

CANNES

CANNES FRANCE Grasse & St Paul-de-Vence

Monaco & Monte Carlo

CAN1

CAN2 Extended Half day

Half day

INCLUDED*

Head to the hills above Cannes to find a stunning contrast to the Riviera's glittering coast: the medieval village of St Paul-de-Vence, a place beloved by artists and seekers of the extraordinary. En route your adventure takes you to Grasse, where the French perfume industry was born. Here you'll tour a perfume factory and learn how the essence of flowers are condensed in one of the world's oldest distillation processes. Sample a selection of the exquisite Provençal fragrances first made fashionable when Catherine de Medici donned a pair of perfumed gloves in the 16th century.

Then drive through glorious Loup River canyon scenery to St Paul-de-Vence. This idyllic spot has drawn artists from Chagall to Miro and celebrities from Garbo to Deneuve.

You will find that, typical of other fortified villages guarding the frontier, St Paul has retained much of its medieval appearance.

Start your explorations at the main gate where medieval ramparts built by Francis I in 1536 remain intact to this day. Stroll the narrow cobblestone lanes lined with boutiques, museums and art galleries. Lose all sense of the modern world. By the time you leave, you can expect to be laden with souvenirs and memories, ready to return to the ship for a relaxing rest of the day.

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INCLUDED*

Our tour starts with a stunning drive along the Middle Corniche road, set above cliffs that rise vertically. Savour panoramic views of Villefranche, Cap Ferrat and the village of Eze, set on a craggy peak high above the Mediterranean. This breathtaking ride takes you from France to the independent principality of Monaco. Your first stop is at the foot of the Rock. Ascend to its top by escalators and elevators to discover the historic Old Town. Your guided walking tour takes you past the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the 19thcentury Romanesque Cathedral in which Prince Rainier and Princess Grace had their fairytale wedding. Wander the ancient covered alleyways of Old Town, before continuing to Monte Carlo.

Drive along part of Monaco's famous Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit to Casino Square. In this haven for the rich and famous, you have time on your own to take in the attractions of your choice, be it the Grand Casino, the opulent Hotel de Paris, the chic boutiques – or you can just soak up the atmosphere for future daydreams after your return to the ship.

* Note: In Cannes, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAN1 or CAN2).

25

CANNES

CARTAGENA

CARTAGENA SPAIN Cartagena Highlights

Easy Cartagena

CAR1

CAR2

Half day

INCLUDED*

INCLUDED*

Cartagena has almost 3,000 years of history. The city’s heyday was during the Roman Empire when it was known as Carthago Nova (the New Carthage). Later it was one of the important cities during the Umayyad invasion of Hispania, under its Arabic name of Qartayannat al-Halfa. Due to its strategic position, it has been throughout its history an important military and trade port.

Cartagena has been an important military and trade port throughout its history. This has blessed Cartagena with unique artistic heritage, with a number of landmarks such as the Roman theatre, the second largest of the Iberian Peninsula after the one in Merida, and an abundance of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish remains.

The first stop on this tour is the recently restored Roman theatre. The highlight of the visit is when you enter into the theatre itself and see the enormity of the site. The theatre was built between 5 and 1BC and had room to seat 6,000 people. It was built over by a market in the 3rd century and only discovered in 1988.

After departing from the pier by coach, you will begin with a panoramic tour of the city, passing by such sights as the Plaza de Espana and university buildings.

You will then make your way on foot to the site of the Roman Forum. Step back in time and explore the district around the Roman Forum of Cartagena, the former nerve centre of the ancient city of Cathago Nova. See the curia, the baths, the peristyle (columned courtyard), the atrium and many more remnants of an era that thousands of years later still fascinates. This archaeological treasure trove, which dates from at least 209BC, was unearthed by chance in the late 1980s during infrastructural works in the city.

Ever since, slowly but surely the past has been giving up its secrets to the point where there is now a vast site centred on the former Roman Forum on Molinete Hill.

26

Half day

The main stop on this tour is the recently restored Roman theatre. The highlight of the visit is when you enter in the theatre itself and can see the enormity of the site, an arena that had capacity for 6,000 people. You will then get to try the famous drink of the city, “cafe asiatico”. This is a traditional drink which is made of coffee, condensed milk, cinnamon and the liqueur of the area called, rather oddly, 43 liqueur. The origin of the recipe dates back to the 1940s, when it was prepared by Pedro Conesa Ortega in his bar at Albujon in Cartagena, the "Pedrin" bar.

* Note: In Cartagena, you have a choice of included excursions (either CAR1 or CAR2).

CASABLANCA

CASABLANCA MOROCCO Rabat

Casablanca CAS1

Half day

INCLUDED*

The history of Casablanca has been one of many political and cultural changes. At different times it has been governed by Berber, Roman, Arab, Portuguese, Spanish, French, British and Moroccan regimes. It has had an important position in the region as a port city, making it valuable to a series of conquerors during its early history. Today, Casablanca is more cosmopolitan, and more open to Western ways than other places in Morocco. Casablanca is Morocco’s economical and cultural capital: this is where money is made, where the industry is, and where the arts flourish.

An orientation tour of Casablanca shows us the port, the old medina, the Place Mohammed V – a busy shopping street lined by residential blocks dating from the 1930s – United Nations Square, designed by French architect Joseph Marrast, and the League of Arab States Park. The tour also includes a visit to the impressive Hassan II Mosque. This is the second largest mosque in the world with the tallest minaret in the world.

CAS2

Half day

INCLUDED*

From Casablanca we drive to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. The colonial architecture is stunning, the palm-lined boulevards are well kept and the atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan. This is a civilised and very pleasant place to visit.

The quiet medina has an authentic feel to it, some good shops and fascinating architecture.

Rabat has a long and rich history, and plenty of monuments to show for it from the Phoenician, Roman, Almohad and Merenid times. The visit will include the old medina; the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Oudaya Gate, built during the Almohad dynasty; the well-preserved Hassan Tower and the Chellah which were built by the Merinids in the 12th and 13th centuries; the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the burial place of the present King’s father; the front of the Royal Palace; and the government district.

Note: Ladies must wear a headscarf to enter the mosque.

* Note: In Casablanca, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAS1 or CAS2).

2715

CIVITAVECCHIA

CIVITAVECCHIA ITALY Eternal Rome CIV1

Full day

INCLUDED*

Immerse yourself in the sights of Rome on this full-day guided tour highlighted by visits inside the Colosseum and St Peter's Basilica, as well as a stroll through some of the city's renowned piazzas. This tour starts with a drive from port to the Colosseum, where beneath the arena, cells once held beasts brought from all over the Empire for gladiatorial combats.

Continue to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica with its towering dome by Michelangelo.

Step inside this most important church in Christendom, filled with art and historic masterpieces, a highlight of any visit to the Eternal City. Afterward, explore St Peter's Square at leisure. Marvel at Bernini's

28

colonnade or seek out a trattoria for lunch on your own. Your afternoon walking tour encompasses Rome's ancient, medieval and baroque delights, starting at the Trevi Fountain.

Legend holds that if you toss a coin just right, you will return to Rome. Stroll to Colonna Square where a 2nd-century marble column celebrates Rome's victory over the Germans.

Pass the governmental area and Palazzo Montecitorio en route to the Pantheon, said to have the widest dome in the world.

Your final stop is the pride of Baroque Rome: Piazza Navona, home to Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers and Fountain of the Moor, as well as the Fountain of Neptune, which the locals once used for washing their clothes.

CIVITAVECCHIA

Ostia Antica CIV2

Extended half day

INCLUDED*

Buried for centuries, this well-preserved archaeological site is far less visited than Pompeii, yet in many ways provides a more complete picture of daily life in the Roman Empire. Ostia Antica was ancient Rome's main port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Anco Marzio (640BC to 616BC), the fourth king of Rome, is traditionally named the founder of this city at the mouth "ostia" of the Tiber.

At the city's peak, about 100,000 people from all classes and all parts of the Mediterranean lived here until decline began due to the silting of the river, barbarian invasions and malaria. Excavations reveal a hard-working city with apartments, warehouses, bakeries, bars, plus public and religious buildings.

Your tour of the archaeological zone begins at Via delle Tombe, leading to the city gates.

Stroll along the Decumanus Maximus, the

main road. Visit the Baths of Neptune with beautiful black-and-white mosaics of the god's wife, Amphitrite. Walk to the theatre, the Forum and such public buildings as the Capitolium and the Temple of Rome and Augustus. A variety of religious buildings include several temples dedicated to the cult of Mithras, Egyptian and Roman gods, plus a 1st century BC Jewish synagogue and a Christian basilica. See the large thermal baths, the 20-hole public latrine and the living complex called the House of Diana.

The Termopolium with its marble counter where ancient Romans could have a quick lunch features a fresco representing the food on sale. Round out your visit with a stop at the Museum Ostiense, displaying some of the wonderful sculptures and mosaics found at this remarkable site.

* Note: In Civitavecchia, you have a choice of included excursion (either CIV1 or CIV2).

29

CORFU

CORFU GREEK ISLANDS Venetian Corfu COR1

Half day

Byzantine Corfu INCLUDED*

You can thank Venice for the thickly wooded headland of Corfu. During the Republic's four centuries of rule on this Ionian island (from 1386 to 1797), it was decreed that an olive tree be planted at each birth and a cypress at each death. Early admirers included the Greek poet, Homer, who sang the island's praises. Octavian brought his fleet to the island's harbour before the battle at Actium.

Today's sightseeing starts with a drive to Corfu Town and a visit to the Old Fortress rising majestically from a large cliff and surrounded by a fairytale moat that has its sinister side as the last resort of the lovelorn. Built on the remains of a Byzantine castle, the fort was completed over four centuries, first by the Venetians who gave it the moat and then by the British who erected the fort's church of St George. The fort proved a formidable bulwark against the Turks.

From the fort, enjoy a stroll along the Venetian-built Esplanade past the colonnade of the Liston Cafe, built during French rule.

The cafe takes is name from a time when the promenade was limited to Venetian nobility that appeared on a list in the Libro d'Oro (Golden Book). Today this path provides an excellent view of the town's cricket pitch, a legacy from British rule, and the start of our walking tour. Discover Old Town's narrow stepped streets, Georgian mansions and red-domed Agios Spyridon church, built in 1589, containing the remains of Corfu's patron saint.

COR2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Journey to Corfu Town, where a 15thcentury church holds a surprise for all who venture inside: one of Greece's most extensive collections of Byzantine art. Northernmost of the Ionian Islands, Corfu is renowned for its natural beauty and as a crossroads of civilisation. The island figured in The Odyssey of Homer and The Tempest of Shakespeare.

Today's adventure starts with a scenic drive to Corfu Town's historic Campielo quarter, where the Byzantine Museum is located in the Panaghia Antivouniotissa (Our Lady Opposite the Mountain), a church that was restored by the Greek government and re-opened in 1984 as a museum.

The collection exhibits a wide selection of Byzantine icons, a form of sacred art still used in the Eastern Orthodox religion and held to be an influence on Italian Renaissance artists.

Highlights include an altar-cloth from Russia, the Noli Me Tangere icon (Touch Me Not)

by Emmanuel Tzanes and the icon of Saints Sergius, Bacchus and Justina by Michael Damaskenos.

After your visit a short walk takes you to the heart of Corfu Town. Visit the 16thcentury rococo church dedicated to St Spiridon, Corfu's patron saint, whose bones are preserved in a gleaming casket. Explore the maze of narrow, stepped streets where little has changed for centuries. Discover an array of past rulers reflected in the French boulevards, Georgian mansions, Venetian citadel and Greek temple.

* Note: In Corfu, you have a choice of included excursion (either COR1 or COR2).

30

DARTMOUTH

DARTMOUTH ENGLAND Slapton Sands and the Forgotten Heroes of D-Day

Medieval Totnes and Buckfast Abbey

DAR1

DAR2

Half day

INCLUDED*

The idyllic town of Dartmouth in Devon, situated at the mouth of the River Dart, is not only home to the Royal Navy from its very earliest days but also the ideal stepping off point for a look at some of the less talked about aspects of the D-Day landings.

Every suitable beach and slipway along this stretch of coastline was utilised to stage the D-Day landings. Based on its similarity to much of the French coastline, Slapton was selected for a vast rehearsal prior to the actual landings.

Join your local guide today for a visit to Slapton Sands, site of one of the most unfortunate episodes to take place in the build up to the D-Day operations. Hear a D-Day expert explain the significance of this remote stretch of beach and visit the Memorial given by the United States to the local inhabitants in gratitude for them evacuating their homes to make way for war wounded. Continue to Torcross to see one of the Sherman tanks brought up from the beach. Afterwards, return to Dartmouth for a walking tour of this fascinating town and free time to enjoy the surrounds before joining the tender back to the ship at your leisure.

Half day

INCLUDED*

Visit a Medieval town that remains to this day a thriving market town, and travel to a fascinating nearby Abbey, lovingly rebuilt in recent times. On the edge of the moor lies Buckfast Abbey, a thriving community of Benedictine monks. The original 11th century Buckfast Abbey fell into ruin after the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1882, four monks returned, and in 1906 they began the monumental task of rebuilding the church themselves. It took them 31 years – a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that only one of them had previous building experience. Now only the absence of the patina of age distinguishes this splendid church – a mix of early English and Norman styles – from the original fabric.

A presentation and exhibition explains the monks' achievement and their present-day work. Famed for its stained glass, fine examples of the monk’s own work adorn the Abbey.

You’ll have plenty of time to explore the abbey, the gardens and the produce shop, which sells everything from bees wax to the much enjoyed monastic beverage, meade.

Afterwards, head to the thriving medieval town of Totnes. Choose to explore with your guide and ascend the steep hill to the wellpreserved castle, or enjoy some time to shop in the eclectic selection of quaint ancient stores in the town’s narrow streets.

* Note: In Dartmouth, you have a choice of included excursion (either DAR1 or DAR2).

31

DELOS

DELOS GREEK ISLANDS Sacred Delos DEL1

Half day

INCLUDED

Discover the tiny, deserted isle of Delos, the religious centre of the Cyclades, where columns lie glistening in the sun, and the Lions of Delos guard the Sacred Way. As the reputed birthplace of the god Apollo, Delos was once a principal religious and commercial centre of the Eastern Mediterranean. Pilgrims, traders, politicians and warriors alike came from all over the Mediterranean to this sanctuary. In fact, the “Cyclades,” the name of this island group, means “those islands around Delos.” In the 5th century BC, the Delphic Oracle decreed the island was to be purged of all the dead and that no person could either die or give birth on Delos to preserve the isle’s sanctity.

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Some of the richest archaeological treasure troves in Greece await as you leave the Sacred Harbour on your guided walking tour.

Imagine the merchants in the Agora and the pilgrims entering the Sanctuary of Apollo.

Walk along the spectacular Avenue of the Lions. Pay homage to the guardians of the Sacred Lake where Leto gave birth to the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo. And above all, savour the almost-mystical silence that pervades this haunting site of antiquity.

Note: May not be available on May 1 if the site is closed. Alternative arrangements will be made.

DIKILI

DIKILI TURKEY Pergamon: Acropolis & Asclepion DIK1

Half day

INCLUDED

Ride a cable car to the spectacular hill-top capital of Pergamon and visit the city's ancient healing centre. Pergamon rose to power as a Greek kingdom in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, but was earlier ruled by Lydians and Persians before falling to Alexander the Great in 334BC. Alexander was followed by his general Lysimachus and a line-up that included the eunuch Philatairos, founder of the Attalid Dynasty; Eumenes, whose great library caused Egypt to withhold the export of papyrus and pergamon to invent parchment.

One look at the unassailable site reveals how the city got its name: from the Greek word for citadel. Pass through the Royal Gate to explore the noted library, the 10,000-seat theatre

carved into the steep slopes, and the dramatic Temple of Trajan overlooking the Selinus River below. See the base of a monumental Altar of Zeus (German archaeologists carted the entire top back to Berlin's Pergamonmuseum).

Also see a shrine to Dionysus, a sanctuary of Demeter, the gymnasium and Agora.

Next, tour what may be the world's first full-service health clinic: the Asclepion.

Pergamon's rehabilitation centre is named after the god of health, and was a site of pilgrimage for centuries, entered by a sacred road lined with columns. A sacred spring fed pools that were the basis for various water therapies. The Asclepion had latrines, a library, a theatre, and treatments that included honey cures, a psychotherapy tunnel and dream interpretation.

33

DOVER

DOVER ENGLAND (EMBARKATION & DISEMBARKATION)† Chartwell DOV1

Turnaround transfer

INCLUDED*

Bought by Sir Winston Churchill for its magnificent views over the Weald of Kent to Sussex, Chartwell was his favourite home and the place from which he drew inspiration from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms and gardens remain much as they were when Sir Winston lived here, with pictures, books, maps and personal mementoes strongly evoking the wide-ranging interests of this great statesman.

Set on a hillside, with commanding views across a valley, the estate of 80 acres gave Sir Winston the peace and tranquillity that he loved. He relaxed here by painting in the garden or in his studio.

Walking along the attractive pathway and entering the house you will immediately appreciate Chartwell’s rich history. It was here that Churchill wrote most of his famous

34

wartime speeches and perhaps the most atmospheric of the rooms is the great man’s study. Here we can quietly appreciate the room that was Churchill’s place of work for over 40 years. Here he worked on five budgets as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1924 to 1929, and dictated a stream of memos to his ministerial colleagues on every subject, whether large or small. Out of office in the 1930s, he brought to this room worried political and military advisers to discuss the spread of Fascism in Europe.

Churchill’s inspired leadership during the war years are a permanent part of our history.

Despite his election defeat in 1945, when the public craved change and a new beginning, he was still widely acknowledged as the greatest living Englishman, and Chartwell has become a shrine to his war-time achievements.

DOVER

Leeds Castle DOV2

Turnaround transfer

INCLUDED*

This is a landscape of timbered and tile-hung villages and welcoming towns.

Today, though there are still some remains of the ancient native forest which once covered much of southern England, a good deal of this gently rolling region is farmland.

Your tour starts by taking a direct route to Leeds Castle, one of the most romantic and most ancient castles in the Kingdom.

In the 9th century, this was the site of a manor of the Saxon royal family. Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence to six

of England’s medieval Queens and palace to Henry VIII. Today, lovingly restored, it is home to a magnificent collection of medieval furnishings, paintings, tapestries and treasures. Situated on two small islands in the midst of an encircling lake, it is surrounded by a green arc of parkland. As you pass from room to room, well-informed castle guides are stationed to answer any of your questions.

There will be many fine photo opportunities during your visit, although photography is not allowed in the castle chapel.

* Note: In Dover, you have a choice of included excursion (either DOV1 or DOV2). †Only applicable to passengers with a 2-night pre- or post-cruise London hotel stay.

35

DUBROVNIK

DUBROVNIK CROATIA Cavtat and Countryside

Dubrovnik DUB1

Half day

INCLUDED

Lord Byron called this majestic walled city “the Pearl of the Adriatic,” and it is easy to see why. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is held to be the best-preserved walled city in the Mediterranean with a seafront setting and dramatic mountain backdrop. The city skyline is a medley of bell towers, copper domes and massive 10th-century walls.

Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century AD and was a powerful independent republic from 1358 to 1808, when Napoleon conquered the city. Today the city is an inspiration in self-resurrection. Despite a destructive earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik has managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. This morning’s walking tour of the Old Town takes you along the city’s main street, the Stradun or Placa, once a sea channel connecting two ancient settlements.

Visit the Dominican Monastery, home to a beautiful 15th-century Gothic cloister and the city’s finest collection of Renaissance paintings. Next, the Franciscan Monastery is home to Europe’s oldest pharmacy, founded in 1318 and still in existence.

Your walk continues past such landmarks as the Sponza Palace with its elaborate stone exterior, the Baroque Church of St Blaise and Onofriou’s Fountain. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady, originally built in the 12th century, destroyed in the 1667 earthquake and triumphantly rebuilt. View Titian’s Assumption over the main altar and, in the Treasury, one of Europe’s finest collections of gold and silver, including the bejeweled skull of St Blaise. Following the tour there will be free time to explore the nooks and crannies of the Old Town.

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DUB2

Half day

OPTIONAL $68pp

Get ready for a scenic drive along the Croatian Riviera and through the rolling Konavle countryside to the picturesque town of Cavtat. Your drive starts with a photo stop of Dubrovnik, the majestic walled city Lord Byron called “the Pearl of the Adriatic.” Cavtat has a history that predates even Dubrovnik's.

Both cities were once part of the Ragusan Republic which existed from the 14th century until being conquered by Napoleon in 1808.

Settle back and soak up the scenery on a drive that meanders past scenic villages of the fertile Konavle Valley with its panoramic views of the region's bays and magnificent architecture.

Stop at an old mill, now an acclaimed restaurant. Snack on local specialties such as smoked ham, cheese and homemade bread beside the cascading waters of the Ljuta River.

Continue to Cavtat, built on the ruins of the old Roman city of Epidaurum. Over 16 churches are crammed alongside the cobblestone streets of the old town. Highlights include the Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monastery and St Nicholas Church. England's Duke of Windsor and Wallace Simpson visited this atmospheric spot on their honeymoon, and today it is a favourite with the international yachting set. You have free time to stroll along the beautiful promenade, shop, or relax in the cafes before continuing to the ship.

Note: Only available on some sailings.

EL MARSA

EL MARSA moroccan sahara The Sahara Desert & Laayoune ELM1

Half day

INCLUDED

Leave the port of El Marsa by road and head for the town of Laayoune in the desert region south of Morocco’s Anti Atlas Mountains. Archaeological evidence suggests Laayoune was occupied in prehistoric times but the town itself was built by the Spanish in the 1930s as capital of its Saharan possessions.

Laayoune’s most interesting facet is its quirkiness: you can visit the colonial Spanish church where many UN workers now meet to worship, or spend an afternoon chatting with locals over a cup of mint tea. Your tour

will include the massive main square at Place du Mechouar and the aviary at Colline des Oiseaux. There will also be time to shop for malhafas, the colourful sari-like garments worn by Sahrawi women, visit the Spanish Church, and see the works on sale at the craft complex.

You will also visit the Souk Djemal, a bustling market area (everything useful is sold here) with a peculiar architectural style including buildings with eggshell-domed roofs that are designed to keep the houses cool in summer. .

37

FALMOUTH

FALMOUTH ENGLAND The Eden Project FAL1

Full day

INCLUDED*

Departing from the pier at Falmouth, your route takes you through Cornwall's city of Truro, offering a view of the three-spired cathedral, then cross the peaceful countryside of small villages, granite farmhouses and hedged fields before arriving at Eden. On arrival at the Eden Project, near St Austell, you will have approximately three hours to visit this dramatic global garden at your leisure.

The Eden Project opened in April 2001 and is the world's largest global garden. The effect is breathtaking: a cultural melting pot of global plants, both wild and cultivated, are housed in a glass dome large enough to fully enclose the Tower of London in its 60 meter deep crater.

The Garden of Eden contains plants and trees ranging from the Amazon to West Africa to

38

Malaysia and is the only one of its kind anywhere in the world.

As well as the outdoor landscape, there is a chance to visit the biomes – giant conservatories with cathedral-like qualities.

The Humid Tropics Biome allows you to experience the sights, smells, and sheer scale of the rainforest in the world’s largest conservatory, whilst the Warm Temperate Biome showcases the world from the Mediterranean to South Africa and California, demonstrating how the plants thrive on drought and poor thin soils. Learn about the inter-relationship between men and plants throughout history and marvel at the interesting displays and retail outlets. Following a day indulging the senses re-board your motorcoach for the journey back to the pier.

FALMOUTH

St Michael’s Mount FAL2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Transfer from the ship to Marazion before arriving at St Michael’s Mount, a place described as the jewel in Cornwall’s crown.

Separated from the mainland by a causeway covered by sea at high water, St Michael's Mount beats to a pace of life ruled by weather and tides.

Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims over the ages who have looked out over the rocky ledge on the western side of the island. It was here, according to legend, a vision of the Archangel St Michael appeared to some fishermen in the year 495. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the invaders were struck by the similarity of the mount to their own Mont St Michel off the Normandy coastline, whose monks were invited to build a smaller abbey here in Cornwall. During Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, St Michael’s

Mount was turned into a coastline defence to protect England from feared French invasion.

In 1659, the Mount was purchased by Sir John St Aubyn whose descendants turned the fortress into a magnificent residence and still reside in this ancestral home today.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Castle on St Michael’s Mount followed by some free time to take photographs and soak up the scenery.

There are also some wonderful shops around the harbour area – the perfect place to buy a memento of your day.

Cross back over to Marazion and spend some free time in this tranquil, beautiful coastal town. Enjoy stunning views towards the Lizard Peninsula as you marvel at its clean, sandy beaches before re-boarding your coach for the return journey back to Falmouth.

* Note: In Falmouth, you have a choice of included excursion (either FAL1 or FAL2).

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FEZ

FEZ MOROCCO Fez City Highlights FEZ1

Half day

INCLUDED

The walled city of Fez is at the heart of Moroccan cultural life and is famous for being the home to the world’s oldest university, the Qarawiyyin university. Fez, the medieval capital of Morocco, was founded

by Idris I in 789 and was a great city of high Islamic civilisation. Fez has the best-preserved old city in the Arab world, the sprawling, labyrinthine medina of Fes el-Bali, and the impressive souks have been declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site. The tour of Fez explores both the old and new medinas including visits to one of the 14thcentury religious schools (medrasas), either Bou Inania or Attarine. Other highlights include the imposing gate of Bab Boujloud, the splendid fountain at Place Nejjarine, the ancient ramparts, and the beautiful front entrance of the Royal Palace.

VISIT

ROMAN VOLUBILIS MOROCCO

En route from Fez to Tangier you will visit the ancient Roman city of Volubilis.

Founded in the 3rd century BC, Volubilis was the capital of Roman Morocco and became an important outpost of the Roman Empire. It was graced with many fine buildings and extensive remains of these survive including the triumphal arch, basilica and approximately 30 mosaic floors dating from around 25BC. Volubilis is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the empire and the archaeological remains of several civilisations can be found here.

40

FUNCHAL

FUNCHAL madEira Scenic Drive & Wine Tasting

Madeira’s Botanical Gardens

FUN1

FUN2

Half day

INCLUDED

Madeira’s dramatic scenery and botanical treasures are true wonders and have inspired many visitors to the island.

Those moved to describe the island’s charms include H N Coleridge, nephew of the poet, who wrote in 1825: “I should think the situation of Madeira the most enviable on the whole earth. It ensures every European comfort with almost every tropical luxury.”

A tour of the island will help you appreciate this “enviable” situation. Head from the port to Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world, where the rugged coastline and spectacular views are breathtaking. Continue to the quaint fishing village of Camara de Lobos where Sir Winston Churchill spent many of his days painting and where you will take a guided walk through the picturesque streets.

On the way back to Funchal you will stop at Pico dos Barcelos to enjoy the fantastic views over Funchal and the villages scattered over the surrounding hills of this beautiful island.

Before returning to our cruise ship, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a tasting of the various types of the renowned Madeiran product as well as more recent Madeira wines at the Old Blandy Wine Lodge.

Half day

OPTIONAL $28pp

This tour is a must for any gardener or lover of the natural beauty of plants and flowers. From the pier, you will head to the Madeira Botanical Gardens, famous for its rich and endemic flora. The 'Madeira Botanical Gardens' have become Madeira Island's most treasured and certainly most famous tourist attraction. Within an area of 80,000 square metres you will encounter a truly fascinating collection of more than 2,500 plant species.

From the gardens you can also enjoy wonderful views over the city.

After your visit, you'll travel into the heart of Funchal's old town for a guided walking tour through the quaint narrow streets to your next stop: the traditional Mercado dos Lavradores.

Built in the 1930’s, in a gracious combination of art deco and modernism, the Lavradores Market offers the very best of the Island: the freshest and exotic fruits, vegetables, luxurious flowers and plants of this “Atlantic Garden”, as the Madeira Island is often called.

At the fish market, the scabbard fish and huge tuna on display beside more common types of fish are a great attraction. Other features of the Market are the living tradition and folklore, a place where one can still find the sellers wearing traditional Madeira costumes, filled with vivid colours and a genuine sense of fun.

Your final stop will be in an embroidery factory that produces some of Madeira's famous hand-stitched embroidery. While here, you will be able to observe how this authentic embroidery is designed, printed and then carefully stitched by hand.

41

GYTHION

GYTHION GREECE The Last Byzantine Stronghold GYT1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Not much remains of Sparta, the ancient Greek city-state devoted to warrior culture, which we pass en route to the glorious array of Byzantine monuments in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Mystras. The Spartans cultivated disciplined soldiers and were so confident in their valour that they erected no city walls until the 4th century BC. The long war between Sparta and Athens has been the focus of many historical works, most notably Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. This conflict culminated in a Spartan victory in 404BC, but the triumph was short lived.

Another power, Thebes, defeated Sparta in 371BC and the city never regained its power.

Continue to nearby Mystras, once called the “wonder of Morea”. This museum town was originally built around a fortress erected in 1249 by the Prince of Achaia.

42

It was reconquered by the Byzantines who established it as a centre of art and learning in the 14th and 15th centuries and was then occupied by the Turks and Venetians, until it was abandoned in 1832 leaving breathtaking remnants of a medieval past in a beautiful setting on the slopes of Mount Taygetos.

This haunting place includes a 13th-century Crusader fortress, a despot’s palace and splendid churches.

Drive to the peak of the city for a splendid view of Sparta and then descend to explore the lower town on foot. The more energetic may choose to climb to the summit for yet more outstanding views. Those who prefer a less strenuous experience can seek out the frescoes in the Byzantine churches, notably Agios Dimitrios and the Pantanassa.

GYTHION

The Diros Cave GYT2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Board small fishing boats to sail into Diros Cave and explore the narrow passageways of this prehistoric dwelling place on the Gulf of Laconia. Finds here suggest the existence of a sizeable prehistoric settlement with a plentiful supply of water. In the late Neolithic period (4000 to 3000BC), these caves were used as a dwelling, workshop, cemetery and place of worship. Complete unburied human skeletons were found, suggesting that at the beginning of the Bronze Age, a severe earthquake blocked the entrance with large boulders so the cave's inhabitants were walled up and died of starvation. The entrance remained sealed for some 4,500 years until discovered in 1958 by speleologists Ionnis and Anna Petrocheilos, then systematically excavated by George

Papathanasopoulos, Ephor of Antiquities for the Greek Ministry of Culture.

You'll find yourself surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites as your small fishing boat navigates the mouth of the cave. Several chambers opening off the central cave are accessible by boat or foot through a maze of corridors, and each has a name referring to its shape, such as Alepotrypa (foxhole). Along with skeletons, other finds included weapons, stone and bone tools, Neolithic pottery and rock paintings. Following your visit you'll have time for pictures before returning to the port of Gythion, once used by the Spartans who enlarged the harbour so they could use this port as a naval base.

Note: Cannot be operated in bad weather – please check with our on-board team.

* Note: In Gythion, you have a choice of included excursion (either GYT1 or GYT2).

43

HERAKLION

HERAKLION

CRETE GREEK ISLANDS

The Palace of Knossos HER1

Half day

INCLUDED

Even without the tales of a bloodthirsty Minotaur, this magnificent palace complex with its flamboyant decoration, courts, audience chambers and residential areas is an impressive and inspiring site.

Constructed around 1900BC, it was the administrative and religious centre of the Minoan kingdom. Here King Minos held court and – so mythology holds – his wife gave birth to a half-man, half-bull creature that lurked in the palace’s labyrinth. This fearsome beast was appeased only by human sacrifices.

An earthquake destroyed the original complex; it was then rebuilt on an even grander scale, only to be destroyed again by the massive volcanic eruption on Santorini around 1500BC. Though periodically excavated by Greek archaeologists in the late 19th century, credit for the full excavation and restoration is given to amateur Victorian archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. Roundly criticised for occasional missteps in restoration, Sir Arthur poured his fortune into the effort and did a remarkable job for the time period. Knossos today, at least, allows the visitor to visualise the palace as it once was and understand its intricacies.

The guided tour will take you through this legend-rich, entrancing complex that sprawled across five acres, where everything from the throne room to royal living quarters is reconstructed with meticulous care.

On our return to Heraklion, we will visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilisation of Crete.

44

HONFLEUR

HONFLEUR

FRANCE

D-Day Beaches & Bayeux HON1

Full day

INCLUDED*

Leave the port of Honfleur by road for the town of Bayeux. Fortunately, despite being the first town to be liberated following the Normandy landings in World War II, Bayeux survived the conflict virtually unscathed and these days, it’s a great spot to soak up the gentle Norman atmosphere. The delightful city centre is crammed with 13th- to 18th-century buildings, many of them half-timbered, and a fine Gothic cathedral.

It is also, of course, home to the worldfamous Bayeux Tapestry. This depicts the dramatic story of the Normans’ conquest of England in 1066 on 58 panels presented like a modern-day comic strip with scenes depicting all the action of the invasion.

The origin of the 225-foot tapestry remains obscure, but has sometimes been attributed to Queen Mathilda and is said to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux,

William’s half-brother, for the opening of Bayeux’ cathedral in 1077.

After visiting the Tapestry Museum, drive to Arromanches for lunch in a seaside restaurant before continuing on to the D-Day Landing Museum. The beaches of Normandy and the events of June 6, 1944 will never be forgotten and in the museum you will find fitting tributes to, and excellent exhibitions of, the heroism and courage shown that day. The Allied invasion was the largest military armada ever assembled and the stories from what was codenamed Operation Overlord will never cease to move and astound us.

You will also visit the remains of the Mulberry, the vast artificial floating harbour that the Allies deployed for D-Day and also stop at the legendary Pegasus Bridge that was captured by British airborne troops in the opening minutes of the campaign.

* Note: In Honfleur, you have a choice of included excursion (either HON1, HON2 or HON3).

45

HONFLEUR

HONFLEUR

FRANCE

Caen & D-Day Beaches HON2

Full day

INCLUDED*

From the port of Honfleur you head for Caen, the scene of heavy fighting following the Allied landings in Normandy and one of the main objectives of the invasion’s first phase. Here you will visit the Memorial Museum dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the landings and in the Battle of Caen.

The museum was officially opened on 6 June 1988 (the 44th anniversary of D-Day) by the French President Francois Mitterand. The original building deals primarily with World War II, looking at the causes and course of the conflict. The museum was subsequently extended to include a gallery dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize, and three memorial gardens – the American Garden, the British Garden and the Canadian Garden – were dedicated to the three main allied nations involved in liberating France.

46

After this, drive to Gold Beach where the British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, commanded by Major-General D.A.H. Graham, with naval artillery support, landed on D-Day. The 8th Armoured Brigade provided armour support. Here you will also see the remains of Mulberry, the artificial port that was one of the most extraordinary industrial and tactical achievements of the whole war.

After this, travel to Arromanches for lunch at a seaside restaurant before heading to Longues-sur-Mer where you can explore the remains of a part of Hitler’s imposing and terrifying Atlantic Wall. These vast fortifications were designed to prevent an Allied landing on continental Europe: fortunately, they failed.

HONFLEUR

Honfleur & Deauville HON3

Half day

INCLUDED*

Leave Honfleur pier and drive to the city centre. The history of Honfleur has always been tightly bound up with the sea. Today, Honfleur offers visitors a unique heritage, which can be best glimpsed by strolling along the picturesque narrow streets lined by timber framed houses.

The walking tour of the city includes the St Catherine’s Church built in wood in the 15th century and its bell tower, the seventeenthcentury Salt Warehouses, the Lieutenancy, residence of the former governor of the city, and the Old Port with picturesque quaysides.

You then leave Honfleur and drive to Deauville.

The “Planches”, a wooden plank promenade that runs the length of the beach, is the special characteristic of this famous sea resort. With its race course, international film festival, villas, Grand Casino and sumptuous hotels, Deauville is regarded as the "queen of the Norman beaches" and one of the most prestigious resorts in all of France. Indeed, elegant buildings such as the Pompeian Baths and the Bar du Soleil have been the haunt of celebrities for years.

In Deauville, you will have an orientation tour of this delightful spot and have time at your leisure before driving back to Honfleur.

47

ISTANBUL

*Important Notice: The sightseeing programme shown here is for passengers who have a pre- or post-cruise 48

hotel stay in Istanbul. Passengers on cruises where Istanbul is a mid-cruise port of call will have a full sightseeing programme which will include Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque. Grand Bazaar and Underground Cisterns, and lunch will be provided at an outside restaurant.

ISTANBUL

ISTANBUL TURKEY (Hotel Stay) Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque IST1

Half day

Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar INCLUDED*

Byzantium. Constantinople. Istanbul.

With its strategic location between the Balkans and Anatolia, as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has long been at the centre of things. On today's sightseeing tour visit Hagia Sophia, the 6th century cathedral that is this city's most important Byzantine monument, then wander the grounds of the lavish Topkapi Palace, once seat of the Ottoman Empire. Start with a drive to Hagia Sophia. In 325, Emperor Constantine erected the original basilica, Santa Sophia, which was rebuilt many times in the centuries to come. In 1934, Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, converted the church to a museum. Today this monument dazzles with its magnificent mosaics and frescoes, as well as its immense dome.

Your tour continues with a drive to the old city to visit the mosque of Sultan Ahmet, considered the last great mosque from the classical period of the Ottoman Empire. The traditional Islamic architecture is massive with cascading domes and mini domes surrounded by slender minarets. While the exterior is splendid, this venerated site is renowned for its interior, which features more than 20,000 handcrafted Iznik tiles in shades of blue and a magnificently carved marble mihrab.

IST2

Half day

INCLUDED*

The spiritual and worldly come together on this sightseeing tour that visits Topkapi Palace with its extraordinary tile interior, then explores the iconic Grand Bazaar.

Topkapi Palace, served as the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years.

The lavish 143-acre complex overlooks the Bosphorus with such amenities as courts, fountains, gardens and harem rooms. Admire the treasures of sultans, including the 86-carat Spoonmaker Diamond, the Emerald Dagger, and one of the world's richest collections of delicate Japanese and Chinese porcelain.

Next turn your attention to more earthly matters at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops. Into this maze of barrel vaults and skylights come some 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily seeking jewelry, ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices or perhaps just a cup of green apple tea. Sit at one of the cafes and watch the crowds pass by. Indulge in the art of bargaining for a souvenir, one of the best ways to capture the romance of old Istanbul.

Note: Combination of sites will vary according to day of operation and on May 1st (Labor Day holiday in Turkey). Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays; Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

49

ISTANBUL

ISTANBUL TURKEY (Hotel Stay) Underground Cistern and Archaeological Museums IST3

Half day

INCLUDED*

Trace the path of Anatolian civilization at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, where an inviting array of exhibits includes the world's first legal code, first love poem and first peace treaty, along with artifacts culled from sites such as Ephesus and Troy. In addition, visit the Underground Cistern, a basilica-sized Byzantine monument that was part of this city's ancient waterworks.

Start with a drive to Gulhane Park to visit the Archaeological Museums, a 3-building complex. The museum's main faรงade is inspired by two of its prized sarcophagi: Alexander and the Mourning Woman, tombs from the necropolis of Sidon. Other exhibits include the giant chain Constantine IX pulled across the entrance to the Golden Horn to thwart naval invaders. See tablets inscribed with the Code of Hammurabi, a Babylonian

50

love poem from the 8th century BC, and the world's first peace agreement, the Kadesh Treaty between the Egyptians and Hittites.

A second building is dedicated to the Ancient Orient with Sumerian, Hittite and pre-Islamic collections. The third building is the Tiled Pavilion of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, built in 1492, with a wealth of Seljuk and Ottoman ceramics, as well as exquisite Iznik tiles.

From the museum, take a short walk to the Underground Cistern, built by Justinian I in 532 after the bloody Nika Revolt, which was sparked by rioting factions of chariot racing fans. With its 336 Corinthian and Doric columns rising out of water, carved heads of Medusa and haunting sounds of dripping, the cistern encapsulates the mystery and historical fascination of this great city.

ITHACA

Bosphorus Boat Ride IST4

21/2 hours

OPTIONAL $45pp

Enjoy an afternoon sail on the Bosphorus, the winding waterway that separates two continents, Asia and Europe.

Aboard a private boat, relax and take in the unfolding scenery that most visitors to this iconic city never explore. Picturesque seaside mansions, small fishing villages, hilltop lighthouses and an Ottoman fortress are just a few of the sites to be seen on this leisurely trip offering an unforgettable memory of your time in exotic Istanbul.

ITHACA

GREEK ISLANDS

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN

Homer tells us Odysseus set out from this this small Ionian island for the Trojan War, and returned 10 years later to be faced with another battle: his wife, Penelope, circled by a pack of encroaching suitors.

Delightfully, he went unrecognised by all but his aged dog and nurse, and easily won back his wife in a bow-and-arrow contest, then slaughtered all the interlopers. Of course, Ithaca has plenty beside legend to enjoy during your free time here. Vathy, the capital and port, is an attractive place with red-domed churches and brown-roofed houses rebuilt in the traditional style after a 1953 earthquake.

The surrounding green hills are the site of the first settlement, which dates as far back as 4000BC. In Mycenaean times, the island was the capital of a kingdom that included neighbouring islands, and the culture of that time is represented in the town's Archaeological Museum. There is little development on the island and the countryside is lovely to explore. Tiny villages mingle with pebble beaches and such Homeric landmarks as the Arethusa Fountain, the Grotto of Nymphs and the Palace of Odysseus.

51

IZMIR

IZMIR TURKEY Pergamon: Acropolis & Asclepion

Ancient Ephesus IZM1

Half day

INCLUDED

The cosmopolitan city of Ephesus was, in its heyday, on a par with Athens and Rome. Once home to over 250,000 people, this site affords ancient snapshots of daily lives of the Greeks, and their conquerors, the Romans. The seaside port that fueled the city’s prosperity in antiquity has silted up, leaving the grand sites frozen in time in a state of remarkable preservation.

Over the centuries, Ephesus was a sacred centre to Artemis, a Roman stronghold, and later, a centre of Christianity. There is evidence that St Paul, St John and the Virgin Mary were in this city, along with a cast of characters that includes Croesus, General Lysimachus and those famous lovers, Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Highlights of your walking tour include the Library of Celsus with its splendid columned façade, the Grand Theatre where St Paul once preached his sermons, the terraced houses and the Temple of Hadrian. Few places bring antiquity so vividly to life.

IZM2

Full day

INCLUDED

Ride a cable car to the spectacular hill-top capital of Pergamon and visit the city's ancient healing centre on this adventure. Pergamon rose to power as a Greek kingdom in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, but was earlier ruled by Lydians and Persians before falling to Alexander the Great in 334BC. He was followed by his general Lysimachus and a line-up that included the eunuch Philatairos, founder of the Attalid Dynasty; Eumenes, whose great library caused Egypt to withhold papyrus and Pergamon to invent parchment; and King Atallus III, who bequeathed the kingdom to the Roman Empire in 133BC. One look at the unassailable site reveals how the city got its name: from the Greek word for citadel. Pass through the Royal Gate to explore the noted library, the 10,000-seat theatre carved into the steep slopes, and the dramatic Temple of Trajan overlooking the Selinus River below. See the base of a monumental Altar of Zeus (German archaeologists carted the entire top back to Berlin's Pergamonmuseum).

Also see a shrine to Dionysus, a sanctuary of Demeter, the gymnasium and Agora.

Next, tour what may be the world's first full-service health clinic: the Asclepion.

Pergamon's rehabilitation centre is named after the god of health, and was a site of pilgrimage for centuries, entered by a sacred road lined with columns. A sacred spring fed pools that were the basis for various water therapies. The Asclepion had latrines, a library, a theatre, and treatments that included honey cures, a psychotherapy tunnel and dream interpretation.

52

KATAKOLON

KATAKOLON GREECE Ancient Olympia KAT1

Half day

INCLUDED

The small fishing village of Katakolon is approximately an hour from the mystical site of Ancient Olympia, sacred ground to the people of the Peloponnese Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC. Olympia is most familiar as the site where the first Olympic Games were held in 776BC in honour of Olympian Zeus. The origin of the word Olympic comes from the ancient Greek Olympiad – meaning every four years.

The setting could not be more idyllic: prominently located in the middle of a fertile valley with the rivers of Alfeios and Kladhios flowing past. The site was a religious sanctuary even before the Stadium was built and the games took place in the sacred area called Altis. The most imposing monument in the area was the outstanding Temple of Zeus housing the gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Temple of Hera, the Prytaneion, and the Philippeion were also monuments standing in the sacred grove. The famous Stadium, the largest of its day with a capacity of 45,000 spectators, was entered through a long, tunnel-like passage, constructed in Roman times. The stadium was restored in 2004 for the historic return of the modern Olympics to Athens.

After your exploration of the famous grounds, visit the archaeological museum which is a short 5-minute walk from the site. Among the great finds of the area that are displayed are the Head of Hera and ornaments from the Temple of Zeus, the famous statue of Hermes created by Praxiteles and the helmet of Miltiades, the Athenian general during Athens' 'Golden Age'.

53

KAVALA

KAVALA GREECE Philippi KAV1

Half day

INCLUDED

Visit the city founded by (and named after) Philip of Macedonia in 356BC, confront antiquity at every turn of its extraordinary archaeological site, and, in addition, visit the stream where St Paul's first European convert to Christianity was baptised. Today's adventure starts from Kavala, once the ancient port of Philippi, where a castle overlooks the bustling harbour.

The drive to Philippi is only a short distance, but it takes you a long way back in time. The site is at the foot of Mount Pangeon on the border of a marsh that once covered the entire plain. History whispers at every turn.

Thucydides was exiled here. When the city was a Roman colony, Julius Caesar's assassins, Brutus and Cassius, met their deaths at the Battle of Philippi. Saint Paul visited several

54

times and wrote a letter thanking the citizens for their support while he was in jail.

Tour the main archaeological site to see the extensive ruins, which include a large Roman forum, sacred gates, baths, wrestling rings and even a public latrine with marble seats. Other sights include the reputed "jail" of St Paul, a theatre from the classical period and two Byzantine basilicas. These testify to the town's transition to a Christian headquarters. On your return to the ship, stop at the stream where St Paul's first European convert, a merchant-woman named Lydia, was christened along with the rest of her household. The site is marked by a Greek Orthodox basilica. From here it's a short drive back to the ship. Time permitting you may chose to remain in town and return to the ship at leisure.

KUSADASI

KUSADASI TURKEY Miletus & Didyma

Ancient Ephesus KUS1

Half day

INCLUDED*

The cosmopolitan city of Ephesus – just 45 minutes from Kusadasi – was, in its heyday, on a par with Athens and Rome.

Once home to over 250,000 people, this site affords ancient snapshots of daily lives of the Greeks, and their conquerors, the Romans.

The seaside port that fueled the city’s prosperity in antiquity has silted up, leaving the grand sites frozen in time in a state of remarkable preservation. Over the centuries, Ephesus was a sacred centre to Artemis, a Roman stronghold, and later, a centre of Christianity.

There is evidence that St Paul, St John and the Virgin Mary were in this city, along with a cast of characters that includes Croesus, General Lysimachus and those famous lovers, Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Highlights of your walking tour include the Library of Celsus with its splendid columned façade, the Grand Theatre where St Paul once preached his sermons, the terraced houses and the Temple of Hadrian. Few places bring antiquity so vividly to life.

KUS2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Stand in the great theatre at Miletus where St Paul once preached, then visit the majestic Temple of Apollo at Didyma, an oracle that rivalled Delphi. This excursion into antiquity starts with a drive to Miletus, once a great commercial port at the mouth of the Meander River until the harbour silted up. Native sons include Thales, who predicted an eclipse in 585BC, the mathematician, Anaximenes, and the philosopher, Anaximander. The 15,000-seat theatre is one of the oldest in Anatolia, built by the Greeks and enlarged by the Romans. The Apostle Paul summoned the Ephesian elders here to deliver a powerful message that still echoes amid the quiet of this remote site.

Continue to Didyma, meaning "twin." In Greek mythology this is the site where Zeus, in the form of a giant swan, fathered Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was the centre for the cult of Apollo, the god of divination. His colossal temple is larger than a football field and has 128 finely decorated columns.

Apollo's temple was once connected to his twins in Miletus via a Sacred Way lined with lions, sphinxes and statues. His oracle was consulted for nearly 500 years until Christianity ended the practice.

* Note: In Kusadasi, you have a choice of included excursion (either KUS1 or KUS2).

55

KUSADASI

KUSADASI TURKEY Aphrodisias KUS3

Full day

INCLUDED†

Two and a half times the size of Pompeii, Aphrodisias is named after the Greek goddess of love and could be said to rival Ephesus in a claim to be “the most well-preserved ancient site in the world”. Aphrodisias sprang up around one of the finest marble quarries in antiquity, and was the centre for Greek and Hellenistic sculpture for nearly seven centuries.

Monuments include a magnificent theatre, vast stadium and the remains of a great temple.

Ongoing excavations reveal superb sculptures each year – more than any other classical site in the Mediterranean. Additionally, because of the remote setting in the hills surrounding the valley of the Meander, the site is relatively free of tourists and utterly unspoilt. After an enticing local lunch of Turkish delights, sit back, relax and enjoy the drive back to Kusadasi. † Included only on March 31st call.

56

LA CORUNA

LA CORUNA SPAIN Santiago de Compostela

A Taste of La Coruna

LAC1

LAC2

Full day

INCLUDED*

Leave La Coruna by road for Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important places in Catholicism, because it is reputed to be the place where St James, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, is buried.

On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of Obradoiro Square. Named after the workmen who built the Cathedral, this square sits in front of the main entrance of the Cathedral on its northern façade. Facing the Cathedral is the Palacio de Rajoy that was built in the eighteenth century to house the choirboys and a seminary for priests. It was later used as a prison and is now the Town Hall.

Facing the Cathedral is the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos that was built as a hospital for pilgrims during the reign of the Catholic kings in the XV century and today is one of the most beautiful buildings combining different styles such as Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela has been a place of pilgrimage on the Way of St James since the early Middle Ages. What we see today is actually the fourth church to stand on this spot. The lavish baroque façade facing Praza do Obradoiro was erected in the 18th century, replacing the weather-damaged Romanesque one. This is the cathedral's main entrance, but owing to repair work on the towers and interior, it's likely to be closed until about 2021. In the meantime, most people enter through the south door on Praza das Praterias.

Half day

INCLUDED*

Settled in Roman times, La Coruna grew into an important port that saw off the attentions of Sir Francis Drake in the sixteenth century and went on to be the gateway through which thousands of Galicians travelled on their way to a new life in America.

Begin with a visit to the Town Hall in the Plaza Maria Pita. La Coruna's main plaza takes its name from the town's heroine, Maria Pita who came to fame as a result of her role in Sir Francis Drake's attack in 1589.

Continue on foot to visit the old part of the city, which contains most of the city’s historical monuments.

Then drive along La Coruna’s waterfront boulevard, and visit the Archaeological Museum located at the Castle of San Anton.

Close by is the Tower of Hercules, an ancient Roman Lighthouse, almost 1,900-years-old and standing 185 feet (57 meters) high. The Tower of Hercules is unique as it is the only lighthouse of Greco-Roman antiquity to have retained a measure of structural integrity and functional continuity and it still remains working nowadays. Finally, enjoy an appetiser or a drink in La Coruna before returning to the pier.

* Note: In La Coruna, you have a choice of included excursion (either LAC1 or LAC2).

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LANZAROTE

LANZAROTE CANARY ISLANDS Exploring Lanzarote’s Natural World

Northern Lanzarote

LAN1

LAN2

Half day

INCLUDED*

This trip takes you deep into the National Park Timanfaya to the famous Fire Mountains of Lanzarote. The unique landscape and amazing geological features have made Timanfaya one of the most important national parks in Spain.

The absence of wildlife creates an apparent calm and silence. It is hard to imagine how a volcanic eruption would be like, but the land is still bubbling beneath the surface and you will be amazed by the craters and the active volcanoes. During the tour you will enjoy the recorded testimony from a well-known priest from Yaiza who lived through an eruption that affected a great part of the south of the island. This volcanic event occurred on September 1st, 1730 and is known locally as the “Big Bang”.

After admiring this astonishing natural beauty you will have the opportunity to appreciate the coastline of Los Hervideros. At this tiny inlet the lava from the eruption flowed down to the sea and, as it cooled, it created some strange shapes.

The journey back to the pier passes by the beautiful vineyards of La Geria area, where of course you will have the chance to taste typical Lanzarote wine. This wine producing area is a few miles inland; the wall of volcanic rock divide the apparently barren field but, within these walls, the wine flourish under a layer of Picon (porous lava granules which absorb the dew at night and provide constant moisture to the plants).

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Half day

INCLUDED*

Lanzarote is different, not only compared to the other Canary islands, but to everything else on this planet. On this tour you will visit Haria with its gorgeous views over the valley of 1,000 palm trees: a green oasis in the midst of Lanzarote's arid landscape.

Afterwards you will travel to the village of Maguez where the Volcan de La Corona (Volcano of the Crown) rises up before you.

Continuing with the tour you will reach the town of Ye with the Mirador Del Rio. It stands 479 metres high up on the top of the Famara Massive allowing for a magnificent view of the small group of islands and islets to the north of Lanzarote, known as the "Archipielago Chinijo" (The Tiny Archipielago).

Then on to the “Jameos del Agua” cave, the last stop on the route. This remarkable space is the result of volcanic activity and was decorated by the famous artist Cesar Manrique. The journey back passes by the wood loose cultivating lands near the villages of Mala and Guatiza.

* Note: In Lanzarote, you have a choice of included excursion (either LAN1 or LAN2).

LA PALMA

CANARY ISLANDS

Around La Palma LAP1

Half day

LA PALMA

2074 Med Shorex 2016 ver B WORKED 2_Layout 1 08/12/2015 14:20 Page 59

Caldera de Taburiente INCLUDED*

LAP2

Half day

INCLUDED*

La Palma is one of the most verdant of the Canary Islands, offering the opportunity to experience truly unspoiled nature. From the lush forests in the north to the desert landscapes of the south and the serene pine forests of the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma is a naturalists dream.

From the port of Santa Cruz you will head to the village of El Paso which is situated in the Parque Nacional and surrounded by the mountains that form the Caldera de Taburiente.

It is but a short drive to reach the Santuario Virgen de Las Nieves, the Patron Saint of the island. This 17th-century church sits in a tranquil spot surrounded by trees and gardens. Inside is a fabulously ornate interior with myriad sculptures, crystal chandeliers and the Virgin Mary surrounded by a glittering altar. This 14th-century statue is the island’s oldest religious relic and every five years it features in a grand procession through Santa Cruz.

The city of El Paso is situated on the mountain road connecting Los Llanos and Tazacorte with the capital and it is from this that it gets its name (El Paso or the pass). It belonged to the jurisdiction of the Valle de Aridane until 1837 when it got its independence. El Paso was given the official title of villa in 1878 and of city in 1910. Before leaving El Paso we will visit the Silk Museum. Not far from El Paso is our next stop: La Glorieta Square, a mosaic designed by the local artist Luis Morera, and built after Gaudi’s Park Güell in Barcelona.

The stunning design depicts the flora and fauna of La Palma.

From here the journey will take you to the viewpoint known as the Mirador de la Cumbrecita. From there you will be astonished by the amazing views over the Caldera de Taburiente, a huge crater 8km in diameter with a circumference of almost 20km, which is one of the oldest National Parks in Spain. You will enjoy a guided walking tour (approx. one hour in duration) around the crater edge.

Before returning to the pier you will call at the viewpoint of La Concepcion to appreciate the amazing views over La Palma and its harbour.

In the small town of Fuencaliente you can enjoy some free time before returning to the ship. Here you will find some cafes and bars as well as an interesting 18th century church.

* Note: In La Palma, you have a choice of included excursion (either LAP1 or LAP2).

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LA ROCHELLE

LA ROCHELLE FRANCE La Rochelle Highlights and Cognac

Chateau de la Roche Courbon

LAR1

LAR2

Half day

INCLUDED

Arriving in La Rochelle, start your panoramic city tour and see the Old Harbour with the Two Towers at its entrance. These were built to protect the harbour in times of war when an enormous chain was raised between the two 14th-century stone towers at the harbour entrance.

Begin the walking tour at Saint-Sauveur Church close to the old harbour. The tour will explore La Rochelle’s mercantile and military past. This history is reflected in the city’s narrow streets paved with ancient stone slabs, vaulted passages, arcades and porches.

During the tour there will also be time to browse La Rochelle’s morning market before heading out of the city by coach to the Chateau de La Peraudière. Owned by the Normandin Mercier family, the Chateau was established in 1872 by Jules Normandin, a Cognac brandy broker and landowner. The site Jules chose for his Cognac business was perfect as it is not only close to La Rochelle, which was the major export harbour for Cognac, but also has the ideal climatic conditions for producing the spirit. You will visit the cellars and have a tasting of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine made from lightly fermented grape must and Cognac.

Half day

OPTIONAL $75pp

A castle was built here in around 1475

by Jehan de Latour, on a site that had been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 17th century, the Courbon family, which had occupied the castle for two centuries, transformed it into a more comfortable residence. More alterations were made in the 18th century, but it was eventually sold in 1817 and then abandoned. It was purchased in 1920 by Paul Chenereau, who restored the chateau and its gardens. The chateau is still owned and inhabited by his descendants.

Built in the 15th century, upon a rocky outcrop in the midst of marshland, the original castle was transformed into an elegant residence by Jean-Louis de Courbon, during the 17th century. As the marquis would not flee during the French Revolution, the chateau was not sold. His daughter Charlotte married an aide-de-camp of Napoleon. Because upkeep was so expensive, however, the chateau became abandoned during the following hundred years.

The chateau has a Garden à la française, redone in 1936-1939, featuring a terrace with an Italian gallery, a monumental stairway, a parterre with four compartments and statues.

The gardens include an orchard, flower garden, geometrical flower beds and lawns surrounding a small lake ('mirror pool').

The River Bruant flows through the gardens, feeding the water features. Beyond that, an ornamental staircase leads to higher ground, on the far side of the river.

In the grounds are some Stone Age cave dwellings in woodland close by the River Bruant. Prehistoric finds from the site are housed in the 'keep' museum.

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LIMASSOL

LIMASSOL CYPRUS Ancient Kourion LIM1

Half day

INCLUDED

Although five earthquakes shook the thriving city kingdom of Kourion during the 7th century BC, it took a tsunami – created by the last earthquake – to deliver the final blow. Today, visit this remarkable GrecoRoman city founded by Mycenaean Greeks and a major cultural centre of its time. The setting is superb, perched atop a hill just outside the modern city of Limassol with breathtaking views of cultivated lands stretching to the Mediterranean.

A highlight is the fully restored Roman theatre, built in the 2nd century BC. Once two thousand spectators watched gladiators in this arena, today the site's wonderful acoustics and stunning sea views make it ideal for musical performances. Also tour the House of Eustolios with its beautiful 5thcentury mosaic floors, colonnaded courtyard

and unique baths. Continue to the romantic remains of the Sanctuary of Apollo, a 7thcentury shrine to the sun god that features stunning Corinthian columns. The stadium nearby was a venue for such Greek sports as wrestling, and you can still see the urns that provided water to the athletes.

En route to Kourion, enjoy a short photo stop at the 13th-century Colossi Castle, a fine example of Crusader architecture. An opening above the entrance gate served as ornamentation and also allowed the castle occupants to pour boiling oil or tar over unwanted entrants. Besides being the bestpreserved medieval castle on Cyprus, the site is where Coummandaria, the island's famous sweet dessert wine, was first produced over 800 years ago.

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LISBON

LISBON PORTUGAL Lisbon City Tour LIS1

Half day

INCLUDED

Heading towards the west side of Lisbon, you will arrive at the historical Belem Quarter, a pleasant riverside area that has historic links with the 15th-century Portuguese Age of Discovery as it was from here that the Caravels set sail on their voyages to the New World. Belem is also where the most famous Lisbon’s landmarks are located including the Belem Tower, the Discoveries Monument and the Monastery of Jeronimos.

Belem’s undisputed heart-stealer is this UNESCO-listed monastery. The mosteiro was commissioned by Manuel I to trumpet Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in 1498 and the great explorer is interred in the church here.

Then take a scenic drive from Belem to the city centre passing by the Alfama Quarter,

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Baixa (Downtown), Restauradores, and the fancy Avenida da Liberdade with its highend shops. Stop at Alto do Parque to admire Lisbon from the north and from here you have an astonishing view to the banks of the River Tagus.

Afterwards stop at Rossio Square where you can enjoy some free time. Praca do Rossio, or the Rossio Square, is one of the most beautiful places to see in Lisbon. The square, which is located in downtown Lisbon, has been a witness to various historical events in the city, from popular celebrations and revolutions to executions and bullfights. Today, Praca do Rossio is a popular destination both for locals and tourists. Every day, people from different places flock to the square to relax, hang out, and just take in the atmosphere.

LISBON

Cabo da Roca & Sintra LIS2

Half day

OPTIONAL $58pp

The Cabo da Roca is the most western point of mainland Portugal and Continental Europe. The views of the Atlantic from here are remarkable and the point was memorably described by Luis de Cameos, Portugal’s most famous poet, as “where the land ends and the sea begins.”

Then on to Sintra, a small village built against the northern slope of the “Serra de Sintra” Mountains. Sintra is well known for its charming narrow roads shrouded in lush greenery, with climbing plants and the semitropical vines trailing from mossy walls and

balconies. Noble houses and palaces with walled gardens and stately courtyards are scattered throughout the forested hills.

Due to its position on the mountain, this charming town benefits from a microclimate that bathes it in soft, cool air, and this favourable atmosphere attracted the Portuguese royal family who holidayed here in the eighteenth century. You will have plenty of free time in Sintra, so you can explore on your own the charms of this emblematic village of Portugal, a place that moved Lord Byron to write: “Lo! Cintra’s glorious Eden intervenes, in variegated maze of mount and glen”.

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LIVORNO

LIVORNO ITALY Renaissance Florence LIV1

Full day

INCLUDED*

Discover the town that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance and view the period's outpouring of art in the renowned Uffizi Gallery. From the port of Livorno, it is a about an hour and a half drive through the Tuscan hills to Florence where you begin a tour through the history and art of this timeless city.

A highlight of the morning is a visit to the Accademia, Europe's first school of drawing, where Michelangelo's colossal statue of David presides over a rich collection of paintings and sculptures.

Enjoy a guided walking tour past such landmarks as the 10th-century Ponte Vecchio spanning the River Arno. View the Duomo cathedral flanked by Giotto's Bell Tower. So dense is Florence with monuments, every step reveals new marvels. See the Baptistry, where

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Ghiberti and Donatello competed to design the bronze doors. Admire the Basilica di Santa Croce where Michelangelo and Machiavelli are interred. Pause in Piazza Signoria, in 1497 the site of Fra Savonarola's Bonfire of the Vanities. Then there is free time to relax over lunch on your own.

The centrepiece of this tour is an afternoon visit to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery.

The 16th-century palace, built when Cosimo Medici was the First Grand Duke of Tuscany, houses such Renaissance masterpieces as The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, the exquisite Madonnas of Filippo Lippi, and an entire room of Botticellis, including The Birth of Venus. Foreign artists from Rembrandt to Rubens are also represented.

Later, savour your impressions on a panoramic drive back to the ship.

LIVORNO

Lucca & Pisa LIV2

Full day

INCLUDED*

Enchanting Lucca, situated on the banks of the River Serchio, in the northwest corner of Tuscany, endears itself to everyone who visits. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination to explore by foot. Always important, this town began life as a Roman colony in 177 BC, and grew in importance to become the provincial capital of Tuscany in the Middle Ages.

This fascinating walking tour will begin with a stroll to the Cathedral of San Martino with its Romanesque façade. Its decorated interior is rich in reliefs, fine sculpture and religious artefacts. Then on to the arena and a series of arches that are the remains of the colossal ancient Roman amphitheatre that once graced the centre of town. You will walk through the “Piazza” and find the Church of San Frediano, founded in the 6th century. Its Romanesque

style is a monument to a 12th century restoration project, and its impressive façade features a mosaic depicting Christ and the Apostles. After your tour of Lucca, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own and to explore this picturesque town.

Next, continue by road to Pisa, a city internationally famous for its superb and unusual architecture. Unfortunately, most of Pisa was bombed during World War II, but one section miraculously survived intact: the Piazza del Duomo, now known as the Piazza dei Miracoli because of its remarkable escape from destruction. As you approach the Square of Miracles, the city’s most famous symbol, the precarious Leaning Tower, appears before you. Begun in 1174, the tower started to lean when construction reached the third story.

Attempts to make the remaining floors slightly higher on the leaning side only made it worse.

Legend says that Pisa’s most illustrious son Galileo (born in 1564) conducted his famous experiments on gravity by dropping metal balls from the top of the 187-foot-high tower.

Next, visit Pisa’s magnificent Cathedral, a Romanesque basilica of white marble that is renowned for its beautifully carved pulpit and paintings and, on the door facing the tower, the Romanesque panels portraying the life of Christ. Admire its famous pulpit designed

by Giovanni Pisano, who decorated it with nine biblical reliefs. Enter the lovely Gothic Baptistry and view its marble font under a conical dome and famous organ, noted for its fine echo. Also admire its pulpit, carved

by Giovanni’s father, Nicola Pisano.

Then, relax and savour your experience as you return to Livorno.

* Note: In Livorno, you have a choice of included excursion (either LIV1 or LIV2).

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LONDON

LONDON ENGLAND (HOTEL STAY) Panoramic London LON1

Half day

INCLUDED

From the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square, at the heart of London’s theatre district and the city’s quiet parks with their trees and lakes, to the grandeur of Buckingham Palace and the living history of Westminster Abbey, London’s fascination is its variety. Old and new stand side by side. History, pageantry and tradition mix with the modern, eccentric and avant-garde, offering something for everyone. This leisurely tour is a great way for you to obtain an overall impression of one of the most lively and interesting cities in the world.

Our tour itinerary takes us on a circular itinerary around the capital where we view the highlights from the comfort of the coach.

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We see Westminster, Whitehall and St James’s section of London, crossing Westminster Bridge, and passing by the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings presiding over the banks of the River Thames and its adjacent 320-foot clock tower of Big Ben. From Parliament Square, we look across to St Margaret’s Church, scene of society weddings. Standing adjacent is the architectural and masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries – Westminster Abbey.

Your guide will point out the main external features of the building and you will be able to take photographs of the outside.

LONDON

Westminster Abbey LON2

Half day

OPTIONAL $115pp

Westminster Abbey is steeped in more than a thousand years of history. Benedictine monks first came to this site in the middle of the tenth century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day.

The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of seventeen monarchs. The present church, begun by Henry III in 1245, is one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country, with the medieval shrine of an Anglo-Saxon saint still at its heart.

A treasure house of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles and other artefacts, Westminster Abbey is also the place where some of the most significant people in the nation's history are buried or commemorated.

Taken as a whole the tombs and memorials comprise the most significant single collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in the United Kingdom.

From the Middle Ages, aristocrats were buried inside chapels, while monks and other people associated with the abbey were buried in the cloisters and other areas. One of these was Geoffrey Chaucer, who was buried here as he had apartments in the abbey where he was employed as Master of the King's Works.

Subsequently, it became one of Britain's most significant honours to be buried or commemorated in the abbey. The practice of burying national figures in the abbey began under Oliver Cromwell with the burial of Admiral Robert Blake in 1657. The practice spread to include generals, admirals, politicians, doctors and scientists such as Isaac Newton, buried on 4 April 1727, and Charles Darwin, buried 26 April 1882. More recently, on Saturday September 6, 1997 the formal, though not "state" Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, was held. It was a royal ceremonial funeral including royal pageantry and Anglican funeral liturgy.

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LONDON

LONDON ENGLAND (HOTEL STAY) British Museum LON3

Half day

OPTIONAL $69pp

The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. From the beginning it granted free admission to all 'studious and curious persons'. Visitor numbers have grown from around 5,000 a year in the eighteenth century to nearly 6 million today.

The origins of the British Museum lie in the will of the physician, naturalist and collector, Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753). Over his lifetime, Sloane collected more than 71,000 objects which he wanted to be preserved intact after his death. So he bequeathed the whole collection to King George II for the

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nation in return for a payment of ÂŁ20,000 to his heirs. The gift was accepted and on 7 June 1753, an Act of Parliament established the British Museum. Today, the original 1753 collection has grown to over thirteen million objects and among the must-sees are: the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, discovered in 1799; the controversial Parthenon Sculptures, taken from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin (the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire); the large collection of Egyptian mummies; the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo burial relics and the Winged Bulls from Khorsabad.

MADRID

MADRID SPAIN (OPTIONAL HOTEL STAY) Madrid City Sightseeing MAD1

Half day

INCLUDED

Madrid, Spain's capital, is a cosmopolitan city. Its position as a centre for economics, finance, administration and services combines the most modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage. The historic old town, also known as "Madrid de las Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire) is a living example of the city's 16th- and 17thcentury heyday, as is its impressive Plaza Mayor (main square), which was opened in 1620 and remains one of Spain's most popular spots.

Near to the Plaza Mayor is the so-called "aristocratic centre" of Madrid, home to the stunning Royal Palace, a 17th-century monument that combines Baroque and Classical styles.

Next to the palace you can find the Oriente Square, the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II. This ensemble of monuments

is completed by the Puerta del Sol, a square flanked by select shops, and the "Paseo del Arte", so called for its unique museums, palaces and gardens, not forgetting the unmistakable Bank of Spain building, the Telecommunication Palace and the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of His Majesty The King of Spain, who makes use of it only for official ceremonies. The origins of the Palace go back to the 9th century. The Palace also contains a select Painting Gallery, including major works of Juan de Flandes, Caravaggio, Velรกzquez and Goya.

Note: the Royal Palace may close at short notice, in which case the Prado Museum will be visited instead.

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MALAGA

MALAGA SPAIN Granada & Alhambra Palace MAL 1

Full day

INCLUDED*

"Everything here appears calculated to inspire kind and happy feelings, for everything is delicate and beautiful. The very light falls tenderly from above, through the lantern of a dome tinted and wrought as if by fairy hands." Washington Irving, Tales of the Alhambra.

Leave the port of Malaga and drive through the wonderful landscape of Andalusia passing endless fields of olive trees and picturesque villages. Your journey takes you to one of the most magical places in the world and the most outstanding symbol of Moorish heritage in Spain, the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a palace, a fortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans. The Nasrid Dynasty (1238-1492), was the last Islamic sultanate in the Iberian Peninsula and the Nasrid Sultans chose this site for their court as it was the ideal place from which to keep watch over the capital of their kingdom and the surrounding area. From the beginning of the 13th century, the original fortress grew into a huge walled site that was clearly intended to be both a palace and court.

Within this gradual change, different stages of development, grandeur and decadence can

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clearly be seen through the various works of art and buildings erected over the years. The Alhambra was not a single construction, but rather the result of an evolution of successive reforms and extensions. Your guide will take you inside the “Alqala hamra”, meaning "red castle" where you will be able to visit the Nazaries Palaces with intricately carved stucco walls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycomb vaulting, and beautiful courtyards; “Serallo”, the official residence of the Sultan and the Harem, which surrounds the famous "Patio de los Leones," with its fountains feeding water through the mouths of 12 lions (representing months of the year), and many other wonderful sites within the fortress.

Continuing on, the tour will visit the “Generalife Palace” which was build as the summer paradise for the Sultans of Granada.

Its lovely terraces, grottoes, flowerbeds and fabulous fountains will make you feel the glamour of the Moorish inhabitants. After taking in all of these wonderful sites you will enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Finally, and to round the day off, there’s a panoramic tour around the city of Granada before returning to Malaga.

MALAGA

Panoramic Malaga and Picasso Museum MAL 2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Departing from the pier this tour will show you the major coastal city of Andalusia: Malaga. Although Malaga may at first appear a little austere, the historic city centre is charming with its majestic, unfinished Gothic cathedral, surrounded by traditional balconied buildings, narrow pedestrian streets and some of the best tapas bars in the province. In recent years, the city has heavily invested in its culture and heritage with new museums. Malaga is a joy to stroll around, with a skyline that reflects the city’s eclectic character; church spires jostle for space with russet-red tiled roofs and lofty apartment buildings while, like a grand old dame, the 11th-century Gibralfaro Castle sits grandly and provides the best view of all.

Take a panoramic drive and pass by some outstanding structures of Mudejar and Gothic architecture, parks, gardens and the city's bullring before reaching the famous Gibralfaro Castle for a short exterior visit and photo stop.

Your next stop will be the Picasso Museum, which is located in the Buenavista Palace.

This historical building boasts classical characteristics of 16th century Andalusian architecture, whereby Renaissance and Mudejar elements are mixed. The collection inside the museum gathers together paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramic and graphic works of this unique artist throughout his life.

This enviable collection of 204 works, 155 donated and 49 loaned to the museum by Christine Ruiz-Picasso (wife of Paul, Picasso’s eldest son) and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (his grandson), includes some wonderful paintings of the family, including the heartfelt Paulo con gorro blanco (Paulo with a white cap), a portrait of Picasso’s eldest son painted in the 1920s. Don’t miss the Phoenician, Roman, Islamic and Renaissance archaeological remains in the museum’s basement, discovered during construction works. After the visit, enjoy some free time before returning to the pier.

* Note: In Malaga, you have a choice of included excursion (either MAL1 or MAL2).

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MARRAKESH

MARRAKESH MOROCCO (HOTEL STAY) Marrakesh Sightseeing MAK1

Half day

INCLUDED

With its grand square bustling with snake charmers and market traders and its almost psychedelic souks, Marrakesh is a showcase for exoticism. Surrounded by the sights, sounds and aromas of the medina you can truly appreciate the allure of this North African city. Our guided tour of the old medina of Marrakesh begins with a walk through one of the most interesting quarters of Marrakesh. Here we'll stroll along labyrinthine alleyways, catching glimpses of mosques, hammams, traditional public bakeries, fondouks (old lodging houses used by the caravans) and fountains carved in wood and decorated with kuffic inscriptions.

72

You’ll walk through the colourful souks which are organised according to goods sold and where craftsmen can be seen practicing their traditional trades. After this it is on to the aristocratic Bahia Palace where we see a lush Moorish-style garden in the courtyard of a large palace with beautifully painted residential rooms.

Then, after walking through a maze of shaded, narrow streets you will emerge into the famous Djemma el-Fna Square, where throughout the ages local people and African caravans have gathered for entertainment, celebrations, gossip and business. Here we

MARRAKESH stop at the foot of the famous Koutoubia Minaret, one of the masterpiece works of Islamic architecture.

Highlight of our tour is a visit to the Marjorelle Garden, a 12-acre botanical garden in the heart of Marrakesh which was designed in the 1920s and 30s, and was once owned

by Yves Saint-Laurent whose ashes were scattered here. Within the gardens, be sure visit the Museum, housing North African textiles from Saint-Laurent’s personal collection, as well as ceramics, jewellery, and paintings by the founder, Jacques Marjorelle.

VISIT

EL JADIDA MOROCCO

En route from Marrakesh to Casablanca, you will visit the stylish and beautiful town of El Jadida that is, with its narrow lanes and ramparts, a fine example of an old colonial Portuguese Medina. The town is the holiday destination for Morocco's wealthy city dwellers.

The town is famous for the remains of Portuguese buildings and the Cistern.

Built in 1514 by the Portuguese, this underground chamber may have been used as an arsenal or as a store before being transformed into a cistern to be used during sieges. Its surprising Gothic architecture represents a square room of 1100m² supported by five rows of columns and a vaulted ceiling. The cistern is famous especially for the thin layer of water that covers the floor, and which creates fine exciting reflections from the little light there is and the Spartan shapes of the columns and the roof. Having been forgotten, it was rediscovered by accident in 1916 by a shopkeeper who wanted to enlarge his premises. This room has served as the set for many films, including the famous Othello by Orson Welles (1954).

Note: Only applicable to the 28 October sailing.

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MARSEILLES

MARSEILLES FRANCE Avignon’s Papal Palace

Marseilles & Aix-en-Provence

MAR1

MAR2

Full day

INCLUDED*

Explore the Provençal countryside on this full-day tour that visits Avignon with its papal legacies. Your adventure starts with a 90-minute drive to Avignon which rose to glory in the Middle Ages, when a series of French-born Popes fled Rome and made the town a base from which they ruled Christendom until 1407. Enjoy views of the Rhone River and Avignon's much-sung-about bridge, Pont St Benezet.

The highlight of your visit is a guided tour of the Pope's Palace with its long, echoing Great Audience Hall, 14th-century wall paintings and Great Chapel. Also enjoy a walking tour through Palace Square and Horloge Square.

Then enjoy a leisurely lunch and time on your own to wander or shop before heading back to Marseilles.

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Full day

INCLUDED*

The day begins in Marseilles where you’ll visit the “Vieux Port," the Old Port, where the Greeks landed in 600 BC. Here classically French cafes and restaurants nestle about gently bobbing fishing boats in the harbour. Continue along the J.F. Kennedy Corniche. The first stop is Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, located at the highest point of the city at just over 500 feet. Built on an ancient fortress from the 16th century, the sanctuary was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and consecrated in 1864. From the Basilica descend into the city's shopping district and the Longchamp Palace. This municipal water tower, houses the Museums of Fine Art and Natural History.

In the afternoon, your visit to Aix-en-Provence starts with a walking tour of the Cours Mirabeau. This wide avenue is shaded by trees and was built in the 1600s on the site of the city’s medieval ramparts. The aristocratic façades of the old mansions line the Cours and their wrought-iron balconies and finely carved doorways invite the visitor to explore.

Note the different architectural styles of Saint Sauveur Cathedral with a Romanesque nave, a Merovingian baptistery and a Gothic section.

* Note: In Marseilles, you have a choice of included excursion (either MAR1 or MAR2).

MONTE CARLO

MONTE CARLO MONACO Monte Carlo Walking Tour

Monaco & Eze

MON1

MON2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Your guided walking tour takes you past the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and the 19th-century Romanesque Cathedral in which Prince Rainier and Princess Grace had their fairytale wedding.

Wander the ancient covered alleyways of Old Town, before continuing to Monte Carlo.

Drive along part of Monaco's famous Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit to Casino Square. In this haven for the rich and famous, you have time on your own to take in the attractions of your choice, be it the Grand Casino, the opulent Hotel de Paris, the chic boutiques – or you can just soak up the atmosphere for future daydreams after your return to the ship.

Half day

INCLUDED*

After the glitz and glamour of Monaco, head for the hills to the ancient village of Eze, with its fabulous views over Saint Jean-CapFerrat. Perched on rock 1,400 feet above sea level, the village centres on the ruins of a 12th-century castle – a testament to centuries of occupation, from Romans and Moors to the House of Savoy – that offers scenic views and photo opportunities. You’ll visit the quaint cobblestone streets filled with craftsmen's boutiques and pass bougainvillea-wrapped villas that lead down the hillside to the Mediterranean. Then travel to Monaco Rock where elevators and escalators take you up to the Old City and the Palace Square for an exterior view at Prince Rainier's magnificent residence palace. Stroll through the Old Town and see the Cathedral, where Princes and Princesses of Monaco are buried.

* Note: In Monte Carlo, you have a choice of included excursion (either MON1 or MON2).

Scenic Riviera & Nice MON3 Half day

OPTIONAL $45

Enjoy a scenic drive from the port of Monte Carlo to Nice for a panoramic tour of the city and a ride along the Promenade des Anglais. Afterwards, leave your coach for a walk to the old town to enjoy some free time on Cours Saleya, the elegant promenade of Old Nice which is lined with shops and restaurants and the famous flower and fruit market. It's an ideal opportunity to purchase a memento of your visit or the perfect gift for someone back home. After this break, re-board your coach for the drive back to Monte Carlo.

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MOTRIL

MOTRIL SPAIN Granada & Alhambra Palace MOT 1

Full day

INCLUDED

"Everything here appears calculated to inspire kind and happy feelings, for everything is delicate and beautiful. The very light falls tenderly from above, through the lantern of a dome tinted and wrought as if by fairy hands." Washington Irving, Tales of the Alhambra.

Your journey takes you to one of the most magical places in the world and the most outstanding symbol of Moorish heritage in Spain, the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a palace, a fortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans. The Nasrid Dynasty (1238-1492), was the last Islamic sultanate in the Iberian Peninsula and the Nasrid Sultans chose this site for their court as it was the ideal place from which to

keep watch over the capital of their kingdom and the surrounding area. From the beginning of the 13th century, the original fortress grew into a huge walled site that was clearly intended to be both a palace and court.

Within this gradual change, different stages of development, grandeur and decadence can clearly be seen through the various works of art and buildings erected over the years. The Alhambra was not a single construction, but rather the result of an evolution of successive reforms and extensions. Your guide will take you inside the “Alqala hamra”, meaning "red castle" where you will be able to visit the Nazaries Palaces with intricately carved stucco walls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycomb vaulting, and beautiful courtyards; “Serallo”,

Please note that the ship will sail from Motril to Malaga during the day. Passengers not partaking in this there will be an included Picasso Museum excursion on arrival in Malaga, see page 71 for details.

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MOUNT ATHOS the official residence of the Sultan and the Harem, which surrounds the famous "Patio de los Leones," with its fountains feeding water through the mouths of 12 lions (representing months of the year), and many other wonderful sites within the fortress.

Continuing on, the tour will visit the “Generalife Palace” which was build as the summer paradise for the Sultans of Granada.

Its lovely terraces, grottoes, flowerbeds and fabulous fountains will make you feel the glamour of the Moorish inhabitants. After taking in all of these wonderful sites you will enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Finally, and to round the day off, there’s a panoramic tour around the city of Granada before heading to Malaga to rejoin the ship.

SAIL PAST

MOUNT ATHOS GREECE

This so-called “Holy Mountain” is really a long peninsula which rises at its southern tip to a 6,000 ft. peak.

Dotted along its length are twenty monasteries, some dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Women are absolutely forbidden to set foot on the Mountain, even – in theory – all female animals. Fortunately, most of the monasteries are on or near the coast and can be seen clearly from our ship.

Our lecturers will be on hand to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

excursion will have to stay on board ship, however, 77

MYKONOS

NANTES FRANCE

(PORT

Exploring Chateaux Country NAN1

Overnight Excursion

INCLUDED

The historic town of Saumur is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, which produce some of ALL MEALS France's finest wines. The city’s famous INCLUDED castle stands firm on a cliff and marks the entrance to the Loire Valley.

MYKONOS

GREEK ISLANDS

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN

Contrast the sacred sights of Delos with the more worldly charms of Mykonos, a whitewashed resort that is the very image of a Greek isle. The huge granite rocks you see strewn across the hilly landscape are said to be the graves of the Titans. The windmills are a later refinement, dating from the 16th century, used for grinding grain for shipment when Mykonos was a major seaport between Venice and Asia.

In town, the streets are a delightful maze, designed to confuse attacking pirates, although eventually the island became the headquarters of the Corsair fleet and a place where pirates recruited for their ships. Today these winding streets are lined with tempting shops, galleries and boutiques that all exact their tribute. Along the waterfront, near the area called Little Venice, the seaside cafes are ideal for evening drinks.

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The Chateau de Saumur was originally built as a castle and later developed as a chateau.

It was constructed in the 10th century by Theobald I, Count of Blois as a fortified stronghold against Norman attack and then in 1026 it came into the hands of the Count of Anjou, who bequeathed it to his Plantagenet heirs.

Following its destruction in 1067, the castle was rebuilt by Henry II of England in the later 12th century. In 1621 the castle was converted into an army barracks. Nearly two centuries later it was converted into a state prison under Napoleon Bonaparte. At present the Chateau is undergoing some renovations to its turrets and so there may be some areas not accessible during your visit.

After a visit to Saumur and its charming medieval streets it is on to the Chateau d’Amboise. Confiscated by the monarchy in the 15th century, the Chateau d’Amboise became a favoured royal residence and was extensively rebuilt. King Charles VIII died at the château in 1498 after hitting his head on a door lintel. The chateau fell into decline from the second half of the 16th century and the majority of the interior buildings were later demolished, but some survived and have been restored, along with the outer defensive circuit of towers and walls. It has been recognised as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1840. Perhaps the chateau’s most famous visitor was Leonardo da Vinci

NANTES

OF MONTOIR-DE-BRETAGNE)

who was invited to France by King Francois I in 1516. Leonardo spent three years here drawing and teaching architecture and engineering. He died on the 2nd May 1519 and, according to his wishes, was buried at the Church of Saint-Florentin of the Chateau d’Amboise. When the church was demolished in the 19th century, his remains were transferred to Saint-Hubert’s chapel inside the Chateau’s grounds. Following this, you will check in at your hotel and enjoy dinner.

After breakfast, head for the fairy-tale Chateau de Chenonceau and its fabulous gardens. First mentioned in the 11th century, the current chateau was built in 1514-1522 and was later expanded to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l’Orme and the gallery on the bridge (1570– 1576) to designs by Jean Bullant. The chateau is built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles

and its beauty has made it the second most visited chateau in France after Versailles. It has hosted kings, queens and great figures of French culture such as Voltaire and Rousseau.

Also, the Catherine di Medici Gardens are a truly spectacular horticultural treasure.

After lunch in the wonderful Orangery at the Chateau de Chenonceau it is on to Tours.

The walking tour explores the area of "Old Tours" with its narrow, pedestrian streets, and many houses with half-timbered façades dating mainly from the 15th century and 16th centuries. Stroll around the picturesque medieval streets where you will find many craft shops. You will also see the famous Charlemagne Tower which is all that remains from an old basilica dedicated to Saint Martin. Legend has it that the name of the tower comes from Charlemagne’s fourth wife, Luitgarde d’Alemanie who is said to be buried here.

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OPORTO

OPORTO

OPORTO PORTUGAL Oporto City and Port Tasting OPO1

Half day

INCLUDED

Historically, Oporto is no doubt one of the most important cities in Portugal. The town centre dates mainly from the 18th century, when trade was booming and merchants embellished the city with large squares and avenues that made a big contrast with the narrow little streets of the old medieval quarters, and all around you can see the façades of elegant homes and palaces that show how prosperous they were in days gone by.

Our first stop is the Romanesque-style Cathedral, built in the 12th century and extensively rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll be able to admire the interior and see the altar dating from the baroque period.

Next you’ll visit the Stock Exchange Palace, built in the 19th century to impress European investors. The surprising Moorish decorated rooms are nowadays used by the Chamber of Commerce, the President and members of the government for official receptions. You’ll cross the Douro River by way of the unique double-decker Dom Luis Bridge to Gaia to visit a well-known wine cellar for a tasting of the port wine.

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PALERMO

PALERMO SICILY, ITALY Palatine Chapel & Cathedral PAL1

Half day

INCLUDED

During Roger II’s reign as King of Sicily (1130AD to 1154AD), the island became a great maritime power and also the channel through which Greek and Arabic thought passed into Europe. The embracing spirit of Roger’s reign is gloriously expressed in many of the great buildings of Sicily, but nowhere more perfectly than the Palatine Chapel, built during the 1130s and 1140s. This is the king’s masterpiece – a miraculous fusion of Latin, Byzantine and Arabic architectural design. Creamy marble is inlaid with gold leaf, Byzantine mosaics blanket entire walls and the ceiling of carved wooden coffers speaks of the finest Arabic design. The palace in

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which the chapel is housed had its start in the 9th century AD, when the Emir of Palermo built on the site of a Punic Roman stronghold.

Roger II turned the building into the city’s main fortress and his sumptuous palace, then crowned it with this jewel of a chapel.

Following your visit to the Palatine Chapel, the walking tour continues to nearby San Giovanni degli Eremiti, built by Roger II in 1132, a Norman church with Arabic domes.

Drive next to Palermo Cathedral, site of the huge porphyry tomb of Roger II, as well as the silver urn that contains the remains of Palermo’s protector, St Rosalia.

PALERMO

Monreale PAL2

Half day

INCLUDED

Travel just a short distance out of Palermo to discover Monreale Cathedral, considered by many to be the most beautiful Norman church in Italy. Designed by William the Good in 1174, the church offers visions of beauty, grace and the divine. The exterior’s thick walls and powerful towers have the look of an austere fortress, but just step inside: it is the interior that is this cathedral’s true glory.

The large nave with its side aisles and grey granite columns draws the eyes upward to 12th-century gold mosaics that cover over one and a half acres of wall space.

The tour also visits the Benedictine cloisters, a magnificent synthesis of Romanesque and Arab architecture. Admire the serenity of the courtyard with its graceful arcade featuring 216 sets of twin columns and pointed Arabic arches. Later, enjoy free time in the main square before we return to the ship.

A Special Visit to Palazzo Gangi PAL3

DONATION $55pp

Among Palermo’s most delightful secrets are the aristocratic, privately-owned residences.

When the Princes Gangi decided to remodel the 15th-century ancestral palace of the Princes Valguarnera, it was a vast undertaking that spread over the 18th century and continues today under the auspices of Princess Carine Vanni Mantegna. Sicily’s leading artists were summoned to assist in creating a showcase.

Today, we’ll visit the fabulous results. The palazzo is especially noted for its Sicilian Baroque ballroom decorated with Murano chandeliers, gold fittings and glittering mirrors.

Here, in 1882 Wagner composed the opening bars of Parsifal and in 1963 Luchino Visconti filmed the magnificent ball scene of The Leopard.

The visit to Palazzo Gangi is exclusive to guests of Voyages to Antiquity.

Note: Please check with the Tour Office on board for details on how to register for this programme which is operated as an extension to included excursions. However, as space is very limited, we recommend you register at the earliest opportunity once on board.

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PATMOS

PATMOS GREEK ISLANDS St John's Patmos PTM1

Half day

INCLUDED

Visit the small cave where St John received his revelation, the medieval village of Chora and the Monastery of St John the Theologian – together a UNESCO World Heritage Site that constitutes an exceptional example of a Greek Orthodox pilgrimage centre. Patmos may be one of the smallest islands in the Dodecanese, but it compensates for size with beauty and history. Called the "Jerusalem of the Aegean," the island has long been a site of pilgrimage. When St John came to Patmos in 95AD the Emperor Domition's persecution of Christians were at their height and the "beloved disciple" lived for two years in a small cave on the island. Here he wrote his Gospel and dictated the Book of the Apocalypse.

This afternoon, a short drive takes you from port to the grotto where St John once lived.

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The cave is now converted into a beautiful chapel with a stone orifice the saint is said to have used as a pillow. From the cave, continue to the 12th-century village of Chora and the Monastery of St John the Theologian which dominates the town. The walking tour starts with a climb to the castle-like monastery, founded in the 10th century. Enter the courtyard with its intricately pebbled floor, decorated arches and old well fed by a reservoir beneath. Visit the ornate chapel of Christodoulos with its frescoed entrance and religious relics that include the skull of St Thomas. Tour the old treasury, where the breathtaking collection includes jewelled chalices, crowns, crucifixes and an El Greco icon. Later, there will be free time to explore Chora with its whitewashed houses and Byzantine churches before the return to the tavernas of Skala and the ship.

PIRAEUS

PIRAEUS GREECE The Acropolis & its Museum

Byzantine Athens

PIR1

PIR2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Visit the sublime expression of Classical Greece, the Acropolis with its sweeping views of Athens. Commissioned

by Pericles in the 5th century BC, the site is dominated by the majestic Parthenon: a building that embodies the stunning achievements of the Athenian “Golden Age”.

Surrounding the great temple are the other architectural masterpieces of the citadel: the Propylaia (monumental gateway), the Erechtheion with its beautiful Karayatid Porch and the Temple of Athena Nike (Winged Victory). Below the temple complex is the theatre of Dionysos where the dramas of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed.

Then explore another marvel: the longanticipated $200-million, 226,000-square-foot Acropolis Museum. In the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, ascending floors of glass literally “float” you above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below.

Half day

INCLUDED*

Never in the history of Christianity has a school of artists infused such a high degree of spirituality into its work. Byzantine theologians insisted that painters and mosaicists reflect the image of God. This morning's sightseeing reveals the splendour of Byzantine art in a tour that combines visits to both the Byzantine Museum, home to the world's largest collection of icons, and also the Monastery of Kaisariani with its fine frescoes and elegant gardens.

Drive from the pier to Illissia Mansion, winter residence of the Duchess of Piacenza, and home to the Byzantine and Christian Museum.

Founded in 1914, this renowned museum focuses exclusively on Byzantine art from the 4th to 19th centuries. In addition to its impressive icons, frescoes and tapestries, there are paintings, sculptures and illuminated manuscripts. Displays recreate Byzantine churches from the 5th to 11th centuries.

Continue next to the slopes of Mt. Hymettos, for a visit to the Monastery of Kaisariani, a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture.

Inside its high walls discover the 11th-century catholicon, or main church, built in a Greek cross shape. The dome is supported by four columns from an earlier Roman temple and colourful frescoes from the 14th to 18th centuries enliven the interior walls. There is also an 11th-century bathhouse. Later additions include a refectory, the monks’ cells and a 19th-century bell tower. Savour the views of Athens and the serenity of this delightful spot before returning to the ship.

* Note: In Piraeus, you have a choice of included excursion (either PIR1 or PIR2).

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PORTOFINO

PORTOFINO ITALY

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN

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Sitting on a peninsula in the Tigullio Gulf east of Genoa is the picturesque, half moon shaped seaside village of Portofino.

Originally founded by the Romans, today it is known as a resort of the rich and

famous, and is filled with boutiques, restaurants, cafes and luxury hotels including the world-famous Hotel Splendido, situated high up on the a cliff with spectacular views. At sea level, beautiful pastel houses line the shores of the harbour, making it one of the most perfect, most photogenic fishing ports in the Mediterranean. It has been a magnet for Europe’s beau monde for decades, from Rex Harrison to Elizabeth Taylor.

PYLOS

PYLOS GREECE Ancient Messini PYL1

Half day

Castles of Southern Greece INCLUDED*

Messini is regarded by many as one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Greece. Take a short drive to the Arcadian Gate, an impressive structure that once acted as an entrance to the ancient city of Messini.

From here, you’ll head for the archaeological site of Messini, which dates back to 146 BC. This is a marvellous site that includes an almost-intact theatre, the ruins of a 3rdcentury temple, a time-worn sanctuary and a Byzantine monastery.

Then on to Mavromati village, about five minutes away, for a coffee break and the chance to enjoy the great panoramic view of the ancient site of Messini before making your way back to the ship.

PYL2

Half day

INCLUDED*

This tour combines ancient history with a taste of everyday local life. Proceed to the castle of Niokastro, situated at the southern part of the port of Pylos. The castle was built by the Turks in 1573 and, due to its strategic importance, it quickly became one of the major castles in the Peloponnese during the Turkish occupation. It was captured by the Venetians in 1686 but was recaptured by the Turks some years later. Niokastro is one of the most well preserved castles in Greece, and is today the home of the Centre for Underwater Archaeological Studies.

Then on by road to the city of Methoni where you will find beaches of golden sand, winding alleyways, cobbled houses, and where you will visit the Venetian castle of Methoni.

* Note: In Pylos, you have a choice of included excursion (either PYL1 or PYL2).

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RAVENNA

RAVENNA ITALY Ravenna's Mosaics RAV1

Half day

INCLUDED

Discover the mosaic-encrusted treasures of a Byzantine exarchate, or bishopric.

When Rome's power declined in the 5th century, Ravenna's power rose and the city became the capital of the Western Roman Empire. That dominance continued through successive rulers and Byzantine control in the late 5th and 6th centuries. Today, Ravenna's superb early Christian mosaics and buildings from that period remain to dazzle the eye.

From the pier, drive to the city's historic centre where your walking tour begins. Visit the superb Basilica of St Vitale, one of Western Europe's most important examples of Byzantine art and architecture. In this massive octagonal church, mosaic depictions of Justinian and his wife Theodora glitter in blue, green and gold. Perhaps even lovelier is your next stop, the 5th-century Mausoleum of Galla Placida. This tiny gem was designed for the wife of a barbarian emperor, built in the shape of a cross and covered with mosaics in what seems every imaginable shade of blue.

Following this visit there will be free time to explore a bit before the walking tour continues through Ravenna's old streets and serene piazzas to the Orthodox Baptistry. This octagonal monument is called the Baptistry of Neon after Bishop Neon, who completed the project in the 5th century and may have commissioned the beautiful mosaics. Next, visit the Arian Baptistry, erected by the Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great, where the interior of the massive dome is covered in mosaics depicting the baptism of Jesus.

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RHODES

RHODES GREEK ISLANDS Old Town & Grand Master’s Palace RHO1

Half day

The Acropolis at Lindos INCLUDED*

Leave behind the port where the Colossus once stood and discover a stunning ensemble of Gothic architecture just a short drive from the port. These UNESCO World Heritage monuments testify to the role of Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese group, as a strategic crossroads. Many structures date to the era of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who lived on the island from 1309 until 1522 when the Ottoman Empire finally dislodged the Knights.

En route, you’ll visit the lookout Mount Smith, named after the British admiral Sir Sydney Smith who used this vantage point to scan the seas for French ships in the Napoleonic era. Then you enter the citadel of the Knight’s through the d’Amboise Gate and head for the restored Grand Master’s Palace. The first building of the 14th-century Crusaders, the Palace was modelled on the great Papal Palace of Avignon. It served as a fortress in times of war, a residence for the Grand Master of the Knights, a meeting place for senior knights, and, in later times, a summer residence of both Mussolini and Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. Stroll the cobblestone Street of the Knights and admire the honey-coloured stone buildings with their giant doorways and arched windows. Step into the 15th-century Knights Hospital, now an archaeological museum that counts the Aphrodite of Rhodes in flawless Parian marble among its treasures. At the conclusion of this tour, you can return to the ship or stay to wander this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

RHO2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Gain inspiration from the exquisite natural setting of the Acropolis at Lindos, a destination of both historic and scenic interest, just an hour’s drive from Rhodes. This Doric town rose in power hundreds of years before Christ and continued to thrive into the middle ages.

We’ll walk to the Acropolis, surrounded by the contrasting 12th-century crusader fortifications, clinging to the rocks above the village. At the summit is the Doric Temple of Lindian Athena, an archaeological jewel dating from the 4th century BC, with a double-winged portico and elaborate propylaea. The site offers sweeping views over St Paul’s Bay, where the Apostle is said to have sought shelter during a storm. Following the Acropolis, we’ll descend to the village with its whitewashed houses and tempting shops. A favorite resort since the time of Julius Caesar, Lindos is home to writers, artists and craftsmen.

* Note: In Rhodes, you have a choice of included excursion (either RHO1 or RHO2).

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ROME

ROME ITALY (HOTEL STAY) The Colosseum & St Peter’s Basilica ROM1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Between 200BC and 200AD the Romans were masters of the Mediterranean, and Rome was the centre of that universe.

Feel that ancient world come alive as we see these two iconic sights. Discover the Flavius Amphitheatre, also known as the Colosseum.

This arena is the biggest and most imposing stadium in the Roman World, an engineering feat based on the arch. At its peak, the Colosseum could hold as many as 60,000 spectators, and in summer a canvas roof covered the top to protect crowds from the sun. Started by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family, this huge elliptical amphitheatre was opened by his son Titus in 80AD with a week-long celebration featuring combats between gladiators and beasts.

Continue to the Roman Forum for a panoramic view from our motorcoach. Foro was the name that the Romans gave to this

central square set between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. The Forum offers a vision of the city as it was 2,000 years ago: a cosmopolitan hub pulsing with life.

Here stand the remains of grand temples, triumphal arches and a complex devoted to Vestal virgins, along with a labyrinth of governmental buildings that include a Records Office, the Senate, a prison, and even a spot used by tax collectors.

Next is a visit to St Peter’s Basilica, the most important basilica in the Christian World.

Inside, an almost unimaginable wealth of art treasures await. The basilica is built on the site of a church where St Peter, the first Pope, is said to be buried. Fronting the basilica is one of Rome’s most famous squares, Bernini’s elliptical Piazza San Pietro, an extraordinary sight punctuated by an Egyptian obelisk and a graceful colonnade.

* Note: In Rome, you have a choice of included excursion (either ROM1 or ROM2).

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ROME

Rome’s Countryside ROM2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Depart the hotel and drive to the Catacombs. This curious underground maze of tunnels was hollowed out of the volcanic rock where the early Christians, persecuted by the Romans, had to practice their religion in secret and bury their dead. The Christian catacombs are extremely important for the art history of early Christian art, as they contain the great majority of examples from before about 400 AD, in fresco and sculpture.

Continue on to the Roman Hills. Italy boasts a wealth of beautiful countryside and the area surrounding Rome is no exception. Head from Rome along the Appian Way – one of the first ancient Roman military roads – and into the enchanting surrounding countryside with its rolling hills and lush farmlands dotted with farmhouses, villas and palaces. You’ll reach the Lake of Albano in the crater of an extinct volcano. Winding your way up to the top of a nearby hill, you will stop for a short stroll in the lovely medieval town of Castelgandolfo, where the Popes have kept their summer residence for centuries. In fact, Castel Gandolfo’s Papal Palace and Gardens are actually part of the sovereign Vatican State.

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ROME

ROME ITALY (HOTEL STAY) Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel ROM3

Half day

OPTIONAL $78pp

Enjoy a dazzling visit to what is considered one of the world's most important art collections, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with its magnificent frescoes by Michelangelo. This tour takes you to Vatican City where centuries of popes, beginning with Gregory XI in 1377, have enriched the palatial complex. Wander through the fascinating Candelabra Gallery, the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps. Pass through the magnificent Stanza of Raphael, where in the 16th century the young artist decorated the rooms of Pope Julius II's residence with such masterpieces as the "School of Athens," which shows Aristotle, Plato and other philosophers.

Your visit culminates in the Vatican's most celebrated building, the Sistine Chapel. Built

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in the 15th century as a private place of worship for the popes, the chapel was completely restored in the 1990s. At the same time Raphael was frescoing the walls of the papal apartments, Michelangelo was on a scaffold painting the chapel's extraordinary ceiling with nine scenes from Genesis, including the Creation of Man, the Expulsion of Adam and Eve, as well as The Flood. On the wall behind the main altar, The Last Judgment, painted twenty years later, provides further testament to the artist's genius. Though working against his will and in a medium he disliked (he saw himself as a sculptor), Michelangelo managed to fill the room with masterpieces and left a legacy at which the world can only marvel.

ROME

Tivoli & the Villa d'Este ROM4

Half day

OPTIONAL $68pp

Among the world's most beautiful gardens, the grounds of the Villa d'Este embody Renaissance culture at its most refined and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your visit to this remarkable place starts with a drive to Tivoli, a small town in a lovely wooded area on the slopes of the Apennines.

The region is rich in caves, waterfalls and legend (a local Sybil prophesied the birth of Jesus). In the hills, opulent villas date to a time when Tivoli was the resort of Roman emperors. Your destination is the 16thcentury Villa d'Este, famed for its spectacular gardens, which feature the Avenue of the Hundred Fountains, the Rotunda of Cypresses and an Organ Fountain that still makes music. With their grottoes, terraces and water displays, these gardens

had a profound influence on European mannerist and baroque style garden design.

Originally a Benedictine convent, the palace was the residence of the exiled Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, governor of Tivoli from 1550.

He envisioned a garden set amid hanging cliffs and enlisted the painter-architectarchaeologist Pirro Ligorio to design them.

Their innovative construction and the series of terraces upon terraces call to mind the hanging gardens of Babylon. The Aniene River laces the property and the control of its waters, along with the gravity-powered fountains evoke the engineering skill of the Romans. Following your visit, enjoy free time to wander through the colourful open air market offering souvenirs, fruit, and a variety of local products.

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SALERNO

SALERNO ITALY Paestum SAL1

Half day

Ravello INCLUDED*

Imagine the surprise of the King of Naples when his 17th-century road project revealed three Greek temples in a state of near perfection amid a malaria-infested swamp. He had discovered Paestum, a major city of classic times, surviving untouched since the fall of the Roman Empire.

Drive from the ship to the east-west mountain ridge that acted as a boundary between the colonies of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) and the indigenous Lucanian people.

Mythology credits Jason and the Argonauts with the city’s founding but, more likely if less romantically, the honour belongs to the Greeks who settled here in 600BC, naming the site Poseidonia to honour the god of the seas. The city was occupied by the Lucans in 400BC, but evidence suggests that the two cultures prospered together. In 273BC, the city became a Roman colony and was renamed Paestum. Three exquisite Greek temples, built between 530BC and 460BC, are at the heart of the city and are complemented by magnificent Roman discoveries that include baths, an amphitheatre and the remains of a forum.

We will also visit the site’s museum, where the tomb frescoes, discovered by a local farmer in 1969, are worthy of special note.

Thankfully, moist conditions enabled these Greek paintings to survive the centuries without drying and flaking and maintain their colours. The various themes include a banquet attended by male lovers, a spirited chariot race and a diver captured in midplunge. They are among the world’s rare surviving examples of ancient Greek painting.

SAL2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Settle back for a beautiful drive along the legendary Amalfi Coast to magnificent Ravello. From the harbour, the narrow main road winds along sheer cliffs and offers breathtaking panoramas at every hairpin turn. Many consider this the most beautiful drive in the world and it certainly is a fitting prelude to Ravello. Perched 1,150 feet above the Bay of Salerno, the town is a vision of antique towers, graceful arches and flowering gardens that contrast with the rugged surrounding landscape. Its beauty has drawn poets, artists and musicians over the millennia. Boccaccio wrote of Ravello in his Decameron and, more recently, the author Gore Vidal made the town his home.

Our first stop will be at the aristocratic Villa Rufolo, which has hosted Pope Adrian IV and King Robert of Anjou. The 11th-century Arab style structure has a fountain-decked garden that so entranced Wagner he called it "the garden of Klingsor" after the legendary sorcerer and guardian of a magic garden from his opera Parsifal. The terrace is the setting for Ravello's annual music festival. Later, you'll have time to browse Ravello's cafes, shops and such gems as the cathedral's pulpit which features mosaics of lions and parrots in its sumptuous design.

* Note: In Salerno, you have a choice of included excursion (eitherSAL1 or SAL2).

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SANTORINI

SANTORINI GREEK ISLANDS Santorini & Akrotiri SAN1

Full day

INCLUDED

Closed to the public for over six years, the newly reopened Minoan settlement of Akrotiri is the tour's highlight, but you also visit several of Santorini's picturesque villages. One of the Aegean's most important archaeological sites, Akrotiri was abandoned after severe earthquakes, then covered in pumice by a volcanic eruption in about 1625BC. A visit tells the tale of an affluent society who farmed, built two-story homes and indulged a taste for frescoes, furniture and jewellery. Today's tour includes a visit to the ongoing excavations, where you can walk amid the well-preserved streets, view the workshops and squares.

Start your adventure with a transfer from the ship by local boat, then drive to the northern tip of the island to the village of Oia with its

whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and coffee shops carved in the cliffs. Stroll along the cobblestone streets where wealthy sea captains built their mansions, now converted to cafes, boutiques and art galleries.

Take in breathtaking views in all directions.

Continue to the southern end of the island and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. The excavations, led by Professor Spyros Marintos, began in 1967. Walk around this amazing city and get an insight into the culture that laid the foundation for Greek civilisation. Then continue to tiny Pyrgos, once the capital.

View the distant Venetian castle, then sit down to lunch at a local taverna. Conclude your adventure in Fira, the scenic capital.

From here, you'll have the option of remaining in town or returning to the ship by cable car.

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SARANDE

SARANDE ALBANIA Archaeological Site of Butrint SAR1

Half day

INCLUDED

Surrounded by a picturesque lagoon, Butrint is one of the Ionian's most remarkable archaeological sites and one of Albania's most beautiful national parks. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint, in antiquity Buthrotum, was successively the site of a 6th-century Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. The city prospered under Byzantine administration, was occupied in the 14th century by the Venetians, then by the French, and then the Ottomans.

The Ottomans built a fortress for private entertaining and one of their regular visitors was Lord Byron who wrote a poem dedicated to Butrint. Butrint began to be abandoned in the late Middle Ages due to marshes forming in the area. Wars, earthquakes and new cities hastened the city's decline. Today the site is a rich repository of the past and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the pier, a 45-minute drive takes us to Butrint, where the visit begins.

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The word Butrint is related to Aeneas, the Trojan hero who sailed to this area and sacrificed an ox to gain safe entrance to the region. The ox swam to shore, the site of Butrint, thus giving the area its name, "wounded ox". The idyllic wooded setting has inspired writers from Virgil to Racine.

An Italian archaeological team headed by Luigi Ugolini supervised three excavations here from 1928 to 1939. Following the war, Albania continued the excavations. Since 1994, archaeologists of the University of East Anglia have made further excavations.

Today, the approximately 50 square mile site (86 sq. kilometers) is an Albanian National Park and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Walk along the winding paths to discover layers of civilisation: Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian.

Complete the visit with a view from Butrint's acropolis and a short visit to the museum.

SETE

SETE

FRANCE

Carcassonne & Narbonne

Montpellier

SET1

SET2

Full day

INCLUDED*

Relive centuries of history when you visit two cities with Roman roots: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, and landlocked Narbonne, once a leading port celebrated by the troubadour Bertrand de Bar. Your adventure starts with a drive through the wild Languedoc countryside to Carcassonne, a site continuously occupied for over 2,500 years. Encircled by double walls, this stronghold stands exactly as it did in the Middle Ages with miles of battlements, 52 towers and a castle. View the mighty gate with its chains, portcullis and intricate access system. Stroll the lists between the double walls and savor the atmosphere as you get an education in military architecture.

Then you will be taken by coach to the second major place of the region: Narbonne. Enjoy a three-course lunch before visiting the first town founded by the Romans during the second century BC. At that time the town was also a sea port and took advantages of the privileges as Rome. In the 5th century Narbonne was a Visigoth capital and in the Middle Ages an important Episcopal centre, as can be seen in several superbly preserved monuments.

Extended half day

INCLUDED*

A short distance inland from the Mediterranean Sea sits the capital of the Languedoc Roussillon area, Montpellier.

Founded in the 10th century by the counts of Toulouse, it boasts one of France’s largest and Europe’s oldest universities founded here in the 12th century).

Begin with a guided walking tour through the charming streets, take time to appreciate the handsome medieval buildings and elegant private mansions, plus the 14th-century Cathedrale de Saint Pierre and the lookalike Arc de Triomphe at the end of the Rue Foch.

Enjoy free time to explore the narrow back streets and lively squares before driving to Chateau de Flaugergues, property of the “de Colbert” family since 1696. Count and Countess Henry de Colbert live in the castle, a French historical monument, and you will enjoy a visit of their home with its family collections and a walk in the gardens. The castle preserves antique furniture and a collection of stunning Flemish tapestries. Then you will discover the cellars and taste wine produced at the Chateau’s vineyards: a red, rose and white wine of “AOC Coteaux de Languedoc” and “Coteaux de la Mejanelle”.

* Note: In Sete, you have a choice of included excursion (either SET1 or SET2).

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SEVILLE

SEVILLE SPAIN (HOTEL STAY) Seville City Tour SEV1

Half day

INCLUDED

Seville is a beautiful and romantic place.

Legend has it this Andalusian city was founded 3,000 years ago by Hercules and it is also said to be the birthplace of flamenco.

Your tour will, we trust, give you a flavour of this intoxicating place. Admire the exterior of the spectacular fifteenth-century Cathedral of Seville which is the third largest in Europe and one of the last built in the Gothic style.

It stands on the site of the great 12th-century Almohad mosque, with the mosque’s minaret (the Giralda) still towering beside it.

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It has been said that if heaven does exist then it probably looks like Seville’s Royal Palace Alcazar. A building existed on this site as early as 913 but the main construction was carried out in the early fourteenth century with the sublime Mudejar Palacio de Don Pedro being completed in 1366. The Alcazar is a functioning royal palace and some of the Upper Royal Quarters are still used by the Spanish royal family. Finally, stroll through the Old Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz with its labyrinth of narrow streets and lovely Moorish courtyards.

SKIATHOS

Cordoba SEV2

Full day

INCLUDED

In its history, Cordoba has been both a capital of a Roman province and capital of the Arab state of Al-Andalus.

A great cultural reference point in Europe, this ancient city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains a mixture of wonderful buildings, monuments and artefacts that are a reminder of the cultures that have settled it throughout history. It has been estimated that in the 10th century Cordoba was the most populous city in the world, and today it is a moderately sized city with a population of about 330,000.

The historic quarter of Cordoba is a beautiful network of small streets, alleys, squares and whitewashed courtyards arranged around the Mezquita, which reflects the city's prominent place in the Islamic world during medieval times. You will visit the most famous and inspiring monuments of the city, including the Roman Bridge and the famous Great Mosque, a building that was considered a wonder of the medieval world by both Muslims and Christians. The building is most notable for its giant arches with over 1,000 columns of jasper, onyx, marble and granite. These were made from pieces of the Roman temple that had occupied the site previously. When Cordoba was re-conquered from the Moors in 1236

by King Ferdinand III of Castile, the mosque became a Catholic church.

SKIATHOS

Another highlight is the old Jewish quarter.

You will have the opportunity to visit the ancient market, now transformed to artisan market, and walk through the well known “Calle de las Flores” or “street of flowers”, a beautiful example of a typical Andalusian street decorated with plants and flowers.

Before heading to lunch, you will have some time at leisure to explore the city independently.

Following the Peloponnesian Wars, the island endured successive waves of conquerors. Today, cosmopolitan Skiathos draws visitors from all over Europe. There are the superb beaches, the walled town of Kastro and a lively town where you can sample the local olives, honey and almond sweets.

GREEK ISLANDS

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN

The westernmost island in the Sporades, Skiathos is famous for its splendid beaches. The shade cast by the treecovered hills is said to have inspired the Pelasgians to give the island its name. Dionysus, the god of wine, was worshipped here. Herodotus wrote that the residents used beacons to notify the Greeks of the approaching Persian fleet in 480BC.

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SORRENTO

SORRENTO ITALY Herculaneum

Pompeii SOR1

Half day

INCLUDED*

The patricians who built their mansions in Pompeii came to escape the turmoil in Rome, but a different sort of violence awaited them in their southern retreats. In 79AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted at 10am and, within three hours, extinguished these affluent communities even as it preserved their remains for our discovery. Begin with a scenic hour drive along the Bay of Naples to Pompeii.

On the walking tour, you will be guided expertly through this spectacular site. Places not to be missed include the aristocratic mansions, temples, theatres, markets and large forum. At every turn, inscriptions bring the hustle and bustle of this ancient city to life: there are notices of wine sales and apartment vacancies, upcoming gladiatorial events in the theatre and political announcements.

SOR2

Half day

INCLUDED*

A scenic hour drive takes us to Herculaneum which was engulfed by volcanic mud in the same eruption that claimed Pompeii. Fortunately for us, this mud sealed and protected entire buildings: today inlaid marble floors, paintings, mosaics and carbonised woods can all be seen. These range from the sculpture of the Drunken Hercules in the House of the Stags to mosaics of tritons in the city baths. Herculaneum was a wealthier town than Pompeii with an extraordinary density of fine houses, with far more lavish use of coloured marble cladding.

The discovery in recent years of some 300 skeletons along the sea shore came as a surprise since it was known that the town itself had been largely evacuated.

Following our visit, we will return to central Sorrento where you have the option of exploring independently or returning to the ship in the company of the guide.

* Note: In Sorrento, you have a choice of included excursion (either SOR1 or SOR2).

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SPLIT

SPLIT CROATIA Salona & Trogir

Palace of Diocletian SPL1

Half day

INCLUDED

When Emperor Diocletian shook up the Roman Empire by abdicating in 305AD, he had his retirement residence ready: a lavish palace he had just built in Salona, now Split, in his native Dalmatia.

Visit this amazing palace complex that, when completed, held three temples, a massive mausoleum, and could accommodate 9,000 people. For an intimate perspective on how life was organised, this tour includes a walk through the palace cellars. The city of Split grew inside and around this palace, with the population retreating behind its walls when under attack, and then spilling out beyond them in times of peace.

Today the Palace of Diocletian is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but don’t expect a deserted ruin. Discover instead a vibrant warren of museums, galleries, shops and restaurants mingled with medieval fortifications, preRomanesque churches and Gothic chapels.

Renaissance palaces testify to a time when Split was a key port of the Venetian Republic.

The tour visits Diocletian’s massive octagonal mausoleum, converted into a cathedral in the 7th century and named after a Christian martyred during that emperor’s persecutions.

You’ll also tour the city museum where 15th-century furnishings recapture aristocratic life in that period. Other sights include the palace’s monumental Golden and Silver Gates and the columned Peristyle Square. Following the tour, there will be free time to visit the colorful local market or explore Split on your own.

SPL2

Half day

OPTIONAL $58pp

Drive along the Riviera of the Seven Castles to two gems of the Dalmatian coast: the town of Salona, home to the most important Roman excavations in Croatia, and the tiny island of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Leave behind busy Split for Solin, as ancient Salona is now called, and enter a world where time stands still. Long before Split even existed this affluent Roman colony buzzed with over 40,000 inhabitants. Here archaeologists have excavated temples, a necropolis and baths dating from the 1st century AD. There is an amphitheatre where it is thought mock naval battles where held.

In this arena early Christians were martyred and their relics rest in Salona's excavated churches. Following your tour through Roman antiquity, your drive continues past the castles built by Venetians to defend against the Turks.

Cross a bridge from the mainland and enter the Middle Ages on the island of Trogir. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a remarkable example of urban continuity starting with the Greeks in 300BC, followed by a litany of other conquerors. In the 13th century Trogir was an artistic centre under the kings of Hungary.

The 13th century Cathedral of St Lawrence dominates the town, a magnificent example of sacral architecture with three naves, three apses and a grand main portal carved by a local artist known as Master Radovan. Enjoy an unforgettable walk along narrow stone streets whose plan dates to the Hellenistic era. Confront the past at every turn from the bright blue face of the massive Clock Tower to the mullioned windows of Cipiko Palace and Town Hall. Later you will have free time to shop for Trogir embroidery or perhaps try some palacinke (jam-filled pancakes) in a cafe.

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SAINT-MALO

SAINT-MALO FRANCE Mont Saint-Michel STM1

102

Extended half day

INCLUDED

Departing from Saint-Malo, proudly named the “Privateers’ City” due to its association with pirates in the 19th century, the tour takes you directly to the Mont SaintMichel, which Victor Hugo described as being “to the ocean what the Pyramid of Cheops is to the desert”. The famous author added that “We must protect by any means this masterpiece of the nature and the art.”

monastery was found by the 10th century and it lent its support to William of Normandy in his claim to the throne of England. This he rewarded with properties and grounds on the English side of the Channel, including a small island off the south-western coast of Cornwall which was modelled after the Mount and became a Norman priory named St Michael's Mount of Penzance.

The walking tour takes you through the narrow streets of the medieval village and up to the abbey, the plans of which are said to have been first revealed in a dream. The

Today, the Mont welcomes you as modern pilgrims following the century-old tradition.

And there will be time for independent sightseeing and shopping.

TANGIER

TANGIER MOROCCO Tangier Highlights TAN1

Half day

INCLUDED

Situated only a short distance across the Strait of Gibraltar from the shores of Europe, Tangier is a gateway to a vastly different culure. This tour is perfect if you really want to discover more of Tangier, and explore the bustling Medina, with its tiny streets lined with shops filled with trinkets and treats.

First head for a photostop at Cape Spartel Lighthouse – more than a century old it shines a warning beacon to ships sailing between the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Arriving back in Tangier, visit the Medina (old town) whose walls mark the line of the Roman defences. The grand Mosque rises on the foundations of a temple to Neptune, and the Petit Socco covers the area of what used to be the Forum. The bustling Kasbah is situated on the highest part of the Medina in an area that has been the preserve of palaces and castles for thousands of years.

Your guide will walk you through the Medina and the Kasbah, allowing you the opportunity to view the fruit and vegetable market and Mendoubia Park where you can explore at leisure, if you wish.

103

TAORMINA

TAORMINA

S IC I LY , ITALY

Taormina Walking Tour TAO1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Nowhere is the beauty of Sicily more apparent than in the hilltop town of Taormina. Today we will tender ashore for a short, scenic drive to this idyllic spot with its mountainous backdrop, lemon-blossom scented air and narrow, medieval “streets�.

This walking tour proceeds past the Cathedral and the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja with its black and white lava decoration.

The highlight is a guided tour of the theatre.

Originally built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, the site offers heart-skipping views of the sea and Mount Etna. Your tour concludes with a stroll along the pedestrian Corso Umberto. In the small lanes and twisting viuzze you can shop for colourful ceramics, seek out the wines that won the praise of Pliny or dine on the mullet favoured by Ovid. Passengers wishing to linger in Taormina after the tour can do so, as we have a later return transfer back to the ship.

* Note: In Taormina, you have a choice of included excursion (either TAO1 or TAO2).

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TAORMINA

Sicilian Landscapes TAO2

Half day

INCLUDED*

When seeking locations for The Godfather trilogy about the notorious Corleone family, the filmmakers felt the town of the same name was too developed and chose, instead, two remote mountain villages: Savoca and Forza d'Agro. Both are reached by a drive through scenery that exemplifies the sensual beauty of Italy.

As you disembark for a drive through Naxos, founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, the magnificent bay, Taormina and Mount Etna are just a taste of what's to come. Enjoy the coastal scenery before turning inland to the Peloritani Mountains, where Savoca is set in a saddle between two hills. Here, the Bar Vitelli seems undisturbed from the time when Francis Ford Coppola was here and has a collection about the film.

From the bar, a leisurely walking tour traces the wedding path of Michael Corleone and his bride up the main street past the 15th and 16th century churches to Santa Lucia, where they were married. Climb to the hill's summit for panoramas of a Norman Castle and the Strait of Messina. Also visit the Cappuccini Church where mummified bodies stand fully dressed in the crypt's shadowy niches.

Your excursion into Godfather Country winds to the nearby village of Forza d'Agro, where Al Pacino and Sophia Coppola came to shoot scenes for Godfather III. Landmarks include the Church of S. Agostino with its Gothic-Catalan portal, the Baroque Mother Church and the Arab-Norman Castle of Capo Sant'Alessio. You don't need to be a film buff to appreciate this choice part of Sicily.

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THESSALONICA

THESSALONICA GREECE Byzantine Thessalonica THE1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Byzantine emperors held Thessalonica (also known as Salonica) second only in importance to Constantinople, and today the city is an open-air museum with Christian monuments dating from the 4th to the 21st century. Thessalonica became part of the Byzantine Empire in 395AD and was one of the first bases for the spread of Christianity.

Drive from the ship to the Byzantine Museum, stopping en route at the 15th-century White Tower and the International Trade Fair grounds, built on the site of an old Jewish cemetery razed by the Germans in World War II (the headstones were used to surface roads). At the museum, enjoy an absorbing look at Byzantine and post-Byzantine culture.

Learn how art and theology intertwined with politics and social structure, permeating all

aspects of everyday life. Drive next to the 5thcentury basilica, Agios Dimitrios, devastated in a 1917 fire that destroyed half the city.

The church was rebuilt and inside are some of the finest mosaics in Greece, including depictions of St Dimitrios, Thessalonica's patron saint. From here, your walking tour continues to the palace of the Emperor Galerius and the 4th-century Rotunda, his mausoleum. The climax is a visit to the 8th-century Agia Sofia, patterned on Justinian's Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, its giant dome a symbol of technical mastery and the mosaics inside a work of Byzantine art.

Following the visit you may drive back to the ship or, if time permits, explore more of the town at leisure.

* Note: In Thessalonica, you have a choice of included excursion (either THE1 or THE2).

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THESSALONICA

Thessalonica City Tour

A Visit to Vergina

THE2

THE3

Half day

INCLUDED*

Enter the ancient walls of Thessalonica to discover the wondrous monuments of a city that was once the capital of Roman Macedonia and, in the Byzantine era, second only to Constantinople. Founded in 315BC

by Cassander of Macedonia and named after his wife, a stepsister of Alexander the Great, the city was a metropolis from the start.

Today it is the second largest city in Greece, as well as the principle gateway from the Mediterranean to the Balkans and Central Europe. The past has left a splendid variety of art and architecture from the Hellenistic era to the present, witness to a far-reaching heritage.

Begin with a visit to the White Tower, a restored 15th century Venetian fortification that is the city symbol. Also known as the Blood Tower, this was the site of a massacre of Christian soldiers during the Turkish occupation. Your scenic tour includes a look at the grounds of the International Trade Fair, the campus of the university and such Roman treasures as the Arch of Galerious and a brickwork Rotunda probably intended as that emperor's mausoleum. Visit the Church of St Dimitrios built on the spot where the city's patron saint was martyred.

Then continue to the Archaeological Museum, home to a wealth of gold jewellery, part of the celebrated finds from the Hellenistic tombs at Derveni, discovered by chance in 1961.

Other highlights include the Citadel and City Walls, from which you will have a marvellous view of the city, the Thermaic Gulf and, in the background, Mount Olympus, the home of the gods.

Half day

OPTIONAL $68pp

Journey to the burial site of Macedonia's kings, including the father and son of Alexander the Great. The Royal Tombs of Vergina are held to be among antiquity's greatest treasures. Your archaeological adventure starts with a drive to nearby Vergina, once known as Aegae, the first capital of Macedonia. Today this small village is renowned for its remarkable temple complex, only opened to the public since 1993.

The tour includes a visit to the site where a monumental palace was brought to light.

See the newly constructed exhibit bearing the tombs and the findings of all three tombs, including Alexander's father, Phillip II, who was assassinated, and also his son, Alexander IV, who was poisoned at 14. For centuries the tombs lay hidden under debris and local children played ball on the tumulus, as the grave mound is called, unaware of what was underneath their feet. The story of the tombs' discovery by Manolis Andronikos, on the final day of excavation, is a cliff-hanger tale in itself.

Visit the unique museum and walk down a white sandstone ramp that descends partially underground beneath a huge dome that simulates the look of the original mound.

Feast your eyes on the marvellous treasures found in Phillip's magnificent solid gold casket. All are masterpieces of ancient Greek art dating back to the 4th century BC. Admire the golden laurel wreaths, silver vessels and miniature sculpture, as well as paintings. Of special note are Phillip's crown, armour and shield. On the return, as the mists of time lift, you'll be glad you took this thrilling turn off the beaten path.

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TRAPANI

TRAPANI SICILY, ITALY Segesta TRA1

Erice Half day

INCLUDED

It is about an hour’s drive to Segesta, once an advanced centre of the Elymian civilisation. The city is thought to have been founded in the 5th to 4th century BC by a combination of exiled Trojans, Phocaeans from Greece and Sicans of Sicily. Segesta was well defended, located on a vast plateau between two peaks and surrounded by walls. Presiding in splendid isolation is a stunning Greek theatre and the majestic 36-columned, 5th-century BC Doric temple. This archaeological jewel is in an extraordinary state of preservation and makes a superb sight amid its surroundings of rolling hills.

A short, albeit steep, walk from the temple takes you to the Greek (and later Roman) theatre, an open amphitheatre, where in the summer Greek plays are staged. There is a shuttle bus up the hill, but the views are so stunning that if you can manage it, walk! It is set on top of a stunning mountain plateau and you can see for miles over the valleys below.

As the site of an ancient and important town which was only abandoned in the Middle Ages, Segesta also boasts the archaeological remains of many other times and cultures.

There are the ruins of a Norman castle, a small church and a mosque.

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TRA2

Half day

OPTIONAL $48pp

Upon seeing Pepoli Castle soaring 2,500 feet above the sea, the Norman architecture may lead you to believe that this is a town out of the Middle Ages, but, in fact, this exquisite hill-top town has origins that reach back to prehistory. There is evidence of a cult to a goddess of fertility, Venus Erycina, that can still be seen inside the castle, along with a sacred well and Roman bath. The Norman walls encircling the town incorporate original Phoenician fortifications – you can still see letters from the Phoenician alphabet carved in their surface. Stroll upwards along winding, cobblestone streets to grand squares with 14th-century churches and wander atmospheric byways dotted with Englishstyle gardens.

Following the guided tour, there will be free time to explore the tempting shops that feature such local specialities as marzipan pastries or check out the panoramic views of Trapani and the Egadi Islands.

VALENCIA

VALENCIA SPAIN Valencia and Gardens

Valencia City Tour VAL1

Half day

INCLUDED*

Few cities are able to combine so harmoniously the remains from an ancient history with the most modern, avant-garde buildings as well as Valencia. You will visit both the historical centre and the most modern part of the city. Start by viewing the most outstanding monuments in the city including the fourteenth century church of the Knights Templar, the North Station, a modernist building designed by the architect Demetrio Ribes and inaugurated in 1917, and the Serranos and Quart Towers the only two doors that were conserved from the old wall that protected Valencia for 500 years.

Continue to the Central Market (for an outside visit), Lonja (old silk exchange) – this building is one of the best examples of civic Gothic architecture, a work of great beauty by Pere Compte. For years Round Square has been used as a market and meeting place.

Nowadays it is the scene of some fantastic handicraft stalls and souvenir shops.

Steeped in history, the main Cathedral in Valencia's Plaza de la Virgen was built on the site of a former Roman temple and Muslim mosque. You will also see the exterior of the Basilica and the Generalitat Palace, which is a flamboyant Gothic building dating from 1421 that was the seat of the Valencian Government. In the most modern part of the city the highlight is the new landmark of Valencia, the City of Arts & Sciences, the largest cultural-educational complex in Europe.

VAL2

Half day

INCLUDED*

Depart from the pier for the Royal Gardens. The garden was donated to the city in 1903 for a horticultural nursery from which it derives its other name by which it is known: Viveros. The gardens have been enlarged, with the addition of fountains, greenhouses and more. In the garden itself, you will find the reconstructed palace gateway featuring the Dukes of Mandas in the sixteenth century “plateresque” style, an elaborate ornamentation suggestive of silver plate. This façade was previously located in Avellanas Street. An eighteenth century gateway is also found a few steps from here, which was once from Condes de Alcudia Palace (or Moroder) in Tetuan Square.

From here, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city centre. Valencia is Spain’s thirdlargest city and is wonderfully liveable with thriving cultural, eating and commercial scenes. Brilliant contemporary buildings grace the city, which also has some fabulous museums and a large, characterful old quarter – perhaps explore these during your free time.

* Note: In Valencia, you have a choice of included excursion (either VAL1 or VAL2).

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VENICE

VENICE ITALY (HOTEL STAY) Walking Tour of Venice VEN1

Half day

INCLUDED

Whether it is your first or fifteenth time in Venice, it is easy to get lost amid the labyrinth of bridges, footpaths and waterways, but save that pleasure for later. On this walking tour, a knowledgeable guide will navigate the city for you, uncovering its treasures as he or she shares its tales. Travel by boat down the beautiful Guidecca Canal to the heart of Venice, St Mark’s Square, and disembark at the bustling Riva degli Schiavoni. Stand in the regally proportioned square so famous for its pigeons and pealing bell towers. Sights here include the Campanile and the 15thcentury clock tower where two huge bronze statues strike the hour.

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Walk to St Mark's Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and admire its façade mosaics and golden dome, both superbly restored to their original grandeur. Next, take in the beauty of the Doge's Palace, a 14th-century Gothic masterpiece with pink marble exterior and lacy stone arches. For nearly a thousand years, this was the seat of the Venetian government and the residence of the Republic's elected leader, the Doge. After viewing this sight from outside, you'll have free time to explore the shops and cafes around St Mark's Square, where necklaces of Venetian glass make a treasured souvenir.

VENICE

Venice's Aristocratic Villas

St Mark’s Basilica VEN2

Evening visit

INCLUDED

If there is one memory to take home with you, it is the sight of St Mark’s Basilica, the cathedral of Venice, and this is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity the see this remarkable building at its very best. This evening, St Mark’s will be reserved for Voyages to Antiquity guests who will be treated to a private tour and the breathtaking sight of the famous mosaics illuminated in a spectacular light show.

The church was built in 828 as a tomb for Saint Mark, whose body was spirited out of Alexandria hidden in a casket of pork, a bit of intrigue you can see memorialised in the mosaics above the church door. After a 976 fire, the church was rebuilt and served as the Doge’s private chapel. As such, it was a place of immense wealth and power that it became known as the Golden Church, or Chiesa d’Oro. For example, the Four Horses of St Mark in front are replicas of the Roman sculptures inside, brought back by the Venetians after the sacking of Constantinople.

These horses originally had giant rubies in their eye sockets.

The interior reinforces the jewel-encrusted Byzantine effect with its galleries high above the naves, massive chandeliers and over 40,000 square feet of mosaics. Works by Tintoretto, Bellini and Mantegna – to mention a few – adorn the walls. The Treasury brims with wealth from centuries of conquest. A visit here is an unforgettable glimpse into the heights reached by La Serenissima, as The Most Serene Republic of Venice was called.

VEN3

Half day

OPTIONAL $95pp

When Venetian doges of the 15th to 18th centuries wanted summer homes, they resorted to the Veneto region and built beautiful villas along the banks of the River Brenta. Today we'll visit the Villa Foscari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Andrea Palladio (1508-80), and Villa Pisani, a Versailles-like structure where Gianbattista Tiepolo (1696-1770) covered the ballroom ceiling with a fresco masterpiece. Depart from the pier to the tiny town of Malcontenta.

Stop first at Greek temple-like Villa Foscari, poised high above the mouth of the Brenta River. Completed in 1560, the building is considered among the most mature of Palladio's designs and echoes his reverence for classical design principles. The villa is built on a platform with an Ionic colonnaded portico framed by stairs on each side for harmony and balance. Inside, allegorical frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti and Giovanni Battista Franco depict such subjects as the Fall of the Giants.

As your drive continues along the Brenta River road, take in the patrician Venetian villas. At the town of Stra, visit the Villa Pisani, now a national museum housing 18th and 19th century works of art and furniture.

Tiepolo's massive masterpiece, The Glory of the Pisani Family, covers the ceiling of the ballroom. Tour the entire piano nobile, or principal floor, of 30 rooms with original furnishings. The gardens are breathtaking and feature a maze so complex it is said Napoleon got lost in it, while Hitler and Mussolini, who met here, refused to enter.

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VIGO

VIGO SPAIN Santiago de Compostela VIG1

Full day

INCLUDED

Vigo, the Gateway to the Atlantic, is a great combination of ancient history, beautiful beaches and a modern cosmopolitan outlook. This Galician city also has a proud heritage. Vigo was where the Roman Empire met the ocean and, in the 19th century, it became the main transatlantic departure point for a nation.

Leave Vigo by road for Santiago de Compostela one of the most important places in Catholicism, because it is reputed to be the place where St James, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, is buried.

On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of Obradoiro Square. Named after the workmen who built the Cathedral, this square sits in front of the main entrance of the Cathedral on its northern faรงade. Facing the Cathedral is the Palacio de Rajoy that was built in the eighteenth century to house the choirboys and a seminary for priests. It was later used as a prison and is now the Town Hall.

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Facing the Cathedral is the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos that was built as a hospital for pilgrims during the reign of the Catholic kings in the XV century and today is one of the most beautiful buildings combining different styles such as Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the reputed burial-place of Saint James, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, and it has been a place of pilgrimage on the Way of St James since the early Middle Ages. What we see today is actually the fourth church to stand on this spot. The lavish baroque faรงade facing Praza do Obradoiro was erected in the 18th century, replacing the weather-damaged Romanesque one. This is the cathedral's main entrance, but owing to repair work on the towers and interior, it's likely to be closed until about 2021. In the meantime, most people enter through the south door on Praza das Praterias.

VOLOS

VOLOS GREECE Remarkable Monasteries of Meteora VOL1

Full day

INCLUDED

Perhaps the highlight of any trip to Greece is the sight of the Byzantine monasteries built atop the rock towers of Meteora. The very word means "suspended in air" and their effect is unforgettable. These sandstone "columns in the sky" soar up over a thousand feet above sea level and are crowned with monasteries built by anchorite monks from the 11th century onward. In all, there are twenty-four monasteries in Meteora, and while many have fallen into ruin, some of those that remain are adorned with beautiful frescoes which mark a key stage in postByzantine art. Originally visitors were winched up to the monasteries by a windlass, but stairs were cut in the 1930s to ease access a bit.

From the ship, it’s a 2-hour drive across the fertile plain of Thessaly, the country of the mythical centaurs and the site of a battle between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great.

The monks who built the monasteries were looking for an escape from later battles, and nature provided the perfect place in Meteora.

The rock formations unfold along a winding road, and whether they were formed, as some hold, by an ancient lake 30 million years ago or by the flow of the Peneus River, they are stupendous. Six of the monasteries are still inhabited and two are nunneries. Visit the oldest and most accessible monastery, Agios Stephanos, now a convent. The Byzantine Emperor Paleologos stayed here in 1333 while en route to a battle on the plains below. The nuns here are involved in artistic pursuits that include icon painting, and the monasteries 15th-century church has an icon museum.

Next, visit the Varlaam Monastery, which requires climbing about 150 steps, but it is well worth the effort both for the commanding views of the Pindus Range and also the fabled frescoes that include an apocalyptic vision of hell.

Following the visit, we'll continue driving through this unearthly landscape, viewing new sights as we descend slowly to the plain.

Few sights are more iconic than this.

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ZADAR

ZADAR CROATIA Historic Zadar on Foot ZAD1

Half day

INCLUDED

In 1409, King Ladislaus of Hungary sold his Dalmatian islands and cities, Zadar among them, to Venice for 100,000 ducats.

This town has changed hands frequently since the first Neolithic settlement: the 9th-century BC Liburni were followed in the 4th century BC by Greeks and in the 1st century BC by the Romans, who called the area Zadara. As a result of so many rulers, Zadar has a wealth of monuments contained within the walls of its magnificent Old Town.

Our included sightseeing visits the 1stcentury Roman Forum, now the site of several of Zadar's most beautiful churches.

Visit the Cathedral of St Anastasia, the largest church in Croatia and a superb example of Romanesque architecture with two rose windows. This basilica was constructed in

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the 12th and 13th centuries, but its origins as a shrine go back centuries earlier. Inside, a stone sarcophagus contains the remains of St Anastasia of Syrmia, martyred during Diocletian’s persecution. The walk takes you past the 9th-century Church of St Donatus, a Byzantine masterpiece with three naves that incorporate fragments of the town's original Roman Forum. Visit the Church of St Mary, where architectural elements range from a 12th-century bell tower built by the Hungarian-Croatian King Koloman to a beautiful 16th-century Renaissance façade.

The convent next door is home to the Museum of Sacred Art, recently opened to the public, a showcase of Zadar's sacred treasures, including sculptures, paintings and such relics as the arm of St Isidore encased in a 12th-century casket.

SHORE EXCURSION PROGRAMME

TERMS & CONDITIONS Itinerary Changes The cruise and tour programmes featured in this brochure are planned many months in advance. Occasionally changes have to be made to the itineraries due to circumstances beyond the control of Voyages to Antiquity.

Responsibility The responsibility of Voyages to Antiquity and the operator of the vessel is strictly limited according to the Terms and Conditions set forth in the Passage Contract that you receive prior to embarkation. You are urged to read the Passage Contract carefully. A sample is available to be mailed on request or can be viewed and printed from the Voyages to Antiquity website at any time. Transportation on board the ship is provided solely by the ship operator and pursuant to the Passage Contract. Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a guest for any reason.

Voyages to Antiquity shall not be responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the Voyages to Antiquity vessel. Voyages to Antiquity acts only as an agent for the supplier of off-ship services such as airlines and other off-ship transportation carriers, meals, shore excursions, accommodations, air ambulance and shoreside physicians. Guests agree not to hold Voyages to Antiquity, its owners, agents or representatives liable for any loss, injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, of any third party person or firm which is to, or does, provide goods or services in connection with the trip or any available option. Without limiting the foregoing, Voyages to Antiquity shall have no liability to passengers for the quality of services at, and the condition, cleanliness or safety of a hotel, housing facility, or conveyance, or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened vacation time, additional

expenses, or any other kind of damage.

Voyages to Antiquity expressly disclaims all responsibility of any nature whatsoever for any loss, damage or injury to property or person resulting from air, rail, motorcoach or any other form of transportation other than that actually provided by the Voyages to Antiquity vessel.

Services provided by Independent Contractors All shoreside tours and services described in this brochure or on the website are provided by independent contractors. Voyages to Antiquity acts solely as ticketing agent for all shoreside activities and has no legal obligation or liability of any kind to guests for acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground/tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Voyages to Antiquity.

Guests with Special Needs The tour programmes featured in this brochure include extensive sightseeing and to fully participate each guest must be reasonably fit and have no walking difficulties.

Whenever possible Voyages to Antiquity will try to accommodate guests with special needs as long as the mobility issues are not an impediment to others on the guided tours.

For further details, refer to the Essential Travel Information leaflet or to that section of the Voyages to Antiquity website.

Errors & Omissions While Voyages to Antiquity makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in this brochure, its promotions and as displayed on the website, Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right not to honour any published fares that it determines were erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error. Voyages to Antiquity is not responsible or liable for any typographical errors, omissions or misprints.

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shore excursions

MEDITERRANEAN, AEGEAN, ADRIATIC & ATLANTIC CRUISES

2016

2074/12.15