Perspectives on Mediterranean Civilizations From the Classical Period to the Renaissance

Transcription

1 Perspectives on Mediterranean Civilizations From the Classical Period to the Renaissance Aboard the 26-Cabin Arethusa July 26 August 3, 2015 SPECIAL FEATURE: The Mediterranean Diet

2 Bonifacio, Corsica, spectacularly perched atop seaside limestone cliffs Dear Traveler, For thousands of years, wave after wave of civilizations have passed over the Mediterranean, leaving their mark on art and architecture, language, culture, and cuisine. For this exceptional voyage we have selected destinations that are especially fascinating examples of the complex history of the Mediterranean: the delightful islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba as well as Pompeii and Pisa, both iconic sites on the Italian mainland. And because we believe the best (and most enjoyable) way to experience a region first-hand is to taste its food and wine, we are offering a unique culinary aspect to this cruise as well. Our voyage takes us to the magnificent 5 th -century b.c. Doric temple at Segesta; the ancient and picturesque town of Erice, dominated by a 12 th -century Norman castle standing on the remains of a temple that tradition says was built by the Trojans; and Sardinia s ancient, conical dwellings, emblematic of its prehistoric Nuraghic civilization. On Corsica, marvel at Bonifacio s lovely medieval architecture hovering at the edge of soaring limestone cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. Then on Elba, imagine the days of Napoleon s famous exile centuries after its Greek, Etruscan, and Roman past. Explore the grounds of Pompeii, one of the world s best examples of a Roman city, and discover two of Tuscany s most treasured spots: the quaint walled town of Lucca and Pisa s legendary Leaning Tower. As part of the culinary programing, you will sample delicacies in local restaurants, shop bountiful farmer s markets, and visit artisanal food producers. You ll sample the wine for which Italy and France are famous, in the villages where the grapes are grown. An onboard expert will guide you on this culinary adventure, giving insight on the Mediterranean palate. Additionally, we will be accompanied by expert speakers who will enhance our understanding and enjoyment of this region s history and politics. This voyage is your opportunity to explore delightful medieval towns and grand ancient sites, while also immersing yourself in the unique cultures and history of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Elba, and the Italian mainland. Join us aboard the lovely 50-guest yacht Arethusa and discover for yourself the pleasures of a private-style cruise to some of the most magnificent islands and sites of the Mediterranean. Sincerely, Cary DeWitt Allyn Director Vanderbilt Travel Program Cover: The well-preserved ancient Doric Temple at Segesta dates from the 5 th century b.c.

3 The medieval walled town of Erice is nestled in the mountains high above Trapani, offering stunning views of the sea and valley below experience the mediterraean diet On this unique voyage, we are pleased to feature a program exploring the origins of the much-lauded Mediterranean diet. Immerse yourself in the cuisine of the region through visits to local markets and artisanal food producers. You ll sample delectable food and wine in the company of an onboard expert who will offer insight into the economic, social, and cultural importance of diet to the Mediterranean region and its denizens. In addition to the gastronomic component of our voyage, we will also be accompanied by expert speakers who will introduce you to the culture and history of the sites we visit.

4 Itinerary Sunday, July 26, 2015 USA Fly from the U.S. to Rome, Italy. Monday, July 27 ROME, Italy ANZIO EMBARK Arrive in Rome, transfer to Anzio, and embark Arethusa. (D) Tuesday, July 28 SORRENTO POMPEII SORRENTO This morning we visit Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in a.d. 79. No other place so completely captures life in the ancient Roman Empire. Tour highlights include the Forum, the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Stabian Baths, the best-preserved and most complete in Pompeii. (B, L, D) Wednesday, July 29 TRAPANI, Sicily ERICE SEGESTA TRAPANI Drive up winding roads to the medieval town of Erice. The town was known for its ancient temple to the fertility goddess, Astarte. Look around the 12 th -century Venus Castle and continue to Segesta for a visit to its magnificent Doric temple, built in 420 b.c. and among the best-preserved ancient Greek sites. (B, L, D) Thursday, July 30 ARBATAX, Sardinia SANTA MARIA NAVARRESE ARBATAX Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean, is rich with wild natural beauty, including idyllic beaches, dense forests, and rocky grottoes. Enjoy a ride through spectacular scenery of rolling hills and deep valleys en route to the town of Santa Maria Navarrese, where we visit the 11 th -century Little Church. See the Nuraghe Loppelie on the way back to Arbatax, where we will view the Saracen watchtower. (B, L, D) Friday, July 31 BONIFACIO, Corsica, France Be on deck as we navigate the narrow waterway that leads to Bonifacio. Built on spectacular high cliffs on Corsica s south coast, Bonifacio is undoubtedly one of the Mediterranean s most notable landmarks. Stroll through the striking town, with its winding medieval lanes and brightly colored houses adorned with imaginative family crests. Admire the fine Gothic architecture and dramatic scenery from the limestone cliffs, facing the sea. (B, L, D) Saturday, August 1 PORTOFERRAIO, Elba, Italy We call at Portoferraio, the main harbor of the island of Elba, most famous as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte s exile ( ). While on the island we will visit Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon s home, which preserves artifacts of the emperor, and which enjoys splendid views of the sea from the grounds. (B, L, D) Sunday, August 2 VIAREGGIO LUCCA PISA VIAREGGIO From the lovely seaside resort of Viareggio, this morning we visit Lucca, home to one of the finest collections of Romanesque churches and medieval palaces. In the afternoon we head to Pisa to visit the magnificent Cathedral, Baptistery, and Campanile, or Leaning Tower. (B, L, D) Monday, August 3 NICE, France DISEMBARK FLY TO USA Disembark and transfer to the airport for flights home. (B) Portoferraio, Elba, Italy For reservations or information, please call us at

5 CRUISE, LEARN, & be inspired Our voyage is accompanied by an experienced lecturer and expert local guides who will introduce you to the culture and history of these unforgettable lands. Through a series of lectures and informal discussions, they will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the sites we visit and help put into context the things you are seeing. Dr. Barbara Tsakirgis, lecturer for the Archaeological Institute of America, is a classical archaeologist who has excavated in Greece and Italy, at the sites of Corinth, Morgantina, and La Befa. She is currently researching the Greek houses excavated around the Athenian Agora. Professor Tsakirgis publications include a book and articles on the domestic architecture, excavations, and pavement mosaics at Morgantina; and articles on ancient Greek houses and households. She is Associate Professor of Classics and Art History at Vanderbilt University, where she has been teaching for thirty years. Professor Tsakirgis is the recipient of a number of research grants and is a frequent lecturer on ancient Greece and Sicily, including several previous study tours through the central and eastern Mediterranean. House of the Faun, Pompeii

6 deck plan ARETHUSA Arethusa is a small cruise ship whose size and design make it the perfect vessel for our voyage. Built in 2007, this 50-guest yacht allows us to call at out-of-the-way destinations and dock at small harbors, avoiding the crowds and congestion of larger ports that cater to mega ships. All 26 spacious cabins enjoy a sea view, and the majority feature private balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. All cabins have a private bathroom with shower, flat-screen TV, telephone, safe, mini-refrigerator, and climate control. Cabins on the Upper and Main Decks have two twin beds which are convertible to a double bed; cabins on the Lower Deck have one twin bed. The ample public areas include an elegant dining room that serves all guests in a single open seating, a welcoming lounge and bar affording opportunities for convivial conversation as well as lectures, and a furnished Sun Deck ideal for relaxed observation of the passing shoreline. Arethusa meets the very latest standards for safety and is equipped with state-of-the-art communications and navigation systems. With a crew-to-passenger ratio of nearly one-to-two, guests are assured the highest standards of professionalism and attentive, personalized service. Cruise & Land Rates per person, double occupancy category description rates E D C B A Main Deck: Cabins with two round, fixed portholes; near the stairs sq. ft. Main Deck: Cabins with two round, fixed portholes; near the stairs sq. ft. Upper Deck: Cabins have small private balcony with table & chairs; near the stairs sq. ft. Upper Deck: Cabins have small private balcony with table & chairs; near the stairs sq. ft. Upper Deck: Cabins have small private balcony with table & chairs sq. ft. single rate (per person) $6,190 $6,890 $7,590 $7,990 $8,490 S Lower Deck: Single cabins with round, fixed portholes; near the stairs sq. ft. $9,350 Port charges & taxes: $500 per person Typical Cabin Dining Room

7 Program inclusions Included 7-night cruise aboard the 26-cabin private yacht Arethusa Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship All meals aboard ship Wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner aboard ship Complete program of tours and excursions Enrichment program of lectures and discussions by expert study leader Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff Comprehensive pre-departure materials Baggage handling and airport transfers abroad on the designated program arrival and departure dates Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers Not Included Airfare Visa and passport fees (if applicable) Trip cancellation and baggage insurance Meals and beverages other than those specified above Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, Internet, etc.) Port charges and taxes Gratuities to shipboard personnel Air Reservations Airfare is not included in the Cruise and Land Rates. To make your air reservations, please contact your preferred airline, travel agent, or the Travel Dynamics International air desk toll-free at Monday Friday from 9:00 am 5:00 pm (EST). Please mention tour code 15302RP for reference. To make reservations or for further information, please contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program at or or call Travel Dynamics International toll-free at (800) (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EST). Registration VAND Send to: Vanderbilt Travel Program PMB , 2301 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN Please contact the Vanderbilt Travel program at or fax or with questions regarding this trip or to make a reservation. Enclosed is my deposit for $ ($1,500 per person) to reserve space(s) on Perspectives on Mediterranean Civilizations. o Check (Make payable to Travel Dynamics International.) o Paying by credit card: o AmEx o Discover o Visa o MasterCard No. Exp. 3- or 4-Digit Security Code Please select cabin category in order of preference: S A B C D E o Twin Beds o Double Bed o Single Occupancy o Share (cannot be guaranteed) Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Last Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Last Address City/State/Zip Telephone (day) (evening) Each participant must sign below: I/We have read the General Information section and agree to its terms. Signature Signature general information Payment Schedule: A deposit of $1,500 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. For your convenience, you may charge your deposit to your American Express, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Credit cards are not accepted for final payment. However, personal checks are accepted for both deposits and final payment. Cancellations & Refunds: All cancellations are subject to a $300 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Insurance: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. Itinerary: The itinerary, accommodations, and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Travel Dynamics International Ltd. 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In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable care possible to ensure the passenger s safety and satisfaction, but, we neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the passenger or in affecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the passenger, and tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the passenger s behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the passenger beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour s itinerary and to substitute hotels, ships, or lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/ she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the passenger certifies that he/she and/ or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other passengers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any person as a member of any tour should such person s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other passengers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the passenger s risk entirely, and, we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Passenger tickets are not transferable and are not subject to alteration by the passenger. No suit shall be maintainable against the carrier, or vessel, for any losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passengers, unless written notice of the claim, with full particulars, is delivered to the carrier or its agents at its office at the port of sailing or at the port of termination within six months from the day when such incident occurred. In no event shall any such suit or any claim against the carrier or vessel for any losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passenger be maintainable unless such suit is commenced within one year from the day when the incident causing such losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passenger occurs, notwithstanding any provision of law of any state or country to the contrary. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be brought within the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, pursuant to the applicable general maritime law, and applying the applicable general maritime law and Federal maritime statutes. Rates: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change. Fuel Supplement: Travel Dynamics International Ltd. reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement, without prior notice, if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $85 per barrel. This supplement may be charged even if the cruise fare has been paid in full. Ship s Registry: Malta CST # TDI Date Date

8 Vanderbilt Travel Program PMB Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Travel Dynamics Int l Perspectives on Mediterranean Civilizations Aboard the 26-Cabin Arethusa July 26 August 3, 2015 Tuscany s countryside is dotted with olive groves and vineyards SPECIAL FEATURE: The Mediterranean Diet To make reservations or for further information, please contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program at or alumni.travel@vanderbilt.edu, or call Travel Dynamics International toll-free at (800) (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EST). VAND 15302