SPRINGTIME VOYAGES IN SICILY & GREECE Aboard the 42-Guest Harmony G. March 19-27, 2015 March 26-April 3, 2015 April 2-10, 2015

Transcription

1 SPRINGTIME VOYAGES IN SICILY & GREECE Aboard the 42-Guest Harmony G March 19-27, 2015 March 26-April 3, 2015 April 2-10, 2015

2 The magnificent Greek theater at Taormina Cover: Temple of Hera, Selinunte, Sicily Dear National Trust Traveler, We invite you to join us this coming spring as we discover the Mediterranean from the decks of Harmony G, a 21-cabin yacht chartered expressly for our use. Sailing into out-of-the-way harbors, being greeted ashore by locals, exploring sites with a small band of fellow travelers this is an experience like no other. To do it aboard the sleek, spacious, and comfortable yacht Harmony G is even better. The pages that follow describe two superb voyages to in the Mediterranean, each designed to bring to life a different aspect of the richly varied past of Homer s wine-dark sea. While one voyage delves into a thorough exploration of Sicily, the other offers a broader study of the eastern Mediterranean from Syracuse to Athens. These voyages are quite different from one another, but they share two important things: the intimate ambience of a deluxe private yacht, and our commitment to providing the very best educational travel experience possible. Sincerely, Scott Gerloff Director, National Trust Tours Syracuse s captivating Old Town The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America s communities. For more information, visit the Trust s web site at or phone or

3 VOYAGE, LEARN & BE INSPIRED Sicily: Crossroads of Civilizations March & March 26-April 3, 2015 On this voyage you will be accompanied by an expert lecturer and local guides who will introduce you to the culture and history of these lands. Through lectures and informal discussions, they will help provide a context that deepens your understanding and enhances your appreciation of the sites we explore and the things we see. As of press-time we have not yet named our lecturers, but all of our speakers are chosen for their expert knowledge and insights as well as their approachable and accessible demeanors. Beautiful Corfu, Greece A Springtime VOYAGE from Sicily to Greece April 2-10, 2015 Drs. William and Suzanne Murray, lecturers for the Archaeological Institute of America, teach on the faculty of the University of South Florida in Tampa, where Bill is the Stathis Professor of Greek History and Suzanne is an Instructor in Ancient History and Classical Archaeology. Bill also serves as the Leo A. Shifrin Distinguished Chair in Naval and Military History for at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Bill specializes in Greek and Roman naval history, ancient seafaring, and nautical archaeology; and Suzanne is an art historian whose teaching focuses on ancient civilizations and Greek art and archaeology. Bill has participated in underwater excavations in Sicily, Israel, and Turkey, and has conducted a number of archaeological projects in Greece, focusing in particular on the region of Actium and Nikopolis. Together, Suzanne and Bill have led student study trips in Greece and lectured on tours and cruises in Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Dalmatian Coast.

4 Sicily: Crossroads of Civilizations March & March 26-April 3, 2015 Geography has made Sicily a crossroads of civilizations. Carthaginians and Arabs came from the south; Greeks from the east; Romans from the north; Normans from the west. And each left a legacy, mingled with the influences of others. Doric temples rise within sight of a luxurious Roman villa. A church designed by Norman architects is decorated by Arab and Byzantine artists. In Taormina, cobblestoned streets lead to a Greek theater that offers breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the sea. Noto is a baroque gem of golden sandstone, where the facade of almost every building is embellished with sculptures of gods and nymphs, saints and angels. And amid the hills of western Sicily stands the great Temple of Segesta, one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world. Every destination on this cruise is extraordinary. Come discover the rich and varied heritage of the Mediterranean s largest island. The elegant cloister of Monreale Day 1 USA Fly from the U.S. to Catania, Sicily, Italy. Day 2 CATANIA, Sicily, Italy SYRACUSE EMBARK Arrive in Catania, transfer to Syracuse, and embark. Overnight aboard ship. (D) Day 3 SYRACUSE NOTO SYRACUSE Colonized by the Greeks in the 8 th century b.c., Syracuse became one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. Discover the 15,000-seat Greek theater, among the most impressive to survive from antiquity, and the elliptical Roman amphitheater, followed by a visit to the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, walk Syracuse s Old Town and explore the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Arethusa, and the Cathedral, which incorporates the remains of the famed Temple of Athena, or alternatively, visit Noto, a Baroque jewel of a town situated in a plateau surrounded by olive and almond groves. (B, L, D) Day 4 MESSINA TAORMINA MESSINA From Messina, visit Taormina, which clings to the edge of Mount Tauro and looks out to sea and the dramatic cone of Mount Etna. A Greek colony was founded here in 403 b.c. and prospered throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Visit the magnificent Greek theater before time exploring on your own. (B, L, D) Day 5 LIPARI, Aeolian Islands Arrive at the pumice slopes of Lipari, one of the seven islands of the Aeolian Archipelago, the mythological home of Aeolus, the god of the winds. Dominating the twin harbor town of Lipari is a 16 th -century Norman castle and archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis. (B, L, D) Day 6 PALERMO MONREALE PALERMO From a long, rich, and varied history, Palermo has inherited a tremendous artistic legacy. A morning tour includes the church of Santa Maria dell Ammiraglio, commonly called the Martorana, noted for its beautiful mosaics; and the glorious Cappella Palatina, one of Italy s finest works of art. In the afternoon, travel to the medieval town of Monreale to visit its famed Norman cathedral and elegant cloister. The interior contains a magnificent series of mosaics. Return to Palermo. (B, L, D) Day 7 MARSALA ERICE SEGESTA or SELINUNTE MARSALA Drive up winding roads to the medieval town of Erice, known for its temple to the fertility goddess, Astarte, and its 12 th -century Venus Castle. Continue on to Segesta for a visit to its magnificent Doric temple, built in 420 b.c. and among the best-preserved ancient Greek sites. Alternatively, visit Selinunte, situated on a highland overlooking the sea which provides a tranquil setting for the ruins of what was once among the island s most progressive cities. (B, L, D) Day 8 LICATA AGRIGENTO or PIAZZA ARMERINA LICATA Visit Agrigento s Valley of the Temples, whose Doric temples are among Sicily s most captivating Greek ruins. Marvel at the 6 th -century b.c. Temple of Hercules, the remarkably preserved Temple of Concordia, and the graceful Temple of Juno. Also admire the Archaeological Museum s superb collection. Alternately, an excursion will lead to Piazza Armerina to explore the Roman Villa at Casale. One of the best-preserved Roman country houses, the villa is famed for its mosaic pavements. (B, L, D) Day 9 SYRACUSE DISEMBARK CATANIA FLY TO USA (B) For reservations or information, please call us at

5 A Springtime VOYAGE from Sicily to Greece April 2-10, 2015 Hugging the shores of the Ionian Sea on this voyage from Syracuse to Athens, we begin in the region of southern Italy so extensively colonized by the ancient Greeks that the Romans called it Magna Graecia. In Reggio di Calabria we explore the National Museum of Magna Graecia, home to the Riace Bronzes, and then devote a day to Crotone, the ancient Achaean colony of Kroton. After a visit to the charming Baroque towns of Lecce and Gallipoli, we cross to the eastern shore and travel inland to one of the most remarkable archaeological excavations in the whole of the Mediterranean the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Butrint, Albania. We explore Nikopolis, founded by Augustus in celebration of his victory over Antony and Cleopatra, as well as the ancient Greek ruins at Kassope. And our final call before journey s end in Athens is at Odysseus s Ithaca, where Penelope kept faith while her meandering husband searched for the way home. Butrint, with ruins that span 2,500 years Thursday, April 2, 2015 USA Fly from the U.S. to Catania, Sicily, Italy. Friday, April 3 CATANIA, Sicily, Italy SYRACUSE EMBARK Arrive in Catania, transfer to Syracuse, and embark Harmony G. Overnight aboard ship docked in Syracuse. (D) Saturday, April 4 REGGIO DI CALABRIA One of the earliest ancient Greek settlements in mainland Italy, Reggio is built on the Strait of Messina facing Sicily. Visit the National Museum of Magna Graecia, one of the largest museums of ancient Greek art, to see the two famed Riace Bronzes, life-size bronze statues recovered from the bottom of the sea. Drive through the Lungomare, the seaside esplanade described as the most beautiful kilometer in Italy. (B, L, D) Sunday, April 5 CROTONE SANTA SEVERINA CROTONE Ancient Crotone was one of the most prominent cities of Magna Graecia. Visit the impressive Archaeological Museum and then drive to the small town of Santa Severina, dramatically situated on an isolated outcrop of sheer rock, to see the Norman cathedral with its 9 th -century baptistery and Carafa Castle. (B, L, D) Monday, April 6 GALLIPOLI LECCE GALLIPOLI From Gallipoli, visit the Baroque city of Lecce and tour the Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral, Basilica of Santa Croce, and the Roman Amphitheater in Piazza Sant Oronzo. Return to Gallipoli, reminiscent of Greek fishing towns in the Aegean, and view the Castello, the cathedral, and the Church of the Purita. (B, L, D) Tuesday, April 7 SARANDA, Albania BUTRINT SARANDA CORFU, Greece Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the city was founded by the Trojans, or so claimed the poet Virgil. A gem of an archaeological site, its ruins span 2,500 years and include the remains of a Greek acropolis, Roman theater, 6 th -century baptistery, and 19 th -century fortress. Return to Harmony G and enjoy an evening arrival in Corfu with time at leisure. (B, L, D) Wednesday, April 8 PREVEZA NIKOPOLIS KASSOPE PREVEZA From Preveza travel to Nikopolis, founded by Augustus in 31 b.c. to celebrate his victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. See the city walls, theater, and Roman basilica. Continue to the well-preserved ruins of Kassope, founded in the 7 th century b.c., and beautifully situated on the slope of Mount Zalongo. (B, L, D) Thursday, April 9 ITHACA Ithaca is a stunning island of pristine beaches and verdant forest. Visit the bay of Dexia, believed to be Homer s harbor of Phorkys. Admire the Cyclopean Walls, a ruined site known as Odysseus s Castle, and stand atop the Plateau of Marathia, where Odysseus s loyal servant Eumaeus kept his swine. (B, L, D) Friday, April 10 PIRAEUS DISEMBARK ATHENS FLY TO USA (B)

6 The medieval town of Erice Program inclusions Included 7-night cruise aboard the 42-guest Harmony G Complete program of excursions Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship All meals aboard ship including breakfast, lunch, and dinner Enrichment program of lectures and discussions by expert lecturers Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff Comprehensive pre-departure materials Baggage handling and airport transfers abroad on the designated program arrival and departure dates Port charges and taxes Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers Not Included Airfare Visa and passport fees (if applicable) Gratuities to shipboard personnel Trip cancellation and baggage insurance Personal expenses aboard (such as laundry, telephone, Internet) Air Reservations Airfare is not included in the Cruise & Land Rates. To make your air reservations, please contact your preferred airline, travel agent, or the Travel Dynamics International air desk tollfree at Monday Friday from 9:00 am 5:00 pm (EST). COMBINE TWO VOYAGES & SAVE Book both the March 26-April 3 program and the April 2-10 program for a Grand Voyage of Sicliy and Greece, and enjoy a 5% savings off the combined rate. Please contact us for further details.

7 HARMONY G Harmony G is a sleek, modern small cruise ship, launched in 2001 and renovated in 2009/10, with accommodations for 42 guests. All 21 cabins feature a private bathroom with shower, TV, music channels, mini-refrigerator, telephone, and safe. They are equipped with either two twin-size beds or one queen-size bed, depending on the specific cabin or category. Life on board centers around the indoor/outdoor lounge and bar on the Upper Deck. The interior lounge has comfortable seating where you can gaze out of the large windows onto the breathtaking scenery and enjoy a drink and conversation, read, or watch satellite TV. The dining room, located on the Main Deck, is surrounded by large windows providing beautiful views of the ports of call while it accommodates all guests at one single seating. The Sun Deck, with sun chairs and loungers, is an ideal place to bask in the sun and open air or to relax in a shaded outdoor area. The swimming platform at the stern enables you to swim directly from the ship when weather and anchorage conditions permit. Harmony G complies with Eurosolas safety regulations while its twin stabilizers allow for comfortable cruising. deck plan Cruise & Land Rates per person, double occupancy category D description Located on the Lower Deck and feature two twin beds and large porthole. (One cabin has a double bed; two cabins have a third, upper berth.) Sicily: crossroads of civilizations a springtime voyage from sicily to greece $6,695 $6,595 C Located on the Main Deck and feature two twin beds and large window. $7,395 $7,295 B Located on the Main Deck and feature two twin beds and large window. $7,995 $7,895 A typical cabin A Located on the Upper Deck and feature two twin beds or one double bed and large window. $8,695 $8,595 Single occupancy: A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D, C & B at a supplement to the per person, double occupancy rates indicated above. Singles rates (per person) for Sicily: Crossroads of Civilizations are $8,490 in Category D; $9,190 in Category C; $9,790 in Category B; for A Springtime Voyage from Sicily to Greece are $8,290 in Category D; $8,990 in Category C; $9,590 in Category B. Sun Deck

8 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 $400 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. Responsibility: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and Travel Dynamics International Ltd. and the tour s sponsoring organization. The passenger is also advised to review his/her separate ticket passage contract with the vessel s owner/operator, which will constitute the sole, legally enforceable terms of carriage for this cruise and is available on request from Travel Dynamics International Ltd. Travel Dynamics International Ltd. and the tour s sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. 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: Greece CST # TDI

9 Registration NTHP 15600/01/02 Enclosed is my check or credit card no. for $ ($1,500 per person) as a deposit to hold place(s) on: o Sicily: Crossroads of Civilizations; March 19-27, 2015 (Tour 15600) o Sicily: Crossroads of Civilizations; March 26-April 3, 2015 (Tour 15601) o A Springtime Voyage from Sicily to Greece; April 2-10, 2015 (Tour 15602) Please make check payable to and mail with this registration form to: National Trust Tours, P.O. Box Boston, MA or o AmEx o Discover o Visa o MasterCard No. Exp. 3- or 4-Digit Security Code Please select cabin category in order of preference: A B C D o Twin Beds o Double Bed o Single Occupancy o Share (cannot be guaranteed) oi (we) are not members. Please enroll: o $20 single membership o $30 family membership 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 Date Signature Date

10 th Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Travel Dynamics Int l For more information on National Trust Tours, please visit our website at or phone NTHP 15600/01/02 Sicily: Crossroads of Civilizations March & March 26-April 3, 2015 A Springtime VOYAGE from Sicily to Greece April 2-10, 2015