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01 Venice, Italy May 30, 2010
Arrive in Venice, Italy and check into your included hotel.
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02 Venice, Italy May 31, 2010
Venice Morning at leisure. Prior to embarkation, enjoy a highlight tour of Venice en route to the ship. Departing from your hotel, your guide will escort you to St. Mark's Square where you will begin your walking tour. Experience some of the most famous art and architectural works of the Renaissance. Tour the Doges Palace (Palazzo Ducale), former official residence of the Dukes of Venice. It's one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture and is renowned for its ornate façade and multi-arcaded loggia. Climb the famous Golden Staircase, admire the paintings of Tintoretto and Veronese, and wander through the echoing Great Council Chamber as well as many other historical rooms.
Cross the Bridge of Sighs, a covered stone bridge linking the Doges Palace with the ancient prison dungeons. It was so named originally because of the prisoners who walked across it to their unhappy fate, but today those
'sighs' have taken on a more romantic connotation. Explore St. Mark's Square, piazza
'par excellence,' with stately public buildings and elegant cafés beneath the arcades that are wonderfully animated by people, music and pigeons. The square's colorful clock tower is topped by two bronze Moors who hammer out the time, and opposite is the 300-foot-tall Campanile looking out over the city. In St. Mark's Cathedral you'll find a wonderful blend of eastern and western architectural styles in one of the world's most beautiful buildings. The decorative exterior with its domes, pinnacles and the famous bronze horses (looted in the Middle Ages from Constantinople) will attract your attention, and the interior is equally stunning with its shimmering gold mosaics, elaborate carvings and graceful statuary.
Prior to entering St. Mark's, your guide will explain the exterior and interior features from the outside the Basilica, as guides are not permitted to narrate inside. You will have an opportunity to enter this magnificent church. Once you go in, follow your guide through a 10-minute set course and marvel at the incredible richness of the artwork and architecture of Saint Mark's.
Continue on to the ship to start your cruise.
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03 Porec, Croatia / Pula June 1, 2010
The coastal city of Porec is a cultural and historical jewel and today it's yours to explore. Around 50 B.C. the Romans laid out the town in typical Roman fashion with two main intersecting streets. Today those two ancient streets, Cardo and Decumanus, continue to be the backbone of the old town. During your tour here, visit the Episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica. Built in the 6th century, it's the most famous monument in Porec and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See Marafor, the oldest part of the town, which includes the remains of two Roman temples, The House of Two Saints, The Istrian Parliament Building, and the Leoni and Zuccato Palaces. You will have some free time to explore this charming little town on your own prior to taking a scenic drive to the town of Pula.
Located on the southernmost part of the Istrian peninsula, Pula, according to legend, was founded by Jason and Medea who named it Polai, meaning the source of life. Later the Romans declared it a town for the
'pleasure of the rich.' The city is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its 1st-century amphitheater. Known locally as the Arena, it is the sixth largest amphitheater in the world and one of the best-preserved amphitheaters from antiquity. The Arena is still in use today for summer film festivals.
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04 Split / Hvar Island June 2, 2010
Split is the product of 17 centuries of building, renovating and remodeling, a town in which the ultra-modern lives in harmony with the ancient. At the core of this sprawling city is the palace that Emperor Diocletian built at the turn of the 4th century to be his home after he passed his crown to a successor. What began as an imperial residence and fortified camp is now an intriguing warren of narrow cobblestone streets, where you'll find pre-Romanesque churches, Gothic chapels, grand old museums, galleries of contemporary art, gourmet restaurants and bustling cafes.
Your tour starts with a panoramic drive through the town, followed by a stop at the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery. Ivan Mestrovic is Croatia's most renowned and respected sculptor. A large part of his impressive work is displayed here in his former house, now a gallery. Then it's on to the Diocletian Palace, where we'll visit the Ethnographical Museum located in the emperor's apartment in the heart of the palace. The museum building is very interesting architecturally; it's a beautiful medieval residence with imperial rooms. In addition to housing a valuable collection of clothes, dresses and gowns, it provides an intriguing picture of daily life in Split through the centuries. Visit the Cathedral of St. Duje (patron saint of the city). The Cathedral is built on the remains of an ancient shrine and is supposed to be the oldest in the world. See the exteriors of the Temple of Jupiter, the Golden Gate, the Silver Gate and the Peristyle Square. After the walking tour, you're free to visit the colorful open market (the largest on the coast) or spend some time in the town before transferring back to the ship. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore Hvar Island, visiting its quaint town square and cathedral.
(Zodiac landing or touring)
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05 Kotor, Montenegro June 3, 2010
Explore Kotor and its magnificent surroundings during this fascinating tour of Perast and the beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. Perast is a sleepy little baroque city near Kotor. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was an affluent town where sea captains built their luxurious villas. It abounds in sacred monuments, such as the Church Sveti Nikola built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Visit the charming Naval Museum, enjoy some free time, then board a local boat to Gospa od Skrpjela. (from the Italian
'Madonna dello Scarpello'), a baroque church on one of two islets, deep in the
Bay of Kotor and across from the town of Perast. The islet is manmade, and its original church was built in 1452. The present church was built in 1632 and enlarged in 1722. According to legend, the islet was created over the centuries by seamen who kept an ancient oath: Upon returning from each successful voyage, they would lay a rock in the bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea and Our Lady of the Rocks rose from the islet. The church contains 68 magnificent paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century baroque artist from Perast. His most important painting, ten meters long, is
'The Death of the Virgin.' There are also paintings by Italian artists and an icon (circa 1452) of Our Lady of the Rocks, by Lovro Dobricevic of Kotor.
After touring the church, head for Kotor. The old part of the town is enclosed by a triangular 5-kilometer town wall, built by the Venetians in the 15th century. Tour this historic district with your informative guide who will point out the most noteworthy buildings including the Cathedral of St. Triphon, a Romanesque basilica built in 1166. At the conclusion of your tour return to the ship.
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06 Bari, Italy June 4, 2010
This delightful excursion takes you to some of the most famous attractions in Apulia (Puglia). Travel into the heart of the great city of Bari and visit its most famous monument; the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. Consecrated in 1197, the church is one of the masterpieces of the Apulian-Romanesque style and houses the remains of Saint Nicholas, brought here in 1087. See the majestic Swabian Castle, home to Isabel of Aragon in the 1500's. Walking through the old town of Bari gives you a glimpse into the life of the locals and you may even see pasta being made by hand.
After rejoining the coach, depart for Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and picturesque town with whitewashed little Trulli houses. Drop in at a neighborhood restaurant and enjoy a delicious Apulian lunch. In the afternoon take a walk along the narrow streets of the town center through the charming districts of Monti and Aia Piccola, where you'll learn more about local architecture. You'll have some free time to shop and meander through the winding lanes and sun-washed squares. Departing from Alberobello you drive to Brindisi to rejoin the ship.
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07 At Sea June 5, 2010
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08 Taormina / Naxos, Sicily, Italy June 6, 2010
Experience the legendary beauty of Sicily. Your excursion begins with a pleasant drive to what is perhaps the essence of the island: Taormina. This charming and popular holiday resort is perched high on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naxos. Your guide will introduce you to the delights of this beautiful place on a guided walking tour. Explore the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and the bustling main street of Corso Umberto. Lined with enchanting old homes, their balconies brimming with flowers, Taormina's main street is bounded by the Porta Catania, Porta del Centro, the Clock Tower and the Porta Messina. Stop briefly in the inner courtyard of the medieval Corvaja Palace for a look at a richly painted original Sicilian carretta, or carriage. It's an interesting 15th century building and is an excellent example of the characteristic black and white lava and pumice work of Taormina architecture. Enjoy the panoramic views of the bay and, weather permitting, snow-capped Mt. Etna in the far distance as you gaze from the balcony of Piazza IX Aprile.
Follow your guide to the narrow street that leads to the Greco-Roman theatre. As Taormina's most famous ancient site, the theater dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. and still hosts performances today. Its dramatic location is nothing less than breathtaking, with an incredible view of the coast and Mt. Etna. At the end of your eventful day, return to your ship.
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09 Castellammare, Sicily, Italy June 7, 2010
After a short motorcoach drive, you'll arrive at the top of Monte Barbaro, 305 meters above the sea, site of the ancient city of Segesta. Founded by the Elymians, an indigenous Sicilian people, in ancient times Segesta was allied with the Athenians and the Carthaginians; under Roman rule it was a
'free and immune' city.
Explore Segesta's theatre and its very well-preserved Doric temple. Built in the late 5th century B.C., the temple is unusual for being a Hellenic structure in a place with very few Greeks. Apparently the temple was never finished; there are still tabs present in the blocks of the base (typically used for lifting the blocks into place, then removed), the roof was never completed and the columns were never fluted. At the end of your tour, you'll have free time to shop before returning to the ship.
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10 Trapani, Sicily, Italy June 8, 2010
Settled by the Elymians, the medieval hill town of Erice was once an important religious site associated with the goddess of fertility: first the Carthaginian Astarte, then the Greek Aphrodite, and finally the Roman Venus. On your walking tour of this triangular town you'll see the Norman Castello di Venere (Castle of Venus) built between the12th and 13th centuries over an ancient temple of Venus. Explore the Chiesa Madre (Mother Church); built in 1341, it has a neo-Gothic interior and a separate bell tower with mullioned windows. You'll have some free time to take in the fabulous views.
Back in Trapani, walk by such historic buildings as the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Chiesa Collegio dei Gesuiti and Chiesa del Purgatorio. You will have free time to explore on your own.
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11 Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Italy June 9, 2010
Explore extraordinary Agrigento, site of the ancient Greek town of Akragas. This historic city is home to the famous Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll find some of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek structures outside of Greece. As you wander this ancient place it's easy to imagine the once-thriving town where philosopher, physician and naturalist Empedocles once walked and which the poet Pindar described as
'the most beautiful city of mortals.'
Marvel at the town's magnificent temples, built over two thousand years ago. The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Jupiter) was built to honor the Olympian god after the Agrigentinians successfully waged a war against the Carthaginians in 480 B.C. Originally the temple was 113 meters long and 56 meters wide, one of the most impressive in ancient times. The temple of Castor and Pollux (Dioscuri) was built in the 5th century B.C. and is dedicated to Leda and Zeus's twins. The temple, which is also a symbol of Agrigento, has two sacrificial altars nearby. The temple of Heracles (Hercules) is the oldest and its eight tapered columns are still standing. Looking south, see the Tomb of Terone, a grand tufa-stone monument. It is pyramid-shaped and was built to commemorate the soldiers who died during the Second Punic War. The temple of Concorde is the only temple still standing in its entirety. It was built in 430 B.C., and in the 6th century B.C. it was converted into a Christian church; you can still see the arches included in the central cell walls. Here there are massive tapered columns and the frieze is decorated with triglyphs and metopes. The temple of Hera Lacinia (Juno) was built around the 5th century B.C. and set on fire by the Carthaginians in 406 B.C. The temple still retains the entrance cell colonnade, which was restored, in part, during the 20th century.
After a short panoramic tour of Agrigento, proceed to the birthplace of Luigi Pirandello, the Nobel Prize-winning dramatist, novelist and short-story writer. This 18th century farmhouse is located just outside of Agrigento in rural Caos, an area spotted with olive trees and oaks, on a plateau high above the sea. It has a large photo collection, reviews and honors, as well as first editions on display.
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12 Siracuse, Sicily, Italy June 10, 2010
Siracusa. The name evokes blue skies, an azure bay and the ancient ruins of a Greek city that rivaled Athens for beauty, culture and learning. First colonized in 734 B.C. by Greeks from Corinth, Siracusa soon fell under the yoke of the Tyrants. At the height of its power (5th-4th century B.C.) the town had 300,000 inhabitants and ruled all of Sicily. Siracusa was converted to Christianity by St. Paul, who preached in its quarries, but was later destroyed by the Arabs in 9th century A.D.
Visit its most important sites on this half-day tour, traveling first to the archaeological area. See the Greek theatre, built in the 5th century B.C .- it's one of the largest and best-preserved theatres of the ancient world. Its seats, hollowed out from the rock, are carefully shaped for the spectators' comfort. Explore the Roman amphitheatre, which is hewn out of the rock, and dates from the 2nd century A.D. You can still see the entrance and gangways used by ferocious animals and gladiators alike. Visit the Ear of Denys, an artificial grotto in the form of an earlobe famous for its exceptional echo, which enabled the tyrant Denys to overhear the talk of the prisoners he confined in a lower room.
Proceed by coach to Ortigia. After a short walk from the harbor you'll reach Ortigia's old town. Its cool narrow streets are rich in medieval and Baroque palaces, oratories, as well as wrought-iron balconies adorned with cascading flowers, and its small secluded squares are open to the Ionian Sea. Our tour starts with the Arethusa Fountain, legendary cradle of the city. According to myth, the nymph Arethusa, pursued by the river-god Alpheus, took refuge in the Island of Ortygia and changed into a spring. Though near the sea and built into a wall, it runs with fresh water. From a nearby platform you can get a spectacular view of the beautiful Bay of Siracusa, then proceed to the Cathedral built in the 7th century on the foundations of the former Temple of Minerva. Nine columns, which can be seen from the north side, and nineteen columns in the nave, were taken from the original temple and used in the construction of the church. Be sure to look for the 13-century font and the St. Lucy Chapel. Explore Piazza Duomo and its monuments as well as Piazza Archimede and the Temple of Apollo.
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13 Valetta, Malta June 11, 2010
Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage.
All meals are included aboard the ship. |
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