From the Walls of Troy to the Canals of Venice: Landmarks of Mediterranean Civilizations

11 Days/10 Nights: 2012 Departures:• Sep. 13 From mythic prehistoric sites to magnificent Greek monuments, and from grand Roman cities to medieval villages overlooking the sea, the Mediterranean features layer upon layer of history and culture set beautifully upon azure waters. In these storied lands, the art and architecture from myriad civilizations coexist. Centuries of history imbue these shores, from ancient structures that remain remarkably intact to beautiful seaside walled towns that have retained their original character and architecture. On this voyage aboard Corinthian II, we will also encounter the two main powers that coexisted, sometimes peacefully, at other times in sharp competition, in the eastern Mediterranean during the medieval period, the Byzantine Empire and Venice. Day 1 ISTANBUL, Turkey | EMBARK Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to Corinthian II. Day 2 CANAKKALE | TROY | CANAKKALE Call at Canakkale, our gateway for Troy, where ongoing archaeological excavations have revealed nine different layers of cities superimposed in rings on a massive mound rising above the "windswept" Plain of Ilium. It was to one of these cities, as legend has it, that the Greeks fought the Trojans as told by Homer in his Iliad. Day 3 KUSADASI | EPHESUS | KUSADASI, Turkey Drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, renowned for its great mother goddess, Cybele, later identified as Artemis, or Diana of the Ephesians. Ephesus was for a time the most important commercial city in Asia Minor. The immense Hellenistic and Roman excavation site includes the ancient theater, the imposing Library of Celsus, the hill houses with their fantastic mosaics and frescoes, and early Byzantine remains. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Kusadasi or alternatively, tour Priene, a 4th-century B.C. city in a spectacular setting. Day 4 RETHYMNON, Crete, Greece Morning arrival in Crete, home to the earliest European civilization, the Minoan. Land at Rethymnon, considered one of the island`s most characteristic towns. Evidence of the long Venetian and Turkish occupations can be seen in the town`s architecture. Dominated by a great Venetian fortress, Rethymnon`s old town is spread between the fortress and the harbor. Explore this atmospheric place, including the Historical and Folklore Museum, which is housed in a restored Venetian mansion. Day 5 AT SEA Spend a relaxing day at sea enjoying Corinthian II`s fine amenities as we cruise toward Sicily Day 6 SYRACUSE, Sicily, Italy Syracuse sits at the head of a beautiful bay on Sicily`s southeast coast. Colonized by the Greeks in the 8th century B.C., Syracuse became one of the most powerful and prestigious cities of the ancient world, rousing the hostility of Athens. Discover the spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theater, among the most impressive to survive from antiquity, and the elliptical Roman amphitheater, one of the largest of its kind. After a visit to the Archaeological Museum, walk the winding lanes of Syracuse`s Old Town, situated on the island of Ortygia, and explore the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Aretusa, and the Cathedral, which incorporates the remains of the famed Temple of Athena. Day 7 OTRANTO Built around an attractive bay, Otranto was the embarkation port of the Crusades and a leading trading center between Venice, the cities of Dalmatia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. In the center of the town stands a 15th/16th-century castle, with its bastions facing the sea. Nearby is the 11th-century cathedral, known for its floor mosaic depicting biblical and other scenes and also the Byzantine church of San Pietro, whose interior is covered with frescoes. Day 8 KOTOR, Montenegro Magnificently set amid Europe`s southernmost fjord, Kotor was well regarded for its masons and icon artists. On a walking tour through this car-free UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Tryphon, as well as the Cathedral Square and the Lapidarium. Day 9 DUBROVNIK, Croatia Explore Dubrovnik, the medieval stronghold of Ragusa, which rivaled Venice for control of the sea. Visit the Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries, view works by Titian and Andrea del Sarto in the Baroque Cathedral, and see the courtyard of the Rector`s Palace. Day 10 SPLIT Originally a Greco-Illyrian settlement called Aspalathos, Split is an ancient city centered around the formidable Palace of Diocletian, built in A.D. 295. An extensive structure, much of which is well preserved, the palace contains within its walls Split`s medieval town, making it the only palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. Also visit the Archaeological Museum. Day 11 VENICE, Italy | DISEMBARK Disembark and transfer to the airport in Venice.

SINGLE RATES:
A limited number of cabins are available for solo travelers at the following rates: Category B: $1,495; Category A: $12,495.

RATES INCLUDE
• 10-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 114-guest Corinthian II
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Young Explorers Program, a series of educational and recreational activities for children ages 7 - 18, led by youth education counselors
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE
• Airfare; visa and passport fees (if applicable)
• Luggage and trip cancellation insurance
• Meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those specified above
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service
• Gratuities to shipboard personnel

BOOKING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
At the time when/if you decide to go ahead with your cruise on board the Corinthian II Yacht we will send to you our booking confirmation document. Our booking confirmation document includes detailed terms and conditions applicable to your cruise.
The deposit of USD 1,500.00 per person will secure your reservation. Payment for the reservation is to be accomplished within one week from the day when we issue and send to you by email our booking confirmation document. Final payment due will be no later than 95 days prior to your embarkation.


CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations of confirmed reservations are subject to a $US 400,00 per person administrative fee. Additionally, passengers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines or hotels used in the itinerary.
Cancellations received 71-95 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person.
Cancellations received within 70 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate.
Service fees may apply to deviations and are non-refundable.