E-mail a friendShip: Corinthian II
Itinerary: Remarkable Women of Antiquity and Their Times
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Palmyra, Syria
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | ATHENS, GREECE |
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| Day 2 : | ATHENS | PIRAEUS | EMBARK |
| Day 3 : | BODRUM, TURKEY |
| Day 4 : | RHODES | LINDOS | RHODES, GREECE |
| Day 5 : | FETHIYE | LETOON | XANTHOS |FETHIYE, TURKEY |
| Day 6 : | TASUCU | SILIFKE | TASUCU |
| Days 7-8 : | TARTUS | PALMYRA | TARTUS, SYRIA |
| Day 9 : | AT SEA |
| Day 10 : | ALEXANDRIA | CAIRO, EGYPT | DISEMBARK |
| Day 11 : | CAIRO |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat E | Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | Cat AA | Cat VS | Cat PHS | ||
| 11 | Oct 17, 2009 | $7,595 | $8,395 | $8,995 | $9,995 | $10,795 | $11,495 | $12,695 | $13,595 |
| A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D - A at a supplement of $2,895 | |||||||||
| Destinations : Africa, Egypt, Europe, Greece, Mediterranean, Turkey Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities |
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History, they say, is written by the victors, but school taught us to read between the lines. Even though the ancient world was dominated by men, there were powerful women who shaped the events of their time and influenced the course of history. Our voyage will be in search of these women and the places where they lived or ruled, places of peerless beauty and singular importance. In Bodrum, the ancient Halicarnassus, consider Artemisia, who ruled the city, built the Mausoleum—one of the Seven Wonders of the World—and commanded a battleship in the sea battle of Salamis (480 B.C.).We will come to know Queen Zenobia, ruler of fabled Palmyra, who defeated a Roman force in battle and went on to invade Egypt. We will also reflect on women whose names were lost in the current of history. Such a person is Kallipateira of Rhodes, the only woman ever to attend the ancient games at Olympia. Our unique and memorable voyage will appropriately end in Egypt’s Alexandria, the city founded by Alexander the Great in the late 4th century B.C. Ruling Egypt from famed Alexandria after Alexander’s death were the Ptolemies, whose 300-year-old rule concluded with Cleopatra.
Day 1 : ATHENS, GREECE
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the Hotel King George. Cocktail reception this evening at the hotel.
Day 2 : ATHENS | PIRAEUS | EMBARK
While visiting the monuments of the Acropolis in the morning, commissioned by the great Athenian Golden Age leader Pericles, reflect upon the influence of Aspasia, his mistress. One of the true “women behind great men,” Aspasia is indicated in ancient sources as having directly contributed to the sublime rhetoric of Pericles’ Funeral Oration, the Socratic method and the intellectual methodology of Plato. In the afternoon visit the National Archaeological Museum, with its treasures. Alternatively, there will be an excursion to Brauron to visit the Sanctuary of Artemis, and to the Kerameikos, Athens’s ancient cemetery Board Corinthian II in the late afternoon.
Day 3 : BODRUM, TURKEY
After a morning at sea cruising in the Aegean, arrive in Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, the birthplace of the “father of history,” Herodotus, and Queen Artemisia, a military advisor to Xerxes and the only female commander of a naval vessel during the famous Battle of Salamis. The city was also the site of the famous Mausoleum, one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. In the 15th century, the Knights of St. John built the massive castle of St. Peter here. Visit the citadel, which houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the Carian Princess Hall, displaying finds from the sarcophagus of Ada, sister of Artemisia.
Day 4 : RHODES | LINDOS | RHODES, GREECE
Rhodes was the home of Kallipateira, who flouted the male-centered culture of Greece to become the only woman ever to attend the ancient Olympics. The daughter, sister and mother of Olympic victors, she disguised herself as a trainer to watch her son. Her disguise fell as she embraced her victorious son, though in honor of her champion family, she was freed from punishment. Ascend Monte Smith, the site of the ancient acropolis, and see the restored 2nd-century B.C. stadium, the theater and the ruins of temples dedicated to Zeus, Athena and Pythian Apollo. In Lindos, enjoy lunch and ascend to the acropolis by foot or by donkey.
Day 5 : FETHIYE | LETOON | XANTHOS |FETHIYE, TURKEY
Corinthian II will navigate the scenic Bay of Fethiye to dock at the port city of the same name. Drive to Letoon, the shrine dedicated to Leto and her children, Apollo and Artemis. Legend has it that Leto, pregnant by Zeus, gave birth on the island of Delos and brought her children here to wash them in the nearby river. Excavations indicate that the site was linked to the worship of the Mother Goddess since early times. Visit the remains of temples and other buildings, and continue to Xanthos, the most imposing of all ancient Lycian cities, built below a great cliff.
Day 6 : TASUCU | SILIFKE | TASUCU
Picturesque Silifke was the ancient Seleucia ad Calycadnum, founded in the late 3rd century B.C. Achieving a period of prosperity during the Roman period, Silifke was an early center of Christianity, and here we meet an important person of that pivotal period, St. Tecla. A friend and follower of St. Paul, she was tortured and imprisoned for her faith in her native Iconium (modern Kenya). Upon fleeing to Silifke, she built a grotto on a mountain near the town, where she lived out her life. Many cures were attributed to her, which quickly spread her fame throughout the region and contributed to the growth of Christianity. We follow the ancient pilgrims’ road to St. Tecla’s grotto. Nearby are the remains of a large basilica, built by Emperor Zeno in 476. We also explore Silifke and visit the 2nd-century A.D. Temple of Zeus and the Archaeological Museum.
Days 7-8 : TARTUS | PALMYRA | TARTUS, SYRIA
From Syria’s port of Tartus we take an overnight excursion to Palmyra. An extraordinary archaeological site, Palmyra was ruled for part of the 3rd century A.D. by one of antiquity’s most powerful personalities, Queen Zenobia. She took over after her husband’s death, but Rome refused to recognize her and sent an army to expel her. She met the Roman force in battle, defeated it and led her army against the rest of Syria, Palestine and Egypt, bringing the entire territory under her control. During our two-day
sojourn at this unforgettable place, which was a vital link on the historic Silk Route from China to Europe, we will have time to leisurely explore the city’s prodigious remains, including its colonnaded streets, temples and tower, and to contemplate the grandeur of Palmyra under Queen Zenobia. Overnight at the Hotel Cham.
Day 9 : AT SEA
Relax aboard as Corinthian II cruises towards Egypt.
Day 10 : ALEXANDRIA | CAIRO, EGYPT | DISEMBARK
Founded by Alexander the Great in 332-331 B.C., Alexandria became the paramount city of the Hellenistic period and a great center of learning, culture and science. On the death of Alexander in 323 B.C., Egypt was entrusted to Ptolemy, one of his generals, who founded a dynasty that lasted until 30 B.C. The last Ptolemaic monarch was Cleopatra, whose life, beauty, prowess and relationship with Mark Antony have fascinated writers and the public from ancient times to the present. Disembark in the morning and explore the remains of this once resplendent city, including the finds from ongoing excavations in its harbor. In the afternoon, drive to Cairo and spend the night at the Hotel Le Meridien Heliopolis, located near the airport.
Day 11 : CAIRO
-Please note the following fuel surcharge information:
*$180/person for departures from Sept-Oct 11, 2008
*$250/person for departures from Oct 11-Dec 22, 2008
*$275/person for all Antarctic departures, Dec 2008 - March 2009.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D - A. Supplement depends on particular voyage; contact us for details. Singles in categories AA - PHS are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Corinthian II
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Corinthian II Ship
The distinguished 114-guest Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations. Corinthian II is ice-strengthened for voyages into Antarctic waters, and is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore. Originally built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005, Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and elegantly appointed with a sitting area, TV, mini-refrigerator, safe, and other amenities as well as a marble bathroom. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library stocked with books related to the itinerary and other volumes, and four computer terminals for e-mail access; an elegant lounge; and The Club, a space for convivial relaxation, with picture windows for panoramic views. The restaurant, serving fine cuisine prepared by European chefs, accommodates all guests at a single unassigned seating. The ship also includes a gym, beauty salon, a sun deck with Jacuzzi, and an outdoor café and bar, where meals may be served al fresco. Corinthian II is served by 70 experienced European officers and crew. There is also an elevator offering access to all decks.
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
All accommodations aboard Corinthian II are suites. They face outside, affording sea views, and several have balconies with sliding doors. All suites include a bedroom with twin or queen-size beds, sitting area, ample closet space, mini-refrigerator, TV, marble-appointed bathroom with shower, and other amenities.
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Cat E Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 250 - 252 |
Cat D Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 329-332 |
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Cat C Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 254 - 262 |
Cat B Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 333 - 348 |
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Cat A Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 416 - 428 |
Cat AA Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 265 sq. ft. Suites 414 - 415 |
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Cat VS Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 505 - 512 |
Cat PHS Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 601 - 604 |
