E-mail a friendShip: Corinthian II
Itinerary: Fabled Islands of the Mediterranean: Stepping Stones of Civilization
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Knossos
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat E | Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | Cat AA | Cat VS | Cat PHS | ||
| 10 | May 27, 2009 | $6,995 | $7,995 | $8,995 | $9,995 | $10,895 | $11,495 | $12,795 | $13,695 |
| May 27, 2009 - No Single Supplement! | |||||||||
| Destinations : Corsica, Greece, Malta, Mediterranean, Sardinia, Sicily, Spain Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Photography |
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From the coasts of Spain and Greece to the shores of its exotic islands, the varied sites of the Mediterranean are a treasure trove of ancient beauties. Our portrait of this storied world will take us to the well-preserved Roman ruins of Porto Vecchio, while Sardinia beckons with Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity site dating back to the Bronze Age. Aboard Corinthian II, the ideal vessel for embracing this unique opportunity, this handcrafted itinerary, including unforgettable stops on the island of Menorcha, Sicily and Malta, affords guests the opportunity to sample the many offerings of the Mediterranean.
Day 1 : BARCELONA, SPAIN | EMBARK
Arrive in Barcelona, the vibrant and dynamic capital of Catalonia, and a city endowed with exceptional architecture and an unrivalled artistic heritage. Transfer to the pier to board Corinthian II. Sail in the evening.
Day 2 : MAHON, MENORCA, BALEARIC ISLANDS
The narrow streets and bustling waterfront of Mahon, Menorca’s main port, boast an unusual hybrid of architectural styles—classical Georgian sash-windowed townhouses alongside terracotta colored traditional Spanish homes. Visit Fort Marlborough, the 18th- century British battlement, and the mysterious site of Torralba d’en Salord, with its spectacular 4.30-meter-high taula, a prehistoric construction exclusive to Menorca.
Day 3 : PORTO VECCHIO | ALÉRIA OR BONIFACIO | PORTO VECCHIO, CORSICA
Set on a spacious bay on Corsica’s southeast coast, charming Porto Vecchio was the Portus Syracusanus mentioned by Ptolemy. Disembark in the morning and drive along the island’s east shore to Aléria, the site of ancient Alalia, founded by Greeks in 565 B.C., later taken over by the Carthaginians and Romans, who made it the capital of Corsica. Explore the ruins, mostly from the Roman period, set beautifully on a plateau, just above the sea. Alternatively, drive to Bonifacio, one of the most striking towns in the Mediterranean, set high on a limestone promontory facing a fjord. Considered by many to be the Homeric site of the Laestrygonians, Bonifacio’s old houses are set on stepped and narrow alleyways.
Day 4 : CAGLIARI | SU NURAXI OR NORA | CAGLIARI, SARDINIA, ITALY
Arrive in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, built on a hill facing the sea. Disembark and drive to the village of Barumini to visit Su Nuraxi, Sardinia’s most important and impressive nuraghic complex, consisting of large, conical, prehistoric monuments called nuraghi.
Dating from the Bronze Age (c. 1400 B.C.), Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity site, consists of a massive central tower that is surrounded by the remains of a large village. Explore the complex and visit the local museum, which exhibits artifacts from the site’s excavations. After lunch aboard, spend time at leisure to explore Cagliari on your own, or alternatively, take an excursion to Nora, beautifully built on a promontory overlooking the sea. Settled first by Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C., Nora came under control of Carthage in the 6th century B.C. and became Sardinia’s biggest urban and commercial center. In 283 B.C., the city fell to the Romans, who made it Sardinia’s capital. Even though a portion of the city is now under the sea, enough remains to give an idea of the city’s size.
Day 5 : MARSALA | SELINUNTE OR MOTYA AND SEGESTA | MARSALA, SICILY, ITALY
Call for the day at Marsala on Sicily’s west coast. A choice of excursions will reveal the wealth of the monuments of Sicily, a veritable crossroads of most major Mediterranean civilizations. Drive to Selinunte, the most westerly Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 650 B.C. A highland overlooking the sea provides a tranquil setting for the expansive ruins of what was once among the island’s most progressive cities. Return to the ship for lunch before exploring the Museo Anselmi, housed in a stone vaulted warehouse. Its prime exhibit is a Punic warship discovered off the coast, possibly sunk during a naval battle in 241 B.C. and from which a number of relics have been recovered, including some intriguing contraband. Alternatively, drive to Motya, an 8th-century B.C. Phoenician commercial base, founded on a small island, now connected to Sicily by a causeway. Continue to Segesta for a glimpse of its magnificent Doric temple, ranked as one of the best-preserved ancient Greek sites to be found anywhere. But what especially commends this site is its setting. The ruins stand in majestic solitude atop a bucolic hill with virtually no modern-day structures marring the vista, making it easy to imagine what Sicily was like in ancient times.
Day 6 : VALLETTA, MALTA
Corinthian II will enter the historic Grand Harbor of Valletta, Malta’s capital, renowned for its architectural beauty, medieval relics, and historic monuments. In the morning explore the Palace of the Grand Masters and the National Museum of Archaeology. Then it’s a short drive to the remarkable Tarxien Temples, which date back to 2800 B.C., and onto Hagar Qim, an even older temple that stands atop a hill on the southern edge of the island overlooking the sea.
Day 7 : SYRACUSE, SICILY, ITALY | AT SEA
Arrive in fabled Syracuse, which rivaled Athens as the most powerful and prominent center of culture, learning and the arts of the ancient Greek world. Aeschylus, Pindar, Simonides and others lived in Syracuse for a time, and the great Archimedes was a native son. Our exploration of this once glorious city will highlight the island of Ortygia, where the original settlers from Corinth settled in the 8th century B.C., now Syracuse’s picturesque old town, and the ancient remains of the Greek city, including the famous theater, found on a hillside on the mainland. Sail for Pylos in the afternoon.
Day 8 : PYLOS | PALACE OF NESTOR OR METHONI | PYLOS, GREECE
After a morning at sea cruising in the Ionian Sea, arrive in Pylos, an attractive small town built on a promontory facing magnificent Navarino Bay, one of the Mediterranean’s best natural harbors. Drive to Ano Englianos to explore the Palace of Nestor dating from the 14th - 13th centuries B.C., the Mycenaean period. Here archaeologists have discovered the palace archives with more than 600 tablets with Linear B writing. Alternatively, you may visit Methoni, the fortified port of Venice, which was the Serene Republic’s main port of call on the way to the Holy Land from 1125 to 1500.
Day 9 : HERAKLION | KNOSSOS | HERAKLION, CRETE, GREECE
Crete, Zeus’s legendary birthplace, was home to the Minoan civilization, Europe’s first. A morning tour visits the excavations at Knossos, where the brilliance and refinement of the Minoans are revealed in the excavations found here. The largest palace of the period on Crete, Knossos is a labyrinth of corridors, stairways and chambers decorated with frescoes illustrating life as it was 4,000 years ago. Continue to the Heraklion Museum, where a vast number of treasures and artifacts from Knossos and other Cretan sites are on display. Alternatively, there will be the opportunity to visit other ancient Cretan sites, including Phaestos and Gortyn.
Day 10 : PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | ATHENS
Disembark Corinthian II and transfer to the airport for return flights
• 9-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
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
-Please note the following fuel surcharge information:
*$250/person for departures from Oct 11-Dec 22, 2008
*$275/person for all Antarctic departures, Dec 2008 - March 2009.
- 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 |
