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This journey to Athens, Crete, Malta andSicily not only offers you the opportunity tovisit some of the greatest sites of antiquity but also the possibility to enjoy some muchneeded spring sunshine. The usually goodweather points to the importance that climateplayed in the development of the great classicalcivilizations: the short, mild winters and long,warm summers created the perfect conditionsfor these remarkable societies to thrive.

Springtime in Greece is truly wonderful: the wild flowers are starting to bloom, thetemperatures are warming up and the crowdshave not yet descended on the major sites.This is the perfect time to explore the treasures of classical Athens including, ofcourse, the Acropolis and the AcropolisMuseum. The countryside surrounding theancient city of Mycenae and the Byzantinechurches of Monemvasía will be coming to life adding to the splendor of these remarkable places. The relative lack of crowdswill be a real bonus for those who take the

option of visiting the magnificenttheater at Epidaurus.

ITALY

Nauplia Monemvasía

AthensGREECE

SICILY

Civitavecchia

MediterraneanSea

HeraklionRethimnon

TrapaniPalermo

Valle!aMALTA CRETE

SyracuseMycenæ

“the minoan civilization was

TAlENTEd, cUlTIVATEd ANd EXTrEmElY rIch”JOHN JULIUS NORWICH

AThENS • mYcENAE

mONEmVASíA • KNOSSOS

crETE • SYrAcUSE • mAlTA

TrApANI • SEGESTA

pAlErmO • mONrEAlE

15 dAYS frOm $3,795 pEr pErSON*

INclUdING 2-NIGhT prE-crUISE hOTEl STAY IN AThENS

departing march 18, 2012

ATHENS TO ROME – A MEDITERRANEAN SPRING VOYAGE

FROM MINOAN CRETE TO THE TREASURES OF BYZANTINE SICILY

As your journey continues to Crete andMalta, you will see the remains of two earlycivilizations: the Minoan Palace at Knossosdating from the second millennia BC and theeven earlier Megalithic Tombs of Malta (c.5000BC). It is your final destination beforereturning home, however, that demonstratesthe importance of environmental and geographical factors on the development ofMediterranean civilization.

With its benevolent climate and superbstrategic position, Sicily has been coveted,fought over and colonized. The Phoenicians,Athenians, Romans, Arabs, Normans,Byzantines and Bourbons have all made their mark on this astonishing island. Thearchitectural and artistic legacies of these greatcivilizations have left Sicily with a number of unique buildings and archaeological sites. Sicily is a celebration of the greatestachievements of western civilization: thesuperbly well-preserved Greek temples ofSegesta, the Norman Royal Palace andPalatine Chapel in Palermo and the dazzlingmosaics of Monreale Cathedral.

*For full cruise fares, please see pages 100, 101

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day 1 depart usa

day 2 athens, GrEEcE

Arrive in Athens and transfer to hotel.

dAY 3 athensA full-morning’s guided tour of the ancient citadel of Athens, theAcropolis. Built during the “GoldenAge” of Athens between 447-438BCunder the orders of the great states-man Pericles, the Acropolis representsthe magnificent achievements ofAthenian culture during this era. You will also visit the recently openedAcropolis Museum. After lunch youare free to relax or continue exploringthe city.

dAY 4 athens/piraeusAfter spending a morning in Athens when you are free to visit themarvellous National ArchaeologicalMuseum, the ancient Agora and themagnificent Hephaisteion or simplywander through the streets of thebustling Plaka district, you check outof your hotel and transfer to the portof Piraeus to board Aegean Odyssey.Nightime departure for Nauplia.

dAY 5 nauplia/mycenae/ epidaurusAnchor off the port of Nauplia intime for breakfast. The morning willbe dedicated to exploring the greatMycenaean culture that flourished in

this area, known as the Argolid plain,between 1600-1300BC. At its heart isthe ancient city of Mycenae, reputedlythe capital of Agamemnon and the“well-built citadel” of Homer’s Iliad.In the afternoon there is the option tovisit Epidaurus, sacred to Asclepios,the god of medicine, and the site ofthe best preserved of all ancientGreek theaters. Or you may choose tovisit the elegant town of Naupliawhere you will find an excellentArchaeological Museum, housed in the impressive former Venetian arsenal. Return to Aegean Odyssey fora night-time sailing to Monemvasía.

day 6 monemvasíaA massive rock rising from the sea and joined to the mainland by a causeway built in the 6th century, it is easy to see how Monemvasía got its nickname “the Gibraltar of Greece.”The morning will be spent on a walkingtour of the lower town, which includesthe 13th- century Christós Elkómenoscathedral with its Venetian belfry. In theafternoon, for those who feel energetic,there is a path leading to the uppertown to see the Byzantine church ofAgia Sofia. Alternatively you can choose to take a full-day optional excursion tothe remains of ancient Sparta and theglorious array of Byzantine monumentsin the UNESCO World Heritage townof Mystras. Late evening departure for Crete.

VOYAGE ITINErArY

Minoan Palace of Knossos, Crete

malta and the riddle oF the tombs

There is very little known about the origins of Malta’s unique Hypogeum(underground temple complex) and megalithic tombs. The Hypogeum, discovered in 1902, has a labyrinth of corridors and chambers on three levels that were cut from the soft limestone about 5,000 years ago. It is believed to have been a place of worship and a burial chamber (the remains of over 7,000 bodies have been found). Another mystery is the construction of the two other ancient temple sites of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra: some of the standing stones here are so large that archaeologists are baffled as to how they were raised upright.

day 7 heraklion, crete

The heyday of Minoan civilization(2000-1600BC) was marked by theconstruction of great palaces, the bestknown of which is Knossos. Excavationswere begun in 1899 by the Britisharchaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, whocontroversially “restored” the palacewith his own eccentric ideas of Minoan interior design. The morning is dedicated to the Minoan site ofKnossos. After lunch, you are free to visit Heraklion’s other treasuresincluding the church of Agios Markos,built by the Venetians in 1239.Overnight sail to Rethimnon.

day 8 rethimnon/chaniÁThe morning will be spent visiting the well-preserved Venetian andOttoman architecture in Rethimnon. In the afternoon, there is an option to see the beautiful town of Chaniá,one of the main Venetian strongholds on Crete. Return to the ship for the sail to Syracuse, Sicily.

day 9 at seaA chance to relax and enjoy the program of lectures as you make your way to Syracuse in Sicily.

day 10 syracuse, sicily

The Greek theater in Syracuse is one of the best examples of ancient theaterarchitecture anywhere and is one of the sites we will be visiting this morning. Before lunch, you will also be guided around the wonderfulArchaeological Museum. The afternoonwill be spent on the island of Ortygia,the picturesque original heart ofSyracuse. Here you will see the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the cathedralwhich has been built on to an originalGreek temple, and the fortifications ofthe Castello Eurialo built by the Greeksin 402BC to defend Syracuse. Lateevening departure for Valletta, Malta.

day 11 valletta, malta

The capital city of Malta, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St Johnin 1566. The morning will be spenttouring the city including the BaroqueSt John’s Co-Cathedral (which housesCaravaggio’s masterpiece The Beheadingof St John) and the magnificent Palaceof the Grand Masters. A little way outside Valletta is Malta’s ancient capital, Mdina. A trip to this enchantingmedieval town is another highlight ofthis morning’s tour. In the afternoonyou are free to continue exploring fascinating and beautiful Valletta.Evening sail to Trapani, Sicily.

Valletta, Malta

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dAY 12 trapani/segesta, sicily

Arrive at the port of Trapani atlunchtime and in the afternoon you will visit the ancient Greek city ofSegesta with its majestic 36-columned,5th-century BC temple and stunningGreek theater. Evening departure for Palermo.

dAY 13 palermoThis morning, there is a tour of theNorman Royal Palace and the PalatineChapel, the perfect illustration of thatmiraculous Norman combination ofLatin, Byzantine and Arab culture. Close by is San Giovanni degli Eremiti, aNorman church decorated with Arabicdomes and an exquisite Romanesquecloister. A short walk will take you toPalermo Cathedral and the tremendousporphyry tombs of Roger II, his daughterConstance, his son-in-law the EmperorHenry VI and his grandson the EmperorFrederick II. An afternoon at leisure torelax on board or continue your visit tothe sites of Palermo. Overnight Palermo.

dAY 14 palermoAfter breakfast, you will travel the small distance out of Palermo to experience the beauty and grace ofMonreale Cathedral, with its glorious12th-century mosaics covering over 11/2 acres of wall space and its cloister,perhaps the most magnificent in theworld. Lunchtime departure forCivitavecchia.

dAY 15 fly homeTransfer to Rome Airport for the flight home.

ITINERARY INSPIRATIONS

GUEST SPEAKER TOPICS INCLUDE:

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE: THE ENVIRONMENTAND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS

THE FIRST SOCIETIES: THE MINOANS AND THE EARLYHISTORY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

TRADING PLACES: HOW COMMERCE SHAPED THE CLASSICAL WORLD

27Palatine Chapel, Royal Palace, Palermo

archimedes oF syracuse (c287-212bc)

Among the many inventions of the great Greek polymath was afearsome weapon known as the“Claw of Archimedes”. Designed to defend the city of Syracuse,the claw or “ship shaker” as itwas also known, comprised acrane-like arm from which wassuspended a metal grapplinghook. This device would fall uponenemy ships and lift them out of the water. However, even thisarchaic weapon of mass destruction was not enough todefeat the Romans when they besieged the city in 214-212BC and when Syracuse fell, Archimedes was slain byan enemy soldier despite the orders of the Roman general Marcellus to spare his life.