Historic Spain, Sicily & Italy

A CRUISE GUIDE

HISTORIC SPAIN, SICILY & ITALY

Moorish cities, monumental Sicily, the mysteries of Pompeii, and the splendour of the Mediterranean – all in one magnificent journey

May 13 – 27, 2017 Seville to Rome

YOUR ITINERARY In response to recent feedback, we are now pleased to introduce our new dedicated cruise guides, produced individually for each Voyages to Antiquity cruise.

In this guide, you will find useful information and expert tips about the destinations you will visit, plus a comprehensive guide to both included and optional shore excursions. There is also information on your guest speakers and an invaluable reading guide to help you discover even more.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

AEG170513 2017

PORT

MAY 13

SEVILLE, Spain Embark Aegean Odyssey

Overnight

SEVILLE, Spain

1.00pm

MAY 14

DEPART

ITALY O

CADIZ, Spain

8.00pm

Overnight

CADIZ, Spain

MAY 16

MALAGA, Spain

7.00am

6.00pm

MAY 17

CARTAGENA, Spain

8.00am

1.00pm

MAY 18

At Sea

MAY 19

TRAPANI, Sicily

1.00am

7.00pm

MAY 20

VALLETTA, Malta

9.00am

8.00pm

MAY 21

SYRACUSE, Sicily

8.00am

6.00pm

MAY 22

TAORMINA, Sicily

1.00am

7.00pm

MAY 23

PALERMO, Sicily

8.00am

Overnight

MAY 24

PALERMO, Sicily

MAY 25

SORRENTO, Italy

8.00am

Overnight

MAY 26

SORRENTO, Italy

MAY 27

ROME, Italy Disembark Aegean Odyssey in Civitavecchia, the port of Rome Ship at anchor

O

6.00am

Cadiz

Cartagena

Palermo Taormina Syracuse

SICILY Valletta

MALTA

O

6.00pm

5.00pm

Sorrento

Trapani Malaga

2.00pm

MAY 15

ROME

SPAIN

SEVILLE

River cruising along the Guadalquivir River

O Overnight stay in port

2

ARRIVE

O

INTRODUCTION

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Begin your journey in the Andalusian city of Seville, home of the Flamenco dance, before sailing the Guadalquivir River to Cadiz, then on to Malaga and Cartagena on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

• River cruise along the Guadalquivir River from the heart of Seville

From there voyage across the Mediterranean to the beautiful islands of Malta and Sicily, where your visit will include excursions to the historic city of Syracuse, the Graeco-Roman theatre at Taormina and more.

• See the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada

Continue onwards to the Italian mainland, where more stunning scenery and exciting excursions await, with visits to Pompeii or Herculaneum.

Alhambra Palace, Granada

• A taste of sherry in Jerez

• Comprehensive exploration of Sicily including sightseeing at four ports of call – Trapani, Syracuse, Taormina and Palermo • Overnight calls at Cadiz, Palermo and Sorrento allow time for leisurely evenings ashore • Explore the ruins of Pompeii or Herculaneum

Jerez

Mdina

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MAY 13 SEVILLE, SPAIN

YOUR CRUISE DAY BY DAY

Embark on Aegean Odyssey in Seville this afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure and overnight in port.

MAY 14 SEVILLE – CADIZ, SPAIN After a free morning in Seville, you will spend the afternoon on board the ship as she sails through the Andalusian countryside on a river cruise along the Guadalquivir River to the Atlantic Ocean and the port of Cadiz, arriving in the evening for an overnight in port.

MAY 15 CADIZ, SPAIN This morning in Cadiz, you have a choice of included excursions: Jerez for a sherry tasting tour of the Bodega Gonzalez Byass cellars, where you will be invited to sample various types of the fortified wine. Jerez is famous for the production of sherry.

Alternatively, take a Cadiz City Sightseeing tour, including the old quarter, tobacco factory, Santo Domingo Church, old Royal Prison and Cathedral, followed by the ancient Phoenician port of La Caleta and the Santa Catalina Fortress. The tour will then finish in the Plaza de Espana with its monument commemorating the meeting of the Cortes, Spain’s first representative national assembly.

Lunchtime sailing.

Seville

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MAY 16 MALAGA, SPAIN

MAY 19 TRAPANI, SICILY

Choice of tours:

Morning at sea before lunchtime arrival in Trapani, for a choice of afternoon sightseeing tours celebrating the greatest achievements of Western civilisation:

A full-day excursion inland to Granada and the Alhambra Palace. Begun in 1238, the Alhambra was the last capital of the Moors in Spain until it fell to the Christian armies of the 15th century. Your tour includes the Royal Palace and the Generalife.

Alternatively, you can take the half-day tour, Panoramic Malaga and Picasso Museum, which includes a drive through the town to the famous Gibralfaro Castle and the Picasso Museum, which also includes the archaeological remains of the city’s Phoenician origins.

MAY 17 CARTAGENA, SPAIN Arrive in the port for breakfast before disembarking for a morning tour of Cartagena Highlights, beginning at the recently restored Roman theatre. Built between 5 and 1 BC this enormous space was big enough to seat 6,000 people.

From here you will make your way to the Roman Forum, with its curia, baths, columned courtyard, atrium and many more remnants of the era. This archaeological treasure trove, which dates from at least 209 BC, was unearthed by chance in the late 1980s during work on the city.

Lunchtime sail for an afternoon and evening of relaxation at sea.

MAY 18 CRUISING ACROSS THE

MEDITERRANEAN A full day at sea to enjoy the many facilities of Aegean Odyssey.

The ancient city of Segesta is thought to have been founded in the 5th to 4th century BC. Today, all that remains is the stunning Greek theatre and Doric temple, but this archaeological jewel is in an extraordinary state of preservation.

Cartagena

Erice is a hill-top Norman town and castle, although the walls encircling it incorporate original Phoenician fortifications. This tour will take you along some winding, cobblestone streets, with free time to enjoy the views of Trapani and the Egadi Islands.

The Aegean Odyssey sails overnight to Malta.

MAY 20 VALLETTA, MALTA After a spectacular breakfast arrival into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, this tour of Valletta & Mdina begins with a walk through the capital city to the luxuriously furnished Grand Master’s Palace, before continuing on foot to St John’s CoCathedral to admire the magnificent Baroque interior and Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of St John.

Segesta

We will then drive to Mdina, Malta’s former capital. It was near here that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked. He converted the Roman governor, Publius, to Christianity, so we will visit St Paul’s Cathedral, built, according to tradition, on the site where Publius once lived.

Afternoon at leisure in Valletta to explore on your own, before evening sailing.

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MAY 21 SYRACUSE, SICILY DESTINATION TIP MALTA This is one of the few VTA itineraries that features a call to Malta. The arrival into Valletta’s Grand Harbour, where the ship will dock, is arguably one of the most spectacular port arrivals in the Mediterranean.

Our destination team recommend that you are out on deck for this. There is also plenty of free time scheduled here to enjoy the afternoon in Valletta. For those wishing to do some shopping, Valletta boasts a myriad of shops – the Maltese Cross makes for a good souvenir with significant historical meaning. Apart from the obvious, you will find the Cross on all kinds of jewellery, pottery and glassware, as well as many items made from limestone.

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A morning return to Sicily for a half-day walking tour through Historic Syracuse including the outstanding Greek and Roman ruins at the archaeological park of Neapolis, a 16,000 capacity Roman amphitheatre situated alongside other sites of antiquity, including the Altar of Hieron and the Greek Theatre.

We will also explore the subterranean latomie – man-made vaults carved by ancient quarrymen – and visit Ortygia for a tour of the Piazza Archimede, Cathedral and Arethusa Spring.

Afternoon at leisure, or take an optional tour to the city of Noto. Although a town has existed here for many centuries, the Noto you will see today dates to the early 18th-century, when it was almost entirely rebuilt in the wake of the devastating 1693 earthquake. A particular highlight is the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an elegant walkway flanked by baroque palazzi and churches.

MAY 22 TAORMINA, SICILY Morning at sea before lunchtime arrival in Taormina, in the shadow of Mount Etna, for a choice of included afternoon excursions: During a walking tour around Taormina you will see the Palazzo Corvaia, which incorporates a 10th-century Saracen fortress into a 15th-century Moorish Gothic design. You will visit the ancient Greek theatre, the second largest of its kind in Sicily, dating from the 3rd-century BC and still frequently used for performances. Finally, you will have time to stroll along the Corso Umberto, the main street of Taormina.

Alternatively, Sicilian Landscapes will take you on a scenic drive, beginning on the coast before turning inland to the

Monreale

remote mountain villages of Savoca and Forza d’Agro, both used as locations in The Godfather Trilogy. Highlights include the Norman Castle and Cappuccini Church, where mummified bodies stand fully dressed in the crypts.

MAY 23 PALERMO, SICILY Morning arrival for a tour to The Palatine Chapel; built during the 1130s and 1140s, it is a miraculous fusion of Latin, Byzantine and Arabic architectural design. This is followed by Palermo Cathedral, site of the porphyry tomb of Roger II and the silver urn containing St Rosalia’s remains.

Afternoon at leisure or take an optional tour to the coastal headland town of Cefalu, beginning with a tour of Palermo’s historic centre before a scenic drive to the Cathedral commissioned by King Roger II in 1131; this Norman-Arab structure expresses the all-embracing spirit of his reign.

CRUISE VIDEO Scan the QR code below to go straight to the online video for this cruise*

* UK version

MAY 24 PALERMO, SICILY Included morning sightseeing to Monreale Cathedral, considered by many to be the most beautiful Norman church in Italy. The exterior may have the look of an austere fortress, but inside offers visions of the divine. This tour also includes the Benedictine cloisters, a magnificent synthesis of Romanesque and Arab architecture. Admire the serenity of the courtyard with its graceful arcade featuring 216 sets of twin columns and pointed Arabic arches. Then enjoy free time in the main square and elsewhere in the city for the afternoon.

A special optional visit to the Palazzo Gangi can also be arranged as an extension of one of the included tours. Details will be provided on board and space is limited.

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When the Princes of Gangi decided to remodel the 15thcentury ancestral palace of the Princes Valguarnera, it was a vast undertaking that spread over the 18th century and continues today under the auspices of Princess Carine Vanni Mantegna. Sicily’s leading artists were summoned to assist in creating a showcase. Today, we can visit the fabulous results.

Afternoon at leisure. Evening sailing.

MAY 25 SORRENTO, ITALY Morning arrival for a choice of half-day tours: Pompeii

A drive to the magnificent remains of Pompeii, which dates back to the 6th century BC, until it was engulfed by lava erupting from Vesuvius in August 79AD. From the casts of the bodies of its inhabitants, to the ancient surgical implements and beautiful frescoes, nowhere else gives us such an insight into the lives of the ancients.

Alternatively, visit the nearby town of Herculaneum which perished in the same eruption, where inlaid marble floors, paintings, mosaics and carbonised woods can all be seen, ranging from the sculpture of the Drunken Hercules in the House of the Stags to mosaics of tritons in the city baths. The discovery in recent years of some 300 skeletons along the sea shore turned Herculaneum into one of the most valuable archaeological sites in the world.

Or take a full day optional tour to Pompeii and the Naples Archaeological Museum, which contains a large collection of Roman artefacts from Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum.

Return to Sorrento for an overnight stay on board.

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MAY 26 SORRENTO, ITALY A free day in the beautiful coastal town of Sorrento facing the Bay of Naples, a favourite of poets, musicians and writers.

Alternatively, take an optional morning tour to Positano by Boat on the Amalfi Coast, where you will have plenty of time to visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its splendid polychrome majolica dome. Around the town there are lots of piazzetta and cafes to enjoy before your motorboat ride back to Sorrento. Kindly note that a strict minimum level of participants applies for this tour to go ahead.

Or take the hydrofoil over to the romantic Isle of Capri.

Late afternoon sailing.

MAY 27 CIVITAVECCHIA – ROME, ITALY Disembark Aegean Odyssey in Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, after breakfast.

For Odyssey Club members on this cruise, special exclusive sightseeing and highlight events will also be provided. Details are available on request and with Final Documents.

For those passengers who have opted for the precruise hotel stay in Seville and/or Madrid extension, and post-cruise hotel stay in Rome, please go online to www.voyagestoantiquity.com for more information.

Full itinerary details will be sent with your Final Documents.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS CADIZ

SYRACUSE

Jerez and Sherry Tasting Half Day

Historic Syracuse - Half Day

Cadiz City Sightseeing - Half Day

TAORMINA

MALAGA Granada and Alhambra Palace Full Day Panoramic Malaga and Picasso Museum - Half Day CARTAGENA Cartagena Highlights - Half Day TRAPANI Segesta - Half Day

Taormina Walking Tour - Half Day Sicilian Landscapes - Half Day PALERMO Palatine Chapel and Cathedral - Half Day Monreale - Half Day SORRENTO Pompeii - Half Day Herculaneum - Half Day

Erice - Half Day VALLETTA Valletta and Mdina - Half Day

For details of these excursions, please see itinerary on preceding pages or for more in-depth descriptions, visit us online at: www.voyagestoantiquity.com

For details of optional excursions available on this cruise, please refer to pages 10/11.

Excursions listed are half day, either morning or afternoon, depending on time in port, or full ay as shown. One excursion is included in each port of call; where more than one excursion is shown, you will be able to choose.

All of our excursions require a basic level of fitness, although some are more strenuous than others. The symbols next to each excursion will give you an idea of specific things to be aware of.

On this voyage, it is worth noting that there are several archaeological sites visited and therefore lots of uneven ground/steps can be expected in these places. Many of the towns and villages visited on this itinerary involve walks through historical areas and cobbled/paved streets are common. During an excursion when there is a significant amount of walking required, the walking symbol has been indicated.

Generally this applies when at least 1.5-2 hours of the excursion is made up of continuous walking.

It should be noted that the excursion in Cartagena is entirely on foot and that both included excursions in Sorrento – Pompeii and Herculaneum – involve extensive and busy archaeological sites which may not be suitable for all. For more information relating to shore excursions, please see pages 22/23.

KEY TO SYMBOLS Extensive walking Cobbled streets Archaeological ground Significant steps Uphill sections Features a boat ride Cable car Bustling streets Winding roads Lunch included

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OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS SYRACUSE, Sicily A Visit to Noto - $35 - Half Day

Cefalu

Noto is an architectural supermodel, a baroque belle so gorgeous you might mistake it for a film set as you explore on this walking tour. Located less than 40km southwest of Syracuse, the town is home to one of Sicily’s most beautiful historic centres. The pièce de résistance is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an elegant walkway flanked by thrilling baroque palazzi and churches.

Although a town called Noto or Netum has existed here for many centuries, the Noto that you see today dates from the early 18th century, when it was almost entirely rebuilt in the wake of the devastating 1693 earthquake.

PALERMO, Sicily Cefalu - $35 - Half Day When King Roger II seemed faced with shipwreck, he is said to have vowed to build a splendid cathedral should he survive. The extraordinary church which resulted is the highlight of this tour of Cefalu.

10

Your adventure begins with a panoramic tour of Palermo’s historic centre, followed by a scenic coastal drive arriving in Cefalu for a visit to the Norman-Arab cathedral, which beautifully expresses the all-embracing spirit of Roger’s reign. Looking down from on high, in the Byzantine apex, is the 12th-century gold mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, one of the greatest representations of the Christ in Christian art.

Palazzo Gangi - $55 donation - One hour visit When the Princes Gangi decided to remodel the 15thcentury ancestral palace of the Princes Valguarnera, it was a vast undertaking that spread over the 18thcentury and continues today under the auspices of Princess Carine Vanni Mantegna. Sicily’s leading artists were summoned to assist in creating a showcase.

Today, we’ll visit the fabulous results. The palazzo is noted for its Sicilian Baroque ballroom decorated with Murano chandeliers, gold fittings and glittering mirrors.

Here, in 1882 Wagner composed the opening bars of Parsifal and in 1963 Luchino Visconti filmed the ball scene of The Leopard. This visit is exclusive to Voyages to Antiquity.

SORRENTO, Italy Pompeii & Naples Archaeological Museum - $89 - Full Day Although Pompeii was engulfed by lava erupting from Vesuvius in August 79AD, thanks to the casts of the bodies of its inhabitants, alongside ancient surgical implements and beautiful frescoes, nowhere else gives us such an insight into the lives of the ancients.

Just offshore is the private island of Li Galli, once owned by the ballerina Rudolf Nureyev. As you pass, you will be able to see some of its landmarks rising up from its rugged cliffs. Arriving in Positano, visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its splendid polychrome majolica dome. Then after making the 100-step climb up the hillside, relax and enjoy some browsing around the gift shops and stores.

All prices are in US$

During your guided tour, you will be able to admire the mansions, homes and public buildings, where paintings and inscriptions also reveal public interactions and personal relationships in amazing detail.

Then, explore Naples Archaeological Museum, one of the most important of its kind in Europe, with displays including statues, marbles, paintings and furnishings uncovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Note: The price of this excursion already allows a credit for the unused half day excursion.

Positano by Boat - $89 - Half Day Take a motorboat ride along the Amalfi Coast to the charming fishing village of Positano, a place of white Moorish-style houses and luxurious gardens rising steeply from the bay.

Positano

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YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS A quintessential part of the Voyages to Antiquity experience is our worldclass programme of celebrated guest speakers, all of whom are carefully chosen to provide high quality lectures designed to enrich your time aboard Aegean Odyssey, adding texture and depth to your journey.

With topics ranging from art and history to archaeology and architecture, from wine and cuisine to theology and nature, you will find a Voyages to Antiquity talk informative and accessible.

Here are the experts who will be providing an array of enlightening talks during your voyage.

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Professor Duncan Macmillan University of Edinburgh Duncan Macmillan is an art historian and art critic. He is Professor Emeritus in the University of Edinburgh where, formerly, he both taught and ran the University’s art gallery.

He is also Art Critic of The Scotsman. He has written a number of books and a great many exhibition catalogues and has won several prizes for his writing. His major work, Scottish Art 1460-1990, was, for instance, Scottish Book of the Year in 1991. It is now the standard text on the subject.

Herculaneum

Monreale

His experience as gallery director and art critic has also meant that alongside his writing and teaching as an art historian, he has had an extensive engagement with contemporary art and with living artists. Elizabeth Blackadder is the subject of one of a number of monographs he has written on contemporary artists.

Interviewing the great Surrealist, Joan Miro, was, he feels, one of the most inspiring moments in his career, but he has also worked with and written about many other leading figures of our time in Britain, Europe and America, including the Abstract Expressionists Robert Motherwell and Sam Francis and their great champion, the American critic, Clement Greenberg.

Capri

Dr Paul Roberts Sakler Keeper of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum, NADFAS Accredited Lecturer Dr Paul Roberts, a NADFAS Accredited Lecturer, is the newly-appointed Sackler Keeper of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum. He was previously Senior Roman Curator in the Department of Greece and Rome at the British Museum. He studied at the Universities of Cambridge, Sheffield and Oxford and lived in Italy for several years.

He has excavated in Britain, Greece, Libya, Turkey and in particular Italy. His research focuses on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people in the Greek and Roman worlds.

Did you know that: Caravaggio’s huge masterpiece, the Beheading of John the Baptist, in Valletta Cathedral was painted for the spot in which it hangs and has only once ever left it.

It went briefly for conservation to Naples, but even then was not seen in public. So if you want to see Caravaggio’s greatest painting you have to go to Malta. No other choice!

He was the driving force behind the major exhibition “Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum”, with its unparalleled glimpse into daily life in the Roman Empire. At the Ashmolean he also worked on the exhibition, Storms, War and Shipwrecks: Sicily and the Sea – the history of Sicily through shipwreck finds.

Pompeii

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READING GUIDE There’s nothing like a good book to accompany you on your travels.

Our associates at Blackwell’s – the famous Oxford bookseller – have put together a selection of books that we feel would provide the perfect accompaniment for this magnificent voyage.

For a description of each book, please go online to www.voyagestoantiquity.com, or for a more comprehensive description, please visit Blackwell’s website www.blackwell.co.uk and enter the ISBN number shown.

N O N -F I C T I O N

14

Steven Nightingale Granada

Peter Robb Midnight in Sicily

ISBN: 9781857886313, Paperback

ISBN: 9780099595809, Paperback

Gerald Brennan South from Granada

Daphne Phelps A House in Sicily

ISBN: 9780141189321, Paperback

ISBN: 9781860496486, Paperback

Robert Irwin The Alhambra

David Gilmour The Last Leopard

ISBN: 9781861974877, Paperback

ISBN: 9780955010514, Paperback

Gijs Van Hensbergen Guernica

Mary Beard Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town

ISBN: 9780747568735, Paperback

Karen Armstrong Islam: A Short History ISBN: 9781842125830, Paperback

Colin McEvedy New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History

Brigitte Hintzen-Bohlen Andalusia: Art and Architecture

ISBN: 9780141977164, Paperback

ISBN: 9783848003266, Paperback

David S H Abulafia The Great Sea

John Gill Andalucia: A Cultural History

ISBN: 9781904955771, Paperback

ISBN: 9781904955443, Paperback

Jan Morris Spain ISBN:9780571241767, Paperback

ISBN: 9781846684715, Paperback

Robert Etienne Pompeii: The Day a City Died

John Julius Norwich Sicily: A Short History, from the Greeks to Cosa Nostra

ISBN: 9780500300114, Paperback

ISBN: 9781848548954, Hardback

ISBN: 9780892361649, Paperback

Horatio Clare Sicily Through Writer’s Eyes

Mary Beard S.P.Q.R. A History of Ancient Rome

ISBN: 9780907871941 Paperback

Joseph Jay Deiss Herculaneum

ISBN: 9781846683817, Paperback

Norman Lewis The Tomb in Seville

Leonie V. Hicks A Short History of the Normans

ISBN: 9781780600086, Paperback

ISBN: 9781780762128, Paperback

ISBN: 9780753823057, Paperback

Robert Hughes Rome

Brigitte Hintzen-Bohlen Rome: Art and Architecture ISBN: 9783848003204, Paperback

Amanda Claridge Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide ISBN:9780199546831, Paperback

Paul Sterry

Birds of the Mediterranean ISBN: 9780713663495, Paperback

Lawson Wood

Sea Fishes of the Mediterranean Including Marine Invertebrates ISBN: 9781472921789, Paperback

FICTION Arturo Perez-Reverte The Seville Communion

MAPS, GUIDES & REFERENCES Title

Publisher

ISBN Number

Mediterranean Cruise Map

Freytag and Berndt

9783707912906

Cruise Guide to Europe

Eyewitness Travel Guide

9781409370222

Seville/Andalusia

Eyewitness Travel Guide

9780241189245

Sicily

Eyewitness Travel Guide

9781409370215

Sicily

Blue Guide

9781905131549,

Malta

Marco Polo Pocket Guide

9783829706711

Giuseppe di Piazza The Four Corners of Palermo

Rome

Marco Polo Travel Handbook

9783829768245

ISBN: 9781590516652, Paperback

Rome

Blue Guide Concise

9781905131303

ISBN: 9780099453963, Paperback

Giuseppe di Lampedusa Childhood Memories and other Stories ISBN: 9781847493989, Paperback

Giuseppe di Lampedusa The Leopard ISBN: 9780099512158, Paperback

Leonardo Sciascia The Wine Dark Sea ISBN: 9781847089281, Paperback

Dario Fo The Pope’s Daughter ISBN: 9781609452742, Paperback

Marseilles

Granada

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AEGEAN ODYSSEY

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Carrying around 350 passengers, the size of our ship allows access to ports other vessels cannot reach, meaning we can offer a greater breadth of itinerary and range of destinations.

We sail up the Guadalquivir River into the heart of Seville as well as the Gironde River in France to Bordeaux, and are ideally sized to access smaller ports and islands, too.

SHIP’S SPECIFICATION Ship’s Tonnage

11,563

Length

461 Feet

Beam

67 feet

Draft

20.5 feet

Cruising Speed

16 knots

Our on-board experience is also a little different: you’ll discover an intimate and relaxed atmosphere that enables you to get to know your like-minded fellow travellers. Whether it’s over dinner, in conversation about a lecture or on shore excursions, friendships are easily formed.

Passenger Decks

7

Stabilisers

2

Passengers also appreciate our smart, casual dress code – cutting down on the amount of luggage you need.

Ship’s Registry

Passenger Staterooms/Cabins

216

Passengers, lower beds

386

Classification

Lloyd’s Register Society London Panama

ON-BOARD FACILITIES • Two restaurants

• Internet Centre

• Three lounges

• Outdoor pool

• Four bars

• Athena Spa and Gym

• Lecture theatre

• Beauty Salon

• Library

• Medical Centre

• Shop

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What passengers love most about Aegean Odyssey is the warm and intimate atmosphere. Ships, like people, have personalities. Some are proper and formal. Others offer the anonymity of a large hotel. On board Aegean Odyssey you are greeted as a returning family member even if it’s your first time on board.

DINING DELIGHTS - INDOORS OR OUT! We are very fortunate that the areas we sail to have a strong culinary tradition. The gastronomic culture of using the very best fresh local ingredients cooked in a simple but delicious style is the inspiration for the menus on board Aegean Odyssey.

THE MARCO POLO RESTAURANT: The most formal of the ship’s restaurants, the Marco Polo has full waiter service and a casual country-club elegance.

THE TERRACE CAFE: With a combination of indoor and outdoor seating, sophisticated Mediterranean interior design and cooking on the open grill, the Terrace Cafe replicates the charm and ambiance of a seaside trattoria.

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Dinner al fresco: In the evenings, the Terrace Cafe recreates the informal yet sophisticated atmosphere of a bistro, the perfect place to start your evening.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE Ask any world traveller where they receive the best service and they will undoubtedly answer the Far East.

REFRESHING THE MIND - AS WELL AS THE BODY! During your cruise you will enjoy a programme of lectures and discussions held in the Ambassador Lounge, designed to bring to life the wonderful sites you visit on your journey. There will normally be a number of guest speakers on your cruise, each with different areas of expertise.

Our library is beautifully appointed and houses a well-stocked collection selected by the experts at the Oxford-based bookseller, Blackwell’s. Newspapers are delivered by satellite and are available in the library.

Relax on the sun deck and cool off in the outdoor pool. Pamper yourself at the Athena Health Spa,

where you will find wonderful therapies and treatments to revive you. Our hairdressers and beauty centre is also on hand, and there’s a full fitness studio and early morning yoga sessions to set you up for the day.

Of all the nationalities in this part of the world, it is the Filipinos who carry the highest reputation for attention to detail. Fluent in English and always ready with a smile, our Filipino crew will win your heart.

Before dinner, enjoy a drink in the Charleston Lounge or watch the sun go down from The Terrace. After dinner, perhaps take in a lecture about the places you’ll visit the next day, or enjoy the string trio, pianist and vocalist performance.

In some ports we organise local entertainment to perform on board.

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Category B - Junior Stateroom with balcony

Category H - Premium Outside Cabin

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Category F - Deluxe Stateroom

DECK PLANS

KEY  Single Cabins  Third Pullman berth in these cabins 

Third/Fourth Pullman berth in these cabins

#

Cabin for guests with disabilities

Double Accomodation

Elevator 404# 403

405

707

708

714

711

716

713

718

713

718

715

720

715

720

717

722

717

722

721 723

815

815 816 817

818

819

820 822

816

537 CHARLESTON LOUNGE

CHARLESTON LOUNGE

539 543

541

531

549

429

427 ▲

▲ 530 431 435

532

535

536

537

538 539

HAIR DRESSER

545

540543 547 542549

541

INTERNET

817 819

820

739

742 739

742

TERRACE CAFE

822

741

744 741

744

823

824

823

824

743

746 743

746

826

825

826

745

748 745

748

BAR

BAR

827

828

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750 747

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THE TERRACE

THE TERRACE

476

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• •

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554 556

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560 567

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• •

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• •

TERRACE CAFE

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556 563

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475

542

559 552

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451

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557 550

565

453

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559

563

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464

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738

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464 ATHENA HEALTH 466 SPA 470

548

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555 548

733 736

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SHOP 736

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734

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731 734

426

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LIBRARY

422

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LIBRARY

418

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551

732

437

414 ▲

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729 732

433

413 416

418415 420 417 422 419 421 424 426 425 428423 430 429 432427 ▲ 434 ▲ 431 ▲ 436433 438 435 440437

412

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463

INTERNET

408 409 410

412 411

534 439

538 HAIR DRESSER

408 407

••

• 423

RECEPTION

547 545

419

425

728

818

821

• •

• • 535

518 421 522

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RECEPTION

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530527 528

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527 528 529 531

417

728

•

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524 523 524 521 522 526 ▲ 525 ▲ 526 ▲

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729 812 731 814 733

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520519 518 517

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721

• •

POOL

719

517

525 ▲

529

712 • 710 •

709

716

726 •

POOL

521

•

714

711

719

519

726 •

ION

AMBASSADOR LOUNGE

• •

LIDO BAR

•

709

•

LIDO BAR

AMBASSADOR LOUNGE

409 410

•

708

514

513 516

411

•

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• •

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810 •

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509 512 511510 509 512 513 516

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■

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511 802

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504 505 506

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■

503 504 505 506

■

503 507

404#

406405

•

BRIDGE

•

403 BRIDGE

466 470

MARCO POLO RESTAURANT

MARCO POLO RESTAURANT

M

STANDARD INSIDE

L

PREMIUM INSIDE

K

PREMIUM INSIDE

J

STANDARD OUTSIDE

I*

STANDARD OUTSIDE

H

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

G

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

F

DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE

E

DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE

D

DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY

C

DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY

B

JJUNIOR SUITE BALCONY

A

OWNER'S SUITE BALCONY

Single Accomodation MEDICAL

MEDICAL

MM

STANDARD INSIDE

JJ

STANDARD OUTSIDE

II*

STANDARD OUTSIDE

HH*

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

GG*

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

EE

DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE

CC

DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY

*Categories GG, I, II and some HH cabins

PROMENADE DECK LIDO DECKLIDO DECK BRIDGE DECK PROMENADE DECK BRIDGE DECK

MARCO POLO DECK MARCO POLO DECK BELVEDERE DECK DECK have partially restricted view BELVEDERE DECKCOLUMBUSCOLUMBUS DECK

www.voyagestoantiquity.com 21

Granada

EXCURSION INFORMATION Voyages to Antiquity’s cruises include shore excursions in most ports of call. Some ports offer multiple opportunities for sightseeing, and in these instances, Voyages to Antiquity offers carefully selected excursions – some as an alternative to the main included excursion, some at an additional cost.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TOUR These sightseeing programmes are outstanding but can be challenging. Visits to archaeological sites require walking over uneven surfaces, up and down multiple steps, and therefore a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Some passengers may decide to take a break on certain days and explore the environs around the port.

Look for the symbols alongside each tour description to get a good idea of what can be expected on each excursion.

Tour durations are approximate and, to be sure you get the most out of the excursion and to avoid overcrowding, the sequence of site visits and operating times may vary. The on-board staff will brief you nightly on the expected plans for the following day.

All departure times and meeting points will be advised in the Daily Journal on board. Some countries require you to carry certain documents ashore and this will be advised on board at the appropriate time. Please note that we reserve the right to change, cancel or substitute an included excursion at any time.

22

OUR SHORE EXCURSION TEAM Our Shore Excursion Manager and Graduate Assistants are on hand to make sure you get the most out of your shoreside experience. Informative briefings will be given regarding the excursions and ports of call, and the team will be on hand at the Reception Desk to answer any further queries you might have. During the excursions, although we endeavour to have a representative on each bus as much as possible, this cannot be guaranteed. The role of our ship’s excursion staff when ashore, is primarily to ensure the smooth operation and delivery of our excursion product in conjunction with the local guide and operator. This often means rotating between groups and working with the local guides. Kindly note that, although keen to assist when required, our team are not responsible for providing walking support or making sure everyone in the group is present.

OUR GUIDES It is one thing to see Segesta and quite another to see it in the company of a good guide who speaks your language and can share his/her knowledge and passion for history. All of our shore excursions feature qualified English-speaking guides who seek to enlighten your visit with their expertise.

SHOPPING From colourful fans in Spain to silks and ceramics in Italy, the crafts of this part of the world have evolved over the centuries. While these shore excursions focus on the history, culture and archaeology of the area, some offer the chance

to visit local workshops and observe demonstrations.

Voyages to Antiquity has no connection with any shopping establishment and does not assume responsibility for purchases made ashore. We also recommend insurance on anything you choose to ship home.

TRANSPORTATION Various modes of transportation are used, depending on the excursion. Most motorcoaches are deluxe, air-conditioned vehicles unless unavailable in that port.

VISITS TO SITES/MUSEUMS On occasions, substitutions need to be made due to opening/ closing times of some sites/museums, but all possible is done to ensure schedules operate as described. If a change is made, guests will be advised with their final documents or at the shore excursion briefings on board.

Note: For passengers on Grand Voyages, availability of included and optional excursions in Seville and Civitavecchia will be advised on board.

CLOTHING TIPS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Sunhats and sunscreen are recommended when participating in excursions – especially when exploring archaeological sites or walking through towns/villages.

Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for most of our excursions.

Itinerary Changes The cruise and tour programmes featured in this brochure are planned many months in advance. Occasionally changes have to be made to the itineraries due to circumstances beyond the control of Voyages to Antiquity.

For the following excursions respectful dress is required as sites of a religious nature are included: Cadiz City Sightseeing, Valletta and MDina, A Visit to Noto, Palatine Chapel and Cathedral, Monreale, and Cefalu. As a rule, this means shoulders and knees should be covered.

Further details will be advised in the on board briefings, along with weather predictions.

Responsibility The responsibility of Voyages to Antiquity and the operator of the vessel is strictly limited according to the Terms and Conditions set forth in the Passage Contract that you receive prior to embarkation. You are urged to read the Passage Contract carefully. A sample is available to be mailed on request or can be viewed and printed from the Voyages to Antiquity website at any time. Transportation on board the ship is provided solely by the ship operator and pursuant to the Passage Contract. Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a guest for any reason. Voyages to Antiquity shall not be responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the Voyages to Antiquity vessel. Voyages to Antiquity acts only as an agent for the supplier of off-ship services such as airlines and other off-ship transportation carriers, meals, shore excursions, accommodations, air ambulance and shoreside physicians. Guests agree not to hold Voyages to Antiquity, its owners, agents or representatives liable for any loss, injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, of any third party person or firm which is to, or does, provide goods or services in connection with the trip or any available option.

Without limiting the foregoing, Voyages to Antiquity shall have no liability to passengers for the quality of services at, and the condition, cleanliness or safety of a hotel, housing facility, or conveyance, or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened

vacation time, additional expenses, or any other kind of damage. Voyages to Antiquity expressly disclaims all responsibility of any nature whatsoever for any loss, damage or injury to property or person resulting from air, rail, motorcoach or any other form of transportation other than that actually provided by the Voyages to Antiquity vessel.

Services provided by Independent Contractors All shoreside tours and services described in this brochure or on the website are provided by independent contractors. Voyages to Antiquity acts solely as ticketing agent for all shoreside activities and has no legal obligation or liability of any kind to guests for acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground/tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Voyages to Antiquity.

Guests with Special Needs The tour programmes featured in this brochure include extensive sightseeing and to fully participate each guest must be reasonably fit and have no walking difficulties. Whenever possible Voyages to Antiquity will try to accommodate guests with special needs as long as the mobility issues are not an impediment to others on the guided tours. For further details, refer to the Essential Travel Information leaflet or to that section of the Voyages to Antiquity website.

Errors & Omissions While Voyages to Antiquity makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in this booklet, its promotions and as displayed on the website, Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right not to honour any published fares that it determines were erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error. Voyages to Antiquity is not responsible or liable for any typographical errors, omissions or misprints.

Pompeii

www.voyagestoantiquity.com 23

THE 2017 CRUISE COLLECTION MADEIRA,

May 3 2017

M OR O C C O & SEVILLE

Madeira’s magnificent flora begins this springtime voyage to the Canary Islands, Morocco’s great cities and the charms of Moorish Seville and Cordoba

IBERIA,

HISTORIC SPAIN, SICILY & ITALY

May 11, 2017

ICELAND,

May 25, 2017

FRENCH MOORISH

A springtime voyage combining a two-night hotel stay in Rome, visits to the islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Elba, Renaissance Florence and the French Riviera

June 29 & August 8, 2017

ENGLAND,

Enjoy the sunshine on a two-week voyage from the French Riviera down the western Mediterranean coast to Spain’s historic cities, and the tip of mainland Europe

July 13, 2017

CELTIC

FRANCE &

FAROES &

IRELAND &

S COTLAND &

ENGLAND

SHETLANDS

S COTLAND

IRELAND

Join our magnificent voyage to the edge of the Arctic Circle and the incredible landscapes and nautural wonders of Iceland

From the catles and caves of Scotland to the Isles of Scilly, get to know more about the British Isles and Ireland on this fascinating summer sailing

Two nights in Edinburgh begin this voyage from Scotland to the spectacular west of Ireland and the beautiful Isles of Scilly

Sail from Seville along the Guadalquivir River and onto the Atlantic on a voyage to Portugal’s historic cities, France’s Bordeaux wine region and England’s South Coast

THE BEST OF

August 22, 2017

FRANCE &

MEDITERRANEAN

September 1, 2017

ODYS SEY

CLA S SICAL

ITALIAN &

September 13, 2017

ADRIATIC

PORTUGAL

Sail through the Strait of Gibraltar and accross the Mediterranean as this splendid voyage takes you to charming ports and historic cities

October 5, 2017

ANCIENT

GREECE &

GREECE,

AEGEAN

SICILY &

ISLANDS

SPAIN

This fascinating voyage around the Aegean is a true autumn treat. Starting from Athens, you will visit some of the most inspiring monuments of the ancient world

Sail across the southern Mediterranean to the fascinating island of Sicily and the sites of Moorish Spain

ANDALUSIAN

September 27, 2017

GREECE

This leisurely-paced cruise around Italy allows time to enjoy the pleasures of beautiful Sorrento, explore the ruins of Pompeii and Sicily, and sail along the glorius Adriatic coast to Venice

October 16, 2017

DALMATIA

July 24, 2017

& ANCIENT

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy the summer sun as you sail south to France’s Chateaux Country and on to Portugal’s historic cities

June 6, 2017

RIVIERA & SPAIN

Moorish cities, monumental Sicily, the mysteries of Pompeii, and the grandeur of Rome - all in one magnificent journey

June 15, 2017

THE RENAIS SANCE & RIVIERA S

Cruise through the beautiful Adriatic Sea and the serene splendour of Kotor Bay en route to the classical sites of ancient Greece

October 29, 2017

SEVILLE,

SPAIN &

MOROCCO

MOROCCO

& CANARY

November 9, 2017

THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING CRUISE LINE

ISLANDS

WINNER Andalusia’s great cities – Seville, Cordoba and Granada – combine with exotic Morocco on this fabulous voyage

Discover the lkesser-known teasures of the canary Islands and enjoy a tour of the very best of Morocco

These Cruise Guides are available to download from our website www.voyagestoantiquity.com

AWARDS

2015 VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY BEST FOR ENRICHMENT