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 October 17
Depart Athens (Piraeus), Greece
The birthplace of Western Civilization is a
fantastic mix of classical ruins and modern
life. One of the greatest cities of the ancient
world, Athens dates back over 2,000 years.
It reached its golden age in the 5th century
BC when Pericles built the Acropolis, then
declined, and regained its prominence
when it became the capital of modern
Greece in 1834. Today, it is a bustling
metropolis of over three million people.
October 18
Návplion, Greece
Connected by a narrow isthmus
(it’s less than four miles across at
its narrowest) off the southern end
of central Greece, the Peloponnese
is a large peninsula with many
things going for it. As Greece’s first
capital after the Greek War of
Independence in the 1820s,
Návplion has its share of history,
including two Venetian fortresses and many neoclassical
buildings. But in fact, Návplion is the more modern side of
Greece—a relaxed and appealing place with leafy parks, small
museums, picturesque streets, and lively outdoor cafes.
 October 19
Santorini, Greece
Of all the Cyclades Islands,
Santorini is often considered the
most dramatic. Once an active
volcano, it was known as Stongyle,
or the Round Island. Around 1500
BC, the volcano erupted with such
force that the center of the island
literally exploded, leaving the
haunting submerged crater into
which Crystal Serenity sails. The island’s small villages were
preserved in the ashes and recent excavations have uncovered a
fascinating view of everyday life from 3,500 years ago.
October 20
Seminar-at-Sea
 October 21
Valletta, Malta
Located on the crossroads of the
Mediterranean, Malta’s history begins
with the settlement of the Phoenicians
in the 9th century BC, followed by a
procession of conquerors from the
Carthaginians to the Romans to the
Normans, and many others in
between. With 7,000 years of history,
the sites to visit are endless—the Megalithic Temples, including
Ggantija, are the oldest freestanding temple in the world, and St.
Paul’s Bay is said to be the place where St. Paul was shipwrecked.
October 22
Gabés, Tunisia
While it hugs the coast of Africa, Tunisia is a relative stone’s
throw from Italy, giving it a distinctly Mediterranean identity.
Indeed, the region has been under the rule of several influential
empires of the north, including Turkish, French, and Roman.
Two quintessentially African oases, one unfolding toward the sea
and another stretching toward the desert, are nearby. The town
itself is famous for its henna and for its bustling marketplace,
where you can find an array of spices and locally made baskets. |
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October 23
Seminar-at-Sea
 October 24
Sardinia, Italy
Referred to as the “City of the Sun,”
Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari, dates
back to the Phoenician-Punic
period. Since then, this resourceful
community has flourished despite
numerous invasions by outside
forces. It was conquered by the
Romans in the 3rd century BC and
the Arabs during the 8th and 9th
centuries AD. Between the 11th and 14th centuries, Cagliari
became a Pisan stronghold during the wars with Genoa.
 October 25
Sicily, Italy
Sicily is the largest island in the
Mediterranean, which has made it
strategically important to all the
powers of the Mediterranean basin.
The island is actually a geological
extension of the Apennine
Mountains. One of the most active
volcanoes in Europe, Mount Etna,
still lights up the sky with a molten
shower now and again. Nestled in
the palms and orange groves of the Conca d’Oro area, Palermo
has a tropical atmosphere. Wander through the enchanting
squares of the Quattro Canti and admire the mixture of European
and Arab influences in the Palazzo dei Normanni.
 October 26
Naples, Italy
Naples, the center of southern
Italy’s commerce, is located on the
scenic Bay of Naples. With its
magnificent scenery, the city
attracted many intellectuals,
including Cicero, Horatio, and
Pliny the Elder. The great Latin
poet Virgil also lived in Naples, in
the delightful Mergellina district, where the so-called Tomb of
Virgil and the nearby Tomb of the Leopards can now be found.
View a moment frozen in time at the excavations of Pompeii
and Herculaneum, ancient cities buried by an eruption of nearby
Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.
October 27
Seminar-at-Sea
 October 28
Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy
Here is a city built on hills, seven hills on the banks of the River
Tiber. From its early days as a
simple settlement of shepherds
on the Palatine Hill, Rome grew
to rule a vast empire that
stretched from Northern
England to North Africa. The
legacy of this history can be seen
throughout the city. The Forum, the Colosseum, and triumphal
arches, all built by emperors intent on making their marks on
civilization, remain visible today. As the center of Christianity,
Rome has a vast wealth of beautiful churches and basilicas—
from St. Peter’s (Michelangelo’s dome is the tallest in the world)
to the Pantheon, the ancient Roman temple that has survived
2,000 years of history. |
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