The Idyllic Islands & Majestic Shores Of
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SMITH LECTURER BOSILJKAWITH GLUMAC The Idyllic Islands & Majestic Shores of Croatia & Montenegro Private-Style Cruising Aboard the 100-Guest Corinthian June 26 - July 4, 2014 Dear Alumnae and Friends, The coast of Croatia and Montenegro is almost too lovely for its own good. Ancient Greek settlers, Roman and Byzantine emperors, Venetian doges, and Ottoman caliphs have coveted this sun-dappled, island-dotted stretch of the Adriatic Sea. Yet, this magnificent coastline has escaped the machinery of mass tourism. The idyllic islands, the small, well-preserved medieval towns lining the coast, the phenomenal monuments, the palm-lined promenades, and the exquisite landscapes and seascapes have retained their authenticity and original character. Join fellow Smith travelers and Smith Professor Bosiljka Glumac on a splendid voyage exploring this stunning region. There are about a thousand islands that line Croatia’s coast, and sailing through this magnificent archipelago and stopping to explore the islands and coastal towns is one of the most delightful travel experiences in the world. The setting of the small port towns and their architecture could not be more perfect. As the ship approaches, we see ancient walls rising from the water’s edge to enclose delightful towns of cobblestoned streets and stone buildings with tiled roofs. Aboard the elegant, 50-suite Corinthian, we will show you the Dalmatian Coast’s well-established highlights, but also the hidden jewels. You may participate in organized shore excursions, but you will also have time to explore on your own as well as enjoy the local nightlife. And as befits a private-style cruise, you will have the opportunity to participate in activities that are not possible to duplicate on larger ships, such as swimming and snorkeling in turquoise waters straight from Corinthian’s swimming platform, kayaking in secluded bays, or biking country lanes on the ship’s fleet of bikes—all at no additional cost. In addition to illuminating lectures by Professor Glumac—who will provide a deeper, unique perspective as a native Croatian—we will also be joined by historian Anne Marie Bouché and renowned chef Giuliano Hazan, who will delve into the culinary traditions of the region. If you wish to cruise and explore one of Europe’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions in a style that is beyond the ordinary, join us, fellow alumnae, and other travelers aboard Corinthian. You will be warmly welcomed as an individual traveler, not a tourist. Sincerely, Elizabeth Bigwood, Director, Smith Travel Office of Alumnae Relations Cover: The distinctive skyline of Rab Town, on the island of the same name Right: Hvar’s ancient alleyways and architectural features make it one of Croatia’s loveliest islands. Explore the Idyllic Dalmatian Coast & Islands on a Private-Style Cruise Korcula’s perfectly preserved medieval town ROM THE DECK OF YOUR ELEGANT SHIP, ISLANDS APPEAR— THE PERFECT WAY TO CRUISE F evolving forms held in bright sunshine above impossibly clear, AND EXPLORE royal blue seas. As the ship rounds bleached cliffs, forest mounds, and pebble beaches, a port comes into view: a medieval walled This superb corner of the Mediterranean has a long and proud town, perched like a captain on the prow of his ship, virtually maritime tradition. As in bygone ages, Croatia’s Dalmatia and unchanged through six centuries or more. Its crenellated walls, Montenegro are best appreciated when accessed from the sea. campaniles, and patrician villas speak of a rich past. At night, But on which ship you cruise matters a lot. This is not an area moonlight pools on the ancient flagstones. for today’s mega cruise ships. The small islands, ancient towns, and villages cannot accommodate large crowds of tourists. This is Croatia and Montenegro, renowned for their physical When traveling in such large groups, people miss the essence beauty, the splendor of their ancient towns and villages that have of what these places are all about. preserved their character and architecture through the centuries, the magnificence of their monuments, the elegance of their Our ship, the Corinthian, is the ideal cruise ship for this voyage. customs and traditions, and the vitality of the friendly inhabitants. As you will read in the description of the ship (page 12), Corinthian offers the comfort, facilities, and elegance of a modern cruise ship, yet it has only 50 suites for 100 guests— the right number to enable you to explore in depth the places we will visit without overwhelming their ages-old infrastructure. [ 4 ] For reservations or information, please contact Elizabeth Bigwood at 413-585-2029 or 800-225-2029 [email protected] [5] Explore the Idyllic Dalmatian Coast & Islands on a Private-Style Cruise In the Old Town of Dubrovnik Venice’s Grand Canal MORE THAN JUST SIGHTSEEING SPECIAL EXPERIENCES Our cruise offers more than ordinary sightseeing tours. To begin Biking, Kayaking, Swimming with, aboard ship you will attend lectures given by experts in Croatia and Montenegro offer unparalleled opportunities for a variety of fields that relate to our destinations. Having an biking, kayaking, and swimming. With Corinthian’s own fleet understanding of the history of the place and the cultures that of bikes and kayaks, we are able to organize biking excursions built the monuments, you will be able to better appreciate along country roads and scenic village lanes, and kayaking the explorations ashore, which are led by accomplished and in secluded bays and hidden coves. And when the weather knowledgeable guides. permits, you will enjoy swimming in the But there is something else that we offer that is precious. Time. translucent, turquoise You will have time not only to explore via organized in-depth waters for which excursions, but also time to make your own discoveries at Croatia is justly famous, your own pace. Time to photograph, to walk the narrow lanes, from the ship’s stern’s to meet the locals, to sample local delicacies, and to browse swimming platform. local shops. And as we stay in many of the ports until late in All these special the evening, you will also be able to experience the legendary activities are available outdoor Mediterranean nightlife: walking along the sea at no additional cost. promenade or enjoying the cuisine of a local taverna or café. [email protected] [5] Cruise, Learn & Enjoy Our voyage is accompanied by an experienced team of lecturers and expert local guides who will introduce you to the culture and history of these unforgettable lands. This cruise also features special culinary-related sightseeing as well as cooking demonstrations and culinary lectures by a renowned chef and cookbook author. SMITH COLLEGE FACULTY Bosiljka Glumac is a Professor of Geosciences at Smith College, specializing in sedimentary geology. Born and raised on the Istrian peninsula of Croatia, she and colleagues from the University of Zagreb, Croatian Geological Survey, and Croatian Natural History Museum, have done extensive fieldwork in the areas we will travel – examining large sauropod dinosaur footprints in a quarry in Istria, analyzing sediment and speleothem samples from a cave near Zagreb, hiking on rugged karst terrains of the Dinaridic mountains, and island hopping in Dalmatia. Her lectures will focus on the origin and evolution of the Adriatic Sea, landscapes and landforms of the Adriatic coast, and the historical use of local limestone as building and decorative stone. GUEST LECTURER Anne-Marie Bouché is Associate Professor of Art History at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she teaches courses on Western art and architecture before 1700. She was Assistant Professor of Western Medieval Art at Princeton University and spent several years as a staff lecturer and researcher at The Cloisters Museum in New York. CULINARY LECTURER Cooking teacher and cookbook author, Giuliano Hazan, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Italian cuisine. His style is accessible, without pretense or fanfare. His cookbooks have earned him a James Beard Award nomination, and he runs an acclaimed cooking school in Italy. During our voyage, Chef Giuliano will talk about how Italian food and its history have influenced the cuisines of Croatia and the greater Mediterranean region, and he will give a demonstration or two of how to prepare simple yet authentic meals. Dubrovnik’s Franciscan Monastery, built in the 14th century Cruise, Learn & Enjoy Magical Dubrovnik, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities VENICE CROATIA Rab Island K o r n a t BOSNIA & i Is la HERZEGOVINA n ds Adriatic Sea Split Vis Hvar Mostar ITALY Island Island Ploce Korcula Island DUBROVNIK Kotor MONTENEGRO The fragrant lavender fields of Hvar [email protected] [9] Itinerary Thursday, June 26, 2014 FLY FROM USA Friday, June 27 DUBROVNIK, Croatia | EMBARK Arrive in Dubrovnik and transfer to Corinthian. Set on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ancient walls enclose narrow cobblestoned streets and alleyways, palaces, and mansions. The city contains within its ramparts the Rector’s Palace; the Franciscan Monastery, which houses a 13th-century pharmacy (the oldest in Europe); and the baroque Cathedral, with works by Renaissance painters Titian and Andrea del Sarto. Overnight aboard ship docked in Dubrovnik. (D) Saturday, June 28 DUBROVNIK | KOTOR, Montenegro Komiza, Vis Island Enjoy a guided tour of Dubrovnik this morning. In the afternoon sail the deep, fjord-like Bay of Kotor to reach the Sunday, June 29 port town of the same name, located at the head of the KORCULA ISLAND, Croatia bay beneath towering mountains. One of the most striking As we dock in Korcula town, steps away from our ship stands and best-preserved towns along the Adriatic coast, Kotor the medieval city with its walls and guard towers still intact.