Ancient Empires
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University of British Columbia Alumni Association VVOYAGEVO O YA G E of ANC IENT EMPIRES MALTA ♦ SICILY ♦ POMPEII ♦ AMALFI COAST ♦ ISLE OF CAPRI ♦ ROME cruising aboard the Deluxe M.V. TERE MOANA October 4 to 12, 2013 ◆ Luxury Small Ship – only 90 Guests! ◆ 100% Ocean-view Staterooms Our goals at UBC Alumni Affairs are to connect you with the university and your fellow grads by providing you with programs, communications, and services that enrich your life and add value to your degree. Alumni Travel programs connect you with fellow alumni as you experience the world. Dear Alumni and Friends: Discover the fascinating mix of cultures left in the wake of ancient empires by travelling across the historic sea lanes of the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian seas to the resplendent shores of Malta, Sicily and Italy’s southern Mediterranean coast during the best time of year. This unique offering features the exclusively chartered, Five-Star M.V. TERE MOANA, relaunching in 2013 under new ownership following a complete multimillion-dollar refurbishment. A sophisticated and authentic Small Ship carrying only 90 passengers allows for port calls otherwise inaccessible to larger vessels. En route from Civitavecchia to Malta, visit seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Megalithic temples of Malta. Discover Pompeii on a guided tour of stunning archaeological preservation. Drive along the magnifi cent Amalfi Coast and admire its exceptional natural beauty. Cruise past the volcanic island of Stromboli, “The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean,” used as a navigational marker by medieval mariners. Experience the highlights of Sicily—enjoy a walking tour of the storied town of Taormina in the shadow of Mt. Etna, explore Siracusa and see one of the best-preserved ancient Greek theatres in the world, and visit Agrigento’s majestic Valley of Temples, one of the most memorable sights of the ancient world. Lectures by a Study Leader immerse you in the history, legends and modern life of these ancient cities, medieval ports and scenic landscapes. Further explore the Roman Empire on the Rome Pre-Cruise Option and the ancient city of Valletta and the Knights of St. John on the Post-Cruise Option. Join this once-in-a-lifetime voyage, which provides the best value, the fi nest accommodations and the optimal cruising itinerary! I encourage you to book now while space and early booking savings are available. Tuum Est, Jeff Todd Executive Director, UBC Alumni Association For more information on all alumni programs, communications, and services chosen with care by your alumni association, please see www.alumni.ubc.ca or call 604-822-3313. L EMPIRES Along the southern Mediterranean coast of Italy and on the islands of Malta, Sicily and Capri, experience the legacy of empires from the fi rst settlements of Malta over 7,000 years ago to the magnifi cent Megalithic and Doric temples scattered across the countryside. Walk in the way of the Phoenicians, along the shores where St. Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked, and stroll Roman avenues and Byzantine lanes. Discover traces that the Goths, Moors, Normans, Genoese, Castilians, Turks, Jesuits, Spanish, French and the Knights of St. John imprinted in the spectacular landscape and etched into the fortifi ed walls of medieval cities. Look into the lives of Roman citizens as they were in A.D. 79 in the superbly excavated town of Pompeii. Admire the open- air museums of ancient Mediterranean port towns bearing the infl uences of a seemingly endless roll call of empires. Rome, Italy Once the centre of a vast empire, today Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the historic heart of Italy. From the iconic structures of the Colosseum and ◆ Uniquely designed itinerary exclusively available to our affi nity travellers. the Vatican, to the Spanish Steps and the Catacombs, the remains of ancient ◆ Early Booking Savings! Rome still humble modern visitors. ◆ Exclusively Chartered. Pompeii ◆ Five-Star Small Ship. The incredibly well-preserved ruins of ◆ Only 90 Guests. this ancient Roman city were buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in ◆ Eight Staterooms with Private Verandah. A.D. 79. Discovered and excavated ◆ Spacious, 100% Ocean-View 17 centuries later, Pompeii, a UNESCO accommodations. World Heritage site, provides an intimate ◆ Excursion included in every port! look at daily life during Roman times. See the impressive amphitheatre, the ◆ Special educational lectures. house of the wealthy Vettii family and ◆ One port of call every day. the extraordinary Temple of Jupiter. ◆ Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Capri, Italy ◆ Complimentary alcoholic and Amid the isle of Capri’s dramatic nonalcoholic beverages. scenery, lush vegetation and subtropical ◆ All Shipboard Gratuities are included. climate, the Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius maintained elegant ◆ Complimentary welcome fl owers retreats. By small boat, visit Capri’s and fruit in your Stateroom most famous attraction, the legendary upon embarkation! Grotta Azzura (Blue Grotto), a sea cave ◆ Two-star Michelin signature dishes. ◆ Elegant indoor and alfresco dining. Cover photo: Enjoy stunning views of the Bay of ◆ One crew member for every 1.5 guests. Naxos and Sicily’s spectacular coast from the ancient ruins of Taormina, built on a coastal hilltop. Photo this page: Discover a trove of archaeological treasures in Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. UNESCO CIVITAVECCHIA World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary ROME Air Routing POMPEII Land SORRENTO AMALFI CAPRI POSITANO Coast Amalfi Tyrrhenian Sea ITALY Stromboli • TAORMINA Sicily GRIGENTO LICATA A • SIRACUSA A rugged mountain emerging from the deep-blue sea off Mediterranean island and offers spectacular vistas from all sides. Sea MALTA VALLETTA Taormina, Sicily The charming, medieval town of whose interior is adorned with classic Taormina commands one of the most statues and the tranquil blue-hued waters impressive settings on the island and that gave the grotto its name. is the 2,400-year-old centre of Sicilian culture and commerce. Look for imposing, Amalfi , Italy snow-covered Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest The stunning Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO volcano, and enjoy stunning panoramic World Heritage site, features spectacular views of Calabria. Visit the remarkably natural views along this winding cornice preserved Greco-Roman Theatre, built in of Italy’s Mediterranean coastline and the third century B.C. and still in use today, epitomizes the allure of the Italian seaside. located in perhaps one of the fi nest settings Admire the dramatic cliffs, secluded of any ancient Roman settlement on Earth. villages, opulent villas and sun-dappled Admire the 14th-century Corvaia Palace, beaches. Enjoy time on your own in the an ornate, Gothic-Catalan structure; lovely village of Positano, an exclusive the medieval Baroque portal of and elegant retreat that was frequently the Cathedral of St. Nicola; and visited by artists such as Picasso, the Roman Odeon, known as the Toscanini and Bernstein, popularized by “small theatre.” Stroll along Taormina’s John Steinbeck and now a favourite resort famous Corso Umberto, the bustling of international luminaries. shopping thoroughfare with a distinctive Mediterranean fl air. Stromboli, Italy Tonight, the ship cruises in view of the Siracusa, Sicily most famous of the UNESCO World Extolled for its beauty and grandeur from Heritage-designated Aeolian Islands, antiquity to the present, Siracusa traces Stromboli, known as the “Lighthouse of its origin to Greek colonists from Corinth the Mediterranean” for the spectacular who settled here in 734 B.C. It reached light display of its mildly active volcano. its zenith of wealth and power 350 years Syracuse’s “Old City,” Ortygia is a pedestrian-friendly island separated from mainland Sicily by a narrow channel. The charming streets and plazas are fi lled with Greek, Roman and Baroque architecture styles. For ages, the island of Stromboli has served as a f of the Sorrento peninsula, Capri is Italy’s most famous beacon by day and a lighthouse by night to sailors. colonnade, and the Temple of Concordia, I TINERARY a beautifully preserved Greek monument. Day There are temples dedicated to Zeus 1 Depart from Canada. and Heracles and the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Divinities, ancient Greek lords 2 ROME, ITALY/CIVITAVECCHIA of Earth and the underworld. Visit the Embark M.V. TERE MOANA Archaeological Museum and admire the 3 SORRENTO FOR POMPEII/CAPRI collection of Greek, Etruscan, Phoenician, 4 AMALFI FOR POSITANO Carthaginian and Roman artifacts. 5 NAXOS FOR TAORMINA, SICILY Valletta, Malta 6 SIRACUSA The magnifi cent fortifi ed city of Valletta 7 LICATA FOR AGRIGENTO was founded in 1566 by the French 8 VALLETTA, MALTA Grand Master of the Order of the 9 VALLETTA/ Knights of St. John after their victory Disembark M.V. TERE MOANA/ over the Ottomans in the Great Siege Return to Canada. of Malta. This UNESCO World Heritage site was one of the world’s earliest later under Dionysius the Elder, who planned cities and today showcases fortifi ed his city with 22-kilometre-long architecture from the 16th century walls and made it a centre of philosophy onward, including splendid examples of and the arts. Today, Siracusa is a virtual Baroque, neoclassical and modern styles. open-air museum of classical monuments Tour the Megalithic temples of Malta, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. a UNESCO World Heritage site including Visit the magnifi cent Greek Theatre, Hagar Qim and the Tarxien Temples built where Aeschylus once spoke to ancient in 3000 B.C. Also, see the Palace of the Siracusans; the Roman Amphitheatre, Inquisitor, built to house the law courts of where gladiators competed for the crowds; the Order of St. John. the Altar of Hieron II, the limestone This afternoon, walk through the cave known as Ear of Dionysius; and the colonnaded Lower Barrakka Gardens, Archaeological Museum. Then, enjoy a offering magnifi cent vistas of Valletta walking tour of the historic quarter of and its harbour, and the striking Ortygia, the city’s maritime heart, where Grand Master’s Palace.