October 9 to 18, 2018
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CROSSROADS OF CIVILIZATIONS October 9 to 18, 2018 On this circumnavigation of Sicily aboard our spanking-new luxury yacht, we’ll have the chance to observe the legacy of more than 3,000 years of diverse cultural impact on the island that has included wave after wave of new peoples, new ideas and new artistic techniques over the millennia, leaving in their wake grand temples, great cities, captivating villages and extraordinary works of art. We’ll visit ancient Greek temples and theaters at Segesta, Taormina and Syracuse, and view Roman and Byzantine artwork. Traveling with classics professor Marsh McCall, discover Agrigento’s Greek temples, and Monreale and Palermo’s strong Norman influences. Our voyage begins and ends in Malta, yet another cultural crossroad, where we’ll view prehistoric temples on the island of Gozo as well as Valletta’s impressive monuments. BRETT S. THOMPSON, ’83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights CAPTION EXPLORE Agrigento’s MARVEL at the frescos CRUISE aboard the DISCOVER the age-old seven Doric temples, of Monreale’s cathedral, newly built Le Champlain, charm and cultural treasures considered among the one of the greatest an intimate, state-of-the-art of the island of Malta and largest and best-preserved examples of Norman ship that will surround us in explore the ancient artifacts ancient Hellenic structures architecture in the world. comfort as we sail along the that abound on the nearby outside of Greece. coast of Sicily. island of Gozo. COVER: TRAPANI SEGESTA Trapani Monreale Palermo Segesta Taormina I TALY SICILY Ionian Porto Empedocle Agrigento Sea Syracuse M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a Gozo M ALTA Mgarr Malta Valletta CATHEDRAL OF SYRACUSE of Agrigento. Set on a ridge facing the sea, Agrigento is the Itinerary site of a series of superb Doric TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, temples that are among the OCTOBER 9 & 10 most captivating Greek ruins U.S. / VALLETTA, MALTA in the entire Mediterranean. Depart the U.S. on overnight Visit the Temple of Hercules, flights and upon arrival on constructed in the 6th century Wednesday in Valletta, the capital B.C.E.; the remarkably well- of Malta, transfer to our hotel for a preserved Temple of Concord; welcome cocktail reception. and the Temple of Juno, noted HOTEL PHOENICIA for its graceful proportions. Much of the ancient town still THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 lies intact beneath today’s fields VALLETTA / EMBARK and orchards. Also visit the Explore the Palace of the Grand Archaeological Museum, which Masters and the Co-Cathedral sits on the site of an ancient of St. John during our walking agora and whose extraordinary tour of Valletta this morning. Also collection, which is housed in take note of Valletta’s impressive some 18 rooms, is devoted to monuments and statues that finds that have been gathered number some 320 located in an from the surrounding area. area of less than one-quarter of a LE CHAMPLAIN (B,L,D) square mile; many are in niches on the sides of buildings. Then SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 drive to the Tarxien Temples, TRAPANI / SEGESTA dating from between 3600 and Our excursion this morning 2500 B.C.E., and the Neolithic takes us from Trapani up temple complex of Hagar Qim, winding roads to Segesta for circa 3600–3200 B.C.E. Return a visit to its magnificent Doric to Valletta for embarkation on Le temple, built in 420 B.C.E. and Champlain late this afternoon. among the best-preserved LE CHAMPLAIN (B,D) ancient Greek sites in Sicily. Sitting on a hill outside the FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 ancient city, the temple PORTO EMPEDOCLE, SICILY, ITALY / avoided being destroyed by AGRIGENTO the Carthaginians in the late Arrive in Sicily’s Porto Empedocle 5th century. LE CHAMPLAIN for an excursion to the temples (B,L,D) CATHEDRAL OF SYRACUSE TAORMINA SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 century-B.C.E. Greek colony WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 PALERMO / MONREALE prospered here throughout GOZO, MALTA / Today we drop anchor in the Hellenistic and Roman VALLETTA This morning, stop at the Palermo, founded by the periods. Visit Taormina’s island of Gozo, considered Phoenicians in 827 B.C.E. and Greco-Roman theater, where by tradition to be the island conquered by the Saracens in we can enjoy dramatic views of Ogygia upon which the the 9th century. It had become of Mount Etna and the Sicilian legendary Calypso lived one of Europe’s greatest cities coastline, then take some as recounted in Homer’s by the 12th century when the time to walk along the town’s Odyssey. Here we visit the Normans took control. Seek charming streets, discovering Ggantija Temples, one of the out the Cappella Palatina, the why the town has been such most important archaeological royal chapel built by Roger II a magnet for expatriate artists, sites in the world, dating DELUXE STATEROOM between 1132 and 1143. A writers and intellectuals. from around 3600 to 3200 wonder of Byzantine-Arab- LE CHAMPLAIN (B,L,D) Norman artistry, the chapel B.C.E. Sail on to Valletta and features dazzling mosaics, an TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16 visit the National Museum of exquisitely carved wooden SYRACUSE Archaeology there, whose ceiling, and magnificent inlaid Spend a full day in Syracuse, impressive array of artifacts marble floors and walls. Then colonized by the Greeks dates from Malta’s Neolithic drive to Monreale to visit its in the 8th century B.C.E., Period (5000 B.C.E.) to the beautiful Norman cathedral, becoming one of the most Phoenician Period (400 begun in 1174 and famous for powerful cities of the ancient B.C.E.). Gather with fellow its extraordinary Byzantine world and today a UNESCO travelers aboard ship this glass mosaics. LE CHAMPLAIN World Heritage site. Tour its evening for a festive farewell (B,L,D) 15,000-seat Greek theater, reception before dinner. among the most impressive LE CHAMPLAIN (B,L,D) MARINA MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 to survive from antiquity; the TAORMINA Roman amphitheater; and THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 Arrive this morning in the Archaeological Museum. VALLETTA / DISEMBARK / U.S. Taormina, a small town During our walking tour of on the east coast of Sicily, After breakfast onboard, Syracuse’s Città Vecchia (or disembark our ship and dramatically perched on the Old City) that’s located on side on a hill and offering transfer to the airport for the small island of Ortygia, our return flights back to stunning views of two we’ll visit the remains of the the U.S. (B) sweeping bays below and Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of the cone of Mount Etna, of Arethusa and the Cathedral the largest active volcano with its Temple of Athena. in Europe, a few miles to LE CHAMPLAIN (B,L,D) the southwest. An 8th- RESTAURANT Program Cost* Le Champlain Le Champlain, scheduled to launch in the summer of 2018, features Rates are per person, based on double or single occupancy, as specified. innovative and environmentally friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows and lounge areas that CATEGORY DOUBLE SINGLE** open onto the outside. This new limited-capacity yacht that has just 92 ocean-view staterooms with private balconies offers us a Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3 $6,995 $10,695 truly unique cruising experience. It’s equipped with a panoramic 1 204 sq. ft., plus 43-sq.-ft. private balcony restaurant that can accommodate all passengers in a single seating. Le Champlain boasts state-of-the-art stabilizers, a modular marina Prestige Stateroom Deck 4 $7,295 $11,195 platform from which passengers can swim or engage in water 2 204 sq. ft., plus 43-sq.-ft. private balcony activities directly from the ship, a fleet of Zodiacs, an infinity pool and numerous water-based activities—the perfect vessel for cruising Prestige Stateroom Deck 5 $7,395 — DECK 7 around Sicily. Le Champlain also features the world’s first multi- 3 204 sq. ft., plus 43-sq.-ft. private balcony sensory underwaterSPA lounge, the Blue Eye. Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 $7,495 — FITNESS 4 204 sq. ft., plus 43-sq.-ft. private balcony DECK 6 Deluxe Suite Deck 3 $9,095 — ART GALLERY / PANORAMIC 5 290 sq. ft., plus 64-sq.-ft. private balcony PHOTO VIDEO / LOUNGE KID’S CLUB Prestige Suite Deck 5 $11,795 — DECK 5 6 409 sq. ft., plus 86-sq.-ft. private balcony BRIDGE Prestige Suite Deck 6 $11,995 — WC 7 409 sq. ft., plus 86-sq.-ft. private balcony DECK 4 Privilege Suite Deck 5 $12,295 — 8 344 sq. ft., plus 86-sq.-ft. private balcony RESTAURANT *Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person. DECK 3 **Single accommodations may be limited to as few as 3 cabins. GRILL SHOP EXCURSION DESK POOL MAIN LOUNGE THEATER RECEPTION DESK WC Information Terms & Conditions DATES Deposit & Final Payment to transportation and ship October 9 to 18, 2018 (10 days) A $1,000-per-person deposit is arrangements and exercise every required to hold space for this care possible in doing so. However, program. Sign up online at alumni. we can assume no liability for SIZE stanford.edu/trip?sicily2018 or call injury, damage, loss, accident, This program can accommodate approximately 45 participants. the Travel/Study office at (650) 725- delay or irregularity in connection We have secured blocked space on Le Champlain, which has 1093. Final payment is due 120 days with the service of any automobile, a total capacity of 182 passengers. Although there will be other prior to departure. As a condition motor coach, launch or any other of participation, all confirmed conveyance used in carrying passengers onboard, Stanford will have exclusive shore excur- participants are required to sign out this program or for the acts sions, lectures and special events.