Circumnavigation of Sicily
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CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY September 22 – October 4, 2019 | 13 Days | Aboard the Serenissima DEAR MIT ALUMNI & FRIENDS, Sicily has long been a stopover for traders and conquerors and an island rich in geologic activity and natural wonders. From the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines to Arab Saracens, Normans, and the Spaniards of Aragon, each wave left its mark and contributed to Sicily’s rich cultural heritage, including magnificent ancient ruins, architectural styles that span the centuries, and unique culinary traditions. Sicily is also volcanic, demonstrated by the activity of Mount Etna and Stromboli. During the trip, we’ll explore the compelling geology of Sicily, in part created by the slow contraction between Africa and Eurasia. September is a glorious time to visit this region and the 95-guest Serenissima allows for an intimate exploration of charming villages and historic ports of call. We are sharing the departure with travelers from Zegrahm Expeditions. If you have any questions, or to make a reservation, please call the MIT Alumni Travel Program Expedition Highlights CIRCUMNAVIGATION at 800-992-6749, or email us at [email protected]. The trip reservation form can be found on our website at alum.mit.edu/travel. • Participate in daily lectures and informal discussions about the region. OF SICILY • Tour Monreale’s impressive 12th-century Cathedral and the Palatine Chapel Sincerely, in Palermo, hailed as two of Italy’s most beautiful Norman churches. • Explore the exquisite Greek and Roman ruins of Agrigento and Syracuse— September 22 – October 4, 2019 | 13 Days | Aboard the Serenissima both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. • Cruise among the scenic Aeolian Islands and enjoy up-close views of still- Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program active Stromboli Volcano. • Attend cooking demonstrations on how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes, P.S. Visit our website at alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all our programs. Find us on Facebook at MIT Alumni Travel Program. and enjoy wine and olive oil tastings. • Enjoy free time to stroll through picturesque coastal towns with opportunities to explore on your own. Enrichment Staff A team of experts will join you on this expedition. They will offer a comprehensive educational component to your adventure through lectures, guided tours, and informal discussions on the history, culture, and current events of the region. In addition to MIT Alumni Travel Program long-time Expedition Leader John Yersin and Cruise Director Kelsey Simmons, you 600 Memorial Dr. 2nd Floor will travel on this voyage with a maritime archaeologist, geologist, ornithologist, Cambridge, MA 02139 historian, and art historian. CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY September 22 – October 4, 2019 | 13 Days | Aboard the Serenissima DEAR MIT ALUMNI & FRIENDS, Sicily has long been a stopover for traders and conquerors and an island rich in geologic activity and natural wonders. From the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines to Arab Saracens, Normans, and the Spaniards of Aragon, each wave left its mark and contributed to Sicily’s rich cultural heritage, including magnificent ancient ruins, architectural styles that span the centuries, and unique culinary traditions. Sicily is also volcanic, demonstrated by the activity of Mount Etna and Stromboli. During the trip, we’ll explore the compelling geology of Sicily, in part created by the slow contraction between Africa and Eurasia. September is a glorious time to visit this region and the 95-guest Serenissima allows for an intimate exploration of charming villages and historic ports of call. We are sharing the departure with travelers from Zegrahm Expeditions. If you have any questions, or to make a reservation, please call the MIT Alumni Travel Program Expedition Highlights CIRCUMNAVIGATION at 800-992-6749, or email us at [email protected]. The trip reservation form can be found on our website at alum.mit.edu/travel. • Participate in daily lectures and informal discussions about the region. OF SICILY • Tour Monreale’s impressive 12th-century Cathedral and the Palatine Chapel Sincerely, in Palermo, hailed as two of Italy’s most beautiful Norman churches. • Explore the exquisite Greek and Roman ruins of Agrigento and Syracuse— September 22 – October 4, 2019 | 13 Days | Aboard the Serenissima both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. • Cruise among the scenic Aeolian Islands and enjoy up-close views of still- Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program active Stromboli Volcano. • Attend cooking demonstrations on how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes, P.S. Visit our website at alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all our programs. Find us on Facebook at MIT Alumni Travel Program. and enjoy wine and olive oil tastings. • Enjoy free time to stroll through picturesque coastal towns with opportunities to explore on your own. Enrichment Staff A team of experts will join you on this expedition. They will offer a comprehensive educational component to your adventure through lectures, guided tours, and informal discussions on the history, culture, and current events of the region. In addition to MIT Alumni Travel Program long-time Expedition Leader John Yersin and Cruise Director Kelsey Simmons, you 600 Memorial Dr. 2nd Floor will travel on this voyage with a maritime archaeologist, geologist, ornithologist, Cambridge, MA 02139 historian, and art historian. and glittering mirrors. This afternoon, you are Roman mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale. free to explore Palermo on your own, or join Enjoy lunch at a Sicilian restaurant near the Greek Deck Plan a guided tour of Monreale’s fabled Cathedral. site of Morgantina, then tour the ruins and visit the The Serenissima CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY Built in 1174 and hailed as Italy’s most beautiful small, but excellent Aidone Museum. Or, choose DECK 7 Norman church, the interior is covered with a city tour that visits the famous morning fish 704 702 The all-suite 95-guest Serenissima DECK 7 BRIDGE 703 mosaics, gold leaf, and stone intarsia. market in Catania’s town square where a colorful 704 701702 is a spacious, yet intimate, expedition DECK 7 BRIDGE variety of local products are on display. After lunch 703 DECK 6 704 701702 vessel. Public spaces include a single- DECK 7 Wednesday, September 25 aboard the ship, or on your own in town, drive to BRIDGE 703 702 DECK 67 704 701 STROMBOLI POZZALLO / RAGUSA, SICILY Piazza Armerina for a tour Villa Romana del Casale. seating dining room, two lounges, BRIDGE604 602 VOLCANO OUTDOOR 704 702 Sunday, September 29 703 701 SEATING BRIDGE Take a drive through scenic countryside to the observation deck, library, sun deck DECK 6 604 602 703 605 603 601 CEFALÙ OUTDOOR 701 charming town of Ragusa, recognized by UNESCO DECKSEATING 6 AEOLIAN with Jacuzzi, and gym. All suites have 604 602 ISLANDS Situated on the northern coast, Cefalù is of 605 603 601 DECKOUTDOOR 6 RECEPTION for its outstanding Baroque architecture. Wander DECKSEATING 5 Lipari an ocean view and feature an en suite 604 602 Greek origin; its name, meaning “head,” derives Thursday, October 3 605 603 601 through the historic center, a tangle of alleys and OUTDOOR RECEPTION DECKSEATING 5 604 602 SYRACUSE / ORTYGIA bathroom, flat-screen television, and LOUNGE BAR Trapani Erice plazas that tumble down a dramatic gorge, to from its position below a precipitous rocky OUTDOOR DINING605 603ROOM 601 Palermo/ SEATING RECEPTION DECK 5 GYM Monreale headland. A walking tour includes the splendid Founded by the Corinthians in the 8th century safe. The Serenissima carries a fleet 605 603 601 BAR Cefalú view elegant palaces and elaborately decorated LOUNGE507 DINING ROOM LOUNGE JACUZZI Segesta 505 503 501 RECEPTION Norman-Arab Cathedral, begun in 1131 and BC, Syracuse was one of the most powerful DECK 5 GYM Taormina/Mt. Etna churches. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to of Zodiacs, available for accessing LOUNGE BAR Marsala 507 DINING ROOMRECEPTIONLOUNGE JACUZZI DECK 45 505 503 501 STRAIT OF famous for its glittering Byzantine mosaics; a Greek cities—defending its sovereignty against GYM a nearby farm to sample almonds and fresh ricotta. remote shorelines and islands. A major LOUNGE BAR SICILY MESSINA DINING ROOM JACUZZI Catania 507 505418 503 501 412LOUNGE410 408 406 medieval wash-house; and the Osterio Magno, such rivals as Carthage, the Etruscans, and the DECK 4424 414 404GYM402 422 BAR Return to Pozzallo for dinner aboard the ship. 420 refurbishment and reconfiguration is LOUNGE DINING ROOM Morgantina LOUNGE JACUZZI Agrigento 507 505418 503 501 412 410 GYM the 11th-century residence of King Ruggiero II. Romans, who later overtook the city, followed by DECK 4424 414 408 406 421 419 407 401 417 404 402 422 planned for late 2018. 420 409LOUNGE JACUZZI 403 Lunch is a highlight today as you join a local chef the Arabs. Begin at the Saint John Catacombs 507 505 503 501 405 DECK 4 418 412 410 408 406 424 414 404 402 421 419 407 422 401 Syracuse 417 at Tasca Lanza Estate who will teach you how with their maze of underground passageways 420 409 405 403 DECK 4 418 412 410 408 406 424 414 404 402 422 Thursday, September 26 DECK 3 420 421 419 407 401 417 322 320 318 316 314 312409310 308 403 Pozzallo/ to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes. There will then drive to the Archaeological Park, a World 418 412 410 405306408 406304 424 414 404 402 Ragusa 422 AGRIGENTO 420 336 302 421 419 334 407 401 also be time for wine sampling and a chance to Heritage Site. Highlights include the Roman DECK 3 417 409 403 322 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 405306DOCTOR 304 301 This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Agrigento, 421 419 407 401 417 409 403303 302 explore the lovely grounds of the Estate, or to Amphitheater of Augustus; the Ear of Dionysius, DECK 3 336 334 405305 322321320319 318 316 314 311312 309310 308307 DOCTOR a World Heritage Site.