SPECIAL OFFER - SAVE £200 PER PERSON PassaGE froM THE Peloponnese TO SicilY Discover THE Wonders of THE AncienT World on A voYAGE froM ATHENS TO MalTA WITH GUEST SpeaKER DR STEVE KERSHAW ABoard THE MS SERENISSIMA 15TH TO 26TH APRIL 2020 Ruins, Selinunte Piazza Armerina oin us aboard the MS Serenissima for a relaxing and informative voyage exploring the wonders of the Peloponnese and Sicily and the abundance of fascinating historical and archaeological sites on offer. The month of April, with comfortable temperatures andJ relatively crowd-free sites is the perfect time to cruise this region and we have planned a comprehensive itinerary with time to learn of the rich heritage as well as to take in the magnificent scenery. Sailing from Athens, our first calls will include visits to the picturesque port of Nafplion, the Byzantine city of Mystras and Olympia with its sporting history. Witness the tangible traces of the many civilisations which have at one point over the course of history called this region home as we visit classical temples, Mycenean palaces and Byzantine cities, and learn of the numerous myths and legends. Leaving the charms of Greece behind us we head to Sicily for a comprehensiveSAN- exploration of the island and its MARINO incredible wealth of treasures. Sicily, owing to its benevolent climate and superb strategic position, has been coveted,YUGOSLAVIA fought over and colonised numerous times with the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Byzantines and Bourbons having all made their mark on the island. During our time here we will visit timelessly beautiful Syracuse, the stunning Greek theatre at Taormina, the Norman Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo, Valle dei Templi and the Roman mosaics of Villa Romana di Casale. ITALY The combined effect of the natural beauty of the islands and coast with GREECE the intriguing history and stunning architecture of the towns and cities make SICILY IONIAN Palermo Tindari SEA for a fascinating voyage and, in the company of less than 100 fellow Piazza Olympia Athens Mazara del Vallo Armerina Taormina Katakolon travellers, we can be thankful that we are able to visit atmospheric Agrigento Nafplion Licata Syracuse Mystras ports and towns which the big ships cannot access. In addition, local Noto Kalamata guides and our knowledgeable Guest Speaker will contribute greatly to Valletta MEDITERRANEAN our enjoyment and understanding of all that we will see. MALTA SEA Guest Speaker - Dr Steve Kershaw The Itinerary Dr Steve Kershaw is a tutor in Classics for Oxford Day 1 London to Athens, Greece. the city walls. An archaeological University Department for Continuing Education, an Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival briefing within the Treasury of accredited lecturer for The Arts Society (ex-NADFAS), transfer to the MS Serenissima Atreus (also known as the Tomb and lectures for the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Early for embarkation. Enjoy Welcome of Agamemnon) will add to our Medieval: 300-1250 and The Classical World and Classical Dinner and Drinks as we sail this understanding and appreciation Revivals courses. His publications include The Penguin evening. of the sights. After lunch on board Dictionary of Classical Mythology, A Brief Guide to the you may choose to spend the Greek Myths, A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization, A Brief History of the Day 2 Nafplion. Looking out afternoon in Nafplion wandering Roman Empire, and A Brief History of Atlantis: Plato’s Ideal State. He is the across the translucent water of the twisting labyrinthine streets and author and tutor for Oxford University’s online courses in Greek Mythology the bay towards the Arcadian admiring the Venetian and Turkish and The Fall of Rome. In 2016 he appeared as an Expert Contributor to The Mountains, Nafplion’s sheltered architecture of this charming town. History Channel’s ‘Barbarians Rising’ series, and he has travelled widely in the location below a rocky headland Alternatively, join a tour to one of world of the Greeks and Romans, both physically and intellectually. and large natural fortress crowned the most renowned of Greece’s by a Venetian castle is perhaps ancient sites. Situated on the Mystras unrivalled in Greece. After slopes of a beautiful and wooded breakfast we will head to the valley, Epidaurus was known famous citadel of Mycenae which is throughout the Hellenic world for located high above the confluence its unique medical facilities and of two boulder-strewn ravines healing treatments. Dedicated to and accessed by way of the Lion Aesclepius, the god of healing, the Gate. Once inside the gate, we city was filled with curative spas will explore the Royal Palace, the and baths and only priests had shaft graves and the remains of access to certain secret rites. Most www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Olympia Taormina Nafplion Tindari of the ruins of Epidaurus have been houses structures including the of Ortygia at your own pace. heritage. We visit the impressive reduced to their foundations, with Temple of Zeus, one of the largest Maybe wander around the sea 12th century cathedral which the exception of the astonishing temples on the Greek mainland and promenade, see the Aretusa houses the royal tombs of Henri VI theatre. Still used for special the Archaeological Museum which Fountain or the noble houses of and King Ruggiero. Return to the performances, the theatre is in an houses some fine sculptures and the Jewish Quarter. Return to the MS Serenissima for lunch and this admirable state of preservation. artefacts from the site. Return to ship for dinner as we sail tonight. afternoon either enjoy some time We sail late tonight for anyone who the MS Serenissima for lunch and to explore independently or join an wishes to take an after-dinner stroll. an afternoon a sea as we begin our Day 7 Taormina & Tindari. From excursion to Monreale Cathedral, journey to Sicily. the nearby port of Messina we said to be the most beautiful Day 3 Kalamata for Mystras. Spend will visit Taormina, a walled town Norman Church in Italy, designed the morning at sea as we sail to Day 5 Syracuse, Sicily. Syracuse lying in the shadow of Mount and completed by William the Kalamata arriving over lunch. Our was founded by the Greeks in Etna, Europe’s highest volcano. Good in 1174. With its thick walls destination today is Mystras, a 734 BC and by the 5th century The town has been a popular and powerful towers, the exterior remarkably intact Byzantine town was a political and military power tourist destination since the 19th looks like an austere fortress yet it that once housed a population of throughout the Mediterranean and century and our guided tour will is the interior of this great cathedral 20,000 people. Here we visit the rivalled Athens as the largest and include walking the characteristic which is its crowning glory. Here Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios, where most beautiful city in the Greek alleys before visiting the 15th the large nave, with its side aisles the two-headed eagle, which is the world. After a morning at sea we century Palazzo Corvaja and the and grey granite columns set off symbol of the Palaeologos Dynasty, will arrive in our central berth over impressive Greek Theatre from the exquisite Byzantine mosaics on is carved into a plaque on the floor. lunch. This afternoon we will visit where there are marvellous views the walls above the arches. According to tradition, this is where the Neapolis Archaeological Park over the town and coast. Return Constantine XII stepped when he where we find a well-preserved to the MS Serenissima for lunch Day 9 Mazara del Vallo. Founded was crowned king. Strolling through Greek theatre with seats carved and this afternoon is free to enjoy in the 9th century BC by the the narrow lanes of the dead city, from limestone. Paradise Quarry, free time in Messina or maybe Phoenicians, Mazara del Vallo we will also visit the Church of Agia now an attractive garden and join an excursion to Tindari a town was used as a strategic location Sophia, the Palace of the Despots orange grove, was the primary which was founded by Syracusan for their trans-Mediterranean and the Monastery of Pantanassa, source of that limestone and is the merchants during the war against trading interests. Mazara soon with its brilliant frescoes. Before site of the curious ‘Dionysus’ Ear’ Carthage in 396 BC. The ruins of became part of Magna Graecia, returning to the vessel, refreshments - a vast grotto with an amplifying the ancient city are relatively well- when it served as a port for the will be served at the picturesque resonance. We will continue to preserved and the structure that nearby city of Selinunte and by tavern located just beneath the site explore the island of Ortigia astounds above all others is the the 9th century was the island’s offering sweeping views over the where we find the Temple of 4th century Greek Theatre which is second city behind Palermo. It local terrain. Apollo, considered to be Sicily’s a marvel of acoustic engineering. is the impressive remains of the most ancient Doric temple and However the foremost attraction ancient city of Selinunte which is Day 4 Olympia. The port of the Baroque Cathedral, erected is the Sanctuary of the Madonna our destination this morning. Once Katakolon will be our base today over the remains of the Temple of Nera containing the sculpture one of the most eminent cities of for our excursion to Olympia. Minerva. We will moor overnight of the Virgin and Child, in citron Magna Graecia it was ransacked by Pastoral and lush, Olympia’s for anyone who wishes to dine wood, and which is said to have the Carthaginians, led by Hannibal, plentiful ruins are shaded by ashore or take an after-dinner stroll reached Tindari in an attempt by who sent 100,000 soldiers to attack Aleppo pines and olive trees.