Voyage from Malta to Athens aboard the privately chartered Variety Voyager September 12–21, 2015 THE MEDITERRANEAN IS SUCH a popular destination that it is challenging to find less well-known and ITALY Lecce relatively unexplored sites to offer to experienced travelers. So, we are very enthusiastic about the itinerary of our voyage from Malta to Athens, Otranto with its wonderful blend of traditional top picks such as Sicily and Greece, and several exciting new places to explore, including the Apulia GREECE Corfu region of Italy and the beautiful Ionian island of Corfu. Delphi Aboard the sleek yacht Variety Voyager, depart from the massive walled Athens harbor of Malta to the fascinating island of Sicily, calling at Siracusa and CORINTH Taormina, both wrapped in historic as well as contemporary appeal. CANAL Cross the Ionian Sea to the largely undiscovered Apulia region of SICILY Taormina southern Italy, where you can explore Byzantine and Baroque treasures and sample the culinary specialties of the region. Continue to the lush Siracusa and inviting Greek isle of Corfu to delight in its stunning neoclassical Achilleion Place; Mon Repos, a villa that was the birthplace of England’s Prince Philip; and a colorful UNESCO World Heritage–designated Old MALTA Valletta Town. En route to Athens, explore dramatically sited and mythologically rich Delphi, home of the ancient Oracle, and transit the spectacular Corinth Canal, with its soaring walls and narrow waterway. Those who wish can continue onboard for an optional post-trip cruise to Istanbul. HIGHLIGHTS • Explore fascinating archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage sites in the company of local experts. • Delight in the Baroque churches of Lecce and the mosaics of Otranto’s medieval cathedral in Italy’s Apulia region. • Savor delicious Sicilian cuisine on the slopes of Mt. Etna and meet with expert mozzarella makers in Siracusa and the oenologist at the Villagrande estate. • Visit the grand palaces of Corfu and the island’s UNESCO World Heritge– designated Old Town. • Transit the engineering marvel that is the Corinth Canal while enjoying a festive toast to the completion of our journey. Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] DAILY ITINERARY SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 & 13 bath) known to survive in Europe, and enjoy era churches embellished with elaborately by the ancient Greeks. Marvel at the stunning Home / Valletta, Malta a private cheese-making lesson and tasting carved facades and dazzling interiors. Enjoy setting and awe-inspiring architecture, and Depart home on an overnight flight to at an artisan cheese factory. On the island a locavore lunch, perhaps accompanied by a explore the archaeological museum at the Valletta, Malta. Check in to the hotel for an of Ortigia, which separates Siracusa’s two splash of Lecce’s superior olive oil and a glass site. Return to the ship and cruise at dusk orientation and welcome reception. harbors, visit the 6th-century B.C. Temple of of its outstanding wine, before returning to through the dramatic Corinth Canal, whose GRAND HOTEL EXCELSIOR (R) Apollo and the Arethusa Fountain. Otranto to reboard the ship and depart for steep limestone walls soar nearly 300 feet VARIETY VOYAGER (B,L,D) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Greece. overhead. Enjoy a farewell reception and Valletta WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 VARIETY VOYAGER (B,L,D) dinner on board. VARIETY VOYAGER (B,L,D) Valletta, the capital of Malta and a UNESCO Taormina SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 World Heritage site, was built by the Knights Taormina is renowned for its cosmopolitan Corfu, Greece MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Hospitaller Order of St. John to defend atmosphere, beautiful monuments, and lush Corfu is the second largest of the Ionian Athens / Home against Ottoman invasions in the 16th century. gardens. Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient Islands and has been intertwined with the Disembark in Piraeus, the port of Athens, and Tour the Co-Cathedral and Baptistery, where Greco-Roman amphitheater, believed to have history of Greece from the beginning of transfer to the airport for flights home. (B) Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading been a venue for gladiators, take a stroll Greek mythology. In the island’s principal of St. John the Baptist, hangs. The marble along the lively promenade Corso Umberto, city, also called Corfu, explore the Achilleion floor of the cathedral is a series of tombs and enjoy free time in the heart of the city. Palace, built by Empress of Austria Elisabeth housing 375 knights and officers of the order. Drive to the flanks of nearby Mt. Etna for a of Bavaria in 1890 as a monument to platonic OPTIONAL EXTENSION Visit the National Museum of Archaeology’s wine tasting and al fresco lunch, then explore romanticism. The centerpiece of its garden prehistoric treasures; the Palace of the the Silvestri Crater’s lava fields. is a famous marble statue, Achilles Dying, MONDAY–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21–25 Grand Masters museum and armory; and the VARIETY VOYAGER (B,L,D) one of many neoclassical Greek statues at Cruise from Athens to Istanbul beautiful Barrakka Gardens, with panoramic THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 the palace. Also visit Mon Repos, a villa built views of the Grand Harbor. Embark Variety At Sea / Otranto, Italy in the early 1800s for the British governors, Voyager in the late afternoon. This afternoon Variety Voyager arrives in which later served as a school of fine arts and VARIETY VOYAGER (B,L,D) Otranto, at the bottom of the heel of Italy’s as a summer residence for the Greek royal TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 “boot” in the largely undiscovered region of family. Mon Repos, the birthplace of Prince Siracusa, Sicily Apulia. Observe the Byzantine frescoes in Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, today houses an Once a powerful threat to the hegemony of the stunning Chiesa di San Pietro (Church archaeology museum. After free time for Athens, Siracusa was founded around 734 of St. Peter); then enjoy a dinner of Pugliese lunch and independent exploration, take a B.C. by Greek Corinthians and subsequently specialties at a real working farm outside guided walk through the streets of Corfu’s ruled by Romans, Saracens, Byzantines, of Otranto (a particular regional favorite Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Normans, and Ottomans, who left a legacy is orecchiette, pasta in the shape of “small VARIETY VOYAGER (B,D) of temples, cathedrals, theaters, agoras, and ears”). SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 amphitheaters that earned Siracusa UNESCO VARIETY VOYAGER (B,L,D) Delphi / Athens Enjoy an additional four-night cruise World Heritage status. Take an excursion FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Cruise from Corfu to Itea for an excursion to aboard the Variety Voyager, sailing from to the Archaeological Park’s stadium and Lecce the spectacular ruins at Delphi. Located on Athens to Istanbul. In Athens, visit the Cave of Dionysius and to the Museum of Today enjoy an excursion to nearby Lecce, the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, Delphi was the Acropolis, birthplace of democracy, then Archaeology. Explore the ancient Jewish commonly called the “Florence of the sanctuary of the influential Delphic oracle and cross the Aegean Sea to explore Ephesus, Quarter, home to the oldest mikveh (ritual South” because of its numerous Baroque- was considered to be the center of the world once the wealthiest, most powerful city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Sail to Pergamon, which boasted the richest, most extensive library in the known world. Further up the coast of Asia Minor, stop at the ruins of Troas, where the Achaeans fought for the honor of Helen at the Battle of Troy, famously recounted in Homer’s Iliad. Then navigate the narrow Dardanelles and cruise across the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. Additional details and rates will be sent to confirmed program participants. Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] VARIETY VOYAGER The Variety VoyagerOceans Loungeis a state-of-the-art yacht that accommodates just 72 passengers in 36 cabins, and is designed toOceans host Lounge small charters like ours. Cabins range in size from 129 to 248 sq.ft. and are comfortably furnished. They feature en suite facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning, and TV/ DVD. ThroughoutOceans Lounge the ship, guests enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean and the ports visited OCEANS DECK and the services of a friendly crew of 28. There are opportunities to dine both inside and al fresco, and complimentaryOCEANS DECK beer and wine are served with lunch and dinner. Public areas include a partly shaded lounge/barOCEANS DECKon the sundeck, library, and mini-spa with massage room, sauna, steam room, and fitness equipment. There is an Internet Corner and access to 24-hour Wi-Fi in the lounge. 301 303 305 307 Horizons Dining Room 301 303 305 307 Horizons Dining Room 301302 303304 305306 307308 Horizons Dining Room 302 304 306 308 HORIZONS DECK 302 304 306 308 HORIZONS DECK HORIZONS DECK 201 203 205 207 209 211 213 215 Riviera Lounge 201 203 205 207 209 211 213 215 Riviera Lounge 202 204 206 208 210 212 214 201 203 205 207 209 211 213 215 210 212 214 Riviera Lounge 202 204 206 208 RIVIERA DECK 202 204 206 208 210 212 214 RIVIERA DECK RIVIERA DECK 101 103 105 107 109 Jade 111 113 Spa Suite 101 103 105 107 109 Jade 111 113 110 112 Spa Suite 102 108 Library & 101 103 104105 107106 109 111 113 Jade Internet Corner 110 112 Spa Suite 102 108 Library & 104 106 Internet Corner 110 112 MARINA DECK 102 108 Library & 104 106 MARINA DECK Internet Corner Double Single RATESMARINA DECK Category C Category P CATEGORY C $7,995 $10,995 CategoryMarina Deck.