100th Anniversary Passage through the Panama Canal and Costa Rica A voyage aboard the Small Ship M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER March 1 to 9, 2014 PROOF u Small Ship—only 36 Cabins! u 100% Ocean-View Cabins N N N u All Shore Excursions Included Dear Temple Alumni and Friends, Few experiences can match one of the world’s most dramatic voyages, a cruise from one ocean to another through one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world, the Panama Canal. An engineering marvel when it opened one hundred years ago, the 50-mile passage through the Panama Canal continues to astonish the most veteran traveler. Experience firsthand the mighty locks that raise and lower ships 85 feet using no other power than the force of gravity, accomplishing in mere hours what would have taken a three-week circumnavigation of South America in years gone by. Just as impressive is the cruise through the lush tropical jungle in the Gaillard Cut, a channel hewn through solid rock eight miles thick where the canal slices through the rugged Continental Divide. We invite you to join us for this voyage of a lifetime featuring the historic Panama Canal during the 2014 centennial-year celebration and the unspoiled rainforests of Costa Rica at the best time of year. Further to our comprehensive itinerary, visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites and Panama’s ancient San Blas Islands, where the Kuna Indians live much as they did centuries ago. Tour one of acclaimed architect Frank Gehry’s newest designs, Panama City’s Biodiversity Museum. Experience Costa Rica’s world-renowned and protected national park— rainforests, islands and archipelagos that foster one of the most pristine ecosystems on our planet. This exclusive offering features the intimate M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER, launched in 2012. A true small ship, M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER carries only 72 guests and provides deluxe accommodations along with an intimate atmosphere to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow alumni. This is an extraordinary and exclusive opportunity available only to affinity travelers, and it is an excellent value. I encourage you to book now while space is available. Sincerely, Amy Goerwitz Director of Temple Travels Temple University Alumni Association For questions about the educational program, call Temple Travels at 215-204-2167. For questions about registration and logistics, call 800-922-3088. To see all of Temple Travels’ 2014 alumni trips, visit the website at alumni.temple.edu/templetravels. Our Faculty Leader A history professor, Ralph Young has won four Temple teaching awards, most recently the 2013 CLA Distinguished Teaching Award. He is the author of Dissent in America: Voices That Shaped a Nation and the founder of weekly campus-wide Temple “teach-ins” where students and faculty examine the historical context of controversial contemporary issues. Dr. Young’s writings have appeared in such publications as The New England Quarterly, USA Today Magazine, the History News Network and he is frequently quoted by news organizations including the Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, the Washington Post, Reuters, the Associated Press, and WHYY/National Public Radio. He looks PROOF forward to sharing his knowledge with fellow travelers on this voyage. Photo this page: In only three square miles, the Cover photo: Though the sea levels of the Atlantic natural wonders of Manual Antonio National and Pacific oceans are virtually the same, Pacific high Park range from sandy beaches and low-lying tides would reverse the flow of water through the marshes to mature tropical forests. Panama Canal if not for the impressive system of locks. in the Heart of the Rainforest Called the “coast of riches” by the Spanish conquistadors who discovered it in 1502, Costa Rica offers travelers incredibly beautiful, ecologically diverse and fascinating cultural experiences. More than 25% of the country is a national park, wildlife refuge or protected rainforest, earning Costa Rica the distinction of the greenest country in the world and the leading eco-tourism destination. Explore lush rainforests, exquisite beaches and a stunning palette of wildlife, with hundreds of rare and endemic species, including 600 species of non-migratory birds. Costa Rica’s national motto is “Pura vida!” which translates literally as “pure life” but is better expressed by the optimistic, carefree spirit and the smiling faces of the ticos (Costa Rican natives) who welcome you to this spectacular landscape. San José, Costa Rica The horticultural diversity of Costa Rica, the “Garden of the Americas,” is evident in the parks of this vibrant capital city. ◆ Uniquely designed itinerary exclusively San José is also an interesting mix of architectural styles, including Spanish available to our affi nity travelers. Colonial, Moorish and Modernist. ◆ Early Booking Savings! Its National Theater is a regal Baroque edifi ce modeled on Milan’s La Scala. ◆ Exclusively chartered. The National Museum displays impressive artifacts of pre-Columbian Central America. ◆ Small ship. Manuel Antonio National Park ◆ Only 72 guests. Experience an unparalleled diversity of wildlife in this lush tropical paradise, a ◆ Spacious, 100% ocean-view captivating combination of rainforest, accommodations. beaches and coral reefs, home to more than 100 species of mammals, almost ◆ All excursions included! 200 species of birds and various reptiles and amphibians. In this “Living Eden,” ◆ Special educational lectures. expert naturalists will help you spot colorful toucans, screeching howler ◆ Panama Canal grand passage during its monkeys, camoufl aged iguanas, squirrel 100th anniversary. monkeys and rare and endangered species such as the scarlet macaw and quetzal, ◆ Complimentary house wine and beer protected by law in this natural haven. with dinner. ◆ Complimentary house beer with lunch. ◆ Elegant indoorPROOF and alfresco dining. COSTA RICA CARTAGENA SAN JOSÉ Caribbean Sea San Blas HERRADURA Islands QUEPOS Manuel Antonio COLÓN Drake National Park Panama Canal PANAMA CITY Bay CASA ORQUÍDEAS Corcovado GOLFITO National PANAMA Park Gulfo Osa Dulce Granito Peninsula Gulf of de Oro Panamá Isla de Coiba COLOMBIA UNESCO World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary Pacifi c Ocean Air Routing Land Routing Costa Rica is famous for its hundreds of stunning freshwater falls. Quepos Named for the native Quepo Indians and once known for its banana plantations, Quepos ITINERARY today is the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park and recognized throughout the Day world for its high-quality palm oil and abundant 1 Depart from the U.S./ marlin, sailfi sh and snapper sport fi shing. SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Osa Peninsula 2 SAN JOSÉ/HERRADURA/ Embark M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER Located along the southern Pacifi c coast, this 3 MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK/ secluded natural wonderland was declared “one of the most biologically intense places QUEPOS on earth.” Central America’s largest virgin 4 OSA PENINSULA/CASA ORQUÍDEAS/ lowland tropical rainforest, the Osa Peninsula’s GOLFITO rugged natural splendor is home to rare 5 GRANITO DE ORO, PANAMA/ and endangered species, including the harpy ISLA COIBA eagle, spider monkey and three-toed sloth. 6 PANAMA CITY In Casa Orquídeas, a stunning, maze-like 7 PANAMA CITY/PANAMA CANAL/COLÓN botanical garden of over 100 species of orchids, bromeliads, heliconias and edible 8 SAN BLAS ISLANDS plants, visitors can observe colorful toucans, 9 CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA/ scarlet macaws and jewel-hued hummingbirds. Disembark ship/Return to the U.S. Coiba National Park, Panama The largest island in Central America Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and once an isolated prison, Isla Coiba hosts Coiba National Park and its Special Zone terrestrial wonders—untouched rainforest, of Marine Protection has emerged as a rich rugged headlands, pristine white-sand laboratory for studying coral, mammals beaches and mangrove thickets—the perfect and plants. In addition to 69 species of fi sh, environment for the evolution of new and humpback, orca, sperm and Cuvier’s beaked endemic subspecies and for the protection of whales are known to move through the endangered species. marine park’s perimeter, and large marlin may be seen leaping from the water. Panama City Formed by a steep volcanic outcropping Central America’s most attractive capital city over millions of years, Granito de Oro, was founded in 1519 by Spanish explorers PROOFwhich means and rebuilt in the late 17th century. Panama’s Kuna people proudly “granules of carry on their tribal traditions. Many historic structures remain today gold” to refl ect within the designated UNESCO World its purity, Heritage site—Panama Viejo, the oldest is an islet European settlement in the America’s, and known as the Casco Antiguo, with its cobbled streets and “live aquarium spectacular ruins of 16th-century cathedrals. of Coiba” Near the Panama Canal, the Mirafl ores Locks for its vast Visitor Center provides an ideal observation array of area and opportunity to see how the locks exquisite operate, and the new Biodiversity Museum, marine life designed by architect Frank Gehry such as of Guggenheim fame, showcases the parrotfi sh and ecological signifi cance of Panama’s exotic orange-sided fl ora and fauna. triggerfi sh. Once a forgotten neighborhood, Panama City’s Casco Viejo, the walled colonial quarter, is now a vibrant UNESCO World Heritage site where the culture is a melting pot of old and new, local and imported. San Blas Islands around their forearms and legs in striking Located on the Caribbean side of Panama, geometric patterns. the sun-drenched San Blas Islands are an extraordinary testament to Panama’s Cartagena, Colombia commitment to the indigenous Kuna Indians This beautiful Spanish colonial city, founded and their centuries-old way of life, including in 1533 and named after Cartagena, Spain, language, is one of the customs best preserved and culture. walled cities Villagers live in the world. in typical Today, its massive thatched-roof fortifi cations and huts, barter or Castillo de San trade in fi sh and Felipe fortress agricultural are a designated products and UNESCO World paddle dugout Heritage site and canoes, their an enchanting main mode of Formed by damming the Chagres River, the Panama Canal’s tribute to transportation.