aandnd A voyage aboard the Small Ship M . S . SEERENISSIMARENISSIMA January 27 to February 4, 2015 ◆ CClassiclassic SSmallmall SShiphip ◆ OOnlynly 9900 GGuestsuests ◆ OOverver 990%0% OOcean-Viewcean-View AAccommodationsccommodations ◆ OOnene PPortort CCallall EEveryvery DDayay ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ AAllll SShorehore EExcursionsxcursions IIncludedncluded Dear Villanova Traveler, Few experiences can match one of the world’s most dramatic voyages, a cruise from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacifi c through one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world, the Panama Canal. An engineering marvel when it opened over one hundred one years ago, the 50-mile passage through the Panama Canal continues to astonish even the most veteran traveler. Experience fi rsthand 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. We invite you to join us for this voyage of a lifetime featuring a passage through the historic Panama Canal, following its centennial anniversary, and the unspoiled rainforests of Costa Rica and Panama at the best time of year. During our comprehensive itinerary, visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites and Panama’s ancient San Blas Islands, where the Guna Indians live much as they did centuries ago. Tour one of acclaimed architect Frank Gehry’s newest designs, Panama City’s Biodiversity Museum. Experience Panama’s and Costa Rica’s world-renowned and protected national parks—rainforests, islands and archipelagos that foster one of the most pristine ecosystems on our planet. This unique offering features the exclusively chartered M.S. SERENISSIMA, a classic small ship carrying only 90 guests and relaunched in 2013 following an extensive renovation. The M.S. SERENISSIMA provides an intimate atmosphere to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow alumni and a unique cruise experience. This is an extraordinary and exclusive opportunity available only to affi nity travelers, and it is an excellent value. I encourage you to book now while space is available. For additional information, please feel free to contact our Alumni Association Travel Coordinator, Pat Gillin, at 1-800-Villanova (1-800-845-5266) or [email protected]. Best regards, George R. Kolb ’84 Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Photo this page: In only three square miles, the Cover photo: Aboard the M.S. SERENISSIMA, experience natural wonders of Manuel Antonio National Park firsthand the impressive system of locks that maintain range from sandy beaches and low-lying marshes water levels in the Panama Canal despite dramatic to mature tropical forests. Pacific tides. iinn tthehe HHearteart ooff tthehe RRainforestainforest Called the “coast of riches” by the Spanish conquistadors who discovered it in 1502, Costa Rica offers visitors 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, walk along exquisite beaches and see a stunning palette of wildlife, where rare and endemic species fl ourish, including howler monkeys, colorful tree frogs and Costa Rica’s 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. Cartagena, Colombia This beautiful Spanish colonial city, founded in 1533 and named after Cartagena, Spain, is one of the best preserved walled cities in the world. Today, its massive fortifi cations ◆ Uniquely designed small ship and Castillo de San Felipe fortress are itinerary exclusively available a designated UNESCO World Heritage to our affi nity travelers. site and an enchanting tribute to this “Ciudad Heroica,” which withstood ◆ EExclusivelyxclusively cchartered.hartered countless battles over the centuries. ◆ Classic ssmallmall sship.hip Cartagena’s charming circular plazas served as the setting of the movie ◆ Passage through the Panama Canal. Romancing the Stone. ◆ Early Booking Savings! San Blas Islands, Panama Located on the Caribbean side of Panama, ◆ One port call each day. the sun-drenched San Blas Islands are ◆ All shore excursions included! an extraordinary testament to Panama’s commitment to the indigenous Guna Indians, ◆ Only 90 guests. also known as the Kuna Indians, and their centuries-old language, customs and culture. ◆ Comfortable, nearly all oocean-viewcean-view Villagers live in typical thatched-roof huts, accommodations. barter or trade in fi sh and agricultural products and paddle dugout canoes, their ◆ Four Cabins with private veranda. main mode of transportation. Guna women ◆ Special educational lectures. continue to hand-stitch traditional colorful molas (reverse appliqué panels) and wear ◆ Indoor and alfresco dining. winis, long strings of tiny beads wrapped around their forearms and legs in striking ◆ One crew member for every 1.7 guests. geometric patterns. CCOSTAOSTA AAtlantictlantic OOceancean AArenalrenal RRICAICA CCurúurú NNationalational CAARTAGENARTAGENA WWildlifeildlife RRefugeefuge CCaribbeanaribbean SSeaea SAANN JOOSÉSÉ SSanan BBlaslas PUUERTOERTO IIslandsslands CAALDERALDERA COOLÓNLÓN MManuelanuel AAntoniontonio DDrakerake NNationalational PParkark PPanamaanama CCanalanal PAANAMANAMA CIITYTY BBayay CCasaasa OOrquídeasrquídeas GOOLFITOLFITO PPANAMAANAMA GGolfoolfo DDulceulce GGranitoranito GGulfulf ooff ddee OOroro PPanamaanama IIslasla CCoibaoiba CCOLOMBIAOLOMBIA UNESCO World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary PPacifiacifi c OOceancean Air Routing Land Routing Costa Rica is famous for its hundreds of stunning freshwater falls. Panama City Central America’s most attractive capital city I TINERARY was founded in 1519 by Spanish explorers and Day rebuilt in the late 17th century. Many historic ◆ PRE-PROGRAM CARTAGENA OPTION edifi ces remain today within the designated UNESCO World Heritage site—Panama Viejo, 1 DDepartepart tthehe UU.S..S./ the oldest European settlement in the Americas, CAARTAGENARTAGENA, COOLOMBIALOMBIA/ and Casco Antiguo, with its cobblestone streets EEmbarkmbark M.S. SEERENISSIMARENISSIMA th and its stunning 16 -century cathedral. 2 SAANN BLLASAS ISSLANDSLANDS, PAANAMANAMA Adjacent to the Panama Canal, the 3 COOLÓNLÓN//PPAANAMANAMA CAANALNAL Mirafl ores Locks Visitor Center provides an ideal opportunity to see how the locks operate. 4 PAANAMANAMA CIITYTY Nearby, the new Biodiversity Museum, 5 GRRANITOANITO DDEE ORROO//IISSLALA COOIBAIBA designed by architect Frank Gehry of 6 GOOLFOLFO DUULCELCE, COOSTASTA RIICACA, Guggenheim fame, showcases the ecological FFOROR SAALADEROLADERO ECCOO LOODGEDGE AANDND signifi cance of Panama’s exotic fl ora and fauna. CAASASA ORRQUÍDEASQUÍDEAS Coiba National Park 7 MAANUELNUEL ANNTONIOTONIO NAATIONALTIONAL PAARKRK/ Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, CUURÚRÚ NAATIONALTIONAL WIILDLIFELDLIFE REEFUGEFUGE Coiba National Park and its Special Zone 8 PUUERTOERTO CAALDERALDERA/DDisembarkisembark sshiphip/ of Marine Protection has emerged as a rich SAANN JOOSÉSÉ laboratory for studying coral, mammals 9 SAANN JOOSÉSÉ/RReturneturn ttoo tthehe UU.S..S. and plants. In addition to 69 species of fi sh, humpback, orca, sperm and Cuvier’s beaked ◆ POST-PROGRAM COSTA RICA OPTION whales are known to migrate through the marine park’s perimeter. Linked by an underwater mountain chain to endemic subspecies and for the preservation the Galápagos, Granito de Oro is a small island and protection of endangered species. within the park known as the “live aquarium of Coiba.” Enjoy an afternoon snorkeling Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica among its vast array of exquisite marine life Located along the southern Pacifi c coast, this including parrotfi sh and orange-sided triggerfi sh. secluded natural wonderland was declared The largest island in Central America and “one of the most biologically intense places once an isolated political prison, Isla Coiba on earth.” Explore fl ora and fauna fi rsthand today is a host on the grounds of the Saladero Eco Lodge, an Panama’s Guna Indians proudly of terrestrial exclusive, pristine private property accessible only wear vibrant molas and wrap wonders— by boat and encompassing nearly 500 acres of their legs with colorful and untouched primary old-growth rainforest, tropical gardens patterned beaded winis. rainforest, and beach, offering spectacular viewing of rugged Costa Rica’s rich wildlife, including scarlet headlands, macaws and the endangered spider monkey. pristine white- In nearby Casa Orquídeas, a stunning, maze-like sand beaches botanical garden of over 100 species of orchids, and mangrove bromeliads, heliconias and edible plants, visitors thickets— can observe colourful toucans, scarlet macaws the perfect and jewel-hued hummingbirds. environment for the Manuel Antonio National Park evolution Experience an unparalleled diversity of wildlife of new and in this lush tropical paradise, a captivating Once a forgotten neighborhood, Panama City’s Casco Antiguo, 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. combination of rainforest, beaches and distinctly different untouched habitats coral reefs, home to more than 100 species making it the