Cruises Corinthian II, Cruises Croatia, Cruises Adriatic, Corinthian II motor sailers, Corinthian II passenger ships, croatia, Istria, shore excursions

Landmark Ancient Sites of the Mediterranean:
Greece, Sicily, North Africa and Spain

12 Days/11 Nights:
2008 Departures:• Nov. 10

Nowhere in the world does natural beauty come together with magnificent ancient remains like the Mediterranean. Trace the progress of Western civilization’s greatest empires on an idyllic cruise from Athens to Granada. Every day brings a new marvel: from celebrated sites in Greece, including the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, once considered the meeting place of heaven and earth, to the lesservisited, dramatic ruins of North Africa, including Tunisia’s legendary remains of Carthage, and the Roman ruins at Djemila in Algeria. Along the way, visit the islands of Sicily, which has witnessed the rise and fall of every major civilization in the Mediterranean, and Sardinia, with its Phoenician remains. The grand voyage concludes in Granada, the pride of the Moors, with a visit to the fabled Alhambra Palace. There is no better way to explore these sites than in the same way as the ancients—by sea.
Our ship, the elegant 114-guest Corinthian II, is the perfect vessel for this unforgettable voyage across the Mediterranean.

Day 1
ATHENS | PIRAEUS, GREECE | EMBARK
Arrive in Athens. Transfer to Piraeus to board Corinthian II. Overnight aboard docked in port

Day 2
PIRAEUS | CORINTH CANAL | ITEA | DELPHI | ITEA
In the morning, Corinthian II will transit the Corinth Canal, the narrow waterway that separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese. Later, arrive in Itea for an excursion to Delphi. The famed Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi is one of the most impressive sites in Greece. Our exploration of the site begins at the Castalian Spring and continues up the Sacred Way, passing the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, the theater, and the stadium. Also visit the Archaeological Museum.

Day 3
KATAKOLO | OLYMPIA | KATAKOLO
Visit Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics, and a vast sanctuary of well-preserved altars, temples, and other ruins. Highlights of the site include the Temples of Hera and Zeus, the Council House, and the Treasuries. The Archaeological Museum houses exquisite sculptures from the site.

Day 4
SYRACUSE, SICILY, ITALY
Arrive in Syracuse, which once rivaled Athens as the most important city of the ancient world. Visit the spectacular 15,000- seat Greek theater, among the most impressive to survive from antiquity; the elliptical Roman Amphitheater, one of the largest of its kind; and the Archaeological Museum, with its rare Sicilian artifacts. Also enjoy a walking tour of Syracuse’s old town on the island of Ortygia

Day 5
PORTO EMPEDOCLE | AGRIGENTO | PORTO EMPEDOCLE
From Porto Empedocle, we enjoy an excursion to Agrigento. Set on a ridge facing the sea, Agrigento’s series of superb Doric temples are among Sicily’s most captivating Greek ruins. View the Temple of Hercules, constructed in the 6th century B.C.; the remarkably-preserved Temple of Concord; and the Temple of Juno, noted for its graceful proportions. Also visit the impressive Archaeological Museum.

Day 6
TUNIS | CARTHAGE | TUNIS, TUNISIA
From Tunis, travel to storied Carthage, founded by Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C. The site includes several Phoenician remains, such as Tophet, the sanctuary of the gods Tanit and Baal, as well as many monuments from the Roman period. Also tour the Bardo Museum, world-renowned for its spectacular collection of Roman mosaics, and enjoy time at leisure visiting the Medina and its souks.

Day 7
CAGLIARI | NORA | CAGLIARI, SARDINIA, ITALY
From the port Cagliari, on the southern coast of Sardinia, travel to Nora, beautifully situated on a promontory overlooking the sea. Settled initially by Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C., Nora came under the control of Carthage in the 6th century and developed into the island’s largest urban and commercial center. In 238 B.C., the city fell to the Romans, who made it Sardinia’s capital. A temple dedicated to the goddess Tanit occupies the ancient city center. Remains from the Roman city include a theater, an aqueduct, a temple of Juno, a nyphaeum, baths, and private villas. Just outside of Nora we enjoy a memorable Sardinian lunch, followed by a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Cagliari. There will be time to explore Cagliari on your own before sailing.

Day 8
SANT’ANTIOCO
Call in the morning in Sant’Antioco, a small port in the southwest corner of Sardinia. Technically an island, Sant’Antioco has been connected to the Sardinian mainland by a causeway since Carthaginian times. Serving as a base for the Cathaginians and later for the Romans, Sant’Antioco’s upper town has been continuously inhabited since the 8th century B.C., when it was founded by the Phoenicians. Tour the excavated remains of the Carthaginian acropolis, including the Tophet and the Catacombs, and visit the Archaeological Museum, which contains finds from the excavation.

Day 9
BEJAIA | DJEMILA | BEJAIA, ALGERIA
Disembark in Bejaia for an excursion through beautiful countryside to the remarkably well-preserved Roman ruins of Djemila. The site includes the Triumphal Arch to Emperor Caracalla built in A.D. 216; the Grand Baths; the market; and the Old Forum, featuring stunning friezes and a 3rd-century altar. Also visit the museum with its collection of superb mosaics.

Day 10
AT SEA
While relaxing at sea, attend lectures by the accompanying guest lecturers or partake of the ship’s amenities.

Day 11
MOTRIL | GRANADA | MOTRIL, SPAIN
Dock in Motril for an excursion to Granada, the fabled last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. Founded in the 8th century, Granada exemplifies the best of Moorish culture, art, and architecture. Nowhere is this more evident than in the enchanting Alhambra, a striking 13th-century palace begun by the caliphs of the Nasrid dynasty, the last to rule over the Moorish kingdom in Spain. See the Patio de los Leones, whose intricate arcades are supported by 124 marble columns; the Sala de los Dos Hermanos, thought by many to be the pinnacle of Spanish-Islamic architecture; and the splendid Generalife Gardens, adjacent to the Alhambra. For those who have visited Granada before, we will offer an excursion to explore Las Alpujarras, the beautiful southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, with its traditional villages, including Pampaneira and Bubión.

Day 12
MALAGA | DISEMBARK
Disembark in Malaga and transfer to the airport