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Request further details or information.From Alexander the Great to the Rise of Rome
On this voyage, we sail the seam of ancient empires. From ancient Kourion northward, along the eastern Mediterranean, up to the craggy coast of Turkey and to Istanbul, this is where civilizations knitted together the knotted threads of West and East. Aboard the 114-guest, all-suite Corinthian II, we’ll journey from Cyprus back through the route of Alexander the Great’s early conquests to the tomb of his father, Philip II, in Macedonia. Along the way, we’ll encounter Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, and Mycenean ruins; the holy isle of Delos; and the magnificent Greco-Roman cities of Aspendos, Perge, and Ephesus, with its ancient streets and immense theater. Fittingly, we’ll disembark in exciting, exotic Istanbul, where ancient Rome, Byzantine Christianity, Islam, and the vibrancy of a modern metropolis are equally on display.
Departures
From Alexander the Great to the Rise of Rome itinerary:
Day 1-2: LIMASSOL | KOURION | LIMASSOL, Cyprus | EMBARK
Cyprus’s position as a stepping-stone between the East and West has left an unusually rich legacy of the many civilizations that flourished on the island. Travel to Kourion, an ancient city set upon a great cliff. Visit the mosaics depicting Achilles and gladiators near the Paphos Gate, the ruined 5th-century Basilica and adjoining Baptistery, and the restored Sanctuary of Apollo. Paphos, whose ancient remains cover an extensive area. Among other well-preserved monuments, the House of Dionysos contains exquisite floor mosaics.
Day 3: TASUCU | SILIFKE | TASUCU, Turkey
Dock in Tasucu on Turkey’s south coast, and drive to nearby Silifke, a picturesque town built along the banks of a river. The ancient Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Silifke was an important point of embarkation for pilgrims to the Holy Land. The Emperor Frederic Barbarossa, who was leading the Third Crusade, died here in 1190. Explore the town and see the remains of the 2nd-century A.D. Temple of Zeus and visit the Archaeological Museum. Continue to Corycus to visit the nearby fantastic castles, built in the 12th century, when this area was part of the Armenian Cilician Kingdom.
Day 4: ANTALYA | PERGE | ASPENDOS | ANTALYA
From From Antalya, visit two of Turkey’s most famous ancient sites. Perge’s Hellenistic ruins include its great stadium, colonnaded, marble main street, and theater. At Aspendos, tour the 20,000-seat theater commissioned by Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd century A.D.
Day 5: MARMARIS | APHRODISIAS or CAUNOS | MARMARIS
Crossing the short channel that separates Rhodes from southern Turkey, call at Marmaris for a full-day excursion to spectacular Aphrodisias, the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Occupied since about 5800 B.C., Aphrodisias reached the height of its prosperity during the Roman period, when its school of sculpture acquired great fame throughout the empire. The excellence of the city’s sculptors can be seen in the extensive excavated and restored buildings. Alternatively, in the morning, explore Caunos, an ancient city built by a river that features, among other remains, elaborate Lycian rock-tombs, and spend the afternoon at leisure in Marmaris.
DAy 6: KUSADASI | EPHESUS | PRIENE | KUSADASI
Drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, renowned for its great mother goddess, Cybele, later identified as Artemis, or Diana of the Ephesians. Ephesus was for a time the most important commercial city in Asia Minor. The immense Hellenistic and Roman excavation site includes the ancient theater, the imposing Library of Celsus, the hill houses with their fantastic mosaics and frescoes, and early Byzantine remains. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Kusadasi or alternatively, tour Priene, a 4th-century B.C. city in a spectacular setting.
Day 7: DELOS | TINOS, Cycladic Islands, Greece
Situated in the heart of the Aegean, legend identifies the pristine island of Delos as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. A walking tour leads to the excavation of the main shrines of Apollo and Artemis, as well as to the Terrace of the Lions, which guards over the Sacred Lake. Set sail and arrive in Tinos late this afternoon for time on your own at leisure. Spend the night aboard ship docked in port.
DAy 8: PLATAMONAS | VERGINA | DION | PLATAMONAS | THESSALONIKI
From bucolic Platamonas on the Greek mainland coast of Thessaly, take an excursion to Vergina, the site of Aigoci, the capital of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Visit the excavations, including the tombs of Philip II (Alexander the Great’s father), and note the Macedonian burial mounds that dot the plain. Also see the many treasures recovered from the tombs on display in the Archaeological Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore Dion, an ancient site set in a superb location on the foothills of Mount Olympus, dedicated to Zeus. Reboard Corinthian II in Thessaloniki and spend the night aboard ship.
Day 9:THESSALONIKI | PELLA | THESSALONIKI
Spend the day in Thessaloniki, justly famous for its late Classical and Medieval remains as well as early Christian churches. Then enjoy a tour of the city, exploring several of Thessaloniki’s monuments, including visits to several Byzantine churches as well as the Byzantine Museum (or the Archaeological Museum). The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, or, as an alternative, take an excursion to Pella, Alexander the Great’s birthplace and capital of Macedonia in the 4th century B.C. Tour the site, including the Agora, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Cybele, and several of the houses, which boast outstanding pebble mosaics. Also tour the Museum, exhibiting finds from the site, including several pebble mosaic floors.
Day 10: CANAKKALE | TROY | CANAKKALE, Turkey
Call at Canakkale, our gateway for Troy, where ongoing archaeological excavations have revealed nine different layers of cities superimposed in rings on a massive mound rising above the “windswept” Plain of Ilium. It was to one of these cities, as legend has it, that the Greeks fought the Trojans as told by Homer in his Iliad.
Day 11: ISTANBUL, Turkey | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark in Istanbul and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.
Corinthian II
The deluxe Corinthian II is an all-suite yacht accommodating up to 114 guests. Built in 1992 and refurbished and redecorated in 2005, it has 57 suites, each with:
• Sea view
• Queen-sized bed separable into two twin-sized beds
• Sitting area
• Satellite TV, DVD/CD player
• Telephone
• Mini-refrigerator
• Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries
• 225 square feet or more
• Plush terry robes and slippers
• Fresh flowers and fruit basket
• 24-hour room service
The Penthouse Suites and Veranda Suites (400 and 300 square feet, respectively) feature private balconies accessed via sliding-glass doors, as well as white glove butler service.
FINE DINING
Corinthian II’s superb Continental cuisine is created by master chefs who select fresh local ingredients at many ports of call. Meals are served either in the stately restaurant or al fresco on the umbrella-studded sun deck. Fine regional wines are complimentary with lunch and dinner, and beginning in 2008 open bar service will be available throughout the day.
BESPOKE SMALL-SHIP AMENITIES
Returning from excursions, guests enjoy complimentary refreshments, afternoon tea and all-day coffee in The Club, a gracious space for relaxation, surrounded by panoramic windows. Before or after dinner, cocktails are served to live music performed by the ship’s pianist.
Other Corinthian II features include:
• Library with Internet access
• Lounge with audiovisual facilities
• Dining room
• Wraparound sun deck with Jacuzzi
• Exercise Room
• Beauty salon
• Medical facilities with available doctor
• Elevator serving all passenger decks
• Swimming platform
Corinthian II complies with the latest international safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull, and a fleet of Zodiacs. Corinthian II’s 75 officers and crew ensure gracious personalized service and a convivial atmosphere akin to a private club.
