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Ancient Cities of North Africa and Andalusia with Special Guest Lecturer Bill Moyers
In the Dark Ages, a glorious civilization sprang up in the province of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is conventional to refer to this civilization as “Moorish,” but in fact it was a hybrid of three powerful cultural forces: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The period when Moorish kings ruled Andalusia—or al-Andalus, as they called it—was a rare moment in history when members of the three great monotheistic faiths worked side-by-side to build a sophisticated society. In this handcrafted itinerary, we’ll explore Rabat, Morocco’s capital, and Marrakech, visiting the medina and its Jewish Quarter. In Algeria, we’ll visit the magnificent 11thcentury Great Mosque in the lovely city of Tlemcen. We will visit some of the most splendid cities of Spain’s al-Andalus, including Granada, home to the incomparable Alhambra; Ronda, dramatically built on a ridge; and Seville, site of the Alcazar. Our ship is the lovely, all-suite Corinthian II, providing the perfect means for this voyage of discovery to the lands where Christians, Jews, and Muslims built a glorious civilization.
Itinerary
Saturday, November 20, 2010 • USA
Sunday, November 21 • CASABLANCA, Morocco | EMBARK
Monday, November 22 • CASABLANCA | RABAT | CASABLANCA
Tuesday, November 23 • SAFI | MARRAKECH | SAFI
Wednesday, November 24 • AT SEA
Thursday, November 25 • GHAZAOUET | TLEMCEN | GHAZAOUET, Algeria
Friday, November 26 • MOTRIL | GRANADA | MOTRIL, Spain
Saturday, November 27 • MALAGA | RONDA or PRIEGO and AL MEDINILLA | MALAGA
Sunday, November 28 • TARIFA | BAELO CLAUDIA | TARIFA
Monday, November 29 • SEVILLE
Tuesday, November 30 • SEVILLE
Wednesday, December 1 • CASABLANCA, Morocco | DISEMBARK | USA
View Detailed Itinerary
SPECIAL GUEST LECTURER BILL MOYERS
During his long career in journalism, Bill Moyers has been recognized as one of the unique voices of his generation. Beginning as a cub reporter for the Marshall News Messenger at the age of 16, he went on to serve as a founding organizer of the Peace Corps, a Special Assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, publisher of Newsday, senior correspondent for the distinguished documentary series CBS Reports, and senior news analyst for the CBS Evening News. Together with his wife and creative partner Judith Davidson Moyers, he formed Public Affairs Television, which produced such groundbreaking series as Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth, Healing and the Mind, The Language of Life, The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith, Genesis, On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying, Close to Home: Addiction and Recovery, America’s First River, Becoming American: The Chinese Experience, NOW with Bill Moyers, Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason, and Moyers on America. Among their acclaimed documentaries are Earth on Edge, Trade Secrets, Trading Democracy, High Crimes and Misdemeanors, All Our Children, Free Speech for Sale, and Surviving the Good Times. Bill Moyers Journal, premiered in April 2007.
Bill Moyers has received more than 30 Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, two prestigious Gold Baton awards from the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award, nine Peabody awards, and three George Polk Awards, including the Career Achievement Award. In the first year it was awarded, he received the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by the American Film Institute. He recently received the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Lifetime Achievement Award.
His books include such bestsellers as: Listening to America, The Power of Myth, Healing and the Mind, The Language of Life, and Moyers on America: A Journalist and His Times.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
USA
Depart the United States for Casablanca, Morocco.
Sunday, November 21
CASABLANCA, Morocco | EMBARK
Arrive in cosmopolitan Casablanca, home to fine French colonial buildings built on a promontory facing the Atlantic. Board Corinthian II and spend the night aboard ship docked in port.
Monday, November 22
CASABLANCA | RABAT | CASABLANCA
From Casablanca, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital. Tour Rabat’s main sites, including its Medina. Within the Medina are colorful souks, the Kasbah des Oudaias, the evocative quarter of the old Almohad, the Chellah Citadel, and Merenid and Andalusian towns.
Tuesday, November 23
SAFI | MARRAKECH | SAFI
From Safi, drive to fabled Marrakech, one of Morocco’s Imperial Capitals, founded in the 11th century. Our exploration includes the 12th-century Koutoubia Minaret; the Bahia Palace; the Ben Youssef Medressa; the Jewish Quarter; and Djemma el- Fna, the city’s central square. There will also be the opportunity to walk through Marrakech’s colorful souks.
Wednesday, November 24
AT SEA
Thursday, November 25
GHAZAOUET | TLEMCEN | GHAZAOUET, Algeria
Drive to Tlemcen, one of Algeria’s finest cities, noted for its cultural and architectural heritage. Visit the 11th-century Great Mosque and the deconsecrated Sidi Bel Hassan Mosque, now housing a museum with mosaics, carvings, and pottery.
Friday, November 26
MOTRIL | GRANADA | MOTRIL, Spain
Granada exemplifies the best of Moorish culture, art, and architecture. Tour the Alhambra, a striking palace begun by the caliphs of the Nasrid dynasty. Also see the Sala de los Dos Hermanos and stroll through the splendid Generalife Gardens.
Saturday, November 27
MALAGA | RONDA or PRIEGO and AL MEDINILLA | MALAGA
From Malaga, drive to Ronda, once the capital of a small Moorish kingdom. Explore the Ciudad; the old Moorish town; the Church of Santa Maria La Mayor, originally a Moorish mosque; and the Palacio de Mondragon. Alternatively, drive to Priego de Córdoba, one of Andalusia’s “undiscovered” gems, a tranquil town with superb Baroque churches and fountains, and the nearby village of Almedinilla, where a remarkable Roman villa has been discovered.3
Sunday, November 28
TARIFA | BAELO CLAUDIA | TARIFA
Occupying the site of Carthaginian and Roman cities, charming Tarifa is enclosed by Moorish walls facing the sea and across the strait are the Rif Mountains of Morocco. Drive along the coast to the ruins of Baelo Claudia, a strategically located Roman city that reached the peak of its prosperity during the 1st century A.D. Scattered along the seashore are the remains of temples, markets, baths, shops, and a theater.
Monday, November 29
SEVILLE
Sail up the Guadalquivir River to Seville, the storied capital of Andalusia. Tour the famed 15th-century Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world, and the adjoining Giralda, the minaret of the mosque. Nearby is the Alcazar, the palace of Seville’s rulers, with its magnificent architecture. Alternatively, explore the remains of ancient Italica, once the third largest city in the Roman world. Overnight aboard ship docked in Seville.)
Tuesday, November 30
SEVILLE
Today, tour the Casa de Pilatos, perhaps Seville’s finest mansion, a harmonious combination of Renaissance, Gothic, and Mudéjar styles. Also visit the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses one of the most important art collections in Spain. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore Seville, or visit the Archaeological Museum, whose extensive holdings span the years from prehistory to the Moorish period. Notable among the exhibits is the Carambola Treasure, a hoard of gold jewelry. For those interested in exploring Andalusia’s ancient sites, an excursion will be offered to Mulva, the Roman Munigua, whose extensive remains are beautifully situated on top of a hill.
Wednesday, December 1
CASABLANCA, Morocco | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.
