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Journey of Odysseus: Retracing The Odyssey Through the Ancient Mediterranean
“Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns / driven time and again off course, once he had plundered / the hallowed heights of Troy.” Homer’s epic is the definitive sea saga, reiterated and re-interpreted in every conceivable way, from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” to Joyce’s Ulysses to O Brother, Where Art Thou? Its theme of returning home, as spouse, as hero, after the defeat of monsters, is just as contemporary as it is ancient. Sail to the Mediterranean realms Homer used as a map of the Greek mind: from the crucible of Troy to the Palace of Nestor, where Telemachus sought word of his father; Malta, the seductive isle of Calypso; Sicily of the Laestrygonians; the Phlegrean Fields of the Cyclops; Taormina, home to the Oxen of the Sun; and finally, Ithaca: home to Penelope, and the marriage bed that grows from the ancestral tree.
Itinerary
August 31 • USA
September 1 • ISTANBUL, TURKEY | EMBARK
September 2 • CANAKKALE | TROY: PRIAM’S KINGDOM | CANAKKALE
September 3 • DELOS, GREECE
September 4 • PYLOS
September 5 • AT SEA | VALLETTA, MALTA: CALYPSO’S ISLAND
September 6 • VALLETTA
September 7 • TRAPANI, SICILY, ITALY:LAND OF THE LAESTRYGONIANS
September 8 • NAPLES: LAND OF THE CYCLOPSOR POMPEII
September 9 • MESSINA | TAORMINA: THE KINGDOM OF HELIOS | MESSINA, SICILY
September 10 • ITHACA, GREECE: THE HOME OF ODYSSEUS |CORINTH CANAL
September 11 • PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | ATHENS | USA
View Detailed Itinerary
THE READERS OF HOMER
In the shade of pine trees, next to vineyards heaving with September grape, having just explored glorious ruins and places of myth, gather to read or sing a few rhapsodies each day from Homer’s glorious poem on the adventures of Odysseus in those very same caves and woods, rocks and beaches, that you’ve just stepped through, and at night, sailing under the stunning Mediterranean stars, gather on deck and listen to haunting ancient music and sing some more, the song of the Sirens, the passage from Circe to Calypso.
For the first time aboard a cruise retracing Odysseus’s epic voyage, the renowned international group The Readers of Homer will lead the Journey of Odysseus travelers in a participatory experience of this glorious epic, having just staged similar marathon renderings of The Iliad and The Odyssey at the magnificent Library of Alexandria, on Chios island on the rock where Homer is said to have sang and taught, and in New York, with hundreds of audience-participants of all ages and backgrounds, in Greek, English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and Swahili!
Those travelers who wish to participate in the readings will receive their pre-assigned passages (though they will be encouraged to propose their own favorite verses) from the acclaimed Robert Fagles translation of The Odyssey in the weeks preceding the cruise, and will be in direct communication with their TROH leaders, Dr. Kathryn Hohlwein, the group’s founder and head, and Yannis Simonides, Emmy-winning actor/producer, who will guide them through all essential preparations. We are pleased that Dr. Hohlwein and Mr. Simonides will be joining us on this cruise, and will personally conduct the proceedings related to the readings.
Travelers will be encouraged to offer part of their passage also in the language of their ethnic origin. (It is said that Homer has been translated in 187 tongues!) The entire experience, along with the most poignant moments of the cruise, will be filmed, and a DVD will be available to all, along with their own souvenir copy of the Fagles translation. Thus their effort will become an achievement, and all participants will become part of The Readers of Homer. Finally, this unique journey and epic celebration will be enhanced by sumptuous meals in the Homeric tradition, with all the purity and richness described in the immortal verses, with fresh ingredients picked in the very gardens, fields, and seas praised there.
Let the Great Song Begin!
Corinthian II
Our ships are known for their effortless elegance, bespoke service and atmosphere of charm and camaraderie.
SPACIOUS SUITES
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.
| Cabin Code |
Cabin Description |
Regular Rate |
Special Savings Rate |
Your Savings |
| E |
Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. |
$7,595
|
$7,595 |
$0 |
| D |
Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. |
$8,595
|
$8,595 |
$0 |
| C |
Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. |
$9,595
|
$9,595 |
$0 |
| B |
Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and
sitting area. 235 sq. ft. |
$10,595
|
$10,595 |
$0 |
| A |
Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. |
$11,595
|
$11,595 |
$0 |
| AA |
Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 285 sq. ft. |
$12,395
|
$12,395 |
$0 |
| VS |
Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. |
$13,795
|
$13,795 |
$0 |
| PHS |
Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. |
$14,795
|
$14,795 |
$0 |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: The single supplement has been waived for this program.
AIRFARE: Airfare from and to the U.S. is not included in the Cruise and Land Rates. Please call the Air Travel Desk at toll-free 877-711-9896 or 212-592-1340 for air reservations and ticketing information.
Corinthian II Deck Plan
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
• 10-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 114-guest Corinthian II
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboad ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
August 31
USA
Fly from the U.S. to Istanbul, Turkey.
September 1
ISTANBUL, TURKEY | EMBARK
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to embark on Corinthian II. Set sail in the late afternoon.
September 2
CANAKKALE | TROY: PRIAM’S KINGDOM | CANAKKALE
Call at Canakkale for an excursion to famed Troy, site of Odysseus’ embarkation. Troy consists of nine 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 Paris abducted the beautiful Helen, igniting the Trojan War. Here, the city of King Priam finally fell to Odysseus’ clever ruse of the Trojan Horse. This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and dinner hosted by the captain.
September 3
DELOS, GREECE
Call this morning at the pristine island of Delos, which legend identifies as the birthplace of Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis. In the heart of the Aegean, tiny uninhabited Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. A walking tour leads to the excavations of the main shrines dedicated to these gods as well as to the Terrace of the Lions, with its deftly carved archaic figures originally constructed to overlook and protect the Sacred Lake.
September 4
PYLOS
At the foot of a promontory in Navarino Bay is the attractive little town of Pylos, site of the famed Palace of Nestor, a Mycenaean palace dating from the 13th century B.C. Visit the royal residence, with apartments of officials and staterooms replete with Mycenaean palatial architecture.
September 5
AT SEA | VALLETTA, MALTA: CALYPSO’S ISLAND
Spend the day at sea enjoying lectures and the ship’s amenities. Arrive this evening in Valletta, Malta.
September 6
VALLETTA
Today, choose between sightseeing Malta or the nearby island of Gozo. On the cliffs overlooking Ramla Bay on Gozo, retrace Odysseus’ footsteps to the smooth-walled cave where the nymph Calypso is said to have kept him for seven years. Visit the underground Alabaster Caves in the tiny town of Xaghra and the spectacular Ggantija temple complex. Alternatively, on Malta, explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the sacred megaliths at Hagar Qim and the Neolithic temple structures at Tarxien.
September 7
TRAPANI, SICILY, ITALY: LAND OF THE LAESTRYGONIANS
Call this morning at Trapani on Sicily’s west coast, where legend has it the cannibal Laestrygonians attacked Odysseus and his companions. Visit the picturesque medieval mountain town of Erice, built on ancient Carthaginian and Roman remains, and the superb Doric temple of Segesta, one of the grandest monuments of antiquity.
September 8
NAPLES: LAND OF THE CYCLOPS OR POMPEII
Call at Naples and drive to the Phlegrean Fields, where Odysseus and his men confronted and were captured by Polyphemus, the Cyclops. Drive by Lago d’Averno, the ancient Avernus Lake, home of the Cimmerians in The Odyssey, and Lago di Fusaro, the ancient Archerusian Lake, where Odysseus entered Hades. Continue to Monte di Cuma and the cave of the Sibyl of Cumae, who prophesied the future. Alternatively, visit Pompeii, the fabled city both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. After lunch, visit the Archaeological Museum in Naples.
September 9
MESSINA | TAORMINA: THE KINGDOM OF HELIOS | MESSINA, SICILY
Cross the Strait of Messina, the site of the legendary jaws of Scylla, a terrifying sixheaded monster, and Charybdis, a treacherous whirlpool. Odysseus was cast ashore in the Kingdom of Helios, modern Taormina, where his companions slaughtered and ate the sacred oxen. To avenge the death of his beloved oxen, Helios sent a lightning bolt that destroyed their ship, drowning all aboard except Odysseus. Picturesque Taormina is situated on a mountainside affording magnificent views of Mount Etna. Visit the superbly situated Greek theater, built in the 3rd century B.C. Afterwards, enjoy the town’s modern amenities, strolling the cobblestoned lanes, lined with attractive shops, cafés and gardens.
September 10
ITHACA, GREECE: THE HOME OF ODYSSEUS | CORINTH CANAL
Call this morning at Ithaca, the legendary home of Odysseus. Visit the bay of Dexia, Homer’s harbor of Phorkys, where the Phaeacians left the sleeping Odysseus on the beach. Then view the Cyclopean Walls (Alalkomenai), a ruined site known locally as Odysseus’ Castle. On the Plateau of Marathia, Odysseus’ loyal servant Eumaeus kept his swine. This evening, transit the Corinth Canal.
September 11
PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | ATHENS | USA
Disembark and transfer to the Athens airport for return flights to the U.S.
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