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Mediterranean Music Cruise: A Voyage from Barcelona to Athens with Classical Music Performances at Historic Sites
Architecture,” Goethe said, “is frozen music.” And when exquisite music is heard in magnificent surroundings, one is immersed in a universe of wonder. It is our pleasure to invite you on a musical adventure from Barcelona to Athens, where you will have the chance to hear special concerts in the most spectacular ancient, medieval, and Renaissance settings located along the coasts of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, as well as enjoy onboard chamber recitals while the ship sails the indigo waters of the Mediterranean.
Imagine violin harmonics within Palermo’s 17th-century Palazzo Raffadali, which is still owned by the Raffadali family, and experience the natural acoustics of Kefallonia’s stalactite-filled Dhrogarati Cave, where we will enjoy a recital in its central chamber.
Virtually every day will feature a musical performance by our extraordinary onboard musicians and performers. We are privileged to have with us four accomplished musicians from the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York: Matt Herskowitz, David Gotay, Eddie Venegas, and Orlando Wells. In addition to the talented musicians, we will be accompanied by Professor Robert D’Alimonte of Stanford University and Professor Craig Wright of Yale University, whose lectures will enhance our appreciation of the music we will savor and the sites we will explore. The musical events promise to be utterly magical, and together with the other unique adventures that await you — including visits to France’s charming medieval village St.-Paul-de-Vence; Torre del Lago Puccini, the birthplace and home of the composer; and Sicily’s compelling yet oft overlooked cities, Palermo and Taormina — this voyage promises to be nothing short of its own kind of unforgettable opus.
Your home for this enchanting journey will be the graceful, 114-guest, all-suite Corinthian II, which is at once large enough to offer all the amenities of a large cruise ship, such as a spacious restaurant, two comfortable lounges, a gym, and a sun deck with a Jacuzzi, but small enough to navigate small inlets and harbors and lend an intimate feel to our musical adventure.
Sailing to the lands that inspired Puccini, Ravel, and Debussy, this is a celebration of music and culture that will inspire the mind and delight the senses. If you are looking for a unique travel experience, don’t miss this opportunity to participate in our melodic odyssey.
This program is developed in collaboration with the Stanford Alumni Association Travel/Study Program.
Itinerary
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 • USA
Thursday, June 10 • BARCELONA, Spain | EMBARK
Friday, June 11 • MARSEILE | AIX-EN-PROVENCE | MARSEILE, France
Saturday, June 12 • NICE | ST.-PAUL -DE-VENCE | NICE
Sunday, June 13 • LERICI | VIAREGGIO | LUCCA | TORE DEL LAGO PUCINI | LERICI, Italy
Monday, June 14 • AT SEA
Tuesday, June 15 • PALERMO, Sicily, Italy
Wednesday, June 16 • TAORMINA
Thursday, June 17 • ARGOSTOLI | FISKARDO, KEFALONIA, Greece
Friday, June 18 • CORINTH | MYCENAE | NAFPLION | CORINTH
Saturday, June 19 • PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | ATHENS | USA
Click here to view the voyage reading list from Longitude Books.
View Detailed Itinerary
The Performing Artists
We are privileged to have joining us on our voyage a quartet of renowned musicians from the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York. During our voyage the quartet will perform private recitals at several exclusive sites ashore as well as aboard ship.
Pianist, composer, songwriter, and arranger, Matt Herskowitz has distinguished himself in several musical genres, winning critical acclaim and numerous award for his work in classical and pop. As a jazz pianist, he’s performed at major festivals around the world. Dave Brubeck, upon hearing Matt’s jazz trio’s debut album, wrote to Matt and commented: “Hearing such technique almost ruined my day. I said to myself, ‘This is the final straw, I’d better retire now.’”
Cellist David Gotay has performed in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall and the White House. He has collaborated with such artists as Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, and Aretha Franklin. He regularly performs with a number of orchestras including the Harrisburg Symphony and the Sphinx Symphony in Detroit.
Violinist/trombonist Eddie Venegas is very active on both instruments in the NYC freelance jazz, classical, and Latin music scenes. He has worked with such artists as John Fadis, Tito Puente, and Johnny Pacheco and has appeared as a soloist with numerous groups including The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. Venegas can also be seen in the Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony movie, El Cantante.
Violist Orlando Wells has held the concertmaster chair with Orchestra of the Bronx and the Bronx Opera. He also performs with a wide range of orchestras, from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic to Broadway orchestras for West Side Story and Wicked. He has collaborated with such greats as John Legend, Harry Connick Jr., Kanye West, and Dionne Warwick.
Guest lecturers will also be onboard to enhance our exploration. Please click here to view the brochure for more information.
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. |
$10,195
|
$7,995 |
$2,200 |
| D |
Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. |
$11,195
|
$8,995 |
$2,200 |
| C |
Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. |
$12,195
|
$9,995 |
$2,200 |
| B |
Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and
sitting area. 235 sq. ft. |
$13,495
|
$10,995 |
$2,500 |
| A |
Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. |
$14,495
|
$11,995 |
$2,500 |
| AA |
Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 285 sq. ft. |
$15,495
|
$12,995 |
$2,500 |
| VS |
Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. |
$17,995
|
$13,995 |
$4,000 |
| PHS |
Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. |
$18,995
|
$14,995 |
$4,000 |
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D - A at no supplement. Singles in Categories AA, VS, and PHS are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.
AIRFARE: Airfare is not included in the cost of the program. Please call the Air Travel Desk at toll-free 877-711-9896 or 212-592-1340 to make your reservations, or see your travel agent.
Corinthian II Deck Plan
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
- 9-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 114-guest Corinthian II
- Series of concerts throughout the voyage
- Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
- All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Open bar aboard 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
- Transfers and baggage handling abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
- Port and embarkation taxes
- Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
USA
Fly from the U.S. to Barcelona, Spain.
Thursday, June 10
BARCELONA, Spain | EMBARK
Arrive in Barcelona and board Corinthian II. The vibrant and dynamic capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is a city endowed with exceptional architecture and an unrivalled artistic heritage.
Friday, June 11
MARSEILLE | AIX-EN-PROVENCE | MARSEILLE, France
Travel to Aix-en-Provence, the first Roman settlement in Gaul, immortalized by the works of Cezanne. Tour the Old City, down the leafy Cours Mirabeau, noting the perfect classical proportions of the Hotel de Ville en route to the Cathedral of St.-Sauveur, with its medieval art treasures. Continue to Cezanne’s old studio, which remains as it was at the time of the Impressionist’s death in 1906, or the Musee Granet, containing works by Cezanne, Van Dyck, Van Loo, Rigaud, Pierre, and François Puget, as well as by the museum’s namesake, François Marius Granet. Afternoon at sea with a recital this evening.
Saturday, June 12
NICE | ST.-PAUL -DE-VENCE | NICE
From Nice—renowned for its lovely gardens, splendid sea-views, and chic boulevards— visit delightful St.-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval village that became a favorite artists’ retreat in the 1920s. Largely rebuilt in 1537 by Francois I, the old fortified town reveals the ramparts that once defended it, while the heights still afford a spectacular view of the mountains and Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Maeght Foundation, whose modern building blends harmoniously with its surroundings and displays an acclaimed collection of 20thcentury works by artists including Braque, Chagall, Miro, and Picasso. After lunch aboard ship, visit the Matisse and Chagall museums and enjoy a concert at the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen.
Sunday, June 13
LERICI | VIAREGGIO | LUCCA | TORE DEL LAGO PUCCINI | LERICI, Italy
From the small port town of Lerici, dominated by its 13th – 16th-century castle, drive to Viareggio, perhaps Tuscany’s most attractive seaside resort town that became fashionable early in the 19th century. Continue to Lucca, one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. Of ancient origin, and surrounded by well-preserved 16th – 17th-century walls, Lucca’s cobbled streets are lined with magnificent Romanesque churches and palaces. After exploring Lucca, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, and attending a concert at the Basilica di San Giovanni, continue to Torre del Lago Puccini, named after the composer. Visit Puccini’s house, beautifully sited on the shore of Lake di Massaciuoli. Here, the composer wrote the great majority of his operas.
Monday, June 14
AT SEA
Enjoy a concert aboard ship as Corinthian II sails to Palermo.
Tuesday, June 15
PALERMO, Sicily, Italy
Arrive in Palermo, one of the Mediterranean’s most enchanting cities. Founded by the Phoenicians in 827 B.C. and conquered by the Saracens in the 9th century, Palermo became one of Europe’s greatest cities by the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Seek out the Cappella Palatina, the royal chapel built by Roger II between 1132 and 1143. A wonder of Byzantine-Arab-Norman artistry, the chapel features dazzling mosaics, an exquisitely carved wooden ceiling, and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls. Then drive to Monreale to visit its famed Norman cathedral. In the afternoon, tour the private Palazzo Raffadali, a Gothic palace with 17th-century interiors, followed by a special concert in the palace’s grand salon.
Wednesday, June 16
TAORMINA
One of the most beautifully situated cities in Italy, Taormina clings to the edge of Monte Tauro, looking out to the sea and the dramatic cone of Mount Etna. A Greek colony was founded here in 403 b.c. and prospered throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Visit the magnificent Greek Theater, carved into the hillside and offering dramatic views of Etna and the sea. There will be time at leisure to explore the medieval palaces of Taormina as well as the city’s lovely gardens and terraces that look out on the Sicilian coast.
Thursday, June 17
ARGOSTOLI | FISKARDO, KEFALONIA, Greece
Arrive in Kefallonia, one of the beautiful islands in Greece’s Ionian group. From the port of Argostoli, take an excursion to Fiskardo, the picturesque village that hugs the island’s main bay. Then attend a recital at the Dhrogarati Cave, whose central chamber has extraordinary acoustics and has seen performances by Maria Callas, among other distinguished musicians.
Friday, June 18
CORINTH | MYCENAE | NAFPLION | CORINTH
Homer called Mycenae, the legendary city of Agamemnon, “rich in gold,” and in 1876 the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered chamber tombs filled with golden treasures. We pass under the famous Lion Gate to see the palace and the royal tombs, including the Tomb of Agamemnon, built about 1300 B.C. Continue to Nafplion, which the ancients say was founded by a son of Poseidon. Dominating this picturesque harbor town is a 17th-century Venetian castle. Other sights include a 16thcentury Cathedral of St. George, a mixture of Venetian arches and Byzantine domes, and also the little Archaeological Museum with its fine collection of rare Neolithic pottery and unusual frescoes and sculpture from Mycenae. This evening’s performance is at one of Argolis’s ancient concert sites.
Saturday, June 19
PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | ATHENS | USA
Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.
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