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North Africa's Mediterranean Coast Through the Centuries
Two thousand years ago North Africa was a garden of vineyards, olive groves, and vast fields of golden ripening grain. In this beautiful land flourished the civilizations of Egypt and Carthage. Colonists from Greece and empire-builders from Rome came here to build their own cities beside the sea. And in later years the Byzantines, the Vandals, and the Arabs all claimed this magnificent territory as their own. This autumn, when the summer heat has faded but the days are still warm and sunny, we will sail along North Africa’s enchanting coastline to visit some of the most splendid ancient sites in the Mediterranean—and we would like you to join us.
We begin in Egypt, visiting the fabled Pyramids, and the breathtaking collection of antiquities at the world-renowned Egyptian Museum. In Alexandria, where we will board the Corinthian II, we will tour the city’s ancient remains.
Just as many of the best ancient Greek monuments are found outside Greece, some of the best Roman monuments are located far from Rome. Carthage, with its fascinating Roman and Phoenician remains, is a site all travelers long to see, but we have added many other glorious sites that rarely appear on typical Mediterranean itineraries. One of North Africa’s grandest Roman cities is Leptis Magna in Libya, a magnificent site of beautifully preserved temples, baths, an exceptionally fine theater, and the four-square Arch of Septimius Severus, one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments.
Then there is seaside Sabratha, its Mausoleum of Bes still soaring in the sky; El Djem, with its immense amphitheater, built to accommodate 35,000 spectators, and Djemila, located in a superb setting, where you’ll find stunning sculptures in the Forum and a majestic Triumphal Arch dedicated to the emperor Caracalla. And in Tangier, we will explore the medina and visit the palace that served as the Old American Legation in the 18th century.
With 57 suites accommodating only 114 guests, the yacht Corinthian II is the ideal ship for this splendid itinerary. All accommodations aboard are suites, and all are exterior. Lovingly designed and exquisitely furnished, this small ship features a beautiful dining room, comfortable lounges and public areas, and broad decks for sunning or watching the passing scene. A voyage along the coast of North Africa is a journey through time, to great centers of civilization and to evocative ancient cities. Join us aboard Corinthian II on this custom-made itinerary.
Itinerary
Friday, November 5, 2010 • FLY FROM USA
Saturday, November 6 • CAIRO, Egypt
Sunday, November 7 • CAIRO | GIZA | ALEXANDRIA | EMBARK
Monday, November 8 • ALEXANDRIA
Tuesday, November 9 • TUBRUQ, Libya
Wednesday, November 10 • DERNA | CYRENE | APOLLONIA | DERNA
Thursday, November 11 • AT SEA
Friday, November 12 • KHOMS | LEPTIS MAGNA | KHOMS
Saturday, November 13 • TRIPOLI | SABRATHA | TRIPOLI
Sunday, November 14 • SFAX | EL DJEM | SFAX, Tunisia
Monday, November 15 • TUNIS | CARTHAGE | TUNIS
Tuesday, November 16 • ANNABA | HIPPO REGIUS | ANABA, Algeria
Wednesday, November 17 • BEJAIA | DJEMILA | BEJAIA
Thursday, November 18 • AT SEA
Friday, November 19 • MELILLA, Spain
Saturday, November 20 • TANGIER, Morocco
Sunday, November 21 • CASABLANCA | DISEMBARK | FLY TO USA
View Detailed Itinerary
Friday, November 5, 2010
FLY FROM USA
Saturday, November 6
CAIRO, Egypt
Arrive in Cairo, Egypt’s bustling capital, and transfer to the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence. In the evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception.
Sunday, November 7
CAIRO | GIZA | ALEXANDRIA | EMBARK
This morning, visit the Egyptian Museum, a dazzling collection of antiquities from such fabled archaeological sites as the Valley of the Kings and others. Travel to Giza to tour the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren, at the foot of which stands the imperious and enigmatic Sphinx, built between 2600 and 2530 B.C. Continue to Alexandria to embark Corinthian II. Overnight aboard ship docked in Alexandria.
Monday, November 8
ALEXANDRIA
Tour Alexandria’s Bibliotheca Alexandria, a striking modern reconstruction of the ancient Library, and its Antiquities Museum; Kom al-Dikka, the ancient Roman amphitheater, with its intricate floor mosaic; and the Greco-Roman Museum, whose exhibits include many of the finds from the recent excavations in the city’s harbor.
Tuesday, November 9
TUBRUQ, Libya
Arrive in the naturally protected deep harbor town of Tubruq, once an ancient Greek colony named Antipyrgos. The town was of strategic importance throughout history, most notably during World War II, when it witnessed some of the most prolonged fighting in North Africa. Spend the day touring the WWII memorials and cemeteries.
Wednesday, November 10
DERNA | CYRENE | APOLLONIA | DERNA
This morning, Corinthian II docks in Derna on Libya’s Cyrenaican coast. Take a full-day excursion to Cyrene, one of North Africa’s great cities of antiquity. Founded by Greek colonists from Thera (Santorini) in the 7th century B.C., Cyrene was built on the side of a hill, facing the plain and the sea. Its substantial ruins and monuments testify to its wealth and power. Continue to Apollonia to explore the site and the Museum, which displays excellent mosaics from the region’s early Byzantine churches.
Thursday, November 11
AT SEA
Friday, November 12
KHOMS | LEPTIS MAGNA | KHOMS
Call at Khoms on Libya’s Tripolitanian coast. Nearby are the ruins of Leptis Magna, one of the Mediterranean’s most compelling ancient sites. Leptis Magna achieved its prominence in the 3rd century A.D. under the Severan emperors, who launched an unprecedented, lavish building scheme, embellishing the city with extraordinary public buildings. Excellently preserved to the present day because of its burial under shifting sands, this glorious coastal city is a unique example of ancient town planning. Spend the day exploring the city’s magnificent buildings, monuments, temples, and streets. Also visit Villa Sileen, a restored Roman residence with vivid mosaics depicting chariot races and gladiatorial combat scenes.
Saturday, November 13
TRIPOLI | SABRATHA | TRIPOLI
Tripoli was settled by Phoenicians, colonized by Greeks, and conquered by Romans, who erected the impressive triumphal arch honoring Marcus Aurelius. Later, Tripoli grew wealthy from the Saharan caravan trade. Explore the medina, the medieval walled town built on the site of the Roman settlement. Also tour the Jamahiriya Museum, housed in the massive medieval citadel, and the city’s colorful souks. In the afternoon, travel to nearby Sabratha, the ancient city that began as a Carthaginian trading post, became a permanent settlement in the 4th century B.C., and flourished in the Roman period. Located by the sea, Sabratha’s ruins include temples, public baths, fountains, and a museum noted for its mosaic collection.
Sunday, November 14
SFAX | EL DJEM | SFAX, Tunisia
Arrive in Sfax and drive to El Djem to explore its great Roman amphitheater, built in the 3rd century A.D. to seat 35,000 spectators. Many of the amphitheater’s stones were used to build the village of El Djem in the 17th century. Continue to the Museum, with its fine collection of mosaics.
Monday, November 15
TUNIS | CARTHAGE | TUNIS
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.
Tuesday, November 16
ANNABA | HIPPO REGIUS | ANABA, Algeria
Visit the ancient site of Hippo Regius, which bears the marks of Phoenicians, Berbers, and Romans. St. Augustine was a bishop here from A.D. 396 until his death in A.D. 430. Explore the Roman Forum, the largest and oldest in North Africa, and the Baths, dedicated to Septimius Severus. Also visit the modern-day Basilica of St. Augustine, which crowns the hill overlooking the site. Sail along the rugged Algerian coast in the afternoon.
Wednesday, November 17
BEJAIA | DJEMILA | BEJAIA
Disembark in Bejaia for an excursion through impressive 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 see the museum’s collection of superb mosaics and other artifacts.
Thursday, November 18
AT SEA
Friday, November 19
MELILLA, Spain
Located on the northern coast of Morocco, the Spanish city of Melilla sits on a rocky peninsula extending into the Mediterranean. Colonized by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, it fell to Spain in 1497 and has remained Spanish since. Discover this unique city, with its Catholic and Muslim population; Spanish and Moorish influences; and major attractions, such as the walled old city, military fortress, and charming market area.
Saturday, November 20
TANGIER, Morocco
Founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century B.C., Tangier was subsequently held by the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Visigoths, followed by the Arabs in 709, who used it as the base for their invasion of Spain. Spend the afternoon exploring the medina, a classic Moroccan town of narrow alleyways and stepped passages, dominated by its old citadel or kasbah. Also visit the Dar el Makhzen, the former palace of the sultans, now a museum of antiquities and crafts, and the Old American Legation, a former palace given to the U.S. government in 1777 to house America’s first embassy. (Morocco was the first overseas country to recognize the independent U.S.)
Sunday, November 21
CASABLANCA | DISEMBARK | FLY TO USA
A WORD ON THE LIBYA CALLS
The calls in Libya are dependent on the Libyan authorities issuing the required visas. Even though Libya has not yet been granting visas to American travelers, we are pursuing several channels to secure them. Should the visas not be granted, the itinerary will be altered to eliminate the calls in Libya.
Instead, we will visit the celebrated Siwa Oasis, one of Egypt’s most remote and memorable sites. Located in the Western Desert, Siwa is set amidst palm groves and surrounded by fresh water springs and salt lakes. Throughout the ancient Mediterranean world, Siwa was famed for its Oracle of Amun. Countless leaders and others sought the oracle’s advice, among them Alexander the Great, who visited the site in 331 B.C. We will explore Siwa’s ancient remains, including the well-preserved Temple of Amun; and the Gabal al-Mawta, a low ridge with tombs from the 26th Dynasty to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
Then, sailing west, we will call at Malta to explore the prehistoric Temple of Hagar Qim and Neolithic temples of Tarxien. Returning to the North African shore, we will arrive at Sfax, Tunisia, for our planned visit to the Roman site of El Djem. We will also make an additional call in Tunisia, specifically at Sousse, for a full-day excursion to the landmark city of Kairouan to explore the Great Mosque of Sidi Oqba, founded in the 7th century; the Aghlabid Pools; and the Museum of the Kasbah, with its remarkable mosaics.
The rest of the itinerary will remain the same.
