Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean (2009)

Download the Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean Brochure

From $4695.00, per person, plus air, based on double occupancy

Operated by Thomas P. Gohagan & Company

Join us on a grand journey to the heart of the Mediterranean and experience the grand colosseums, spectacular temples and rich cultures of the Classical World on this 11-day voyage accompanied by a special guest editor from Bon Appétit magazine.

Sail aboard the deluxe, exclusively chartered M.S. LE DIAMANT along the stunning coasts of the French and Italian Riviera and marvel at Michelangelo’s David in Florence -- “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Walk in the footsteps of caesars and centurions along the streets of ancient Rome, Pompeii, and Ephesus and travel in the wake of Roman galleys, medieval mariners, and the sleek triremes of Phoenician sea traders to Sicily, Delphi, and the coast of Turkey, where classical temples, medieval cathedrals, and great cities stand as eloquent testimonials to the passage of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, and Ottomans.

Throughout the program, learn more about the rich culinary traditions of the Mediterranean during a customized series of lectures, demonstrations and optional excursions to restaurants, markets and tastings across the region.

Day 1
Depart from the U.S.

Day 2
Arrive Nice, France/Embark M.S. LE DIAMANT

Day 3
Livorno (Florence), Italy

Day 4
Civitavecchia (Rome)

Day 5
Sorrento (Pompeii)

Day 6
Taormina, Sicily

Day 7
Itea (Delphi), Greece/Corinth Canal

Day 8
Ku¸sadasi, Turkey

Day 9
Ku¸sadasi (Ephesus)

Day 10
Gallipoli

Day 11
Istanbul/Disembark M.S. LE DIAMANT/Return to the U.S.

Included Features

On board the exclusively chartered deluxe M.S. LE DIAMANT:

• Nine-night cruise from Nice, France, to Istanbul, Turkey, with port calls at Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), Sorrento (Pompeii), and Taormina (Sicily), Italy; Itea (Delphi), Greece; and Ku¸sadasi (Ephesus) and Gallipoli, Turkey.
• Spacious and elegant outside accommodations with private bathroom facilities and air conditioning.
• Captain’s welcome and farewell receptions.
• All meals — breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner — throughout the cruise, featuring fine Continental cuisine, served at single, unassigned seatings.
• Complimentary house wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea included with lunch and dinner.
• Exclusive culinary demonstrations and lectures presented by a special guest editor from Bon Appétit magazine.
• Full-day excursion to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance,” including a visit to Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’ Accademia.
• Full-day tour of Rome featuring the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Lunch included.
• Excursion to Pompeii, the ancient and nearly perfectly preserved Roman city that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79.
• Visit to the impressive Greco-Roman ruins of Taormina, Sicily, dramatically set on the terraced slopes of Mt. Etna.
• Visit to the ruins of ancient Delphi, site of the Oracle of Delphi and the Sanctuary of Apollo.
• Excursion from Ku¸sadasi to the ruins of Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world.
• Walking tour of the World War I battlefields of Gallipoli, and view the memorial and museum that honors these fallen soldiers.

Posted April 21, 2009.