ISLANDS IN THE SUN

19 Aug - 26 Aug 1998, 8 Days, visiting Italy, Greece

Cruise no: 518A

This late summer cruise through the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean takes in many highlights of the Classical World. Minerva departs from historic Naples after we have explored the extensive ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum and sails to Sicily, home of the Greek theatre at Taormina. On leaving Italy we travel to Greece for excursions to the impressive ruins of Cassope, the island of Ithaca and the splendid site of Delphi before arriving in Athens via the Corinth Canal where we see the world famous Parthenon.

Itinerary:

Wed 19 Aug Fly London to Naples for embarkation at the Southern Italian port, where Minerva overnights.
Thu 20 Aug A morning visit to the extensive ruins of Pompeii. Alternatively, visit Herculaneum. We sail after lunch for the island of Capri. Sail in the evening.
Fri 21 Aug After a morning at sea, we arrive in the Sicilian port of Messina for our visit to the Greek theatre at Taormina which dates from the 3rd century BC.
Sat 22 Aug A full-day is spent at sea as Minerva crosses the Adriatic to the Greek mainland. In the evening we arrive in the attractive port of Preveza.
Sun 23 Aug From Preveza we visit the ruins of the 4th century B.C. town of Cassope. There is an alternative excursion to Nikopolis. Afternoon at sea.
Mon 24 Aug A free morning for independent exploration in Ithaca. We sail at midday through spectacular fjord like scenery and arrive in Itea in the late evening.
Tue 25 Aug A morning excursion to the splendid site of Delphi or to the Byzantine Monastery of Osios Loukas. Afternoon at sea before an early evening transit of the Corinth Canal. We arrive in Piraeus in the late evening.
Wed 26 Aug A chance to visit Athens' most famous landmark, the Acropolis or the superb National Archaeological Museum before the return flight to London.

GUEST LECTURERS:

DR MIRIAM GRIFFIN: Fellow in Ancient History of Somerville College, Oxford. A Roman historian, she has written standard works on Seneca, Cicero and Nero.
PROFESSOR JASPER GRIFFIN: Professor of Classical Literature and Public Orator at Oxford University, and Fellow of Balliol College.
ODETTE LIVINGSTONE-SMITH: M.A. in Italian Renaissance Art. Taught History of Art and Architecture for London and Surrey Extra-Mural Departments and for the Open University.
PROFESSOR DAVID NICHOLS: Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter since 1969, where he has been Dean of Science and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

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