AN ITALIAN AUTUMN

30 Sep - 14 Oct 1998, 15 Days, visiting Italy & Croatia

Cruise no: 521

After the heat and the crowds of high summer have gone, here is an opportunity for you to explore some of Italy's most historic cities. During this two week cruise Minerva travels from Venice to Genoa around the coast of Italy as well as calling at the ancient port of Dubrovnik, with its charming old streets and squares. There will be three whole days to explore the fascinating Graeco-Roman island of Sicily as well as visits to the alluring city of Venice, the spectacular Byzantine monuments of Ravenna and the extensive Roman ruins of Pompeii.

Itinerary:

Wed 30 Sep Fly London to Venice for embarkation.
Thu 1 Oct Our morning sightseeing of this romantic city includes the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace. Afternoon at sea.
Fri 2 Oct The morning is spent exploring Ravenna with its fine Byzantine monuments and mosaics. Free afternoon for independent exploration.
Sat 3 Oct A relaxing day at sea before we reach Dubrovnik in the evening.
Sun 4 Oct This morning we have a guided walking tour of the beautiful walled city of Dubrovnik taking in the great Cathedral and Dominican Monastery.
Mon 5 Oct A restful day at sea before our evening arrival at the Sicilian port of Messina.
Tue 6 Oct Morning excursion to the 3rd century Greek theatre at Taormina which boasts a spectacular view of Mt Etna through what was once the stage area.
Wed 7 Oct We arrive in Trapani at midday for our visit to the dramatic, medieval town of Erice or Segesta, home to one of the best preserved temples in the Greek world.
Thu 8 Oct This morning we arrive at the small fishing town of Cefalu for a walking tour which takes in the splendid Romanesque Cathedral. Afternoon at sea.
Fri 9 Oct At lunchtime we arrive in Naples for our excursion to the ghostly ruins of Pompeii, devastated by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. Overnight in port.
Sat 10 Oct Today visit the fascinating Roman ruins of Herculaneum or the fine National Archaeological Museum and Royal Palace at Capodimonte.
Sun 11 Oct From the Port of Civitavecchia our excursions take us to Tarquinia, a major centre of Etruscan civilization and Ostia Antica, a port city founded by the Romans.
Mon 12 Oct This morning we journey from Livorno to Lucca where we see the great Cathedral and baptistery before continuing on to Pisa where we view the impressive Romanesque cathedral and famous leaning tower.
Tue 13 Oct A relaxing time at sea as Minerva sails towards Genoa.
Wed 14 Oct A morning sightseeing drive of Genoa before transferring to the airport for the return flight to London.

GUEST LECTURERS:

PROFESSOR COLIN RENFREW: Disney Professor of Archaeology, University of Cambridge and Master of Jesus College.
DR JOHN M ROBERTS: Until recently Warden of Merton College, Oxford.
ALICIA SALTER: Art Historian and lecturer, she has specialised in Italian architecture.
DR JAMES WALSTON: Head of Faculty at Rome International University where he teaches Italian Politics and History.
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