Program photograph
Upcoming Programs:

Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: Cultures and Faiths from Athens to Israel

July 11–21, 2010
Faculty: John Portmann, Professor of Religious Studies

Price: Early booking rates from $6,795
registration

Registration is Open

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Overview

Three of the world's great religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—were born along the shores of the Mediterranean. Over the centuries each developed its own traditions and cultures, yet all drew upon the legacy of the great civilizations that came before them: the philosophy and science of the ancient Greeks and the laws and technology of the ancient Romans. We invite you to join us during the sunny days of a Mediterranean summer as the Corinthian II transports you to fascinating sites exploring the continuity and coexistence of three great faiths and many great civilizations. We've selected some of the most exciting, evocative ports of call in the Mediterranean for this voyage. In Athens we will explore some of the greatest monuments created by the ancient Greeks, but will also have the opportunity to see the remnants left behind by other cultures. In Ephesus, we will marvel at the glorious architecture of its Greco-Roman landmarks and also visit monuments from the Byzantine period. Jerusalem, whose history goes back to the mists of time, is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims. During our visit, we will explore sites that are sacred to all three religions. The vast ruins of Knossos on the island of Crete, the setting for the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, transport you back to the age of myth. Long afterwards, this glorious island, the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, was held by the Venetians for over 400 years and later by the Turks. These long occupations are evidenced in the surviving buildings and other sites. A walk through the Old Town of Rhodes is like stepping back to the era of the Crusades when, starting in the 16th century, Greeks, Latins, Jews and Muslims lived in the same walled city.

Map of travel path

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Program Highlights

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Accommodations

The deluxe Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations for 114 guests. Originally built in 1992, Corinthian II was refurbished and redecorated in 2005 to create an ambience of elegance and easy conviviality. The 75 experienced officers and crew ensure an atmosphere akin to a private club for the length of each voyage. Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and featuring a sitting area, generous storage space, air conditioning, mini-refrigerator, safe, telephone, TV, DVD/CD player, marble-appointed bathroom and other amenities. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding-glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library with Internet access, an elegant lounge and The Club, an inviting space for relaxation, with musical arrangements by the ship's pianist and picture windows for panoramic views. Superb international cuisine by European chefs is served either in the stately restaurant or al fresco on the wide sun deck, which is specially equipped for outdoor dining. The ship also includes an exercise area, beauty salon, elevator serving all passenger decks and a sun deck with Jacuzzi.

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Meals

Nine breakfasts, eight lunches, nine dinners.

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Faculty

John Portmann, Professor of Religious Studies
Prof. Portmann received his Master's in Philosophy from Cambridge University and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. He teaches a number of courses including a popular undergraduate seminar entitled "Cultural Catholicism." The author of six books, John reads widely in the philosophy of emotions, moral history, and sexual ethics.  His work has been translated into several languages and has been reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post.  He has been interviewed on national public radio programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia and has been cited in publications such as Time, Psychology Today and Cosmo.  He has appeared on MSNBC, the Voice of America, and the History Channel.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday, July 11
Depart USA
Depart the United States for Athens, Greece.

Day 2 - Monday, July 12
Athens
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the Hotel King George, one of the city's finest hotels, overlooking Constitution Square,Athens's center. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail reception held at the hotel's roof garden, which provides superb views of the Acropolis and the city.

Day 3 - Tuesday, July 13
Athens / Piraeus / Embark
During its long history starting in deep antiquity, Athens has hosted many cultures that have left their mark on the city. The cradle of Greek classical civilization, Athens continued to be an important center of culture and learning during the Roman period and the early Byzantine era. Following the invasions of the Knights (1205), Catalans (1311), Normans of Sicily (1312) and Florentine adventurers (1388), Athens was captured in 1456 by Ottoman Turks, who held it for the next 377 years. During our stay, we will offer a choice of excursions that will explore the city's major landmarks, such as the Acropolis with its famed temples, as well as its lesser known monuments such as Roman buildings and Byzantine churches. Late in the afternoon, we will board Corinthian II in Piraeus and set sail.

Day 4 - Wednesday, July 14
Kusadasi / Ephesus or Priene / Kusadasi
Arrive in Kusadasi for an excursion to the great city of Ephesus, first renowned in the 2nd millennium B.C. as the center of worship for the great mother-goddess, Cybele, later identified as Artemis, or Diana. Ephesus then became a center of Anatolian Christianity, addressed by Paul in one of his epistles and by John in the Book of Revelation. A large site with considerable excavation work still in progress, the remains of Ephesus reflect Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. Visit the theater where Ephesians rioted against Paul; the Library of Celsus, with its imposing façade; a Revelation. A large site with considerable excavation work still in progress, the remains of Ephesus reflect Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. Visit the theater where Ephesians rioted against Paul; the Library of Celsus, with its imposing façade; and other monuments. Alternatively, you may explore the evocative remains of ancient Priene, founded in the 4th century B.C. on a series of terraces.

Day 5 - Thursday, July 15
Rhodes / Lindos / Rhodes
Rhodes's strategic position has attracted settlers and invaders since the earliest times. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods (323 B.C.–330 A.D.), Rhodes was renowned for its schools of philosophy, rhetoric and the arts. The Colossus, a huge bronze statue dedicated to the Sun God and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, stood here. The island was captured in 1309 by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, who held it until 1522 when it was taken over by the Ottoman Turks, whose rule lasted for the next 400 years. St. Paul stopped in Rhodes in A.D. 50. Explore the Old Town, which is dominated by the Knights' Palace of the Grand Masters, and visit monuments that attest to the island's domination by various powers. Also, travel to the picturesque village of Lindos to visit its superb Acropolis.

Day 6 - Friday, July 16
Paphos
Cyprus's position as a stepping-stone between East and West has left an unusually rich legacy of the many civilizations that flourished on the island. Located on Cyprus's west coast, Paphos was settled as early as the 15th century B.C. Visit Paphos's sites that span the millennia, including the Byzantine Castle; the House of Dionysos, with its exquisite mosaics; the Villa of Theseus, the official residence of the island's Roman governor; the Tombs of the Kings, dating from the 3rd century B.C.; the District Museum and the ruined Basilica commemorating St. Paul's visit to Paphos in A.D. 45.

Days 7 and 8 - Saturday, July 17, & Sunday, July 18
Haifa / Israel
Built on the green slopes of Mount Carmel, Haifa is Israel's main port. During our two days in Israel, we will have the choice of excursions that will include several of the country's historic cities and landmark sites. On an overnight excursion, explore Jerusalem, one of the Near East's oldest cities, and a place sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Visit the holy city's principal monuments, including the Temple Mount, where Solomon and Herod built their temples; the Western Wall; the remnant of the Second Temple; the Dome of the Rock, believed to be where Mohammed ascended into heaven; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Stations of the Cross and the Israel Museum to see the shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Alternatively, there will be full-day excursions to Capernaum, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea and one of the country's most important archaeological sites, Megiddo, the legendary Armageddon, and Akko, with its Crusader remains and Islamic minarets.

Day 9 - Monday, July 19
At Sea

Day 10 - Tuesday, July 20
Heraklion / Knossos / Heraklion
Arrive in Crete, home of the Minoans, Europe's earliest advanced civilization. An important island throughout history, Crete was the prized possession of Byzantium for more than 700 years, Venice from 1204–1669 and the Ottoman Turks from 1669–1898. From Heraklion, visit the Palace of Knossos, the largest and most imposing Minoan site on the island, and explore the remnants of the diverse cultures that flourished in Crete.

Day 11 - Wednesday, July 21
Piraeus / Disembark / Athens / USA
Dock in Piraeus and transfer to the Athens airport for the return flight to the U.S.

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Program Fees

Category E – $6,795
Category D – $7,795
Category C – $8,795
Category B – $9,795
Category A – $10,795
Category AA – $11,795
Category VS – $12,795
Category PHS – $13,795

A limited number of single rooms are available.
There is no single supplement required (categories A through D only).

Corinthian II Deck Plan

Price includes:

Does not include: Airfare; visa and passport fees; luggage, cancellation and accident insurance; meals and beverages other than those specified above; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes and e-mail service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel.

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How To Register

Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us at 866-765-2646 or e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.

A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your spot. Final invoicing will be done approximately 90 days prior to departure. Final payment is due on April 12, 2010.

Deposits can be made via MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express or check.

Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

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General Terms & Conditions

Payment Schedule: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. For your convenience, you may charge your deposit to your American Express, Visa, Discover or MasterCard. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Credit cards are not accepted for final payment. However, personal checks are accepted for both deposits and final payment.

Cancellations & Refunds: All cancellations of confirmed reservations are subject to a $300 per person administrative fee. Additionally, passengers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines or hotels used in the itinerary. Cancellations received 61–90 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate. Service fees may apply to deviations and are non-refundable.
Insurance: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. You may enroll with Travel Dynamics International's insurance carrier, Travelex, or you may obtain coverage through a company of your choice.
Itinerary: The itinerary, accommodations, and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Travel Dynamics International.
Responsibility: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and Travel Dynamics International and the tour's sponsoring organization. The passenger is also advised to review his/her separate ticket passage contract with the vessel's owner/operator, which will constitute the sole, legally enforceable terms of carriage for this tour and is available on request from Travel Dynamics International. Travel Dynamics International and the tour's sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable care possible to ensure the passenger's safety and satisfaction, but we neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the passenger or in effecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the passenger, and tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the passenger's behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but we shall not have any obligation or liability to the passenger beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour's itinerary and to substitute hotels, ships, or lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the passenger certifies that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other passengers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any person as a member of any tour should such person's health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other passengers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the passenger's risk entirely, and we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be effected exclusively in the state or federal courts presiding in the City of New York, pursuant to applicable New York law.
Rates: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change.
Ship's Registry: Malta CST #204 3599-40 TDI

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