Travel-Learn Program

When: October 25, 2012 - November 05, 2012 (iCal)

Description

Join us as we cruise the Mediterranean to ports and cities known for their historical treasures in France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. We sail aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica, a vessel that offers one of the best cruising experiences at sea, and visit Marseille’s historic old town, the architectural wonders of Florence and Rome, the lovely Amalfi coast, and scenic hilltop towns in Sicily. Explore the famed Library of Celsus in Turkey, and marvel at Santorini’s stunning whitewashed towns before our journey comes to an end in Athens. From fabled Renaissance architecture to ancient Greek ruins, old-world history springs to life on this seafaring adventure. An optional Barcelona Pre-Cruise Program and an Athens Post-Cruise program are also available.

Activity level: Moderately Active

Download the program brochure.

For Early Booking Incentive and to avoid disappointment of a sold out program, register now!

Cost

From $2,799 per person if booked by May 31, 2012; double occupancy, includes air, on space available basis.

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart for Spain

Day 2 – Arrive in Barcelona, Spain, and transfer to Nautica.

Day 3 – Provence (Marseille), France

Today we arrive in historic old Marseille and visit the charming fishing port of Cassis. Alternatively, we have the option to venture into the celebrated Provençal countryside and explore lovely Aix, or stroll through Avignon and see the Palace of the Popes, and the hilltop village of Les Baux.

Optional excursions include: tours of historic sites in Marseille; visits to medieval villages in Provence including Aix-en-Provence, Le Castellet, Avignon, and Les Baux; and food and wine tasting in the Luberon wine region.

Days 4 & 5 – Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Our exploration of history continues amongst the fabled art and architecture of Renaissance Florence: the Duomo with Brunelleschi’s dome, the Baptistery, Michelangelo’s David, the Ponte Veccio, and the Uffizi Gallery. We continue on to Pisa’s superb Field of Miracles and the iconic Leaning Tower. We also have the option to lose ourselves in the Tuscan countryside and the towns of Siena, and San Gimignano, renowned for its medieval towers.

Optional excursions include: walking and driving tours of Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Lucca, and Siena; food and wine tastings; and visits to museums in Florence, the Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery.

Day 6 – Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Today is spent reveling in magnificent monuments, from the ancient Roman Forum and Colosseum to the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Alternately, we can enjoy a drive through the Roman countryside to lovely, medieval Castel Gandolfo to see the summer residence of the Pope.

Optional excursions include: Rome – the Eternal City, The Italian Countryside & Catacombs, Vatican City & Rome Highlights.

Day 7 – Amalfi/Positano, Italy

Enchanting Amalfi is filled with ancient wonders like the 12th-century Capuchin monastery and the beautiful 11th-century cathedral and cloister. Clinging to steep slopes above a sparkling bay, Positano charms all who visit with its white Moorish-style houses and colorful fishing boats.

Optional excursions include: Scenic Ravello, The Emerald Grotto, Beautiful Positano & Amalfi.

Day 8 – Taormina (Sicily), Italy

Enjoy panoramic views as we ascend to Taormina, where we will stroll medieval lanes past historic palaces; see the famed Greek Theater and its fantastic view of Mt. Etna; venture up the volcano itself, where remnants of past eruptions can be seen in cones, craters, and lava streams. Discover a Norman castle built of black lava, and visit beautiful old Catania.

Optional excursions include: Acireale, Cyclops Riviera & Catania, Beautiful Taormina & Mt. Etna, Highlights of Taormina, and The Land of the Godfather.

Day 9 – At Sea

Day 10 – Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey

Explore the ruins of ancient Ephesus: the famed Library of Celsus, the amphitheater, chariot-marked marble roads, mosaic sidewalks, and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. We can instead choose to journey to Priene, Miletus, and Didyma, three monumental cities of antiquity renowned for their majestic temples and stadiums.

Optional excursions include: Antique Ephesus, Best of Kusadasi, Two Ancient Cities-Miletus & Didyma.

Day 11 – Santorini, Greece

Today we travel to Oia and Fira, two beautiful whitewashed hilltop towns with fantastic views. We will have an opportunity to see the stunning artifacts in Fire’s museum, including recent finds from the excavation of Akrotiri, and visit a winery and take in the local color.

Optional excursions include: Santorini Panorama, Santorini Highlights.

Day 12 – Disembark Nautica and transfer to the airport for our return to the U.S.A.

Price and Itinerary are tentative and subject to change. Optional shore excursions referenced above are preliminary and subject to change.

617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu