Travel-Learn Program

When: September 11, 2009 - September 21, 2009 (iCal)

Description

Join us on a grand journey to the heart of the Mediterranean and experience the colosseums, 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 exclusively-chartered M.S. Le Diamant along the coasts of the French and Italian Rivieras 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. 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 testimonials to the passage of a multitude of cultures. Throughout the program, learn more about the rich culinary traditions of the Mediterranean through a customized series of lectures, demonstrations and optional excursions to restaurants, markets and tastings across the region.

Cost

From approximately $3995 per person (plus airfare) Book early to secure desired space and take advantage of early booking savings!

Contact

For more information, contact Usha Sellers, Program Director, in the Office of Alumni Relations at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 1-800-THE-ALUM (1-800-843-2586) or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart for Nice, France

Day 2 - Nice, France

Arrive in Nice and transfer to the Hotel Le Palais de la Méditerranée. This afternoon, embark on the MS Le Diamant and attend a Captains Welcome Reception and dinner on board the ship.

Day 3 - Livorno (Florence), Italy

Following breakfast on board the ship, drive to Florence - the city that was once the seat of the Medici family and the center of art and thought during the Italian Renaissance. A walking tour of the city will include such sites as the Cathedral, the Baptistery and Lorenzo Ghiberti's famous bronze “Doors of Paradise”, and the house of Dante. Later, visit the Fine Arts Academy, which houses the jewel of the Florentine Renaissance – Michaelangelo’s larger-than-life statue of David For lunch, enjoy the cuisine of a local restaurant of your choice. The afternoon is free to explore Florence’s many sites including the Pallazo Vecchio and its many surrounding statues, and the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge noted for the shops built hundreds of years ago that still line its sides.

Optional Culinary Excursion: At noon, depart Florence and head to Villa Viviani for an olive oil presentation and tasting led by Elaine Trigiani. Learn how the spicy, green, Tuscan extra virgin olive oil is made and how to discern and recognize its flavors. The talk will include - among other details - olive oil’s health benefits, how to cook with it, and how to identify quality when buying it.

Return to the ship in the early evening, where dinner will be served on-board.

Day 4 - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Following breakfast on board, the ship will set off for Rome. Begin your exploration with a walking tour of the Roman Form, which was the religious, political, and commercial center of ancient Roman civilization. The tour will continue with a visit to the Colosseum, perhaps Rome’s most famous landmark, and continues on to the Church of St. Peter in Chains to see Michelangelo’s statue of Moses. Following the tour, lunch is at a local restaurant. The afternoon is free to do as you please.

Optional Culinary Excursion: Upon debarkation of the ship, transfer to Rome’s famous morning market in the piazza Campo de Fiori. The produce, meat, and fish vendors arrive early each day to set up their stalls and hawk their wares, as they have been doing for centuries. Following the market, enjoy a private Roman lunch and wine tasting at the nearby Archeological Restaurant. In the afternoon, set out on a sightseeing tour of Rome (included in the Main program).

This evening, transfer back to the ship for dinner on board as the ship departs Civitavecchia.

Days 5 - Sorrento (Pompeii), Italy

Following breakfast on board, choose between two morning excursions.

Pompeii Excursion: Drive along the panoramic Sorrentine coastline and the bustling road to Pompeii. Visit the incredibly well-preserved ruins of this ancient Roman town, where all life was tragically stopped by the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79. Since 79, Vesuvius has erupted numerous times, although not in such an explosive manner, and is the only volcano on the mainland of Europe to have erupted in the last 100 years. The plaster cast figures of the fleeing citizens, the amphitheater, the House of the wealthy Vettii family, and the Red Light District makes Pompeii a memorable attraction.

Amalfi Town & Coast Drive: Stretching from Sorrento to Salerno is the Amalfi Coast, noted for its mist-shrouded peaks, rocky inlets, cliffhanging villas, terraced hillside gardens, and hairpin turns on its winding road. Along the drive, experience stunning views of secluded beaches and charming scenes of street life in the numerous villages. Stop in the town of Alalfi, the seat of a great seafaring republic from the 9th to 11th centuries. Amalfi is a romantic, Moorish-style resort town overlooking the Bay of Serno at the foot of the steep Lattari Hills. Climb the steps to the 11th century Cathedral of St. Andrew, which is said to hold the remains of the apostle.

Upon returning to the boat, attend a late lunch and a lecture about Chocolate, given by Dede Wilson.

Day 6 - Taormina (Sicily), Italy / At Sea

Arrive this morning in the small resort town of Taormina. Set on top of a cliff dominating the Ionic Sea and Mt. Etna, this historic town was inhabited by the Greeks, their Roman successors, and later the Normans. Dive into Taormina’s tumultuous history on a morning walking tour that will include the Greco-Roman Theatre, the Cathedral, the Corvaia Palace, Odeon, and Corso Umberto.

Re-board the ship for lunch and an afternoon of cruising at sea. The remainder of the day is at leisure or watch as the MS Le Diamant prepares two of his favorite recipes in an afternoon cooking demonstration.

Day 7 - At Sea / Itea (Delphi), Greece

During our morning of travel to Greece, attend an informative culinary presentation about the use of Truffles.

This afternoon, join an excursion to Delphi, a historic town molded by its committed worship of the gods Apollo and Athena. In ancient times, the town was known throughout the world as the site of Apollo’s home, and many rulers traveled here to seek advice from his famed Oracle on critical matters relating to people’s lives and affairs of state. During a tour of Delphi, visit the Temple of Apollo and its surrounding archaeological site, and the Delphi Archeological Museum.

After dinner on board the MS Le Diamant, the ship will pass through the Corinth Canal, which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese, as we make our way to Turkey. Though the Corinth Canal was not built until the 19th century, plans for the canal had been in the works for over 2000 years. Periander, a tyrant of Corinth, envisioned the canal in 602 BC but due to technological limitations, instead developed a stone path called the “Diolkos” upon which a ship could be transported by a wheeled vehicle across the narrow strip of land. Greeks and Romans rulers alike were discouraged from canal construction by their belief that Poseidon or Neptune, the god of the sea, did not wish the Aegean and the Adriatic seas to be joined. The canal, which is said to be the step-child of the Suez and Panama Canals, was finally completed by French and Greek workmen in 1893.

Day 8 - At Sea / Kusadasi, Turkey

Spend the day at leisure aboard the ship as it makes its way towards Turkey. In the morning, attend a culinary discussion of honey, and in the afternoon, a cooking demonstration will be held by the MS Le Diamant Chef.

The ship will arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey in the early evening. Following dinner, attend a Turkish Folklore Show on board the ship.

Day 9 - Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey

Spend the morning taking a tour of Ephesus. During the short ride form the port in Kusadasi to Ephesus, pass through rural Turkish villages and countryside dotted with orchards of fig trees amidst acres of brilliant sunflowers. The ancient city of Ephesus is a vast archaeological site of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins. Visit the beautifully restored and reconstructed Celsus Library and the Grand Theater. Built during the Hellenistic Age to hold 24,000 spectators, the Grand Theater is the site where Ephesians rioted against the preaching’s of St. Paul.

Following the tour of Ephesus, we will have lunch at the Steam Train Museum, and then, continue to the Basilica of St. John, built in the fifth and sixth centuries above the tomb of the apostle, followed by a visit to the Ephesus Museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Optional Culinary Excursion: In the morning, depart Ephesus for the village of Sirince. The village is known for its wineries and olive groves, and was once named “Cirkince” (Ugly) by inhabitants to avoid sharing its beauty with visitors. Upon discovery by visitors that the village was not at all ugly, the name eventually was changed to “Sirince” (Pretty). Following the Independence War of the 1920’s and the subsequent immigration and emigration of Turks and Greeks, the village has come to represent a synthesis of Greek and Turkish culture. On this excursion, visit a private home for tea and witness the lifestyle in the village. At the Artemis House Restaurant, learn how to make Turkish flat breads together with local villagers, in addition to meat and vegetable casserole. Following an introduction to Turkish cuisine by the House Chef, lunch will include local vegetables, flat breads, casserole, and Baklava. This afternoon, take the time to stroll the quaint village streets before returning to Kusadasi to board the ship.

Day 10 - Cannakale, Turkey

This morning, travel to the ancient city of Troy, located on a massive mount in the midst of a windswept plain. Immortalized by Homer’s Iliad, the city of Troy is forever associated with the legendary abduction of Helen and the ensuing Trojan War, but archeologists have revealed successive occupation levels dating back some 5,000 years. Our exploration includes the ramparts of the Bronze Age citadel, the ruins of the 6th century BC Temple of Athena, and the Roman Theater and council house. Lunch is served back on board the ship.

Optional Excursion to Gallipoli: Take a ferry across the Dardanelles and walk the historical Gallipoli Battlefields, tunnels, and trenches. Visit the war memorials and museum in tribute to the many lives lost here in WWI’s Battle of the Dardanelles.

Those who do not choose to go on the optional excursion will have the afternoon at leisure in Cannakale.

This evening, attend a farewell reception and dinner on board the ship.

Day 11 – Istanbul, Turkey / Return to USA

Upon arrival in Istanbul, disembark the M.S. Le Diamant and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.

Extend your trip with a pre-program excursion in Nice and Monte Carlo or a post-program excursion in Istanbul!