Road Scholar : Voyages to Antiquity: Splendors of Italy and Croatia - Italy/Croatia

Voyages to Antiquity: Splendors of Italy and Croatia

Program Number:

19519RJ

Start and End Dates:


	10/3/2013 - 10/18/2013;

Duration:

15 nights

Location:

Italy/Croatia

Price starting at:

$5,590.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises

Meals:

38; 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 12 Dinners

Meal Options:

Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt; Gluten Free

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Mediterranean and the architectural and artistic legacies of its civilizations on this voyage carefully planned to explore as much as possible of the fascinating history that this remarkable sea has to offer. From the splendors of Rome to the classical elegance of the Greek city of Segesta in Sicily and Byzantine Venice, learn about the people and events that shaped the Mediterranean.

Activity Particulars

Walking up and downhill, up to two miles per day. Standing up to four hours per day, with breaks; uneven terrain and steep stairs without railings at historic sites.

Itinerary At-a-Glance

Aboard the Aegean Odyssey, 12 nights; Rome (Italy), 2 nights.

Day 1:

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.

Days 2-4: Arrival Venice (Italy) / embark Aegean Odyssey:

Walk through incomparable Venice to marvel at the Piazza San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge�s Palace.

Day 5: Split (Croatia):

Step inside the magnificent Palace of Diocletian, today not a deserted ruin but a bustling warren of houses, shops and caf�s.

Day 6: Korcula:

Explore the pine-forested island of Korcula, said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, and cruise past the gorgeous islands of Hvar and Brac off the Dalmatian Coast.

Day 7: Dubrovnik:

On an expert-led excursion in Dubrovnik, discover this beautiful seaside city�s Old Town and the Baroque Church of St. Blaise.

Days 8-9: At Sea / Syracuse (Italy):

.

Discover Syracuse's outstanding collection of Greek and Roman ruins including the 5th-century Greek theater where many of Aeschylus's tragedies were first staged.

Days 10-11: Palermo:

In the Sicilian capital, walk through the old center to see its historic buildings. Experience Monreale Cathedral with its glorious 12th-century mosaics covering over 1.5 acres of wall space.

Days 12-13: Sorrento:

Discover the spectacular sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both buried for centuries after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Days 14-16: Rome / disembark / departure:

An expert-led excursion through Rome includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. Lodging: Four-star hotel.

MV Aegean Odyssey

The Aegean Odyssey is a premium class ship especially rebuilt for cruising in the coastal waters and among the islands of the Mediterranean, visiting small, uncrowded harbors that large ocean liners can't reach. Public areas include Mediterranean-influenced restaurants, a library, Internet center, sweeping sun decks, outdoor pool, gym and spa.

Meals and Lodgings
	MV Aegean Odyssey
		MV Aegean Odyssey - At Sea, At Sea	12 nights
	Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
		Rome, Italy	2 nights

MV Aegean Odyssey
	Type:	Cruise Ship
	Description:	The MV Aegean Odyssey offers boutique-style cruising at its best. In contrast to the massive vessels cruising to and from major ports, it is a midsized ship adapted for island and coastal cruising. The Aegean Odyssey can visit smaller, less crowded harbors and sail closer to the coast enabling you to really appreciate the magical views.
	Ship Information:	Ship�s Tonnage: 11,563 Length: 461 feet Beam: 67 feet Draft: 20.5 feet Cruising Speed: 18 knots Passenger Decks: 7 Stabilizers: 2 Passenger Staterooms/Cabins: 198 Passengers � lower beds: 378 Classification: Lloyd�s Register Society London Ship�s Registration: Malta
	Contact info:	Voyages to Antiquity 1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 230 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 USA phone: 877-398-1460 web: www.voyagestoantiquity.com
	Room amenities:	All cabins are equipped with a flat screen TV, air-conditioning, and personal safe. Particular importance is placed on the standard of bedding in cabins. Luxury bedding, including fine duvets, covers and sheets, ample soft pillows and quality towels can be expected. Also, shampoo, bath and shower gel, soap, and shower cap are provided. Your cabin steward is always available. Cabins and suites feature outlets with 220 voltage, using the �European� two round pin plug. Hair dryers are provided in your cabin and electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers and other small appliances can be used in your cabin. For safety reasons, travel irons are not allowed.
	Facility amenities:	Dining: MV Aegean Odyssey offers many dining facilities: The Marco Polo Restaurant is the ship's more formal restaurant, providing casual country-club elegance for lunch or dinner; The Terrace Cafe offers a combination of indoor and outdoor seating where you can indulge in breakfast, lunch and dinner from the grill or the sumptuous daily buffet. In the evenings, enjoy breathtaking views over dinner at Tapas on the Terrace. *There is a complimentary choice of wine, beer, or soft drinks with your evening meal. There will be a string trio, pianist and casual dancing before and after dinner. You may also wish to partake in afternoon tea, served in the Observation Lounge. Or perhaps an evening snack and cocktail, available in the Lido and Rendezvous bars. A limited room service menu is available. Special Diets: Please advise us at the time of booking of any special dietary requirements. The ship can usually meet most general requests such as those made with an air carrier; however, this cannot always be guaranteed. Services: Library; outdoor pool; spa; health center, saunas, massage and beauty treatment rooms and early morning yoga on the Lido Deck; elevators; Internet center (open 24 hours and a charge of $18 for 4 non-consecutive hours is applied, no wireless available); beauty salon; medical center; laundry and pressing services (order form and laundry bag is provided in cabin); lecture theater and cinema and on board shop.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes

Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
	Type:	Four-Star Hotel
	Description:	A spacious and elegant reception hall welcomes guests to the Hotel Beverly Hills Rome. This is a precursor to the expert hospitality and warm welcome which guests will find inside. The warmth of this welcome is continued into the guest rooms and suites with their classic interiors and modern comforts. The ristorante Mascagni and the Puccini Bar are both elegant and lovely. The hotel is located in the prestigious Parioli neighborhood with easy connections to the center of Rome, highways, and airports.
	Contact info:	Largo Benedetto Marcello 220 Rome, 00198 Italy phone: +39 06 85 42141 web: www.beverlyhotelrome.it
	Room amenities:	Each room has a hair dryer, mini bar, safe box, telephone, television, and wireless Internet access (for a fee).
	Facility amenities:	The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, air conditioning, laundry services, business center, Internet access (30 minutes of free wireless Internet in the lobby, additional wireless Internet available for a fee), and safe box.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights after:	N/A Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. (800) 241-1404
	Check out time:	12:00 PM

Travel Details
	Start of Program: Venice, Italy. Program begins at 5:00 PM in the "Observation Lounge" on board the ship. You will be staying at MV Aegean Odyssey that night.
	End of Program: Rome, Italy. The program will end after breakfast on the last day. You will be staying at Grand Hotel Beverly Hills the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. The Voyages to Antiquity Guest Registration Form is required.
	Parking availability: N/A

Transportation		(For Independent Travelers)

	Train or bus availability:	see above.

	To Start of Program
	Location:	MV Aegean Odyssey - At Sea
	Transportation to site:	Option 1: Take the Alilaguna Private Shuttle (water bus) Line Blu to the Zattere stop (approx. 45 minutes, 15 Euro). Walk approx. 10-15 minutes, across a couple bridges, to the San Basilio stop. Option 2: From the airport take either the private bus (ATVO Line, 5 Euro) or the public bus (Line 5, 1.20 Euro) to Piazzale Roma. From here, take the Vaporetto line 6 to the San Basilio stop (approx. 6.50 Euro).

	From End of Program
	Location:	MV Aegean Odyssey - At Sea
	Transportation from site:	Take a short walk to the bus stop on the corner of Via Po and Via Simeto. Take the bus number 86 that takes you to Termini central station. Enter the train station and take the train Leonardo Express to Fiumicino airport. If you wish to hire a private car (57 Euro), you may contact Italian Details at giorgia.zago@italiandetails.com or 011-39-06-89087926.
		(Additional transportation information same as above)

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Departures
(Thursday, October 3)

In Transit:

Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight.

Day 2:

Welcome
(Friday, October 4)

Morning:	Arrival at Marco Polo Airport (VCE). Transfer to the MV Aegean Odyssey.
Afternoon:	Embark the MV Aegean Odyssey. Welcome orientation to the program at 5:00 PM in the "Observation Lounge" on board the ship.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 3:

Venice, Italy
(Saturday, October 5)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	Program orientation and group introductions. There is no better way to begin our journey than with a morning walking excursion of the magnificent sites of Venice. We will see the Piazza San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs, and visit the Doge's Palace.
Lunch:	Road Scholar lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Road Scholar walking excursion.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.
Evening:	Experience Venice and St. Mark's by night during a guided excursion.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Venice, Italy
(Sunday, October 6)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	Enjoy some free time to take a gondola ride through ancient canals or explore the legendary Peggy Guggenheim collection.
Lunch:	Lunch on board or at a local restaurant on your own.
Afternoon:	In the afternoon, you are free to explore Venice on your own - walk to the Rialto or the Accademia or simply indulge in a Bellini in Harry�s Bar.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Split, Croatia
(Monday, October 7)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	The morning will be spent at the Palace of Diocletian, including the Temple of Jupiter and Diocletian's mausoleum. Born in Salona, a town a few miles to the north of Split, Diocletian became Emperor of Rome in 284AD. To ensure a comfortable retirement, Diocletian commissioned the construction of a massive limestone and marble palace in the town of Split. When it was completed in 305AD, Diocletian abdicated, the first Roman Emperor to do so. His palace complex included three temples, Diocletian's massive mausoleum (now the Cathedral of St. Dominus), and could house around 9,000 people. Today the palace is no deserted ruin but a shell containing a bustling warren of houses, shops and caf�s.
Lunch:	Lunch on board or at a local restaurant on your own.
Afternoon:	Free time. This afternoon you may choose to continue to explore Split on your own, or visit the delightful island of Trogir (additional cost, bookable on board).
Dinner:	Dinner on board.
Evening:	Attend a shipboard guest lecture. Depart for Korcula at midnight.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Cruising Brac and Hvar / Korcula, Croatia
(Tuesday, October 8)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	At sea. We will spend the morning cruising the gorgeous islands of Hvar and Brac.
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	The pine-forested island of Korcula is said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. The morning will be spent walking in the Venetian fortified town of Korcula visiting Marco Polo's reputed birthplace, the 15th-century Cathedral of St. Mark and the Venetian art in the Abbey Treasury.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.
Evening:	Attend a guest lecture as the ship departs for Dubrovnik.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Dubrovnik, Croatia
(Wednesday, October 9)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	Dubrovnik was formerly known as Ragusa and gave us our English word "argosy." Lord Byron called it "the Pearl of the Adriatic." As we walk around the city this morning we will visit the baroque Church of St Blaise, the Cathedral that boasts Titian's Assumption over the main altar and the Rector's Palace that also houses the Museum of Dubrovnik.
Lunch:	Lunch on board or at a local restaurant on your own.
Afternoon:	In the afternoon and evening you are free to relax or continue exploring this charming city.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

At Sea.
(Thursday, October 10)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	At sea. Enjoy the Observation Deck if the weather is nice, or dive into a good book from the ship's library. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	At sea. Relax, attend an afternoon lecture, or enjoy "Tapas on the Terrace" as the ship makes its way to Syracuse.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:

Syracuse, Sicily
(Friday, October 11)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	Many a conqueror set his sights on Syracuse, one of the largest and wealthiest cities of ancient Europe that, at the height of its power, rivaled Athens, Carthage, and Rome. Enjoy a field trip to the city's outstanding collection of Greek and Roman ruins including the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus and the 2nd-century BC Altar of Hieron. The highlight of this excursion is a visit to the 5th-century Greek theater where many of Aeschylus's tragedies were first staged.
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	At sea. Take advantage of the ship's well stocked library that has a wide selection of volumes covering classical history, literature, art, architecture, and philosophy. The frequently updated collection also includes an extensive reference section as well as modern and classic novels.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

Palermo, Sicily
(Saturday, October 12)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	A gem of a day. The morning is centered on the Piazza della Vittoria, one of the city's major squares, where some of Palermo's most remarkable buildings are to be found. Visit the Norman Royal Palace and the Palatine Chapel, the perfect illustration of that miraculous Norman combination of Latin, Byzantine, and Arab culture. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, a Norman church decorated with Arabic domes and an exquisite Romanesque cloister. A short walk from here will take you to Palermo Cathedral and its fascinating mix of architectural styles.
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	Travel a small distance out of Palermo to experience the beauty and grace of Monreale Cathedral, with its glorious 12th-century mosaics covering over 1 1/2 acres of wall space and its cloister, perhaps the most magnificent in the world.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:

Palermo, Sicily
(Sunday, October 13)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	Travel inland to the ancient Greek city of Segesta with its majestic 36-columned, 5th-century BC temple and stunning Greek theater.
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	A lunchtime sail takes the ship through the Lipari Islands where we will see the island of Stromboli. Its constantly active volcano is visible from the surrounding sea, giving rise to the island's nickname "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean."
Dinner:	Dinner on board.
Evening:	Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Cruising the Amalfi Coast / Sorrento, Italy
(Monday, October 14)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	At sea. Enjoy the spectacular views as we spend the morning cruising the Amalfi Coast.
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	An afternoon and evening at leisure to enjoy the delightful clifftop town of Sorrento and take in the spectacular views of the Bay of Naples.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.
Evening:	Attend a shipboard guest lecture. The ship overnights in Sorrento.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13:

Sorrento, Italy / Pompeii
(Tuesday, October 15)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	An hour's drive along the Bay of Naples brings you to Pompeii, considered the world's finest example of an ancient Roman town. The city, buried for centuries by hot ashes in 79AD, is a virtual time capsule of that era. In the company of a professional guide, visit the patrician mansions, baths and temples at the site. Step inside to admire the brilliant Pompeian Red walls, elaborate frescoes and gardens adorned with sculptures. View the sobering ash replicas of the citizens caught in their final moments. These bring to life the words of Pliny the Younger, an eyewitness, who described the terror of the eruption with its "broad sheets of fire and leaping flames."
Lunch:	Lunch on board.
Afternoon:	Field trip to Herculaneum, the Greek settlement named after its patron, Hercules. The town also perished during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD and was engulfed in a sea of mud. A number of the buildings survived virtually intact including the famous Villa of the Papyri.
Dinner:	Dinner on board.

Accommodations:	MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14:

Disembark / Rome, Italy
(Wednesday, October 16)

Breakfast:	Breakfast on board.
Morning:	Disembark in Civitavecchia and transfer to Rome. Morning panoramic sightseeing excursion through the fabulous city of Rome.
Lunch:	Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	We will enjoy a guided walking excursion of Rome. Highlights include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain.
Dinner:	Explore local fare on your own.

Accommodations:	Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15:

Rome, Italy
(Thursday, October 17)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
Morning:	Enjoy a guided field trip to the Vatican.
Lunch:	Explore local fare on your own.
Afternoon:	Free afternoon to explore Rome on your own. You may wish to explore the Pantheon, or behold stunning views of the city from the top of the Spanish Steps.
Dinner:	Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodations:	Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
Meals Included:	Breakfast

Day 16:

Departures
(Friday, October 18)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in hotel dining room.
Morning:	Transfer to Rome Leonardo da Vinci - Fiumicino Airport (FCO) for departures.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
Rome	Galleria Borghese The Galleria Borghese is a wonderful museum within Villa Borgese Park. Dwelling within its walls are masterpieces from the 15th to 17th centuries, from such artists as Tiziano, Raffaello, Bernini and Caravaggio. For additional information, visit www.galleriaborghese.it
	Pantheon and Piazza Navona Visit the Pantheon, an ancient temple dedicated to the gods, and the Piazza Navona, a lovely square boasting its famous fountain of the four Rivers.
	Spanish Steps The entire area is rich with infamous fashion designer stores, including Valentino, YSL, Ferragamo, Gucci and more.
	Trastevere Trastevere is characterized by its narrow streets full of restaurants, pizzerias and small stores. Located in the heart of Rome on the west bank of the Tiber River, an evening visit is recommended.
Venice	Ca' Rezzonico A museum of eighteenth century art. The palace on the Grand Canal was designed by a Baroque architect of Venice, Baldassare Longhena, for the aristocratic Bon family. For additional information, visit www.museiciviciveneziani.it
	Galleria Belle Arti Spanning five centuries, the Galleria Belle Arti's matchless collection of paintings provides a complete spectrum of the Venetian school, from the Byzantine period through the Renaissance to the Baroque and later. Masterpieces of Titian, Veronese, Bellini, Tintoretto, Tiepolo and more all await you here.
	Glass Museum of Murano A museum of Venetian glassmaking. The Murano Glass Museum was founded in 1861 when the darkest period in the history of Murano glassmaking had been overcome, following the fall of the Republic of San Marco (1797) and the subsequent years of foreign rule. The museum’s collection was expanded by the addition of the Correr, Cicogna and Molin Collections which include, among other things, the most beautiful Renaissance pieces in the museum. For additional information, visit www.museiciviciveneziani.it
	Peggy Guggenheim Collection A modern art collection in an 18th century Venetian palace, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the most important museum in Italy for European and American art from the first half of the 20th century. It is located in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal in Venice. The museum was inaugurated in 1980 and it presents Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection of 20th century art, masterpieces from the Gianni Mattioli Collection, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, as well as temporary exhibitions. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is owned and operated by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, which also operates the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin, and the Guggenheim-Hermitage, Las Vegas. For additional information, visit www.guggenheim-venice.it

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Art of the Byzantine Era

Author: David Talbot Rice

Description: Wide-ranging and literate, this thoroughly illustrated introduction to Byzantine art is an indispensable classic.

Balkan Ghosts, A Journey through History

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Bradt Guide Croatia

Author: Piers Letcher

Description: This convenient guide in the excellent British series is a personal, informative overview of the country, covering Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik in detail. With excellent travel advice and information on nature, history, and culture.

Croatia Coast Map

Author: Freytag & Berndt

Description: A nicely shaded map covering the Dalmatian Coast from Porec to Dubrovnik at a scale of 1:200,000, perfect for the complex coastline.

Death at La Fenice

Author: Donna Leon

Description: The first of the tremendously good Guido Brunetti mysteries, all set in the author's beloved Venice, in which a famous conductor is found dead at the celebrated theater of the title.

Eyewitness Guide Sicily

Author: DK Publishing, Eyewitness Guides

Description: This superb guide to Sicily features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a synopsis of the island's attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry.

Fodor's Rome's 25 Best

Author: Fodors

Description: This shirt-pocket guide includes a map of the city and essential information on its highlights.

Fodor's Venice's 25 Best

Author: Citypack

Description: This shirt-pocket guide includes an excellent map of the city center and essential information.

Herculaneum: Italy's Buried Treasure

Author: Joseph Jay Deiss

Description: An artful and wonderfully written description of daily life of the Romans at the time of the destruction of Herculaneum.

Italian Days

Author: Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

Description: Grizzuti Harrison writes with warmth and depth of her journey from Milan south to Calabria in this sprightly account of Italy and the Italians.

Mediterranean Explorer

Author: Ocean Explorer Maps

Description: This handy color map of the Mediterranean from Spain to the Black Sea and the Levant puts ancient sites and historic ports into context. With notable people, a timeline and descriptions of dozens of places across the classical world, this map serves equally well for Mediterranean and Black Sea cruises.

Mediterranean by Cruise Ship

Author: Anne Vipond

Description: The best-selling, compact guide, featuring excellent local maps, hundreds of color photographs, concise background information and recommended excursions for ports-of-call throughout the Mediterranean.

Midnight in Sicily, On Art, Food, History, Travel and La Cosa Nostra

Author: Peter Robb

Description: Combining interviews, research and essays on Sicilian history and culture, this vivid report by journalist Peter Robb is a superb introduction to Italy's glorious, corrupt and troubled south.

On Persephone's Island

Author: Mary Taylor Simeti

Description: Strong on the delights of rural life, Simeti's portrait of Sicily takes the form of a yearlong journal, capturing the spirit of the people, daily life, traditions and the land.

The Ancient Mediterranean

Author: Michael Grant

Description: Grant explores the realms of archaeology, geography, art and economics to sketch this classic portrait of the ancient world, from prehistory through the Roman Imperium, and the influence on western civilization.

The Balkans, A Short History

Author: Mark Mazower

Description: A brief, provocative survey of the complex and often contentious history of the Balkans. With eloquence and insight, Mazower addresses the issues of geography, nationalism and modern nation-building in the region.

The Bridge on the Drina

Author: Ivo Andric, Lovette F. Edwards (Translator)

Description: These linked stories by the Nobel-prize winning author capture the history and complexity of Christian and Muslim relations during Ottoman occupation. Hewn of stone, the bridge dividing the town of Visegrad was Andric's inspiration.

The Fires of Vesuvius, Pompeii Lost and Found

Author: Mary Beard

Description: With the panache of a gifted classicist, Mary Beard (Wonders of the World) conjures daily life in celebrated Pompeii, not only demolishing with particular relish the many myths that have grown up around the place but also emphasizing the limits of our knowledge. Some things we simply shall never know for certain.

The Leopard

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Description: Evoking a lost world of privilege and tradition, Giuseppe Di Lampedusa's memorable tale, set on a rural Sicilian estate during the days of independence, follows the world-weary Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina. A classic, now in a 50th anniversary edition.

The Venetian Empire, A Sea Voyage

Author: Jan Morris

Description: Morris reconstructs the whole of the glittering dominion of the Venetian Republic in this evocative account of a journey by sea along historic trade routes to the Adriatic and beyond.

The World of Venice