Ancient Lost Cities of the MediterraneanA Voyage from Barcelona to Dubrovnik

Itinerary

June 10-11 – U.S., Barcelona, Spain
Arrive in Barcelona and embark Corinthian. (D)

June 12 – Mahon, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Tour Mahon, Menorca’s main port, to see an unusual hybrid architectural style comprised of classical Georgian sash-windowed town houses and traditional Spanish homes lining its narrow streets and bustling waterfront. After visiting Fort Marlborough, the 18th-century British fortification, continue to the site of Torralba d’en Salord, which contains the island’s largest and best-preserved prehistoric settlements. (B,L,D)

June 13 – Bonifacio, Corsica, France
Call in Bonifacio, built on spectacular high cliffs on Corsica’s south coast. Stroll through the striking town, with its winding medieval lanes and brightly colored houses adorned with imaginative family crests. Admire the fine Gothic architecture and dramatic scenery from the limestone cliffs, facing the sea. (B,L,D)

June 14 – Trapani, Erice, Segesta, Sicily, Italy
Drive up winding roads to the medieval town of Erice. The town was known for its temple to the fertility goddess, Astarte. Look around the 12th-century Venus Castle and continue to Segesta for a glimpse of its magnificent Doric temple, built in 420 B.C. and among the best-preserved ancient Greek sites. (B,L,D)

June 15 – Valletta, Malta
Corinthian sails into the dramatic Grand Harbor of Malta’s Valletta, renowned for its architectural beauty, medieval relics, and ancient monuments. The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, later the Knights of Malta, established a base here in the 16th century, and Valletta owes much of its charm and character to this religious order. In the morning explore the Palace of the Grand Masters and the National Museum of Archaeology. Then it’s a short drive to the remarkable Tarxien Temples, which date back to 2800 B.C. (B,L,D)

June 16 – Crotone, Calabria, Italy
Arrive in Crotone, in Italy’s rugged Calabria region. Ancient Crotone was one of the most prominent cities of Magna Graecia and home of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras. Visit the impressive Archaeological Museum and then drive to the small town of Santa Severina, dramatically situated on an isolated outcrop of sheer rock, to visit the 15th-century Carafa Castle and Santa Anastasia Church—a Norman cathedral with its 9th-century baptistery. Also view the sacred art collection in the nearby Museo Diocesano. (B,L,D)

June 17 – Igoumenitsa, Dodoni, Ioannina, Greece
Call at Igoumenitsa, in northwest Greece, and travel to Dodoni, the oldest oracular site in Greece, perhaps dating to 1000 B.C. Beautifully situated in a valley below Mount Tomaros, the site includes a superb theater, built in the 3rd century B.C. With walls 65 feet high and a seating capacity of 20,000, it was the second largest theater in Greece. Continue to the quaint town of Ioannina, built around a beautiful lake, to enjoy lunch and time at leisure to discover its characteristic old architecture and atmosphere. (B,L,D)

June 18 – Saranda, Butrint, Albania
From Saranda, drive to the World Heritage site of Butrint. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the city was founded by the Trojans, or so claimed the poet Virgil. A gem of an archaeological site, its ruins span 2,500 years and include the remains of a Greek acropolis, Roman theater, 6th-century baptistery, and 19th-century fortress. (B,L,D)

June 19 – Kotor, Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Sail the deep, fjord-like Bay of Kotor to reach the port town of the same name, located at the head of the bay beneath towering mountains. One of the most striking towns along the Dalmatian coast, Kotor is a designated World Heritage site. The town’s fortifications and most of its monuments, which we will visit on a walking tour, date from the time of Venetian rule. Arrive in Dubrovnik in the early evening. Enjoy time to explore this spectacular medieval walled city on your own. (B,L,D)

June 20 – Dubrovnik, Disembark, U.S.
Disembark in Dubrovnik and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S. (B)