Opus Mediterraneo combines a handcrafted Mediterranean itinerary with sublime classical music. This combination is undoubtedly one of the most beguiling travel experiences. The concerts will be held aboard ship as well as ashore at places of special interest, including palaces and churches, only accessible to travelers on this voyage. The small size of the audience and the accessibility of the artists offer a truly unparalleled experience. This itinerary, starting in Venice and ending in Barcelona, consists of many important and attractive places in the Mediterranean. From romantic Venice we sail for for the charming medieval town of Macerata, set on a hill embraced by the Chienti and Potenza rivers, with gorgeous Renaissance buildings that have inspired opera festivals. We sail across the Adriatic Sea, to Croatia’s pristine island of Vis where we explore its medieval architecture in Komiza. And in Italy’s Puglia region we’ll visit the unique trulli villages, conical dwellings built without mortar. In Malta, peer into the Neolithic temples of Tarxien as well as the Palace of the Grand Masters. On the island of Sardinia, discover mysterious Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our voyage concludes in Spain, exploring Gaudí’s Barcelona, where we’ll see that – true to Goethe’s words, “architecture is frozen music.”
A Music Cruise from Venice to Barcelona itinerary:
Day 1: VENICE, Italy | EMBARK
Arrive in Venice and transfer to Corinthian II.
Day 2: ANCONA | MACERATA | ANCONA
From Ancona, drive inland to Macerata, a quaint, hilltop medieval town. Explore the town and view its historic buildings, including the 16th-century Loggia dei Mercanti and the 17th-century Palazzo del Comune, with its splendid atrium decorated with sculptures. Visit the City Museum, housed in an old Jesuit college, and the Palazzo Ricci Gallery, with its excellent collection of works by modern Italian artists. Our musical performance will take place at the Teatro Lauro Rossi.
Day 3: VIS ISLAND, Croatia
Closed to outsiders until the fall of Yugoslavia, Vis is one of Croatia’s most beautiful and unspoiled islands. Dock at Komiza, which has retained its medieval character and architecture. Stately homes and other buildings face the harbor, while the terraced hillside provides a lovely background to this idyllic setting. After exploring Komiza, drive across the small island to Vis Town, which is built around a beautiful bay.
Day 4: MONOPOLI and the TRULLI VILLAGES, Italy
The fishing town of Monopoli is dominated by its 1552 castle. Explore the region’s unique trulli villages, with their curious whitewashed conical dwellings built without mortar. Focus on two of the main villages, Alberobello, where trulli line the streets, and hilltop Locorotondo. Also stop at Ostuni, an ancient town enclosed within ramparts.
Day 5: ARGOSTOLI | CEPHALONIA, Ionian Islands, Greece
Cephalonia (Kefalloniá in Greek) is the largest Ionian island, and it possesses some of the most dramatic scenery of all the islands of western Greece. Arrive in Argostoli, Cephalonia’s capital, delightfully situated on a spacious gulf. Visit the Archaeological Museum, as well as the Folklore Museum, with exhibits revealing the rich culture of the island. Continue to explore the picturesque villages of Metaxata and Kourkomelata. Then attend a recital at the Dhrogarati Cave, whose central chamber has extraordinary acoustics and has seen performances by Maria Callas, among other distinguished musicians.
Day 6: AT SEA | VALLETTA, Malta
Spend the day at sea enjoying Corinthian II’s fine amenities, for an evening arrival in the historic Grand Harbor of Valletta, Malta’s capital.
Day 7: VALLETTA
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., and onto Hagar Qim, an even older temple that stands atop a hill on the southern edge of the island overlooking the sea.
Day 8: Thursday, August 23 TRAPANI | ERICE | SEGESTA | TRAPANI, 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.
Day 9: CAGLIARI | SU NURAXI | NORA | CAGLIARI, Sardinia
Arrive in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, built on a hill facing the sea. Disembark and drive to the village of Barumini to visit Su Nuraxi, Sardinia’s most important and impressive nuraghic complex and a UNESCO Heritage site. After lunch aboard, spend time at leisure to explore Cagliari on your own, or take an excursion to Nora, whose ancient remains date from the Carthaginian and Roman periods.
Day 10: AT SEA
Spend a relaxing day at sea enjoying the ship’s amenities and attending lectures.
Day 11: BARCELONA, Spain | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark in Barcelona and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.
Corinthian II
The deluxe Corinthian II is an all-suite yacht accommodating up to 114 guests. Built in 1992 and refurbished and redecorated in 2005, it has 57 suites, each with:
• Sea view
• Queen-sized bed separable into two twin-sized beds
• Sitting area
• Satellite TV, DVD/CD player
• Telephone
• Mini-refrigerator
• Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries
• 225 square feet or more
• Plush terry robes and slippers
• Fresh flowers and fruit basket
• 24-hour room service
The Penthouse Suites and Veranda Suites (400 and 300 square feet, respectively) feature private balconies accessed via sliding-glass doors, as well as white glove butler service.
FINE DINING
Corinthian II’s superb Continental cuisine is created by master chefs who select fresh local ingredients at many ports of call. Meals are served either in the stately restaurant or al fresco on the umbrella-studded sun deck. Fine regional wines are complimentary with lunch and dinner, and beginning in 2008 open bar service will be available throughout the day.
BESPOKE SMALL-SHIP AMENITIES
Returning from excursions, guests enjoy complimentary refreshments, afternoon tea and all-day coffee in The Club, a gracious space for relaxation, surrounded by panoramic windows. Before or after dinner, cocktails are served to live music performed by the ship’s pianist.
Other Corinthian II features include:
• Library with Internet access
• Lounge with audiovisual facilities
• Dining room
• Wraparound sun deck with Jacuzzi
• Exercise Room
• Beauty salon
• Medical facilities with available doctor
• Elevator serving all passenger decks
• Swimming platform
Corinthian II complies with the latest international safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull, and a fleet of Zodiacs. Corinthian II’s 75 officers and crew ensure gracious personalized service and a convivial atmosphere akin to a private club.
