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Request further details or information.Secret Art Treasures of Italy
Most travelers flock to Rome, Florence, and Venice. But Italy is one great art museum, where out-of-the-way cities and small towns treasure magnificent works of art. This voyage, wrapping around Italy’s coast from the Gulf of Genoa to the Gulf of Venice, exposes some of the country’s most magnificent art treasures. Our first call brings us to the old town of Taggia, where we’ll view several paintings by the Renaissance artist Ludovico Brea. In the small towns of Tuscania and Tarquinia we’ll marvel at the vast collection of frescoes and tour one of the best Etruscan museums. The interior of the Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily, preserves some of the world’s most glorious Byzantine mosaics. And at the National Museum of Taranto we’ll view a sublime collection of ancient Greek and Roman art that rivals the museums of Naples and Rome. Before disembarking in Venice we visit Padua where we will take you to the tiny Scrovegni Chapel where Giotto, the first Renaissance master, covered the walls with glorious frescoes. Join us aboard Corinthian II and discover for yourself some of Italy’s best-kept art secrets.
Departures
Secret Art Treasures of Italy
26 August, 2012 to 05 September, 2012
26 August, 2012 to 05 September, 2012
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Category E
$8295.00 USD pp
Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft.
Category D
$9295.00 USD pp
Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft.
Category C
$10295.00 USD pp
Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft.
Category B
$11295.00 USD pp
Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft.
Category A
$12295.00 USD pp
Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft.
Category AA
$12995.00 USD pp
Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 285 sq. ft.
Category VS
$13995.00 USD pp
Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft.
Category PHS
$14995.00 USD pp
Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft.
Secret Art Treasures of Italy itinerary:
Day 1: BARCELONA, Spain | EMBARK
Arrive in Barcelona and transfer to Corinthian II.
Day 2: AT SEA
Spend the day at sea enjoying the ship’s amenities and attending lectures.
Day 3: IMPERIA | SAN REMO | TAGGIA | ALBENGA | IMPERIA, Italy
From the port of Imperia, on the Riviera di Ponente, travel to the city of San Remo. Wander the pedestrian-only La Pigna (“the pinecone”), the oldest district in the city, and explore San Remo’s historic buildings and churches, as well as the 16th-century Palazzo Borea d’Olmo and its archaeological collection. Next, stop at the old village of Taggia, home to the 15th-century Gothic church of San Domenico, which contains works by Ludovico Brea. In the museum we’ll have time to view many works of art from the 14th – 18th centuries. After lunch aboard ship, drive to the well-preserved city of Albenga. Explore the cathedral; the Baptistery, which houses a splendid 5th-century mosaic; and the Civico Museo Inguanuo, with its Roman and medieval remains.
Day 4: PORTO SANTO STEFANO | TUSCANIA & TARQUINIA or PORTO ERCOLE & PORTO SANTO STEFANO
From Porto Santo Stefano, enjoy a full-day excursion to Lazio’s northern towns of Tuscania and Tarquinia. With its numerous fountains, quaint streets, and walls still intact, Tuscania is among the most delightful towns in the area. The Duomo and its small chapel contain an excellent collection of paintings and frescoes. In Tarquinia, spend time at the Museo Nazionale Tarquiniense, considered one of the best Etruscan museums. It is housed within the Palazzo Vitelleschi, built between 1436-39. The museum contains an expansive collection of sarcophagi, pottery and bronzes dated from the 9th century B.C., and Attic vases. Also visit the necropolis, where 5,735 tombs have been found. A small number of these colorfully-painted tombs depicting everyday life may be visited. Alternatively, for those interested in a more leisurely day, enjoy exploring Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole.
Day 5: AGROPOLI | PAESTUM | AGROPOLI
From Agropoli, built on a headland facing the sea, drive to Paestum, founded by Greeks in the 6th century B.C. Situated on an alluvial river plain, Paestum is one of Italy’s most important archaeological sites, containing Greek Doric temples that are among the best-preserved ancient buildings existing today.
Day 6: CEFALU | SANTO STEFANO di CAMASTRA | MISTRETTA | CEFALU, Sicily
Arrive in the small medieval port town of Cefalu, nestled between the sea and a rocky promontory. The Romanesque cathedral dominates the town’s landscape, towering over its network of narrow streets and ascending terraces. A collaborative effort of Arab, Byzantine, and Norman artisans, the cathedral’s interior contains a splendid vault covered with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. After touring Cefalu, enjoy an afternoon excursion to Santo Stefano di Camastra, known for its fine production of ceramics, which may be found in the local shops. Next, drive to Mistretta, an old town with some lovely Baroque and Rococo buildings and whose churches contain many splendid statues.
Day 7: TARANTO | METAPONTUM | TARANTO
Located on the gulf that bears its name, Taranto was founded by Spartan settlers in 708 B.C., and became one of the most powerful cities in Magna Graecia. Drive to Metapontum, the remains of the ancient Greek city, founded in the 7th century B.C., which grew rich from agriculture and its position on the trade route with the cities of the Tyrrhenian coast. After exploring the site, return to Taranto to visit its National Museum, which houses one of the largest archaeological collections in Italy.
Day 8: MONOPOLI and the TRULLI VILLAGES
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 9: PESCARA | CHIETI | ATRI | PESCARA
Arrive this morning in Pescara, an important fishing port. From here we will drive to the nearby town of Chieti where we will explore the National Museum of Archaeology, contained within a villa built in the 1830s, which houses some of Abruzzo’s most important artifacts. In the afternoon, continue to the Abruzzo hill-town of Atri, once the Roman colony of Hatria. Visit its beautiful Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, built upon the ruins of a Roman bath and containing lovely 15th-century frescoes by the Abruzzi artist Andrea DeLitio. Later visit the 14th-century Palazzo Ducale, located at the highest point of the city and now used as the town hall. The stepped and bridged streets of Atri make for an enjoyable stroll.
Day 10: CHIOGGIA | PADUA | CHIOGGIA
Arrive in Chiogga, one of Italy’s first major fishing ports and structured similarly to Venice with a few canals and narrow streets. After exploring this charming town, continue to nearby Padua to visit the Scrovegni Chapel, whose interior is decorated with Giotto’s breathtaking frescoes. Also visit the Eremitani Museum, housed in the former Eremitani monastery. Sail in the evening for Venice.
Day 11: VENICE | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark in Venice 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.
