CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY WITH MIT PROFESSOR B. CLARK BURCHFIEL Aboard the Island Sky August 29 September 10, 2014 MIT Alumni Travel Program
Dear MIT Alumni & Friends, Sicily has long been a stopover for traders and conquerors; from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines to Arab Saracens, Normans, and the Spaniards of Aragon. Each wave left its mark and contributed to Sicily s rich cultural heritage, including magnificent ancient ruins, architectural styles that span the centuries, and unique culinary traditions. Expedition Highlights Cruise among the scenic Aeolian Islands and enjoy up-close views of still-active Stromboli Volcano. Tour Monreale s impressive 12th-century Cathedral; hailed as Italy s most beautiful Norman church, the interior is covered with intricate mosaics, gold leaf, and stone intarsia. Explore the exquisite Greek and Roman ruins of Agrigento and Syracuse both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy ample free time to stroll through picturesque coastal towns with many opportunities to dine ashore on your own. Attend cooking demonstrations where you will learn how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes, plus enjoy several wine tastings. I am pleased to announce that MIT Professor B. Clark Burchfiel will be delivering lectures during this program on the geology of Sicily. We are sharing this departure with general interest travelers from Zegrahm Expeditions. If you have any questions, or to make a reservation, please call the MIT Alumni Travel Program at (800) 992-6749, or email us at compass@mit.edu. Fair winds, Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program PS: Please visit our website at http://alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updated information on all our trips. ISLAND SKY Noble Caledonia/Ellen Rooney Perfect for navigating Sicily s rugged coastline and visiting quaint fishing villages, the sleek all-suite 100-passenger Island Sky features a fleet of Zodiacs and an open bridge for views from the captain s perspective. This recently refurbished ship includes an elevator, a large lounge, elegant bar with piano, library, and a single-seating dining room, plus spacious ocean-view suites.
MARSALA Itinerary 13 Days Friday, August 29 DEPART USA Depart on your independent fl ight to Valletta, Malta. Saturday, August 30 VALLETTA, MALTA Arrive in Malta this afternoon and transfer to the Excelsior Grand Hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening, attend a welcome reception with dinner and overnight at our hotel. (D) Sunday, August 31 VALLETTA / EMBARK ISLAND SKY After breakfast, explore historic Valletta, Malta s enchanting capital city built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. Explore the fortress, ramparts, churches, and the national museum, then continue to the Tarxien Temples, monolithic edifices built between 3000 and 1900 B.C. Embark the Island Sky this evening. (B,L,D) Monday, September 1 AGRIGENTO, SICILY / LICATA This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Agrigento, a World Heritage Site. The exquisite architecture of the Valley of the Temples dates back to the 4th and 5th centuries B.C. and includes the Temple of Zeus the largest Doric temple from Greek antiquity. A scenic drive through rolling countryside brings you to the Butera Winery and Villa. After a lunch of delicious Sicilian fare, accompanied by local wines, continue on to Licata for a short tour of the town center. (B,L,D) Tuesday, September 2 MAZARA DEL VALLO / SELINUNTE / MARSALA After breakfast, disembark in Mazara and drive to the sprawling 7th-century B.C. site of Selinunte. Local guides lead you through these Greek ruins to the Sanctuary of Demetra Malophoros and the Acropolis. Return to the ship for lunch, then drive to Marsala for a walking tour, including the Regional Museum that houses a Carthaginian shipwreck. Make a stop at Cantine Florio, one of Sicily s ancient wine estates, to enjoy local specialties accompanied by Marsala wines. (B,L,D) Marsala Trapani Mazara del Vallo / Selinunte Erice Segesta Aeolian Islands Palermo Lipari Cefalù Monreale SICILY Morgantina Stromboli Strait of Messina Taormina / Mt. Etna Catania Agrigento Licata Syracuse / Ortygia Valletta MAP NOT TO SCALE MALTA
TRAPANI CEFALÙ Wednesday, September 3 TRAPANI / ERICE / SEGESTA / MONREALE / PALERMO Step ashore in the thriving fi shing town of Trapani for a visit to the bustling fi sh market. Then depart overland to visit Erice, a charming medieval village perched high on a mountain-top with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Alternatively, visit the ruins of Segesta, once the center of the ancient Elymian civilization, and home to a magnifi cent Doric temple. Both groups will enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch near Monreale, then tour the fabled Cathedral, built in 1174. Hailed as Italy s most beautiful Norman church, the interior is covered with mosaics, gold leaf, and stone intarsia. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to explore Palermo, as the Island Sky remains pier-side overnight. (B,L,D) Thursday, September 4 PALERMO Palermo is famous for its jumbled and picturesque streets punctuated with ornate Baroque churches, domed Arab mosques, and glittering Byzantine mosaics. Visit the impressive 12th-century Cathedral and the Palatine Chapel in the Norman castle; today the building serves as the seat of the Sicilian government. Highlights of your walking tour through the town center include the Massimo Theater, Quattro Canti, Town Hall, and Martorana Church. Board the ship this afternoon for a sunset cruise along the northern coast of Sicily. (B,L,D) Friday, September 5 CEFALÙ Situated on the northern coast, Cefalù is of Greek origin; its name, meaning head, derives from its position below a precipitous rocky headland. A walking tour includes the splendid Norman-Arab Cathedral, begun in 1131 and famous for its glittering Byzantine mosaics; a medieval wash-house; and the Osterio Magno, the 11th-century residence of King Ruggiero II. Lunch is a highlight today as you join a local chef at Tasca Lanza Estate who will teach you how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes. There will also be time for wine sampling and a chance to explore the lovely grounds of the Estate, or to simply relax among your scenic surroundings. (B,L,D) Saturday, September 6 LIPARI, AEOLIAN ISLANDS / STROMBOLI Take a walking tour through the center of Lipari to reach the impressive fort, built in 1556 upon the ruins of an ancient Greek acropolis. Within the fort walls you will fi nd the superb Aeolian Archaeological Museum and the lovely Norman St. Bartolomeo Church. Visit a local pizzeria for lunch and an interactive pizza making demonstration. In the early evening the ship cruises past active Stromboli Volcano for sunset photos, with the chance to watch for the Stromboli fi reworks as darkness falls. (B,L,D) Sunday, September 7 MT. ETNA / TAORMINA This morning, board coaches for an excursion to 9,500-foot-high Mt. Etna, Europe s largest active volcano. Take a cable car up Etna s pock-marked slopes, then continue in 4x4 vehicles to reach the main crater at 9,000 feet, with the opportunity for a short hike. In the afternoon, a walking tour of charming Taormina takes you to the 3rd-century Greco-Roman Theater, renowned for acoustic effects that make it a favorite concert venue to this day. Then take a stroll along the lively pedestrian-only Corso Umberto and explore its many narrow off-shooting lanes that lead to pretty piazzas lined with shops. (B,L,D) Monday, September 8 CATANIA / MORGANTINA Visit the famous morning fi sh market in Catania s town square where a colorful
MORGANTINA CATANIA variety of local products are on display. An inland drive takes you through a series of photogenic villages to Piazza Armerina, famous for its superb Roman mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale. Enjoy lunch at a Sicilian restaurant near the Greek site of Morgantina, then tour the ruins and visit the small, but excellent Aidone Museum. Return to Catania with free time before dinner on board, or choose to enjoy the local cuisine on your own, and perhaps sample some of the wines from the many vineyards nourished by the rich volcanic soil of Mt. Etna. (B,L,D) Tuesday, September 9 SYRACUSE / ORTYGIA Founded by the Corinthians in the 8th century B.C., Syracuse was one of the most powerful Greek cities defending its sovereignty against such rivals as Carthage, the Etruscans, and the Romans, who later overtook the city, followed by the Arabs. Begin at the Saint John Catacombs with their maze of underground passageways then drive to the Archaeological Park, a World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus; the Ear of Dionysius, a grotto with an extraordinary echo; and the massive 15,000-seat Greek Theater. Return to the ship, at port in Ortygia, for lunch, before striking out for a walking tour of the old town. Highlights include the ruins of the 6th-century B.C. Apollo Temple the oldest in Sicily and the Piazza Duomo, built around the ancient Temple of Minerva (Athena). (B,L,D) Wednesday, September 10 VALLETTA, MALTA / DISEMBARK / USA Disembark in Valletta this morning and transfer to the airport for your independent fl ights homeward. (B) LIPARI GREEK THEATER, SYRACUSE PALERMO LIPARI
Featured Leaders A team of experienced leaders and lectures will join you on this voyage. These leaders bring a strong educational component to the adventure through lectures, recaps, and guided excursions. B. Clark Burchfiel (MIT Faculty Leader) Clark is the Schlumberger Professor of Geology at MIT. He has been on the faculty at MIT since 1977, before which time he served on the faculty at Rice University from 1961 to 1976. For more than 50 years, he has studied the evolution of continents and oceans. His research interests include structural geology, regional geology, plate tectonics, and orogenesis. Professor Burchfi el received the B.S. and M.S. from Stanford University and the Ph.D. from Yale University. He has been working on the geology of the Mediterranean and surrounding European region for more than 40 years. Sicily fi gures prominently in synthesis of evolution of the Mediterranean and is still an active area shown by its volcanic eruptions. Dr. Burchfi el will present lectures on the development of the Mediterranean region with emphasis on the position of Sicily. Lia Oprea (Expedition Leader) Part Romanian, Lia gives credit to her Gypsy heritage for her peripatetic nature and love of exploration. This love led her to travel widely around the globe and, quite naturally, to a career in adventure travel, where she has worked in several capacities, including cruise director and expedition leader. She has traveled throughout much of the world with signifi cant time spent in the Mediterranean, Central America, Eastern Europe, and the Indian Ocean. Roger Crowley Roger is a UK-based writer and historian and a graduate of Cambridge University. As the child of a naval family, his fascination with the Mediterranean world started early, on the island of Malta. His particular interests are the Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman empires, seafaring, and eyewitness history. He is the author of three books on the empires of the Mediterranean and its surroundings 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople, Empires of the Sea, and City of Fortune: How Venice Won and Lost a Naval Empire. Allan Langdale Raised on Vancouver Island, Allan earned a doctorate degree in art history from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has taught in the University of California system for more than 12 years. His specialties include Italian Renaissance art and architecture, medieval art, and Byzantine art. He is currently completing a picture book, illustrated with his photographs, of the historical architecture of northern Cyprus. He has also published a number of works of travel photography. Al Leonard Al, a Professor Emeritus in both the Departments of Classical Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona, is an archaeologist who specializes in the social impact of interregional trade among the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean world. As his alter ego, the Time-Traveling Gourmet, Al combines his command of archaeological, historical, and literary material with culinary skills he has mastered at Le Cordon Bleu and the Culinary Institute of America in order to reconstruct meals that were served to ancient royalty. Olga Stavrakis Originally from Ukraine, Olga is an anthropologist specializing in the development of culture and complex societies and the modern transition from poverty to prosperity. She has excavated ancient jungle cities, mapped prehistoric agricultural fi elds, and lived in remote villages in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Dr. Stavrakis received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Minnesota and holds degrees in archaeology, history, and geology from the Universities of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Island Sky Deck Plan EXPLORER DECK ERIKSON DECK MARCO POLO DECK COLUMBUS DECK MAGELLAN DECK Rates CATEGORY 1 $8,970 CATEGORY 2 $10,970 CATEGORY 3 $11,270 CATEGORY 4 $12,470 CATEGORY 5 $13,370 CATEGORY 6 $14,570 SINGLE/CAT 2 $13,570 SINGLE/CAT 3 $13,970 A $2000 per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Singles: Limited singles are available at the quoted single rates above. Additional singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate. Included: All gratuities; accommodations in our hotel and on board Island Sky as outlined in the itinerary; all onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner; arrival and departure transfers on group dates; services of the expedition staff, including lectures, briefi ngs, slide/fi lm shows; all group activities and excursions; landing and port fees; and $50,000 of medical expense coverage and $75,000 in emergency evacuation insurance. Not Included: All air transportation; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure taxes; transfers for independent arrivals and departures; travel insurance; passport and/or visa fees; items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/internet/ fax/telephone charges. Air Fare: You will need to purchase air fare from your home city/valletta and Valletta/home city. Please contact Zegrahm s in-house Air Department at (800) 628-8747 or (206) 285-4000 for fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions. Know Before You Go: For most activities, a moderate level of exertion is required. Many excursions include walking tours through archaeological sites or medieval villages, with uneven paths and cobblestone streets. You must be able to walk, unaided, for one to three miles, navigate stairs that may be uneven and without hand rails, and stand during excursions or for long periods of time. Temperatures will range from the mid-80s F to the low 70s F. To Reserve Space: Email compass@mit.edu or call (800) 992-6749.
STROMBOLI Included Features On this expedition, virtually everything is included in the cost of your trip: All gratuities, from porters and ship s crew to tour guides All accommodations Daily activities, including cultural tours, wine tastings, nature walks, and Zodiac cruises World-class lecture and expedition team All meals on board and with the group ashore including wine with lunch and dinner All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges Arrival and departure transfers on group dates Gift certifi cates for recommended expedition gear and reading materials Comprehensive pre-departure packet to prepare you for your trip Dedicated staff to answer all your questions and assist with fl ight arrangements Medical and emergency evacuation insurance CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY WITH MIT PROFESSOR B. CLARK BURCHFIEL Aboard the Island Sky August 29 September 10, 2014 MIT ALUMNI TRAVEL PROGRAM 600 Memorial Dr. W98-2nd Floor Cambridge, MA 02139 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 5260
MT. ETNA RESERVATION FORM CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY WITH MIT PROFESSOR B. CLARK BURCHFIEL Aboard the Island Sky August 29 September 10, 2014 Name #1 (as it appears on passport) (preferred name) MIT Affi liation Name #2 (as it appears on passport) (preferred name) MIT Affi liation Address City State ZIP Country Phone (Home) (O f fi c e) E-mail Fax Cabin Category: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Accommodations: Twin Share (roommate to be assigned) Single I am/we are: Nonsmokers Smokers Deposit Information: Enclosed is a deposit check for $ ($2,000 per person deposit). Please make check payable to Zegrahm Expeditions (Full payment is due 120 days prior to departure.) Charge $2,000 deposit per person to: VISA MasterCard American Express Card Number Authorized Cardholder Signature Expires Date I/We have read and understand the enclosed Terms & Conditions for this program, and agree to abide by them. Signature Date Signature Date Please complete and return this Reservation Form with your $2,000 deposit per person of the program fare to: MIT ALUMNI TRAVEL PROGRAM 600 Memorial Dr. W98-2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139 tel: (800) 992-6749 e-mail: compass@mit.edu fax: (617) 258-6211
TERMS & CONDITIONS 1. Reservations: A deposit of $2,000, along with a completed and signed Reservation Form, will reserve a place for you on this Zegrahm Expeditions (ZE) program sponsored by the MIT Alumni Travel Program (MITATP). The balance of the expedition fare is due 120 days prior to departure. Payment for air fare is due at time of air ticket issuance. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and must be paid in U.S. dollars. 2. Cancellation and Refund Policy: Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by either MITATP or ZE. At the time your written cancellation is received, the following penalties will apply: 120 days or more prior to departure: $750 per person 60 through 119 days prior to departure: 50% of expedition fare 1 through 59 days prior to departure: 100% of expedition fare Some air fares may be nonrefundable. Once an expedition has departed, there will be no refunds from ZE for any unused portions of the trip. The above policy also applies to all extensions and independent travel arrangements made in conjunction with this program. 3. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance and baggage insurance are highly recommended and should be considered for your protection. Additional information will be made available to you upon receipt of your initial deposit. 4. Share Policy: Accommodations on this MITATP and ZE program is based on double occupancy. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, a roommate will be assigned to you whenever possible. When pairing roommates, ZE will always pair participants of the same sex. All shared accommodations are nonsmoking. If it is not possible to pair you with a roommate, you will be asked to pay a single supplement for the land portion of the program. 5. Medical Information: Participation on this MITATP and ZE program requires that you be in generally good health as the trip involves walking, hiking, and other physically demanding activities. It is essential that persons with any medical problems and related dietary restrictions make them known to ZE well before departure. ZE can counsel you on whether the expedition you have selected is appropriate for you. The tour leader has the right to disqualify any passenger at any time during the tour if he or she feels the passenger is physically incapable and/ or if a passenger s continued participation will jeopardize either the individual involved or the group. There will be no refund given under these circumstances. 6. Luggage Restrictions: Luggage size and weight limitations for both checked and carry-on luggage, imposed by the airlines or as an operational requirement due to type of aircraft, will apply for flights to/from/within this program. Specifications will be provided with pre-departure materials. 7. Currency Fluctuation and Fuel Cost Increases: In order to keep rates as low as possible, ZE does not build into the trip fare an allowance to cover possible increases from currency fluctuations or fuel costs. Therefore, as currencies do fluctuate around the world and fuel-cost increases may occur, it may be necessary for ZE to initiate a minor rate surcharge at any time before departure if there are exceptional cost increases beyond ZE s control. 8. Itinerary Changes & Trip Delay: Itineraries are based on information available at the time of printing and are subject to change. The MIT Alumni Association (MITAA) and ZE reserve the right to change a program s dates, staff, itineraries, or accommodations as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which ZE or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays or changes is not included. 9. Itinerary Cancellation: MITAA and ZE reserve the right to cancel this itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants or logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. In such a case trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of MITAA and ZE s liability. MITAA and ZE are not responsible for any expenses incurred by passengers in preparing for the trip, including nonrefundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses. 10. Participation: ZE reserves the right to decline to accept any individual as a passenger for any reason whatsoever. 11. Limitations of Liability: This section defines ZE s responsibility with respect to this trip, including the extension and independent arrangements. Please read it carefully. ZE, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors, and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or all other related travel services. MITAA and ZE assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers. As described in item 7 above, all prices are subject to change. As described in item 9 above, in the event that an expedition must be cancelled, MITAA and ZE are not responsible for any personal expenses incurred by passengers in preparing for the program. Certain ship owners require use of preprinted ticket forms that limit the ship owner s and operator s liability. When such tickets are used, passengers are generally bound by the terms of these tickets with respect to their legal relationship to the owner and operators of the ship, their agent (ZE), and the ship s crew. On advancement of deposit to ZE, the depositor acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the above recited terms and conditions, and agrees tobe bound by them.