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Europe – Italy and Sicily

Byzantine Splendors: Italy & the Adriatic Sea

Aboard Le Levant

Overview

Gondolier, Venice

Dates May 13 — May 23, 2008

Activity Level Moderately active

A significant force in Europe for nearly 1,000 years, the Byzantine Empire opened up interaction between Catholic Europe and the Islamic East. Explore the exquisite Byzantine history and heritage of Italy and the Adriatic on this special voyage aboard Le Levant, a superb 90-passenger yacht-like cruise ship. Marvel at dazzling Byzantine treasures, from the cathedrals of Ravenna, Monreale, and Cefalu to the Cattolica in Stilo, the best-preserved monument of its kind. See the archaeological site of Butrint, Albania, where layer upon layer of excavated ruins reveal thousands of years of history. Try epicurean specialties of the region, including wines and traditional sweets, and visit a special mosaic workshop in Ravenna, renowned for its colorful mosaic works of art. Also learn about the unique architectural challenges faced by the city of canals, Venice, in the face of climate change and rising sea levels.
To download a full brochure for this program, click the PDF button at the top right side of this page.

Map

Byzantine Splendors program map

Itinerary

  • Days 1 and 2 — U.S. / Palermo, Italy
  • Day 3 — Palermo (Monreale)
  • Day 4 — Palermo (Cefalu) / Embark Le Levant
  • Day 5 — Stilo
  • Day 6 — Butrint, Albania
  • Day 7 — Kotor, Montenegro
  • Day 8 — Guardiagrele / Chieti
  • Day 9 — Ravenna
  • Day 10 — Venice
  • Day 11 — Venice / Disembark Le Levant / U.S.
Mosaic, Ravenna

Highlights

  • Enjoy a gala reception and dinner at a private palazzo in Palermo, hosted by its owners, a count and countess.
  • See the Temple of Asclepius, the ancient Roman bath, and other extraordinary ruins at the World Heritage site of Butrint, Albania.
  • Take a swim or stroll along the beach of the Bay of Kotor, a scenic spot on Montenegro's Adriatic coast.
  • Admire the fascinating mix of Romanesque and Arab architecture at the Benedictine cloister in Monreale.
  • Attend a specially arranged private mosaic workshop which uses the same materials, tools, and techniques used to make mosaics centuries ago.
  • Learn about the unique challenges of preserving the architecture in Venice, and tour some of Venice's most illustrious structures.
    • Gondolier, Venice

    Post-Tour Extension

    Optional Extension to Venice
    May 23-25, 2008

    Visit the contemporary art collection at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum; observe the renowned Murano glass blowers and the lace makers of Burano; and enjoy wine-and-cicchetti (small plates) tastings at two Venetian wine bars during this two-day optional extension. Additional details will be provided to confirmed program participants.

    Program Leaders

    Slobodan Curcic

    Slobodan Curcic, a Professor of Art and Archaeology and an internationally recognized scholar in Byzantine Studies, has taught at Princeton since 1982, following eleven years of teaching at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbanna. In 2006, he was appointed as director of Princeton’s Program of Hellenic Studies. He is currently organizing the exhibition “Architecture as Icon: Perception and Representation of Architecture in Byzantine Art”. The exhibition is co-sponsored by Princeton University and the European Center for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, in Thessaloniki, Greece. The show will open in the Fall 2008 in Thessaloniki and in the Spring 2009 in Princeton. A catalogue being specifically prepared for this occasion will accompany the exhibition. In 2004, Curcic was elected Honorary Member of the Christian Archaeological Society in Athens. In 2005, he was appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO to an international Experts Committee on the Rehabilitation and Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Kosovo. He is a Member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (Belgrade) and an Honorary Member of the Christian Archaeological Society (Athens).

    Glenn Bugh

    Glenn Bugh is an associate professor of Classical and Byzantine history at Virginia Tech. He has also been a visiting professor with the American School of Classical Studies in Athens. Professor Bugh is currently editing a collection of essays on the Hellenistic world for Cambridge University Press.

    Sponsors

    Princeton Journeys
    Smithsonian Journeys

    Accommodations

    Cruise Ship

    <em>Le Levant</em>

    Le Levant

    Le Levant is a superb yacht-like cruise ship built in France and staffed by a 50-person European crew dedicated to outstanding service. The ship carries no more than 90 guests in 45 staterooms, each with a sitting area, private marble bath with shower, and generous storage space. A large picture window affords views of the water and landscape. Public areas include the Grand Salon for lectures and presentations, two restaurants that can accommodate all passengers at one seating, two bars, a library, small exercise room and wading pool, steam room, boutique, and salon. An aft marina features a swimming platform, freshwater shower, and fleet of sturdy motorized Zodiacs.

    Program Rates

    Airfare

    Airfare is not included in the program rates. Please call for assistance with your travel arrangements for this program.

    Program Rates

    From $8,995 double occupancy; $15,292 single.

    Post-Tour Extension

    Optional Extension to Venice
    May 23-25, 2008
    $2,145 per person, double occupancy.