Discover the History, Art and Cultures of the Ancient World

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Voyages to Antiquity, the cruise industry's premier specialty enrichment provider, has published its 2013 brochure including more port calls in the Western Mediterranean; itineraries to France and Spain; a stronger emphasis on Sicily, the epicenter of Ancient Rome 3500 years ago; additional Dalmatian Coast sailings from Venice along the Adriatic and an additional Black Sea voyage. The line continues to offer a unique array of experiences in Greece and Turkey.

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"The Mediterranean itineraries are the heart and soul of Voyages to Antiquity and we endeavor to make each season full of unique experiences for our guests. This year we have expanded our product offerings in the Western Mediterranean while also providing an emphasis to the ancient civilizations found in Sicily," said Mitchell J. Schlesinger, vice president of marketing and sales for Voyages to Antiquity. "We've received growing support from prestigious organizations whose well-traveled clients are interested in an educational, enriching vacation experience, including Smithsonian Journeys, the Archaeological Institute of America and numerous alumni organizations."

The Mediterranean season begins and ends with sailings between Cairo and Istanbul, highlighted by two Wonders of the World, as well as the following sites:

• Cairo to Istanbul – March 30, 2013 and Istanbul to Cairo – October 25, 2013

Both itineraries include a journey to the Pyramids and the Sphinx at the royal burial ground at Giza and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. In Luxor guests visit Karnak, Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, burial place of the New Kingdom pharos, including Tutankhamun. In Aqaba guests explore the rose-red, ancient Nabataen city of Petra, and after traveling through the Suez Canal to Israel, guests will visit Jerusalem's Old Town, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and to Bethlehem to tour the Church of the Nativity. In Limassol there is the Greco-Roman city of Kourion and it is then onto Antalya for the Hellenistic city of Perge, an ancient Roman trading town. These itineraries also include a stop at the Ancient Greek ruins of Ephesus and a full day tour of Istanbul, to see the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque.

Western Mediterranean cruises along the Riviera coast include:

• Rome to Cannes – May 16, 2013

This itinerary includes a two-night pre-cruise stay in Rome, after which the journey continues to Elba – the island of Emperor Napoleon's exile from 1814-1815, the mighty Papal Palace at Avignon, the museums and galleries of Renaissance Florence, the extraordinary architecture of Barcelona, the magnificent cathedral in Palma and the medieval stronghold of Carcassonne. A highlight of cruise-tour is the stunning natural beauty of the Maddalena Archipelago off the coast of Corsica.

• Cannes to Venice – May 28, 2013

Visiting five countries over 16 days, this itinerary takes guests on a fascinating journey to the Byzantine splendor of St. Mark's and romance of the Canals in Venice, the dazzling mosaics at Ravenna, the Renaissance treasures of Florence and ruins of Pompeii. Additional highlights include the magnificent Roman Palace of Diocletian in Split, the Island of Corfu, the elegant Greek Theater at Taormina, the world famous Roman amphitheater at Arles and the Papal Palace at Avignon.

Itineraries highlighting the Adriatic's Dalmatian Coast and the treasures of Sicily include:

• Istanbul to Athens – April 12 and September 9, 2013

After a two-night hotel stay in Istanbul, guests board Aegean Odyssey for a cruise through the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles to Lemnos and Mount Athos, the "Holy Mountain". From there it is on to sacred Delos to explore the island's temples and famous lions and to Mykonos and Santorini to visit Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan outpost. In Crete guests explore the Minoan palace of Knossos, before sailing to Nauplia to visit two great sites of classical Greece: Mycenae and the magnificent theater at Epidaurus. The itinerary ends in Athens with a full day guided tour to the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.

• Athens to Venice – April 24 and September 21, 2013
  Venice to Athens – June 11, 2013

This 14-day cruise-tour encompasses a full day in Athens for touring the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The voyage then takes guests to the great sites of Classical Greece, including Mycenae, Monemvasia (Preveza on Venice/Athens itinerary) and Ancient Olympia in Katakolon where the first Olympic games began in 776 BC. After visits to Corfu and Butrint, an 8th century BC Roman settlement in Sarande, Aegean Odyssey sails the Dalmatian Coast's Kotor Bay with stops in Dubrovnik and Split – home of one of the greatest of all Roman sites, the Palace of Diocletian. The journey includes a visit to Venice with a private evening visit to see the spectacular mosaics of St. Mark's.

• Venice to Rome – May 6 and October 3, 2013

This voyage begins in Venice highlighted by visits to Piazza San Marco and the Doge's Palace culminating with an exclusive nighttime visit to St. Mark's for a private tour. Then it is on to the treasures of Sicily including the Greek theater in Syracuse, the Norman Royal Palace, the Palatine Chapel and the dazzling mosaics of Monreale Cathedral. After cruising past volcanic Stromboli the excavation sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum await. Guests disembark in Rome for a two-night hotel stay in the Eternal City with guided tours to the Roman amphitheater, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the sumptuous Basilica of St. Peter's in Vatican City.

• Athens to Rome – June 23, 2013

This journey to Athens, Sicily and the Amalfi coast explores some of the greatest sites of antiquity, including the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum in Athens; Mycenae and Epidaurus in Nauplia; the Greek Theater, Norman Royal Palace, Palatine Chapel and Monreale Cathedral in Sicily and Pompeii and Herculaneum along the Amalfi coast. Guests enjoy a full day tour of Renaissance Florence before ending their voyage in Rome with a two-night hotel stay and guided tours of the Roman amphitheater, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the sumptuous Basilica of St. Peter's in Vatican City.

• Rome to Istanbul – July 3 and October 13, 2013

Guests explore the architectural legacy of Emperor Augustus during a two-night Rome hotel stay before cruising the famous ancient Greek and Roman sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Greek theater at Taormina in Sicily, the wonders of classical Athens, ancient Delos and the magnificent city of Ephesus in Turkey. Guests will enjoy a two-night post-cruise stay in legendary Istanbul, where they will visit the 6th-century cathedral of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.

Guest lecturers and celebrated speakers from around the world complement the in-depth shore experiences by bringing to life the art, history and culture of the Mediterranean region.  Regional foods and wines further immerse guests in the destinations visited.

Extraordinary value is a hallmark with cruise fares starting from $3995, including shore excursions with complimentary bottled water; gratuities to shipboard staff and wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner. To accommodate the significant demand from single guests, Voyages to Antiquity has increased the number of dedicated single cabins to 26 to complement single supplements in double occupancy cabins, which start from just 25%. Roundtrip air is available from $595 per person from 60 North American gateways, including transfers and all air taxes and surcharges. Guests who book by September 30, 2012 can enjoy up to $1000 in stateroom savings on departures from March 30 through July 3, 2013.

For information about the itineraries and to make reservations, call (877) 398-1460 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com.

About Voyages to Antiquity
Inspired by The Middle Sea, authored by Lord John Julius Norwich, Voyages to Antiquity was created to offer sophisticated travelers an unparalleled destination immersion and educational experience combining the very best in cultural travel in a tranquil, informal atmosphere.

SOURCE Voyages to Antiquity