Voyages to Antiquity Launches First Winter Cruise Program to the Far East

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Voyages to Antiquity, the cruise industry's premier niche specialty company, today announced the launch of its first new winter program including new itineraries that explore historic civilizations of Southeast Asia, India and South Pacific.

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Since its May 2010 launch, Voyages to Antiquity itineraries have focused mainly on sailings throughout the Mediterranean region between March and November. In 2012, the line will expand its product offerings to extend the brand to other relevant destinations, including an exceptional array of Far East programs.

The itinerary program features in-depth exploration of the history, culture, art and mysteries of the classical civilizations throughout India and S. E. Asia.  Special highlights feature included shore excursions on all sailings, pre and post hotel stays in renowned cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Mumbai PLUS included overnight excursions to India's Golden Triangle and Angkor Wat.  And complemented by Voyages to Antiquity's signature in-depth onboard enrichment lecture program are these fascinating itinerary highlights:

• Mumbai to Colombo – November 13, 2012

This intriguing voyage begins with a four-night, pre-cruise land program exploring India's "Golden Triangle" of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra featuring a visit to the Taj Mahal. Guests then fly to Mumbai to set sail along India's historic Malabar Coast. Stops include Marmagao, one of the most architecturally beautiful and historically interesting places in India featuring a bevy of mid-16th century churches; Cochin, home of 500-year old Portuguese houses and a palace from the days of the Raj; Male, the capital of the famously beautiful atoll nation of The Maldives. From there passengers enjoy a two night post-cruise stay in Colombo, Sri Lanka where they will explore the Pettah Bazaar, the Asokaramaya Buddhist temple, lush Botanic Gardens and the National Museum.  

• Colombo to Singapore – November 24, 2012

On this voyage, guests explore the mysteriously, beautiful and deeply spiritual country of Burma (Myanmar) and the Malay Peninsula. The trip begins with a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Colombo, Sri Lanka before boarding the ship for a leisurely cruise around Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, known to sailors since the ancient times and appeared on a map illustrated by the Greek astronomer Ptolemaeus. The ship overnights for two evenings in Burma where guests can explore the remarkable city of Yangon (Rangoon), experience the deep serenity of the Buddhist way and visit the awe-inspiring golden Shwedagon pagoda. Aegean Odyssey then stops in Phuket, Thailand for a tour around the natural wonders of the Phi Phi Islands or fly to Bangkok for a day in Thailand's capital. Next is Penang, Malaysia where guests visit the Snake Temple and massive reclining Buddha before finishing the cruise voyage in Malacca, a World Heritage Site and the center of the Malay world in the 15th and 16th centuries. Sites include the ruins of Portuguese fort A Famosa, St. Paul's Church and Dutch Square. The package ends with a two-night post-cruise hotel stay in Singapore.

• Singapore/Singapore – December 5, 2012 and February 15, 2013

This 16-day cruise tour starts with a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Singapore, one of the few cities in Southeast Asia that boasts the cultural mix of China, India and Malaysia. Guests embark Aegean Odyssey and sail for Kuala Lumpur, home to the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings as well as older wonders such as the 19th century Cathedral of St. Mary and historic buildings of Independence Square. Additional ports include Phuket, Thailand to visit the astounding rock formations and classic sandy beaches of the Phi Phi Islands; Yangon, Burma to see monumental golden statues of the Buddha, dotted with thousands of sacred stupas and the golden Shwedagon pagoda; Pengang, Malaysia, which was part of the Malay sultanate until 1786 and Malacca, Malaysia.

• Singapore/Bangkok – December 17, 2012 and February 1, 2013 (reversed itinerary)

This cruise itinerary begins with a two-night hotel stay in the dynamic city-state of Singapore and continues to the beautiful island of Borneo to visit the Sultanate of Brunei with its magnificent Royal Palace and Kota Kinabahu in the state of Sabah. Leaving Borneo, Aegean Odyssey heads for Nha Trang (Feb. 1 sailing does not call on Nha Trang) and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to discover fascinating history both ancient and modern. After a stop in Sihanoukville to visit Phnom Penh's National Museum and Royal Palace, the voyage continues up the Chao Phraya to the heart of Bangkok. The trip ends with a four night stay in the "City of Angels" and is highlighted by a visit to the vast ruins of the temples of Angkor (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which number more than a thousand and include the world's largest single religious monument. Other excursions include visits to Wat Po with its colossal reclining Buddha, the lavishly decorated Grand Palace and Wat Traimit, which is home to the Golden Buddha, a statue made from 5 1/2 tons of solid gold. The February 1, 2013 Itinerary is reversed, starting from Bangkok but does not feature Nha Trang, instead it calls on Kuching, Borneo.

• Bangkok/Hong Kong – December 27, 2012

This meticulously planned itinerary takes guests to Southeast Asia's most remarkable natural and man-made wonders. Starting with a three-night hotel stay in Bangkok, this voyage uncovers Cambodia's exotic capital of Phnom Penh, the magnificent temples of Angkor and explores the fascinating country of Vietnam. Guests spend a two-day visit in Ho Chi Minh City, and then on to Nha Trang to explore monuments from the 7th century Cham Dynasty. In Da Nang, founded 3,000 years ago by the Cham people, guests visit the Imperial Champa city of My Son and medieval Hoi An and then on to the myriad of islands rising up from the Gulf of Tonkin in Halong Bay. There is an excursion to Hanoi, the Capital of Vietnam, featuring stops at the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. The tour ends with a two-night hotel stay in Hong Kong to explore "Asia's World City" traveling up to Victoria Peak, browsing Stanley Market and a trip on the famous Star Ferry.

• Hong Kong/Bali – January 11, 2013

After a three-night hotel stay exploring "Asia's World City", Hong Kong, guests embark Aegean Odyssey for Manilla, Philippines to visit the San Augustin Church and Monastery and historic Fort Santiago. Next is Borneo to visit the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre with more than 80 Orangutans and then Pare Pare, Indonesia to learn about the Toraja, an ethnic group indigenous to the mountainous region of South Sulawesi and renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites carved into rocky cliff and colorful woodcarvings. Ujung Pandang features an excursion to Port Rotterdam, the Old Dutch Fortress and a traditional spice market.  It is then onto Lombok to see the Nusa Tenggara Barat museum and Lingsar, the large temple complex built in 1714. The trip ends with a three-night stay in enchanted Bali, known for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts and performing arts. The tour includes a Barong Dance performance at Batubulan, a visit to the village of Mas, and to the pilgrimage site of Gunung Kawi, known for bathing pools and holy springs.

• Bali/Bangkok – January 21, 2013

After a magical three-night hotel stay in Bali, this voyage embarks for Semerang, Indonesia to visit the temple complex of Borobudur in Java – founded as a religious site in the 8th century and the construction of which is thought to have taken more than 75 years to complete. Then it is on to Singapore for a fascinating tour of the city that Sir Stamford Raffles built. From there guests visit Ho Chi Minh City to sample some of the world's great cuisines and extraordinary markets. Next are Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, Cambodia to explore the Royal Palace, bustling riverfront and National Museum. Bangkok follows with a sail up the Chao Phraya River and a four-night hotel stay. Excursions in Bangkok include the temples of Angkor (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the colossal reclining Buddha in Wat Po and the 5 1/2-ton solid gold Buddha in Wat Traimit. Guests also have the option of experiencing Buddhist meditation techniques at a local temple and trying their hand at mastering one of Asia's most famous cuisines at a cooking school.

• Singapore/Delhi – March 16, 2013

Sailing off from Singapore following a two-night hotel stay, guests journey to the treasures of one of the most exotic and beautiful lands in the world, India. First, however, they visit the fascinating port of Malacca, once center of the spice trade, and then the Malayan island of Penang with rich colonial history. Then it is on to Colombo, capital to Sri Lanka, and a chance to explore the hill town of Kandy, the seat of Sri Lanka's ancient kings. Aegean Odyssey continues its voyage along India's historic Malabar Coast, to Trivandrum – the City of the Sacred Serpent -- for a visit to the Napier Museum, the Horse Palace and the 100-foot Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple. In Cochin, guests visit the oldest church in India, 500-year old Portuguese houses and palace from the days of the Raj. A stop in Marmagao, one of the most architecturally beautiful and historically interesting places in India featuring a bevy of mid-16th century churches, is followed by Mumbai where guests visit Mani Bhavan, a museum that was once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. The cruise-tour ends with a four-night post-cruise land program exploring India's "Golden Triangle" of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra featuring a visit to the Taj Mahal.  

"Our seasoned, well-traveled clientele are interested in having the intimate and educational Voyages to Antiquity experience in other areas of the world," said Mitchell J. Schlesinger, vice president of marketing and sales for Voyages to Antiquity. "The development of the Far East program offers us an opportunity to expand our brand into relevant regions that are historically meaningful, educational and deeply cultural."

Guest lecturers and celebrated speakers, including those from the prestigious Archaeological Institute of America, complement the in-depth shore experiences by bringing to life the art, history and culture of the Mediterranean region.  And regional foods and wines further immerse guests in the destinations visited.

Extraordinary value is a hallmark with cruise fares starting from $3,995, including shore excursions with complimentary bottled water, gratuities to shipboard staff, wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner. Voyages to Antiquity is offering an Early Booking Discount of up to $800 and single occupancy at 50% to guests who book by November 30, 2011. Air add-ons for the Far East winter program are from $595, including transfers and porterage.

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

About Voyages to Antiquity

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