GREECE: BIRDS & HISTORY CRUISE - ONLY 3 CABINS REMAIN! March 17, 2010
Posted by Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 63 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Ari...Dear friends,
This year VENT has chartered the M/S Galileo, a superb three-masted sail cruiser, for a circumnavigation of Greece's Peloponnesian Peninsula, September 1-10, 2010. Only 3 cabins are still available!
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Temple of Athena Pronaia, Delphi— Photo: Media Bakery |
In undertaking a complete circuit of the Peloponnese, our itinerary includes excursions to some of the most famous and important sites in the ancient Greek world, all of which are situated in scenic natural settings and hold tantalizing birding possibilities. Among the places we'll visit are: Epidaurus, containing a near-perfectly preserved 2,400-year-old theater and the remains of the ancient Asclepeion, the greatest center of healing in the Greek classical world; Mycenae, seat of power of a mighty state in the second millennium B.C., whose renown was sealed by Homer, who vividly described the citadel and its most famous inhabitant, King Agamemnon, during the time of the Trojan War; Olympia, the most revered Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of ancient Greece, best known as the birthplace of the Olympic Games; and Delphi, first among all classical sites in reputation and wealth, and home of the legendary Delphic Oracle.
Our time at each of the archaeological sites and at a natural area called Dinari Lagoon should produce an impressive assortment of migrant and resident birds. Among the possibilities are a range of Eurasian shorebirds, herons, flycatchers, swifts, tits, wheatears, wagtails, shrikes, warblers, buntings, and more. Little Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Short-toed Eagle, Alpine Swift, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, Western Rock-Nuthatch, Red-backed Shrike, and Cirl Bunting are all species we have a good chance of finding. While at sea, careful watching from the ship's viewing decks may present opportunities to see a variety of southeastern Europe's special birds, including Cory's and Levantine shearwaters, Eleonora's Falcon, and Yellow-legged and Audouin's gulls.
For added measure, the trip will begin with visits to the highly regarded new Acropolis Museum, and the famed National Archaeological Museum of Greece. We will have parts of two days to explore the rooms and galleries at each site and behold some of the world's greatest treasures dating from antiquity.
Joining me on this departure are VENT leader, Barry Lyon, and Dr. Paul Woodruff, professor of philosophy and classics at the University of Texas, and an expert on ancient Greece. Paul's specialty is Plato, whose works he has translated, in addition to those by Sophocles and Euripides. He is well-versed in all aspects of the history and culture of ancient Greece and will present a series of lectures that incorporate the dominant themes of ancient Greek civilization, namely history, philosophy, and theater.
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M/S Galileo— Photo: Courtesy of Variety Cruises |
As Greece is an extraordinary destination, we are confident that the multi-thematic approach embodied in this program makes this trip an ideal choice for those who desire a travel experience that includes more than natural history. Conditions aboard Galileo are very comfortable, featuring outside cabins with lower beds, private bathroom facilities, and individual temperature controls. The public areas include a spacious lounge with large viewing windows; an ample sun deck; a shaded outdoor deck; and an outdoor bar. Internet and email service are available.
As you are aware, Greece has been in the news recently because of problems associated with the country's economic crisis. In an effort to manage the situation, the government has imposed austerity measures that have led to strikes and demonstrations by Greek citizens. These events have been restricted mostly to the Athens area and not the Peloponnese. We are confident that the intensity of the situation will have subsided by September and that our trip will proceed as planned. I can assure you that we would not operate a trip if we thought economic crisis or civil unrest could jeopardize our safety or the smooth operation of this trip.
I hope you will join us on what promises to be a very special Greece: Birds & History cruise. Since Galileo will take only 45 passengers, I am confident this trip will sell out. Cabins begin at $6,995 in double occupancy from Athens. For more information or to register, please contact Shirley Anderson (shirley@ventbird.com) or Patrick Swaggerty (patrick@ventbird.com) or call the VENT office (800-328-8368/512-328-5221) soon.
Best wishes,
Victor Emanuel