Honorary Chair
Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008
President
Daniel A. Bennett
Honorary President
Don Walsh, Ph.D.
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Honorary Chair Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008 |
President Daniel A. Bennett |
Honorary President Don Walsh, Ph.D. |
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THE EXPLORERS CLUB TRAVELERS
Join The Explorers Club Travelers on journeys far off the beaten path in search of rarely seen landscapes, unusual wildlife, ancient civilizations, and indigenous cultures.
For detailed brochures and further information contact:
Travel Schedule
Desert Kingdoms & Imperial Cities This holiday season, leave behind the winter weather and frenzied shopping lines to join Explorers Club lecturer and host James Miller and a small group of fellow travelers on an enchanting cruise from Morocco to Senegal, where daily life retains an unhurried “classic sense of time” and an exotic aura of mystery. Our itinerary is much more than a survey of fabulous destinations —it is a living portrait of vibrant modern peoples with unbelievably long cultural histories and still-thriving ancient ways of life set amid breathtaking landscapes. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
The Seven Continents You are invited to join Explorers Club lecturer and host Wade Davis (HON ‘87) on (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Antarctica Expedition to the White Continent The very word “Antarctica” evokes a sense of awe, mystery, and adventure. A remote wilderness at the “bottom” of our planet, this frozen continent has attracted the most accomplished adventurers and scientists that the world has ever known. French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot described its allure as “powerful and tenacious,” and the few travelers who are fortunate enough to visit return home changed by an experience so elemental that it touches their very core. Join Explorers Club lecturer and host David Gallo (FN ’90) this coming winter—high summer in the Southern hemisphere—aboard the 57-cabin, all-suite Corinthian II for a voyage you may well regard as the most extraordinary travel experience of your life. Cruising south from Ushuaia, first head to the Antarctic Convergence. Then, explore the Antarctic Peninsula and its islands, where shore landings by Zodiac boats may include visits to 10,000-strong penguin rookeries, research stations, and elephant seal colonies. Humpback and minke whales, Adelie penguins, and whirling Antarctic petrels—among dozens of other species—are all in abundance and are not shy. Enjoy the incredible opportunity to observe them up-close in their natural habitat. And, the Austral summer months on the Antarctic Peninsula are pleasantly mild, with highs in the 30s and 40s, just right for outdoor exploration. Our ship, Corinthian II, is one of the most luxurious cruising Antarctic waters and provides an elegant cocoon perfect for admiring the icebergs with like-minded traveling companions and a roster of expert scientists and naturalists. So seize the moment and experience Antarctica, undoubtedly one of the rarest and most astonishing travel destinations our globe has to offer. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Voyage to Distant Islands: We are pleased to invite you to join ornithologist David Willard, our Explorers Club guest lecturer and host, on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition voyage, Voyage to Distant Islands. Our voyage aboard the luxurious, 57-cabin Corinthian II takes us from the tip of South America to the southern tip of Africa, visiting remote islands in the company of Dr. Willard, a scientist from Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, and a team of onboard naturalists and lecturers. Embark in the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, in Argentina’s Patagonia, nicknamed “Fin del Mundo” (“The End of the World”). Cruise through the scenic Beagle Channel and on to the rugged Falklands, where albatrosses sit on cliffs spreading their giant wings. Continue to destinations upon which few people have ever set foot, such as the spectacular island of South Georgia. The magnificent landscape of this island, with its pristine snowfields, glacier-covered mountains, and hillsides covered with fur seals and King Penguins, provides a stirring contrast to the modest grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton that lies behind an abandoned whaling station. Other islands visited include volcanic Tristan da Cunha, located half way between South America and South Africa, making it the most remote inhabited island of the world. Our voyage culminates in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, renowned for its stunning combination of coast and mountains. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
SPLENDORS OF LIBYA We are delighted to offer you this rare opportunity to join archaeologist Susan Kane on a journey through Libya that includes four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This opportunity is rare because Americans have found it difficult to obtain visas to enter Libya over the last two years. We are working with a company that organized successful trips to Libya in 2007 and 2008, though the cost of visas is very high. It is also a rare opportunity to travel with our engaging and distinguished leader, Professor Susan Kane, who is Director of the Cyrenaica Archaeological Project at Cyrene, Libya (http://www.cyrenaica.org). Libya’s archaeological heritage is simply extraordinary, and with Professor Kane you will gain a greater appreciation of several of the best-preserved ancient Greek and Roman sites anywhere in the Mediterranean. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
From the Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar We invite you to join Explorers Club lecturer Christine Drake (FN ’07) to follow in the wake of the early explorers and along the route of prosperous merchant ships of the 18th and 19th centuries on this epic, 32-day voyage that will ply a remarkable course along the grand scope of Africa, traversing the entire length of its Atlantic coast. It is an astonishing itinerary aboard the elegant, all-suite, 57-cabin Corinthian II encompassing eleven nations, calling at ports and exploring destinations largely unknown to most travelers. The countries that constitute the western side of Africa form a mosaic so vast and varied that their richness and diversity are difficult to comprehend. Embarking in South Africa’s Cape Town, the bustling port city that was founded near the landmark Cape of Good Hope, we will explore practically every country along Africa’s west coast: South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Benin, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco, before the ship arrives at the Rock of Gibraltar, another of the world’s great sea landmarks, ending the voyage in historic Seville, Spain. This voyage is an unprecedented opportunity to observe the differences in ancient cultures and tribal customs, landscape and animal life, from the towering dunes of Namibia to the remarkable wildlife of Gabon’s rainforests, from the markets of Ghana and Senegal to the medinas of Morocco. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Sicily Crossroads of Mediterranean Civilizations Dear Traveler, Sicily, the largest, and perhaps the most magnificent, island in the Mediterranean, has attracted colonists, conquerors, and visitors from Europe, Africa, and Asia since the earliest times. The Carthaginians and Arabs came from the south; the Greeks from the east; the Romans from the north; and the Normans from the west.You can still find traces of these ancient and medieval civilizations in Sicily’s language, cuisine, and traditions, but their greatest gift to Sicily and the Mediterranean world was a legacy of glorious works of art and architecture. Where else in Europe will you find intact Doric temples within sight of a luxurious Roman villa? Or a spectacular church designed by Norman architects and decorated by Arab and Byzantine artists? In Sicily the great artistic achievements of the ages (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Historic Cities of the Sea The Explorers Club Travelers invite you to join Explorers Club guest lecturer William Koelsch on a remarkable springtime voyage from Seville to Venice, featuring a collection of some of the most historic cities in the western Mediterranean. History is alive in the lands that border this Sea, and you will call upon legendary cities along the coasts of Spain, France, Corsica, Italy, Montenegro, and Croatia, where it seems every cobblestoned lane or piazza preserves a memory of the seafaring Greeks, Romans, Moors, or Venetians. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Celtic Quest & Scotland Slowly Join us on a journey through the Celtic corners of Spain, France, England, Ireland, and Scotland on two unique, back-to-back voyages aboard the very comfortable, 55-cabin cruise ship M/S Andrea. There is a myriad of cultural, archaeological, and natural wonders to be admired here, and a small ship is the ideal way to explore the region. Among the many highlights of Celtic Quest are visits to the ancient hill forts of Ireland’s Dun Aengus, the megaliths of Carnac, and the cave of Altamira II. Scotland Slowly is an in-depth voyage that visits numerous sites on the islands and mainland including Iona, Fair Isle, Maes Howe, Papa Stour, Mousa, Islay, and the Isle of Lewis—home to lecturer Mary MacLeod and the standing stones of Callanish. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Fabled Islands of the Mediterranean Join archaeologist James Wiseman on a unique voyage to the beautiful, dramatic islands of the Mediterranean between Spain and Greece aboard the elegant, 57-cabin, all-suite Corinthian II. It’s an itinerary you will not find anywhere else, and you will travel with ease and in luxurious comfort to this collection of out-of-the-way places that demonstrate an archaeological and historical record nearly 6,000 years long. From Barcelona cruise to Menorca, the most traditional of the Balearic Islands, where Professor Wiseman has been excavating for several years. Onward to Corsica and Sardinia, you will explore the beautifully situated Greco-Roman town of Alalia and the extraordinary site of Su Nuraxi, dating from approximately 1400 B.C., respectively. On Sicily explore Motya, an 8th-century B.C. Phoenician city, and the serene Doric Greek temple at Segesta. A day on Malta includes the megalithic temples of Tarxien, and a couple of days in Greece allow you to compare the ruins of the Bronze Age Mycenaean and Minoan palaces at Pylos and on Crete. Spring is an ideal time to cruise the Mediterranean, and there’s simply no better way to explore these romantic, sun-dappled islands than by sea, accompanied by a distinguished and congenial archaeologist, and aboard the elegant Corinthian II, the perfect vessel for traveling far, but docking close Explorers Club Leader: archaeologist Jim Wiseman (FN ’91).
Rome & Greece: Cradle of Western Culture Join classical archaeologist Jim Wiseman (FN ’91), our Explorers Club lecturer and host, aboard the luxurious, 57-suite Corinthian II for a fascinating look at the origins of Western civilization on a cruise from Rome to Athens. From Civitavecchia, Rome’s port, we will sail to Campania for visits to medieval Salerno, scenic Amalfi, or the classical Greek temples of Paestum. Cruise onward to Sicily, the island that has witnessed the rise and fall of every major civilization in the Mediterranean, for a full day in Syracuse, once the rival of Athens as most powerful city in the ancient world, and its picturesque old town of Ortygia. Cross the Ionian Sea to the Greek Peloponnese and the island of Crete, for visits to the Mycenaean Palace of Nestor at Pylos or the fortified Venetian port of Methoni, and a beautiful day spent in atmospheric Rethymnon and in Heraklion, from where we make an excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Cruising eastward we visit both the Greek island of Rhodes and Kusadasi, Turkey, our gateway to the vast and well-preserved ancient site of Ephesus. Our voyage ends in Athens, where we have the option to stay on for a three-day extension to experience for the first time, or visit anew, her endless cultural attractions, ancient and modern.
Enchanted Shores: Sicily to Dalmatia Trace the glorious Dalmatian coast aboard the 17-cabin private yacht Callisto. This sun-dappled, island-dotted, labyrinthine stretch of the eastern Adriatic Sea has been coveted for millennia by Greek settlers, Roman and Byzantine emperors, Venetian doges, and Ottoman caliphs. Still, it is only recently becoming a draw for modern international tourism, and its tiny, authentically preserved medieval towns, phenomenal Roman ruins, and palm-lined promenades are virtually ours alone to discover. Cruising aboard Callisto in summertime is unquestionably the ideal way to explore this region, and our itinerary is unlike any other organized tour of the Adriatic, exploring not only the justly celebrated cities of Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia, including the formidable Palace of Diocletian, but also farther-flung outposts like Montenegro’s medieval Stari Bar and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor, reached through southern Europe’s only fjord. Stroll the lavender-scented lanes of Hvar, which is quietly becoming the Mediterranean’s newest Riviera, including Europe’s oldest theater; and admire the Ottoman monuments of Mostar, just now recovering their past beauty. Swimming stops at beautiful secluded bays add to our enjoyment.
High Arctic Adventure: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Resolute, Nunavut Experience the magic and mystery of Greenland and remote islands of Canada’s far north in the summertime as you discover for yourself the landscapes, peoples, and wildlife of the high Arctic. The far-flung destinations on this itinerary are virtually inaccessible by any means other than a maneuverable expedition ship such as the 61-cabin Clipper Adventurer, equipped with a full fleet of versatile Zodiacs. Greenland is a place where the ice “comes alive” in iridescent blues, jagged peaks reach for the heavens, delicate tundra flowers nestle in tiny crevasses, towns are a brilliant montage of color, and much of the landscape seems untouched by human hands. The region’s spectacular scenery, incredible array of wildlife, and native cultures are known to only a few privileged travelers. Begin your High Arctic Adventure in Ottawa, Canada, with a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, on the west coast of Greenland. Embarking the Clipper Adventurer for a 12-night voyage, set sail into Søndre Strømfjord (one of the longest fjords in the world) and along the majority of the west coast, exploring small communities, walking alongside glaciers, and cruising among icebergs. From Thule (Qaanaaq), you will travel as far north into Smith Sound as ice and time allow, before crossing over to Canada’s Ellesmere Island and into the mouth of the famed Northwest Passage. Enjoy ample opportunities to view and photograph the Arctic’s unique wildlife, boarding Zodiacs for the best views of fauna, icebergs, and landscapes; plus visits to colorful fishing villages, historical sites, and indigenous communities. Explorers Club Leader: Captain Alfred S. McLaren (FE ’71). (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
The Black Sea: Crossroads of Culture from the Ancient Past to the Present The magnificent Black Sea region is still new territory for the majority of Western visitors: an exciting irony, since the Black Sea rim is dotted with cities and sites spanning the course of recorded history, from Trabzon in Turkey to Varna in Bulgaria. Even today, the area has once again undergone massive historical changes, as most of the independent successor states to the Soviet Union have established democratic governments and market economies. From Istanbul, travel aboard the luxurious, 57-cabin, all-suite Corinthian II through the Hellespont and the Bosporus Strait to Bulgaria and along the ancient northern coast of Turkey, where Greek, Byzantine, and Hellenistic societies flourished. Explore Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, visiting the historic Potemkin Steps of Odessa, the beautiful port city of Sevastopol, and spending two nights in the historic city of Kiev.
Journey of Odysseus Trace the path of Homer's legendary, epic hero, Odysseus, cruising from Turkey to Greece, Malta and Italy aboard the elegant, 57-all suite Corinthian II. Explore some of the most extraordinary and significant sites of the ancient Mediterranean including: Athens, Greece and Troy, Turkey; Peloponnesian Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Erice, Trapani, Segesta, and Taormina, Sicily; Sorrento and Lipari, Italy; and the Ionian islands of Corfu and Ithaca, Greece.
South America's Ancient Civilizations We are delighted to offer you this opportunity to take part in an epic, two-part sea voyage exploring South America’s Pacific coastline and Easter Island. This program combines the exclusivity and luxurious facilities the 50-cabin, all-suite Clelia II with fascinating excursions to spectacular archaeological sites, colonial cities, wildlife sanctuaries, and breathtaking landscapes. A team of onboard lecturers, including EC lecturers and hosts Patrick Ryan Williams and Donna Nash (archaeologists, first half) and Michael Dillon (botanist, second half), will enrich the grand experience through an onboard lecture series. Beginning in Panama, including a transit of the historic Panama Canal, you will enjoy an unprecedented 40-day journey to Patagonia. Call at ports along the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Explore colonial cities such as Quito and Lima, UNESCO World Heritage Sites renowned for their architecture, as well as numerous Pre-Columbian archaeological sites such as Chan Chan, Sechín, and an air excursion over the mysterious Nazca Lines; plus the option of a two-night overland excursion to Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Cross the Pacific to remote and mysterious Easter Island, staying in port for several days. From Easter Island, set sail for the seldom-visited Juan Fernández Archipelago, whose two main islands have been designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Continue on along the scenic coast of Chile, where natural wonders abound and you will marvel at wildlife and flora in Vicente Pérez Rosales, Chiloé, and Torres del Paine National Parks. From Puerto Montt to Ushuaia, the ship will navigate Chile’s Inside Passage, one of the most spectacular seaways in the world. Cruise in comfort through the magnificent Patagonian Fjords to the glacier-rich Beagle Channel, culminating your grand adventure in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. The incredible variety of sights and experiences offered by this itinerary promises to deliver an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure, whether you participate in the entire voyage or choose one of the two shorter segments (Panama to Easter Island or Easter Island to Ushuaia). (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) |
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