Honorary Chair
Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008
President
Lorie Karnath, MBA, Ph.D. hon
Honorary President
Don Walsh, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
|
Honorary Chair Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008 |
President Lorie Karnath, MBA, Ph.D. hon |
Honorary President Don Walsh, Ph.D. |
|
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
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). (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
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. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
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. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
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. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
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.
Golf & Archaeology: Antalya & the Greek Isles Join Explorers Club member and golf enthusiast Nancy Wilkie, for a new kind of archaeological voyage: one that combines archaeological excursions with opportunities to enjoy some of the best golf courses around the Aegean. Golf is a relatively recent development in this region, yet amid this majestic scenery, setting for so many ancient myths and historical events, some of the world's finest designers have created legendary golf courses. Every day of this voyage offers exciting options: beginning with two days in Antalya, Turkey, explore Antalya's Old Town and Archaeological Museum, plus Perge and Aspendos, two of the most magnificent Greco-Roman cities in Turkey, or play at Nick Faldo's Cornelia Golf Resort and David Feherty's National Golf Club. After a day of touring the Greek island of Rhodes, with a visit to the ancient acropolis of Lindos and medieval Old Town, you will visit Bodrum, Turkey, and either enjoy the new Bodrum Golf Park or visit the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. On the island of Crete you can visit Knossos, site of the vast Bronze Age Minoan Palace, or tee up at Greece's finest course, the Crete Golf Club. Spend a day exploring the dramatic island of Santorini, relaxing in its whitewashed town of Phira and visiting the Prehistoric History Museum; and disembark in Athens, including a tour of the Acropolis and majestic Parthenon. Explorers Club Leader: archaeologist Nancy Wilkie (FN '00) [Photo: Bodrum (courtesy Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism)] [Brochure PDF not yet available]
From the Walls of Troy to the Canals of Venice From legendary prehistoric sites to magnificent Greek monuments, and from grand Roman cities to medieval villages overlooking the sea, the Mediterranean features layer upon layer of history and culture set beautifully upon azure waters. Centuries of history imbue these shores, and we invite you to join us on a voyage from Istanbul to Venice aboard the luxurious, 57-suite Corinthian II. Beginning in Istanbul-old Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire-you will set sail for fabled Troy, where ongoing archaeological work has revealed the remains of a series of towns spanning centuries. Continue through the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic Seas, culminating in Venice, undoubtedly one of the world's most captivating and unusual cities. Along the way you will visit the classic Greek island of Santorini; the legendary Bronze Age Palaces of Knossos on Crete and of Nestor on the Peloponnese; the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Butrint, Albania, and Kotor, Montenegro; and the vast Palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian in Split, Croatia. Explorers Club Guest Lecturers: archaeologists Jack Davis & Sharon Stocker [Photo: Venice (Courtesy TDI)] [Brochure PDF not yet available]
Egyptian Odyssey Explore the awe-inspiring world of the ancient Egyptians by land and riverboat. Beginning in Cairo, we visit the Pyramids of Giza, Old Cairo, and the Egyptian Museum, with a day trip to Saqqara and Memphis. Fly to Luxor, where we explore tombs and mortuary temples on the West Bank of the Nile in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, plus the colossal temple of Karnak and the temple of Luxor. Embark our first-class Nile riverboat for a three-day cruise, stopping along the way to visit the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Disembark in Aswan, where we visit Elephantine Island and the temple of Isis at Philae, and from where we fly to Abu Simbel to wonder at the massive temples of Ramesses II and his queen Nefertari. Guest Leader: Egyptologist Ted Brock. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Voyage Into the Classical World Join us for a classic exploration of the Greek Islands and Turkey aboard the luxurious, 57-suite Corinthian II. There is nothing on Earth quite like a voyage in the Aegean Sea, each day bringing with it new vistas of bleached cliffs, whitewashed Cycladic villages, and breathtaking ancient ruins. On this journey you will explore the great monuments of Athens before sailing for the peaceful Greek island of Limnos and onward to fabled Troy, where Professor Rose excavated for two decades. Also on the Turkish mainland, explore Assos, a splendid site undergoing restoration as part of the AIA's Site Preservation Grant program; plus the vast site of Aphrodisias, where Professor Rose excavated for five years; or spectacular Ephesus, were excavations are ongoing and you will enjoy a tour of the Terrace Houses. On Rhodes you will admire the Old Town, one of the largest medieval towns in Europe, and picturesque Lindos, before cruising to Crete, home to the Bronze Age Minoan Palace of Knossos, and to Santorini, where you will explore labyrinthine towns along the edge of the island's caldera. Explorers Club Guest Leader: archaeologist C. Brian Rose [Photo: Assos (courtesy Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism)] [Brochure PDF not yet available]
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)
Extraordinary Namibia The Explorers Club Travelers is excited to offer a new program this fall to explore the cultural and natural wonders of Namibia with Dr. Hu Berry. This is an opportunity to discover for yourself the wild beauty and cultural history of a vast, ancient land in the company of Dr. Berry, who dedicated his 33-year career to wildlife conservation in Namibia. You will begin your adventure experiencing the cultural and historical highlights of the capital city, Windhoek, and of Rehoboth. Drive to the Namib Desert, thought to be the oldest desert in the world, and admire beautifully-shaped dunes such as those in Sossusvlei. From Swakopmund, take a charter flight up the Skeleton Coast for a full-day excursion to Opuwo, then head north to Twyfelfontein, site of one of the largest and most spectacular collections of petroglyphs in the world. Drive to Etosha National Park and the huge, flat Etosha Pan for two full days of game-viewing. Continue east to Bushmanland, an area rarely visited, where you will spend two nights in a specially-prepared camp and explore the area in the company of a !Kung Bushman learning about their superb tracking and hunting skills. Enjoy a final tour night near the Waterberg Plateau, and visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Explorers Club Guest Leader: naturalist specializing in Namibia, Hu Berry [Photo: Elephant sm (courtesy Namibian Tourism Authority)] (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) North Africa's Mediterranean Coast A sprawling voyage for lovers of the sunny Mediterranean, this voyage explores ancient sites and modern towns from Egypt to Morocco aboard the 57-suite Corinthian II. Our itinerary exposes the ancient coastline of North Africa, whose spectacular Greco-Roman monuments testify to the historical importance and cultural achievements of these early colonists, as well as the modern coastline developed by the peoples and cultures who have continued to enrich these lands through the millennia. After visiting some of Cairo's timeless highlights, you will set sail from Alexandria, Egypt, to spend four full days in Libya and three full days each in Tunisia and Algeria, before disembarking in Morocco. Your visit to this storied world between the desert and the sea includes seldom-visited places like the well-preserved Roman ruins of Djemila; Libya's spectacular Greco-Roman sites of Cyrene, Leptis Magna, and Sabratha; the walled holy city of Kairouan, the Islamic world's third most important pilgrimage site; and evidence of successive settlers and conquerors in Tangier, from the 7th-century B.C. Phoenicians to the and 8th-century A.D. Arabs. Each evening you will retire to the comfort and luxury of the small, elegant Corinthian II, the perfect ship for traveling far, but docking close. Explorers Club Leader: archaeologist Nancy Wilkie (FN '00) [Photo: Leptis Magna (courtesy Todd Nielsen)] [Brochure PDF not yet available]
South Georgia & Antarctica: In the Footsteps of Ernest Shackleton Join Explorers Club President Daniel Bennett in fall 2009 for a voyage that retraces the route of Ernest Shackleton and his men in South Georgia and Antarctica, experiencing the untamed grandeur of this frozen landscape that was the setting for one of the most heroic rescue missions in the history of exploration. In 1916, Shackleton and his 27-man expedition team were shipwrecked on Elephant Island, north of the Antarctic Peninsula and, with no hope of rescue, Shackleton and five volunteers sailed an open boat 800 miles to South Georgia Island. After two weeks at sea, they landed on South Georgia and set out on a trek; 36 non-stop hours later they stumbled into Stromness Bay, where there was a whaling station. The undisputed highlight of your voyage will be the opportunity to explore South Georgia, admiring its jagged mountain peaks, glaciers that tumble into the sea, breathtaking inlets, and vast numbers of mammals and seabirds on its beaches and cliffs. Expedition stops en route to and on the Antarctic Peninsula are weather dependent but expected to include the South Orkney Islands; Elephant, Petermann, and Deception Islands; and Paradise Bay. A one-of-a-kind feature of this program is the opportunity for a select group of 15 travelers to trace Shackleton's footsteps on an optional trek across South Georgia led by Peter Hillary (FI '87), whose adventurous life includes more than 38 mountaineering expeditions, and Dave Hahn, a renowned climbing and expedition expert. While the trek is in operation, the ship and non-trekking passengers will carry on the voyage in South Georgia, making numerous landings ashore. Your 50-cabin, all-suite ship for this expedition is ideal: Clelia II combines all the comforts of a private mega-yacht with the latest navigational and communications technology. She has retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull, and a fleet of Zodiacs that allow for landings on virtually any shore. Explorers Club Leader: Explorers Club President Daniel Bennett [Photo: Penguins (courtesy TDI)] (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Wild Edge of the Pacific Two new back-to-back voyages in 2009 will take you to the Wild Edge of the Pacific with itineraries that spotlight New Zealand's far-flung Chatham and Kermadec Islands and others that are tiny, but vital, specks on the map. This is a rare opportunity to visit places that only a limited number of travelers have ever experienced, and in the company of a team of naturalists including Peter Harrison (FN '83), Shirley Metz (MN'89), and Jack Grove (FN '96). The landscapes and the array of indigenous and endemic birds and botanicals are mind-boggling, and the thrill of a lifetime for nature lovers. On Fiji, a South Sea paradise both on land and underwater, embark the 55-cabin Clipper Odyssey, a superb vessel equipped with a fleet of Zodiac landing craft, and meander through the volcanic archipelago of the Mamanuca Islands. Swim and snorkel amid the underwater gardens of corals and fish around volcanic Kadavu Island, and two days in the Kermadecs reveal astonishing natural wonders with an incredibly high rate of endemism. Rotorua, on New Zealand's North Island, offers a fantastic display of geothermal dramatics and prides itself on being the country's cultural capital. The stunning, low-lying Chatham Islands are a highlight of both voyages. During your time here you will learn about the history and culture of the Moriori people, who settled the islands more than 1,000 years ago. The second voyage, which you can choose to do alone or in tandem with the first, sets out from the Chathams, cruising southward into New Zealand's Sub-Antarctic islands, a World Heritage Park renowned for its astonishing biodiversity. Bounty and Antipodes Islands alone are home to 100,000 Salvin's albatross and half of the world's population of erect-crested penguins. On the wild bluffs and grassy headlands of Campbell Island you will marvel at close encounters with southern royal albatross, and in the Auckland Islands nature walks lead you through rata and elfin forests. The exquisite waterways of Fiordland National Park add a spectacular finale to this grand adventure. Seize this opportunity to join one or both of these spectacular voyages-an experience sure to be nothing short of extraordinary. Explorers Club Leaders: A team of Explorers Club Members [Photo: Wild Edge of the Pacific (courtesy ZECO)] (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) |
|
| Contact Us |
|
© 2002 The Explorers Club Legal Notice
The Explorers Club is a not-for-profit organization as defined under Section 170(b) (I) (A) (vi) and 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Explorers Club ®, World Center for Exploration ®, The Flag and the Seal are registered trademarks of The Explorers Club. Use by others is strictly prohibited. Photographs appearing on this website are used by permission and may not be copied or re-used in any manner. |
