TM - a614.g.akamai.neta614.g.akamai.net/7/614/2201/v001/aetn.download.akamai.com/220… · the globe, and each is recognized for quality and exceptional customer service. We are proud

Join us on one of the amazing adventures in this brochure and meet others who share a passion for history, a joy for travel and who want to reach out and experience history at its source. With the help of a select group of companies in the travel industry, and with destination requests from our viewers, we developed and are proud to present to you ... The History Channel TravelerTM.

On these pages you will find a collection of unique travel itineraries offering thought-provoking insights into significant events in history, and can immerse yourself in exciting destinations where history has been made. Select from stimulating Land Adventures, including historic Discovery of America sojourns, join in on an exclusive African Safari, or take leisurely River Cruises on the great inland waterways of the world.

The History Channel Traveler opens doors to incredible new travel opportunities. View ancient civilizations like the Tarahumara Indians up close and personal on a visit to Mexico’s stunning Copper Canyon, or go on a bush walk with a ranger in Africa. Other special inclusions are created for The History Channel Traveler, like a private viewing at the Hermitage Museum when visiting St. Petersburg, Russia. Whether you’ve longed for relaxing cruising on a riverboat while en route to another enchanting experience, or to be absorbed in learning about the cultures and peoples of the Mekong, in these pages you will find you have tantalizing choices with The History Channel Traveler.

It is our goal to offer you a variety of balanced itineraries, as well as great value, including many meals. Our travel partners span the globe, and each is recognized for quality and exceptional customer service. We are proud to include their brands, and details of each, on the following page.

Perhaps you’d like to create a custom itinerary for yourself. The History Channel Traveler can help you do that. Simply visit our web site: HistoryChannelTraveler.com and click on the Customize tab, or call 877-238-6877 to speak to a customization consultant.

We’re delighted you are interested in history, and enjoy the special programs we present to highlight the many facets of_and insights into_ people, places, and times past. As a History Channel Traveler, you’ll make new friends with whom you can share new vistas in Africa, or special historical commemorations, like the 400th anniversary of the Jamestowne Settlement, which you’ll find described inside these pages.

We welcome you … The History Channel TravelerTM, and wish you Bon Voyage!

Welcome to new and exciting travel experiences, brought to you by The hisTory Channel ®

Each land adventure is

limited to only 30 guests,

offering you an intimate,

small group setting,

and the opportunity to

become acquainted with

new friends. Enjoy an

unhurried pace allowing

time for discussions with

experts, or personal

exploration along the way.

Road Scholar, an educational programming arm of not-for-profit Elderhostel,

and The History Channel are proud to offer you a selection of enriching travel

adventures. Meet fascinating people and gain special insight into remarkable

events that have defined history as we know it. Noted historians, authors and

scientists will share their expertise with you on a full spectrum of themes and

destinations for you to choose from. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington

through the Colonial streets of Annapolis, learn Cold War espionage secrets from

MI5 intelligence experts or marvel at magnificent Angkor Wat — you’ll do more

than learn about history, you’ll truly experience it.

INTRAV and The History Channel have created a rich menu of river cruises,

private yacht-like sailings, and a very special Safari adventure. We combine

enrichment, excitement, culture and wildlife to assure you a great encounter

with history. Relax aboard one of our well-appointed vessels as we sail through

timeless cultures or explore lush islands of the South Pacific. Meet new friends,

learn from expert instructors, and enjoy gourmet dining. Fascinating encounters

await you as The History Channel Traveler.

Land AdventuresAn Expedition on the Lewis and Clark TrailMontana, Oregon and Washington ........................................................................4/5

Reaching the New World: Jamestown’s 400-Year Legacy ......................6/7

The Battle of Gettysburg: The Spark & the Fire - John Brown’s Raid .........9

Heroes in Annapolis: George Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy ...........................................................................................9

Western Canada: Footpaths to Railways Calgary, Alberta, Banff, Jasper Park, British Columbia, Vancouver ........................10/11

Copper Canyon and the Tarahumara: Living in the SkyMexico: El Fuerte, Chihuahua; Tucson, AZ ...........................................................12/13

Astronomical Exploration: Mars and Space Missions Flagstaff, AZ ...........................................................................................................14

MI5 and the Cold War: An Insider’s Guide England: Cambridge and London ............................................................................15

D-Day and the Liberation of Europe France: Bayeux, Mont St. Michel, Ste. Mere l’Eglise .............................................16/17

British Novels and Landscapes: A Sense of Place England: London, Dorchester, Bath, Canterbury ..................................................18/19

Treasures of Rome: The Soul of Western Civilization ..........................20/21

Greece and Turkey: Superpowers of the Ancient WorldGreece, Turkey ...................................................................................................22/23

People, Places and Poetry of the Great WarFrance: Cambrai, Reims, Paris ..................................................................................24

The Napoleonic Age: From Bonaparte to Louis France: Paris, Malmaison, Compiegne .....................................................................25

Castles and Cathedrals of the Rhine River Valley: Monuments of the Middle Ages Germany: Cologne, Mainz, Heidelberg ...............................................................26/27

Russian Arts: From Moscow to St. Petersburg Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg ..........................................................................28/29

A South American Mosaic: Soul of BrazilRio de Janeiro, Iguaza Falls, Salvador, Manaus, Amazon ......................................30/31

A Galápagos Islands ExpeditionGalápagos Islands; Equador: Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Guayaquil .......................32/33

Cultures and People of the Mekong Bangkok, Thailand; Luang Prabang, Laos; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ..................34/35

River CruisingSplendors of China and the Yangtze RiverBeijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Yangtze River Cruise ..............................................36/37

Journey of the CzarsRussia: Moscow, Yaroslavl, St. Petersburg ...........................................................38/39

The Culture and Antiquities of VietnamHanoi, Halong Bay, Gulf of Tonkin, Da Nang, Qui Nhon, Port Dayot, South China Sea, Saigon River ...........................................................................40/41

A Journey into India: From the Deserts of Rajasthan to the Waterways of Kerala Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Cochin, Bombay ......................................................42/43

Islands of the South Pacific: Poignant Events of WWIIFiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea; Australia: Cairns .................................44/45

Wings Over the Nile® by Private Plane Egypt: Cairo, Giza, Abu Simbel/Aswan, Luxor; Jordan: Petra ................................46/47

The Classic Rhine Amsterdam, Arnhem, Cologne, Mainz, Mannheim, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Basel ...................................................................................................48

Mediterranean Memories: In the Footsteps of WWII’s Italian CampaignMalta: Valletta; Italy: Sicily, Salerno, Gaeta, Anzio ....................................................49

Alaska and Russia Alaska: Anchorage, Seward, Kukak Bay, Semidi Islands, Aleutian Islands, Baby Islands, Kiska; Cruise the Bering Sea; Russia: Petropavlovsk ........................50/51

Beyond the Shores of Northern Africa: Chasing WWII’s Desert FoxMorocco, Gibraltar, Algeria, Tunisia, Malta ...............................................................52

The Vikings: From the Norwegian Fjords to the Scottish IslesNoway: Oslo, Fugloy Island; Cross the Arctic Circle, Norwegian Fjords, North Sea, Shetland Islands; Scotland .....................................................................53

SafariSouth African Wildlife Safari Cape Town, Private Game Reserves: Thornybush, Sabi Sands (adjacent to Kruger National Park) .....................................................................54/55

Terms and Conditions ......................................................................................56

North AmericaSouth America

South PacificAfrica / Middle East

EuropeAsia / Southeast Asia / India

“it is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

— Sir Edmund Hillary

From the high backbone of the continental divide, where snow-chinked crags tower above blue rivers and season-burnished forests, one can look from east to west into the farthest horizons and glimpse only a small part of the trek made by the lewis and Clark expedition two centuries ago. The grueling journey by keelboat and

pirogue upstream against the muscle of the Missouri, the hazardous crossing of the rockies, and the long descent to the Pacific have long since passed into legend. Tracing the route of these american heroes on their perilous

adventure is a historical journey into the sinew and soul of the nation.

From the mountains’ majesty of Great Falls, Montana, to the wonder of the Pacific Ocean, follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and the rest of the Corps of Dis-covery. En route to Missoula, hike among the wondrous mountains of Lewis and Clark Pass. In Idaho, travel through the Bitterroot Mountains and follow the wild and scenic Lochsa River. When you approach the Pacific Ocean, a historian reveals unique expedition sites, including Yellow Bluffs; Cape Disappointment, and Long Beach, the farthest point reached by the Corps of Discovery.

Day 1 Enjoy a welcome, orientation, and “Preparation for the Journey Ahead.” This evening take an inspiring look at the Mandate given to Meriwether Lewis by President Jefferson.

Day 2 Explore some of the portage route used by the Corps of Discovery during its trek around the Great Falls. See one of the spots it is believed the “iron boat” may have been buried, as well as the general location of White Bear Island, where Lewis commented that the roar of rutting buffalo was deafening. Upon leaving the Great Falls area, drive across the high plains of Montana, heading to the confluence of the Marias River with the Missouri River. Explore the partially restored old Fort Benton and learn some of the fur trade and trapping history. There are several museums and interpretive centers in the city, as well as restored buildings dating to the mid-19th century, including the elegant Grand Union Hotel built in 1882. This evening enjoy a presentation:“Overview of the Lewis & Clark Journey.”

Day 3 Visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana, the premier showplace for telling the Lewis & Clark story. See a life-size diorama depicting a scene of the struggle the men of the Corps endured pulling the canoes up out of the river to portage around the falls.

Day 4 Enjoy a boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains — a highlight of your Lewis & Clark experience. See locations of some campsites that were believed to have been used by the members of the Corps.

Day 5 Visit one of the major sites of the Lewis & Clark Expedition— the head-waters of the Missouri River. Walk along a trail they may have blazed or eat lunch beside a stream they may have forded. Also take a peek at the reproduction canoes similar to those used by the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and also used in a television documentary, “The Search for Lewis and Clark.”

Day 6 Drive through the Rocky Mountains to Lewis & Clark Pass for a hike on the “road to the buffalo” just as Lewis did. In this back country setting it is probable that you will see wildlife, perhaps deer and elk. Drive from Lincoln to Missoula along the Blackfoot River, following along Lewis’ return route, the knowledge of which he gained from friendly Native Americans. Pass through a wide array of plant and animal communities and see the “prairie of knobs” described by Lewis.

Day 7 Visit Travelers’ Rest State Park — the location of a centuries-old Native American campsite that Lewis & Clark used in 1805 and 1806. Travel through the Bitterroot Mountains following the wild and scenic Lochsa River, then the ever-widening Clearwater River. This leg of the journey proved to be one of the most difficult and demanding legs of the journey for the expedition as it ascended to Lolo Summit. Meet with a Nez Perce tribal member, a direct descendent of Red Grizzly Bear, a man mentioned in the Lewis & Clark Journals and learn this part of the story through his eyes.

Day 8 Take a delightful break and go aboard a jet boat for a 200-mile round-trip tour into the deepest river gorge in North America, Hell’s Canyon. Points of interest along the way expose numerous geological facts, wildlife and plant life.

Day 9 Visit the Lewis & Clark Discovery Center with educational displays that include a two-acre outdoor interpretive plaza along the banks of the Snake River. Weave back into the Native American influences on the Expedition, talking with experts at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, an interpretive center for the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes. Arrive in Boardman/Pendleton early evening.

Day 10 Following the westbound river route, see Hat Rock, a basalt formation so named by Clark because of its resemblance to a hat. Just below this landmark was the beginning of the fierce Umatilla Rapids, but called Mussel Shell by the Corps, for the great heaps of freshwater mussel shells along the banks. Explore the Discovery Center in The Dalles, overlooking the narrowed Columbia River.

Day 11 Cross the mighty Columbia on the Bridge of the Gods, now an “erector set” bridge but once believed by Native Americans to have been a natural stone bridge connecting the north and south sides of the river. Next the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, where you will get a complete explanation of gorge history. A few short miles from the interpretive center, stop to see the site of the Falls of the Cascades, called by Clark “the Shute.” As you approach the Pacific Ocean, a Lewis & Clark historian explains various sites including Yellow Bluffs, which follows Clark’s sketch of his walk along the coast on Nov. 18-20, 1805; Cape Disappointment, which provides a spectacular view if weather allows; and then on to Long Beach, the farthest point reached by the Expedition. Step in the Pacific Ocean, remembering the discoveries and events that made this journey the “Fulfillment of The Dream.”

Day 12 Explore the replica of Fort Clatsop and visitor center. Visit Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach. Climb to the top of the Astoria Column, a 125-foot-high structure. Astoria was the location of the first permanent American settlement west of the Rockies.

Day 13 Fond farewells as you depart for home.

Tour includes: Great Falls, Mont., La Quinta Inn & Suites (3 nights), Helena, Mont., Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel (2 nights), Missoula, Mont., Best Western Grant Creek Inn (1 night), Clarkstown, Wash., Quality Inn (2 nights), Boardman, Ore., River Lodge & Grill (1 night — Sep 5–17 program only) OR Pendleton, Ore., Wildhorse Resort Hotel (1 night — June 4–16 program only), The Dalles, Ore., Shilo Inn Suites Hotel (1 night), Astoria, Ore., Holiday Inn Express (1 night) Portland, Ore., The Clarion Hotel (1 night)

10 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 4 dinners

Activity description: Walks may be up to two miles, includes some moderate hiking.

Dates of departure: September 5, 2007, June 4, 2008

Rate: $2,699 — Based on double occupancy, land only

Program number: 15181KGG

An Expedition on the Lewis and Clark Trail

1-877-238-6877 HistoryChannelTraveler.com5

Day 3 Morning presentation: “Anglo-Indian Conflict in Early Virginia, 1607-1622.” Handle colonial-era weaponry, clothing, armor, and artifacts. Field trip to the Jamestown Settlement Museum. Self-guided tour of museum galleries and outdoor exhibits, including reconstructed fort, Indian village, and ship replicas. Optional evening events: Free concert at Bruton Parish Church; Ghost tours/Lantern tours; Kimball Theatre.

Day 4 Morning presentation: “1699: From Jamestown to Williamsburg,” followed by walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg with Helen Phillips. Dinner in the Kings Arms Tavern. Evening film screening and discussion: Watch excerpts of “The New

World” with Buck Woodard, a local Indians expert and consultant on the film.

Day 5 Walking Tour of the Wren Building and College of William and Mary campus. Enjoy free time this afternoon. Optional evening events: Colonial Williamsburg Events; Ghost tours/Lantern tours; free concert at Bruton Parish Church; Kimball Theatre.

Day 6 Morning presentation: “The Legacy of James-town.” Character Interpreter: Peggy Picket will present “How to Thrive and Prosper in 17th-Century Virginia,” followed by a program wrap-up. Farewell in the hotel.

An earlier English explorer, Thomas Harriot, (1560-1621) had written in 1588 about the Indians he encountered in the Virginia territory: “…For although they have no true knowledge of God…and are destitute of any learning, yet they pass us in many things, as in sober feeding and dexterity of wit; in making without any instrument of metal things so neat and so fine as a man would scarcely believe…” It would be another two decades before the first successful English settlement, Virginia’s Jamestowne, named for James I of England (son of Mary Queen of Scots), was established in the New World.

Commemorate the 400th anniversary of England’s first permanent settlement at Historic Jamestowne and the Jamestown Settlement — both newly expanded and enhanced for the special commemoration. Curators, historians and archaeologists lead an in-depth explora-tion of the people, sites and events that defined the settlement’s tenuous grasp on life in the New World and its significance in American history.

Pocahontas, daughter of powerful Algonquin Indian Chief Powhatan, played a crucial role in that history. As a child, she struck a friendship with Captain John Smith, and that created a quasi-diplomatic liaison be-tween Powhatan and the English settlers of Jamestown. Pocahontas helped the settlers and Algonquins to trade food and other goods, keeping the English survivors from starvation. Relations between the settlers and the Algonquins were volatile and often tenuous. In 1614, following her baptism as Rebecca, Pocahontas married settler John Rolfe, and bore him a son, Thomas. Peace, relative prosperity and safety for Jamestown ensued, largely attributed to that union. Pocahontas perished in 1617, at age 22, in Eng-land, on her first visit there with her family. Ultimately, the Jamestown settlement became the first successful and permanent English community in the New World.

Begin with an historical overview of Jamestown in 1607 with historian Dave DeSimone. Then dig into history itself at the Jamestown Rediscovery project, and see how recent archaeological finds are reshaping our ideas about the Jamestown era. Examine the colony from the Indian perspective, discuss the Indian-settler conflicts and handle reproductions of colonial-era weaponry, clothing, armor and artifacts. In Colonial Williamsburg, experience a way of life from the Revolutionary War era, including dinner at the King’s Arms Tavern, sip an Apple-Cider Rum Punch, share a savoury or tuck into a Norfolk Pottage Pye.

Day 1 Registration, followed by Welcome and presentation: “Jamestown, 1607: A Historical Overview.” Evening introductions and academic program overview.

Day 2 Presentation: “Archaeology and the Jamestown Rediscovery Project.” An afternoon field trip to historic Jamestowne Island, guided tour of archaeological site. Free Time to explore the island, see the Archaearium, Church, new visitor center, Glasshouse. Enjoy an evening presentation: “A Geological History of Virginia.” Handle fossils and other geological evidence used in this demonstration. Take home the Virginia state fossil, Jeffersonia.

Tour includes: Williamsburg/Jamestown, Va., Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center (5 nights)

5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Activity description: Some walks may be up to five miles over uneven terrain.

Dates of departure: September 30, 2007, April 6, 2008

Rate: $879 — Based on double occupancy, land only


Reaching the New World: Jamestown’s 400-Year Legacy

7 1-877-238-6877 HistoryChannelTraveler.com

Save Our History is a national history education and preservation initiative that

raises awareness and support for preserving local heritage. The History Channel® created

Save Our History to support local history education and historic preservation efforts

in communities across America.

The history of civilization is an unbroken epoch of conflict and courage. Twenty-four centuries ago, 300 spartans battled a Persian army in a Greek mountain pass, not so very different from events of today amid the modern marvels of warfare. Courage is a covenant with the soul, and the same protocols that applied to leonidas at Thermopylae would later apply to Washington at Valley Forge, where the nation was conceived, and to lincoln at Gettysburg, where it was preserved. When americans place their hands on their hearts at the first notes of the national anthem, they salute all heroes who have passed

a universal matrix of courage and personal sacrifice to preserve the land of the free and home of the brave.

“our hearts are

with our heroes.”— Dart Delecroix

Join noted Civil War historians for a special examination of two events that changed the destiny of a nation — John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry and the Battle of Gettysburg. Recount the harrowing raid and explore the firehouse, where the insurgents held out in their final hours.

Based at the historic Gettysburg Hotel, discuss the strategy and details of the three-day battle with military historians, then walk the significant sites at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Special access to the barn on Trostle Farm that was General Sickles’ headquarters, and Lost Avenue on Wolf Hill, provide you rare opportunities. Join us to recall the bravery and tragedy of those three days in 1863.

Day 1 Meet Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, as he delivers his life story and the Gettysburg Address.

Day 2 Enjoy the Visitors Center/Museum and a presentation using the Electric Map. Next a wonderful presentation by Tim Smith on “The Battle of Gettysburg, An Overview.” Visit the sites of the first day of fighting: McPherson Ridge, Eternal Light Peace Memorial and Barlow’s Knoll. Another enlightening presentation on “Harpers Ferry, the Story of John Brown’s Raid, Part 1” with Ed Suplee. This evening, dine in the Historic Dobbin House while enjoying a folk musician and Civil War music with Tom Jolin.

Day 3 Explore the Second Day Battle Site and revisit that day’s fighting. Climb the heights of Little Round Top and see the 20th Maine site. See beautiful monuments dedicated to the soldiers of the southern states as you move along the Confederate Line of Pickett’s Charge. Stop at the Abraham Trostle Farm, one of the larger and more prosperous farms on the battlefield. Special permission has been granted by the Gettysburg National Military Park to visit this farm. Enjoy a presentation on “Harpers Ferry, the Story of John Brown’s Raid, Part 2” with Ed Suplee.

Day 4 Travel to Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, West Virginia, and enjoy Ed Suplee “Harpers Ferry, the Story of John Brown’s Raid, Part 3.” Visit the site of John Brown’s Fort and climb Jefferson’s Rock, where Thomas Jefferson proclaimed Harpers Ferry to be “perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature”.

Day 5 You’re off to The Lost Avenue, Wolf Hill. Seen by special permission on private property, The Lost Avenue is the most pristine area on the Gettysburg National Military Park. This evening enjoy a wine social & hors d’oeuvres, followed by Farewell Dinner.

Day 6 Third Day Battle Site explora-tion includes a walk through Soldiers National Cemetery.

With experts and curators, delve into the Colonial heritage of Annapolis, especially the life of George Washington, who spent many days in this capital. Walk the city’s narrow, picturesque lanes and investigate the Colonial homes rich with stories of our nation’s founding. Join archaeologist Will Mumford, as he discusses his recent dig, unearthing some of the first silver coins made in the United States.

“Honor, Courage, Commitment” — the motto of the United States Naval Academy. Meet with Jim Cheevers, senior curator at the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, as he narrates the inspiring history of

this revered institution. You will view buildings and artifacts that are normally off-limits to the public.

Day 1 Welcome! Meet others during an overview meeting and dinner.

Day 2 17th- and 18th-century historic Annapolis overview with Dorothy Callahan, followed by a trip to the State House, where George Washington resigned his commission. Learn about George Washington, and discover Annapolis with Matt Grubbs. This evening, either William Mumford discusses colonial money, or an optional tavern history with archaeologist’s findings, music and food.

Day 3 Learn about the Naval Academy with USNA Museum curator Jim Cheevers, then tour the USNA yard. Have lunch in the USNA Officers Club. Enjoy a tour of the USNA Artifacts and John Paul Jones Crypt.

Day 4 What did Annapolis look like when George Washington roamed the streets? Then an 18th-century walking tour of the barracks and the waterfront. A Naval Academy speaker from first graduating class of women shares her story.

Day 5 Explore the Chase-Lloyd House– a classical Georgian House. Chase was one of Maryland’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.”

The Battle of Gettysburg: The Spark & the Fire - John Brown’s Raid

Tour includes: Annapolis, Md., Annapolis Bed & Breakfasts (4 nights)


Activity description: Daily walks up to two miles.

Dates of departure: Sept. 16, 2007, March 23, 2008

Rate: $987 — Based on double occupancy, land only


Heroes in Annapolis: George Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy


Tour includes: Gettysburg, Pa., Gettysburg Hotel (5 nights)


Activity description: Daily walks may be up to one mile over uneven terrain.

Dates of departure: October 7, 2007, April 27, 2008



“life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments

that take our breath away.”— George Carlin

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History was made when, on July 4, 1886, the first Canadian Pacific Railway transcon-tinental train arrived “sharp on time” at Port Moody, British Columbia. The concept of a venture as great as a cross-continental train had gotten off to a rocky start, but in the latter part of the 19th century it was realized, its rails blasting across snow-steeped mountains, piercing thick forests, and following rushing rivers — a human feat of determination and engineering that transcended decades of politi-cal controversy. With the driving of the final spike in 1885 at Craigellachie, B.C., the ancient face and landscape of Western Canada was forever altered. Today, the railway’s 14,000-mile network reaches from the western port of Vancouver to Montreal in the east and down into important commercial cities of the United States, like New York City, and Chicago. The railway moved the isolated territories of Canada’s west into the 20th cen-tury, from footpaths to railways, uniting the vast nation. Travelers today can comfortably explore the magnificent history and geologic wonders of the Canadian West, from breathtaking mountain vistas to fossil-troves of ice-fields and glaciers; from fields and craggy peaks trod by Jurassic dinosaurs and First Nations people, to the comfort of a modern train car swiftly traversing the miles, like a great curtain being opened to reveal a panorama of wildlife, flora and fauna.

On this Western Canada adventure, The History Channel Traveler will go where First Nations history and prehistoric heritage meet glacial lakes, monuments of rock, and wild-life of all varieties in this comprehensive study of the Canadian Rockies, from footpath to railway. Beginning in the fossil fields near Calgary, expert guides offer insight into the Jurassic dinosaurs, sandstone formations, conservation efforts and railroad history that define the Canadian Rockies.

Banff’s Lake Louise and numerous ice fields offer opportunities to study the changing environment and indigenous wildlife, while the 100-year-old Jasper National Park serves as the departure point for a journey on the Canadian Pacific Railway to Van-couver. Lectures and hikes introduce biodiversity, glaciers and the human hand that has shaped this wilderness for centuries.

Day 1 Independent arrivals in Calgary, arrive and check into the Sandman Hotel. Program orientation then at leisure.

Day 2 On a field trip to Drumheller and vicinity, you will learn about the prehistoric animals that once roamed this region. A lecture en route, “From Jurassic Park to the Blackfoot Confederacy,” will expand on this period leading to the native Blackfoot settlement. You will explore the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, an internationally recognized museum that contains the world’s largest display of complete dinosaur skeletons. Learn about the amazing dinosaur finds that have been made in this area of Alberta. Discover the collection, preservation, research, display and interpretation of Alberta’s rich fossil heritage. Drumheller Valley is best known for its diverse and beautiful topography, made up of badlands, canyons and coulees. Alberta was once an oceanfront, tropical paradise for prehistoric animals, and their story is written in

the sedimentary layers of the Badlands. Depart for hotel. On-board discussion, “The Canadian Pacific Railway and the Settlement of Southern Alberta.”

Day 3 Depart for Banff. Take a field trip up Sulphur Mountain in a four-passenger, glass-enclosed gondola (weather permitting).

Day 4 Visit Johnston’s Canyon. At the Bow Valley Parkway, study the biodiversity, forest ecology and outstanding geological and ecological features of this area. Hike the shoreline of Lake Louise.

Day 5 En route to Jasper, a local guide discusses “Glaciers of the Icefields Parkway.” Discover the flora and fauna of this mountainous region and visit Emerald Lake, the Columbia Icefields and the Athabasca Glacier, where you travel to the middle of the glacier on all-terrain Ice Explorers. Arrival and orientation in Jasper.

Day 6 Depart for a field trip in the nearby area, stop at Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake and explore Maligne Canyon (weather permitting). A local guide discusses “Celebrating Jasper’s Centennial as a Protected Land-scape”. Visit the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives followed by time at leisure.

Day 7 Depart for the train station and board the Rocky Mountaineer, Red Leaf Service, bound for Kamloops. Discussions en route cover “Jasper to Kamloops on the Canadian Pacific Railway.” Arrival in Kamloops. Musical revue “Tales from the Rails.”

Day 8 Depart for train station and board the Rocky Mountaineer bound for Vancouver. Discussions cover “The Rocky Mountain Crossing of the Canadian Pacific Route.”

Day 9 A local historian discusses “Vancouver: From Frontier Town to Major City.” Visit the Museum of Anthropology. Explore one of the world’s most impressive collections of Pacific Northwest Aboriginal artifacts. Explore Vancouver and Stanley Park.

Day 10 Check out.

Tour includes: Calgary, Alberta, Sandman Hotel (2 nights), Banff, Alberta, Irwin’s Mountain Inn (2 nights), Jasper, Alberta, Amethyst Lodge (2 nights), Kamloops, British Columbia, Provided upon arrival (1 night), Vancouver, British Columbia, Best Western Sands by the Sea (2 nights)


Activity description: Walks may be up to one mile per day.

Dates and rates of departure: August 31, 2007$3,099 — Based on double occupancy, land onlyMay 23, 2008$2,899 — Based on double occupancy, land only


Western Canada: Footpaths to Railways


The forested plateaus and deep gorges of the vast copper-laced rock canyons near Chihuahua, Mexico present a paradox of an ancient paradise. The twisted maze of treacherous rock beckons the unwary with a siren’s call. The wind’s echo

sings and travels, climbing over and around promontories, whistling through fissures and gorges, swirling upward to kiss the clouds and chase them along. This wildly beautiful, yet treacherous Canyon is home to the Tarahumara aboriginal indians who have dwelled in and on these rocks since time out of mind. eschewing modern life, they are a hardy people

adapted to the rare and beautiful ecosystem of the Copper Canyon, which surrounds them and governs their lives.

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

— Hilaire Belloc

Join naturalists and local experts for one of the world’s great journeys — a ride on the Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad through the breathtaking Copper Canyon. Beginning in Tucson, with an overview of the fascinating natural history of Copper Canyon, fly to the town that began as an American Utopia, Los Mochis. Explore this expatriate colony and delve into its production of sugar cane and nearby silver mining.

Board Chepe in El Fuerte, then stop in the mission town of Cerocahui before expe-riencing the Tarahumara way of life on an expert-led walk to the caves they inhabit. Meet members of this ancient peoples, who are renowned for their long-distance running and colorful dress. Meet Tarahumara children in their school, and spend a night in a Paquime earth-style family-run hotel.

Day 1 Welcome to Mexico and the La Posada Lodge & Casitas! Meet others during an overview meeting and dinner.

Day 2 Fly to Los Mochis, a town that began as an “American Utopia,” an agricultural paradise. Enjoy dinner in Los Mochis, famous for its seafood.

Day 3 Presentation by a local expert on the history of the railroad, and description of the train ride for the next two days. Guided walking tour of El Fuerte’s historical build-ings. Explore a native Mayo Indian village; interact with the people and make tortillas, and learn the steps of their traditional dances.

Day 4 Board the morning train in El Fuerte for “the ride in the sky.” The Chihuahua-Pacifico railroad line is a major engineering feat, passing through 85 tunnels and over 37 bridges. Disembark at Bahuichivo, to Cerocahui, a Tarahumara Mission town. Explore Cerro Gallego enjoying one of the most breathtaking views in the Sierra Tarahumara. Approximately 50,000 Tarahumaras living throughout the Copper Canyon. The women in their colorful dresses can be seen in many places.

Day 5 Board the train to Divisadero. On arrival in Divisadero, delight in a colorful array of dresses and crafts. Meet to enjoy a documentary on the Tarahumara people and for a demonstration by Tarahumara women, who make their famous baskets using pine needles and sotol (bushspoon) leaves, while watching the sun set in the canyon. Try your hand at making your own basket.

Day 6 Local Tarahumara people demonstrate their traditional ball game. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or enjoy guided walks along the rim of the canyon.

Day 7 Travel by road to Creel, a cozy lumber town nestled in the mountains of the Sierra Tarahumara. Visit San Ignacio Mission and a public school, and learn about the education methods used for its bilingual Tarahumara students. Experience the Tarahumara way of living by visiting one of their cave dwellings and their newer homes made of logs. Drive by Lake Arareko, which inspires tranquility. Walk to Cusarare Falls, the widest of the area with a drop of 100 feet, and stop at Cusarare Mission. Visit a Tarahumara clinic in Creel to learn about the services provided and their health system.

Day 8 Drive to Basaseachic “the place of the cascade” National Park in Condamena Canyon, described as one of the most spectacular canyons in the hemisphere. The steep walls of the canyon give way to many waterfalls, including the famous Basaseachi Falls with 806 feet of freefall. Enjoy hikes to view the canyon and waterfalls from different angles. This evening, enjoy your remote, small family run log cabins. The owners and local people throw a fiesta for us, with folk dances presented by the children.

Day 9 Today you will travel to the capital of the state, Ciudad Chihuahua. Witness the complex history and rigid lifestyle of the Mennonite Colony. Visit a queseria (cheese factory). Lunch is in the home of a local family, enjoy a buffet of homemade breads, cheeses and jams. Tonight enjoy a talk about Chihuahua in the history of Mexico.

Day 10 This exciting day is dedicated to exploring the city of Chihuahua and its many historical monuments. The city tour includes a visit to the government buildings with murals of the revolution, the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, Pancho Villa’s home, now a museum, Benito Juarez’ home and museum, Hidalgo’s prison, and an impres-sive art deco villa. Visit one of Mexico’s most important mining centers with sites still active today. Experience the life of a miner, have lunch in a family restaurant of a mining complex. Visit a home, the entrance to a mine and the foundry.

Day 11 Drive north to Casas Grandes. Learn about Mogollon culture then explore a Paquime Archaeological Site, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paquime was an architecturally advanced adobe city, the center of the Mogollon culture, believed to be the link between the Pueblo cultures of North America and Mesoamerica. Spend tonight in a Paquime earth-style posada (small family hotel).

Day 12 Begin the day with an exploration of the town of Mata Ortiz, where local ranchers recently revived the ancient Paquime methods of pottery making. Visit pot-ters in their homes, including the home of famous resident Juan Quezada. See them creating their masterpieces, now reaching world fame. Join a hands-on pottery-mak-ing demonstration. Visit an old hacienda and a Mormon colony and participate in a discussion about the Mormon community.

Day 13 Drive to Tucson and enjoy lunch in historic Gadsden Hotel. Visit Tombstone, a well-known ghost town.

Day 14 Depart for home with memories of Mexico’s treasured Copper Canyon.

Tour includes: Tucson, Ariz., La Posada Lodge & Casitas (1 night), El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico, Hotel La Choza (2 nights), Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico, Hotel Mision Cerocahui (1 night), Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico, Hotel Divisadero Barrancas (2 nights), Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico, Lodge at Creel (1 night), Basaseachi, Chihuahua, Mexico, Cabanas Rincon de Basaseachi (1 night), Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, Quality Inn Chihuahua San Francisco (2 nights), Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, Posada Guacamaya (2 nights), Tucson, La Posada Lodge & Casitas (1 night)


Activity description: This is an active program with walks and moderate hikes.

Dates of departure: September 22, 2007, September 25, 2007

Rate: $2,999 — Based on double occupancy, land only(Includes airfare and all transportation from Tucson to Los Mochis)


Copper Canyon and the Tarahumara: Living in the Sky


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Astronomical Exploration: Mars and Space Missions

Tour includes: Flagstaff, Ariz., La Quinta Inn & Suites (5 nights)


Activity description: Daily walks up to 2 miles over uneven terrain.

Dates and rates of departure: October 28, 2007 — $869 — Based on double occupancy, land only March 30, 2008 — $869 — Based on double occupancy, land only


Some fifty-thousand years ago, woolly mammoths, giant sloths and camels ambled in the woodlands and across the open grasslands of the Colorado Plateau, when a giant meteorite from space, hurtling earthward at nearly 30,000 mph, slammed into their peaceful habitat, near what is now Winslow, Arizona. Today, the meteorite impact crater of that prehistoric blast is a training ground for astronauts and man-made instruments poised to blast off and probe the outer limits of space, from Mars to unknown stars.

Day 1 On-site registration from 4-5 p.m. After dinner, introductions and orientation in the hotel conference room.

Day 2 After breakfast, shuttle or walk to NAU for the morning presentation on “Our Place in the Universe.” An afternoon presentation on Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, Mars and the Rovers, or other topic of interest. After dinner, shuttle to the NAU Observatory for star party/sky viewing on six 10-inch reflector telescopes with an NAU astronomer.

Day 3 Shuttle or walk to meeting room on campus for a presentation on the rocky “Inner Planets.” Head to Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory for an afternoon history tour. See and discuss the Alvan Clark telescope that Percival Lowell used to search for life on Mars; the Pluto Discovery Telescope, and the Rotunda Exhibit Hall. Established in 1894, Lowell continues to be at the forefront of research, including the continuing search and discovery of numerous near-Earth asteroids, comets, Kuiper Belt Objects and extra-solar planets. After dinner, it’s back to Lowell Observatory to see a multi-media presentation and, weather cooperating, look through Percival Lowell’s 24-inch Clark Telescope.

Day 4 This morning shuttle or walk to campus meeting room for a presentation on the gassy “Outer Planets” and their “Geologically Active Moons.” Take the rest of the day explore local culture and fare.

Day 5 Travel with Dr. Nadine Barlow to Meteor Crater, the best-preserved meteorite impact site with an adjacent museum. The crater was used as a training mission for Apollo astronauts. The Interactive Learning Center has exhibits that explore every aspect of meteors and their encounters with the earth. Explore the Naval Prototype Optical Interferometer. Optical interferometers combine the light from several indepen-dent telescopes to form a “synthetic” telescope whose ability to make a high-resolution image is proportional to the maximum separation of the telescopes. This evening learn about Archeo-Astronomy: what did the ancestral-Puebloan Indians know and how do we know that they knew it? Or, on Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition: what communities can do to preserve the night sky.

Day 6 This morning enjoy a presentation and discussion focuses on NASA, its space station and the future of humans in space. Program ends after morning lecture.

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Intelligence expert sans pareil Nigel West delves into the intriguing world of Cold War espionage. Join him and discover the truth behind the work of intelligence agents at the MI5, CIA and KGB, as well as the role of “sleeper agents,” the secret VENONA project and the race for atomic power.

Walk in the footsteps of the infamous “Cambridge Five” through the campus of Cam-bridge University and King’s College, and recount their exploits. Visit the Defense Intel-ligence Museum at Chicksands — the listening post that intercepted Axis radio traffic and encoded messages during World War II. Meet the curatorial staff at the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum, and hear insider accounts and chilling details of the clandestine world within the Cold War.

Day 1 Depart U.S.

Day 2 At leisure until an orientation walk at 4 p.m., followed by a welcome meeting with Nigel West, course director.

Day 3 Enjoy a presentation by Nigel West: “Cambridge Spies — The Significance of the Five” and “Kim Philby: Synonym for Betrayal.” Venture through the “Cambridge Spy Walk,” including Trinity College, King’s College and Chapel. This evening view the “Film Show BBC Cambridge Spies, Parts 1 and 2.”

Day 4 Enjoy a presentation by Nigel West on “The Great Illegals: NKVD and The Penetration of the British Establishment.” Have lunch and take a customized tour of the Intelligence Corps Museum, Chicksands, with special access to documents not seen by the general public. The Intelligence Corps Museum, the Medmenham Collec-tion of air photography, the USAF at Chicksands and Y service rooms together form the Military Intelligence Museum at Chicksands. Return via Hinxton and Tempsford Airfield. Film show BBC Cambridge Spies, Parts 3 and 4.

Day 5 Your chance to explore local fare and enjoy your leisure time.

Day 6 Transfer to London. After check-in, coach to Mayfair for a Spy Walk.

Day 7 Enjoy a presentation by Nigel West on: “VENONA: The Greatest Secret of the Cold War.” Meet the curatorial staff at the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum, and explore the collection.

Day 8 Listen to a panel discussion on “Intelligence from the Cold War to Today” with Nigel West and Glenmore Trenear-Harvey. At leisure before a farewell meeting .

Day 9 Transfers to airports for return flights to the U.S.

MI5 and the Cold War: An Insider’s Guide

Tour includes: Overnight flight, Cambridge, England, Crowne Plaza (4 nights), London, Royal, Horseguards Thistle (3 nights)


Activity description: Daily walks are up to two miles.

Dates of departure: March 18, 2008, May 6, 2008



1-877-238-6877 HistoryChannelTraveler.com

on the 6th of June, 1944, five thousand ships and landing craft crept out of the first gray light at sea off the normandy coast. it was, and remains, the largest seaborne invasion in history. The struggle to take the cliffs and

beaches was a crucible of courage, terror, resolve and sacrifice. The price of that day could be counted afterward in rows of white crosses on the green headlands, and in gold stars hung in the windows of homes across the republic.

The stillness of the scene today is painful and poignant. The glory is eternal.

“Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts.”

— Edward R. Murrow

Utah Beach. Omaha Beach. Ste. Mere l’Eglise. These are the places where the Allied forces gained a bloody foothold on Nazi-occupied France on D-Day. The earsplitting boom of shore batteries and naval fire, the mortar explosions and rattle of small arms fire, turned the sandy strip of coastline into a killing zone. The blood and iron of the conflict left thousands of bodies of young Americans strewn on the beach, or floating face down in the bloody shallows. While based in Bayeux — the first French town liberated during the invasion — and with experts from the D-Day Academy, examine these places and the battles that raged for 11 weeks. Go beyond viewing reenactments and experience history by utilizing period-style transportation, and handling original clothing and equipment.

Take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery, explore the in-credible collection of the D-Day Museum, and learn about the Ranger assault at Pointe du Hoc. Enjoy opportunities for independent explorations of historic Bayeux and its famed tapestry, its colorful market and the unforgettable UNESCO World Heritage site, breathtaking Mont Saint Michel, as well as Le Memorial de Caen,

Rouen’s Cathedral Notre Dame, and let peace wash over you in the beautiful gardens of Monet’s beloved Giverny.

Day 1 Overnight flight to France.

Day 2 Arrive in Paris and coach to Bayeux. Program orientation.

Day 3 A presentation entitled ”D-Day Then and Now,” followed by a walking excursion through Bayeux.

Day 4 A World War II expert takes you along the British and Canadian sector of the D-Day operation, Ranville British Airborne Cemetery, Sword Beach and Gold Beach. The World War II expert leads an exploration of the Arromanches D-Day Museum, explaining the importance and creation of the “Mulberry Harbours” and the stubborn German Battery at Longues sur Mer. A walking excursion to the lit monuments in Bayeux.

Day 5 World War II period vehicles transport you to the American Beaches. An expert from the D-Day Academy leads you through the American landing on Omaha Beach. A wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Normandy American Military Cemetery. A discussion precedes a visit to Pointe du Hoc. Learn about “Calvados and Cheese, Normandy’s Pride” at Chateau d’Englesqueville.

Day 6 An excursion to Mont St. Michel, a special pilgrimage place some call “le Mont,” one of the most famous UNESCO world heritage sites. A local illuminates Mont St. Michel’s Abbey and the surrounding village.

Day 7 Your World War II expert leads an on-site discussion of the operations in Ste. Mere l’Eglise. Visit the Airborne Museum and the church. We will walk out onto Utah Beach to learn more about this impressive site, then we’ll travel by coach out to the bridge known as Saving Private Ryan Bridge and then visit the German Cemetery.

Day 8 Explore the city of Caen followed by a brief introduction to the Caen Memorial — “A Museum for Peace.”

Day 9 Depart for Rouen and the Notre Dame Cathedral made famous by Monet’s paintings. Visit Giverny and the gardens that inspired Claude Monet’s work.

Day 10 Shuttle bus for independent departures to the U.S.

Tour includes: Bayeux, France, Hotel Le Lion d’Or (7 nights), Paris CDG Airport Hotel, France, Kyriad Prestige Hotel (1 night)


Activity description: Walks may be up to 11⁄2 miles at a time, climbing uneven stairs without railings.

Dates of departure: October 13, 2007, May 3, 2008



D-Day and the Liberation of Europe


In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row. . .

We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow. . .

Take up our quarrel with the foe;To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high. . . John McCrae (Written in honor of war dead from World War 1)

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift

is nothing without the work.”— Emile Zola

In no other literature does landscape come alive so vibrantly as in British novels of the 18th and 19th centuries. The grimy shine of cobbled streets in working slums are as much a part of Dickens’ London as a windswept moor is a part of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex Heath. Blend these stark images into the scenes of English country life evoked so pristinely by Jane Austen, and what emerges is a landscape of time and place unique to the British soul.

Join literary scholars for an in-depth look at these authors, while visiting the places where they lived and worked. From the London of Dickens, journey south to Dorchester (Hardy’s Casterbridge) to visit sites in and around the market town, including Max Gate — the Victorian villa the novelist himself designed. Later, enjoy three coach trips into the world of Jane Austen — Lyme Regis on the coast, the Roman spa town of Bath, and Canterbury. On the final leg of the tour, revisit Dickens during a field trip to the seaside town of Broadstairs. These are only some of the highlights of a unique jour-ney into the creative imaginations of three of England’s greatest novelists.

Day 1 Overnight flight to U.K.

Day 2 Arrive in London. At leisure until the welcome meeting at 5 p.m. Introductory presentation on Victo-rian London with Professor Malcolm Andrews.

Day 3 Discussion with Professor Malcolm Andrews on the London of Dickens. At leisure before a field trip by coach to Fleet Street and Temple. Private exploration of the Charles Dickens Museum, Doughty Street, where we will join the curator for a glass of wine and a talk on Dickens.

Day 4 Coach transfer to Dorchester via Winchester. Learn about Jane Austen’s life on a guided exploration of Winchester Cathedral. Enjoy lunch in Winchester Cathedral Refectory. The transfer continues. Welcome to Dorchester meeting with Professor Michael Irwin.

Day 5 Attend a presentation by Professor Michael Irwin: “Thomas Hardy: The Man and His Work,” followed by a Dorchester/Casterbridge walk, including Hangman’s Cottage, the Roman Townhouse, Colliton House, Borough Gardens and Hick’s office in South Street where Hardy trained as an architect. Field trip to the Dorset County Museum and the Writer’s Dorset exhibition with a re-creation of Hardy’s study. Introduction to the film “Tess” and film viewing.

Day 6 Field trip to Max Gate and a seminar on Hardy’s works. After lunch, enjoy another field trip to the National Trust cottage, Hardy’s birthplace at Higher Bock-hampton and Egdon Heath as depicted in “The Return of the Native,” followed by a drive through the Vale of the Great Dairies to St Michael’s Church at Stinsford, where Hardy’s heart is buried. Continue to Athelhampton House and Gardens.

Day 7 Field trip by coach to Sturminster Newton, to Riverside where Hardy wrote “The Return of the Native,” then on to Marnhull to take in Tess’ cottage, The Dew Drop Inn and the church. The field trip continues to East Stour Rectory, where

Henry Fielding was brought up and wrote “Tom Jones,” and to the hill town of Shaftesbury, Jude the Obscure land, Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis.

Day 8 Field trip to the seaside town of Lyme Regis depicted in Jane Austen’s “Per-suasion” and the famous Cobb from John Fowles’ “French Lieutenant’s Woman.” A field trip by coach takes us along the World Heritage Site of The Jurassic Coast to Chesil Beach, renowned for its fossils, and to the Hardy Monument.

Day 9 Transfer by coach to Bath. Field trip: Jane Austen’s Bath walking tour including 1 Royal Crescent, known as the most majestic street in Britain. A walking

field trip to the Assembly Rooms — the ballroom, the Tea or Concert Room, the Octagon Room and Card Room — Museum of Costume and the Jane Austen Centre and exhibition in Gay Street. Enjoy afternoon tea at the Regency Tea Rooms.

Day 10 Coach transfer to Canterbury via Jane Austen’s home at Chawton House, Library and Study Centre. The transfer continues. Check-in and welcome meeting before dinner. An orientation walk in this famous city.

Day 11 A lecture on Literary Kent by Professor Mal-colm Andrews before we journey to Dickens’ Rochester, St. James Church at Cooling and Dickens’ former home at Gadshill. The field trip continues with a walk around Rochester in the footsteps of Dickens, passing Restora-tion House. Malcolm Andrews delivers his renowned “Dickens — The Public Readings.”

Day 12 Field trip to the seaside town of Broadstairs and the Dickens House Museum. Return via a private

visit to Goodnestone Park Garden, where owner Lady FitzWalter will greet us. Farewell meeting and reception with Malcolm Andrews and Michael Irwin.

Day 13 Departures

Tour includes: London, City Inn Westminster (2 nights), Dorchester, Kings Arms (5 nights), Bath, Menzies, Waterside Hotel (1 night), Canterbury, Abode Hotel (3 nights)


Activity description: Walks may be up to two miles.

Dates of departure: Sept. 19, 2007, April 23, 2008



British Novels and Landscapes: A Sense of Place


Rome is a city of ancient echoes. One cannot stand beside the massive shell of the Colosseum and not hear the ghostly roar of Roman crowds. Yet, foremost, it is a vi-sual city where the splendor of its past survives in the architectural treasures willed to it by the centuries. At night, its beauty is spellbinding, as brightly lit fountains speak to its history. The glory of Rome is truly eternal.

While staying in the heart of its ancient corner, peel back the many layers of Ro-man history, from the Imperial Age to the present. With an architectural historian, examine the church of San Clemente — one of Rome’s hidden jewels. Learn how this 12th-century church was built upon a 4th-century church, which was built upon a 1st-century Roman apartment building and temple.

Experience Rome by night with a walk to the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon — the best-preserved of all Roman buildings. Gain an understanding of the last-ing impact of the Baroque era, then visit some of Rome’s great Baroque churches, including Sant ‘Ignazio and Santa Maria della Vittoria. A presentation on the his-tory and extensive collections of the Vatican lays a foundation for a memorable exploration of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Day 1 Depart U.S.

Day 2 An informal gathering followed by a short walk.

Day 3 Presenter sets the stage for your exploration of ancient Rome, introducing both the mythology and history of Rome, which intersect in a most fascinating way. On-site visit to a collection of ancient Roman statues in a recently renovated modern structure.

Day 4 Guided visit to the sites of ancient Rome in the center of the modern city. A guided visit to one of Rome’s most fascinating structures. San Clemente is a 12th-century church built on top of a 4th-century church built on top of a 1st-century Roman apartment building and temple dedicated to the god Mithras. Enjoy peeling back each layer of this archeological modern marvel that epitomizes Rome.

Day 5 A classroom introduction to Vatican City with particular emphasis on the museum and its impressive collections. Rome takes on a completely different character in the evening as the buildings and fountains are beautifully illuminated. After dinner we will walk to some of the more impressive sites and take in Roman “night life.”

Day 6 Guided visit of the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s mas-terpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Continue on to Saint Peter’s to experience its vast spaces and symmetry. Marvel at the baroque canopy by Bernini and Michelangelo, over the altar where popes have celebrated mass for 500 years. Presentation: “Baroque Art.” Examine the influence of Papal patronage in the 17th century that redesigned the streets and monuments of the city and commissioned the stupendous works of Bernini, Borromini, Caravaggio and Pietro da Cortona.

Day 7 Relish a hidden itinerary to many of Rome’s lesser-known works of art and architecture, including the churches of San Luigi dei Francesi, San Carlino and Saint Ignatius. Also included in the walk is a stop at Piazza Navona. Study issues such as healthcare, religion, education and women’s issues in an Italy that continues to undergo rapid economic and societal changes.

Day 8 Venture high on the hill above Hadrian’s Villa to Tivoli, where the Renaissance Villa D’Este displays an amazing design of gardens and fountains. Explore Hadrian’s Villa, the impressive summer residence of the emperor.

Day 9 A visit to the famous Villa Borghese and extraordinary art collection housed in the Gallery.

Day 10 Coach to Rome Airport.

Treasures of Rome: The Soul of Western Civilization

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Tour includes: Rome, Hotel Santa Chiara (8 nights)



Dates of departure: October 11, 2007, April 3, 2008




Since the days of the Roman Empire, the fates and faiths of two ancient and proud cultures, Greece and neighboring Turkey, have been intertwined. Present-day Ephesus in Turkey boasts one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, Grecian Goddess of the moon and the hunt, twin sister to Apollo. Though tenuous truces and sporadic wars have persisted through the ages, their respective citizens have persevered. Recently, when earthquakes in both na-tions occurred, the citizens of both countries reached across borders to help one another, resulting in friendly relations once again between the two countries.

Ancient and modern worlds unite in this unique journey through Greece and Turkey to trace the exceptional artistic, architectural, intellectual and political legacies of these nations. Scholars and local guides offer insight into the Parthenon’s Porch of Maidens and Istanbul’s Underground Cisterns, as well as Byzantine art, Ottoman Palaces and the region of Argolis and Mycenae.

Excursions to Ephesus, the magnificent ancient city with its newly restored Terrace Houses, as well as to the Temple of Poseidon perched on an Aegean cliff, create a foundation for understanding modern Greece and Turkey — from economics to architecture. Visits to busy bazaars touch the pulse of modern life, while private concerts, intimate presentations and local cuisine inspire a deeper experience of these dynamic nations.

Day 1 Depart U.S.

Day 2 Check-in and orientation.

Day 3 Presentation, followed by a field trip to the Acropolis, various markets, and significant historical and archaeological monuments.

Day 4 Explore the island of Pelop after crossing the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal. The field trip will include the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs and the Treasury of Atreus. Continue on to Nauplion, the country’s first capital after the War of Independence. Return to Athens.

Day 5 Field trip to Cape Sounion to explore the Temple of Poseidon. Return to Athens.

Day 6 Fly to Istanbul and connect to Izmir flight. Arrive in Izmir, transfer to Kusadasi followed by an orientation excursion of Ephesus. Visit the local farmer’s market in Selcuk. Attend a presentation on Ephesus.

Day 7 Full-day field trip of Ephesus. Explore the Museum of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, the House of Virgin Mary and the Church of St. John. Dinner tonight in Ephesus, accompanied by a string quartet from the State Symphony Orchestra.

Day 8 Fly to Istanbul, transfer to hotel. Field trip to the Topkapi Palace, then a cruise on the Bosphorus for an orientation to the city, its palaces and its mansions.

Day 9 Start the day with a discussion of Byzantine art and architecture. Explore Hagia Sophia. Examine the Church of Chora-Kariye Museum and the Underground Cisterns. Enjoy a private concert of Turkish classical music at the hotel.

Day 10 Field trip to the Dolmabahce Palace and Istiklal Street, then on to the magnificent small mosque of Rustem Pasha, the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar.

Day 11 Departures

Tour includes: Overnight Flight, Athens, Greece, Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis (4 nights), Kusadasi, Turkey, Korumar Hotel (2 nights), Istanbul, Turkey, Marmara Pera (3 nights)


Activity description: Some walks may be along uneven terrain.

Dates and rates of departure: September 17, 2007$4,599 — Based on double occupancy, land onlyApril 28, 2008$4,499 — Based on double occupancy, land only


Greece and Turkey: Superpowers of the Ancient World


Tour includes: Delphi, Greece, Hotel Amalia (2 nights)

Dates and rates: September 15, 2007 — $899 April 26, 2008 — $989


Want to begin your Greek adventure at Delphi, the center of the ancient Greek universe and location of the famous Oracle?

ExTENSION: Delphi the Meeting of Heaven and Earth

From technology to poetry, World War I was the transformative event of the early 20th century and the modern world. Alongside historians and other experts, ex-amine the momentous transition from a War of Armies to a War of Nations, and consider the political, philosophical, artistic and technological consequences of the War to End All Wars.

Interviews, explorations and in-depth presentations deconstruct the propaganda used to influence civilians, trace the development of air and sea war technology, and highlight the human experience through poetry and paintings. Explore battle-fields at Verdun and Cambrai and additional sites in Ieper and Peronne, including the Great War Museum and Flanders Field.

Day 1 Depart U.S.

Day 2 Check into your hotel and relax before meeting your Study Leader and other program participants at orientation. Enjoy a brief walk around Ieper before dinner to get to know the area.

Day 3 Attend two morning presentations: “The European Crisis: Europe 1870–1914” and “Countdown to the War to End All Wars.” Discover Ieper with a guided excursion through the town and to its main monuments. Visit Menin Gate Memorial, St. George’s Anglican Church and the “In Flander’s Field” Museum.

Day 4 Attend two morning discussions: “The War at a Glance: Air, Land and Sea” and “The Western Front: From The Channel to Verdun.” Travel by coach to the Flander’s Field American Cemetery and Memorial and the Essex farm where John McRae wrote “In Flander’s Field.” Excursion theme: “Exploring the Battles and Battlefields: Remembering World War I’s Soldiers.” Share in an evening of poetry readings from World War I.

Day 5 Develop the ”Exploring the Battles and Battlefields” theme with a presentation entitled “The First Battle of Ypres, October and November 1914.” Explore Hooge Crater. Observe the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Day 6 Attend a presentation en route to Cambrai: “America to the Rescue: Consequences of American Involvement in World War I.” In Cambrai, meet Deborah, the World War I tank unearthed in 1998, and speak with the historian who unearthed it. Travel to Peronnne Castle to visit the World War I Museum and explore the parallel histories of France, Germany and Great Britain.

Day 7 Learn about the techniques and tactics of the five-month Battle of the Somme. Field trip to explore the Somme firsthand. Take part in a World War I sing-along.

Day 8 Continue your course of study with “Exploring the Battles and the Battle-fields: Belleau Wood.” Discover the Belleau Wood Memorial, and attend a poetry reading at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery. “Exploring the Battles and the Battlefields: Battle of the Marne.” Observe a wreath-laying ceremony at Oise-Aisne Cemetery, then continue to Reims for hotel check-in and a brief site orientation. Enjoy dinner in the hotel, overlooking the city and Reims Cathedral.

Day 9 Explore Reims and its Notre Dame Cathedral, with a discussion of the war’s impact on this city.

Day 10 Study Verdun with field trips to Victory Memorial, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Underground Citadel. A presentation at Fort Douaumont details its French fortification system. Discussion of the Right Bank of the Meuse, with exploratory visits to several important sites including Douamont Ossuary, Verdun Memorial and Museum, Bayonet Trench and Fleury Memorial.

Day 11 Travel to Compiegne to discuss the signing of the Armistice and draw closure on your exploration of World War I. Enjoy free time in Soissons.

Day 12 Morning departures.

Tour includes: Overnight Flight, Ieper, Belgium, Hotel Ariane (4 nights), Cambrai, France, Hotel Beatus (2 nights), Reims, France, Garden Court Holiday Inn (3 nights), Paris, Kyriad Prestige CDG (1 night)


Activity description: Walks may be up to 11⁄2 miles at a time.

Dates and rates of departure: September 23, 2007$3,799 — Based on double occupancy, land onlyMay 11, 2008$3,699 — Based on double occupancy, land only


People, Places and Poetry of the Great War

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A monument to the birth of urban planning, transforming fetid alleyways into wide, tree-lined boulevards and teeming slums into circular grand plazas, the thumbprint of the Napoleonic Age on the landscape of Paris is indelible. Sweeping vistas from “Cleopatra’s Needle” to the Romanesque Arc de Triomphe stitched the ancient city’s Medieval heart seamlessly into its new corpus. Under the aegis of Napoleon III and Baron Hausmann, the clinging darkness of the Middle Ages would emerge as “The City of Light,” the architectural marvel that still pulsates with inextinguish-able vigor and life.

Join Napoleonic scholars in this in-depth exploration of the complex and compel-ling world of the Emperors Napoleon, from the impressive, cruel reign of Bonaparte through to Napoleon III, his nephew, who ascended to governance in 1848, and began the amazing transformations of the Second Empire.

Examine their conquests, achievements, and defeats with a deep peek into the public and private life of Napoleon I. From the suburban castle of Malmaison where he lived with Josephine, to his defeat at Waterloo, follow the progression of the Napoleonic mystique, as reflected in the enormous paintings Napoleon com-missioned from artist Jacques-Louis David.

Walk the boulevards to the Tuileries Gardens Napoleon III beautified, and enjoy the architectural beauty of the Garnier Opera House he commissioned. Excursions to Fontainbleau and the family retreat, Chateau de Compiègne, inspire lively debate on the nature of Napoleonic power.

Day 1 Overnight in transit.

Day 2 Group transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to hotel in Paris.

Day 3 Today’s theme is “How did Bonaparte become Napoleon I.” Field trip to the French Military Academy (exterior only); continue on foot on the left bank of the Seine. Afternoon, “The brilliant General.” Field trip by coach to observe the influence of Egypt on Paris architecture.

Day 4 Today’s theme is “Napoleon Bonaparte, conqueror of Europe.” Field trip by coach to the castle of Malmaison. Field trip continues to the church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul and the tombs of Josephine and her daughters; continue to the castle and museum of Bois Préau near Malmaison Castle.

Day 5 Enjoy free time in Paris. Field trip by coach to Fontainebleau Castle/ Napoleon museum. This evening attend a classical music concert.

Day 6 Field trip by metro to the Invalides: Napoleon’s tomb and the Army mu-seum; Study continues with “Napoleon’s success, exiles and biggest defeats.” Field trip by metro to Place de l’Etoile, to the triumphal Arch. Dinner with enthusiastic members of associations dedicated to Napoleon and the two empires.

Day 7 Departure by coach to Compiègne; arrival at hotel. This afternoon “Louis-Na-poleon” and the 2nd Empire.” Departure to the Chateau de Compiègne; field trip to the historical apartments of the castle: 18th-century, 1st and 2nd Empires; field trip to the castle’s Musée de l’impératrice; field trip to the castle’s second empire Museum.

Day 8 Free time in Compiègne. Optional visit to the Museum of historical figu-rines. Departure by coach back to Paris; arrival at hotel. Excursion by Metro to the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero and Chaillot Palace.

Day 9 Today’s theme is “Napoleon III and the Creation of modern Paris with Baron Haussmann.” Field trip by metro to the Ile de la Cité, including Notre Dame Cathedral, to observe the contrast between the Haussmann parts and the remaining 16th-century streets. Field trip to the Madeleine Church; continues to the Opera quarter, Haussmann boulevard, Place Vendome and its column; free time or optional visit to the Garnier Opera Palace.

Day 10 Enjoy the morning exploring the area and have lunch on your own exploring local fare in the Marais quarter. Optional visits to Victor Hugo’s house and the Carnavalet Museum. Have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Day 11 Transfer by coach from hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

The Napoleonic Age: From Bonaparte to Louis


Tour includes: Paris, France, Hotel Villa Modigliani (5 nights), Compiègne, France, Hôtel Best Western les Beaux Arts (1 night), Paris, France, Hotel Villa Modigliani (3 nights)


Activity description: Extensive use of Paris Métro (subway system), limited elevator access and frequent use of stairs. Walks may be up to 2-3 miles per day.

Dates and rates of departure: August 26, 2007 — $2,999 — Based on double occupancy, land onlyApril 6, 2008 — $2,949 — Based on double occupancy, land only


along the green sweep of the rhine Valley, feudal castles still keep watch from rocky heights as the river flows through Germany’s heart to the north sea. They have seen history unfold across a thousand years, heard the clash of swords and lances in Teutonic times, watched the fortunes of fools, and the fall of kings. Buried in the craggy ruins of rock

and mortar are the secrets of centuries past, whispered now to the wind from empty chambers once alive with medieval pageantry. The battlements, soaring against blue rhineland skies, still smile down on towering gothic wonders

from Cologne to heidelberg. history was never wrapped in a more lovely setting.

“Civilization is a movement and not a condition, a voyage and not a harbor.”

— Arnold J. Toynbee

If the cathedrals and castles of the Rhineland are monuments to medieval Germa-ny, the river itself is a vital artery to the landscape. Since the era of Charlemagne, it has been a vehicle for culture and commerce, enduring the ravages of war, and serving prosperity in times of peace. Richard Wagner celebrated its ancient folklore in his operatic cycle, The Ring of the Nibelungs, and it is easy to feel that mystical connection when spangles of sunlight dance on the water, or at night when the river runs through a spill of moonlight. By bus or boat, enjoy stunning views of the steep banks, pristine forests, and vineyards clinging to terraced hillsides. Experience the rural character of the area in the red-tiled roofs of houses crowding down on each other in towns nestled along the banks. Finally, see why the lovely Rhine is a living link to the past and future.

From Cologne — “the city of dreams”— journey up the Rhine River Valley as far as Heidelberg, exploring the castles, cathedrals and remnants of the Middle Ages along the way. Experts lead discussions on the role of Charlemagne, the crusades and the life and teachings of Saint Hildegard. The influence of religion on archi-tecture is grandly displayed at Cologne Cathedral — a filigreed Gothic landmark and home of the gold shrine of the Three Magi.

Discover rich and mysterious medieval history within uniquely fortified castles, including Marksburg and Ehrenbreitstein, which are po-sitioned spectacularly above the Rhine. Walk the medieval streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and trace the emergence of feudal society, nobility and the eventual rise to German Kaiserreich. Take in the natural splendor of the valley on a cruise on the Rhine, and visit renowned vineyards to sample the region’s great wine throughout your adventure.

Day 1 In Transit

Day 2 Program: “Life in the Middle Ages: From Cologne to Heidelberg.” Explore the hotel and immediate area. Welcome dinner in the hotel.

Day 3 Introduction and site orientation. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a lecture: Introduction to the Middle Ages. Program: “Cologne in the Middle Ages,” then city tour and individual exploration.

Day 4 Enjoy a presentation on the importance of religion during the Middle Ages (crusades, Charlemagne) and the influence on architecture, then you’re off for a guided exploration of the Cologne Cathedrale.

Day 5 Visit the castle “Satzvey,” then it’s off to a medieval market where you’ll have the opportunity to watch an authentic joust. Travel to Koblenz. Enjoy a deli-cious dinner in a restaurant next to the beautiful River Rhine.

Day 6 Bus along the Rhine river and visit the Philipsburg, the domicile of the German Castle Association. This afternoon, attend a lecture on the architecture and importance of medieval fortifications. Visit one of the best-preserved castles on the

Rhine, the Marksburg. Arrive in Koblenz where you’ll take a field trip to the castle Ehrenbreitstein; walk along the rivers Rhine or Mosel, or individual exploration.

Day 7 Depart for Mainz, the City of Gutenberg. Enjoy a comfortable bus ride along the Middle Rhine valley and stop at Boppard to enjoy the “Vierseenblick” (four lakes view). Take a boat on the River Rhine along the Loreley up to Bacharach. Have lunch in Bacharach, including a wine tasting. Visit Bingen and take a field trip to the Binger City Museum. Hear an on-site presentation on “Rheinromantik” and

the life and teachings of Saint Hildegard.

Day 8 Enjoy a presentation on the political situation in Germany in the Middle Ages regarding the “German Kaiserreich,” then enjoy a guided visit of the city. From there you will continue exploration of the city, seeing the “Mainzer Kaiserdom,” an emperial cathedral. Tonight’s dinner will be in a local restaurant, followed by a cultural event.

Day 9 Depart for Rothenburg, where you will visit the fortifications. There will be time for individual exploration before proceeding by bus to Heidelberg at 5 p.m.

Day 10 Today you will enjoy a guided city tour and take in the history and beauty of the area.

Day 11 Enjoy an excursion to Speyer along with a guided city walk, including the imperial cathedral. You’ll have lunch in Speyer, including a wine tasting. Afterwards, you’ll return to Heidelberg and have the

chance to visit the “Koenigsstuhl” by taking the “Bergbahn,” where you enjoy a beautiful view of the city.

Day 12 This afternoon enjoy a presentation on Heidelberg as “University City” and important city during the shism. Visit the beautiful Castle of Heidelberg. Tonight enjoy an authentic Medieval banquet for your farewell dinner and festivities.

Day 13 Depart for U.S.

Castles and Cathedrals of the Rhine River Valley: Monuments of the Middle Ages


Tour includes: Cologne, Hotel, Flandrischer Hof (3 nights), Koblenz, Hotel Diehls (2 nights), Mainz, Hotel Hammer (2 nights), Heidelberg, Hotel Weißer Bock (4 nights)


Activity description: Walks may be up to two miles, through castles, markets, cathedrals and museums.

Dates of departure: September 8, 2007, May 5, 2008



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“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”— Saint Augustine

Experience the grandeur of imperial Russia – a time of opulence and misery, social unrest, court intrigues, triumph and despair – and learn how this fascinat-ing period fits into the cultural heritage of the nation today. The literature, music and architecture of the era reflect almost exclusively the Russian life experience. Tolstoy’s War and Peace (considered by many the greatest novel ever written) is the supreme expression of 19th-century Russian landscape and character, while the writings of Pushkin, Gogol and Turgenev may well have hastened the revolu-tion of 1917.

In the Hermitage, stand among the soaring columns and arches of Pavilion Hall, where crystal chandeliers of burning candles once lit gilded galleries, perhaps trapping echoes of Borodin and Tchaikovksy in their reflected glimmer. It is a corner of Russian history and culture that shines gloriously today.

In Russia’s two cultural centers — Moscow and St. Petersburg — examine a rich artistic heritage dating back to the patronage of Catherine the Great. Begin at Moscow’s renowned Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts for an exploration of works by the Impressionist masters, including Van Gogh, Gauguin and Matisse. A University of Moscow professor discusses Russia’s literary tradi-tion, while the nation’s premier performance artists — the Bolshoi Company — are on grand display during an evening performance.

Journey from Moscow by train to the “Venice of the North” — St. Petersburg. Join a researcher for a presentation on 300 years of the Romanov dynasty. Then examine the Czars’ greatest legacy with a day at the Hermitage Museum. As a special feature, enjoy a special viewing in the museum’s Gold Room, featuring the world-famous collection of Scythian works and the Royal jewels. View St. Petersburg’s great architectural treasures, including Catherine’s Palace and its stunning Amber Room, as well as the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Day 1 Overnight flight to Moscow.

Day 2 Transfer to hotel. Check-in and orientation.

Day 3 Attend a presentation on Russian culture and national character as reflected in Russian classical literature and as viewed today. A driving excursion examining the history and architecture of Moscow is led by a licensed guide and stops at Red Square, Manezh, the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow Lomonosov University, Novodevichi Convent, GUM department store, and other historical and architectur-al landmarks. Enjoy a guided exploration of the Moscow metro (subway). Moscow circus performance or musical show (subject to performance schedule).

Day 4 Discuss the status of the arts in Russia with an expert, followed by a field trip to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts led by an expert and a museum-licensed guide. Enjoy an opera or ballet (subject to performance schedule).

Day 5 A presentation on medieval Russian history, followed by a field trip to the Kremlin compound, with visits to its cathedrals and a tour of the Armory Chamber

(extensive walking, up to three miles). Field trip to the Kremlin compound and the Armory Chamber continues.

Day 6 Your chance to explore local fare and enjoy your leisure time.

Day 7 Field trip to the Tretyakov Picture Gallery, with a guided presentation on Russian paintings of all periods. Transfer to the train station for the Moscow to St. Petersburg train (travel time approximately 5 hours). Arrival in St. Petersburg.

Day 8 Presentation on the Romanov Dynasty of Russian tsars, followed by a field trip to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin). See Catherine’s Palace and the famous Amber

Room. National dance and music performance.

Day 9 Full-day field trip to the Hermitage Museum (three hours with a licensed guide). Continue your exploration of the Hermitage, with a special guided visit to the Gold Room.

Day 10 A motor coach city excursion exploring the architecture and history of St. Petersburg, starting with a stop at the Peter and Paul Fortress. City excursion continues. See the exterior of St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Resurrection Cathedral, the Summer Garden, the Bronze Horseman, Nevsky Prospect and St. Petersburg University. Free Time. Cultural event at the Rimsky-Kor-sakov Memorial Museum: a presentation by an expert on the Mariinsky opera and ballet theater, followed by a private classical music recital.

Day 11 Attend a presentation: “Russia Today,” addressing issues of religion, ethnicity, social system

and education in contemporary Russian society and presented by a professor of sociology. A special Farewell Dinner and concert.

Day 12 Departures

Tour includes: Moscow, Russia, Hotel Ukraina (5 nights), St. Petersburg, Russia, Oktyabrskaya Hotel (5 nights)



Dates: October 4, 2007, April 17, 2008



Russian Arts: From Moscow to St. Petersburg


From human traces more than 10 millennia ago unearthed in the lush amazon river basin, to the modern human colonies that flock to ipanema Beach in rio de Janeiro, and who clap to the rhythm of feathered and sequined samba bands, Brazil has always marched to a different beat. a prime eco-nurturer of the planet via the amazon, the vitality and variety of its

modern culture springs from the thick soup of immigrants from other nations stirred in with the tribal natives as they arrived on its shores. The flow began with the Portuguese explorer-sailors in the 16th century, whose language and customs

still dominate Brazil’s eclectic and ever-increasing collection of archaeological and cosmopolitan faces.

Discover Brazil’s thriving artistic community as you learn the musical roots of Brazil’s Bossa Nova and visit a craft school. Contemplate Brazil’s modern architecture on a pri-vate tour of the Itamaraty Palace, then study medicinal plants on an overnight jungle excursion and preservation efforts at a reserve for animal rehabilitation. Experience the cosmopolitan in Brasilia, the capital city, and the natural wonders.

Influenced by Portuguese colonists and other European settlers, as well as Africans, Japanese and Middle Eastern populations, Brazil is a vibrant country of multiple cul-tures — each of which has contributed to its unique music, art, cuisine, language and customs. Join the quest to uncover the soul of this vast South American nation that offers more than just coffee, soccer and beautiful beaches.

Day 1 Overnight flight from U.S. departure city to Rio de Janeiro.

Day 2 Afternoon orientation, then guided visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain for cable car ride to see panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro.

Day 3 Enjoy a presentation on Rio de Janeiro, tracing its path from a colonial capital to one of the most important cities in South America today. This afternoon enjoy a guided drive around Rio de Janeiro, including guided walk to old city center and a visit to the New Metropolitan Cathedral. Night outing to listen and dance to Brazilian music.

Day 4 Drive along coast to Recreio dos Bandeirantes, then on to “Pontal” Museum to see private museum collection of Brazilian naif miniature sculptures, showing vari-ous scenes of people and folklore from the northeast of Brazil. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 5 Take railway to top of Corcovado Mountain, standing 2,200 feet above the city. View the statue of Christ the Redeemer and enjoy breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro. Attend a presentation: “The birth of Bossa Nova” and its two most famous poets, Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim. Note: This presentation might also be held in the evening before. Afternoon flight to Iguassu.

Day 6 Attend a presentation on the Parana River Basin titled: “Biodiversity & Conservation in Iguassu National Park.” Then enjoy a guided walk along the edge of the gorge to the main falls.

Day 7 Early departure for a guided visit to a privately owned bird reserve, which is home to more than 900 birds, representing 150 species, of which one-third are endangered. Depart on ecological drive, then walk through the Macuco Forest Reserve to the river bank. Embark on Zodiac for boat ride to the waterfalls. Late-afternoon flight to Salvador-Bahia.

Day 8 Explore the landmarks of the former capital of Brazil. Guided visit to “Mer-cado Modelo,” formerly a slave market during Colonial times but now a market that sells arts and crafts, as well as some local foods. Enjoy a mid-afternoon presenta-tion on “Salvador: The first Colonial capital of Brazil and Profitable Center of the Slave Trade Until the 18th Century.” This evening enjoy a presentation of dances and rhythms by the group “Ballet Folclorico da Bahia” at a local theater.

Day 9 Enjoy a guided walk around the Pelourinho conservation area. Lecturer discusses African cultural influences in Brazilian food and music, and religious syncretism. Then visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum and St. Francis Church and have lunch in the “Pelourinho” conservation area. Lunch in the “Pelourinho” area, end the visit interacting with children at the “Liceu” of Arts and Crafts, a model educational project.

Day 10 Flight to Brasilia. Upon arrival, presentation at hotel on Brasilia and its challenges for the 21st century. Enjoy guided visits to the most important landmarks of Brasilia, including the Super Quadras Projects, the stained glass panels at Caixa Economica Federal, the D. Bosco Church and the Brasilia Cathedral. Dinner will be your choice to explore local fare.

Day 11 Depart for guided visit to Itamaraty Palace (the head office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), JK Memorial (the resting place of the former president), the National Assembly buildings, and Alvorada Palace (Sunrise Palace).

Day 12 Check-out, fly to Manaus. Transfer to the riverside docks and take a private boat to the Ecopark Jungle Lodge for first night in the Amazon jungle. Explore grounds of the lodge before guided visit to the Primates Rehabilitation Area to watch feeding time. During return to lodge, stop at the Birds’ Re-Introduction Center. At the lodge, attend a presentation on the Amazon, its ecosystems and wetlands, and the scientific institutions working in the western Amazon. In the evening, a canoe outing to spot the native alligators and caimans.

Day 13 Early morning walk through the jungle to learn about the local flora and fauna. Depart by traditional local boats for a guided visit to a local family or settlement on the banks of the river. Gain insight into the way of life in the area and the various methods used to maintain the forest and its ecological system. Have lunch in a floating restaurant on the Rio Negro. Board a motorboat and ride to the point where the faster and heavier silt waters of the Solimoes River meet the slower and darker waters of the Rio Negro. At the “meeting of the waters,” interesting whirlpool patterns are created for more than 40 miles.

Day 14 Transfer by motorcoach for a guided walking field trip around the riverside street market “Mercado das Docas” for insight into local life. Also explore the Neo-Classical Manaus Opera House, and the Brazilian Army Center Fauna and Flora Protection Unit. Farewell luncheon at a traditional “Churrascaria,” serving barbecue.

Day 15 Check-out and transfer to the airport. Transfer to Manaus Airport to board return flight to U.S.

Tour includes: Rio de Janeiro, Rio Othon Palace (3 nights), Iguazu Falls, Hotel Tropical Cataratas (2 nights), Salvador, Bahia, Bahia Othon Palace (3 nights), Brasilia, Naum Palace Hotel (2 nights), Manaus, Hotel Tropical Manaus (2 nights), Amazon, Amazon EcoPark Lodge (1 night)


Activity description: Amazon jungle walks on trails can be up to two miles (approximately two hours with rest break) at a comfortable pace.

Dates and rates of departure: October 15, 2007 — $5,399 — Based on double occupancy, land onlyFebruary 25, 2008 — $5,299 — Based on double occupancy, land only


A South American Mosaic: Soul of Brazil


The lofty and breathtaking Andes mountains dominate Ecuador’s landscape, but if you follow the line of the equator west from a point between Quito, its capital, and Guayaquil, its largest city, you’ll land amidst Ecuador’s crown jewels, the sparsely populated Archipelago de Colon … better known as the Galápagos Islands. For centuries, to the great delight of naturalists like Charles Darwin, for whom one of the Islands is named, its teeming variety of flora and fauna have cohabited in perfect balance. In this unique cluster of equatorial volcanic islands, presided over by the Volcan Wolf on Isla Isabela, one can find friendly sea lions, unique blue footed boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins (yes, at the equator!), colorful marine iguanas and other spe-cies that have dwelled together for centuries without threat, living in peaceful harmony with nature.

For 35 days in 1835, a young naturalist named Charles Darwin documented the geology and biology of the Galápagos Islands. His observations changed the world forever. With a naturalist and a research scientist, fol-low in Darwin’s wake, spending four days aboard an 18-cabin yacht, disembarking on a number of islands to examine the iguanas, penguins and the famous finches of the Galápagos. At the Charles Darwin Research Sta-tion, learn about the environmental threats the islands face and the unique solutions to these problems.

A professor from the University of San Francisco provides an overview of the history of Quito — the second-highest capital in the world. Learn about its earliest inhabitants through Spanish conquest. Then explore the city’s colonial center by horse-drawn carriage and meet the parish priest of La Compañía, who welcomes you into this Jesuit cathedral completed in 1765.

Day 1 Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 Journey to Quito Teleférico for a cable car ride with views of the city, followed by a visit to the Middle of the World monument. Return to hotel for a presentation by Diego Quiroga, “Ecuador: A Historical Overview.” In the Colonial Center of Quito, take a carriage ride and enjoy a reception at La Compañía.

Day 3 Transfer to Quito Airport for flight to Galápagos Islands and arrival at Baltra. Explore the old U.S. Military base on Baltra, with a presentation on the significance of the Galápagos to the United States’ World War II strategy. Transfer to MV Coral I, the expedition ship for an orientation and boat-safety presentation. Journey to Dragon Hill for look at Saline lagoon with possibilities of seeing flamin-goes, followed by a dingy ride along the coast of Santa Cruz to see land iguanas and a host of marine life within the coastal coves.

Day 4 Wet landing on Rábida Island with snorkeling. After lunch on board, head back to Santiago Island (Egas Port) with snorkeling and hiking, followed by a pre-sentation by an expert naturalist. Fur sea lions and sally-light foot crabs are visible in the grottoes on this island.

Day 5 Dry landing at Fernandina Island at Espinosa Point to see Galápagos penguins, Galápagos hawks and sea lions. Also observe distinct lava forms. Isabela

Island, Tagus Cove, the largest island in the archipelago. Enjoy hiking and snorkel-ing and a presentation by an expert naturalist.

Day 6 After a dry landing at Bartolomé Island, hike to top of Pinnacle Rock. Snorkeling and beach time allow possibilities of seeing white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles and penguins. Take a ride in Black Turtle Cove on the Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy a presentation by an expert naturalist.

Day 7 Disembark from the M/Y Coral I to visit Charles Darwin Research Station to meet Roz Cameron, who will discuss “The Challenges of Conservation Work on the

Galápagos Islands.” Then explore the Escuela Nacional Galápagos with principal Maria Balseca López.

Day 8 Explore a variety of settlements on the island with a local expert, then examine lava tubes and giant tortoises in the highlands. Enjoy lunch in a farm on the highlands. This evening, join a discussion by Godfrey Merlin on “Illegal Fishing in the Galápagos Islands.”

Day 9 Transfer to Balta Airport. Arrival in Guayaquil and check in to your hotel. Walk along Malecón to see the everyday life of the Guayaquileños, followed by an exploration of Santa Ana and its brand-new marina and museums. Joseph Garzozi discusses “Breathing New Life into a City: The Metamorphosis of Guayaquil.” Farewell at Puerto Santa Ana, featuring Ecaudorian seafood specialties.

Day 10 Depart for home.

A Galápagos Islands Expedition


Tour includes: Quito, Ecuador, Hilton Colon (2 nights), Galápagos Islands, Aboard the M/V Coral I (4 nights), Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador, Hotel Silberstein (2 nights), Guayaquil, Ecuador, Hotel Palace (1 night)


Activity description: Walks may be up to three miles on trails, including rough volcanic rock. Boarding a small boat that disembarks on beaches, sometimes in rough water. Experiencing the high altitude in Quito (9,600 feet).

Dates of departure: January 14, 2008 May 5, 2008

Rates: Category 1: $4,699 Category 2: $4,499


From Tibet, the mighty Mekong river rushes southward, gulping thrumming seasonal monsoon rains, absorbing and unleashing its riches to nurture the vast ecosystem that sustains the populations of southeast asia. Twisting through China’s yunnan province, a bit of Myanmar, and Thailand’s “ear of the elephant,” it slithers down the

narrow trunk of laos into Vietnam, at the end of its 2,500-mile journey, inundating the “tail of nine dragons” in the rich delta before spilling into the south China sea. The Mekong’s ecological value to animal and human life,

and to the vitality of planet earth, is second only to the great amazon of south america.

Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam: Traverse these modern nations on the Mekong River, to learn about the people and fascinating cultures that have lived on its fertile banks for centuries. Gain a historical understanding of the Mekong River, examine its economic and environmental impact today, and the plans for international collaboration to develop the ancient river.

Explore Luang Prabang and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and uncover their mystique. Attend cultural performances and discover the incredible silk weaving being brought back to life in both Laos and Cambodia. Presentations by local experts discussing the region’s art, archi-tecture and economic development make this a truly enriching travel experience.

Days 1-2 Overnight flight / In Transit / Overnight flight

Day 3 Welcome to Thailand tonight meet fellow travelers at our Orientation.

Day 4 Explore World War II in Thailand, focusing on the POWs and the Thai-Burma railway. Visit the POW cemetery to remember these prisoners. We’ll take the Train along the River Kwai across the viaduct pass. Visit the JEATH museum and learn what it was like for POWs in Thailand during World War II.

Day 5 Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Po, the Reclining Buddha, the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok. A discussion on the Greater Mekong Region and the region’s economic development. Dine with a local charity in a local restaurant.

Day 6 A discussion on symbolism in Thai Buddhism and its relationship to Thai society. Visit the National Museum with its collection of art, archaeological and cultural objects dating from prehistory to the present.

Day 7 Flight to Luang Prabang, Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the Heritage House, participate in a traditional Laos Baci Ceremony.

Day 8 Laos Textile center, OckPopTok — or “east meets west.” See Lao women designing and hand weaving beautiful textiles. Explore the National Museum and learn about the Lao royal family. Attend a performance by the Royal Ballet Theater.

Day 9 Cruise along the Mekong River to Tam Ting, or Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes. Visit a local village school and meet with the students and teachers.

Day 10 Witness the alms giving rituals of the monks. A discussion at La Maison du Patriomoine, and visiting the Language Project.

Day 11 Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Country orientation, with an introduction to the Khmer Temples.

Day 12 Explore Angkor Wat, the religious temple intricately built in the 12th century by Suryavaram II. Marvel at the carvings, the structure, and the beauty of this ancient temple. Field trip to the Killing Fields Memorial. Next to the Angkor Thom Complex to learn about the Khmer daily lives in the bas reliefs.

Day 13 A field trip to Ta Prohm, the “jungle temple.” Explore Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women built in the latter half of the 10th century by Rajendravarman II and Jayavaraman V.

Day 14 A discussion on Tonle Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia, which has sustained many livelihoods in Cambodia. Visit the lake and experience its floating

villages. This afternoon enjoy a discussion on economic development and its effects on the Khmer Traditions.

Day 15 A discussion on the educational system in Cambodia at the Angkor Hospital for Children followed by a guided visit of this non-profit organization. A field trip to an elementary school outside of Siem Reap to observe Cambodian educational system. View “The Flute Player,” a documentary that serves as a prelude to the evening activity. Learn about the revival of the Cambodian musical art with a performance by Cambodian Masters.

Day 16 A field trip to the Silk Farm located at Pourk Village. See the collection of cocoons, the spinning of the silk, the dying process and the creation of beautiful weavings on wooden, multi-harness hand looms. Fly to Saigon and transfer to Sai-gon city center, enjoy a discussion and orientation to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.

Day 17 An excursion to the Reunification Conference Hall. Visit the U.S. Consul-ate for a panel discussion on Vietnam — U.S. relations with the consulate staff. A field trip to the Emperor of Jade Pagoda.

Day 18 Explore the Cu Chi tunnels, the underground network dug in the 1940s by the Vietnamese to hide during the fight against the French. This evening, enjoy dinner cruising the Saigon River.

Day 19 Depart for Can Tho. En route, stop at Cao Dai temple. Continue to Cai Be and board boats for a visit to an ancient, traditional Vietnamese-style house. Cruise on the Mekong to Ving Long and then continue to Can Tho.

Day 20 Two very interesting discussions at Can Tho University on the Vietnamese educational system and rural economic development of the Mekong Delta. Tonight enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner at the hotel.

Day 21 Boat excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang. Visit the home of a local farmer and then depart for Saigon.

Day 22 Visit the SOS Kinderdorf International Village, founded after World War II to help orphans integrate into society by bringing them a mother and a home.

Day 23 Depart for Ton Son Naht International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City).

Cultures and People of the Mekong


Tour includes: Bangkok, Thailand, Amari Boulevard Hotel (4 nights), Luang Prabang, Laos, The Mouang Luang Hotel (4 nights), Siem Reap, Cambodia, Borei Angkor (5 nights), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Grand Hotel (3 nights), Can Tho, Vietnam, Victoria Can Tho Hotel (2 nights), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Grand Hotel (2 nights), 20 breakfasts, 18 lunches, 14 dinners

Activity description: Walks of up to 1 1⁄2 miles at times.

Dates and rates of departure: October 29, 2007 — $4,899 — Based on double occupancy, land onlyFebruary 18, 2008 — $4,799 — Based on double occupancy, land only


“if we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the

world safe for diversity.”— John F. Kennedy

From the hot sands of the Gobi Desert, to the blue sweep of the south China sea, China has always been a landscape of striking contrasts. Below the mighty fortress of himalayan peaks, stretching across the top of the world, the yangtze

begins its long descent across the vast reaches of the country to the sea. it is an ancient journey of cold currents that have cut through toppling gorges of limestone rock, leaving today deep canyons, majestic gorges and mystical landscapes.

The river flows across broad plains where antiquity sleeps in a civilization 4000 years old. China has always been wrapped in its own enigma, worn like a puzzle ring that only today has begun to surrender its mysteries.

Discover firsthand the great diversity of the People’s Republic of China and wit-ness a remarkable culture. From her major cities to the tranquil countryside along the Yangtze River, delve into China’s history, tradition, and ancient mysteries; visit areas of great natural beauty; and observe the lifestyle of the Chinese people.

Join fellow travelers for an in-depth discovery of one of the world’s greatest na-tions. Begin with three nights in historic Beijing, offering ample time for visits to the many treasures of this ancient city. Explore the legendary Great Wall – the ar-chitectural wonder that winds across 4,000 miles of Chinese countryside. Cruise the Yangtze River for three nights aboard the deluxe 140-passenger Yangtze Explorer.

Experience the dramatic Three Gorges – a region of great natural beauty characterized by many small vil-lages that will likely disappear upon completion of the world’s largest dam now under construction. Also visit Xi’an, site of the famous terra-cotta warriors.

Day 1 Depart the U.S.

Day 2 Beijing/Cross the International Date Line

Days 3-5 Beijing During your three-night stay at The Peninsula Beijing, you’ll visit such exceptional places as Tiananmen Square, home of the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Great Hall of the People; and the opulent walled complex of the Forbidden City, a symbol of traditional China that was the seat of power for 24 emperors. Discover the legendary Great Wall, an astonishing human accom-plishment. Journey to the serene valley, Shi San Ling, where 13 of 16 Ming emperors are buried.

Days 6-8 Xi’an Early in its history, this city was the starting point of the well-known Silk Road. Today, Xi’an is the political, economic, and cultural center of the Shaanxi province. Enjoy the serenity of the Sofitel Xi’an Hotel for two nights as you explore the many attractions of this fascinating city. No stay in Xi’an would be complete without a visit to the vast subterranean mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi.

Day 9 Cruising the Yangtze River The first stop of your three-night cruise is Shibaozhai, or Precious Stone Fortress. China’s tallest ancient building, this red, nine-story pavilion clings to 720-foot tall rock face of Jade Seal Hill.

Day 10 Cruising the Yangtze River Enter Qutang Gorge – the first of the leg-endary Three Gorges region – where mountains tower above as you cruise through five miles of fjordlike waters. Continue into the reaches of Wu Gorge, famed for its serene beauty. At lovely Shennong Stream, board ferry boats to sail into the stream to Bamboo Gorge. Switch to peapod-shaped boats and gently drift downstream back to the Yangtze Explorer. After this interlude, cruise through the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the dramatic three gorges.

Day 11 Three Gorges Dam/Shanghai Disembark this morning and join a shore excursion to the site of the controversial new Three Gorges Dam at Sandoup-ing. See the permanent ship lock, the ship lift, and the Xiling Yangtze River bridge from a lookout point at the project’s center.

This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Enjoy an evening at leisure while staying at the Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel Shanghai – one of Shanghai’s finest hotels conveniently located in the entertainment district near famous Nanjing open-air market.

Days 12-13 Shanghai Immersed in a cultural and architectural renaissance, mod-ern Shanghai is a vibrant city. Along with a visit to Shanghai’s celebrated promenade – the Bund – you‘ll have an opportunity to visit the Shanghai Museum, renowned as one of Asia’s finest. One night, witness the flexibility, poise, courage, and humor of an acrobatic troupe at a local theater. Join a delightful excursion to nearby

Zhujiajiao. Here, you’ll find Ming- and Ch’ing-dynasty architecture and cobblestone streets that lead to hidden medieval treasures, gardens, and tranquil courtyards. Known as “Pearl Stream,” it is the best-preserved of Shanghai’s ancient suburban towns.

Day 14 Guilin After a morning at leisure in Shanghai, fly to Guilin and transfer to the Sheraton Guilin Hotel.

Day 15 Guilin Set along the Li River, Guilin is sur-rounded by some of China’s most spectacular scenery. An unparalleled cruise along the Li River presents the splendor of the region as you sail leisurely along its banks. Free time affords the opportunities to shop for souvenirs or to explore some of the area’s most famous hills on foot.

Day 16 Hong Kong/Depart for Home Fly to Hong Kong for your return international flight in the afternoon.

Tour includes: The finest deluxe accommodations: Peninsula Palace Beijing (3 nights), Sofitel xi’an (2 nights), Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai (3 nights), and Sheraton Guilin Hotel (2 nights); each in the best city-center location

Three nights cruising the Yangtze River aboard the 192-passenger Yangtze Ex-plorer; exclusive lecture by chief naturalist, services of onboard cruise director


All flights within China, including comprehensive and expedited flight- preparation services

Services of a professional travel director and an English-speaking Chinese National Guide

Dates of departure: 9/13/2007, 9/27/2007, 10/4/2007, 10/11/2007, 10/25/2007

Rate: From $5,495 — Outside stateroom, cruise only, based on double occupancy. *Please see terms and conditions.

Program number: HISTCAT

Splendors of China and the Yangtze River


Most notable of modern Russia is her renewed celebration of past wealth and po-tential for the future. Join us and experience the diversity of “Mother Russia”. Ex-plore enduring Moscow, cruise the Volga River through legendary waterways, and discover Western-influenced St. Petersburg. Reach forested islands amid blue lakes and escape the hassle of packing and unpacking while sailing aboard the comfort-able Glushkov. Travel beyond tourism’s reach in towns such as Uglich, Yaroslavl, and Mandrogi, or at remote Kizhi Island - accessible only by boat. Discover the Russia others miss - the grand nation of Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Gogol - while getting to know her friendly people. In addition to a relaxing six-night cruise, you will enjoy three nights each in Moscow and St. Petersburg, using the comfortable Glushkov as your safe and convenient floating hotel.


Day 2 Moscow Welcome to Russia’s capital since the reign of Ivan the Great (1462-1505), its center is the enduring Kremlin. Embark the Glushkov, for the next 12 nights.

Days 3-5 Moscow A tour of Moscow’s gilded onion-domed cathedrals includes an early-opening of the noted Armory, which houses the opulent treasury of the Russian czars. On nearby Red Square, see Lenin’s mausoleum and St. Basil’s Cathedral, with its distinctive chapel designs. You will attend a private opera performance, take a ride on the famous Metro, and dine at the city’s most elegant hotels to maximize your experience. A shuttle to the city center is available during your afternoons at leisure. You’ll also visit Tretyakov Art Gallery, where the display of masterworks includes the world’s best collection of Russian art and artifacts. Then begin your cruise along the Moscow-Volga Canal, traveling through the first of our route’s 16 locks. Enjoy the captain’s welcome reception and dinner.

Day 6 Cruising Volga River/Uglich, Russia The scenic Volga, Europe’s longest river and Russia’s main artery, flows past medieval villages a world away from modern Moscow. Enjoy language lessons or a lively discussion by our guest speaker. It was in the river town of Uglich that Ivan the Terrible’s son, Dmitry, was murdered in 1591. On a walking tour, explore the waterside kremlin area and the Church of St.-Dmitry-on-the-Blood. A Russian concert highlights your evening.

Day 7 Yaroslavl, Russia Go ashore today at Yaroslavl, founded in the 11th cen-tury by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. See the Spassky Monastery complex and the Church of Elijah the Prophet in the town’s bustling main square. Our riverboat then continues along the Volga, through farmland and past small hamlets.

Day 8 Cruising White Lake and the Volga-Baltic Canal Join our onboard expert for another informative discussion and language lesson while crossing im-mense Rybinsk Reservoir. Then sail upriver into White Lake, part of Russia’s folkloric history since the 8th century. Relax on the observation deck as we make our way through the Volga-Baltic Canal, part of the last link in the integral deepwater system of European Russia. You’ll see church towers and remnants of ancient villages.

Day 9 Cruising Lake Onega/Kizhi Island, Russia Transit the last lock before reaching Kizhi Island, where you’ll explore a collection of wooden architecture that spans the centuries. Two of Russia’s finest wooden churches are found here: the Church of the Transfiguration — with its walls and 22 aspen cupolas, constructed entirely without nails — and the Church of the Intercession.

Day 10 Cruising the Svir River, Lake Ladoga and the Neva River. Next, our ship follows the 139-mile-long Svir River to Mandrogi, sprinkled with dachas (country cottages). Here, you’ll discover the intricacies of rural Russian life. A special shashlik lunch and pastry buffet will be served on board today. Beaches indent Lake

Ladoga, and its banks are overgrown with willows, alders, birches, and pines. Cruise from the lake’s southern end into the Neva River, which flows 40 miles to the heart of St. Petersburg. Celebrate at tonight’s Russian farewell reception and dinner.

Days 11-13 St. Petersburg, Russia Peter the Great founded this grand city in 1703. Peter’s “window on the West” is a treasure trove of culture and history. While here, join an exclusive tour of the Hermitage (enjoy a specially arranged entrance prior to the usual opening time). It’s estimated that one could spend days in the museum and see only a fraction of the nearly 3 million artworks. Also visit lavish Catherine’s Palace and its Amber Room in nearby Pushkin (enjoy an arranged entrance after the usual closing time); the Peter and Paul Fortress, resting place for many czars. Return to the city by privately chartered hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland. Enjoy an exclusive ballet performance in the famous Hermitage Theatre, an

event previously reserved for Russian royalty!

Day 14 St. Petersburg, (Disembark)/Return to the U.S.

Tour includes: 12 nights aboard the Glushkov in all-outside cabins with private bath facilities with shower

All meals during the cruise • All sightseeing and shore excursionsEarly opening at the Armory, Hermitage and Petrodvorets (prior to public opening), as well as late opening (after public closing) at Catherine’s PalaceExclusive opera performance in Moscow Exclusive ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg

All port charges and departure fees • All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return

Dates of departure: 5/31/2007, 6/12/2007, 6/24/2007, 7/6/2007, 7/18/2007, 7/30/2007, 8/11/2007, 8/23/2007, 9/4/2007, 9/16/2007, 9/28/2007

Rate: From $2,295* — Outside stateroom, cruise only, based on double occupancy. *Please see terms and conditions.


Journey of the Czars


occupied for long periods by China, France and imperial Japan, Vietnam has always managed to absorb foreign cultures while preserving its own identity. The beauty of the country is exquisite. along the coast, dark mountains stumble steeply down to the sea, where the water can be clear as light falling through an emerald prism. in the delta, the mighty

Mekong branches into 9 estuaries, feeding hundreds of capillaries where peasants in black pajamas and cone-shaped hats work as they did centuries ago, planting rice in flooded paddies. away from the humming beat of its modern cities,

Vietnam is still a water culture of sampans, junks and fishing boats, not unlike the dynasties of old.

“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” — Jimi Hendrix

Journey to a land where reverence for ancient traditions blends harmoniously with an enthusiastic embrace of late-20th-century capitalism. With more than 2,000 miles of coastline, white-sand beaches, rain forest-covered mountains, and fertile deltas crisscrossed by a patchwork of rice paddies and canals, Vietnam is a stun-ning beauty. A rich cultural heritage and warm, welcoming people.

Wander through primeval forest, in Cat Ba National Park, where waterfalls and limestone lakes add to the beauty of its magnificent landscapes. Nha Trang is one of Vietnam’s best-known resort towns, with peaceful streets and a truly ex-traordinary beach. Minutes from the city limits is a peaceful countryside laden with fruit orchards and endless fields of rice paddies, and the languid pace of Vietnam’s village lifestyle. Discover the timeless qualities of Vietnam’s ancient culture in Hue, its former Imperial City, a dramatic contrast to today’s vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

Days 1-2 Depart the U.S./Cross the International Date Line

Day 3 Hanoi, Vietnam Welcome to Vietnam’s picturesque capital.

Day 4 Hanoi/Haiphong (Embark) Visit the site of Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and the simple, austere cottage he preferred to the opulent presidential palace in Hanoi. Later, take a walking tour of the Old Quarter. See Ngoc Son Pagoda and the ancient “36 Streets” district, a maze of narrow, tree-shaded lanes. Later, transfer to Haiphong, where you’ll board your yacht-like ship the Clipper Odyssey.

Day 5 Cat Ba Island/Halong Bay Sail amid the pristine emerald waters and a unique and stunning landscape, Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend a memorable morning at Cat Ba, one of the 3,000 islands, home to forests, waterfalls, sea turtles, dolphins, and Vietnam’s most magnificent vistas.

Day 6 Cruising the Gulf of Tonkin/Vinh Moc A leisurely sail through the gulf culminates at the village of Vinh Moc, which was destroyed by bombs in 1965. To gain a fascinating insight into history, explore the maze of underground tunnels that once served as a shelter for villagers during the Vietnam War. Walk through the maze of underground tunnels that sheltered villagers until the end of the Vietnam War.

Day 7 Chan May (for Hue) Dock in Chan May for a full-day expedition to the formal imperial city of Hue in the foothills of the Annimite Mountains. Tour the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty emperors, experience the feng shui of “The Citadel” and visit the seven-tiered Thien Mu (“Heavenly Lady”) pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River.

Day 8 Da Nang, Vietnam Enjoy Da Nang today en route to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son valley, the cradle of Vietnam’s Cham religion. This sacred place encompasses several groups of exquisitely carved stone towers and sanctuaries constructed between the 7th and 13th centuries. Next, visit the river town of Hoi An, a beautiful village relatively unchanged for centuries with nearly 850 antique structures — merchants’ homes, pagodas, public buildings, and an entire city block of colonnaded French-colonial architecture.

Day 9 Qui Nhon, Vietnam This bustling port fronts the emerald hued South China Sea. From here, you’ll explore the ruins of the Cham civilization and the regal

Bahn It Tower. A visit to the Quang Trung Museum includes a traditional Vo Tay Son martial-arts demonstration.

Day 10 Expedition Cruising in Port Dayot, Vietnam/Nha Trang Use our fleet of Zodiacs for expedition cruising off Port Dayot, visiting a tiny fishing village and joining naturalists for a walk through the sand dunes surrounding this picturesque bay.

This afternoon, soak up the local flavor in one of Vietnam’s best-known resort towns of Nha Trang. Sample authentic cuisine, explore neighborhoods via moped taxis or simply stroll the magnificent beaches along turquoise waters. A city tour introduces you to French-colonial architecture and the Po Nagar Towers, a Cham site built between the 7th and 12th centuries.

Day 11 Nha Trang/Cruising the South China Sea Snorkel along the colorful coral reef at Hou Mien Island, then depart Nha Trang for an afternoon cruise of Cam Ranh Bay in the scenic waters of the South China Sea.

Day 12 Cruising the Saigon River/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Cruise upriver, arriving midmorning in the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, with its broad boulevards flanked by impressive French-colonial stucco buildings. Choose from two distinct excursions today. Board a motorized sampan for a journey through the Mekong Delta — a labyrinth of small canals lined by provincial villages and fruit plantations; explore quintessential Vietnam with its lush rice paddies tended by peasant farmers in limpet-shaped hats.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City (Disembark) Disembark the Clipper Odyssey for a comprehensive Ho Chi Minh City tour today.

Day 14 Return to the U.S.

Tour includes: One precruise night at the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, and one postcruise night at the Caravelle Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city, including all taxes and service charges

9 nights aboard the Clipper Odyssey in fully air-conditioned, outside staterooms with lower beds, individual temperature controls, and private bath facilities • All meals during the cruise, served at single leisurely seatings

All sightseeing and shore excursions and shoreside exploration • All port charges and onboard gratuities

All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for pas-sengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return

Captain’s welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinners

Dates of departure: 9/1/2007, 9/19/2007



The Culture and Antiquities of Vietnam


Discover India, a fascinating blend of diverse landscapes and cultural influences. From the arid deserts and imposing fortresses of Rajasthan to the tropical climate and sinuous canals of Cochin in Kerala, take in a wealth of experiences in luxurious style. Old Delhi’s narrow animated lanes wind around Jama Masjid Mosque, pro-viding a glimpse of the traditional, while New Delhi’s wide orderly boulevards and grand museums represent the nation’s progressive posture. Agra is home to the fabled Taj Mahal — a glorious symbol of love. The “Pink City” of Jaipur in rugged, but colorful, Rajasthan boasts many treasures of Indian royalty. The romantic ambi-ence of Udaipur is evident in the boats gently drifting on Lake Pichola. Seemingly a world away, the coastal resort of Cochin reveals Dutch influences, while pristine backwater canals highlight the scenic beauty of the area. Bustling Bombay fittingly complements its sister city Delhi, as a bookend to this journey.


Day 2 Delhi Arrive in India’s capital late this evening and transfer to the deluxe Shangri-La Hotel New Delhi for a restful night.

Day 3 Delhi Awaken to the city’s rhythms at your own pace before joining a midmorning tour of Old Delhi that includes Raj Ghat, the stirring site of Gandhi’s cremation in 1948; views of the impressive Red Fort, an irregular octagonal monu-ment about 1.5 miles in circumference; a trishaw ride through the colorful shopping bazaar of Chandni Chowk; and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Tonight enjoy a festive welcome reception and dinner.

Day 4 Delhi Today’s panoramic excursion reveals modern Delhi, taking you first to the busy commercial center of Connaught Place, then past the India Gate, the president’s residence, and parliament, before a brief stop at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb, a lovely marble structure said to have inspired the Taj Mahal; and breathtaking Bahai Temple, reminiscent of the lotus flower. Enjoy a delightful Mediterranean lunch before returning to the hotel; interested guests may take advantage of an afternoon shopping shuttle into the city.

Day 5 Agra Board an executive-class car of the Shatabdi Express train for your scenic transfer through rural India to Agra, where the magnificent Oberoi Amarvilas provides a luxurious oasis of comfort; enjoy deluxe Taj Mahal-view rooms.

A Journey into India: From the Deserts of Rajasthan to the Waterways of Kerala

42

Upon arrival, visit Agra Fort — a massive red sandstone stronghold on the banks of the Yamuna River — exploring the many halls and palaces of this vast Mughal “city within a city” — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set just north of the fort is the exquisite tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah, an enchanting monument with fine marble latticework.

Day 6 Agra If a building can represent a country, then the Taj Mahal is the archi-tectural embodiment of India. It took 20 years and 20,000 workers to complete this wonder of the world, a monument of love built by Shah Jahan for his wife. Marvel at the majesty and immensity of this abiding tribute. There is a silver thali dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 7 Fatehpur Sikri/Jaipur, India Watch the rising sun’s rays dance across the Taj before today’s excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri — known as the “ghost city.” The capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri was deserted in 1585 for reasons that remain unclear. The complex of monuments and temples is a place where Islamic architecture fuses superbly with Hindu and Jain decorative art. Lunch in nearby Bharaptur, continue overland to the “Pink City” — Jaipur. The historic grandeur of Rambagh Palace, dramatically set near the city walls, will make you feel like a modern-day maharaja for the next three nights.

Day 8 Jaipur At the heart of Jaipur’s City Palace stands Chandra Mahal (“Palace of the Moon”); explore its fine museum today. Showcasing an impressive collection, it features ingenious 15th-century Rajput weaponry, enamelware, and carpets. Continue to Jaipur’s 18th-century Royal Observatory before lunch at the elegant Raj Palace.

Day 9 Jaipur Visit the palace-fortress of Amber, former capital of the extensive Jaipur state, its stern exterior of ramparts and terraces belies the rich opulence found inside. Ascend to the entrance by jeep to explore its lavish apartments and elaborately carved arabesques inlaid with precious gems. En route back to the hotel, photograph the amazing Hawa Mahal (“Palace of the Winds”) facade — just op-posite Jaipur’s bustling markets. Enjoy an elegant dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 10 Udaipur Early this morning, fly to Udaipur and discover its stately City Palace, perched on the edge of glasslike Lake Pichola. Enjoy breakfast before explor-ing Shiv Niwas, one of the complexes four palaces. Conclude your visit at the Crystal Gallery of the adjoining Fateh Prakash Palace — housing the maharani’s personal collection. Continue to the city’s most luxurious property — Oberoi Udaivilas, beckoning from the lake’s opposite shore. Settle into your beautiful room before a scenic twilight cruise of Lake Pichola.

Day 11 Udaipur Nestled amid the warren of bazaars that envelop Udaipur’s City Palace you’ll find 17th-century Jagdish Mandir, a Hindu-style temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Explore it today, marveling at the classical architecture, carvings, and friezes that adorn its unique 79-foot pagoda and impressive archway. Gather for dinner outdoors tonight with the City Palace serving as your backdrop.

Day 12 Cochin Rising with the sun, transfer to the airport early for your flight (via Bombay) to Cochin, a resort town in India’s southern state of Kerala. Once ruled by the Portuguese, Cochin was a vital port and center for India’s spice trade, and now exhibits multicultural influences. The Taj Malabar hotel, with its harborside location and Ayurvedic spa, provides a welcoming ambience during your three-night stay. Group dinner at the hotel tonight.

Day 13 Cochin Today, venture out on Kerala’s backwaters. This sizeable network of palm-fringed waterways is a labyrinth of canals connecting rivers, lagoons, and

lakes traditionally used for spice, coconut, and rubber trade. A scenic cruise aboard a local houseboat reveals the charms of life along the waterways; a brief home visit gives insight to this unique lifestyle.

Day 14 Cochin A morning tour reflects Cochin’s colonial heritage. Visit St. Francis, India’s oldest Protestant church; see impressive Fort Cochin and the spectacular Dutch Palace of Mattancherry — built by the Portuguese for the Raja of Cochin in 1555, and known for its extensive collection of epic murals. After lunch, visit the remarkable Jewish quarter, housing the oldest synagogue in the British Commonwealth.

Day 15 Bombay Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bombay — once a fortified city built across seven islands by the Portuguese and then the British, but today India’s largest, most affluent, and industrialized business center. Capital of the Maharashtra state, Bombay also embraces the heart of the Bollywood film industry. Upon arrival, visit Dhobi Ghat, the city’s open-air municipal laundry where thousands wash clothes brought daily from around the city. Also see the memorial at Mani Bhawan, once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi.

Day 16 Bombay Discover Bombay’s best during today’s foray into her many diverse neighborhoods. Begin very near the hotel at the triumphal Gateway of India, erected to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Browse Crawford Market, then pass St. John’s Church, the clock tower, and Victoria Terminus en route to seaside Marine Drive and the upscale residential area of Malabar Hill with its spectacular views of famous Chowpatty beach. Also see Raj Bhavan, the old British government headquarters; the beautiful Hanging Gardens; poignant Parsi Towers of Silence; and the interesting Jain temple, an ostentatious display in black marble and mirrors. After lunch at leisure, venture out on your own in this fascinating city. Celebrate India’s intriguing contrasts and warm hospitality at tonight’s farewell reception.



Tour includes: Shangri-La Hotel New Delhi, lavish and centrally located; Oberoi Amarvilas, your guest rooms offer coveted views of the Taj Mahal; Rambagh Palace, an elegant oasis of comfort and luxury Oberoi Udaivilas, a palatial refuge mirrored like a precious jewel in the waters of Lake Pichola; the Taj Malabar, and Bombay’s Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, a gracious landmark overlooking the Arabian Sea.

13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners, including special events.

All flights within India • All sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary Each departure is limited to just 30 guests to ensure individualized, personal service. Full pretrip information and assistance.

Dates of departure: 11/1/2007, 11/29/2007

Rate: From $7,895 — Land only, based on double occupancy. *Please see terms and conditions.


Cruise aboard the yacht-like Clipper Odyssey that takes you from Vanuatu through the Solomon Islands to Papua New Guinea. Recall the dramatic legacy and poi-gnant reminders of World War II’s South Pacific campaign as we explore the origi-nal landing site at Guadalcanal. Cruise Iron Bottom Sound between Guadalcanal and Savo, the site of constant naval actions in 1942/43.

You will experience a combination of comfort and elegance found only on a small ship such as ours, cruising through lush tropical islands and exotic waters. You will be accompanied by distinguished experts whose in-depth knowledge of the historic events will provide insight and enjoyment.

Days 1-2 Depart the U.S./Cross the International Date Line

Day 3 Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji Upon arrival, transfer to your deluxe hotel, where you’ll relax overnight.

Day 4 Nadi/Port-Vila, (Embark) Éfaté, Vanuatu Explore Viti Levu before your flight to Vanuatu’s capital city of Port-Vila. Embark the Clipper Odyssey, and set sail.

Day 5 Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu The island that inspired Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific is stunning; turquoise waters and coconut-trimmed beaches. Once home to World War II allied troops, remnants of its military legacy linger — Quonset huts, downed planes, and the wrecked S.S. President Coolidge.

Day 6 Cruising the South Pacific A wonderful day of onboard activities and amenities while at sea.

Day 7 Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Zodiac to historic Red Beach — site of the Marine landing on August 7, 1942. See the American War Memorial on Hill 73, overlooking Iron Bottom Sound; and Edson’s Bloody Ridge, Guadalcanal’s most famous battleground.

Day 8 Purvis Bay/Tulaghi/Savo, Solomon Islands So many ships were sunk in these waters that they became known as Iron Bottom Sound. At Purvis Bay, see rusting remains of LST342, a “landing ship/tank” broken in half by a torpedo, pass Tulaghi and Savo Islands, pausing for a wreath ceremony at Iron Bottom Sound.

Day 9 New Georgia/Rendova, Solomon Islands Anchor at New Georgia’s Viru Harbor, where a lone Japanese antiaircraft gun keeps vigil over this former enemy base. Zodiac tour and a visit to Tetemara Elementary School, Rendova Island, liberated by U.S. forces in 1943, and John F. Kennedy’s Pacific home base. When his PT109 was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer, he and his men swam to nearby Plum Pudding Island.

Day 10 Blackett Straits/Kula Gulf/Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands Cruise through Blackett Straits where JFK’s PT109 was destroyed by the Amagiri, and continue to Kula Gulf and Vella Lavella — base of the famous Marine Corps fighter unit, Black Sheep Squadron. Under the command of Colonel Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington, this unit shot down 94 enemy aircraft in only 12 weeks.

Day 11 Purvata/Empress Augusta Bay/Buka, Papua New Guinea Arrive at Purvata Island, where U.S. Marines pushed the Japanese into the moun-tains. Then pause at Empress Augusta Bay before cruising through Buka Passage. In Buka, known for its fine woven baskets, visit a local village school.

Day 12 Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea Rabaul rests beside a stunning harbor formed from a flooded caldera and six volcanoes. In January 1942, the Japanese overwhelmed the island’s small Australian garrison. The pumice hillsides were honeycombed with 300+ miles of wartime tunnels. Visit the remnants of this amazing stronghold, masterminded by Japanese Admiral Yamamoto.

Day 13 Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Papua New Guinea Zodiac to explore this 1943 Christmastide Marine-invasion site.

Day 14 Manus, Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea Your day begins at dawn in Apra Harbor, overlooking the sites of two U.S. invasions. Visit Seeadler Harbour, home to the Pacific Fleet, where MacArthur landed at Momote Point. View war relics at Seeadler, Lorengau, and Lugos.

Day 15 Madang, (Disembark), Papua New Guinea/Cairns, Australia Disembark the Clipper Odyssey in Madang, board your charter flight to Australia. Enjoy Skyrail Forest tour and your deluxe Cairns hotel.

Day 16 Cairns Discover the Great Barrier Reef during your full day at leisure.

Day 17 Cairns/Return to the U.S.

Islands of the South Pacific: Poignant Events of WWII


Tour includes: One precruise night at a deluxe hotel in Nadi, and two post-cruise nights at a deluxe hotel in Cairns, including all taxes and service charges

Flights from Nadi to Port-Vila, and from Madang to Cairns

11 nights aboard the Clipper Odyssey in fully air-conditioned, outside state-rooms with lower beds, and private bath facilities • All meals during the cruise, served at single leisurely seatings.

All excursions and shoreside exploration • All port charges and onboard gratu-ities • All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return.

Captain’s welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinners.

Date of departure: 11/12/2007



Few places arouse more fascination and curiosity than Egypt, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history of more than 5,000 years. Flowing through the country’s desert, the great Nile River has supported large populations along its lush, fertile banks since the beginning of time. Greek historian Herodotus wrote nearly 2,500 years ago that Egypt is “the gift of the Nile” — its existence depending solely upon the mighty waters.

Despite its distinction as the kingdom of the Pharaohs, Egypt also conceals a re-markable Christian heritage; discover it firsthand when you visit St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Desert. Then delve deeper into antiquity at Jordan’s Petra, the rose-red rock city that lay hidden from the world for more than 1,000 years. Your journey concludes with a relaxing stay along the scenic shores of the Dead Sea, which includes a visit to ancient Jerash — a remarkably preserved city often labeled the “Pompeii of the East.”

Explore it all — Egypt to Jordan — by private chartered plane!


Day 2 Cairo/Giza, Egypt Evening brings you to Cairo, located at the mouth of the Nile River delta. Upon arrival, transfer to Giza and the Mena House Oberoi Hotel, where you’ll have dramatic views of the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

Day 3 Cairo/Giza The last remaining of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Giza Pyramids are the only vestiges from that time to survive in their original form. Also view the Sun Boat, the well-preserved, wooden funeral boat that carried Cheops’ body from Memphis to Giza. If you choose, even ride a camel during the tour. Tonight, gather for a welcome reception, dinner, and folkloric show at Rubayyat Restaurant.

Day 4 Cairo/Giza Journey to Egypt’s ancient capital of Memphis — site of the enormous limestone colossus of a young Pharaoh Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid Complex of King Zoser. After a barbecue lunch and relaxing afternoon, join us under the star-filled Egyptian sky for a sound and laser light show at the Pyramids.

Day 5 Private chartered flights to Abu Simbel and Aswan (Embark the Oberoi Philae) Our chartered private plane takes you to the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel, carved from the side of a sandstone cliff more than 3,000 years ago in honor of Ramses II. Also visit the site’s smaller temple, dedicated to Nefertari, Ramses II’s favorite wife. Next, continue by private plane to Aswan — gateway to the Nubian Desert and the Sudan, and also site of the great High Dam constructed to harness the power of the Nile. Upon arrival, transfer to the Oberoi Philae for your four-night cruise. Late this afternoon, enjoy a short jaunt aboard an Egyptian felucca.

Wings Over the Nile® by Private Plane

“history is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man.”— Percy Bysshe Shelley


Day 6 Aswan/Cruising the Nile/Kom Ombo This morning, see the High Dam and visit the Temple of Isis at Philae. At the nearby granite quarry, where the Pyramids’ building blocks were excavated, also view the 1,320-ton, 137-foot-high unfinished obelisk. Return to the Oberoi Philae and begin your cruise to Kom Ombo — the strategic point on the ancient desert route to Nubia and Ethiopia. Though much of the town’s Greco-Roman temple has fallen, its aesthetic proportions are still quite evident today. Enjoy an Egyptian dinner and costumed galabia (a long, loose Egyptian garment) party this evening.

Day 7 Edfu/Cruising the Nile/Luxor The ancient Greeks called the site of Edfu “Apollonopolis,” after Apollo (or Horus, the Egyptian god of light). The nearly intact Temple of Horus is one of Egypt’s finest examples of Ptolemaic art. Next, cruise a bit farther downstream to Luxor, on the Nile’s East bank at the site of ancient Thebes, where the ship will dock for the night.

Day 8 Luxor A morning West Bank tour takes you across the Nile to the remote Valley of the Kings, site of the Tomb of King Tutankhamen. Sixty-four of Egypt’s rulers were buried here in ornate subterranean chambers. Also visit the Valley of the Nobles. And, finally, marvel at the Colossi of Memnon — two giant statues that once stood watch over the funerary temple of Amenophis III. This afternoon, explore the massive temples of Karnak and Luxor, surprisingly well-preserved. Enter the Hypostle Hall, reputedly the largest hall of any temple in the world, before reaching nearby Luxor Temple.

Day 9 Luxor (Disembark)/Private chartered flights to St. Cath-erine’s Monastery and Cairo Disembark the Oberoi Philae for your flight by chartered private plane to the heart of the Sinai Desert and St. Catherine’s Monastery. According to religious tradition, it was here that Moses saw the Burning Bush and received the Ten Commandments. Examine the collection of priceless icons and hanging lamps in the Chapel of the Burning Bush. Reboard the private plane and return to Cairo, where you’ll enjoy a Nile-view room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, located nearby the Egyptian Antiquities Museum.

Day 10 Cairo Discover Old Cairo during a tour that includes the Muhammad Ali Mosque, which commands a complete view of Cairo, the Nile and, in the far distance, the Giza Pyramids. Continue to colorful Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and delight in a lunch of local specialties at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant. Later, visit the renowned Egyptian Antiquities Museum. Included as part of your guided tour are the treasures from the tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen and entrance into the Royal Mummies Room.

Day 11 Private chartered flight to Al ‘Aqabah, Jordan/Transfer to Petra, Jordan Fly by chartered private plane to Al ‘Aqabah, Jordan, and drive to Petra — the fabled city that lay hidden to the world until its 1812 discovery. Stay at the Petra Movenpick Hotel.

Day 12 Petra Time appears frozen in Petra, the abandoned capital of the Naba-taeans — Arabs who dominated this area in the pre-Roman era. Follow the Siq, a narrow gorge winding through the region’s rock, on a walking tour that includes the impressive Treasury, royal tombs, colonnaded street, and amphitheater. Monumental in both size and scope, Petra’s architecture is astonishing, yet her colors — deep rust, banded with grays, yellows, and every hue in between — are sure to captivate as well.

Day 13 Scenic drive along Desert Highway through Madaba to the Dead Sea, Jordan Drive through rolling countryside along the Desert Highway to Madaba, where you’ll marvel at the town’s Byzantine mosaics, including a 6th-cen-

tury map of the Christian holy lands — reassembled from 2 million pieces. Continue to the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, located directly on the Dead Sea’s eastern shore. You’ll have the afternoon and evening to relax and, perhaps, take a swim or enjoy the resort’s extensive spa services.

Day 14 Dead Sea (for Jerash, Jordan) Today, tour ancient Jerash, a vast Greco-Roman city that flourished in the time around the Christian era. See its well-preserved walls, colonnaded streets, temples, public baths, plazas, and theaters decorated with ornate sculptures and fountains.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your Dead Sea resort. This evening, join us for a festive farewell dinner.


Tour includes: All flights within Egypt and to Jordan by private chartered plane

Deluxe accommodations at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel (3 Nights); Grand Hyatt Hotel (2 Nights); Petra Movenpick Hotel (2 Nights); and Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa (2 Nights)

Four nights aboard the Oberoi Philae in outside staterooms with lower beds, individual temperature controls, private bath facilities, and balconies • All sightseeing and shore excursions

12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners, including all meals during the cruise and these special events: Cairo welcome reception and dinner, Egyptian dinner and costumed galabia party on board ship, and farewell dinner at the Dead Sea • Egyptologist and other experts throughout Egypt and Jordan

All overseas airport/hotel/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return, including tips to hotel/ship porters for luggage handling.

Dates of departure: 9/25/2007, 10/5/2007, 10/9/2007, 10/23/2007, 11/2/2007, 11/6/2007



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Cruising along the legendary Rhine River, Europe’s history unfolds in a kaleidoscopic sweep of culture, landmarks and landscapes. Sail through the heart of Germany’s Rhine-land, through France and Switzerland aboard a deluxe riverboat — the 78-passenger Rembrandt, all-outside cabins, stylish public areas, your floating hotel. This voyage showcases the little-known towns and villages to the premier cities. Explore the Kröller-Müller Museum; one of Germany’s most imposing Gothic cathedrals in Cologne; ancient Heidelberg, a carefully preserved tribute to the architecture and special ambience of medieval Germany; Strasbourg, where the combined French and German heritage has produced a delightful potpourri of architecture, culture, and cui-sine; and Renaissance Basel. From Alsatian Rhinau, enjoy a scenic drive through Bavaria’s legendary Black Forest to Freiburg and along the Route du Vin. With all-outside cabins, stylish public areas, and no need for continual packing and unpacking.


Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands (Embark) You’ll have time to settle in and, perhaps, explore this quintessential Dutch city on your own before tonight’s welcome reception and dinner on board. The eclectic blend of old and new makes Amsterdam one of Europe’s most enticing capitals. The ship overnights in port.

Day 3 Amsterdam/Arnhem, Netherlands Travel along tree-lined canals and through colorful parks during a morning tour of Amsterdam’s notable landmarks. See the Royal Palace, Mint Tower, Skinny Bridge, and the famous Portuguese Synagogue, absorbing the eclectic blend of old and new that makes Amsterdam one of Europe’s most enticing capitals. Cruise to delightful Arnhem later this afternoon. The ship overnights in port.

Day 4 Arnhem (for Kröller-Müller Museum)/Cruising the Rhine River/Cologne, Germany Visit the Kröller-Müller Museum, renowned for its collection by European painters, including Vincent van Gogh. While here, stroll through the sculpture park, where works by such artistic giants as Rodin and Giacometti are displayed.

Day 5 Cologne/Koblenz, Germany With its great cathedral, Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and world-class museums, Cologne is one of the brightest jewels in Europe’s crown. The largest city on the Rhine, Cologne has been a dominant power in the Rhineland since Roman times. Discover one of Germany’s most imposing Gothic cathedrals on today’s walking tour. Then relax on a leisurely afternoon cruise to Koblenz.

Day 6 Mainz, Germany Sail the Rhine Gorge today, enjoying a 50-mile stretch considered to be the most evocative scenery along the Rhine. View dramatic landscapes where vineyards cling to steep hills crowned by towering castles. Pass the slate crag of Lorelei, which rises more than 400 feet from the river. In Mainz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers. Visit the Gutenberg Museum to see its world famous press.

Day 7 Mannheim (for Heidelberg)/Rastatt/Strasbourg, Germany During the Middle Ages, Heidelberg was Germany’s political, intellectual, and cultural center. Today, its red roofs, picturesque towers, and beautiful castle ruins beckon travelers. Our tour will reveal the best of romantic Germany: narrow streets flanked by intricate baroque architecture; market squares bordered by outdoor cafés; and castle ruins provide the authentic settings for discussions about this regions history.

Day 8 Strasbourg, France Strasbourg is known for its Old Town and the Petite France area, which you’ll enjoy during a walking tour. There is time to explore on your own, wander along cobblestone alleyways, or simply take time to enjoy a café au lait.

Day 9 Strasbourg (for Black Forest)/Freiburg and Route du Vin/Breisach, Germany Depart this morning for the pine-covered highlands of southern Germany’s magnificent Black Forest, abundant with sparkling lakes, quiet valleys, and Alpine villages. Stop at Freiburg, the region’s charming capital with an almost 900-year history. Visit Munster Cathedral — a medieval masterpiece — Visit to the cellars of Dopff & Irion at Domaines du Château de Riquewihr.

Day 10 Basel, Switzerland Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise along the Rhine before reaching Renaissance of Basel, where an afternoon tour introduces you to the arched stone city gateway, Gothic-Romanesque St. Gal-lus Cathedral, and Basel’s distinctive beamed houses.

Day 11 Basel (Disembark)/Return to U.S.

Tour includes: Nine nights aboard the exclusively chartered Rembrandt in outside cabins with lower beds and private bath facilities

All meals during the cruise, served at single leisurely seatings

All sightseeing and shore excursions • All port charges and departure fees

All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return, including tips to ship porters for luggage handling

Onboard experts who lead sightseeing and shore excursions, and offer informative lectures • Welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinners

Services of a professional travel staff throughout the journey

Dates of departure: 5/11/2007, 5/29/2007, 6/7/2007, 6/16/2007, 6/25/2007



The Classic Rhine

July 1943, Allied forces waged a fierce battle against the Axis powers to win a toe-hold on the Italian peninsula. The invasion of Sicily - known as Operation HUSKY and led by British General Sir Harold Alexander and American General George Patton - was, and remains, the largest amphibious assault in history, involving landings over a 50-mile front. For 38 days, the Allies fought to drive the Axis forces across the Strait of Messina and on to the Italian mainland. With the successful conclusion of this first large-scale opposed landing on the European con-tinent, the Allies achieved control of the Mediterranean and were in Italy to stay.

Join us for this unique cruise of historic sites that were witness to the dramatic events of World War II’s Italian Campaign. Visit the landing beaches at Gela, Licata, Avola, and the Maddalena Peninsula, and explore Catania, Lentini, and the Primosole Bridge. In Salerno, walk in the footsteps of the brave soldiers who came ashore at Paestum and Battipaglia. In Anzio, see where the Fifth and Eighth Armies launched a carefully syn-chronized attack, May 1944, which finally penetrated Germany’s Italian defensive line, leading to its surren-der in Italy the first formal capitulation of the war.


Day 2 Valletta, Malta (Embark) Arrive in Malta’s unique walled capital and embark the Clipper Adventurer.

Day 3 Licata (for Agrigento), Sicily, Italy Reach Sicily’s southern coast and the port of Licata for a morning walk through Italy’s famous Valley of the Temples, a well-preserved archaeological site of Greek origin. See many sacred temples, all reflecting the orange-and-yellow earthen hues of the region’s shell-sediment rock. Later, this afternoon explore nearby Agrigento, and discover this quaint medieval hamlet.

Day 4 Licata (for Siracusa, Sicily) The Greeks founded historic Siracusa on the southeastern coast of Sicily in the 8th century B.C. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Siracusa’s heart, the city’s most ancient section — the island of Ortigia — boasts a wealth of treasures, including the freshwater Arethusa Fountain, Temple of Apollo, Neapolis Archaeological Park, Greek theater, and ancient Roman amphitheater.

Day 5 Messina (for Taormina), Sicily Throughout history, from the Crusades to World War II, this gateway to the narrow body of water between Sicily and Italy’s mainland was a vital and coveted port. Learn more about this busy seaport’s colorful history while exploring part of the route General Patton’s troops took during World War II. Later, drive along the coastal road to lovely Taormina, perched on a hillside overlooking the sea with Mt. Etna as a backdrop. Experience the unique flavor of this ancient town as you stroll past the medieval Palazzo Carvaia and impressive 3rd-century-B.C. Greek theater.

Day 6 Salerno (for Pompeii), Italy Enjoy a full-day excursion to ancient Pompeii, discovered beneath 20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice from the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Two-thirds of the city has been

excavated, bringing the ruins of a flourishing ancient civilization to life once more. Follow along the paths of chariots and enter villas adorned by exquisite frescoes.

Day 7 Salerno (for Amalfi Coast) Traveling south of Salerno, tour the World War II landing beaches near the ancient Greek ruins at Paestum, where Allied forces landed early on September 9, 1943. Then continue inland to Chiunzi Pass, where the Sorrentine peninsula meets the Italian mainland. Here, Allied forces fought the Germans for the summit that, today, affords spectacular views of the stunning Amalfi Coast — a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Follow the narrow ribbon of winding road through rugged cliffsides and past glistening bays to picture-post-

card hamlets and fashionable seaside resorts.

Day 8 Gaeta, Italy Today, visit the site of what has been called the “hardest-fought battle of World War II” — Monte Cassino Abbey, one of Christendom’s most sacred sites. Chosen as the centerpiece of Germany’s Gustav Line, which the Allies needed to break through to capture Rome, the monastery along with many of its irreplaceable treasures was eventually reduced to rubble by massive Allied bombings. Explore the abbey and museum, which was eventually restored and reconse-crated by Pope Paul VI in 1964, and then designated an Italian National Monument in 1966.

Day 9 Anzio (for Rome), Italy Venture north to the “Eternal City” of Rome, a museum of the ages reflecting its own compelling history. To walk through the city is to walk through the pages of time. On a panoramic tour, drive past Circus Maximus, the

Colosseum, and the Forum. Then enjoy a traditional Italian lunch and leisure time before heading southward again to the American Memorial Cemetery at Nettuno, where many World War II soldiers are laid to rest.

Day 10 Civitavecchia (Disembark)/Return to the U.S.

Mediterranean Memories: In the Footsteps of WWII’s Italian Campaign

Tour includes: 8 nights aboard the Clipper Adventurer in fully air-condi-tioned, outside staterooms with lower beds, individual temperature controls, and private bath facilities

All meals during the cruise, served at single leisurely seatings.All sightseeing, Zodiac exploration, and shore excursions • Captain’s welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinners.All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return • All port charges and onboard gratuities


Rate: From $4,230 — Outside stateroom, cruise only, based on double occupancy. *Please see terms and conditions.Program number: HISTCAT


“Travel can be one of the most rewarding forms of introspection.”

— Lawrence Durrell

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Experience a unique expeditionary voyage from Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula and the Aleutians to the remote and seldom-visited Russian Far East. Learn about the area’s historical significance with visits to Kiska Island, home of a large Japanese naval base during World War II, and Attu Island, site of the only World War II battle on American soil. Discover the Kamchatka Peninsula — the “Land of the Smoking Volcanoes” — with its impressive backdrop of more than 100 volcanoes. Join our onboard experts on Zodiac excursions as they help to identify a wide array of wild-life. We have been fortunate to encounter brown bears, harbor seals, humpback whales, and sea otters, just to name a few. The sky is filled with smokelike flocks of birds that often include Steller’s sea eagles, fulmars, kittiwakes, and cormorants. Sail with fewer than 130 fellow passengers aboard the attractive and comfort-able Clipper Odyssey, combining the amenities of a luxurious cruise liner with the intimacy of a small expedition ship.

Day 1 Depart Home City/Anchorage, Alaska Upon arrival, transfer to the Anchorage Hilton Hotel for overnight.

Day 2 Seward, (Embark) Alaska Your motorcoach departs for Seward today. En route, experience the mountains and waterways surrounding this gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. The Clipper Odyssey sets sail late this afternoon.

Day 3 Kukak Bay/Geographic Harbor, Alaska If you’ve never seen an Alaskan brown (grizzly) bear, welcome to their playground. Both Kukak Bay and Geographic Harbour are teeming with wildlife, including bald eagles, sea lions, otters, whales, cormorants, puffins, and the occasional moose.

Day 4 Semidi Islands/Chignik Bay, Alaska Welcome to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll spy rocky cliffs alive with horned puffins and other seabirds against a backdrop of lush green hillsides. Your day includes Zodiac excursions to Aghiyuk Island for bird-watching, a stellar seal haul out at Kak Island, the cannery and nature walks of Chignik Bay, and the vivid rock formations of Castle Cape Fjords.

Days 5-10 Expedition Cruising through Alaska’s Aleutian Islands Over the next few days, discover the beautiful islands that stretch from southwest Alaska to form the Aleutian archipelago. Flexibility is key, as landings here depend on local weather conditions. No stops are guaranteed, but the following are possibilities.

The Haystacks/Unga Village Birds flock to these small, rugged islands, and don’t be surprised to spot humpback whales or sea otters. Step back in time as you stroll the ghost town that was once Unga. Formerly a Russian otter-fishing station, it thrived in the 1920s as a goldmining town.

Baby Islands/Dutch Harbor Take a Zodiac to the Baby Islands’ jagged cliffs, nesting site of the rare whiskered auklet. Or visit bustling Dutch Harbor, the only place in North America besides Pearl Harbor to be bombed by the Japanese. Remains of Quonset huts still dot the green hills. See both the World War II Museum and the Museum of the Aleutians. Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a National Historic Landmark.

Chuginadak/Chagulak Island Zodiac cruising affords a close-up view of Mt. Cleveland, an active volcano. Stroll the beach or hike to a waterfall. At Chagulak Island, see America’s largest known colony of northern fulmars — more than a half million.

Adak Island It is from Adak, the southernmost harbor town in Alaska, that the U.S. Army mounted a successful offensive against the Japanese-held islands of Kiska and Attu during World War II. The last military base closed in 1997, leaving behind modern facilities not often found in such a remote paradise.

Kiska The harbor at Kiska, a National Historic Site, is one of the best-preserved historical scenes anywhere and was once home to a World War II Japanese naval base. Explore underground tunnels, gun emplacements, and shipwrecks — all undisturbed since 1943.

Attu Island So far west it’s in the Eastern Hemisphere, Attu boasts magnificent scenery and one of the best vantage points for viewing rare birds. It is also site of the only World War II battle fought on American soil.

Days 11-12 Cruising the Bering Sea/Cross the International Date Line

Day 13 Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia Your Petropavlovsk tour includes visits to the Vitus Bering monument and a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Kamchatka. Conditions permitting, join an optional helicopter excursion to the Valley of the Geysers; soar above the panorama of roaring rivers, sheer-cliffed canyons, and breathtaking Karymsky Volcano. Stroll boardwalks through a bubbling, boiling landscape, with plumes of sizzling water and billowing steam.

Day 14 Petropavlovsk (Disembark)/Cross the International Date Line/Anchorage, Alaska Disembark the Clipper Odyssey after breakfast and fly back to Anchorage, where you’ll once again overnight at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel.

Day 15 Return to Home City

Tour includes: One precruise night and one postcruise night at a deluxe hotel in Anchorage, including all taxes and service charges.

Flight from Petropavlovsk to Anchorage

11 nights aboard the Clipper Odyssey in fully air-conditioned, outside state-rooms with lower beds, individual temperature controls, and private bath facilities • All meals during the cruise, served at single leisurely seatings • Captain’s welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinnersAll excursions and shoreside exploration (excluding helicopter excursion to the Valley of the Geysers) • All port charges and onboard gratuities • All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for pas-sengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return.




Alaska and Russia


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Venture beyond the shores of northern Africa, both figuratively and literally, on this fascinating expeditionary voyage to ports of call along and beyond North Africa’s storied coastline. Delight in the rich heritage and traditions of such fabled places as Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, and Gozo Island, among others — all rife with lush gardens, ruined casbahs, bustling souks, and a wealth of ancient antiquities.

Sailing with fewer than 125 fellow passengers aboard the Clipper Adventurer, delve into the region’s picturesque beauty and compelling culture, as well as its unique legacy as an integral component to the unfolding events of World War II’s dramatic Operation TORCH and the Allies’ North Africa campaign.

Within a framework of sun-kissed Mediterranean splendor, sprawling desert sands, world-renowned archaeology, and poignant modern history, the wonders of northern Africa — from Morocco and Gibraltar to Algeria, Tunisia, and Malta — promise to be revealed in the most memorable ways!

Day 1 Depart the U.S.Day 2 Casablanca, Morocco Day 3 Casablanca (Embark) Day 4 Gibraltar, United Kingdom Day 5 Oran, Algeria Day 6 Algiers, Algeria Day 7 Annaba, Algeria Day 8 Bizerte/Tunis, Tunisia Day 9 Tunis (for Carthage) Day 10 Sousse, Tunisia Day 11 Gozo Island/Valletta, Malta Day 12 Valletta, (Disembark)/Return to the U.S.

Tour includes: One precruise night at the Hyatt Regency in Casablanca

9 nights aboard the Clipper Adventurer in fully air-conditioned, outside staterooms with lower beds, individual temperature controls, and private bath facilitiesAll meals during the cruise, prepared to order and served at single leisurely seatings • All sightseeing and shore excursions • All port charges and onboard gratuities

All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return

Captain’s welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinners




Beyond the Shores of Northern Africa: Chasing WWII’s Desert Fox

Experience the majestic beauty of the Far North during its brief but brilliant summer, visiting tiny communities where people still work and play in traditional ways. The cries of seabirds, the day’s catch of fish, and the warmth of the summer sun define the daily routine, in these lands, first discovered and inhabited by intrepid Viking explorers, Irish monks, and Inuit hunters. Journey beyond the Arctic Circle to the seldom-visited Lofoten Islands and Honningsvåg, the northernmost town in Europe. Despite its extremely high latitude, the harbor there remains free of ice year-round because of the warming current of the north Atlantic. Cruise along Norway’s sinuous coastline, reveling in some of the Northern Hemisphere’s most remote and pristine scenery. Explore the Orkney Islands, archipelagos off northeastern Scotland, where you’ll marvel at prehistoric villages, ancient tombs, standing ceremonial stones, and spectacular coastal scenery. Hundreds of bird species, including the colorful puffin, call this region home.

Day 1 Depart the U.S. Days 2-3 Oslo, Norway Day 4 Tromsø, Norway (Embark) Day 5 Honningsvåg (for North Cape)/Gjesærstappan Island, Norway Day 6 Fugløy Island, Norway Day 7 Cruising Trollfjord/Stamsund, Lofoten Islands, Norway Day 8 Røst Island, Lofoten Islands/Cross the Arctic Circle /

Torghatten Island, Norway Day 9 Cruising the Norwegian Fjords/Geirangerfjord, Norway Day 10 Sognefjord/Gudvangen/Flam, NorwayDay 11 Bergen, Norway Day 12 Cruising the North Sea Day 13 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland Day 14 Morning at sea/Leith, ScotlandDay 15 Leith (Disembark)/Return to the U.S.

The Vikings: From the Norwegian Fjords to the Scottish Isles


Tour includes: Two precruise nights at a deluxe hotel in Oslo, including breakfast each morning

Flight from Oslo to Tromsø on day of embarkation11 nights aboard the Clipper Adventurer in fully air-conditioned, outside staterooms • Captain’s welcome aboard and farewell receptions and dinnersAll meals during the cruise, prepared to order and served at single leisurely seatings • All sightseeing and shore excursions throughout the voyage • All port charges and onboard gratuities

All airport/ship transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return




“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”— Nelson Mandela

Few places arouse more excitement or anticipation of adventure than Africa. See and hear the sights and sounds of the Africa that everyone imagines, but few actually experience — the trumpet of proud elephants, a lion’s roar, graceful bird calls, tribesmen in colorful native dress, and reflected sunlight glistening off the arched backs of lazing hippos.

This exhilarating journey is an exploration of South Africa, from the cosmopolitan charm of its premier city — Cape Town — to the intimacy of observing na-ture in its very midst at game reserves and luxury lodges. You will discover the country’s grandeur in style and casual comfort, while open-air, four-wheel-drive safari vehicles offer unobstructed game viewing — led by experienced rangers and trackers. Discover native cultures visiting villages and a local school. This is an itinerary filled with incredible experiences ... even the thrill of night safaris. Join us for truly unrestricted, close encounters with Africa’s animal world and a wonderful journey throughout South Africa.


Days 2-4 Cape Town, South Africa Nestled between the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain and the bustling harbor, Cape Town was settled by the Dutch more than 300 years ago; its decidedly European ambience will take you by surprise.

You will ascend by cable car to the summit of Table Mountain for spectacular views of the harbor and coastline. Enjoy the panorama of city and suburbs bounded by the convergence of two great ocean currents — the tropical Agulhas and Antarctic Benguela. Continue with a drive through the Cape Malay district to view charming Cape Dutch architecture, then make a poignant visit to the District 6 Museum and neighborhood.

You will enjoy a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, the continent’s southwestern-most point, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Drive beyond Lion’s Head past the peaks known as the Twelve Apostles, which stretch outward to the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay. Your outing will be highlighted by lunch at the Black Marlin Restaurant — known for its great seafood.

Days 5-6 Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa Morning flight to Hoedspruit; to Thornybush Game Reserve and your room at the Thornybush Main Lodge. Set in the heart of the Lowveld, Thornybush is adjacent to world-renowned Kruger National Park and offers prime game-viewing opportunities. Hundreds of animal species, including the “big five” — lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard — roam the open savannah in a near-perfect year-round climate. After check-in, board all-terrain vehicles for your first safari game drive.

Enjoy a full day of nature discoveries with morning and afternoon game drives. Your knowledgeable rangers will point out and identify the wide variety of flora and fauna you’re likely to encounter. Between safaris, your ranger will gladly take you on a guided bush walk to see the smaller creatures.

Day 7 Thornybush Game Reserve/Scenic Transfer to Hazyview, South Africa After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach through rural Africa. You’ll stop at Graskop for lunch and a photo opportunity at “God’s Window” — an unusu-ally formed cleft that affords breathtaking views of the Golden Escarpment overlook-ing the eastern lowlands. Late this afternoon, arrive at the village of Hazyview.

Day 8 Hazyview/Scenic Transfer to Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, South Africa This morning, stop for a visit at the Shangana Cultural Village — set in the shade of ancient trees amid a reserve of forest and grassland. The residents of the customary villages of Shangana invite you to share in their way of life and observe as they fashion traditional goods.

You’ll arrive at Lion Sands Private Game Reserve around midday. Get settled into your room at the Lion Sands River Lodge and prepare to rejoin the wild during a pre-dinner game drive.

Day 9 Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve A lush tract of “big five” game land in South Africa, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is renowned for its wildlife viewing. With exclusive access to the Sabi River, attracting many animal and bird species, diversity is its hallmark. The game reserve’s distinct habitats abound with wildlife of all ecological realms, from the prolific Nile crocodile to the mighty African elephant.

Today brings the opportunity to visit a rural African school and interact with local children. You won’t want to miss this unique outing! Between your morning and afternoon/evening game drives today, you may wish to rejuvenate at the spa, or request that a ranger lead you on a bush walk around the lodge grounds.

Day 10 Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg Airport/Depart for the U.S. Enjoy one last safari game drive before your flight to Johannesburg. Late in the afternoon, begin your journey back to the United States.

Day 11 Arrive in the U.S.

South African Wildlife Safari


Tour includes: Deluxe accommodations - Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town; Thornybush Main Lodge at Thornybush Game Reserve; Protea Hotel in Hazyview; Lion Sands River Lodge in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

Limited to just 26 guests

All sightseeing, safari activities, & game drives throughout your adventure

All meals at safari camps and lodges • All internal flights and land transfers as per the itinerary

All overseas airport/hotel/lodge transfers for air purchased through the tour operator for passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return, including tips to hotel/lodge porters for luggage handling

Services of a professional travel director, experienced drivers, and knowledgeable guides throughout the safari • Full pretrip assistance

Dates of departure: 4/3/2007, 4/17/2007, 9/11/2007, 10/4/2007

Rate: From $5,645 — Based on double occupancy, land only. *Please see terms and conditions.


River CruisingTerms and Conditions

Catalog terms and conditionsBelow are condensed TERMS AND CONDITIONS of INTRAV. The complete Terms and Conditions will be sent to you with your confirmation letter upon receipt of your deposit, or may be viewed at www.intrav.com. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR RESERVATION IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL WE RECEIVE YOUR FINAL PAYMENT AND YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE COMPLETE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.Deposit and final payment: A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm reservations. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure.After you reserve: INTRAV provides complete pre-departure and destination information services. Though a series of pre-departure mailings, INTRAV will provide travel information, documentation requirements, packing suggestions, a daily itinerary, and a reading guide.

A confirmation letter and INTRAV’s Terms and Conditions will be mailed to you upon receipt of deposit. Approximately 150 days before departure, INTRAV will mail you an invoice, Travel and Destination Information, and Passenger Information Form. Approximately three weeks before departure, INTRAV will mail your final documents packet. Final documents will contain your final itinerary, cruise and air tickets (if applicable), baggage tags, and name badge.Responsibility: TOUR PARTICIPANT CONTRACT – IMPORTANT! INTRAV, Inc., and/or its agents and sponsoring organizations (collectively, INTRAV) assume no liability for failure to provide the services and accommodations referred to in its brochures and catalogs to the extent that such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond its control. INTRAV has no responsibility or liability for the act, omission, or negligence of any of its suppliers of services and the tour participant further waives any such claim. INTRAV reserves the right to change the itinerary without prior notice. If the tour is cancelled by INTRAV for any reason, INTRAV shall have no liability beyond the refund of all tour participants’ deposits received by it. Services not purchased through INTRAV, including independent flight arrangements, are solely at your risk and will not be refunded by INTRAV. INTRAV may increase the tour price in the event of cost increases, including tariffs, exchange rates, or fuel surcharges. INTRAV reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time. If any tour participant leaves or is removed from the tour, no refund shall be made. Air transportation is subject to the terms and conditions of the airline’s ticket contract. INTRAV cannot be held responsible for inconvenience or costs incurred by airline delays or disruption of air service over which it has not control. Deposits paid by tour participants indicate acceptance of these terms and conditions. Photography on tour: INTRAV reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any tour or part thereof, and to use the resulting images for promotional purposes. By booking a reservation with INTRAV, tour participants agree to allow their image to be used for such purposes waive the right to edit or approve such photographs, and release INTRAV from claims or liabilities related to such photographs.Health and disability requirements: Participants must notify us at the time of booking of any condition requiring medical treatment or attention. Participants must ensure they are medically and physically fit for travel and that such traveling will not endanger themselves or others. Please be advised that many itineraries include a considerable amount of walking, sometimes on uneven terrain. INTRAV is unable to provide individual assistance to participants with wheelchairs, walking, dining, or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them. We are unable to guarantee that all services and facilities will be fully accessible and must advise that most small ships cannot fully accommodate wheelchairs, and that conditions in some ports may preclude participants requiring the use of a wheelchair from going ashore. We reserve the right to deny passage to individuals whose physical limitations and/or lack of assistance could impede safety requirements, disrupt group operations, or make it unfeasible for them to accompany the group. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.Cancellations: 2007• 120 or more days ______ $150* per person administrative fee• 119 - 60 days ________ $150* plus 25% of total trip cost• 59 - 0 days __________ No refund*May be applied toward a future INTRAV trip within two years from date of cancellation.

Land AdventuresTerms and Conditions

Registration: To register for your educational adventure with The History Channel and Road Scholar and for questions, please call Road Scholar at (800) 286-4492.

Airfare is available for all programs, except for those in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Please call for a complete list of departure cities and prices with airfare.

Cancellation/Refund Plan: Cancel up to 77 days prior to program start date: total program payment refunded less $100 nonrefundable deposit. Cancel 15 to 76 days prior to program start date: total program payment refunded less $250 nonrefundable deposit. Cancel less than 15 days prior to program start date: total program payment less $500 nonrefundable deposit.

Single Traveler Note: Most Road Scholar programs have a limited number of single rooms available at a supplemental charge. For single travelers who wish to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate of the same gender. Should we be unable to assign you a roommate, the single supplement will be charged.

What your program cost includes: Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary; program materials and information; entrance fees, excursions and field trips, except those visited independently during free time; all gratuities, ground transportation during the program; services of experts, guides, manager and other staff; taxes, baggage handling and service charges and the Road Scholar Travel Assistance and Insurance Plan.

Elderhostel’s California Seller of Travel Registration #2068427-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the state of California. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. Elderhostel has a trust account. Elderhostel Inc. is registered with the state of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration #ST35594. Elderhostel Inc. is registered in the state of Nevada as a Seller of Travel. Registration #2005-0159.

The History Channel, the “H” logo, The History Channel Traveler, The History Channel Club, and The History Channel Magazine are trademarks of A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved. Art & Design © 2007 A&E Television Networks. The History Channel TravelerA&E Television Networks250 Harbor DriveStamford, CT 06902

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