Sailing the Route of the Venetian Traders aboard the m/s ANDREA

In the 16th century, The Most Serene Republic of Venice owned the Adriatic, bought navies for the Byzantines, and traded with everyone else, amassing wealth from the Levant and every corner of the Mediterranean. Our splendid midsummer Mediterranean cruise faithfully retraces the voyage home of a Venetian merchant ship, from Malta, the bastion of the Knights of St. John, up to Sicily, the undiscovered Apulia region of southern Italy, and over to the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, before docking in Venice. Optional excursions throughout give you the freedom to customize your experience. Highlights include the Roman ruins of Taormina, the awe-inspiring Fjord of Kotor, and the Baroque masterpieces of Lecce. We are particularly pleased to be able to stay overnight in Dubrovnik, so you can experience the famous reflections of the moon on the Stradun, the Renaissance city's marvelous pedestrian street.

Sailing the Route of the Venetian Traders

Valletta-Venice
9 Nights/10 Days

July 29 - August 7, 2009

Day 0. Depart USA under own arrangements.

Day 1. Valletta, Malta. Founded in 1565 by the Order of St. John, Valletta is a majestic Baroque UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Mediterranean from within massive fortified walls. Embark m/s Andrea this afternoon. Remain in port overnight.

Day 2. Valletta. An optional tour visits the St. John's Co-Cathedral, with its world-famous Caravaggio painting, and continues to Hagar Qim and Tarxien, two Neolithic temples more than 4,000 years old. Cruise this evening.   

Day 3. Catania, Sicily. From Catania, its church domes surmounted by the imposing slopes of Mount Etna in the distance, enjoy an optional excursion to the majestic Roman ruins of ancient Taormina, largely dating from the 2nd century A.D. The "Greek Theatre" is one of the most celebrated ancient remnants in all Italy, both for its remarkable state of preservation and its incomparable site, directly looking upon Mount Etna.

Day 4. Gallipoli, Italy. Arrive in Gallipoli, literally "beautiful city," a town of Renaissance palaces and a Baroque cathedral. On an optional excursion, travel to Lecce, the true "beautiful city" of Apulia – a city absolutely filled with intricately-sculpted Baroque churches and palaces.

Day 5. Kotor, Montenegro / Dubrovnik, Croatia. We approach Kotor via the Boka Kotorska, or Gulf of Kotor, the only fjord in southern Europe. Fortified since the Middle Ages, Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval town center and the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Tryphon. After an optional tour, cruise to Dubrovnik this afternoon.

Day 6. Dubrovnik. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," this grand UNESCO World Heritage Site once competed with Venice for the riches of eastern trade, amassing pride and fortune enough to dapple its streets with world-class Romanesque-Gothic design, from the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries to the Onofrio Fountain, the Rector's Palace, the Sponza Palace and numerous churches. Enjoy an optional tour; Andrea remains docked overnight.

Day 7. Dubrovnik / Mljet / Korcula. Cruise to the beautiful wooded island of Mljet, and enjoy an optional excursion to Veliko and Malo Jezero lakes. Continue to Korcula for an optional tour of The Cathedral of St. Mark, with its Tintorettos; the Treasury; and the Marco Polo House, where the famous explorer is said to have been born in 1254.

Day 8. Split. When the Emperor Diocletian retired in AD 305, he established a gargantuan palace in Split to live out his golden years. Improbably, the palace still exists – and forms the historic core of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy an optional tour of the palace, then visit sculptor Ivan Mestrovic's handsome gallery.

Day 9. Venice, Italy.  In the magnificent "Queen of the Adriatic," an optional excursion through St. Mark's Square provides a wealth of sights from the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs to the Campanile and St. Mark's Cathedral.

Day 10. Venice. Disembark m/s Andrea after breakfast.

Sailing the Route of the Venetian Traders
CRUISE INCLUSIONS

1. Cruise as described in the itinerary aboard the 104-passenger m/s ANDREA
2. All meals aboard ship including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
3. Welcome and farewell receptions aboard the ship, hosted by the Captain
4. Complimentary coffee, tea and pastries at all times aboard the ship  
5. Educational program of lectures given by local guest speakers
6. Performance of Dalmatian folk singers
7. On-board nightly musical entertainment
8. Professional Elegant Cruises tour staff
9. Complete pre-departure materials including destination information

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare; transfers to/from the ship; optional shore excursions; meals ashore; gratuities; port charges; fuel surcharge; luggage and trip cancellation insurance; personal expenses such as laundry; alcoholic beverages except as noted, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail services.

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Call us for International economy or business class airfare, as we will gladly assist you in making your air arrangements.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
Reserve your cabin six months prior to the departure of your selected cruise and receive a
$ 300.00 per person early booking discount.

FUEL SURCHARGE
Our prices are based on fuel rates at the time of brochure printing, and although we will do everything we can to maintain our rates, it may be necessary to apply a surcharge.

Sailing the Route of the Venetian Traders
ANDREA CRUISE RATES

Cabin Description	Cruise only rates per person
Cat 4, Inside Cabin	$ 3,195
Cat 3, Outside Stateroom	$ 4,195
Cat 2, Deluxe Stateroom	$ 5,595
Cat 1, Master Stateroom	$ 6,695
Owner’s Suite	$ 7,895
Superior Single Cabin	$ 5,495
Standard Single Cabin	$ 4,495
Port charges	$ 110
Single Supplement: 50% for categories 2, 3 & 4; 100% for category 1 & suites For assistance with your international air arrangements, please contact us at 1-800-683-6767.

Cabin Category Information
All cabins have lower beds (separated or connected, as indicated), private facilities with bath and/or shower, hairdryer, air conditioning, storage wardrobe, vanity with chair or stool, television, telephone, personal safe. Except for the five inside cabins, all staterooms feature either windows or portholes.