From Venice to Sicily

A Voyage on the Adriatic and Ionian Sea

September 16-25, 2008

A voyage from Venice to Sicily is relatively brief, just a few hundred nautical miles. But in the sweep of its history, art, and culture, it is an epic journey. Along this stretch of the Adriatic, the Ionian, and the Mediterranean Seas, an entire pageant of classical and medieval civilization passes before you: ancient Greece and imperial Rome; the Normans and the Crusaders; and the Byzantines and the Venetians. Each epoch created glorious architecture, great cities, and remarkable works of art, setting them all amid some of the loveliest scenery in the Mediterranean. We invite you to join us during the first golden days of autumn on a unique voyage to witness the wonders of 2,500 years of Mediterranean civilization.

Our voyage begins in Venice.You’ll want to be on deck as Corinthian II sails across the Lagoon—from the sea the view of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, the island monastery of San Giorgio, and the gleaming white dome of Santa Maria della Salute is spectacular. On the Adriatic, we'll follow the Dalmatian Coast, docking in tiny harbors for excursions to the magnificent Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the extraordinary walled city of Dubrovnik. One of the highlights of the voyage is the dramatic fjord to Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Kotor we’ll cross over again to Italy, calling in Otranto, the embarkation point for the Crusades and the site of a handsome 11th-century Norman cathedral famous for its mosaics.

In Sicily, where more than 2,500 years ago the Greeks erected monuments that rivaled the splendor of Athens, we’ll visit the immense Greek theater of Syracuse. Then, near Agrigento, we’ll explore some of the largest and best-preserved Greek temples in the Mediterranean before arriving finally in Palermo. For this memorable voyage, we have an unforgettable ship. Corinthian II is an all-suite ship limited to 114 guests. All the ship’s suites are exterior and spacious, measuring at least 225 square feet. Inspired by grand private yachts and fine European hotels, Corinthian II’s suites feature the very best in amenities.

With a luxury ship, superb scenery, magnificent cultural sites and a glorious time of year for sailing,Venice to Sicily is the W&L Traveller’s premier voyage for 2008.

Download the complete itinerary and registration form (.pdf)

Traveling With You

George Bent
George R. Bent is Professor of Art History at Washington and Lee University. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in 1985 and his Ph.D. in Art History from Stanford University in 1993. He came to Washington and Lee University in that year and has been a member of the faculty ever since. Professor Bent teaches courses in Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art history, and specializes in Italian art and culture from 1250 to 1450. He has written about artistic production, the function of liturgical images, and institutional patronage in early Renaissance Florence, and in 2006 published Monastic Art in Lorenzo Monaco’s Florence, a book that focuses on these subjects. He co-founded Washington and Lee’s interdisciplinary program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, chaired it (and the Art Department) from 2000 to 2003, and served as Associate Dean of the College from 2003-2006. A two-time holder of Fulbright grants to Italy, Professor Bent was promoted to the rank of full professor in 2007.More...