Voyages to Antiquity's Blog - Ancient Cruise stories from the Mediterranean

Nature’s Fireworks Prove to be a Hit with our Guests!

The late May air was balmy and the sea was smooth as we moved from the north of Sicily towards Neapolitan Riviera and one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. We left Palermo at lunchtime, knowing that we would be alongside Stromboli, an island volcano, in the afternoon. The atmosphere was tense as we anchored 2km from the summit of Stromboli to watch one of Nature’s most amazing shows. Our guest lecturer James Higginbotham was invited to the …

Cruising… The Perfect Job for a Professor!

Over the last year we’ve welcomed Professor Trevor Bryce onboard for a number of cruises. As a leading expert on Classical and Near Eastern history, he is well known in his field and loves cruising with Voyages to Antiquity. He recently sailed with us from Venice to Athens and we had a chance to ask him what he liked most about the Those Who Seek Paradise on Earth should See Dubrovnik voyage. “The first part was definitely a highlight, the …

Special Guest on board Aegean Odyssey

When we visited Malta earlier this week we were delighted to welcome the US Ambassador to the Island, Mr Mark Micelli. He joined our Captain Roland Andersson and other guests for informal dinner to learn about Voyages to Antiquity, which has offices in both Fort Lauderdale, US and Oxford, UK. On the photo, right to left: Mark Micelli – US Ambassador for Malta Alison Lewin – Cruise Coordinator Clive Howard – Sales and Marketing, Voyages to Antiquity UK Matthew Swire …

Professor Mary Beard Returns to Aegean Odyssey

1 Jun 2011,
by Ann Brine
In: Uncategorized

Professor Mary Beard’s lecture series on Pompeii was one of the highlights of Voyages to Antiquity’s programme in 2010 and we are delighted to welcome her back this year on our 26th August departure. Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and the author of the best-selling book Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town, Mary was recently nominated for a BAFTA for her BBC television programme on Pompeii. Below are her thoughts on cruising, Pompeii & more. Are you …

Sicily, by John Julius Norwich

1 Jun 2011,
by Ann Brine
In: Articles in Media

John Julius Norwich gives his recommendations about the best of Sicily and why he loves the unique island. “Sicily, said Goethe, is the key to everything.” It is, first of all, the largest in the Mediterranean. The stepping stone between Europe and Africa, the gateway between the East and the West, the link between the Latin world and the Greek, it has been fought over and occupied in turn by all the great powers that have at various times striven to …

Our Excursion Team

24 May 2011,
by Ann Brine
In: Excursions, On board the Aegean Odyssey
2 Comments

Making something run like clockwork is no mean feat and when I’m onboard Aegean Odyssey I’m amazed at the way our excursion team co-ordinates the 300 or so guests, to ensure everyone leaves and returns on time. Have you ever wondered how it all happens? Well our programme is developed about 15 months ahead of when our guests cruise. We have recently formulated the 2012 programme which goes on sale in the US this week and around the world in …

Something Very Special in Venice

The Basilica di San Marco, and the piazza that opens out in front of it, are at the very heart of Venice. Almost as impressive as the buildings themselves are the crowds of people, tourists and Venetians, that swarm across the open square. Souvenir-sellers and their stalls, string-quartets at the various cafes and pigeons all vie for your attention as you negotiate your way across the piazza from one ornate arcade to another. These grand and regimented frontages were originally …

Some Kind Words from Kate

“Having cruised on many ships for a number of different companies over the last 25 years, I have learnt to recognise a venture that is heading for success in an overcrowded marked: Voyages to Antiquity is just such a venture. When I boarded Aegean Odyssey for the first time, I was immediately struck by the friendliness of the ship’s staff who not only lined up to greet the passengers, but also presented each of us with a fresh rose. This …

Holy Thursday in Palermo

Disembarking the ship in the extensive port area of Palermo we were joined by our local guide Giorgio. Voyages to Antiquity uses a range of local specialists as well as experts who sail with Aegean Odyssey to answer questions onboard prior to the destination port. Georgio started off our journey by joking about the crazy traffic within the city as we wound our way through a sea of cars to the Palatine Chapel, one of the must-see sights of this …

Royal Wedding Weekend in Venice – The Perfect Getaway

1 May 2011,
by Alison Lewin
In: Articles in Media, Destinations, On board the Aegean Odyssey

This week we welcome Tony Rennell, a travel writer from the Daily Mail, based in London. Tony will be sailing with us from Venice to Corfu over the next week and writing about his adventures along the Dalmatian Coast. After a busy weekend in the UK celebrating the wedding of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton, we received this from him yesterday and it certainly made us smile! Sunday, 1st May, from Tony Rennell “Sundowners don’t get any better than this …