WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN • MAY 14TH – 24TH, 2009
One of the most celebrated former inhabitants of Savona was the navigator Christopher Columbus, who farmed land in the area while chronicling his journeys. 'Columbus's house', a cottage situated in the Savona hills, lay between vegetable crops and fruit trees. It is just one of many residences in Liguria associated with Columbus.
Several cities as well as Savona claim his birth and residency, such as Genoa and Terrarossa di Moconesi. Savona is the most important city on the west coast of Italy, within reach of the seaside resorts of Alassio, Loano and Varazze.
Savona is a city rich in history and enterprise, largely centering on its port. The most important monument in the city in this regard is the Priamar, a castle stronghold near the port and recently restored. This is the site of the city's first developed community, in 205BC, described by Roman historian Titus Livius as 'Savo Oppidum Alpinum' and evidently an ally of Carthage against Rome. The city fell under Roman rule in 200BC and, following the establishment of Vada Sabatia, presently called Vado, its importance rapidly declined. After the fall of the Roman Empire and the invasions of the Barbarians, Savona became an important Byzantine settlement. In 643AD, Savona was destroyed by the Rotarians and the Longobards, while during the 9th and 10th centuries it was the capital of Marca Aleramica. Eventually it became an independent municipality, developing considerable trade with France, Spain and North Africa. After a long period resisting Genoa, it finally relinquished power in 1528 and following the Napoleonic era was annexed by Savoy. Formerly a province of the kingdom of Sardinia, the province of Savona was recognised in 1927.
There are two versions surrounding the origin of the name of Savona's symbolic monument, the Priamar. According to the first, Priamar derives from 'Pietra Sul Mare' (rock on the sea), as the fortress is constructed on a promontory rock facing the Ligurian sea. According to the second version the name derives from 'Petra Mala', a reference to the rock underneath the castle being crumbly. Inside the fortress walls stood a school, two of whose pupils became the popes Julius II and Sixtus IV. It also hosted a ceremony to mark the independence of the municipality, in 1191, after the victory of Ghibelline. In the 19th Century the fortress was used as a prison, where in 1830–1831 Giuseppe Mazzini was jailed. During World War II, the fortress was used as an air-raid shelter and to control Savona's port.
»» Savona Excursion Details »»
The city of Malaga is today a bustling Andalusian tourist centre with a thriving agricultural market for the fruit and wine industries. In centuries gone by Malaga attracted the attention of some of the Mediterranean's most powerful forces, including the Phoenicians, Arabs, Carthaginians and Visigoths. The Arabs considered Malaga the Garden of Eden and built several homes there, which perhaps explains their relatively non-aggressive attitude towards the region. Before them, the Phoenicians, who first discovered the coastline, felt the same sense of tranquillity, building the first village (the origin of the name is the Phoenician 'malak') in the area. For an extensive period, Malaga was then governed by the Carthaginians, eventually abandoning it in the face of invasion by the Visigoths.
Malaga is also the main access to Granada and the magnificent Alhambra Palace, the fortified mediaeval royal city, a masterpiece of Islamic art. The incredible preservation of the Palace, built on a hill 150 metres above Granada, is significantly due to Queen Isabella II who was responsible for its restoration after a period of neglect. The palace fortress, the 11th Century Alcazaba, offers splendid views of Granada from its towers.
One of the highlights inside the palace, Spain's most visited monument, is Myrtle court, the sultan's apartments and a masterpiece of Moorish art. It is named after the myrtle bushes surrounding a central rectangle which, with a harem and a court of 12 black marble lions and central fountain, form the heart of the quarters. Set in the gardens of the Alhambra is the Generalife, the summer residence of the sultans. The eastern atmosphere is complemented with high columns, supporting magnificent arcades, a charming courtyard and a central pond with fountains. It's surroundings include orange trees, myrtle and laurel bushes and beautiful flowers.
Also accessible from Malaga is the sophisticated tourist resort of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, which offers visitors a beautiful beach, historic town centre and some exquisite shops. The cuisine of Andalusia is rich and varied. Specialities on the coast include seafood and spiced meats, accompanied by some of Europe's best wines.
»» Malaga Excursion Details »»
The Andalucian city port of Cadiz, the region's Episcopal seat, enjoys a spectacular setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the end of a 9 kilometres strip of land and connected to the mainland by bridge. Walls up to 15-metres high protect the city from the volatile sea which averages at least two metres difference between high and low tide.
The Cadiz skyline is particularly attractive, featuring hundreds of white-washed houses with balconies and flat roofs, punctuated by numerous "miradores' — small circular towers — which gave rise to the city's nickname of "taza de plata" — silver cup. Streets lined with palm trees and various parks add to the atmosphere. The oldest city on the Iberian Peninsula, Cadiz was founded by the Phoenicians and later occupied by the Carthaginians who used the city as a base from which to enter southern Spain.
In the second Punic War, the city fell under Roman rule, reaching its height of power before a bloody watershed in the Middle Ages left it severely diminished. During the first expeditions to America, the Spanish fleet anchored in the bay of Cadiz, marking a rejuvenation of the city's status. The eventual loss of the Spanish colonies once again diminished its importance, which has only strengthened again in modern times. The city centre features a number of impressive monuments and churches, including Saint Catherine, designed by the architect Murillo who died during its construction. The spectacular Cadiz Cathedral, started in 1722 and completed in 1838, features a nave with two aisles, enormous columns and a huge dome more than 52-metres high. The capital city of Andalucia and the fourth largest city in Spain is Seville. Situated some 87 kilometres from the coast, the city is connected to the sea by a network of canals and by the large Guadalquivir waterway.
Seville has been called the "City of a Thousand Reflections" after its captivating architecture and setting amid orange groves, vineyards and olive trees. Since being founded by the Iberians the city has survived many different regimes, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans. In 461 it became capital of the Visigoth empire, then from 712 until 1248 it was under Arab rule, before Ferdinand II of Castille won power and established a residence in Seville. In 1300, Don Pedro el Cruel governed the city before becoming King. In 1493 Christopher Columbus landed in Seville on his return from North America, heralding a golden period for the city which lasted more than a century. In recent years, the city paid homage to Columbus when it hosted Expo 92 and dedicated the international exhibition to the explorer.
One of the main attractions of Seville is its vast cathedral, built mainly in Gothic and Renaissance style. It is situated on the site of a former mosque erected during the period of Arab rule and the adjoining 93-metre high Giralda bell tower was originally a minaret. It is worth climbing to the top the tower for the splendid views over the city. Among the many treasures inside the building is a monument to Columbus. Another celebrated building of Seville is Alcazar, a splendid palace of the Arabic period originally built in the 12th Century and subsequently expanded under King Pedro el Cruel. It was later restored and altered several times, notably after an earthquake in 1755 and a fire in 1762. The palace is decorated in magnificent arabesque designs and 'azulejos' wall tiles. Outside the palace are delightful Moorish gardens and fountains.
Among the distinctive cuisine of Seville is the light and refreshing "gazpacho" and the richly flavoured "cocido andaluz". Also worth sampling is "menudo", cooked with pork, shellfish and Andalucian asparagus.
Lisbon, capital of Portugal, is one of the most charming cities in Europe. Rich in examples of the 16th Century Portuguese Manueline architectural style, with numerous museums and charming buildings, the city sits on seven low hills at the estuary of the Tagus river where it meets the internal, so-called Straw Sea.
According to legend, Ulysses founded Lisbon on one of his journeys described in the Odyssey while he was returning to Ithaca. According to historians, Lisbon was a Phoenician colony until 205BC when it became a Roman province with the name of Felicitas Julia. It was subsequently invaded by the Visigoths and by the Moors, who named it Lischbuna and erected several buildings, forming the basis of the present-day city. The Moors were eventually chased out of Lisbon by Alfonso I, who made it his capital city, heralding a period of growing power and influence through the 15th and 16th centuries. But Lisbon's progress came to a tragic and dramatic halt on November 1, 1755 when the city was almost destroyed by an earthquake, killing more than 40,000 people.
A period of intense reconstruction followed, led by the Marquis de Pombal, whose plans stayed as faithful as possible to the original city design. Lisbon city centre extends north-west from Praca de Dom Pedro IV, commonly known as Rossio, to the neo-Manueline railway station. In the other direction it extends to Praca de Comercio on Rua Augusta I, an elegant 18th Century quarter designed by the Marquis of Pombal. This is political and administrative centre of the city. The most elegant street in Lisbon is Chaido, where baroque buildings and churches are found amid luxurious shops. Notable structures of Lisbon include the Sao Roque Cathedral, the country's most important Christian building. Designed by Filippo Terzi, the cathedral was initially built in 1570, before further construction in 1755 after an earthquake. The interior includes a number of baroque masterpieces, including, St John Chapel, built in 1742 by order of King Joao V, and enriched by mosaics and precious stones by M. Maretti. To the right of the church is a museum with extraordinary examples of religious art.
One of Portugal's best-known monuments is the impressive Manueline masterpiece, Belem Tower. A merger of Romanesque and Gothic art with Renaissance and eastern influences, the tower stands by the Tagus river at the point from which Vasco de Gama left for the Indies. The city's Expo 98 centre recently celebrated the 500th anniversary of Vasco de Gama's historic journey. Nearby to Lisbon at Queluz is the summer residence of the Portuguese Royal Family, including some beautiful works of art and exquisite gardens.
Portuguese cuisine reflects the country's multinational influences and offers a wide range of specialities, particularly fish dishes, as well as game and ham. The country also produces several internationally-renowned wines.
»» Lisbon Excursion Details »»
Santiago de Compostela is one of the most famous holy places of Christianity; in Mediaeval times it was just as important as Jerusalem or Rome. According to legend, James the Apostle (Santiago) came to Spain after the death of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Later he returned to Judea where, under the orders of Herod, he was decapitated.
His disciples took his body back to Spain to be buried. At first the faithful came to his tomb to pray but, after years of war and disorder, it lay abandoned and forgotten. At the beginning of the 9th century a hermit noticed a star shining above a hill in a field ("campus stellae" or "field of the star"). An altar and a tomb were discovered on the site, containing a decapitated body. King Alfonso II of Asturias ordered a church to be built on the tomb of the saint, which was later replaced by a larger one in 900 AD. Al-Mansur sacked the city in 997 and destroyed the church, but the tomb was left intact.
The present cathedral was largely rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries. The cult of Saint James grew more and more with stories of his presumed brave intervention in the battles against the Moors. The Saint was seen to appear for the first time at the battle of Clavijo in 884. Over the years, Saint James killer of the Moors, who went down in history as "Santiago Matamoros", was honoured as the Patron Saint of the country. Pilgrims from all over Europe, ever greater in number, travelled along the so-called "Camino de Santiago" (The Way of Saint James) to the sanctuary, around which grew up a town.
Along the way they found hospitality with monks and knights of religious orders. With their rough cloaks, robust sandals and wide brimmed hats decorated with a mollusc shell — the symbol of the saint — the pilgrims on their way to Santiago were easy to recognise. Many visitors are surprised to find a baroque rather than a mediaeval cathedral at Santiago. The first view of the cathedral in fact is the highly ornate Obradoiro facade, added in the 18th century. Behind this, however, is the old church with its magnificent doorway, the Pórtico de la Gloria (1188), a Roman masterpiece by Maestro Matheo. The narthex is comprised of three portals decorated with figures and sculptures in relief.
In front of the central column, where there is a statue of St. James with a pilgrim's stick, the faithful would lean with their hands on the stone, which, repeated so often over the centuries, has left fingerprints in the stone. The inside of the cathedral, always in semi-darkness, is simple but enlivened by the magnificent ceremonies that take place on festival days, when eight men dressed in red carry an enormous silver thurible ("botafumeiro"), hang it from the vault and let it swing. Whistling and throwing off sparks, the thurible spreads the scent of incense throughout the cathedral evoking ancient rites. The immense Plaza de Espa–a, on the west side of the cathedral is lined with beautiful buildings from various eras and in various styles, but which nevertheless blend together harmoniously.
The Hostal de los Reyes Cat—licos was built by King Fernando and Queen Isabel, "The Catholic Monarchs", as a hostel and hospital for the pilgrims. Its plateresque facade conceals a magnificent hotel. You can treat your palate to some Spanish specialities par excellence: paella and gazpacho vary widely from one place to the next. In fact there are at least thirty recipes for gazpacho, a chilled soup of Moorish origin, whose main ingredients are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, oil, vinegar and basil. The saffron rice in paella can be accompanied by chicken, rabbit, sausage, ham, prawns, shellfish, squid, and lobster.
The region produces the good white wines Albarino and Ribeiro; Agullo and Condado are slightly sparkling and go especially well with shellfish. As for shopping, we recommend leather goods, candlesticks and other handmade wrought-iron articles and silver jewellery, for which the Galicians are famous. In Santiago look for the pilgrim's symbol, the silver mollusc shell.
Historic Harwich is a major gateway to Europe and an ideal place to savour the area's maritime history.ÊHarwich is famous for its sea-faring history and heritage. It was once the headquarters of the King's Navy and home of Christopher Jones, 'Master of the Mayflower'. Harwich has narrow streets, historic buildings and museums, including the Redoubt Fort. Adjacent is the Edwardian-style resort of Dovercourt, with its sandy beaches, boating lake and park.
Must see and do:
Amsterdam is the true capital of the Netherlands, and a magnificent city of art, culture and entertainment, with a population of one million inhabitants. It is also the country's second port, after Rotterdam, with large warehouses, shipyard and passenger terminal.
The original city center, which developed around the port, is literally surrounded by water. It has the sea on one side and the docks, Amstel river and canals on the other. Amsterdam was built on 90 islands and is connected by 500 bridges. Its foundation dates back to 1275, when it was a shelter for Christians and an important commercial center.
Under the Orange dynasty it became the symbol of Dutch wealth, enjoying a period of artistic grandeur and commercial wealth. Several wars and conflicts with England and France, plus German occupation during World War II, jeopardized the status and development of the city. However, Amsterdam was able to recover and prosper. One of its greatest projects was to reclaim the Zuidersee.
The city is particularly compact, with most museums, monuments, shopping streets, markets and other tourist attractions in close proximity. The city is renowned for being a center of the diamond trade. The historical center is charming, and in the so-called "hard" quarter the bars and restaurants offer food, beer and live music, 365 days a year.
The three main waterways, the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, comprise the core of the canal network, comparable to Venice in extent and intricacy. The cultural center of the city includes the Rijksmuseum, which exhibits work of the Dutch masters, the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, and the modern art Stedelijk Museum.
»» Amsterdam Excursion Details »»
The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is the country's biggest city with some five million inhabitants, taking its suburban population into account. Its position on the Baltic Sea has generated substantial maritime activities including shipyards, fishing and commerce. Its port is today one of the busiest in northern Europe.
Along with Denmark's combative Viking past, the country for many centuries underwent periods of great turbulence and military activity, particularly during the Reformation - not least with its neighbours Norway and Sweden - and Napoleonic Wars. Relations between the Danes and its northern neighbours were particularly bad, until the daughter of King Valdemar IV, Margarete, married Hakon VI, the king of Norway and Sweden, resulting in the treaty of Kalmar, which unified the three countries. However, unity did not bring peace. The three countries each became involved in religious struggles, which characterised Lutheran reform. During this period Copenhagen, (formerly called Havn, meaning port) also became the cultural capital of the country and in the first half of the 17th Century several elegant buildings were built. But disaster struck when first the plague and then two great fires decimated Copenhagen, killing three quarters of its inhabitants. Reconstruction was gradual but faithful to the city's traditions, producing a city that was, in the words of a Danish poet, 'sparkling on the sea'. During the two World Wars, Copenhagen remained neutral, a strategy which placed Denmark in a good position post-war, ready to meet the challenges of the European Union. Modern-day Denmark is one of Europe's most liberal countries and Copenhagen is one of its most cosmopolitan and lively cities. A variety of parks, fountains and city squares add to the pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.
The Danish monarchy claims to be the world's oldest, dating back to the 10th Century. The Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen has been home to the Danish Royal Family since the late 18th Century and today includes a museum, which chronicles the Family's history through the centuries. When the Danish queen is in residence, changing of the Guard takes place at the palace at noon. In ancient times the Royal Family lived at Christianborg, a charming castle full of history and artistic masterpieces. The castle, on Slotsholm Island, hosts the Folketing, the Danish parliament.
Probably the city's most famous sight is the waterfront statue of the Little Mermaid, a tribute to the city's most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen. Another renowned sightseeing destination is the Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which is more than 150 years old. The park is close to the city centre and is a good place to join in the fun on the numerous rides available.
The city has many restaurants and bars, particularly in the Nyhaven and Stroget areas, in which to try out some of the local specialities. Copenhagen's most typical dish is the smorrebrod, a type of rye sandwich filled with herring, smoked meat, salmon and accompanied by hard-boiled egg, beetroot in vinegar, salad and onion. Also worth a try is platte, a cold dish of herrings, fish fillets, pate, meatballs and cheese.
Energy: Conceptions and Misconceptions
Energy for Home and Industry
Large-Scale Electric Power Generation
Into the Future
Healthy Aging and Protective Dietary Patterns
Popular Weight Loss Diets — Fad, Fact or Fiction?
Sound Nutrition Principles
Super Foods, Spices, Beverages and Supplements — How to Power your Diet for Optimal Health
What's in the Water?
How is Water Treated for Drinking?
Earth's Water — is There Enough?
How to Handle 1000 Photos a Day (and Publish 300 of Them)
Desalination — the Answer?
Our program is offered when we're at sea. This program is subject to change, though these web pages will be kept up to date.
David Faiman, Ph.D.
Penny Kris-Etherton, Ph.D.
Amy K. Zander, Ph.D., P.E.
Speakers have confirmed their intent to participate; however, scheduling conflicts may arise.
Cruise prices vary from $1,499 for an Inside Stateroom to $3,699 for a Grand Suite, per person. (Cruise pricing is subject to change.) For those attending our PROGRAM, there is a $1,275 fee. Taxes are $23.78 per person. There's a $70 fuel surcharge applied to the first two passengers in a booking. All prices and fees are detailed on the BOOK NOW page.
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