Honorary Chair
Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008
President
Daniel A. Bennett
Honorary President
James Fowler
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Honorary Chair Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008 |
President Daniel A. Bennett |
Honorary President James Fowler |
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THE EXPLORERS CLUB TRAVELERS
Join The Explorers Club Travelers on journeys far off the beaten path in search of rarely seen landscapes, unusual wildlife, ancient civilizations, and indigenous cultures.
For detailed brochures and further information contact:
Travel Schedule
Historic Cities of the Sea
The delight of a Mediterranean voyage in the spring comes from the translucent sea, the fresh air, the vivid landscapes, and the un-crowded sites. This voyage aboard the elegant, 57-suite Corinthian II starts in historic Seville in fabled Andalusia. Navigating the Guadalquivir River and the Strait of Gibraltar, we enter the Mediterranean. Call at several ports along Spain’s coast, including ancient Valencia, where a grand program of preservation and the construction of an incredible cultural, arts, and sciences complex has made it one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Sail to vibrant Barcelona and then to Marseille, in southern France, for an excursion to the Roman remains at Aix-en- Provence. Visit Bonifacio in Corsica, guarding from its height the narrow strait that separates it from Sardinia; Italy’s Campania, with its great archaeological sites; and Sicily, the island that was truly a crossroads of civilizations, concluding in Malta. EC Travelers Leader:
The Best of Melanesia & Micronesia: Papua New Guinea, Trobriand Islands, Yap & Palau We are thrilled to return to one of the least-traveled and most bewitching corners of the far western Pacific. Sail aboard the superb Clipper Odyssey to sail to the outer islands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Yap, and Palau, discovering The Best of Melanesia and Micronesia.The range of biodiversity here is simply astonishing, and the unique encounters with the native peoples and their exuberant ritualistic hospitality offer a truly larger-than-life experience. For those intrigued by remote cultures, naturalists, photographers, snorkelers, divers, and birders this is a voyage that dazzles the senses and expands personal horizons. Beautiful landscapes sweep from soaring volcanic peaks to submerged craters teeming with kaleidoscopic fish, from tiny palm-fanned atolls to sprawling island states. At each island, Zodiacs whisk us ashore for spectacular birding for both common species, such as the greater frigatebird, and rare endemics such as the megapode. We snorkel or dive nearly every day of our voyage in warm waters teeming with tropical fish. Six hundred species of colorful coral can be found here, ranging from delicate seafans to staghorn formations, along with an astonishing variety of sea creatures of all sizes. Offshore, we watch for spinner dolphins leaping from calm seas or pilot whales spouting off the bow. Explorers Club Leader:
Wild Britain Our voyage to the British Isles brings an opportunity to explore three timeless lands steeped in the lore and history of the Celts, Anglo-Saxons, King Arthur, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Macbeth. Join us as we tarry in villages and islets with intriguing names such as Iona, Staffa, Saltee, Bass Rock, the Isle of Man, Orkneys, Shetlands, and many more. Raise a pint with the chaps in a local pub, shop for woolens in Lerwick and silver in Kirkwall, and enjoy close encounters with jaunty puffins. Be ready with your camera, as the photographic opportunities here are staggering. This is the perfect time of year to visit Britain, as late spring turns to early summer, and the countryside is ablaze with a profusion of wildflowers. Our expedition puts us in the midst of heathered moorlands, ancient woodlands, Neolithic monuments, stone abbeys, and Celtic fortresses. Just offshore, on isolated islands, lie Europe’s largest seabird colonies—resonating with the constant caws and cries of puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, gannets, and many others, all in a frenzy of breeding activity. The long days preceding the solstice give us the chance to enjoy an action-packed itinerary that includes visits to some of the most isolated and remote regions of the British Isles. And the superb, 55-suite Island Sky—intimate and comfortably elegant—is the perfect vessel for maneuvering the narrow channels and waterways of the region. All cabins are luxurious suites. We also make full use of her fleet of Zodiacs, not only for landings but for scenic exploration along the spectacular coast of Britain. Explorers Club Leaders:
Fire & Ice Two extraordinary voyages mark our exploration of the northern Pacific and its remote island world. From Hokkaido, Japan, to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, across the Arctic Circle and on to Alaska, we cruise through a pristine environment that calls to nature lovers, history buffs, photographers—and the intrepid explorer within. While each journey is a stunning showcase of regional highlights, a combination of the two presents a unique opportunity to experience the full majesty of this amazing realm of Fire & Ice. The region’s spectacular scenery, incredible array of wildlife, and native cultures are known to only a few privileged voyagers. Our destinations are virtually inaccessible by any means other than our maneuverable expedition ship, the 55-cabin Clipper Odyssey, equipped with a full fleet of versatile Zodiacs. Accompanying us and enriching our travel experiences throughout is a team of naturalists, historians, and expedition leaders, including our distinguished explorers. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Leader: TBD
Journey of Odysseus
Trace the path of Homer's legendary, epic hero, Odysseus, cruising from Turkey to Greece, Malta and Italy aboard the elegant, 57-suite Corinthian II. Explore some of the most extraordinary and significant sites of the ancient Mediterranean including: Athens, Greece and Troy, Turkey; Peloponnesian Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Erice, Trapani, Segesta, and Taormina, Sicily; Sorrento and Lipari, Italy; and the Ionian islands of Corfu and Ithaca, Greece. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Leader:
The Black Sea: Crossroads of Culture from the Ancient Past to the Present The magnificent Black Sea region is still new territory for the majority of Western visitors: an exciting irony, since the Black Sea rim is dotted with cities and sites spanning the course of recorded history, from Trabzon in Turkey to Varna in Bulgaria. Even today, the area has once again undergone massive historical changes, as most of the independent successor states to the Soviet Union have established democratic governments and market economies. From Istanbul, travel aboard the luxurious, 57-cabin, all-suite Corinthian II through the Hellespont and the Bosporus Strait to Bulgaria and along the ancient northern coast of Turkey, where Greek, Byzantine, and Hellenistic societies flourished. Explore Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, visiting the historic Potemkin Steps of Odessa, the beautiful port city of Sevastopol, and spending two nights in the historic city of Kiev. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program)
Sicily: Crossroads of Mediterranean Civilizations
Cruise aboard the luxurious, 57-suite Corinthian II during the first idyllic days of autumn and experience the very best of Sicily—great sites you have always heard of, as well as little, out-of-the-way treasures you will never forget. Sicily, the largest and perhaps most magnificent island in the Mediterranean, has attracted colonists, conquerors, and visitors from Europe, Africa, and Asia since the earliest times. You can still find traces of those ancient and medieval civilizations in Sicily’s language, cuisine, and traditions, but their greatest gift was a legacy of glorious works of art and architecture. Every destination on this cruise around Sicily is extraordinary: at Agrigento you will find the remains of seven ancient Greek temples, at Taormina you will follow cobblestone streets up to a Greek theater carved into the edge of Mount Tauro, in the little town of Noto you will encounter a baroque gem built of golden sandstone, at Monreale the Norman kings of Sicily built an incredible cathedral, and Syracuse’s Old City on Ortygia Island boasts ancient Greek and medieval monuments on every street. Cruise with a select group of like-minded people and learn in the company of a team of study leaders. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Guest Leader: Roger Ulrich, expert in Greek and Roman art and archaeology. South Seas Odyssey: Tahiti, Society Islands, Cook Islands, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji
If there is a standard for paradise on earth, then surely Polynesia—with its idyllic palm-fanned islands ringed in waters of indescribable hues—sets it. Our South Sea Odyssey is a revelation of this fabled sun-kissed region, from Gauguin’s beloved Tahiti to remote Cook Island atolls, from the traditional kingdom of Tonga to the culturally rich islands of Fiji. Join EC lecturer Captain Norman Baker on this voyage following in the wake of Polynesian and European explorers across this magical corner of the South Pacific aboard the superb, 64-cabin Clipper Odyssey. Book-ended by the classic isles of Tahiti and Fiji, our unique expedition offers a full spectrum of Polynesia’s charms, from its diverse physical attributes—volcanoes, atolls, azure lagoons, elaborate cave systems, pink sands, and black lava shorelines—to its distinct cultures and traditions. Our stops in the dazzling emerald maze of Tonga’s outer islands, as well as in remote Wallis and Futuna, are special highlights that few travelers ever experience. Spend idyllic days snorkeling, diving, birding, photographing, and meeting local villagers who welcome us with some of the finest dances in Polynesia. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Leader: Captain Norman Baker (FN ’70). Two Faces of South Asia: Bhutan & Northern India with the Palace on Wheels
Discover for yourself Two Faces of South Asia: Bhutan and Northern India on this unique travel program that combines spectacular Buddhist monuments and Himalayan landscapes in the Kingdom of Bhutan with equally spectacular Rajput and Mughal art and architecture in northern India. From the world’s highest mountains to the Thar Desert, enjoy the engaging company and insights of one of our most popular lecturers, Dr. Annapurna Garimella, an expert on South Asian art history and contemporary arts and culture. We begin our adventure with two nights in Calcutta before flying directly to Bhutan, the last remaining Buddhist kingdom in the world. Traditional architecture, arts, and dress are ubiquitous, giving Bhutan a timeless quality set amidst the breathtaking Himalayas, many soaring well over 20,000 feet (though at no time will we stay at an altitude above 8,000 feet). Enjoy comfortable accommodations for two nights each in Paro, Thimpu and Punakha. Then fly directly to Delhi, India, and embark the famous luxury train Palace on Wheels for a seven-night stay. The train travels each night and every day is filled with a wonderful variety of excursions. Visit the Rajput towns of Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur; and discover Agra and Delhi and their incredible monuments of the Mughal Dynasty, such as the world-famous Taj Mahal. Further, we will visit two exceptional wildlife sanctuaries, one affording the best chance of seeing tigers in India, and the other hosting more than 350 species of birds. Consider, too, joining our pre-trip extension with an extra night in Calcutta and two nights in Bhubaneshwar. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Guest Leader: Annapurna Garimella, art historian and designer who specializes in the art and architecture of India. Join us in retracing Aeneas’ fantastic journey from Virgil’s "Aeneid," the epic Roman poem that tells the mythical tale of the Trojan hero Aeneas and his founding of Rome. Embarking the luxurious, 57-suite Corinthian II in Athens, we set sail to explore Troy, Aeneas’ home city; Kavalla, Philippi, Nikopolis, and Ephyra, Greece; the Greek islands of Delos, Mykonos, Crete, and the Strophades; Albanian Butrint, where Aeneas discovered a replica of Troy; Sicily’s medieval Erice, Greek Segesta, and Taormina, where Aeneas encountered the Cyclopes; Carthage, Tunisia, site of Aeneas’ ill-fated love affair with Queen Dido; and mainland Italy’s Phlegraean Fields, site of Aeneas’ underworld escapade, the oracle of Sibyl at Cumae, and Roman Pompeii. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Guest Leader: Classical archaeologist Donald White. Grand Asia: Japan, China, South Korea and Vietnam
Cruise from Japan to South Korea, China, and Vietnam—around islands and down a coastline that has enticed explorers, adventurers, and conquerors for centuries—aboard the luxurious, 60-cabin, all-suite Spirit of Oceanus. Wander through ancient temples and pagodas. Relish the cacophony of a bustling market. Embrace the silence of a tranquil monastery. And take in the natural beauty of the land- and seascapes of Asia. Stops include Miyajima, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hue, Hoi An, and Hanoi. We will visit amazing port cities during the day, all rich in culture, history, and beauty, and return each evening to the comforts of our deluxe expedition cruise ship and spacious staterooms. Unpack just once and relish traveling from country to country—hundreds of scenic miles—with minimal effort and maximal enjoyment, in the company of a small group of like-minded fellow travelers. Consider also joining our optional pre- and/or post-voyage extensions, to Kyoto and Nara, Japan; and to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong River Delta, and Cambodia’s Angkor and Phnom Penh. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Guest Leader: geographer David Keeling Landmark Ancient Sites of the Mediterranean: A Voyage from the Aegean Sea to Sicily, Sardinia & North Africa
This is a voyage for lovers of the Mediterranean, a chance to experience ancient sites and modern towns of Greece, Sicily, Tunisia, Sardinia, Algeria, and Spain while traveling in luxury and convenience aboard our 57-suite vessel. Our itinerary exposes the ancient and modern coastlines of the Mediterranean, whose spectacular monuments stand as testament to the ingenuity of the ancients and compel insights into the beginnings of Western culture. Even if you’ve already been to this part of the world, our sweeping voyage offers new discoveries, as not only does our program feature the Mediterranean’s iconic ruins, but also her lesser-known, equally impressive gems. For example, Sardinia’s unspoiled coastline offers the well-preserved ruins of Nora and Sant’Antioco, a fisherman’s village of red roofs, where the past is everywhere you turn. On the beautiful island of Sicily, delight in Italy’s most captivating Greek ruins at Agrigento. And what tour of the Mediterranean would be complete without an exploration of fabled Carthage, the city that threatened Rome with her splendor? November is a wonderful month to cruise the Mediterranean, with warm temperatures and the crowds of tourists gone, the time of year when the towns and landmark sites return to the locals. Your home for this voyage will be the elegant, all-suite Corinthian II, perfect for traveling far, but docking close, with each suite affording captivating views of the passing land- and seascapes. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) Explorers Club Guest Leader: Classical archaeologist James Higginbotham Atlantic Voyage: from the Strait of Gibraltar to Patagonia Join the Explorers Club for an epic voyage from the southern tip of Europe, along the northwestern coast of Africa, to the southern tip of South America, traversing over 7,200 nautical miles, 70 degrees of latitude and seven nations. Enjoy an old fashioned Grand Voyage, with languorous, relaxing days at sea that provide time for lectures and conversation, and to stretch out and enjoy a good book, in addition to memorable sites and exotic ports of call. Travel aboard a small ship, where friendships can grow, service is excellent, and the elements of elegance and comfort are always upheld. Our first ports of call are enchanting—Marrakech and Tenerife. There we will meet traditional Berber villagers and experience life at the edge of the Sahara Desert, before visiting the rarely visited Cape Verde Islands, with its remarkable fusion of Portuguese and West African traditions. We then make our Atlantic crossing to discover the fantastic, festive, multicultural marvel that is Brazil’s northeastern coast where Dutch, Portuguese, Native American and West African influences blended together in a wonderful assemblage of old town squares, pastel mansions, and musical street life. Our time in Brazil ends with two days in the "Cidade Maravilhosa" itself, Rio de Janeiro. Finally, following two days in intriguing Uruguay, we encounter the blustery, remote British territories of the Falkland Islands, where a fantastic assortment of seabird life can be found, from steamer ducks to rockhopper penguins. (click here to download a PDF of the brochure for this program) EC Travelers Leader: |
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