Restoration approved for Delphi Ancient
Theater
The
Ancient Theatre at Delphi, one of the most
important ancient theatres in the world,
will undergo restoration works following a
unanimous approval of a relevant study by
Greece's Central Archaeological Council (KAS).
The study, funded by the Diazoma association
with 100,000 euros, seeks to secure and
restore the geometry of the Koilon, the
bowl-shaped seating area, as well as of the
remaining terraced seats.
Ancient Greek theaters were very large,
open-air structures that took advantage of
sloping hillsides for their terraced
seating. Because of drama's close connection
with religion, theaters were often located
in or near sanctuaries. The Theater of
Delphi is located in the sanctuary of the
Pythian Apollo, set on the slopes of Mt.
Parnassos above the northwestern corner of
the renowned temple of Pythian Apollo,
presenting the seated audience with a
spectacular view of the sanctuary below and
the valley beyond. It is the largest
structure of the sanctuary, although
classified among the average-size monuments
of its kind, with a total capacity of 5,000
spectators.
The Theater was originally built in the 4th
century BC of local Parnassos limestone and
was subsequently remodeled several times,
while the saved part is dated to the 1st
century, in the early Roman era. Its 35 rows
can accommodate around five thousand
spectators who in ancient times enjoyed
plays, poetry readings, and musical events
during the various festivals that took place
periodically at Delphi. The lower tiers of
seats were built during the Hellenistic and
Roman periods.
'Palace of Nestor' Overhauled
The regional governor of Peloponnese on
Thursday approved a 3.1-million-euro project
to erect a state-of-the-art roof over the
Mycenaean-era palace complex at Pylos, in
Messenia prefecture of the southwest
Peloponnese. The archaeological site is
popularly known as “the Palace of Nestor”,
after the wise mythical king of Pylos in
Homer's Iliad.
The structure will be designed to protect
and highlight an archaeological site of
roughly 2,500 square meters. The
Mycenaean-era palace, located on the
levelled peak of a hill known as Ano
Eglianos, near the modern-day village Chora,
flourished in the 13th century BC. It
comprises a central courtyard with adjacent
utility rooms.
Visitors tossing a coin into Rome's Trevi
fountain usually make a wish. The usual wish
is to come back to Rome. The wish now is to
hope that the historic landmark be returned
to its former glory. A AP story, the
250-year-old Baroque fountain seen in La
Dolce Vita, Roman Holiday and the
centerpiece of the 1954 movie Three Coins in
the Fountain, has suffered damage. According
to a report in the United Kingdom's Guardian
newspaper, parts of "ornate stucco reliefs
have crumbled from Rome's baroque
masterpiece, making it the latest in a
series of Italian monuments to suffer damage
and reigniting a row over Italy's commitment
to protect its heritage."
Workmen put up scaffolding around a section
where bits of a gargoyle's head and leaves
fell above the centerpiece statues. City
officials attributed the damage to water
infiltration including that from an unusual
winter snowfall, the Guardian said. Italy's
Green Party complained about the slowing of
the flow funding to maintain monuments.
Other affected tourist sites include the
Colosseum, where stone fell from a wall last
year. Roman Emperor Nero's palace has been
closed since a roof collapsed, the Guardian
also said. Italy is in financial crisis, and
civic funding is less plentiful. Britain's
Daily Mail said the equivalent of 3,000
euros weekly (about $3,800) is scooped from
the fountain and goes to charities. A
popular reader comment on the online Mail
story suggested using the money to repair
the fountain. The Guardian quoted a Roman
cultural official as saying one proposed
maintenance-funding solution was to allow
advertising on historic structures.
Embark on a refined safari experience with a
choice of two private 5-star game lodges on
this luxury South Africa trip for $3899* per
person, including airfare from Philadelphia,
taxes, game drives and meals.
Saving $2000 per person on competing
packages, this seven-night vacation from
Lion World Tours includes Roundtrip air from
the U.S. to Cape Town, return from
Johannesburg, Intra-country flights and
transfers, Four nights at an upscale Cape
Town hotel, Three nights at 5-star Lion
Sands River Lodge or Tinga Game Lodge, Six
open-vehicle game drives, Half-day tour of
the Ernie Els Winery and 13 meals: Seven
breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners.
Departures are scheduled for Sept. 2, 11,
18; Oct. 31; Nov. 7, 14, 19, 28; Dec. 3, 9
Tinga Game Lodge in Kruger National Park
immerses travelers amid "The Big Five." At
Lion Sands River Lodge, a regular on the
Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, guests can
relax on their private viewing deck as
wildlife drink peacefully from the Sabie
River. This deal is priced for Philadelphia
departures on South African Airways, but
this package is available from 26 major U.S.
cities -- all at the same price. Extend this
luxury experience for $1490 per person with
a three-night excursion, including two
nights in Victoria Falls with a sunset
cruise on the Zambezi River and one night in
Johannesburg. Book by June 29. Top 20 deal –
sells out quickly.
Caribbean Paradise on Sale
Take advantage of the year's biggest sale
for Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas -- a
luxurious resort playground that rarely
discounts to this level. Save as much as 65%
on regular prices at the five Atlantis
"towers," plus special prices on activities,
entertainment and two nearby Paradise Island
hotels. Also, summer vacations through Aug.
18 come with a perk for every member of the
family: free breakfast and dinner for kids
11 and younger, plus $150 worth of free food
and drink samples for adults. Book a
complete trip by adding on airfare to Nassau
(available from across North America) in
the Atlantis reservation process.
Note: Popular dates and certain towers may
sell out quickly. To secure the best sale
prices, we suggest that you book quickly and
be flexible with travel dates.
Mediterranean Cruise With Air
Until July 22nd, Balcony stateroom plus air
from select gateways starting from $1,934
per person! Cruise the Mediterranean in
Modern Luxury aboard the Celebrity Solstice
this Summer. Save $500 per person with
Cruise + Air Bundle.
Cruising News: Two Ships on Course, Five to
Go, Three Spruced Up
The following cruise lines have or will add
new ships over the next two years, beginning
with the two already on itineraries as of
this month.
MSC Divina, MSC Cruises --- May 27, 2012
--- 4,363 passengers
The 4-star MSC Divina is modeled after
sister-ships MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia,
taking on some of their most popular
features, but also incorporates several
enhancements. The MSC Yacht Club suite
complex will be expanded and will include a
private, V.I.P. area with its own
restaurant, bar, pool, solarium and
concierge. Yacht Club suites also offer
butler service.
The state-of-the-art Pantheon Theater will
host nightly entertainment, and young guests
are sure to like the video game room, called
Virtual World. An infinity pool will be
situated at the aft of the ship, giving
passengers a unique view of the ship's wake
and the horizon. This is in addition to the
Carnival Breeze, Carnival which began
sailing on June 3. --- 3,690 passengers.
Like its sister-ships Carnival Magic and
Carnival Dream, the 4.5-star Carnival Breeze
will feature the WaterWorks aqua park, the
tranquil, kids-free Serenity area and
extensive children's and teens' areas with
activities for three age groups. Adults will
enjoy the huge Cloud 9 spa, as well as the
scenic whirlpools extending beyond the
ship's beam.
Other new features include the laid-back
RedFrog Pub, home to Carnival's exclusive
house brew, ThirstyFrog Red and Cucina del
Capitano, a specialty restaurant featuring
family-style Italian fare. Accommodation
options include "cove" balcony staterooms
located close to the waterline, deluxe
oceanview staterooms featuring two
bathrooms, and spa staterooms and suites
with exclusive amenities and spa privileges.
Queen of the Mississippi, American Cruise
Lines --- August 11, 2012 --- 150 passengers
This 4.5-star ship will have the look of a
traditional paddle wheeler as it plies the
waters of the Mississippi and its
tributaries, but will feature the enhanced
technologies and amenities of a brand new
vessel. Large, comfortable staterooms, most
with private balconies, boast flat-screen
TVs, DVD players and hair dryers. Other
features include six lounges, a library, a
putting green, ship-wide Wi-Fi and an
elevator.
Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity --- October
12, 2012 --- 3,030 passengers
When it debuts, the 5.5-star Celebrity
Reflection will be the fifth and final ship
in Celebrity's popular Solstice class.
Now-familiar Solstice-class features, such
as the Lawn Club and AquaSpa are
represented, along with new venues such as
the Lawn Club Grill; The Alcoves, a
cabana-style retreat; and the Art Studio,
with hands-on instruction in things like
painting, drawing, beading, mixology and
cooking.
New AquaClass Suites feature 40-inch LCD
televisions, large verandas and the service
of a butler. Guests staying in these suites
receive priority seating at the exclusive
Blu restaurant, and unlimited access to
AquaSpa facilities, including the Persian
Garden and Relaxation Room.
Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian ---
April 30, 2013 --- 4,000 passengers
As the newest member of an innovative fleet,
the 5-star Norwegian Breakaway will
incorporate the most popular elements of all
of Norwegian's existing ships, as well as
introduce some exciting new features.
Staterooms will have a contemporary feel
with clean, modern lines and a neutral
palette with splashes of color. The
extremely popular Studio staterooms from the
Norwegian Epic, designed and priced with
solo travelers in mind, will be featured, as
well as an exclusive area called The Haven,
a private enclave home to the most luxurious
accommodations on the vessel, tucked away
near the top of the ship.
Norwegian's ships are known for their unique
hull artwork, and Norwegian Breakaway will
be no different. Renowned pop artist Peter
Max, whose other large projects have
included an airplane and a stage for
Woodstock, will paint the ship's hull. Few
details about this ship's public spaces have
been released at this time.
Royal Princess, Princess --- June 16, 2013
--- 3,600 passengers
Innovative features aboard the 5-star Royal
Princess include the SeaWalk, a
glass-floored, enclosed walkway that extends
from the ship's top deck and the SeaView
Bar, also with a glass floor and
cantilevered out from the port side of the
ship. Also on the top deck is Princess'
largest-ever onboard pool. At night, guests
can enjoy a water and light show here.
The Royal Princess boasts an enhanced Movies
Under the Stars screen and several new
dining venues, such as the Ocean Terrace
seafood bar and Gelateria, serving
Italian-inspired gelato. All oceanview
cabins on the Royal Princess feature private
balconies, and mini-suites and suites each
have two flat-screen televisions, a spacious
closet and a bathtub.
Le Soleal, Ponant Yacht Cruises --- July 23,
2013 --- 264 passengers
Rated 5.5 stars, Le Soleal was specially
designed to safely navigate the extreme
waters of the regions it will visit -- its
inaugural season will be spent plying the
Arctic. A Zodiac vessel will allow
passengers to get even closer to shore to
observe the flora and fauna in areas most
ships cannot reach.
The ship also features an advanced
navigation system that eliminates the need
to drop anchor, protecting the seabed, and
an underwater detection system that helps
the ship avoid collisions with marine life.
All staterooms and suites on Le Soleal
feature ocean views and 94% have private
balconies.
And now, the ships that will be refurbished
and renamed:
MV Voyager, Voyages of Discovery ---
December 4, 2012 --- 556 passengers
Formerly the Alexander von Humboldt, the
3-star MV Voyager is small enough to reach
off-the-beaten-path ports, yet large enough
to offer all the comforts of cruising on a
much larger ship. Eighty-six percent of
staterooms feature ocean views, and all have
a TV, hair dryer and safe. Suites come with
a few extra perks, such as bathrobes,
slippers, a fruit basket and bottle of
champagne.
There are three restaurants onboard, two
with open seating, plus four bars, an
Internet center, a swimming pool, two hot
tubs and a gym.
Tere Moana, Paul Gauguin Cruises ---
December 29, 2012 --- 90 passengers
Currently sailing for Ponant Yacht Cruises
as Le Levant, this 5-star ship will undergo
renovations in November and early December,
and make its debut as Tere Moana in late
December. Tere Moana will accommodate just
90 guests in oceanview staterooms.
Two restaurants will feature open seating
dining, and an onboard watersports marina
will allow guests to enjoy windsurfing,
kayaking and other activities right from the
ship. As with the line's other ship, Paul
Gauguin, the upfront price for Tere Moana's
sailings includes gratuities, soft drinks
and select wines and spirits.
Carnival Sunshine, Carnival --- April 12,
2013 --- 3,006 passengers
Currently sailing as the Carnival Destiny,
this ship will undergo an extreme makeover
before emerging as the 4.5-star Carnival
Sunshine. As part of the revitalization, two
decks will be expanded and a new partial
deck will be added.
Seven new restaurants, including Guy's
Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and Cucina
del Capitano will be added, as well as 10
new bars and lounges, 182 cabins, the
SportSquare recreation complex, the
kids-free Serenity area and Punchliner
Comedy Club.
MSC Cruises Makes Europe Affordable This
Summer & Fall
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - Jun 11,
2012) - MSC Cruises is making it possible to
visit Europe during the height of the
vacation season and into the fall on its
elegant fleet of ships -- including the new
MSC Divina -- with limited-time-only rates
that begin at $449.
Available only for bookings made by June 30,
2012 on select sailings, these special
cruise-only rates (per person, double
occupancy; government fees and taxes are
additional) begin at $449 for select 7-night
summer cruises and at $499 for select
7-night fall itineraries.
While visiting some of Europe's most
beautiful and historic destinations in the
Mediterranean and Northern Europe, guests
will also enjoy MSC Cruises' rich
Mediterranean heritage and international
experience with world-class entertainment,
the exotic MSC Aurea Spa and Mediterranean
cuisine on the line's elegant ships,
including MSC Divina, which entered the
fleet in May.
Like sister ships MSC Fantasia and MSC
Splendida, MSC Divina features the exclusive
MSC Yacht Club, 69-71 suites (depending on
the ship) in a "ship-within-a-ship" oasis of
tranquility where guests indulge in comfort
and convenience, complete with 24/7 Butler
and concierge services, complimentary wines
and spirits, private restaurant, lounge,
pool and relaxation area, private access to
MSC Aurea Spa and more.
On all 12 of MSC Cruises' ships, guests will
discover what earned the line Porthole
Cruise Magazine's 2011 Readers' Choice Award
for "Best Onboard International Experience."
Surrounded by elegance and white-gloved
service, guests can be pampered with a
Balinese massage in the MSC Aurea Spa, dine
in the many restaurants featuring
international cuisine, sunbathe poolside,
gamble in the casino or enjoy the highly
acclaimed entertainment in the lounges or
the magnificent theater. For guests seeking
more activity, there is miniature golf,
swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball,
and shuffleboard as well as a wide variety
of excursions sure to satisfy the interests
of
all guests.
Among the roundtrip itineraries available
this summer and fall at limited-time-only
rates are: MSC Divina's 7-night "Divine
Mediterranean" itineraries, sailing from
Venice and calling at Bari, Katakolon, Izmir,
Istanbul and Dubrovnik. Rates begin at
$1,049 (select summer sailings) and $599
(select fall sailings). -MSC Sinfonia's
7-night "Sparkling Mediterranean Rivieras"
departing Genoa and visiting Civitavecchia,
Salerno, La Goulette, Ibiza and Marseille,
beginning at $449.- MSC Splendida's 7-night
"Splendid Mediterranean" cruises, sailing
from Genoa and calling at Civitavecchia,
Barcelona, La Goulette, Valletta and
Messina. Rates begin at $499.-MSC
Magnifica's 7-night "Baltic Castles &
Russian Palaces," calling at Kiel,
Stockholm, Tallin, St. Petersburg and
Copenhagen. Rates begin at $1,049.- MSC
Musica's 7-night "Greek Islands in the Sun,"
sailing from Venice and calling at Bari,
Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus,
Corfu and Dubrovnik. Rates begin at
$499.-and MSC Opera's 8-night "Majestic
Medieval Europe" itinerary, sailing from
Southampton and calling at Ijmuiden, St.
Peter Port, La Coruna, Bilbao and La Rochele.
Rates begin at $799.
For more information about MSC Cruises,
visit us online at www.msccruisesusa.com,
call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel
professional. Be certain to ask for promo:
Last Minute Sale (for eligible summer dates
and rates) and Fall Promo (for eligible fall
dates and rates).
MSC Cruises is a privately-held,
family-owned, Mediterranean cruise line with
a fleet of 12 ships: MSC Magnifica, MSC
Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Poesia, MSC
Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC
Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica and MSC
Melody. Its 12th ship, MSC Divina, a sister
ship to MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida,
debuted in May 2012, with sister ship MSC
Preziosa scheduled to join the fleet in
March 2013. The fleet cruises year round in
the Mediterranean and seasonally in Northern
Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean,
South America, the Indian Ocean, and South
and West Africa.
$499 -- 10-Night Italy, Greece & Egypt
Cruise
Travelzoo Staff, Miami
The port in Alexandria
Escape to faraway lands on a 10-night
Mediterranean cruise for $499 per person.
That is just $50 per person, per night,
including all meals and entertainment -- all
for less than the cost of a standard hotel
room. Sail roundtrip from Rome aboard the
Norwegian Jade and get $150 onboard credit
per cabin. This cruise drops anchor in the
ancient cities of Olympia and Athens,
Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; and Alexandria,
Egypt, before heading back to Rome. Choose
from several departure dates: Oct. 31; Nov.
21; Dec. 12; Jan. 2, 23. Similar 11-night
itineraries are also available for $549 per
person.
Taxes are an additional $65 per person.
For more information on this deal, which is
part of a larger mid-year clearance sale
call Norwegian or your travel agent.. This
sale features discounts, onboard credits and
bundled airfare on 2012-'13 sailings aboard
several cruise lines with itineraries around
the globe.