Let's Hit the High C's

THE PERFORMANCES

Dates for the Opera Festival at Aspendus have been confirmed. We are planning two holidays to take advantage of the Festival's superb program. This will all be staged at the wonderful Roman amphitheatre in Aspendus. You have a choice of two "acts":

ACT ONE

June 6-13, 2007, 7 nights, 8 days* Attend both the Gala Concert and a performance of Verdi's 'Nabucco'

ACT TWO

July 10-17, 2007, 7 nights, 8 days* To attend Puccini's 'Tosca' and Verdi's 'La Traviata'

* Optional extended tours (four nights, five days) fully escorted in Istanbul available. Act One extension: June 13-17. Act Two extension: July 17-21.

THE SCENERY

For both holidays we fly in and out of Antalya on Turkish Airlines (flight costs excluded). Each itinerary includes sailing the exceptionally beautiful Turkish coastline on our luxury gulet, 'M/S Odysseus'. This stretch of coastline includes Mount Olympus, the ancient city of Phaselis (known to Alexander the Great), The Great Waterfall, the great city of Perge and the Roman city of Side.

THE DIRECTOR

Serving as your onboard guide will be Dargan Bullivant. Well-versed in the history and archaeology of the area, Maestro Bullivant will share his knowledge and provide detailed background information regarding each venue. Sites to be visited will include three ancient Roman theatres, a large Roman aqueduct, a virtually unspoiled stadium, and a fine Roman agora.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

M/S Odysseus has a crew of four: captain, master chef, steward and sailor. First class, freshly prepared Turkish cuisine will be served. There will be ample opportunity to enjoy sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, reading or relaxing while sailing the fabulous coastline and nearby islands.

TICKET INFORMATION

Admission price is $3000 per person. This assumes two sharing a double cabin, and includes all admissions including opera tickets (two per person), champagne suppers at each of the two opera performances during the week; plus lectures, notes and maps. Not included are flights in and out of Antalya, visas, and gratuities to the crew of four.

BACKSTAGE INFORMATION

A guided extension tour to Istanbul is also available. This can precede or follow the holiday, and includes trips to the main sites. Three nights, four days, based on bed-and-breakfast hotel accommodation. Price for the extended holiday is $820 for double occupancy room. Includes all ground transport and guide fees. Accommodation can be arranged at the Four Seasons, Ciragan Kempinski or Ritz Carlton Hotels at an extra cost.

FINAL CALL

Reservations are limited, so please contact us as soon as possible for further details, pricing and to make a booking.

DETAILED ITINERARIES

• June 6-13, 2007
• Optional extended tour in Istanbul (June 13-17, 2007)
• Gala Concert and performance of Verdi's 'Nabucco'

This cruise, on the beautiful coast of Southern Turkey, is both exciting and relaxing. The scenery is spectacular and there will be opportunities for swimming and sailing with our crew of four as well as the rare opportunity to see and hear two performances at the magnificently-preserved theatre in the Roman Empire at Aspendus.

Day 1 - Wednesday, June 6. ARRIVAL

You will be met at ANTALYA AIRPORT and transferred by minibus (1.25 hour trip) to the quayside. Here, you will board M/S Odysseus, and meet your Captain, Master Chef, Steward and Sailor. You will be greeted with welcoming drinks and refreshments, and we will cruise to a small and quiet bay for dinner, time permitting.

Day 2 - Thursday, June 7. GALA CONCERT

After a leisurely breakfast, we shall cruise along the coast with opportunities for swimming and kayaking. After lunch it's time to relax as we prepare for the evening. We will leave at 5pm and travel by minibus to the theatre at Aspendus for The Gala Concert. Afterwards we shall return to M/S Odysseus for a post-theatre drink and a quiet, welcome sleep.

Day 3 - Friday, 8th June. PHASELIS AND MOUNT OLYMPUS

The sun will rise over the sea illuminating the spectacular range of mountain peaks on this part of the coast, including white-topped Mount Olympus. After breakfast we cruise west following the route taken by Captain Beaufort RN in 1810 to visit the beautiful ancient City of Phaselis.

Our morning cruise passes a dramatic part of the coast featuring a the impressive Taurus Mountains. This area was known not only to Alexander the Great, but Hannibal, Zenicetes the pirate, Pompey the Great, and the Roman Emperor Hadrian. We have lunch is Phaselis, the eastern most city of the province of Lycia. It is a picturesque setting with a grand backdrop of mountain peaks. Afterwards, we cruise past Mount Olympus and the site of the legendary Chimaera, a monster of Greek myth. We spend the night on board at anchor in one of Phaselis's three ancient harbors.

Day 4 - Saturday, 9th June. PHASELIS, KEMER

After breakfast we go ashore to further explore the ancient site of Phaselis. We wander the ancient paved streets once lined with shops. We pass the ruins of Hadrian's triumphal arch, and move on to the theatre and remains of the aqueduct which once fed the city and its Roman baths. Alexander wintered his army here in 332 BC, and it was visited by Hadrian in 130 AD. After lunch, we continue past the pirates' lair of Olympus to Porto Genovese, a safe haven used by Genoese traders in mediaeval times. We cruise east to Kemer, and spend the night at anchor in the bay.

Day 5 - Sunday, 10th June. SIDE, PERGE, ASPENDUS

After breakfast, we cruise across the Bay of Antalya, in full view of the great Taurus mountain range. Turning northwards our cruise parallels the coast. We pass a great waterfall on our way to the towns of Side, Perge and Aspendus. We reach Side first and go ashore. The well-known author John Freely said it was the most beautiful and romantic spot on the Southern coast, once known as the Roman province of Pamphylia.

Side itself is a large ancient site, dating from 750BC, on a peninsula still surrounded by defensive walls which are among the finest examples of Hellenistic fortifications in Turkey. These date from the 2nd Cent BC. Within the walls are a vast Roman theatre, one of the best examples of Roman engineering skills, two large agora (one is 300 square feet), a colonnaded street, Roman baths with an exhibition of some of the finest Roman statuary in Asia Minor, and a large Early Christian Church.

Afterwards we travel by minibus to the ancient site of Aspendus, reached by a very pleasant three-mile drive up the fertile valley of the Kopru Cay. Later we will visit the theatre here, but first we will see a magnificent example of a Roman aqueduct, the finest surviving anywhere, a stadium 700ft long and 100ft wide and the upper city with the civic centre containing the council chamber, market hall with shops and a basilica.

Perge is the most important city in Pamphylia. The site is very large and is noted for the enormous, well-preserved stadium (2nd Cent AD) with seating for 12,000 spectators. There is also the large circular-towered Hellenistic gateway, the marble-paved main street and the very large agora (215 square feet) built in the 4th Cent. AD. After visiting Perge, we return to Antalya Harbour, where we settle down for the night.

Day 6 - Monday, June 11. ANTALYA

After breakfast we go ashore and explore the old town of Antalya. Here we are treated to many of the restored, traditional Turkish houses, the famous fluted minaret (Yizil Minare 1230AD), and the restored Hadrian's Gate built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 130AD. The view across the bay to the Lycian Hills is truly beautiful. Afterwards we visit the museum at Antalya, one of the leading museums along the southern Turkish coast. Returning to M/S Odysseus, we sail up the coast, and enjoy another fine dinner. We spend the night at anchor.

Day 7 - Tuesday, June 12. NABUCCO

After a leisurely breakfast we cruise along the coast with time for swimming and other water activities, and after lunch we prepare for one of the true highlights of the trip. Leaving at 5pm, we travel by minibus to the theatre at Aspendus. After a champagne supper we attend the theatre for a spectacular performance of Verdi's opera 'Nabucco'.

The theatre itself has been much admired. John Freely said in 1968, "It is the most magnificent edifice of its type that has survived from the ancient world." George Bean, author and traveler said in 1968, "I well remember the feeling, almost of awe, which I felt when I first stepped into the interior. It was not like anything I ever saw." In 1909, before the interior was excavated, antiquarian D.G. Hogarth said, "You may have seen amphitheatres in Italy, France, Dalmatia and Africa; temples in Egypt and Greece; palaces in Crete; you may be sated with antiquity or scornful of it. But you have not yet seen the theatre at Aspendus."

Nabucco established Verdi's reputation as a composer of great operas when it premiered in 1842. Nabucco rightly holds its place as one of the greatest Italian operas. Telling the story of the Jews' exile under Nebuchadnezzar, Verdi's genius produced some of his most memorable music - in particular the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, "Va, pensiero..." The moving love story, set against the backdrop of a dynastic power struggle, has an irresistible power to stir the heart of the listener, beginning in Jerusalem and ending in a mixture of hope and tragedy in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Seeing this opera in a giant Roman theatre will be spectacular. We return by minibus to Antalya for one final night aboard M/S Odysseus.

Day 8 - Wednesday, June 13. DEPARTURE

Following an early breakfast, we will ferry you ashore, assist with your baggage, and transfer you by minibus to ANTALYA AIRPORT for your return flights. For those planning to stay on at Istanbul for the escorted extension tour you will be met at ISTANBUL AIRPORT and transferred to your hotel.

July 10-17, 2007

• Optional extended tour in Istanbul (July 17-21, 2007)
• Performances of Verdi's 'Tosca' and "La Traviata'

This cruise, on the beautiful coast of Southern Turkey, is both exciting and relaxing. The scenery is spectacular and there will be opportunities for swimming and sailing with our crew of four as well as the rare opportunity to see and hear two performances at the best-preserved theatre in the Roman Empire at Aspendus.

Day 1 - Tuesday, July 10. ARRIVAL

You will be met at ANTALYA AIRPORT and transferred by minibus (1 ¼ hour trip) to the quayside. Here, you will board M/S Odysseus, and meet your Captain, Master Chef, Steward and Sailor. You will be greeted with welcoming drinks and refreshments, and we will cruise to a small and quiet bay for dinner, time permitting.

Day 2 - Wednesday, July 11. TOSCA

After a leisurely breakfast, we will cruise along the coast with opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and other water activities. After lunch we'll prepare for the evening, leaving at 5pm and traveling by minibus to the theatre at Aspendus for a performance of Puccini's 'Tosca'

Tosca is considered by many to be Puccini's greatest opera, Tosca immediately captures the audience with the sumptuous richness of the music, a seemingly effortless flow of outstanding arias. Puccini unfolds the story of the pursuit of Tosca by the evil Scarpia, his treacherous bargain, and the ultimate betrayal of both Tosca and her lover, Cavaradossi. The opera is set in the unforgettable Castel St. Angelo in Rome. As fate inexorably descends upon the doomed lovers, Puccini nevertheless lifts our hearts with such moments as Tosca's "I have lived for art" (Vissi d'arte...) and Cavaradossi's "The stars were shining" (E lucevan le stelle...).

Day 3 - Thursday, July 12. PHASELIS

The sun will rise over the sea illuminating the spectacular range of mountain peaks on this part of the coast, including white-topped Mount Olympus. After breakfast we cruise west following the route taken by Captain Beaufort RN in 1810 to visit the beautiful ancient City of Phaselis.

Our morning cruise passes a dramatic part of the coast featuring a the impressive Taurus Mountains. This area was known not only to Alexander the Great, but Hannibal, Zenicetes the pirate, Pompey the Great, and the Roman Emperor Hadrian. We have lunch is Phaselis, the eastern most city of the province of Lycia. It is a picturesque setting with a grand backdrop of mountain peaks. Afterwards, we cruise past Mount Olympus and the site of the legendary Chimaera, a monster of Greek myth. We spend the night on board at anchor in one of Phaselis's three ancient harbors.

Day 4 - Friday, July 13, PHASELIS, KEMER

After breakfast we go ashore to further explore the ancient site of Phaselis. We wander the ancient paved streets once lined with shops. We pass the ruins of Hadrian's triumphal arch, and move on to the theatre and remains of the aqueduct which once fed the city and its Roman baths. Alexander wintered his army here in 332 BC, and it was visited by Hadrian in 130 AD. After lunch, we continue past the pirates' lair of Olympus to Porto Genovese, a safe haven used by Genoese traders in mediaeval times. We cruise east to Kemer, and spend the night at anchor in the bay.

After breakfast we shall go ashore by dinghy to explore the ancient site of Phaselis, wandering its ancient paved streets once lined with shops, passing the ruins of Hadrian's triumphal arch and on to the theatre and remains of the aqueduct which fed the city and its Roman baths.

Day 5 - Saturday, July 14. SIDE, PERGE, ASPENDUS

After breakfast, we cruise across the Bay of Antalya, in full view of the great Taurus mountain range. Turning northwards our cruise parallels the coast. We pass a great waterfall on our way to the towns of Side, Perge and Aspendus. We reach Side first and go ashore. The well-known author John Freely said it was the most beautiful and romantic spot on the Southern coast, once known as the Roman province of Pamphylia.

Side itself is a large ancient site, dating from 750BC, on a peninsula still surrounded by defensive walls which are among the finest examples of Hellenistic fortifications in Turkey. These date from the 2nd Cent BC. Within the walls are a vast Roman theatre, one of the best examples of Roman engineering skills, two large agora (one is 300 square feet), a colonnaded street, Roman baths with an exhibition of some of the finest Roman statuary in Asia Minor, and a large Early Christian Church.

Afterwards we travel by minibus to the ancient site of Aspendus, reached by a very pleasant three-mile drive up the fertile valley of the Kopru Cay. Later we will visit the theatre here, but first we will see a magnificent example of a Roman aqueduct, the finest surviving anywhere, a stadium 700ft long and 100ft wide and the upper city with the civic centre containing the council chamber, market hall with shops and a basilica.

Perge is the most important city in Pamphylia. The site is very large and is noted for the enormous, well-preserved stadium (2nd Cent AD) with seating for 12,000 spectators. There is also the large circular-towered Hellenistic gateway, the marble-paved main street and the very large agora (215 square feet) built in the 4th Cent. AD. After visiting Perge, we return to Antalya Harbour, where we settle down for the night.

Day 6 - Sunday, July 15. ANTALYA

After breakfast we go ashore and explore the old town of Antalya. Here we are treated to many of the restored, traditional Turkish houses, the famous fluted minaret (Yizil Minare 1230AD), and the restored Hadrian's Gate built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 130AD. The view across the bay to the Lycian Hills is truly beautiful. Afterwards we visit the museum at Antalya, one of the leading museums along the southern Turkish coast. Returning to M/S Odysseus, we sail up the coast, and enjoy another fine dinner. We spend the night at anchor.

Day 7 - Monday, July 16. LA TRAVIATA

After a leisurely breakfast we cruise along the coast with time for swimming and other water activities, and after lunch we prepare for one of the true highlights of the trip. Leaving at 5pm, we travel by minibus to the theatre at Aspendus. After a champagne supper we attend the theatre for a spectacular performance of Verdi's opera 'La Traviata'.

The theatre itself has been much admired. John Freely said in 1968, "It is the most magnificent edifice of its type that has survived from the ancient world." George Bean, author and traveler said in 1968, "I well remember the feeling, almost of awe, which I felt when I first stepped into the interior. It was not like anything I ever saw." In 1909, before the interior was excavated, antiquarian D.G. Hogarth said, "You may have seen amphitheatres in Italy, France, Dalmatia and Africa; temples in Egypt and Greece; palaces in Crete; you may be sated with antiquity or scornful of it. But you have not yet seen the theatre at Aspendus."

La Traviata is a seasonal favorite and one of the most enduring and popular of all operas since it was first seen in 1853. La Traviata features some of Verdi's most memorable music, from the colorful drinking song "Libiamo" to the glittering "Sempre Libera" and the heart rending "Amami Alfredo". It is based on "La Dame aux Camelias" by Alexander Dumas, and tells the story of a love affair tragically interwoven with deception and confusion. All this is brilliantly brought to life by the genius of Verdi's music. The part of Violetta, who sacrifices all for the happiness of another, is one of the truly great soprano roles. Seeing this opera in a giant Roman theatre will be spectacular. We return by minibus to Antalya for one final night aboard M/S Odysseus.

Day 8 - Tuesday, July 18. DEPARTURE

Following an early breakfast, we will ferry you ashore, assist with your baggage, and transfer you by minibus to ANTALYA AIRPORT for your return flights. For those planning to stay on at Istanbul for the escorted extension tour you will be met at ISTANBUL AIRPORT and transferred to your hotel.