Akrotiri Thera

Akrotiri Thera: after seven years it was well worth the wait!

By: Voyages to Antiquity

Aegean Odyssey really was in the right place on Sunday when we were the first cruise ship to visit the re-opened Akrotiri Thera site on Santorini. Regarded by many as the 'Pompeii of Greece' the site was destroyed by a volcanic eruption nearly 4,000 years ago and was closed to tourists after a safety incident in 2005.

Many of our guests were unaware that the site was being re-opened and as the first cruise ship into the island, we were assured of a warm welcome and most importantly few other visitors.

Commenting on his first visit to site, Dr Matthew Nicholls, one of our guest lecturers onboard said, “The winding road up from the port takes you over the rocky spine of Santorini and you can imagine what life would have been like on the island before the volcanic eruption which covered the town and its inhabitants. The archaeological site has been completely rebuilt and covered with a new steel roof and is now fully open to visitors.

"We were lucky to have been accompanied by one of Voyages to Antiquity's tour guides which helped us uncover the wonders of the site. You really need a guide to get the most out of the visit as many of the signs and info boards have yet to be completed. This made our whole experience so much richer and enjoyable."

"One of the best parts of a Voyages to Antiquity visit is you don't have to fight through hordes of visitors. We had the site to ourselves and were able to see so much. This really is a 'must see' for anyone interested in Greek history. The whole site dates back 850 years before Homer and is truly unique. We were privileged to have seen the re-opened site in its newly refreshed style and I hope to be back in the coming years to discover more."

Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle

By: Globus

The Belvoir Castle has a strong history in the United Kingdom and dates back to Norman times (1066-1247). After his victory at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror gave a grant of land in Leicestershire to his standard bearer, Robert de Todeni. Todeni, in 1085, used the grant to build a castle atop a hill and called it Belvoir - “beautiful view.” The English, who couldn’t latch onto the building’s French pronunciation, called it Beaver Castle and do so to this day – a truth that would surely horrify Todeni.

Another fact that might surprise Todeni is the “15-minutes of fame” Belvoir Castle has experienced in Hollywood. Helicopters buzzing around the castle in 2005 probably had locals wondering what was happening on this historic hill, but staff were sworn to secrecy until May 17, 2006 – the day The Da Vinci Code movie was released worldwide. The movie shoot at this infamous castle involved a week of exterior filming and a lot of hustle and bustle … all for a brief shot of the landmark in the movie. Producers chose Belvoir Castle because it fit the description of Castel Gandolfo in the best-selling book. A modern star even before this blockbuster movie, Belvoir Castle has also been featured in popular TV programs and other films including Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Haunting, as well as a Jim Henson production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Soon, the castle will be seen in another secret film project or two.

The Duke of Rutland resides in the famous Belvoir Castle (his royal ancestors have inhabited the castle since 1509) with his wife and five children and feels he’s a trustee to pass the estate on to succeeding generations. You can discover this and other enchanted historical sites throughout the United Kingdom, and just imagine the famous dramas you could relive with Globus and The Little Travel Consultant!

Assisi: The Patron Saint of TV

Assisi: The Patron Saint of TV

By: Globus

Saint Francis may be Assisi’s most internationally famous son, the charismatic preacher who has been the subject of numerous bio-pics. But his female counterpart, Saint Clare, evokes almost as much devotion amongst Italians. Her life story reads like a medieval inversion of The Sound of Music: 

A beautiful young woman born into a wealthy family, she was betrothed at an early age to a dashing local noble and seemed destined for a conventional life of luxury and pleasure. But her future was transformed in 1210, when she saw the handsome young Francis, espousing the sacred virtues of poverty in the streets of Assisi. Clare immediately cut off her long golden hair, took a vow of celibacy, gave away all her fine clothes and began to dress in a simple cassock. She soon founded her own religious order for women, the Poor Sisters of Saint Clare, which demonstrated a devotion to good works that matches the all-male Franciscan order of monks. 

 In fact, she is often known to Catholics as alter Franciscus, another Francis. Among Clare’s lesser-known honors is that she is the patron saint of television. She was actually given this designation by Pope Pius XII in 1958, on the basis of a miracle that occurred at the end of her life: One Christmas Eve, Clare had been too ill to attend Mass, but the entire religious service was transmitted to her miraculously in a vision. 

 The Pope also designated Clare the patron saint of all telecommunications, including the telephone, an invention dear to the hearts of cellphone-obsessed Italians. Today, Claire’s body can actually be visited in the lovely crypt of the Basilica di Santa Chiara. It’s a romantic setting: She is clothed in an immaculate habit, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers and seems to be peacefully dreaming beneath a ceiling that is painted as a starry sky. No cellphones or televisions are on display. The world is a library. What story might you discover on a Globus vacation in Italy with The Little Travel Consultant?

Recognizing an Inconvenient Truth

Recognizing an Inconvenient Truth

By: Globus

The Galapagos ranks as one of the most important sites in the Western Hemisphere in regards to biodiversity and scientific research. As such, the Ecuadorian government is one of the first countries to include environmental legislation in the form of a constitutional amendment. 

The Special Law for the Galapagos is a landmark piece of legislation which has far-reaching and unprecedented language to protect biodiversity and foster a culture of conservation. The law aims to promote conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development of the Providence of Galapagos. 

The legislation recognizes not only the biological framework necessary to protect Galapagos, but also the intellectual and sociological aspects. The principal goal of this piece of legislation is to create a harmonious existence between people and the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. 

So enjoy the lush scenery, plants and animals that await you because they are heavily treasured and guarded in these pristine Islands! The world is a library. What story might you discover on a Globus vacation in The Galapagos with The Little Travel Consultant?