What do the Sphinx, Picasso & The Parthenon Have in Common?

Photo Courtesy of CHL Cruises Sphinx

Goethe said upon his arrival in Rome in the 1800's, I now realize all the dreams of my youth. Centuries have passed, but to this day, those who visit Rome and neighboring cradles of civilization echo Goethe's sentiments.

The Angeles Chapter invites you to realize your dreams of a Mediterranean getaway by joining a 13-day/12-night cruise of the length of the Mediterranean Sea round trip from Barcelona, Spain aboard Norwegian Jade, November 21-December 3, 2010. The ports of call are Barcelona, Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; and Valletta, Malta.

Here's an opportunity to visit some of the highlights of the Mediterranean. Imagine amongst your options the chance to wander through the Roman Colosseum and Forum, walk around the leaning tower of Pisa, and under the Arch of Titus, stare up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and perhaps toss a coin in the Fountain of Trevi and you'll return again. Imagine the Sphinx and great Pyramids of Egypt and walking around the Parthenon on the Acropolis above Athens. Stroll under Hadrian's gate in Ephesus, the home of early Christians. Visit Valletta, Malta, a World Heritage City. And don't forget Barcelona home to Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum, and a chance to walk Spain's most famous street, La Rambla. The choices are endless and you will need to narrow them with a guidebook and sharp pencil. In the ports, where the ship will dock for most of the day (2 days for Alexandria), participants are free to venture out on their own, or take the ship's excursions.

Onboard the Norwegian Jade, you'll receive all the luxury, comfort, and service that you've come to expect. Included in the cruise fare are staterooms, with private bathroom, vanity, sitting area, 24-hour complimentary room service and turn-down service with chocolates on the pillows; fine dining, casual dining, restaurant and buffet-style, or midnight buffet; fitness center with stair steppers, stationary bikes, treadmills, free weights, aerobic classes, sauna and steam room; entertainment with nightly performances of Broadway-style productions, live music and comedy shows. How about first-run movies or a book from the library? Best of all, during the evening this floating resort moves silently to a new location to offer you countless opportunities to explore adventures ashore.

Sierra Club leaders John Lajeuness and Andrea Lim will escort the group. But the best news is that this cruise is less than half price compared with our 12-night Med of 2007. Prices start at $930 cruise only fare. The Angeles Chapter will only have access to our discounted allotment of cabins for a few months, before they are returned to the cruise line. Please see Calendar section for further details.