35 Days Until Departure..aka the Planner Starts Going Crazy :)

Some of you probably just read the title of tonight's blog and thought to yourself "you've already gone a little crazy with the planning Lynsey" and you are probably right, but now that I am down to almost a month before departure I really am trying to get all my ducks in a row. The picture below is what I spent Sunday night doing...organizing my life, writing out to do lists, creating a final packing list, and putting together a calendar of everything that I'm planning to do during the voyage.

This is probably a little overboard, but it helps to keep me calm and stops me from freaking out over how much there is to do in a little less than a month. I'm a lot luckier than some of my other co-workers who have to sublease apartments, sell furniture, leave jobs, and figure out where they will be moving to when we get back in August, but I still have quite a few things to get done. I'm excited tonight though because the last of my lonely planet books that I borrowed from school libraries all over Florida arrived, so I'm ready to start going through them port by port and writing down some of the suggestions that the books have. I want to do as much as I can while I am in each of the ports, so I'm going to make a list of the must see things while I am there.

None of you should be surprised that I put the books in order by port visited

Tonight, I figured I would give you a glimpse into the things that I might be doing while I'm on the voyage. The cool thing about Semester at Sea is that they offer field programs at each of the ports for students, faculty, and staff to do. I wish I was more of the adventurous spirit who was just fine getting off the ship and going, but I really like that for a "small"fee I can pay someone else to take care of everything for me and get me from the ship to my mini destination for the day. So without further ado, this is when I start to make you all jealous :) Below I've listed our my plans so far for each of the ports including descriptions of the SAS trips I am hopefully doing. I say hopefully because if a trip doesn't meet the minimum required amount of people it won't happen, so everyone keep your fingers crossed that they all work out! If you happen to have other suggestions of things I should do or places I should visit in any of the ports please please please let me know :) Also, the descriptions are sometimes a little lengthy so if you just want to see the basics of what I'm doing just look at the bold, italicized trip name!

Casablanca
Days One & Two: Marrakech & Ourika Valley- Berber Family Visit

Situated at the foot of the tall Atlas Mountain range is the famous imperial city of Marrakech. Begin your adventure on foot as you explore the ancient city, also known as the Medina. Explore the Mosque of the Koutoubia (the booksellers), erected in the 12th century. From the imposing minaret, a masterpiece of the Hispanic-Moorish art, the muezzin calls the inhabitants of the city every day to prayer.

Continue on an inside visit of the Bahia Palace, which serves as the residence of Ba Ahmed (a chief advisor to Sultan Moulay El Hassan). Lunch provides an opportunity to relax and to taste local cuisine. You’ll then visit Majorelle Gardens, home to the late Yves Saint Laurent. Today it houses a collection of plants from the four corners of the earth. You will also visit the Medersa Ben Youssef a Koranic school that was built around 1570 and which is now one of the biggest medersas (school) in northwest Africa.

Next, enjoy an era gone by as you explore the colorful and perfumed world of the
souks of Marrakech. Explore local handicrafts in these lanes, covered with reeds and lanterns. Finally, take in the Jemaa plaza el Fna. You will find a cosmopolitan crowd of dancers, snake charmers and monkey trainers at this famous pavilion. This site was proclaimed as Marrakech’s most famous pavilion. Noted for its role in showing the cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, it definitely won’t disappoint.

The next day, travel to the beautiful Ourika Valley. Less than 45 minutes out of Marrakech you can see green gorges, sparkling yellow wheat fields at the foot of snowcapped mountains. At the banks of the ferocious Ourika River you will find women washing clothes in the spray of waterfalls and traditional flat Berber homes made out of red earth. Spend time with a traditional Berber family where you can observe their way of life and enjoy lunch with them before the drive back to Casablanca.

Day Three: Fes, Spiritual Capital

If you had to visit only one city of Morocco, our choice would be Fes. Its architectural wealth, fascinating medina, and magnificent monuments makes Fes the cultural capital of the country. Enter the medieval city through the monumental gate Bab Bou Jeloud, decorated with blue enamel that glimmers in the sun. Visit the Medersa Bouanania, whose courtyard is marvelously realized in marble and onyx. The Old Medina of Fès

A lunch of typical Moroccan dishes will be served inside the Mnebhi building, one of the mostrefined buildings of the Medina. Continue through the medina, exploring its labyrinth of alleys of the Medina, where every corner holds a different guild of artisans. Explore the most fascinating souk of Fes, the tanner, announced by the strong and sharp odor of the hides. From a panoramic terrace we will see the extraordinary tradition of dying the skins in great tubs.

Pass in front of the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, a place revered by Moslems. Pass by the Mosque Kairouyine, founded in the 19th Century. The building is closed to non-Moslems, but from its numerous doors we can glimpse some of the beauties held inside. Before leaving the medieval city, take a photo stop that allows you to capture the entire Medina. Before returning to Casablanca, cross the Jewish district of Mellah, stopping in front of the Royal Building.

Antalya
Day One: Antalya Orientation/Perge & Aspendos

Drive along the Mediterranean coast to the city center to begin your walking tour. Enter the old town in style by passing through Hadrian's Gate, constructed in honor of his visit here in 130 AD. Walk into the 13th century as you pass the Yivli Minare Mosque, the grooved minaret that has become a symbol of the city.

Stroll through narrow streets where pretty Ottoman mansions have been
converted to quaint lodges covered with bougainvillea vines. Time moves a little
slower here, so relax and absorb the atmosphere. Later pass the Hidirlik Tower, a
squat stone cylinder that is believed to be the tomb of a 2nd century Roman
concul, as you wander down to the old harbor area. Not long ago this Roman harbor was falling into ruins. It is now an award- winning yacht marina, surrounded by cafes, restaurants and charming shops with their vividly colored handicrafts. Complete your morning with a visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum. Take time to walk through the halls to see the relics discovered in the Pamphilia Region of ancient Asia Minor from both Greek and Roman eras before returning to the ship.

Journey back in time to the ancient city of
Perge. Located on the east side of Antalya, it
was founded by Greek settlers following the
Trojan Wars. Perge flourished under the
Selecuid Kings, who fortified the city for the fist
time. In the Hellenistic period Perge’s prosperity
was made in the coin minting industry. It was
later used by Alexander the Great as his base of
operations. You will visit the 2nd Century Roman amphitheater and stadium, the city ramparts and the Roman city gate complex. You will also see the Nymphaion the Propylaion, the baths and the agora.

Continue to Aspendos, whose amphitheatre is considered the most well-preserved
in the Mediterranean. Built in the 2nd Century AD, it was used for major concerts
and plays until a few years ago. Dating from 1000 BC, the city was a major port and
considered a key stronghold in the region during the 5th Century BC. Water was brought to the city through a marvelous aqueduct system which is also extremely well preserved. Walk thru this immense building and test the acoustics and view the still standing aqueducts before returning to the ship.

Day Three: Not a planned SAS Trip but a few of us are going to experience a Turkish Bath :)

Istanbul
Days One & Two: Cappadocia Independent Trip
This trip includes staying at an authentic cave hotel in Cappadocia and an early morning hot air balloon ride over the amazing landscape :)

Day Three: Asian Side of Istanbul

Begin with a drive across the Bosphorus Bridge, the world’s fifth-longest suspension bridge to the Beylerbeyi Palace. This white marble palace was used as a summer residence and guest house for foreign dignitaries during the Ottoman Empire.

Afterwards drive to Calmica Hill and enjoy a view of both sides of the city. Enjoy a
tea break with Turkish sherbet and tea. Visit the Sakirin Mosque at Karacaahment,
a modern mosque with interesting applications. Learn about Ottoman art and
rituals. Drive to Kadikoy and Fenerbahce residential areas of Asian Istanbul. Then Fenerbahce return to the European side of the city through Bagdat Street.

Piraeus(Athens)
Days Two, Three & Four: Santorini Independent Trip
I'm heading back to my favorite Greek Island that I didn't get to spend enough time on back in 2009. I'll be staying at a gorgeous little hotel in Fira (which also happens to have a young, very gorgeous owner). On our second day there we will be doing a planned tour of the island which includes going to the highest point on the island; stopping in the the village of Pyrgos; a boat ride over to the volcano; a swim in the hot springs; the island of Thirasia; and ending with the famous Oia sunset.

Livorno (Florence)
Day One: Pisa & Cinque Terre Independent Trip
Basically I'm just going to hop on a few Italian trains and make stops in Pisa and Cinque Terre before coming back to the ship :)

Day Two: Sienna & San Gimignano

Siena is a beautiful, medieval ensemble of buildings and towers cast in warm, brown, Siena-colored bricks. Its skyline - dominated by the gothic Cathedral (Duomo) and the taut needle of the Torre del Mangia - is its pride. Yet the shell shaped Piazza del Campo probably captures the most attention and fame appearing in films, photographs and advertising campaigns. Together with your guide, you will have a pleasant walk through the medieval streets of Siena, starting from San Domenico before visiting the Cathedral (inside visit) and the famous Piazza del Campo. You will have free time to stroll around and have lunch at your leisure, before heading to San Gimignano.

San Gimignano, the town of beautiful towers, lies in a
picturesque position on a hill dominating the Val d'Elsa, inhabited since the times of the Etruscans. Its squares are guarded by ancient buildings, its narrow and shady alleys and its soaring slender towers all create the character of this stunning town. You will walk along the main street until Piazza della Cisterna, to see the Cathedral (outside visit). Your guided tour will end at St. Agostino church where you will start enjoying some free time to explore the town.

Day Three: Milan Independent Trip
More Italian trains as I head up to Milan for the day/night and see the famous Duomo and of course The Last Supper.

Civitavecchia (Rome)
Day One: Verona Independent Trip
Ok, so technically I'm not in Rome this day, but that is where the ship will be and where I will meet the ship that night :) Just a quick day trip from Milan to Verona to check out Juliet's Balcony :)

Valletta
Day One: Three Cities

This cultural tour offers an intriguing insight into Malta and its history. Left largely unvisited, the Three Cities are a slice of authentic life, and a glimpse into Malta’s maritime fortunes. The Three Cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history. Vittoriosa and Senglea on rocky promontories jutting into the Grand Harbour and Cospicua at the end of the creek have provided a home and fortress to almost every people who settled here. Their harbor inlets have been in
use since Phoenician times: the docks always providing a living for local people,
but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first
home to the Knights of St. John, churches, forts and bastions are far older than Valletta’s

Marseille
Day One: A Day in Aix-En-Provence

Often called the “Land of a Thousand Fountains,” Aix-en Provence is a historic town known for its beautiful architecture. Depart the port for this authentic small town, where you will have a chance to visit the sites with your group as well as explore on your own. A guided tour will take you past many of the town’s fountains and plazas, including the Four Dolphin Fountain and City Hall Square, as well as the Saint Sauveur cathedral. Afterwards, take some time to explore the town on your own. Visit the local museums and stroll the outdoor market. Don’t forget to take time for a
local lunch at a café, sipping
coffee and watching the town
come alive. Transportation will
be provided back to the port at
the end of the day, where you
can share your experience in
this authentically French town

Barcelona
Day One: Barcelona Orientation

Two-thousand-year-old Barcelona has long rivaled
Madrid as Spain’s most important city. It is the
capital of a region, Catalunya, which has its own
language, distinct character, and turbulent history.
It is renowned for being an active and cosmopolitan
city, featuring an impressive architectural and
monumental history. After a comprehensive urban
refurbishing before the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona has come into its own as one of Europe’s most attractive and modern cities.

Enjoy views of the tree-lined Passeig Maritim and the Olympic Stadium and
numerous examples of Antoni Gaudí-inspired architecture, including La Pedrera
(Catalan for “the quarry”), one of Gaudí’s most famous works, which is known for
its unique façade, undulating smooth stone walls and elaborate iron balconies.
View the Plaça de Catalunya, the city’s main square, and the Columbus
Monument, which is located at the site where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas.

Stop for a visit to Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, one of the most visited sites in Spain. Designed by Gaudí in 1882, this awe-inspiring building remains unfinished after a century, lacking completed walls and a roof. Construction is expected to be completed by Gaudí’s collaborators sometime after 2026. View from the outside the church’s features, including the massive nativity façade, the flamboyant spires and the modern stained-glass windows.

Next, enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of Barcelona’s Barri Gotic (also known as the city’s old Gothic Quarter), an area that is home to numerous historic palaces, courtyards and plazas. There, remains of the ancient Roman city and Medieval Buildings coexist with modern structures along winding cobblestone streets. Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, a 600-year-old Gothic cathedral located at the heart of the Barri Gotic. View the cathedral’s three naves, stained-glass windows and exquisite choir screen. The altar holds the marble crypt of St. Eulalia, to whom the cathedral is dedicated.

Visit to Pueblo Español, located on Montjuïc Hill, where you can view artisans at work. This area, which was built in 1929 for the International Exposition, features an open-air museum and a real “village” with houses, streets and squares that represent the culture, architecture and traditions from different regions of Spain. Before returning to the ship, ascend the slopes of Montjuïc, the city’s 700-foot-tall hill, to Mirador Del Alcalde, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbor. This is the site of the 1992 Olympic Ring, as well as numerous parks, fountains and museums.

Day Three: The Chocolate Museum

Board a motor coach for the visit to the Museu de la Xocolata, the Chocolate Museum, where visitors learn about chocolate’s basic ingredient—cacao— including the historical role of its trade, the function of chocolate in society, and chocolate traditions and customs. Sponsored by Barcelona’s Provincial Confectionery Guild, the Chocolate Museum is located in the old building of St. Augustine’s convent.

The museum features cocoa creations, including achocolate miniature of Gaudí’s Casa Milà and Casa Batllo, and an informative presentation of the history of chocolate in Barcelona, whose seaside location and port led to the entrance of many products from the New World. Europeans became enchanted by chocolate, and the first chocolate factory in Europe was established in Barcelona in 1780.

The museum also features a display of spectacular Easter cakes, a tradition which originated in Barcelona in the 1950s. While at the museum, participate in a Chocolate Artists’ Workshop. Under the direction of a Provincial Confectionary Guild member, create a chocolate figurine while learning more about chocolate’s characteristics and its manipulation.

Cadiz
Day One: Seville Monumental Tour

The city of Seville has been molded by the numerous people who have inhabited it to create a city with a special identity. In 712 it was conquered by the moors and became an important city in the kingdom of Al-Andalus. In 1248 Ferdinand III captured the city from the moors and used it as a base to extend the re-conquest. Seville lived its true golden age after 1492, when the Americas were discovered and Seville became the
kingdom's exclusive trading port with these new colonies.

During your trip to
Seville you will visit the city's most emblematic monuments. Enter the Seville
Alcázar and its beautiful gardens. Learn about the fascinating relationship
between Peter the Cruel and Mohamed V which allowed for the Alcázar to benefit
from the finest artists and architects in the peninsula. Visit Seville’s great
cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world and holder of the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Climb the Giralda bell tower, a medieval skyscraper! Explore the Santa Cruz suburb and the old Jewish quarter. Enjoy lunch at an excellent local tapas restaurant just next to the cathedral. You then have a bit of free time to explore the city center before we reconvene and travel back to Cádiz.

Day Three: Gibraltar: A Day on the Rock

Spend a day on Gibraltar with SAS. Participants will depart from the ship at 0830 by bus to Gibraltar (about a 2 hour ride) where we will walk across the border. During the 3 hour tour, the guide will provide a commentary of the history, politics and economy of this unique British enclave, including the Battle of Trafalgar when a garrison of 6000 men withstood the onslaught of Spain and France.

Included in the 3-hour tour will be St. Michael’s Cave, a walk thru the nature reserve and visiting the monkeys. Additionally, you will visit the Siege tunnels and finally the “City under Siege exhibition.” Participants then will have approximately an hour to 90 minutes of free time for lunch and to walk around the historic town before crossing the border and traveling back to the ship.

Lisbon
Day Two: Lisbon & Discoveries Tour

You will head to the Belém area where you will visit the Jeronimos Monastery. This monument, designed in the Manueline style, was built in the 16th century, under the orders of Manuel I, to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful return from India. Next, you will visit the Maritime Museum, just next door. This is one of the most important museums in Europe, evoking Portugal's domination of the seas. It houses model ships from the Age of Discovery to present day.

Next, you will visit Confeitaria Nacional to taste the famous Pastel de Belém. Across the street, you will visit the Belém Tower and the Monument to Discoveries. The Belem Toward was built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor. It was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and was the last sight sailors had of their homeland. The Monument to Discoveries was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures.