New Excursions, Exclusive Access and Sacred Sites
Showcase Favorite Destinations’ Religious Histories
NEW:
· Exclusive, after-hours access to Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia church-turned-mosque provides an intimate opportunity to study the blend of Islamic and Christian designs inside, without the crowds.
· A half-day trip to Gaudí’s Church at Colonia Güell -- in a textile colony outside Barcelona -- offers an off-the-beaten-path discovery of the architect’s spiritual whimsy.
· Valetta’s first church plus the many chapels of the Maltese countryside, dating back to Roman, Medieval and possibly prehistoric times, are all explored in one excursion.
EXCLUSIVE:
· Wander Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica at night.
· Enter Rome’s Vatican Museum after closing.
· Attend a private mass for Crystal guests at Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia.
· Listen to a special organ recital at Utstein Monastery near Stavanger, Norway.
JEWISH HERITAGE:
· Learn how Copenhagen’s underground resistance movement helped 99% of Danish Jews survive the Holocaust.
· Visit Amsterdam’s Jewish Historical Museum, Jewish quarter, and Anne Frank’s house.
· Enjoy a local cantor performance, followed by tea with members of St. Petersburg’s Jewish community at their home.
· Stroll through the Jewish Ghetto of Rome.
· Observe activities of local Jewish organizations in Odessa.
· See a range of synagogues, dating from 1795, in Stockholm.
· Explore Jewish Berlin, from a concentration camp deportation area to the largest Jewish museum in Europe.
SACRED PILGRIMAGE SITES:
· Journey to La Moreneta, one of Europe’s most hallowed pilgrimage destinations in Spain’s Montserrat.
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail throughout Europe from April to December 2013, on cruises ranging from five days to month-long combo cruises for extended vacations. All-inclusive fares start at $1,895/person, with additional savings if booked by April 30.
