[artdegree12]

Scylla and Charybdis were two horrible monsters who used to live in the Strait of Messina; the first one was continuously hungry and used to eat every boat and sailors that passed close to the coast of Calabria, the second one caused some strong whirlpool three times a day close to the coast of Sicily. Nobody wanted to pass through the strait except for Odysseus. According to Homer in the Odyssey, Odysseus challenged these monsters and his boat was sadly swallowed up, all his fellowmen died, and he was the only one who survived. more

[prometheus]

What does Odyssey mean for Sicily? Many towns many legends. We can describe Sicily in this way, since everybody knows that this magical island inspired writers, poets, etc. If we look back to the past, we can immediately find a lot of myths connected to this Italian region. Sicilian Secrets shows you where you should go to know more and live in person some chapters of the adventurous epic poem by Homer…take note!

[anon8373]

Homer wrote that Odysseus met Polyphemus on his journey back to Ithaca. This monster killed two of Odysseus’s fellowmen, so he wanted his revenge. Odysseus made the cyclops drunk and tired using some wine and when Polyphemus fell asleep, he blinded him putting a wooden stick in his big eye. As you can imagine, the monster was not happy at all, and full of anger invoked the help of his father Poseidon, so:

[friendartiste]

«These words the Cyclops’ burning rage provoke: From the tall hill he rends a pointed rock; High o’er the billows flew the massy load, And near the ship came thund’ring on the flood. It almost brushed the helm, and fell before: The whole sea shook, and refluent beat the shore».

[Nerd]

Six-time honoree Travel + Leisure's World's Best Tour Operators awards [links]

[dmytrij]

Jacqueline Meyer
Foster City, CA

[fantomas]

Each of our four tours with you has been outstanding!

[partyp]

We continue to be amazed at the value and quality of these trips.

[foxhunter]

It was the best value in travel we’ve ever had. It was a wonderful experience. here

[JonCage]

Barbara Schoetzau
New York, NY more

[Giulio Prisco]

Ken & Carolyn Helm
Newburgh, IN here

[donaldmoreg]

Because of the group size and outstanding guides, you make travel easy for us! here

[hauns]

Day 12: Sorrento/Pompeii Today we visit the excavated ruins at the evocative UNESCO site of Pompeii for a guided tour of the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE (the city was accidentally rediscovered in 1749). Late this afternoon we gather for a hands-on Neapolitan cuisine cooking lesson, followed by dinner to savor the fruits of our labors. B,D

[hromisko]

In 140 bc , about six hundred years after the Odyssey’s composition, the Greek scholar Polybius wrote in his Histories that he could not agree with Eratosthenes’ quip that “you will find the scene of the wanderings of Odysseus when you find the cobbler who sewed up the bag of the winds.” Neither Polybius nor Eratosthenes knew of a cobbler outside the world of epic poetry capable of sewing a bag that could contain the power of the wind, but for Polybius and for many others who came after him, the Odyssey was a true story with some fantastical elements thrown in for color, not the reverse.

[kenlefeb]

The desire to feel connected to the story and to bring it into the world we inhabit remains. Homer enthusiasts can even trace Odysseus’ journey on a cruise ship. In 2009, Columbia University’s alumni association held a Journey of Odysseus cruise, which took passengers from Istanbul to Athens, via a loop of the Mediterranean, stopping at several important sites from the poem, including the supposed locations of Calypso’s cave (Valetta); the Phlegraean field where Odysseus battled Polyphemus (Pompeii); Lamos, where the Laestrygonians ate Odysseus’ men (Trapani); and Scylla and Charybdis (Taormina, on the Strait of Messina). Part entertainment, part education, the tour included guided reading of the poem and lectures from experts in the field.

[sjaak]

Homer fans have been trying to figure this out—and squabbling over their findings—for as long as the Odyssey has been in the canon. And for just as long other people have been calling efforts to map the Odyssey a complete waste of time. If no one can agree on its physical geography, Odysseus’ imaginary journey is easy to retrace.

[motorcar]

The Odyssey ostensibly tells the story of Odysseus’ ten-year journey home from war, but much of the poem concerns his absence: his wife Penelope’s clever attempts to stave off aggressive suitors and their son Telemachus’ search for his lost father.