Regent Seven Seas Cruises Circles of Interest

The luxurious Regent Seven Seas Voyager debuts in Europe under her new Regent banner this summer with personalized luxury cruising. Every 7- and 8-night cruise will feature three "Circles of Interest" enrichment programs. The Circles are ship and shore activities based on a common theme. In the Mediterranean, "Archaeology and History," "Photography" and "Food and Wine" Circles will be offered on voyages between Monte Carlo, Rome, Athens, and Funchal September 16 to November 4.

These customizable ship-to-shore options feature onboard lectures and workshops plus special excursions and events led by "Circle" guest experts. The variety of packages allows guests to adjust their experiences ashore while building friendships with like-minded guests.

Photography

Jesse Kalisher, an American photographer known for his black and white destination photography, will help you see Europe in a new way. His personal coaching is inspired by a lifetime of globe-trotting with camera in hand. His new book, "If You Find The Buddha", reflects his view that the best pictures are often caught by surprise. Learn to skillfully you choose subjects, check your lighting and frame quality art shots of classic landscapes, and people, in locales such as Portofino, St. Tropez and Santorini.

Food & Wine

Enter a delicious Circle of Interest featuring local market tours and private wine and olive oil tastings, led by Lyn Farmer, a James Beard Award-winning writer, and Alan Tardi, restaurateur and consulting chef for Mario Batali's new Manhattan venue Del Posto, as well as wine and food writer for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Gourmet and others. Farmer and Tardi help decode the local nuances of the Mediterranean's culinary hotspots. Test your palate over lunch at Portofino's world-famous Hotel Splendido, pausing to sample the subtle differences in olive oils, and learning their uses. On a culinary walking tour of the Greek village of Pyrgos savor tomato fritters, fava puree, cheese pies and meatballs accompanied by an almost unlimited choice of wines. Set out with the group from Marseille to the Cotes du Rhone's great vineyards - Chateauneuf du Pape, Le Verger des Papes and Maison Bouachon - for a private cellar brunch of bread, salami, olives and cheese, capped off with a tasting of select vintages.

Archaeology & History

Be guided into the past by European destination specialist Sandra Bowern with personal anecdotes into the historical influences that have shaped each region you visit. Test the incredible acoustics of Taormina's hilltop Greco-Roman Theater; explore the Odeon and the 15th century Palazzo Corvaia, where the Sicilian Parliament of Nobles met in 1410. At Pompeii, peek inside homes and shops devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. At Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Mediterranean, get the feel for life in Roman times with a visit to the 24,000-seat Grand Theater, dating to the Hellenistic age, and to the beautifully restored Celsus Library, built by a Roman in memory of his father.

Regent Seven Seas has savings on these voyages too. Choose complimentary roundtrip economy air from 86 North American gateways, $499 business class air upgrade (with purchase of economy air add-on), or $1,000 off the cruise fare. As a memento of your voyage with Regent, you will receive a complimentary personalized commemorative photo album.