Classical Destinations

When you board a ship you enter the exciting world of ship board life, whether it be on a tramp steamer, cargo boat or ocean liner. The mystique and magic of far-flung ports appeal to all world travelers. This book is a combination of reports about legendary people who have taken ships to reach their destinations, and reports about the legendary people who were the reason to sail to these destinations. A ship can take you to Le Havre, and from there a car to George Sand's house,or Genoa to visit Lake Lago and Puccini's house, the voyages being just the beginning.

First of all you call these vessels, ships. I am still amazed when talking to world travelers that they so often refer to these great ocean-going ships as 'boats.' It is like calling a great restaurant a 'cafe' or perhaps a Rolls Royce a jalopy. A boat is what goes on a ship, such as a life-boat.. Protocol and discipline are still the norm on board. Just ask the Captain, at least half the people in this book, sailed to many parts of the world. Most of those people crossed the Atlantic some of them, many times, and often they wrote short stories about passengers on board. Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward among them.

The other half are the ones who command enough admiration for hundreds of people to take a ship to visit their homes. I have endeavored to pass on the fascinating details of where they lived and worked. Traveling to reach these places by ship, gives one an opportunity to study and research these places on the way, surrounded by the fine life style of being at sea. Watching an early morning sunrise or a brilliant sunset, over the vast ocean; the green flash when the sun disappears on the horizon is very moving. Contemplating your place in the world and anticipating visiting the unique places where legendary celebrities lived often inspires new and stimulating ideas.