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f you haven't paid much attention to the Byzantine Empire in your historical studies, you should. The rulers called the shots for a thousand years or so, and their handiwork resulted in a Christian—rather than pagan—Europe. Image what Western civilization would've been without the rule of Justinian, Constantine, Zeno, and their ilk.

Come with R. Crusoe & Son and our travel partner, High Country Passage, for an examination of this rich bit of the story of the West. We ply the waters of the Adriatic and Mediterranean on a wonderful small cruise ship, Le Levant. Fifty crewmembers attend to a maximum of 90 passengers. Think private marble baths, picture windows, a grand salon in which our lecturers impart their wisdom, and a clutch of other nice amenities.

Gather in Palermo for dinner hosted by a count and countess in their private palazzo. Poke around the city, the Norman-Byzantine cathedral in Monreale (be sure to examine the tiled columns), and our next destination, Cefalù. The Romanesque cathedral is a favorite, the town a charmer.

Then embark Le Levant and cruise toward mainland Italy. In the Calabrian town of Stilo, we spend time at the Cattolica di Stilo. Inside, 11th-century frescoes document life as it was lived a millennium ago.

Le Levant now crossed the Adriatic to dock in Butrint, Albania. UNESCO has fallen in love with the place. See why at the fourth-century theater, the Temple of Asclepius, the Roman baths, etc.

North to the Bay of Kotor and the town of the same name in the Republic of Montenegro. Tour the old town, take a swim in the bay, relax.

Back to Italy. Specifically, Sulmona, birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid. (If you haven't read his story of creation, Metamorphosis, you must.) Nearby Scanno is known for its stone architecture and charming narrow streets.

To Ravenna, HQ of the Western Roman Empire under Emperor Justinian I. The Byzantine art here is outrageous and worth every minute of our time.

We wind up in Venice, where there's time to learn about the Venetians' challenges to the Byzantine Empire. Friction can be fruitful, it seems. Our visit culminates in a specially-arranged after-hours visit to St, Mark's Basilica, once the crowds have left. A magical wrap-up, if ever there was one.

Inside Byzantium. An Empire Bids for Eternal Power. 11 Days.