Embark on an enchanting 8-day sailing cruise through Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia, where you'll experience a perfect balance of cultural exploration and relaxing sailing. From the picturesque beauty of Taormina with its romantic alleys and panoramic sea views to the awe-inspiring Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, this journey is filled with natural wonders. Discover the architectural marvels of Palermo, blending Norman and Byzantine influences, and immerse yourself in the pulsating capital of Cagliari in Sardinia. Finally, experience the tranquility of Menorca, with its rugged cliffs, wide beaches, and lush greenery. This sailing cruise offers an unforgettable combination of cultural immersion, stunning landscapes, and blissful moments on the open sea.
- Perfect balance of cultural program on land and relaxed sailing hours on board
- Taormina – a beauty set against a volcanic panorama: romantic alleys, flower-covered stairs, and a view far over the sea
- Europe's most active volcano: Mount Etna between fertile plains and barren crater landscapes
- Norman exterior, Byzantine exterior: Palermo’s melting-pot architecture
- From the Tower of the Elephant to the cathedral: Sardinia’s pulsating capital, Cagliari
- Mallorca's tranquil sister: Menorca, the nature island with rugged cliffs, wide beaches, and an abundance of greenery
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Departure 07.00 pm Goethe wrote, "Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom and oranges glow from the leaves' dark gloom." Sicily and the picture-perfect Baroque town of Catania, set right at the foot of Mount Etna, were genuine inspirations for him on his travels around Italy. On the fertile volcanic soil around Catania, orange and lemon trees try to out-glow each other, and you will be tempted to enjoy the coastline with its wonderful sandy beaches and impressive rock formations. The town was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and earthquake in the 17th century and, in the 18th century, a masterpiece of Roman Baroque emerged which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arrival 06.00 am, Departure 02.00 pm Spend the day sunbathing, enjoy the fresh wind breeze, and relax into the day!
Arrival 12.00 pm, Departure 07.00 pm The character of Palermo, Sicily's vibrant capital, was mainly forged by the Arabs, Swabian dynasty and Normans. Noble palaces line the magnificent streets, cheerful-looking Art Nouveau houses stand next to Baroque buildings and a little further on you are faced with pure Gothic facades. The medieval quarter towers above the huge Palazzo Reale with its "Capella Palatina", a masterpiece in the Arab-Byzantine-Norman style. The small mountain town of Monreale gives you a breathtaking view over the town and the bay, as well as the 12th century cathedral whose interior combines Romanesque, Byzantine and Arab art with rich gold mosaics.
Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.
Arrival 08.00 am, Departure 01.30 pm Cagliari is a port and university town and, with one of the most modern opera houses in the Mediterranean, is also a renowned cultural city. Behind the Via Roma, a boulevard with shady arcades and classical facades, lies the dock area whose narrow lanes bustle with life. The old town is called Castello and extends picturesquely up the hill. The immense Bastione San Remy towers over the town. Not far from the center is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean and inland you will find glittering cultural treasures, like the ancient town of Nora dating from the 9th century BC.
Spend the day sunbathing, enjoy the fresh wind breeze, and relax into the day!
Arrival 08.00 am, Departure 01.30 pm Mahôn, the island's capital, has the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The harbor of the former capital, Ciutadella, which translates as "tiny little town", has a picturesque setting on a fjord-like bay. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and you will be enchanted by the narrow lanes in the old town, the majestic squares and the smart promenades. Menorca naturally has two sides – in the north is the wild mountain region of Tramuntana, with its ruggedly craggy coastline and hidden bays. In the south there are gentle hills with wide plains and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Majorca's little sister is considerably quieter and more traditional.
Arrival 08.00 am Majorca's beautiful capital is an elegant city and its picturesque old town and architectural mix of Arab, Catalan and Art Nouveau elements are part of its success story. In the center you will be lured by shops behind splendid facades, and cafés and bars set on beautiful squares invite you to stay a while. Not far from the sophisticated marina you will find the dignified cathedral, affectionately known as "La Seu" for short. With pure Gothic beginnings, none other than Antonio Gaudi created part of its interior at the start of the 20th century.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Sea Cloud
| Launched | 1931 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 64 passengers |
| Length | 109 metres |
Sea Cloud is a ship with a soul, imbued by the original owners, Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband E.F. Hutton in the 1930’s. The ship has played host to royalty, known service in wartime, and sailed the world over. She is a vessel of incomparable grace that harks back to the golden age of ship travel. Once you’ve been on Sea Cloud under full sail, you’ll begin your own love affair.
Welcome aboard a legend Sea Cloud accommodates 58 guests in 28 outside cabins including two original owner’s suites that still feature original marble baths and fireplaces. At 360 feet she is an expansive ship with extensive public spaces on the top deck, where we luxuriate in deck chairs and watch the crew of 18 go aloft in the web of riggings to hand-set her 30 sails. Her dining room is hung with marine oil paintings of the period and accommodates all guests at once for a single seating. We’ll gather in the lounge each evening for Recap. Life aboard is a uniquely pleasing mix of elegance and informality—a return to the golden age of sailing in shorts and deck shoes. You’ll find all shipboard services impeccable.
Discover the romance of tall ship sailingExperience something many people don’t know exists in the 21st century—the romance of life under square sails. Discover the thrill of standing on deck as Sea Cloud gently glides through the water, her crew aloft in the riggings, running out and reefing sails. Settle in to your favorite areas on the top deck and bask in the incomparable experience of traveling aboard the finest tall ship to ever sail the seas. Lose yourself in an adventure that, in this day and age, is almost unimaginable.
Includes
- Beautifully appointed cabin in selected category
- Gratuities
- Welcoming bottle of champagne in your cabin
- All meals from early-bird breakfast to the exquisite 4-course dinner menu with choice of main course
- 5-course gala dinner during the cruise
- Welcome and farewell cocktail with champagne
- Selected wines and beers thoughtfully chosen to complement lunch and dinner
- All soft drinks and juices throughout the cruise
- All alcohol-free coffee and tea specialties
- Bottled water on the excursions
- Fresh fruit basket in your cabin, replenished daily
- English-speaking tour guide
- Travel documents
- All port fees
- Use of watersports facilities such as snorkeling equipment, Stand-Up-Paddles and Towable Tube (weather permitting)
- Free laundry service for cat. A-C (SEA CLOUD) and cat. A+B (SEA CLOUD II and SEA CLOUD SPIRIT)