Description
There are of course no shortages of cruise vessels plying the major ports and cities of the Mediterranean, but few are inclined to focus on the islands as we have done with this delightful journey from Mallorca to Malta aboard the MS Hebridean Sky. Our intention has been to design a voyage as if it were to be undertaken on a small private yacht, staying away from the larger commercial centres and concentrating on some of the most picturesque and interesting places in the region.
We have created our itinerary to combine time in the islands of the Balearics, Sardinia, Corsica and Elba as well as including an in-depth exploration of Sicily, all of which are easy to visit individually but difficult to combine independently. We will have time on each island to see the main sites but also to explore some of the smaller ports and less visited destinations, ensuring that each day has an enjoyable mix of culture with some time at leisure for independent exploration. The island of Sicily is a celebration of the greatest achievements of Mediterranean cultures and with such a wealth of ancient sites it is certainly not somewhere which should be visited in a hurry. We have the benefit of seven full days exploring the island and with the luxury of time we are able to visit the stunning Greek theatre at Taormina, the superbly well-preserved Greek temples of Segesta and the Valle dei Templi, the Norman Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo, Byzantine Monreale Cathedral, the Roman mosaics of Villa Romana di Casale as well as the beautiful Baroque villages of Noto and Ragusa.
Added to our fascinating itinerary we have the pleasure of cruising aboard the MS Hebridean Sky. From time to time we may pass a huge cruise liner and at moments like this we can be thankful that with just 118 passengers, we are able to visit atmospheric ports and villages which the big ships cannot access. Our Guest Speaker will contribute greatly to the enjoyment and understanding of these timeless islands which with their aura of history, unique island lifestyles and spectacular beauty which will capture our hearts as we travel a less well trodden path across the Mediterranean.