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Peregrine Travel Centre

Mediterranean Wonders: Sicily, Greece, Sardinia Cruise and Beyond

Mediterranean Wonders: Sicily, Greece, Sardinia Cruise and Beyond

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Description

On this special voyage featuring wine selections curated by Food & Wine magazine experts, experience exclusive culinary excursions and world-renowned delicacies as we explore a vast swath of the Mediterranean—from Spain and Sardinia to Corsica and Greece. Walk amid pre-historic standing stones on the isle of Menorca, swim in the azure waters of Kefalonia, and discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delphi, the center of the ancient Greek world. Aboard the nimble National Geographic Orion, navigate places out of reach to other ships, like the narrow Corinth Canal, and enjoy insights from our onboard wine expert, who guides us through nightly tastings of wines personally selected by Food & Wine magazine’s Executive Wine Editor, Ray Isle.

Trip Name
Mediterranean Wonders: Sicily, Greece, Sardinia Cruise and Beyond
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 103 metres Passenger Capacity: 102 (in 53 cabins) Built: 2003 / Refurbished 2014 With just 53 cabins, National Geographic Orion offers an intimate and refined platform for exploring some of the world’s most remote and culturally rich regions—from the Pacific Islands and Asia to Antarctica and the Mediterranean. Purpose-built for expedition travel, she boasts an ice-class hull for navigating polar waters and exceptional manoeuvrability that enables access to secluded bays, narrow inlets and winding rivers—places far beyond the reach of larger cruise ships. Life aboard Orion is designed to immerse guests in the natural world, with panoramic deck spaces, a whirlpool hot tub, and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. Her public areas include two relaxed dining venues, a lounge with bar, an observation library, fitness centre and spa, as well as the OM System Photo Gear Locker to support photography at all levels. Open-Bridge access allows guests to connect with the ship’s officers and learn about navigation first-hand. Whether sailing through polar pack ice or anchoring off a tropical atoll, Orion delivers a seamless blend of adventure and comfort.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Athens, Greece / Lavrio / Embark Ship
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the hospitality suite. Explore the city at your own pace. Then transfer to Lavrio and embark National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon to set a course west for the Corinth Canal. Or explore more on a pre-voyage extension in Athens.Arrival time: Arrive before 1:30 p.m. local time. Arrival City: Athens, Greece
Day 2 - Day 2 Corinth Canal / Delphi
Navigate the historic Corinth Canal, slipping between the 300-foot limestone walls that tower above both sides of the vessel. Built in the late 19th century, the canal is too small for most modern-day ships, but National Geographic Orion is perfectly sized for the transit to the Gulf of Corinth and Ionian Sea.  Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delphi, the center of the ancient Greek world. The ruins here are home to the Temple of Apollo—Greece’s most important shrine—where the Oracle of Delphi delivered divine prophecies. Learn about the city’s storied past and explore the temple and other important sites.
Day 3 - Day 3 Kefalonia
Start the day with an early morning hike in Kefalonia. Later this morning visit the natural marvels of Melissani Lake and Drogarati cave. Enjoy lunch onboard before transferring overland to a nearby beach for a sun-filled afternoon. Soak in the vivid blue waters—a true photographer’s delight. Stroll along the shoreline, or swim, kayak or paddleboard in the beautiful sea (weather permitting).
Day 4 - Day 4 Corfu
Known for its strong cultural heritage, Corfu is home to many of the country’s firsts: the first university, theatre and opera. Learn about the island’s history, including its triumphant defense against the Ottoman empire, and spend time around Spianada, the old city’s main square—and the largest one in Greece—built in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Venetians. Discover the island’s most iconic landmarks and signs of foreign influences. Or meander through the old town’s charming city streets tasting local delicacies such as kumquats and olive oil. Alternatively, spend the day taking in the stunning landscapes of Greece’s greenest island exploring the countryside and mountain trails.  
Day 5 - Day 5-6 At Sea / Siracusa, Italy
Spend the following day at sea, relaxing aboard National Geographic Orion as she makes her way toward Italy.  Head ashore at Siracusa, one of the most powerful cities in the classical world. Explore the archaeological park where a well-preserved Greek amphitheater with carved limestone seats is still used today. Paradise Quarry, now an attractive garden and orange grove, was the primary source of that limestone, and is the site of the curious Ear of Dionysius—a huge cave with incredible acoustics. Make the most of your time in port: explore the city's excellent market or join a walking tour of the adjacent island of Ortigia, where a stunning cathedral was built on the columns of the 6th-century Temple of Athena.
Day 6 - Day 7 Taormina, Sicily
This morning, drive up to the beautiful town of Taormina, perched 250 meters above the sea. With Mount Etna dominating to the south, this medieval town boasts the pedestrian-friendly Corso Umberto, lined with exquisite buildings and one of the world’s most interesting cultural sites: the Greco-Roman Theater. This remarkable theater was built right into the cliffside, overlooking the vast sea below, in the third century B.C. Enjoy lunch at a nineteenth-century estate at the foot of Monte Serra in Viagrande.
Day 7 - Day 8 At Sea / Aeolian Islands
Enjoy the day at sea as you sail toward the Aeolian Islands—not only famous for the winds of the god Aeolus, but also for some of the most well-known classical volcanoes. With a bit of luck, you will witness the pyrotechnics of the active volcanic island of Stromboli. Pass through the narrow Strait of Messina overnight, the purported location of Homer’s monsters Scylla and Charybdis: the rock and the hard place through which Odysseus had to sail. 
Day 8 - Day 9 Golfo Aranci, Sardinia
Step ashore on Sardinia’s east coast, known for its stunning and remote landscapes, including grottos and mountain peaks. Populated since pre-historic times, the landscape is dotted with Roman village ruins and monasteries from the Middle Ages. Venture into the mountains to visit the archeological discoveries, including tombs and village remains or spend the morning in San Pantaleo, visiting local artisan shops that showcase the handicrafts of painters, goldsmiths, sculptors and potters.
Day 9 - Day 10-11 Bonifacio, Corsica, France / At Sea
Wake up to the sunrise over the layered cliffs of Bonifacio, one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful towns. Begin your day with a walking orientation to the citadel, established by the powerful margraves of Tuscany in the ninth century, and enjoy a hike or travel to a charming mountain village. In the afternoon, enjoy some time relaxing onboard or exploring at your own pace. Later, enjoy a musical performance at a majestic church in town.The following day is spent at sea: listen to talks by your onboard experts, get photo tips from a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor or spend some time on the bridge with officers who are happy to answer questions. A massage from the wellness specialist is another inviting option, or relax with a book in the observation lounge. 
Day 10 - Day 12 Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain
The Vandals, the Moors and the British Empire have ruled over this stunning little island where prehistoric civilizations left intriguing rock mounds and megalithic monuments dating back some 4,000 years. Walk through the Bronze Age village of Torralba d’en Salord and see the characteristic T-shaped stone monuments left by the Talayotic peoples. This evening, set a course west toward Barcelona.
Day 11 - Day 13 Barcelona / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Barcelona and transfer to the airport for flights home.  Departure Time: Depart after 12:00 p.m. local time.   Departure City: Barcelona, Spain
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 13 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

    • Explore vestiges of Greek, Roman, and Talayotic civilizations across the Mediterranean alongside expert historians and archaeologists
    • Step back in time at UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Delphi—home of the most famous ancient Oracle—and Sicily’s historic city of Ortigia
    • Learn about the rich history of Sardinia and Corsica, two fiercely independent islands—Italian and French respectively—populated since pre-historic times
    • Navigate the narrow Corinth Canal, a crucial manmade waterway that separates the Peloponnese Peninsula from mainland Greece
    • Swim in the vivid blue waters of the Ionian Sea and be on the lookout for sea turtles and shipwrecks
    • Discover Corfu’s strong cultural heritage—home to Greece’s first university and theater

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