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Italy at Its Best

Italy at Its Best

From EUR €4,095

Description

The natural harbour of Bonifacio
Sailing into Bonifacio is quite simply a spectacular experience – a steep, shimmering white chalk cliff, a small town that appears to be floating magnificently on the plateau and a fjord-like bay which gives way to an elegant marina. Those who wish may explore the area’s medieval upper town or take a stroll along the promenade.

Capri: magic island and dream destination
Ever since the German painter August Kopisch discovered the Blue Grotto 190 years ago, Capri has been considered the epitome of romantic Italy. With its magical light, its pleasant climate and rugged rocks, the island beauty in the Gulf of Naples still instills a yearning to travel. After a stroll through the narrow streets and a visit to the boutiques, stop for a cappuccino in the Piazzetta, and you will have the best
view of the island’s hustle and bustle.

The scenic Amalfi Coast
Violet bougainvillea in front of pastel pink facades; houses clinging to the cliffs like swallows’ nests; a grand open staircase looking out onto the glistening turquoise sea – Sorrent, Positano and Amalfi sometimes seem too good to be true. But the colourful, romantic fishing villages are real. In 1997, the UNESCO declared the Amalfi Coast a World Heritage Site.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Paestum
The mighty columns of Poseidon’s temple still soar into the blue Campanian sky much like they did 2,500 years ago. Together with the basilica and the Temple of Athena, they form the Doric heart of Paestum. Until its rediscovery in 1750, this Greek and later Roman colony had been hidden in the marsh and today is among the best preserved temple sites in Europe.

Trip Name
Italy at Its Best
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 109 metres Passenger Capacity: 64 Built / refurbished: 1931 / 2011 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. Please note deck and suite plans are indicative only and may vary slightly.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Civitavecchia
All roads lead to Rome. The stunningly beautiful city on the Tiber is around 70 kilometres (44 miles) from the port of Civitavecchia. The highlights of the "Eternal City" are not limited to the seven hills of antiquity. The historic centre and the Vatican State in Rome are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the city of Vespas and "la dolce vita", painters, sculptors and architects have left behind innumerable works of art over three millennia. Ancient sites, Renaissance palaces, Baroque squares and fountains create a splendid backdrop for enjoying life in between the daily routine and eternity.
Day 2 - Day 2 Bonifacio/Corsica
The chalk cliffs are visible even from a long way away and fall away steeply into the sea like a wall - around 70 metres (230 foot) high. Hidden behind them is a fjord-like inlet, which provides the beautiful entrance into the natural harbour of Bonifacio. The elegant modern lower town is set around the harbour with a promenade that runs the length of the deep harbour bay and leads to the elegant marina. More than 187 stone steps, majestically named the "Staircase of the King of Aragon", lead you up to the medieval upper town which sits lofty and impregnable high up on the top of a steep chalk cliff.
Day 3 - Day 3 At Sea
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Day 4 - Day 4 Capri & Sorrento
Even at the time of the Roman Empire, Capri was a particularly precious natural gem and became the summer residence of the Emperor Tiberius. Artists and hedonists, aristocrats and the moneyed classes discovered the island for themselves in the 19th century. This stunningly beautiful rocky island in the Gulf of Naples is famous for its numerous grottos, the most well known being the Blue Grotto. You can expect a combination of pleasure and spectacle when you experience the colourful lifestyle and goings-on in the Piazetta right in the centre of Capri.The picturesque little town of Sorrento is delightfully situated high above white cliffs and offers a fantastic view over the Gulf of Naples. Visitors have been succumbing to Sorrento's magic for 2,000 years, which is at its best when there's a picturesque sunset. Everyone has heard about the tragic end that came to the prosperous Roman trading centre of Pompeii, situated at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. In 79 AD it was buried under ash and lava and remained hidden for centuries. Nowadays it is the greatest excavation site in Italy and gives you a glimpse into daily life in Roman times.
Day 5 - Day 5 Sorrento & Sailing along Amalfi coast
The beautifully curving Amalfi Coast, which meanders along the starkly protruding Sorrento peninsula, has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Day 6 - Day 6 Agropoli
Positioned in a strategic location high above the rocky coastline, Agropoli was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century A.D. Indeed the Greek word 'Acropolis' means 'high city'. The beautiful old town boasts a castle, the remains of the town wall and a town gate, all of which are testament to its turbulent history. Exquisitely preserved Doric temple complexes from the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. can be found at the ancient site of Paestum, known to the Greeks as Poseidonia and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Buffaloes graze in the plain of the River Sele between Salerno and Paestum. Their milk is used to make the best Mozzarella in Italy.
Day 7 - Day 7 Lipari/Aeolian Islands & Passage Strait of Messina
Lipari is a tranquil little spot and the largest of the Aeolian Islands, with a cultural heritage stretching back over 6,000 years. Right from first glance you can see its volcanic heritage, with some of the rock formations resembling sculptures, and the entire group of islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Aeolian Museum is set on the castle hill and holds an impressive collection of prehistoric and ancient artefacts from this volcanic group of islands. You will find the southern Italian way of life in this little port infectious.
Day 8 - Day 8 Giardini Naxos (Taormina)/Sicily
Taormina is perched on a rock with a majestic view over the sea. In the 19th century, this small town had already developed into a dream destination for well-heeled travellers and artists. The town's fascination lies in its elegance, the many ancient buildings, the stunningly beautiful coastline, the mild climate, and the view over the silhouette of Etna. Europe's largest volcano is over 3,000 metres (9,843 foot) high, has four summit craters and around 400 subsidiary craters, and is covered with snow almost all year round. In ancient times it was considered the seat of the gods, but nowadays large sections of it are a nature reserve.
Day 9 - Day 9 Valletta
This strategically important location has always attracted foreign conquerors. More than 7,000 years ago, a civilisation existed here, leaving behind enormous temple complexes. Just like proud Valletta, these are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Jean Parisot de la Valette, Grand Master of the Order of St John, founded a modern fortified city on a rock in 1566, between the two splendid natural ports of Marsamxett and Grand Harbour. Long rows of facades made from golden-yellow blocks of chalk stretch along the straight streets. Splendid Renaissance and Baroque buildings are evidence of riches and power, such as the Palace of the Grand Master and the impressive St John's Co-Cathedral.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0GTY Double Cabin
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category 5
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category 4
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0GTY Single Cabin
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category 3
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category 2
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category 1
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category C
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category B
10-05-201918-05-2019EUR €0Category A

Inclusions

    • The natural harbour of Bonifacio
    • Capri: magic island and dream destination
    • The scenic Amalfi Coast
    • UNESCO World Heritage Site Paestum

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