fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Spring in the Gardens of the Mediterranean

Spring in the Gardens of the Mediterranean

From £6,295 GBP

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Our springtime journey through the Mediterranean has been planned for those who appreciate an interesting mix of history, gardens and landscapes. We will steer clear, whenever possible, of the over-crowded sites and mega resort ships, yet include some of the most interesting and beautiful places in the ancient world. It is the most perfect time of year: verdant gardens and landscapes awash with blossoms make for an idyllic journey aboard the wonderfully comfortable MS Island Sky.

Trip Name
Spring in the Gardens of the Mediterranean
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type:  Luxury Small Ship Length:  90 metres Passenger Capacity:  116  Built / refurbished:  1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person Owner's, Penthouse & Veranda Suites: INCLUDE ALL STANDARD FEATURES PLUS: En suite Champagne & Chocolates on Arrival Complimentary mini-bar (beer, wine & soft drinks) En suite Nespresso machine Promenade & Deluxe Suites: INCLUDE ALL STANDARD FEATURES PLUS: Tinted sliding glass doors, bringing Antarctica into your suite and giving easy access to the outer deck En suite Champagne & Chocolates on Arrival Complimentary mini-bar (beer, wine & soft drinks) En suite Nespresso machine available on request  

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London to Naples, Italy.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Island Sky.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Naples & Ischia.
Arrive this morning in Naples. There will be a choice of excursions today and you may choose to take the ferry and spend the day on the garden island of Ischia. A tour of the island will focus on La Mortella, a wonderful garden designed by architect Russell Page for Lord and Lady William Walton. We will have lunch at a local restaurant before enjoying free time to explore the main town. Alternatively enjoy a day in Naples where a morning tour will take us to Herculaneum. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Naples.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Amalfi.
From our anchorage off Amalfi we will go ashore this morning to visit the nearby beautiful gardens The Itinerary of the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. The villa was something of a Bohemian retreat in its early days and has had many illustrious former guests. Return to Amalfi and enjoy a free afternoon at lesiure.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Civitavecchia.
Today we travel inland to visit two wonderful houses and gardens in Lazio. We will visit Castello Ruspoli which is owned by Princess Claudia Giada Ruspoli. Originally part of the papal estates, the castle was built in 847 AD by Benedictine monks. The garden, which still retains its original form, must be considered one of the most beautiful parterres in Italy. After lunch we continue to the beautiful gardens of Villa Lante Della Rovere. In the eyes of many, Villa Lante is the consummate example of the best period in the history of garden design: the Mannerist phase of the Italian Renaissance.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Elba.
Arrive this morning at the enchanting island of Elba, best known as Napoleon’s island of exile from 1814 to 1815. Departing the island’s busy capital Portoferraio we set out for a delightful drive exploring the southern region of this charming island with superb views over the coastline. The first stop will be Villa San Martino, the summer residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, which has since been transformed into a museum. Continue to Porto Azzurro, a delightful town which is dominated by an ancient Spanish fortress and a picturesque harbour, before carrying on along the coast to the 17th century country wine farm, La Chiusa, beautifully nestled in a vineyard estate surrounded by olive trees and overlooking the ocean. Experience the estate’s interesting cellar to learn how the wine is handled and produced. A delicious sampling of the local wine will be served in the garden facing the sea. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Portoferraio.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Livorno.
We will spend the day in the Tuscan countryside and Chianti wine region. This morning we will visit the 15th century Villa Poggio Torselli built by the Machiavelli family and known as the “Queen of Chianti Villas”. The gardens here are made up of parkland and a terraced Italian style garden with a verdant expanse of vineyards, olive trees, roses, cypress and lemon trees. After our visit we will enjoy a lunch of local specialities and wines at a nearby villa before returning to the MS Island Sky. Alternatively spend the morning in the lovely town of Lucca.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Calvi.
Calvi is the capital of the prosperous Balagne region of the island. Enjoy the vista of the surrounding green hills which form a natural amphitheatre and is known as the ‘Garden of Corsica’. A guided tour will lead us through the alleyways and cobbled streets before continuing to the imposing citadel. This afternoon there will be an opportunity to explore the flora of Corsica with a visit to the seven hectare Parc de Saleccia.
Day 8 - Day 8 - San Remo.
This morning enjoy time to explore the twisting labyrinth of lanes in the old town that lead up from the waterfront or maybe walk along the promenade to the gardens at Villa Ormond. This afternoon we will enjoy a choice of tours, maybe travel inland to the Medieval town of Dolceaqua which is made up of two villages connected by a Medieval humpback bridge which inspired Monet who defined it as “a jewel of lightness”. Our walking tour will take us through the picturesque alleys to the Doria Castle and we will also enjoy a tasting of the village’s famous Rossese red wine and olive oil in a local taverna. Alternatively take the journey to the French border and the Hanbury Gardens which were established in 1867 by Sir Thomas Hanbury as a coastal woodland garden at his property in Ventimiglia. After falling into disrepair they were restored by the University of Genoa in 1987 who maintain the 18 hectares of Mediterranean and exotic plants.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Menton, France.
Arrive this morning on the French Riviera in the small town of Menton. Spend the morning at the Val Rahmeh Botanical Gardens. Established in the late 19th century by Lord Radcliffe the garden contains subtropical and tropical plants including Sophora toromiro (a species of small trees since disappeared from Easter Island) exceptional olive trees (more than 400 years old) and collections of exotic plants. Returning to the ship for lunch you may wish to revisit the town for the afternoon or relax on board. Alternatively visit the Serre de La Madone, designed in the 1920s by Lawrence Johnston. Spread over nine hectares the garden is divided into compartments by hedges and walls and includes plants sourced from his travels around the world.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Nice.
Drive this morning along the dramatic road to St Jean Cap Ferrat which is home to some of the most sumptuous villas on the French Riviera and where we find the Rothschild Foundation and Gardens at Villa Ile de France. We will explore the villa which houses a priceless art collection. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon either explore Nice independently or join us as we explore two of the area’s finest museums in the exclusive Cimiez Hill District. We will begin with a visit to the Musee National Marc Chagall. Established by the artist himself, the collection features the most important permanent exhibition of his work. We will continue to the Musee Matisse which is housed in the 17th century Arena Villa. The exquisite collection details the great master’s development from the late 19th century through to 1954.
Day 11 - Day 11 - Hyeres.
Our journey along the French Riviera continues in Hyeres, which developed as a winter destination and health resort for wealthy Britons in the 18th and 19th century with Queen Victoria giving the royal seal of approval in 1892. The pleasant climate makes it home to some wonderful gardens that we will explore or a morning tour including Castel Sainte Claire which overlooks the old town and the terraced park at Saint Bernard with wonderful views along the coast.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Le Ciotat.
Today we will anchor off the picturesque Provencal port of Le Ciotat where we have a morning free to explore independently. After lunch on board we spend the afternoon at the hilltop Medieval village of Le Castellet exploring the winding streets and enjoying a wine tasting.
Day 13 - Day 13 - Sete.
Enjoy a full day tour to the fortified city of Carcassonne which is for most the perfect idea of a Medieval castle. There will be a guided walking tour and free time before returning to the ship with lunch en-route. Alternatively, spend the morning at La Bambouseraie, a private botanical garden founded in 1856 by keen botanist Eugene Mazel and featuring exotic and rare plants, huge oak and cypress trees, giant bamboos and magnolias and Victorian greenhouses. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 14 - Day 14 - Palamos, Spain.
Our first call in Spain will be on the Costa Brava and the old fishing port of Palamos. This morning we will head out to the 17 hectare Cap Rog Botanical Gardens situated on the cliffs with wonderful views of the coastline. The terraced gardens contain over 1000 botanical species and spread from the house on the cliffs down to the sea.
Day 15 - Day 15 - Barcelona to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-05-201815-05-2018£6,495Magellan Suite
01-05-201815-05-2018£6,295Magellan Deck (Forward)
01-05-201815-05-2018£6,895Magellan Suite Sole
01-05-201815-05-2018£7,295Columbus Deck Superior Sole
01-05-201815-05-2018£6,695Columbus Deck Superior
01-05-201815-05-2018£6,995Marco Polo Deck Premium
01-05-201815-05-2018£8,995Explorer Owners Balcony
01-05-201815-05-2018£7,395Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
01-05-201815-05-2018£8,795Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony

Inclusions

    • Visit Amalfi and it's beautiful gardens
    • Arrive at the enchanting island of Elba, best known as Napoleon’s island of exile from 1814 to 1815
    • Spend a day in the Tuscan countryside and Chianti wine region
    • Explore the twisting labyrinth of lanes in the old town of San Remo that lead up from the waterfront or maybe walk along the promenade to the gardens at Villa Ormond
    • Drive along the dramatic road to St Jean Cap Ferrat which is home to some of the most sumptuous villas on the French Riviera and where we find the Rothschild Foundation and Gardens at Villa Ile de France

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Trips