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Peregrine Travel Centre

Sicilian Gold and Mediterranean Charm

Sicilian Gold and Mediterranean Charm

From €4,195 EUR

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Description

Baroque splendour, Sicilian gold and Mediterranean charm – a voyage to the island treasures of the Mediterranean Sea.

Syracuse: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cicero once described Syracuse as “the greatest and most beautiful of the Greek cities”. Up to a million people – three times the population of mighty Athens – are claimed to have lived there in antiquity. This city on the small island of Ortigia was later conquered first by the Romans, then by Arabs, Byzantines and Normans. They have left behind a unique architectural heritage: UNESCO declared Syracuse a World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its archaeological importance.

A masterwork of mosaics: the Cappella Palatina
The narrow streets of Palermo’s historic centre with their rattling Vespa scooters and vivacious market women lead to the impressive Norman palace. Inside it you will find the famous Cappella Palatina. Its richness is simply overwhelming: The erstwhile royal chapel is decorated with elements of both Christian and Islamic style, artistic carvings and marble floors. It contains an inner room which is entirely covered with precious golden mosaics.

La Seu – Palma’s Gothic cathedral
In 1230, at a site once occupied by a mosque, construction work began on the famous cathedral of St Maria in Palma de Mallorca, otherwise known as “La Seu”. Initially built in a pure Gothic style, with spires stretching up to the sky, this cathedral was given a few “modern” touches over the course of the centuries. And at the beginning of the 20th century some of the building’s interior rooms were redesigned by none other than Gaudí.

A lecturer accompanies the trip
A lecturer will accompany this trip to deliver interesting and informative talks on a range of specialist subjects.

Trip Name
Sicilian Gold and Mediterranean Charm
Days
11
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 - La Valletta/Malta
Guests arrive individually in Malta.Embarkation on the Sea Cloud.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 2 - Day 2 - Syracuse/Sicily
The municipal area of Syracuse boasts relics from cultural history going back more than three millennia. In ancient times, the city was the most powerful in the known world and was famed for its splendour. The island of Ortigia, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was where Syracuse began its rise as an ancient city. The huge cathedral is at the heart of the old town, magnificent palaces line the Piazza and wide promenades invite you to take a stroll. The archaeological park brings Greek and Roman history back to life. Yet Syracuse exudes southern Italian charm, with washing drying outside the windows.Optional Walking tour through Ortygia.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Lipari/Aeolian Islands
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.Optional City walking tour or Liparian cooking class.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Palermo/Sicily
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.Optional City tour including trip to the cathedral and the CappellaPalatina.
Day 5 - Day 5 - At sea
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Day 6 - Day 6 - Cagliari/Sardinia
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 centre 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.Optional Tour of Cagliari and a trip to a vineyard.
Day 7 - Day 7 - At sea
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Day 8 - Day 8 - Palma de Mallorca/Spain
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 centre 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.Optional Excursion to the countryside and wine tasting.
Day 9 - Days 9 & 10 - At sea
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Day 10 - Day 11 - Málaga/Spain
Málaga has spruced itself up. In 2003, the Museo Picasso opened in a 16th century Renaissance palace and is dedicated to the artist's extensive life's work. This historic old city invites you to take a stroll and its buildings gleam like new. And above everything towers the Alcazaba, a mighty walled fortress. The port was completely redesigned when the city was opened to the sea and you can now take a lovely stroll along the promenade. In Málaga's hinterland you can see the most beautiful aspects of traditional Andalusia. From a distance the typical Andalusian villages look like white dabs of paint shining out from the brown of the barren mountain landscape.Disembarkation. Guests return home individually.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itinerary subject to change! Optional excursions are not included in the rate.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-10-201703-11-2017€7,295Category 2
24-10-201703-11-2017€9,655Category B
24-10-201703-11-2017€6,695Category 3
24-10-201703-11-2017€5,795Category 4
24-10-201703-11-2017€8,895Category C
24-10-201703-11-2017€10,355Category A
24-10-201703-11-2017€6,455GTY Single Cabin
24-10-201703-11-2017€7,695Category 1
24-10-201703-11-2017€4,195GTY Double Cabin
24-10-201703-11-2017€4,895Category 5

Inclusions

    • Syracuse: UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • A masterwork of mosaics: the Cappella Palatina
    • La Seu – Palma’s Gothic cathedral
    • A lecturer accompanies the trip

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