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Peregrine Travel Centre

Sicily Cruise – The sights and tastes of Sicily

Sicily Cruise – The sights and tastes of Sicily

From AUD $5,295

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Description

Sicily is one of earth’s most spectacular and interesting islands. Settled by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Carthaginians and many others, with rugged mountains dominated by Mount Etna, Europe’s most active large volcano, some ancient towns and a fantastic tradition of cuisine influenced by the many invaders there is more than enough to spoil your senses.

This is a relatively active cruise with a great variety of experiences available to you. Walking on volcanoes, exploring the street food of Palermo, watching the sunset across the salt pans of Trapani, ascending to the Norman fortress of Cefalu for a picnic of local produce, and exploring Palermo, the amazing capital.

Mt Etna
Towering nearly 11000 feet above sea level, Etna dominates the landscape of Eastern Sicily and clad with some fine vineyards.

Siracusa
The beautiful ancient town on the south east coast of Sicily

Cefalu
A hidden gem on the north coast, an old traditional fishing town dominated by a huge rock topped with a Norman fortress.

Trapani & Erice
Trapani is a small fishing port and Erice sits atop 2500 foot high hill with views across to Africa on a clear day. The nearby salt flats are a nature reserve and a great spot to watch the sunset as the different salt content reflects different colours.

Stromboli
Stromboli is an active volcano that rises nearly 1000 metres from the sea and is usually in a state of constant but mild activity.

Taormina
Set high up on a ridge with views down the coast and across to Etna, Taormina’s is famous for its ancient and well preserved theatre.

Palermo
Apart from the cathedral, Palermo’s markets display a vast array of local produce – We will explore the markets and then learn what to do with the produce.

Meals
Unusually you have the choice of eating on board, enjoying the meals and food provided during your excursions, or trying some of the restaurants ashore (at your own expense). The ship will provide full board if required (breakfast, lunch (3 courses), dinner (3 courses), glass of wine (house red or white) or beer, or soft drink during lunch and dinner, water, afternoon coffee or tea with a snack.

What’s included
+ Daily cabin service, mid-week change of linen
+ Tasting at the Cafè in Noto day 2
+ Lunch in a castle in Syracusa day 2
+ Lunch in a winery on Etna day 3
+ Visit Don Corleone Palace on day 3
+ Visit to honey farm and honey tasting on day 3
+ ‘Invisible city tour’of Cefalù day 4
+ Picnic on the Rocca in Cefalù day 4
+ Olive oil lunch day 6
+ Winery visit and wine tasting day 6
+ Marzipan and almond pastry tasting day 6
+ Apero dinner at salt pans day 6
+ Cooking class and street food tasting day 7
+ Local guide in Palermo and Siracusa
+ Tour escort for all the entire week
+ Transportation by bus from each port to the places of the excursions and back for the entire duration of the tours

Trip Name
Sicily Cruise - The sights and tastes of Sicily
Days
8
Overview
She has ample seating space for moments of relaxation, a mini-library with a variety of books and magazines and modern A/V equipment for presentations. Keep in shape during your cruise at the gym, featuring a variety of fitness equipment. The glass-enclosed dining room seats up to 60 passengers and allows for panoramic views of the stunning scenery you will cruise along. The bar and lounge with an open deck in the back offer an ideal spot for reading,relaxing, or dancing under the stars to the sounds of mesmerizing music. At 223 ft/68 m long, the Monet can accommodate up to 60 guests in 30 double bedded or twin cabins, located on the Camille, Parisian, and Lumiere Decks. Cabins on the Camille and Parisian Decks feature two oversized portholes, while cabins on the Lumiere Deck have large windows. All cabins offer central A/C and ventilation, a mini-bar, flat screen satellite TV, phone system, and hairdryer. The Monet is also equipped with a Wi-Fi internet connection (free of charge). The latest state of the art safety equipment is installed on board and maintained by all 29 trained crew members. The ratio of guest passenger to crew members allows for an exquisite service experience. RestaurantThe restaurant is filled with elegance and the whimsy of fun and bright colors. Sumptuous dining options are provided to entice the palate and compliment the ports of call. Enjoy conversing with fellow guests about adventures had and ahead or spend quality time with your travel partners and discuss the amazing wine. The panoramic views will stun you. LoungeThe décor is tastefully stated to not over power the elegance of our guests. It is adorned with golds and neutrals. You will shine here. Providing aptly oversized seating to enjoy libations and gathering together with travel companions and new friends. Come here to relax and chat about a perfect end to a day that was filled with incredible sights, sea air and culinary delights. Deluxe Double Cabin This beautifully appointed accommodation will allow the traveler the opportunity to slumber and wake rejuvenated. Enjoy resting on a double bed, a comfortable desk/vanity, a flat screen satellite TV and a private well-appointed bathroom. The décor is warm and inviting with nostalgic art inspired by M/S Monet’s history in mind. These were specially chosen to provide the utmost relaxing environment. Sleep and relaxation are invited into this space after soaking up the beauty, culture and Adriatic air. Deluxe Twin Cabin This delightfully appointed cabin allows travelers to sleep and have quiet time that salt air and sea travel induces. Rest peacefully on twin ample mattresses, a comfortable desk/vanity, a flat screen satellite TV and a private well-appointed bathroom. The décor is bright and cheery with pleasant tones. You will dream well here and be rested for yet more adventures and epicurean travels. Open Deck The deck is designed with pure enjoyment and service in mind. It is a bright and warm environment. You will find the classic detail of teak furniture to be the ideal seating area for reading, relaxing, dining or enjoying fine wine. The bar and lounge of the Open Deck permit the coast to be in sight as you dance and enjoy the company of fellow travelers. The seas reflect and shimmer as you partake in a true experience of traveling on a classic yacht. Sun Deck Relax on the Sun Deck and soak up the sun of the Adriatic Sea with outstanding and uncompromised views. The nautical experience of the open air accomplishes relaxation, tranquility and the true ambience of the coast.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1. Malta
We will embark in MS Monet in Valletta Harbour and dinner will be served on board. You can embark anytime between 12.00 - 17.00. We will sail overnight to Sicily.
Day 2 - Day 2. Siracusa
Arrive early in Siracusa. Visit Noto, the centre of Sicilian Baroque architecture, a treasure chest brimming with baroque churches and palaces. We will visit the ‘Invisible Winery’ set among a spectacular landscape and indulge in a little wine tasting and take lunch. A short guided tour of the beautiful old city of Siracusa with time to wander the tiny streets, visit some of the historical sites or just enjoy the views and a coffee.Sail to Giardi Naxos overnight.
Day 3 - Day 3. Taormina, Mt Etna, Vineyard & Godfather Villa
Docking in Giardi Naxos, the gateway to Mt Etna and beautiful Taormina. You will have plenty of time for strolling the streets to admire the ancient churches, glamorous shops and unusual decorations, and taking a coffee in the square. A visit to Mount Etna and the Refugio Sapienza (Eruptions permitting!) the chance to walk round 1-2 of the craters. Film buffs can visit the 'Godfather villa' which is actually an 18th century villa, - the Castello degli Schiavi situated on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna. Lunch will be based on Etna’s local cuisine paired with their wines. Dinner onboard. Overnight sailing to Stromboli.
Day 4 - Day 4. Panarea and Stromboli
Arriving early morning in Panarea you will have a few hours to explore this very beautiful island. With a population of fewer than 300 people it is the second smallest Aeolian Island and is the remains of an extinct volcano. We then sail on to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Stromboli. You now have some free time and to view the eruptions during the evening from our vessel. Dinner on board.
Day 5 - Day 5. Cefalu - Beautiful and something a bit different.
Cefalu is lesser known than many other sites in Sicily, this beautiful old coastal town is set against the backdrop of a towering rock topped off by a norman fortress. The highlight for those who wish to join, will be a picnic served in the Norman fortress, a thirty minute walk up the hill from the town. With a guided walk around and up the towering slopes of the "Rocca" with our guide - a great vantage spot to study the story of Cefalù and a fine spot for a picnic. This spot provides a fine panorama from where you can take photos of the labyrinthine city. If you would rather stay in the town there are plenty of options with narrow streets, fine beaches, blue sea, ancient washing pools and glorious cathedral. After lunch we will head back into the old town for a refreshing granita or drink while relaxing in the Duomo square in front of the Unesco monument. Dinner on board, Leaving port in the evening to cruise overnight to Trapani on Sicily's west coast.
Day 6 - Day 6. Trapani & Erice
Docking in Trapani, a small but active fishing village with cafes overlooking the harbour. Join the excursion to the ancient town of Erice set spectacularly 2500 feet above sea level, from where you can see Africa on a clear day! Erice is famous in antiquity for its temples and claims to be the best preserved mediaeval town in the world, rich in castles and churches. Learn about the tradition of dolci Siciliani at a historical pastry shop, made by nuns and sample their wares before we enjoy a typical lunch in an olive oil farm under the olive trees, followed by an olive oil tasting. We make a short stop at a famous winery to look at the various methods of bottling. This evening we visit the salt pans at Marsala, and the nearby nature reserve important for migrating birds. Visiting at dusk we can watch the sun going down across the flats, with the right conditions, the sunset will be reflected in a variety of colours depending on the salt content of the pools.
Day 7 - Day 7. Palermo - Street food and cooking lesson
We will wake up in Palermo, the spectacular and slightly mad capital of Sicily. The morning has a special walking tour of Palermo dedicated to “Street food”. A 3 hour walking tour where you will sample the best of Sicily’s street food, led by a local expert guide, you will explore the fascinating culinary world of Sicily’s Capital. A local chef will take us on an adventure exploring historic markets in Palermo (Il Capo) where we will purchase the ingredients necessary to prepare our lunch. Once we have enjoyed the vast array of produce we learn what to do with it. Our chef will host a hands-on cooking class in a typical restaurant followed by lunch. The dishes you've prepared will be served with just the right Sicilian wine, and dessert accompanied by local biscotti and Sicilian dessert wine. In the afternoon join the guided tour of Palermo - the quintessence of Sicily. There will still be time to relax before we head back to the ship for our last evening. You may have your evening meal on aboard the Monet or if you prefer try one of the many fine restaurants in Palermo.
Day 8 - Day 8. Palermo or optional visit to The Valley of the Temples
After a final night on board we will have breakfast and disembark in Palermo. Optional excursion to The Valley of The Temples.Optional Excursion to The Valley of the Temples: A day tour to Agrigento and the Valley Of The Temples. Join this private tour to the beautiful Valley of the temples guided by our local specialist. The numerous archaeological ruins of the Greek period were visited and narrated by Goethe in his work “Viaggio in Italia”. The most spectacular structure is the Concordia temple. Enjoy a lunchtime picnic at the Kolymbetra Park with its fruit trees from every part of the world, some of which are over 1000 years old! Surrounded by pomegranate, pistachio, orange and lemon trees you will enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch served to you outdoors, complete with local fruit, cheese and wine. This is sure to be another highlight of your trip. Return to Palermo after lunch.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
21-09-201928-09-2019AUD $5,295CAMILLE
21-09-201928-09-2019AUD $5,995PARISIAN
21-09-201928-09-2019AUD $6,295LUMIERE
21-09-201928-09-2019AUD $7,000VIP LUMIERE
28-09-201905-10-2019AUD $5,295CAMILLE
28-09-201905-10-2019AUD $5,995PARISIAN
28-09-201905-10-2019AUD $6,295LUMIERE
28-09-201905-10-2019AUD $7,000VIP LUMIERE

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