Timeless Islands of the Mediterranean

Depart for Valletta, Malta, on an overnight flight.

VALLETTA, MALTA / EMBARK SEA CLOUD II

In the Maltese capital, join an afternoon transfer to the awaiting Sea Cloud II. Lift a champagne flute for a “bon voyage” toast on deck as we sail out of Valletta’s harbor.

DAY AT SEA

Fully acquaint yourself with the wonderful amenities aboard Sea Cloud II as we cruise the Mediterranean under a full set of billowing sails. This evening, gather for the captain’s welcome reception and dinner.

TRAPANI (SICILY), ITALY / ERICE OR MARSALA

Arrive at the port of Trapani for an excursion to Segesta. Take a guided tour of Segesta’s unfinished yet majestic and exceptionally well-preserved Doric temple, constructed by the Elymian people around 420 B.C. You will also see the adjacent ancient Greek theater, built in the late fourth or early third century B.C., once seating more than 3,000 spectators. Following lunch on board the ship, choose between two excursions:
Option 1: Visit the medieval hilltop town of Erice, set 2,460 feet above sea level. Meander Erice’s charming streets and stop at its 11th-century Norman fortress, Castello di Venere, constructed over an ancient temple dedicated to Venus. Revel in astonishing views of Sicily’s Aegadian Islands and perhaps delight in a sweet treat from one of Erice’s famous pasticcerias.
Option 2: Travel to Marsala, originally founded by the Carthaginians around 397 B.C. View remnants of ancient city walls, its storied Roman road, and magnificent Baroque churches. Savor a private tasting of the famous fortified Marsala wine, one of Italy’s most celebrated offerings. All guests will return to Sea Cloud II later this afternoon.

DAY AT SEA

While relishing a day at sea in the Mediterranean, join your traveling scholars for enlightening lectures about your upcoming visits during the program. Weather permitting, you may have the opportunity to board a zodiac and capture some stunning photos of Sea Cloud II.

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA / NORA

Upon arrival in Sardinia this morning, enjoy one of two excursions:
Option 1: Join an expert guide for a walking tour through Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, a former Neolithic settlement that Phoenicians, Romans, and the Aragonese later claimed. In the medieval Castello district, pass through the terraced Piazza del Palazzo, once Cagliari’s political heart, and stop at the Palazzo Regio, an impressive residence of Sardinia’s Spanish viceroys. Admire the 13th-century Cattedrale di Santa Cecilia (Cagliari Cathedral), whose imposing Baroque façade replaced the original Romanesque structure. Step inside to view the beautifully crafted Romanesque marble pulpit and visit the Crypt of the Martyrs, carved directly into the rock and housing the remains of 179 early Christian martyrs.
Option 2: Venture along Sardinia’s southwestern coast to reach Nora, an ancient trade hub founded by the Phoenicians and later expanded under Carthaginian and Roman rule. By the third century A.D., rising sea levels began to submerge parts of the city, contributing to its eventual decline and abandonment. Explore the remains of Carthaginian warehouses and splendid Roman structures, including bath complexes adorned with mosaics, and the second-century A.D. theater, which could hold up to 1,200 spectators. All guests will return to the ship in Cagliari for lunch and spend the afternoon at sea.

ALGHERO

On Sardinia’s northwest coast, venture to the medieval city of Alghero, colonized by the Aragonese in 1354. Known as “Barceloneta” or “Little Barcelona,” Alghero is unique in Italy for its enduring Catalan influence—reflected in its language, traditions, and architecture. Join a guide to explore its 16th-century Catalan-Gothic landmarks and the well preserved medieval bastions that line the waterfront. From Alghero, transfer to Nuraghe Palmavera, a spectacular example of a structure known as a nuraghe, a Bronze Age stone megalithic structure only seen in Sardinia. Nuraghe Palmavera’s main tower still has its original dome-shaped ceiling dating to 1600 to 1400 B.C.
Return to Alghero and explore the town at your own pace before we sail in the early evening.

BONIFACIO (CORSICA), FRANCE

Stand on deck this morning as the ship navigates Corsica’s scenic, fjord-like waterway and arrives at Bonifacio. Take a guided walking tour through this town built on spellbinding, white limestone cliffs, with its ninth-century A.D. citadel, spiraling medieval lanes, Gothic architecture, and dramatic views. You will be introduced to a pair of remarkable churches—the 12th-century Église Sainte-Marie-Majeure, Bonifacio’s oldest building, constructed by Pisans; and the Église Saint-Dominique de Bonifacio, Corsica’s largest church, built between 1270 and 1343. Stop at the imposing Porte de Gênes, a 12th-century Genoese fortification that stood guard over Bonifacio’s citadel for centuries. Return to Sea Cloud II for lunch and sail in the early evening northward to Elba.

PORTOFERRAIO (ELBA), ITALY

Step ashore on Elba, best known as Napoleon’s island of exile from 1814 to 1815. From Elba’s capital, Portoferraio, set forth on a scenic drive south to Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s neoclassical residence. Inside, an expert will show you its Napoleonic relics, engravings, and the renowned statue of Galatea, sculpted by Antonio Canova. Continue along the coast to the seaside Tenuta La Chiusa, an 18th-century vineyard estate surrounded by olive trees. Enjoy a private look at the estate’s cellar, built in 1700, to learn how the wine is handled and produced. In the seaside garden, enjoy a delicious private tasting. This evening, Sea Cloud II sails to the Italian mainland and the port of Livorno.

LIVORNO / LUCCA OR PIETRASANTA

Arrive in Livorno this morning and choose between two full day excursions in beautiful Tuscany.
Option 1: Wander through the medieval fortified town of Lucca, the birthplace of revered Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini. Accompany an expert to behold the town’s architectural jewels, including its famous 11th-century Romanesque Cattedrale di San Martino, with its polychromemarble façade and a monumental, three-arched portico.
Option 2: Venture to tiny Pietrasanta, a town that has livedVilla San Martino, Portoferraio, Elba, Italy Alghero, Sardinia, Italy Tenuta La Chiusa, Elba, Italy, photo courtesy of Tenuta La Chiusa and breathed art since Michelangelo procured marble from its quarries for his sculptures. Today, international artists have graced Pietrasanta with contemporary sculptures, including the playful Warrior by Colombia’s Fernando Botero and The Centaur, a bronze by Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj. Inside a 16th-century convent, join a guided inside look at the Museo dei Bozzetti’s unique collection of models showcasing the preliminary visions of famous sculptors. See the concepts behind the finished sculptures of artists like Botero, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Isamu Noguchi. You will also discover Pietrasanta’s contemporary art galleries, and/or gain access to artists’ studios to witness their creative processes. This evening, all guests will join the captain for a festive farewell reception and dinner.

GENOA / DISEMBARK / RETURN

Disembark Sea Cloud II this morning in Genoa and transfer to the airport for your flights home.