Exploration by cruise is an inspiring addition to a Luxury Tailor Made Journey. The 'Sea Cloud' fleet offers a variety of alternative routings and departure dates on three spectacular vessels. Speak to your A&K Travel Consultant or your travel professional to create a customized journey including a cruise experience.
Arrive Valletta, Malta
Arrive at the historic Maltese port of Valletta, where you board ‘Sea Cloud Spirit,’ a newly launched tall ship that embodies the timeless spirit of the age of sail. Embark on the first leg of your voyage, setting sail through the azure waters of the Mediterranean en route to Sicily.
Syracuse, Sicily | Among the Ancient Ruins
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Syracuse, a fascinating city on Sicily’s Ionian coast. Built by the Greeks and inhabited by the Romans, Arabs, Byzantines and Normans, its ancient ruins include the Archaeological Park Neapolis with its Roman amphitheater, the Teatro Greco and the “Ear of Dionysius” — a limestone cave shaped like a human ear.
Lipari, Aeolian Islands | Alluring Archipelago
Arrive today at tranquil, volcanic Lipari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the northern coast of Sicily. With a cultural heritage spanning over 6,000 years, it brims with sculptural rock formations. Visit the Aeolian Museum, to view its impressive collection of prehistoric and ancient artifacts from the island group.
Palermo | Timeless Architecture & Art
Today explore Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital, forged largely by the Arabs, the Swabian Dynasty and the Normans. Admire the noble palaces lining the magnificent streets, while cheerful Art Nouveau houses stand in contrast to Baroque and Gothic architecture. See how the medieval quarter towers above the huge Palazzo Reale with its Capella Palatina, a masterpiece erected in the Arab-Byzantine-Norman style. Continue to the small mountain town of Monreale, taking in breathtaking vistas of the bay. Behold its 12th-century cathedral, which features an ornate interior that melds Romanesque, Byzantine and Arab art with rich gold mosaics.
SAILING THE MEDITERRANEAN | From Sicily to Sardinia
Relax during a day at sea, passing from the largest to the second largest island in the Mediterranean.
Cagliari, Sardinia | Picturesque Towns & Beaches
Discover the port and university town of Cagliari, home to one of the most modern opera houses in the Mediterranean. Behind the Via Roma — a boulevard lined with shady arcades and classical architecture — lies the dock area, its narrow lanes bustling with life. View the Old Town of Castello, which extends up a hillside, and the imposing Bastione di Saint Remy, which towers over the town. Nearby, marvel at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Then, venture inland to unearth cultural treasures, like the ancient town of Nora, dating from the ninth century BC.
SAILING THE MEDITERRANEAN | En Route to Palma de Mallorca
Today, unwind at sea en route to Palma de Mallorca, and take advantage of your vessel’s fine amenities.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain | Architectural Immersion
Explore Majorca’s beautiful capital, the resort town of Palma de Mallorca, an elegant city with a postcard-worthy Old Town filled with Arab, Catalan and Art Nouveau architecture. Stroll through shops and unwind at cafés and bars set on beautiful squares. Nearby the sophisticated marina, find the Gothic cathedral, La Seu, its interior fashioned by Antonio Gaudí at the start of the 20th century.
Valencia | Picturesque Port City
Arrive in Valencia, where centuries-old architecture mingles with unmistakable modernity. Disembark and visit Valencian Gothic-style Llotja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former silk exchange that bears witness to the city’s wealth in the Middle Ages. Then, take a scenic stroll along the old river bed, drained in the 1950s when the Great Flood of Valencia occurred. Today, it’s lined with trails, gardens and athletic fields — not to mention avant-garde buildings that include a futuristic opera house, the largest aquarium in Europe, a botanical garden and a public park. Valencia is one of the few cities that boasts a heritage of over 2,000 years — and no other city in Europe can proudly make the claim that the America's Cup has taken place twice right on its front door.
Depart Valencia
Disembark ‘Sea Cloud Spirit’ in Valencia. Transfer to the airport and board your departing flight or continue on with the remainder of your Luxury Tailor Made Journey.
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