2022-06-30
2025-01-01
from$ 21190 AUD
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Ship
Sea Cloud
Sea Cloud
City
Naples to Naples
Naples to Naples
Special Offers
2022-06-30
2025-01-01
Overview
Set sail on a voyage dedicated to the exploration of two fiercely independent islands–Sardinia and Corsica. These islands share many historic elements through millennia of empires and civilizations yet maintain their identities and independent attitudes from their governing nations of Italy and France, respectively. Stroll through medieval walled cities and old coastal villages. Sip local wine and savor regional seafood dishes. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Sardina’s Su Nuraxi and Corsica’s Calanques de Piana. Sail aboard the incomparable and legendary square-rig tall ship Sea Cloud, departing from and returning to Naples, allowing time to enjoy the spectacle of life under sail. Stand on deck and watch the orchestrated frenzy of crew members go aloft in the web of Sea Cloud’s riggings to handset 30 sails as you feel the deck heel underfoot.
Departures
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Cruise Itinerary
Arrive in Naples. Board the legendary Sea Cloud and cast off from Naples’ active harbor. We’ll pass by the rugged coast of the island of Capri at sunset as we enter the Tyrrhenian Sea. (D)
Join the expedition leader for a play-by-play description of the crew in the rigging and the action of the setting of square sails, staysails, and jibs as Sea Cloud shows her full glory. Bask in the comfort and intrigue of this legendary and historic square-rigger—enjoy delicious meals, complimentary drinks, and talks by the expedition staff as we sail toward Sardinia. (B,L,D)
We dock in Sardinia’s capital of Cagliari on the south end of the island, dominated by its hilltop medieval Castello. In the morning we drive inland to the archaeological centerpiece of Su Nuraxi in Barumini, which is the most well-preserved of the Bronze Age nuraghi, or stone fortresses, that characterize both Sardinia and Corsica from the enigmatic civilizations that inhabited these islands over 3,000 years ago. Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest and most well preserved of them all, and the morning will serve as an introduction to the history, culture, and landscape of Sardinia. Return to Sea Cloud for lunch, and in the afternoon visit the impressive Roman Amphitheater in Cagliari, which is carved into the sloping limestone hill at the edge of the city. Continue to the outstanding National Archaeological Museum in the medieval Castello before taking a walking tour of the old town. (B,L,D)
We set sail again for the full morning, then enter the large western bay of Oristano to dock for the afternoon. Visit the Archaeological Park of Santa Cristina and Nuraghe Losa before enjoying some local food and entertainment. Dinner is served onboard Sea Cloud as we sail to our next destination. (B,L,D)
Anchor this morning off the northwest medieval city of Alghero, which reveals its historic Catalan influence and is still sometimes referred to as “Barceloneta.” The attractive old town is a joy to explore on foot, as are the protective sea walls. Local guides will give us a walking orientation to the old town to start the day. Next, travel to nearby Ledà d'Ittiri estate for a wine tasting and tour. In the afternoon we’ll take a local boat out to the dramatic Capo Caccia peninsula to visit the colorful and expansive cave of Neptune’s Grotto. Return to Sea Cloud and sail by the dramatic cliffs of Capo Caccia in the golden sunset light on our way toward Corsica. (B,L,D)
Wake up to the sunrise over the layered cliffs of Bonifacio. Enter the small and spectacular narrow harbor to dock and enjoy the day in one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful towns. Begin with a walking orientation to the Citadel, established by the powerful margraves of Tuscany in the 9th century. The rest of the morning is devoted to enjoying one of the most beautiful towns of the Mediterranean. In the afternoon we’ll offer an option to drive inland to some of the menhir standing stone alignments of the Sartène region of Corsica, or to experience the characteristic Corsican maquis, the herbal scrubland with stunning fragrances. (B,L,D)
The rock formations of Ajaccio/Les Calanques de Piana are some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the Mediterranean. Les Calanques de Piana are karst limestone rock ravines that have been shaped by wind and water erosion, and the Calanques de Piana in Corsica are deservedly designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our morning is devoted to this landscape and the delightful town of Piana, set in the midst of this disorienting labyrinth of rock formations. The scenery and the accompanying fragrance of the maquis and the pure, clean air are unforgettable highlights. (B,L,D)
The gorgeous crescent bay, with its narrow white sand beach and the prominent Genoese citadel have made the northwest Corsican town of Calvi a renowned summer resort destination for the last century. In the shoulder seasons it is a very pleasant town in a lovely setting to explore on foot, starting at the hilltop citadel with its ethnographic museum and medieval shops and alleys. Work your way back down to the Port de Plaisance waterfront, where you will board Sea Cloud. This afternoon, we sail north around Cap Corse. (B,L,D)
With hopes for an overnight sail, we keep the morning free to continue sailing on the northeast side of Corsica toward the port of Bastia, where we dock for the afternoon. Explore Bastia, made up of the upper Terra Nova citadel and the lower working district of Terra Vecchia with its lively food and fish markets. Or, opt to drive north to explore the wild nature of Cap Corse, which is the protruding mountainous peninsula of north Corsica, before returning for an evening in Bastia. (B,L,D)
We spend the final full day on Sea Cloud, hopefully enjoying the ship under full sail, reflecting on our visits to the unique and extraordinary islands of Sardinia and Corsica, and sorting our photos for the evening’s “guest slide show” of favorite photos contributed by all of our shipmates. (B,L,D)
Disembark in the port of Naples this morning and transfer to the airport for your flights home. (B)
Itineraries are subject to change.
Sea Cloud
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.
Highlights
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini, one of the largest and most well-preserved Bronze Age stone fortresses known as nuraghi • Get a taste of Alghero and its surroundings: discover the medieval city, Neptune’s Grotto nestled in Capo Caccia’s peninsula, and Leda’ d’Ittiri wine-tasting estate • See the stunning karst limestone rock ravines of Les Calanques de Piana, one of the region’s most stunning landscapes • Bask in the comfort and intrigue of the legendary and historic Sea Cloud as you sail from Calvi to Bastia and around wild Cap Corse • Explore Naples & Pompeii on a 3-day pre-voyage extension
Map
