fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Voyage to Antiquity: Exploring Sicily and Malta aboard Sea Cloud

Voyage to Antiquity: Exploring Sicily and Malta aboard Sea Cloud

From AUD $24,740

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Embark on a new, singular expedition, so multifaceted, so rich in experience, and extraordinary, that we know it will be remembered as one of the most remarkable journeys you’ve ever taken. Sailing the Greek Isles aboard Sea Cloud, the most beautiful sailing vessel in the world, we’ll begin in Malta and focus on the island of Sicily, taking in its many aspects. There’s a treasure trove of some of the world’s greatest ancient places. We’ll visit no fewer than five UNESCO World Heritage sites: the city of Valletta, Malta’s megalithic temples, Agrigento, Siracusa, and the Aeolian Islands; and we’ll have views of a sixth, Mt. Etna. We’ll conclude in the Greek capital of Athens, with opportunities for still further exploration.

As rich as their history is, these places aren’t just monuments to the past. Their vibrant cultures, including music and cuisine, have been exported all over the world, and their people have settled widely in other places. So in addition to an exploration, this voyage is in a sense a homecoming.

Discover the romance of tall ship sailing
The Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas are perfect places to sail, and we’ll take full advantage of Sea Cloud’s capabilities. You’ll experience something many people don’t know exists in the 21st century—the thrill of life under sail—in a region that’s been sailed for millennia. With the winds filling Sea Cloud’s square sails, you’ll have ample opportunities to stand on deck and watch the orchestrated frenzy of 16 crew members going high aloft in the riggings to hand-set 30 sails. See what it’s like.

Every day is active and engaging
Each day is balanced with time to relish our ship under sail, and half- or full-day explorations on land. Our historian, naturalist, and local guides ensure you gain insight and an insider’s perspective about the places we visit. Scenic drives, hikes on hilly terrain, market visits, cruises along idyllic shores, and free time to walk in charming seaside villages are the ways you’ll pass the time. And you may always opt to stay aboard Sea Cloud, for more reading, relaxation, and glorious views. The point is, you can do as much, or as little as you like.

Travel in excellent company
Explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, handpicked naturalists, including a National Geographic certified photo instructor and an undersea specialist, plus a wellness specialist. Their knowledge and passion for exploring is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Trip Name
Voyage to Antiquity: Exploring Sicily and Malta aboard Sea Cloud
Days
15
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: Valletta, Malta
Arrive in Valletta, the capital of the Republic of Malta, a nation of Mediterranean islands that has had extraordinary importance throughout recorded history because of its strategic location, with myriad rulers and influences. It is today part of the European Union. We’ll have a short orientation in Valletta and its grand fortification of Fort St. Elmo, including an outstanding multimedia introduction at “The Malta Experience.” We embark Sea Cloud in the late afternoon. The ship will remain docked through the night, and there will be an evening shuttle the short distance to town, if you'd like to explore Valletta further during the evening. (D)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Sailing/Gozo
Sea Cloud casts off at sunrise to pass under the limestone bastions of Fort St. Elmo in the first light. Sea Cloud’s sailors then go aloft to set the sails, as we enjoy the magnificence of true square-rig sailing. This afternoon we visit Malta’s second island, Gozo, with our focus on the ancient megalithic temples of Ġgantija, a World Heritage site. Older than both the pyramids and Stonehenge, the giant structures of Ġgantija were built by civilizations that thrived here more than 5,000 years ago. This evening we meet the Captain and the ship’s officers for Sea Cloud’s welcome cocktail party and dinner, under a full moon. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3: Sailing
We have the full day for sailing, with our Expedition Leader giving a “play-by-play” description of the sail activity and maneuvers on the decks of Sea Cloud. Take time to get familiar with Sea Cloud’s four masts and 29 sails, and find your favorite spots on her comfortable teak decks. Join our expedition staff for talks on the Lido Deck, as the captain takes best advantage of the winds. We’ll have the first of our Sicilian wine tastings of the voyage this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 4: Agrigento/Sailing
Our first call in Sicily is devoted to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is a collection of some of the most magnificent Greco-Roman temples of antiquity. Founded in the 6th century BC by the Greeks, the area was subsequently ruled by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. Its temples are monumental and extraordinarily beautiful. We return to Sea Cloud in Porto Empedocle, and cast off for a relaxing afternoon under sail. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - DAY 5: Selinunte and Marsala
Anchoring at the fishing town of Mazara del Vallo for the day, we make a morning visit to the archaeological park of Selinunte. The giant columns, temples, stairways and city walls are a delight for photographers and explorers of all interests, and the natural setting is spectacular. The site has some of the finest architecture of the ancient world. In the afternoon, we explore the town of Marsala. Famous for its fortified wines, this port city also houses an excellent museum devoted to its Punic (Carthaginian) history, as well as an excavated Punic warship. After seeing these places, we’ll have a visit and tasting at one of Marsala’s wineries. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - DAY 6: Erice/Sailing
After Sea Cloud docks at the regional hub of Trapani, we depart this morning up nearby Mount Erice to the intriguing medieval town of Erice. Perched 750 meters above Trapani and Sicily’s western coast, both the walled town and the views are unforgettable. It’s a place full of ancient history and also a vital, living town. We’ll explore Erice with local guides and also have time to wander on our own, before we reunite at the renowned pasticceria of Maria Grammatico for coffee and pastries.The deck crew heads back aloft to set sails for the afternoon, with hopes for steady winds and an overnight sail along Sicily’s north coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea. This evening we’ll feature a talk on the history of the legendary Sea Cloud, followed by an “open house” viewing of some of the original staterooms. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - DAY 7: Sailing/Cefalù
Adding sails in the morning, we continue with our on-board presentations and photography workshops. This afternoon we anchor off the stunning coastline promontory of Cefalù, whose name derives from the Greek word kefalo, or “head.” This is one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns, dominated by the 12th-century Norman cathedral with the headland rock La Rocca as its backdrop. We’ll explore the town on foot, and the more adventurous can hike to the top of 278-meter-high La Rocca for astonishing views over the town and the sea. Sea Cloud remains anchored at Cefalù through the evening, so you can return to this beautiful town at night, or even dine ashore if you wish. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - DAY 8: Sailing/Lipari/Stromboli
The Aeolian Islands are not only famous for the winds of the god Aeolus, but also for some of the most well-known classical volcanoes. We’ll set sails in the morning with the islands of Vulcano and Stromboli in view, anchoring for the afternoon at Lipari. Here we’ll go ashore for a drive around the perimeter of the entire island, with spectacular views of the other Aeolian volcanoes, before returning to the main town. We visit the small but surprising archeological museum that has an extensive collection of Neolithic artifacts made from the local obsidian, which was also the foundation of the island’s prosperity during the Greco-Roman era. This evening, we’ll have dinner on deck as Sea Cloud cruises the 25 miles to Stromboli, and with a little luck we’ll see some of the pyrotechnics of this active volcano. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - DAY 9: Strait Of Messina/Taormina
During breakfast we pass through the narrow and dynamic Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from the “boot” of Italy. It’s the purported location of Homer’s monsters Scylla and Charybdis, the rock and the hard place through which Odysseus had to sail. The Strait of Messina remains exciting to this day, with strong currents and a flurry of boat traffic keeping all hands on deck. In the afternoon, we anchor at the small port of Naxos to drive up to the intoxicatingly beautiful town of Taormina, perched 250 meters above. With Mount Etna dominating to the south, this stunning medieval town boasts the now-fashionable walk on the pedestrian Corso Umberto, lined with exquisite buildings, and ends at the Greco-Roman Theater. This unforgettable theater was built right into the cliffside, overlooking the vast sea below, in the 3rd century BC.This evening, a special treat: a private dinner at a privately owned castle, the Castello degli Schiavi. This phenomenal 18th-century home was the setting for many scenes in the Godfather films, and we’ll meet members of the family that owns it and explore the extensive buildings and grounds. We return after dinner to Sea Cloud, which has been at anchor under the watchful gaze of Mount Etna. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - DAY 10: Siracusa
Siracusa was the great rival to Athens, and its archaeological park features one of the largest theaters of antiquity. Its 15,000 seats are hewn out of bedrock, and the theater is still in use today. We also visit the nearby limestone quarry, the cave of “Dionysus’ Ear,” and the Roman amphitheater before returning to Sea Cloud for lunch. The afternoon features a walk through the medieval island town of Ortygia. The town is magical, with numerous little piazzas and narrow alleys, but the main feature is the Duomo, or Cathedral, which was built from the ruins of the ancient Temple of Athena. The history of Sicily can be told in the walls of this incredible construction. Ortygia is at its best in the evening, so you might want to have a Sicilian pizza in town tonight, or return for a walk after dinner aboard ship. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - DAY 11-12: Sailing the Ionian Sea
We leave the multitude of highlights of Sicily in our wake as we enjoy Sea Cloud doing what she does best: sail. These two days have plenty of time built in to work with winds of any directions for optimal sailing, and with some luck we’ll have westerly winds for an overnight sail too. Aboard Sea Cloud there will be time to catch up on journals, photo reviews, questions, to finish sampling Sicilian wines, and just enjoy the thrill of an extended sail on a historic square-rigged tall ship. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - DAY 13: Pylos/Methoni Castle
This afternoon we arrive at the other end of the Ionian Sea, at the Greek Peloponnesian port of Pylos. We dock in the afternoon for a short drive to spectacularly located Methoni Castle, built on a cape protruding into the Ionian. The Venetians realized Methoni’s strategic value, since they established themselves on the Ionian coast in the 12th century. Most of the current castle dates to the late 17th century. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - DAY 14: Sailing and Exploring
We will leave this day open to sail or explore, as the conditions suggest. We’ll assess the wind and sea conditions and the expedition as a whole to decide how best to use our final morning. We’ll then set sail for the final afternoon in the Aegean Sea, bound like Theseus for Piraeus and Athens. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - DAY 15: Piraeus/Disembark/Home
Early this morning we arrive at the port of Piraeus, Athens’ gateway to the Aegean Sea. We disembark in the morning for transfers to the airport for flights home, or for the optional Athens extension. (B)
Day 15 - Please Note:
All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category 1
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category 2
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category 3
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category 4
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category 1S Solo
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category DB
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category DA
18-05-201902-06-2019AUD $0Category OS

Inclusions

    • Explore some of the world’s greatest Greco-Roman sites, along with living towns and villages with vibrant life and culture
    • See the active volcano of Stromboli erupting at night
    • Browse some of Sicily’s most beautiful medieval towns, by day and on some evenings, too
    • Experience Sicily’s foods, wines, herbs, and olive oils
    • Enjoy ample time sailing the Mediterranean, on the world’s most beautiful tall ship.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Malta
More of activity:
Mediterranean Cruises