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Mediterranean Mosaic: Italy, Corsica, Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco

Mediterranean Mosaic: Italy, Corsica, Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco

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Description

Exquisite Greek and Roman cities once created a mosaic of flourishing cultural centers around the Mediterranean Sea. Today they stand in silent testimony to that epoch as magnificent ruins far better preserved, far more impressive, and far less crowed than most of the archaeological sites of mainland Europe.

Trip Name
Mediterranean Mosaic: Italy, Corsica, Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series, Le Champlain will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Champlain will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Champlain has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Rome, Italy
Board your independent flight to Italy. Arrive in Rome and transfer to our hotel with the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Gather at the hotel this evening for a welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Day 2 Rome / Embark Le Champlain
After breakfast, join a walking tour highlighting the many ancient monuments scattered around Rome’s city center. After lunch at a local restaurant, embark Le Champlain.
Day 3 - Day 3 Porto Vecchio, Corsica
Join a walking tour of Porto Vecchio, also known as “salt city” due to its salt marshes that have been in use since antiquity. Take in fantastic views of the natural, lagoon-like harbor from the 16th-century citadel, then wind your way through a maze of narrow alleyways dotted with pretty piazzas, stone stairways, and arched passages to discover cute restaurants, lively bars, and stylish boutiques. Or choose to visit the Natural Reserve of Bouches de Bonifacio where you will find a variety ofseabirds including European shags, Audouin gulls, storm petrels, and Cory’s shearwaters.
Day 4 - Day 4 At Sea
Spend today at sea and enjoy a series of lectures on the history, culture, art, and current affairs of Tunisia and Algeria.
Day 5 - Day 5 Sousse, Tunisia
From the port city of Sousse, choose from two options today: a visit to Kairouan, “the city of fifty mosques” and the spiritual center of Tunisia, or a drive inland to the World Heritage Site of El-Jem. In Kairouan, explore the walled and turreted medina enclosing a delightful old Arab quarter with a fascinating casbah, the Great Mosque, and a fortified Islamic monastery. Those visiting El-Jem venture through the countryside to this amazing ancient Roman city boasting an enormous, well-preserved 35,000-seat coliseum, almost as large as Rome’s.
Day 6 - Day 6 Tunis
This morning, explore ancient Carthage, a World Heritage Site. From the heights of Mount Byrsa, scan the horizon as Hannibal did millennia ago, before visiting the ruins of Hadrian’s theater, the vast thermal baths, and the amphitheater. The Romans built many elegant villas here with mosaic-covered floors. After lunch, visit the delightful Bardo Museum located in a centuries-old Ottoman-style palace. Housing the largest collection from Roman Africa, this museum showcases the extravagant mosaics that once covered the floors and walls of villas.
Day 7 - Day 7 Annaba (Hippo Regius), Algeria
This ancient port close to the Tunisian border was the home of Augustine of Hippo and a center of early Christianity known as Hippo Regius. This morning, visit the Basilica of St. Augustine, an imposing structure built in Roman, Byzantine, and Arabian styles (and resembling Sacré Coeur in Paris), which overlooks the city and sea from a superb hilltop position. Nearby is the site of Hippo Regius whose network of large, flat stone roads, constructed with the help of elephants, connects the large forum, Christian quarter, and basilica. After a late lunch on the ship, explore the heart of Annaba. Highlights include Revolution Court and the casbah with the Great Mosque.
Day 8 - Day 8 Bejaïa / Djemila
The seaside town of Bejaïa is a jumble of narrow, winding streets nestled between beach and mountains. Its strong Berber roots are evident throughout the city in landmarks such as Fort Abdelkader, the Sarazzin Gate, and the casbah, along with nearby Park of Yemma Gouraya and the remarkable view of Cap Carbon and its lighthouse. Choose to explore the highlights of Bejaïa today, or choose a full-day tour of Djémila, a World Heritage Site encompassing some of the finest Roman ruins in North Africa. Founded in the first century to capitalize on the region’s rich agricultural potential, Djémila’s citizens once enjoyed two forums, public baths, a 3,000-seat theater, temples, and a basilica and baptistry. A museum on the site is bursting with an incredible collection of mosaics.
Day 9 - Day 9 Algiers / Tipasa
Enjoy a full day in Algiers and its environs with a morning excursion west to the scenic Roman ruins of Tipasa, a World Heritage Site. Explore the villas, theater, fountains, baths, and museum of this Roman seaside town which once boasted 20,000 inhabitants. Nearby, situated on a hillside overlooking the valley and sea, is the enormous Mausoleum of Mauritania, an imposing circular structure over 550 feet in circumference. After lunch on board, explore the city itself and another World Heritage Site—the alleys and passageways of the labyrinthine Casbah of Algiers. You’ll also visit the museum of National Antiquities and Islamic Art, and the Notre Dame d’Afrique Basilica.
Day 10 - Day 10 At Sea
Lecturers offer insights about your time in Algeria and present interesting facts on our last North African country: Morocco.
Day 11 - Day 11 Tangier, Morocco / Chefchaouen
Disembark in Tangier this morning and enjoy an in-depth exploration of Tangier, or depart overland into the Rif Mountains to visit the town of Chefchaouen, famous for its beautiful blue buildings that tumble photogenically down the hillside. Browse the medina for a variety of handicrafts, including hand-woven textiles, gleaming brass work, clay pots, intricate silver jewelry, and traditional spices.
Day 12 - Day 12 Tangier / Gibraltar, UK
Step ashore on the Rock of Gibraltar, a tiny outpost of Britain that is surrounded on three sides by Spain and is said to be one of the legendary pillars of Hercules. Visit the southernmost point of Gibraltar, Europa Point, for superb views of the strait and the northern coast of Morocco. Enjoy a walk through the labyrinthine St. Michael’s cave to see its impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Then, visit King Charles “V” Wall to meet the Barbary apes, introduced macaques that are photogenic icons of The Rock.
Day 13 - Day 13 At Sea
Lecturers recap your journey during a relaxing day at sea.
Day 14 - Day 14 Lisbon, Portugal / Disembark
Disembark and transfer to the airport of your independent homeward flight.
Day 15 - Please Note:
Unless otherwise noted, daily excursion options are included in the cost of the trip. We do our best to adhere to the scheduled itinerary, but in the spirit of our expeditionary style of travel we may deviate slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and wildlife.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

    • Visit a total of nine amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this comprehensive itinerary.
    • View Tunisia’s opulent Byzantine churches, historic medinas, and superb Islamic mosques.
    • Tour three of Algeria’s most impressive Roman sites—Tipasa on the seacoast near Algiers, once home to 20,000 residents; astounding Djémila, its forums, archways, and temples comprising some of the finest Roman ruins in all of North Africa; and stately Hippo Regius at Annaba, the home of St. Augustine and a center of early Christianity.
    • Wander the winding streets of Morocco’s “blue city” Chefchaouen, and shop for unique handicrafts in the colorful souk.
    • Set foot on the Rock of Gibraltar and ride a cable car to the top of “the Rock” for splendid views over Spain, Morocco, and the Mediterranean.

Map