fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

The Characterful Coasts of Corsica and Sicily

The Characterful Coasts of Corsica and Sicily

From €3,895 EUR

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Calvi: the charming capital of La Balagne
Calvi, Corsica’s fourth largest town, lies nestled in the lush, green hills of La Balagne. The settlement is overlooked by an impressive citadel and drawbridge which stand proud upon a soaring promontory. Admire the shimmering beauty of the yachts moored in the harbour during a gentle stroll along the Quay Landry or make a brief stop in one of the town’s many street cafés and restaurants.

Bathed in gold: the Cappella Palatina and its mosaics
At the highest point of the medieval town centre in Palermo lies a castle whose roots can be traced back to the Normans. Its interior charm is truly breathtaking – especially the “Cappella Palatina” and its design with Arab, Byzantine and Norman influences. Stained glass and gold mosaics on the walls, a wooden
ceiling richly adorned with Arab ornaments, and an artistic marble floor are what give this former Chapel
Royal of the Palazzo Reale its dream-like fairy-tale atmosphere.

A stunning town with volcanic views: Taormina
Its list of admirers includes Goethe, Oscar Wilde and Liz Taylor. It seems the unique charm of Taormina in
the north east of Sicily has always attracted famous summer visitors. One site that is particularly worth seeing is the town’s Roman amphitheatre built in the 2nd century BC: From the “Teatro Greco” you can
enjoy a heavenly panoramic view of Mount Etna and the Giardini Naxos Bay.

A lecturer accompanies the trip
Exciting topics, background information and fascinating facts – our expert offers talks on a whole range of subjects from his specialist field.

Trip Name
The Characterful Coasts of Corsica and Sicily
Days
9
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 - Nice
Nice lies in one of the world's most lavishly endowed natural landscapes. The sea glows azure and the mountains in the background rise picturesquely up into the sky. Castle Hill gives you a fantastic view over the rambling old town - a labyrinth of alleyways with Baroque churches, pastel-coloured houses and red-tiled roofs. The Promenade des Anglais, a sophisticated, five-kilometre-(3 miles)long walkway along the magnificent Baie des Anges and its long beach, lies at the heart of the elegant new town, with its splendid palaces and aristocratic hotels in the Belle-Époque and Art Deco styles.
Day 2 - Day 2 - St. Tropez
In the 19th century, artists discovered this picturesque fishing village on the Côte d'Azur and made it their source of inspiration. They were followed by the aristocracy and moneyed classes, and around fifty years ago St Tropez gained its international reputation as a refuge for the rich and famous. You can still find them today, in elegant Port Grimaud with its luxurious yachts from all over the world; in the upmarket bars and restaurants that line the promenade; on the elegant boulevards; in high class shops; or at the sophisticated beach clubs. Even with all these distinguished guests, St Tropez has still managed to preserve its picturesque and sleepy atmosphere.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Calvi/Corsica
Calvi has something enjoyable to suit every taste. Romantics can take a walk through the old town and the view from the fortified walls is not to be missed. A stroll through the town's streets brings you to the colourful, lively lower town with its bars and exclusive cafés. Anyone who enjoys a walk on the sand will love the town's long beach. To the east, sheltered by the highest mountains in Corsica, a lush green wild garden has grown around Calvi, filled with olive groves and orange trees. In the La Balagne region in the interior, you can discover hidden picturesque villages which show you the traditional side of Corsica and, displaying the idiosyncratic pride on the island, there is scarcely a road sign that is not written in the Corsican language.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Bonifacio/Corsica
The chalk cliffs are visible even from a long way away and fall away steeply into the sea like a wall - around 70 metres (230 foot) high. Hidden behind them is a fjord-like inlet, which provides the beautiful entrance into the natural harbour of Bonifacio. The elegant modern lower town is set around the harbour with a promenade that runs the length of the deep harbour bay and leads to the elegant marina. More than 187 stone steps, majestically named the "Staircase of the King of Aragon", lead you up to the medieval upper town which sits lofty and impregnable high up on the top of a steep chalk cliff.
Day 5 - Day 5 - At Sea
a:0:{}
Day 6 - Day 6 - Palermo/Sicily
The character of Palermo, Sicily's vibrant capital, was mainly forged by the Arabs, Swabian dynasty and Normans. Noble palaces line the magnificent streets, cheerful-looking Art Nouveau houses stand next to Baroque buildings and a little further on you are faced with pure Gothic facades. The medieval quarter towers above the huge Palazzo Reale with its "Capella Palatina", a masterpiece in the Arab-Byzantine-Norman style. The small mountain town of Monreale gives you a breathtaking view over the town and the bay, as well as the 12th century cathedral whose interior combines Romanesque, Byzantine and Arab art with rich gold mosaics.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Giardini Naxos (Taormina)/Sicily
Taormina is perched on a rock with a majestic view over the sea. In the 19th century, this small town had already developed into a dream destination for well-heeled travellers and artists. The town's fascination lies in its elegance, the many ancient buildings, the stunningly beautiful coastline, the mild climate, and the view over the silhouette of Etna. Europe's largest volcano is over 3,000 metres (9,843 foot) high, has four summit craters and around 400 subsidiary craters, and is covered with snow almost all year round. In ancient times it was considered the seat of the gods, but nowadays large sections of it are a nature reserve.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Syracuse/Sicily
The municipal area of Syracuse boasts relics from cultural history going back more than three millennia. In ancient times, the city was the most powerful in the known world and was famed for its splendour. The island of Ortigia, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was where Syracuse began its rise as an ancient city. The huge cathedral is at the heart of the old town, magnificent palaces line the Piazza and wide promenades invite you to take a stroll. The archaeological park brings Greek and Roman history back to life. Yet Syracuse exudes southern Italian charm, with washing drying outside the windows.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Valletta
This strategically important location has always attracted foreign conquerors. More than 7,000 years ago, a civilisation existed here, leaving behind enormous temple complexes. Just like proud Valletta, these are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Jean Parisot de la Valette, Grand Master of the Order of St John, founded a modern fortified city on a rock in 1566, between the two splendid natural ports of Marsamxett and Grand Harbour. Long rows of facades made from golden-yellow blocks of chalk stretch along the straight streets. Splendid Renaissance and Baroque buildings are evidence of riches and power, such as the Palace of the Grand Master and the impressive St John's Co-Cathedral.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itinerary subject to change!

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-05-201815-05-2018€8,895Category A
07-05-201815-05-2018€6,395Category 2
07-05-201815-05-2018€5,695GTY Single Cabin
07-05-201815-05-2018€3,895GTY Double Cabin
07-05-201815-05-2018€6,755Category 1
07-05-201815-05-2018€7,755Category C
07-05-201815-05-2018€8,355Category B
07-05-201815-05-2018€5,155Category 4
07-05-201815-05-2018€5,955Category 3
07-05-201815-05-2018€4,455Category 5

Inclusions

    • Calvi: the charming capital of La Balagne
    • Bathed in gold: the Cappella Palatina and its mosaics
    • A stunning town with volcanic views: Taormina
    • A lecturer accompanies the trip

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Trips