Mediterranean Odyssey - A Voyage from Malta to the Canary Islands

Fly by scheduled flight to Malta. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.

After breakfast on board you can choose to see the highlights of Valletta with its stunning views across the harbour from the Barakka Gardens. We will explore Merchants Street, containing the surviving auberges built by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, together with the palace where Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have stayed in 1798. Our final stop will be at St John’s Cathedral. Alternatively drive to Mdina which was originally given the name of “Citta Nobile”, and is now known as the “Silent City”. Mdina is Phoenician in origin and was the fortified capital of the island before the arrival of the Knights. Both tours return to the ship for lunch when we set sail and enjoy an afternoon at sea.

Arrive into Tunisia at the port of Sousse from where we will drive out of the city to the small village of El Djem and see the great Roman amphitheatre, built to accommodate 35,000 spectators, before visiting the excellent museum with its collection of mosaics. After lunch on board maybe relax and enjoy the ship’s public areas or join a tour of Sousse which will include the museum, located in the ramparts of the Kasbah and housing a fine collection of mosaics, and the imposing Ribat, one of the finest and best conserved buildings of the series of “fortress-monasteries” that dotted the North African coastline.

From the nearby port of Tunis we drive to the site of Carthage; founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC it became one of the most influential cities in the Mediterranean. This prosperity led to a rivalry with Rome and it was during the third Punic War, in 146 BC, that the Roman forces destroyed the city. Due to the strategic location, the Romans rebuilt Carthage in the 1st century AD to become one of the most important cities in their Empire. See the Phoenician remains of Tophet, the sanctuary of the gods Tanit and Baal, as well as some interesting monuments from the Roman era including the baths and the amphitheatre. After our visit there is the option to return to the ship for a leisurely afternoon on board or to continue to Sidi Bou Said, a picturesque village overlooking the Bay of Tunis. Its gleaming whitewashed walls are dotted with ornate, curved, blue-coloured window grills, and colourful arched doorways that open onto small courtyards filled with geraniums and bougainvillea.

Arriving in Sardinia we drive along the southwestern coast to reach Nora which was founded by the Phoenicians but also has Carthaginian and Roman ruins. After a period of Roman prosperity, there was a decline and in the 3rd century AD the city was engulfed by the sea. Still visible today are the remains of a Carthaginian warehouse and various Roman buildings including the theatre and the baths with splendid mosaics. After lunch on board we will explore the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, an ancient city which dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. On a walking tour we will stroll around the old town with its narrow streets running along a steep hillside. See the terraced Piazza del Palazzo and the 14th century Cathedral of St Cecila.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we cross the Mediterranean Sea.

Depart this morning for the ancient city of Tipaza which was probably founded by the Phoenicians but really came into being under the Romans. The city was extended by Emperor Claudius and grew wealthy on the Mediterranean trade; it was built on three small hills which overlooked the sea. There are ruins of three Basilicas, two cemeteries, baths, the theatre, the nymphaeum and the unusual oval-shaped amphitheatre. After visiting the city, we will enjoy a typical Algerian lunch before continuing to the mysterious Mausoleum of Mauretania which lies in the hills above the sea about 18 kilometres away from Tipaza. It is one of the most breathtaking sights in Algeria. The vast pyramid-like structure is named the Tomb of the Christian on account of the large crosses that decorate the tomb which predates Jesus Christ. We return to the ship via the Martyrs’ Memorial which offers spectacular views over the city.

After a morning at sea we arrive in Spain’s main naval port of Cartagena. Enter the deep natural harbour through two fortified rocky headlands for an afternoon of exploration in this historic city that dates back to the Phoenicians. Hannibal used it as his capital city on the Iberian peninsula and named it after Carthage in North Africa whilst the Romans used it as a strategic port and administrative centre. The city walls remained intact until the 20th century, creating a dense historic centre. Take the lift or walk up to Concepcio Castle for amazing views of the city and harbour and view the Roman amphitheatre and the archaeological site of Molinete where work continues to uncover the Roman city. Later enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined harbour promenade as we return to the MS Island Sky.

After a leisurely breakfast on board we arrive into Malaga in the mid-morning where you may take the opportunity to spend a few hours exploring at your own pace from our central berth. Maybe head to the market or, for art lovers, visit the Picasso Museum. After lunch choose to join a tour which will take us to the 14th century Castillo de Gibralfaro, built on a hill overlooking the city and once considered the most impregnable fortress in Iberia. Continue to La Merced Square where we see the birthplace of Pablo Picasso before we visit the impressive 16th century cathedral which was built on the remains of a mosque. With its mix of Renaissance and Gothic styles it has been declared a national landmark. Alternatively, take a guided walk around the historic Botanical Gardens which were opened in 1857 and feature more than 25,000 species of plants.

Spend the day in Gibraltar exploring this strategic British outpost of the Mediterranean. After taking in the views from Europa Point, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, we continue to the Great Siege Tunnels, a labyrinth of tunnels built to defend Gibraltar from Spanish and French attacks between 1779 and 1783 and revered as one of the finest defensive systems. Also see the Gibraltar Museum where we can learn more about the Great Siege, the geological origins of the rock and the area’s natural history. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, perhaps take the cable car up the famous rock, see the Botanical gardens or visit the Garrison Library.

Arriving in Casablanca at lunchtime we will visit the city’s most important sights including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Olive Market. The highlight of our tour will be our visit to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest religious monuments in the world after Mecca. It took 3,300 traditional Moroccan artisans to create the beautiful mosaics, marble floors and splendid wood ceilings.

This morning we will depart the port of Safi and head along the coast to Essaouira. Founded in the 18th century, Essaouira was built to be a rival city to Agadir. Formerly known as Mogador, meaning small fortress, it was designed as a fortified town surrounded by Vauban-style ramparts and played a major role as an international trading seaport, linking Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the world. On our full day tour we will see the amazing mixture of Portuguese and Berber architecture, the 16th century sea bastions built to protect the city, the 18th century Medina, and in the Mellah we will find the souks dedicated to gold, spices and fish. Enjoy a seafood lunch near the beach before returning to the MS Island Sky.

Spend the day at sea as we sail to the Canary Islands. Our lecture programme continues in the lounge or maybe find a spot on deck to relax.

This morning we arrive in Tenerife and have a choice of tours. Join us as we drive inland, along the base of the mountain range through beautiful pine forests to the Parque Nacional del Teide. The area was declared a National Park in 1954 and includes 14 species of plant found nowhere else in the world. Geologically the park is fascinating; of the many different types of volcanic formations examples of more than 80% can be found here. Alternatively, visit the island’s gardens including the Jardin Botanico which was founded in 1788 by Charles III of Spain. The purpose of the gardens was to create an area where the plants, shrubs and flowers brought back from the New World could acclimatise to Spanish soil. In contrast to the Botanical Gardens, we will then explore the Sitio Litre Garden which boasts a luscious orchid collection. After lunch on board the afternoon is free to explore Santa Cruz at your own pace.

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.