Historic cities and rugged, beautiful islands dot Europe’s southern coast, harboring evidence of ancient civilizations and the traces of great empires from the Romans to the Moors. Set sail from Lisbon aboard the historic square-riggerSea Cloud, and trace the coast of Iberia, venturing inland to explore the captivating cities of Seville and Granada. Then island-hop across the western Mediterranean from the Balearic Islands to the shores of Italy. Discover prehistoric monuments on Menorca and Corsica, and charming harbor towns in Mallorca and Sardinia. As we sail through the Strait of Gibraltar and across much of the Mediterranean, enjoy the elegance and exhilaration of traveling aboard a legendary tall ship.
Highlights
• Delve into UNESCO World Heritage sites in Seville and Granada, including Giralda Tower, the Alcazár, and the splendid Alhambra
• Admire the work of Gaudí in Palma de Mallorca, and the paintings of Velázquez on a private tour of Seville’s stunning Hospital de Los Venerables
• Explore Roman ruins in Cartagena, see mysterious megaliths on Menorca, and wander among standing stones in the Corsican countryside
• Take part in a lively cooking class with a local chef in Palma de Mallorca, and sample local vintages at a wine estate in Sardinia
• Experience the glamour and sophistication of the historic Sea Cloud under sail—from the sight of the crew scrambling high in the riggings to the incomparable hospitality aboard this legendary vessel
Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal. Embark Sea Cloud in
the late afternoon and settle into your cabin. (D)
Begin your expedition with two full days of what
Sea Cloud does best—sailing! 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 the
Spanish port of Cadiz. (B,L,D)
From the charming port of Cádiz, set off on a full
day exploration of the renowned city of Seville.
Enjoy a guided walk through Barrio de Santa Cruz,
the oldest and most beautiful quarter of Sevilla,
also the most colorful and attractive part of the old
Jewish city. Your experience will include the
Cathedral, the Giralda Tower, and the Alcázar (or
royal fortress), with its stunning gardens, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. Choose to enjoy a
horse-drawn carriage ride to admire Maria Luisa
Park, the green heart of the city, and San Telmo
Palace that belonged to the Duque of
Montpensier. Tapas are Spain’s most famous and
enjoyable ways of having a meal, and an authentic
tapas lunch in on your menu today. By special
arrangement you’ll have a private visit to the earlyBaroque Hospital de Los Venerables, with lovely
courtyards, cloisters, and patios typical of a house
in Sevilla at that time, some elements hardly
touched since construction in the latter 17th
-
century. The artistic heritage of the Hospital is
made up of murals, altarpieces, sculptures,
liturgical garments, and much more. Return to the
port of Cádiz to set sail for the Mediterranean.
(B,L,D)
Pass Gibraltar this morning before enjoying a full
day at sea. Join our expedition staff on the Lido
deck for discussions and presentations as the
captain takes advantage of the prevailing winds.
Enjoy fine wines and meals featuring local
delicacies as you sail to Almeria. (B,L,D)
Nestled at the foot of Spain’s Sierra Nevada
range, Granada was the last stronghold of the
Spanish Moors and this legacy lives on in the
city’s architecture, cuisine, and culture. Spend the
day exploring the Alhambra and gardens of
Generalife, a spectacular palace complex boasting
unparalleled Islamic décor and meticulously
landscaped lush gardens. Originally constructed
as a small fortress in 899 on the remains of
Roman fortifications, it fell to ruin until it was
completely renovated in the mid-13th-century by
the Nasrid dynasty—the last Muslims to rule in
Spain. (B,L,D)
A morning at sea along the Spanish coast brings
us to Cartagena, a port prized since Carthaginian
times. Thanks to its strategic position on the coast,
it has been inhabited by several cultures that have
left their mark on its artistic heritage. Your
exploration is a journey across the centuries,
through its historic vestiges and its most
emblematic places. See the remains of the Roman
amphitheater, Monument to the local Heroes of
Cavite, the Palacio Consistorial, the Port walk and
the modernist buildings of Calle Mayor. (B,L,D)
Take time to relax, record your thoughts, sort your
photos, and simply enjoy the open sea as Sea
Cloud plies her way to the Balearic Islands and
Palma de Mallorca, on Mallorca Island. (B,L,D)
La Ciutat, as the Mallorquines call their capital, will
impress you from the moment you arrive to its
port: yachts, palms, the cathedral—at Palma,
history and modernity melt together with the deep
blue of Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy learning about
Gaudí’s work as a modernist restorer and
decorator at the Gothic cathedral. This is,
probably, the most distinctive landmark of Palma.
The cathedral, called la Seo by the Mallorquines,
was constructed from the 14th- to 19th-centuries,
and the highly creative Antoni Gaudí designed its
interior in 20th century. Bellver Castle is a fortress
located on top of a hill close to the historical center
and built by Peré Salvá during the Gothic epoch. It
has such an elegant appearance that it almost
makes one forget that it was originally constructed
to defend Mallorca's inhabitants from their
enemies. You may opt to meet a local chef for a
visit to the old-fashioned Santa Catalina Market for
a real-life experience of our wonderful local
products. Santa Catalina Market is the oldest of all
the markets in Palma and it maintains the
character of a traditional market offering fresh,
mostly local produce on seasonal basis. Your local
chef will guide you through and help you
appreciate the powerful colors and aromas. Once
you have your basket of ingredients, head back to
the kitchen and start cooking. In a fun and handson way your chef will show you how to cook and
taste the “classics” of every Spanish home.
(B,L,D)
The Vandals, the Moors, and the British have ruled
over this stunning little island, and prehistoric
civilizations left intriguing rock mounds and
megalithic monuments that date back some 4,000
years. Walk through the Bronze Age village of
Torralba d’en Salord and see the characteristic Tshaped stone monuments left by the Talayotic
peoples. (B,L,D)
Leave Spain behind as you sail to explore some 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. Weather
permitting, 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. (B,L,D)
Anchor this morning off the 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 di’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 Neptune’s Grotto. Return to
Sea Cloud and sail by the dramatic cliffs of Capo
Caccia in the golden sunset light on the way to
Bonifacio. (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 this lovely destination. In the afternoon,
we’ll drive inland to some of the menhir standing
stone alignments of the Sartène region of Corsica.
(B,L,D)
A final day at sea gives you time for pause and
reflection, time to “take it all in” after such an epic
adventure to so many different places. Sort your
photos, memories, and stories to be shared with
loved ones back home. There’s also still time to
grab your favorite deck chair, indulge in a good
book and listen to Sea Cloud part the surf as you
cross the Tyrrhenian Sea to Naples and your
voyage home. (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.
Special Offers
• FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED. Travel aboard any Sea Cloud departure and we will cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew.
• TRAVELING AS A GROUP. Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This savings is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies.
• COMBINING OFFERS. Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings.
• BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS. Save 10% on any consecutive journeys taken on board one of our expedition ships. This savings is applicable on voyage fares only, and are not valid on extensions or airfare.
Inclusions
• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• All meals while on board
• Non alcoholic beverages
• Experienced expedition team and leader
• All excursions
• Zodiac and kayak exploration
• Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
• Lectures and presentations on board
Exclusions
• International and domestic flights unless otherwise stated
• Travel insurance
• Passport and visa costs if applicable
• Alcoholic beverages on board unless otherwise stated
• Gratuities unless otherwise stated
• Wifi on board
• Any items of a personal nature including laundry
Yacht
