Embark on a sun-soaked journey through the Mediterranean, exploring the scenic beauty and rich history between Corsica, Capri, and Sicily. Begin in Livorno, Italy, and sail to the charming town of Calvi in Corsica, followed by a visit to Sardinia's ancient city of Alghero with its coral jewelry and sea delicacies. Discover the dramatic cliffs and fortress of Bonifacio, then indulge in the luxury of Porto Cervo on Sardinia’s Emerald Coast. The adventure continues to the enchanting island of Capri, known for its timeless charm, and ends with a cultural mosaic in Taormina, Sicily, where history, cliffs, and cuisine converge. Conclude your voyage in Catania, Sicily, after a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes and elite destinations.
- Sun-kissed Soul of Sardinia: Explore Alghero’s ancient palaces, coral jewelry, and delicacies from the sea.
- Staircase to the Sea: Don’t miss the white cliffs and grand harbor entrance to the fortress city of Bonifacio.
- Elite Retreat: A luxury oasis for the affluent, Porto Cervo is the exclusive yacht harbor on Sardinia’s Emerald Coast.
- Red Sun Over Blue Sea: That’s Capri, Italian island of eternal charm.
- Heart of History, Soul of Sicily: Taormina is a mosaic of cultures, cliffs, and cuisines.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Departure 7:00 pm
Livorno, itself a child of the Renaissance, is the gateway to Tuscany – the land of cypresses, the Italian lifestyle, art and architecture. Lucca is a Renaissance masterpiece. Magnificent palaces, richly decorated churches and elegant piazzas where you can see the Italians enjoying the summer – this jewel of a town combines the magnificence of typical Tuscan architecture with small town charm. Siena is one of the most beautiful Italian Gothic cities. Its old quarter, like the medieval towers of the world-famous walled town of San Gimignano, is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Arrival 1:30 pm, Departure 11:00 pm
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 colorful, 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.
Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 6:00 pm
A beautiful beachside promenade and, on a headland, the old town of Alghero which sits defiantly behind thick fortifications. Alghero is something very special. Many buildings and squares in the charming old town were built when it was ruled by the Catalans and some of the inhabitants still speak a dialect of Catalan today. That's why the town is also lovingly known as "Little Barcelona". Grand palaces, numerous churches and towers, winding lanes and lively squares with snug bars and restaurants transport you into the Middle Ages with a Catalan-Gothic character.
Arrival 2:00 pm, Departure 11:00 pm
The chalk cliffs are visible even from a long way away and fall away steeply into the sea like a wall – around 70 meters (230 foot) high. Hidden behind them is a fjord-like inlet, which provides the beautiful entrance into the natural harbor of Bonifacio. The elegant modern lower town is set around the harbor with a promenade that runs the length of the deep harbor 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.
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 1:30 pm
With its soft, white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea, the dreamlike Costa Smeralda in northeastern Sardinia has been attracting the international jet set for around 60 years. Karim Aga Khan was one of the first to fall in love with the Emerald Coast in the early 1960s and founded the glamorous Porto Cervo as a glamorous destination for wealthy guests. An elegant little town with luxury villas and a large marina was created around a piazzetta where exclusive restaurants and bars are lined up – still today a perfect playground for the rich and beautiful from all over the world.
Enjoy fitness, cosmetic treatments, a massage or sun and sea with a good book in the deck chair, and think back on your eventful days.
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 7:00 pm
Even at the time of the Roman Empire, Capri was a particularly precious natural gem and became the summer residence of the Emperor Tiberius. Artists and hedonists, aristocrats and the moneyed classes discovered the island for themselves in the 19th century. This stunningly beautiful rocky island in the Gulf of Naples is famous for its numerous grottos, the most well known being the Blue Grotto. You can expect a combination of pleasure and spectacle when you experience the colorful lifestyle and goings-on in the Piazetta right in the center of Capri.
Learn knot tying, reading nautical charts, or attend a lecture. It never gets boring on board a windjammer.
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 1:00 pm
Lipari is a tranquil little spot and the largest of the Aeolian Islands, with a cultural heritage stretching back over 6,000 years. Right from first glance you can see its volcanic heritage, with some of the rock formations resembling sculptures, and the entire group of islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Aeolian Museum is set on the castle hill and holds an impressive collection of prehistoric and ancient artefacts from this volcanic group of islands. You will find the southern Italian way of life in this little port infectious.
Arrival 7:00 am, Departure 11:00 pm
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 9,843 feet 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.
Arrival 8:00 am
Goethe wrote, "Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom and oranges glow from the leaves' dark gloom." Sicily and the picture-perfect Baroque town of Catania, set right at the foot of Mount Etna, were genuine inspirations for him on his travels around Italy. On the fertile volcanic soil around Catania, orange and lemon trees try to out-glow each other, and you will be tempted to enjoy the coastline with its wonderful sandy beaches and impressive rock formations. The town was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and earthquake in the 17th century and, in the 18th century, a masterpiece of Roman Baroque emerged which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Sea Cloud II
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing)
Length: 105 metres
Passenger Capacity: 96
Built: 2001
Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. Just like her legendary sister ship Sea Cloud, the 29,600 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight. Built to accommodate 96 passengers in five star luxury, she offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and extremely comfortable. The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble.
No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud cruise. Relax on the Lido deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail, rekindling memories of a bygone age.