9-night Sailing The Ancient Shores Of Sicily And Malta Aboard Sea Cloud II Cruise

National Geographic - Lindblad Expeditions · Sea Cloud II · 9 nights · Valletta

Sea Cloud II

From $15,000 per person

Roundtrip Valletta

What's Included

  • 9-nights accommodations
  • All meals aboard ship
  • And more

Available Add-Ons

Optional roundtrip airfare.
Optional pre or post cruise nights

Itinerary

Jun 2 Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Destination Guide

Jun 3 At Sea
Jun 4 Agrigento

Agrigento is a small town on the Southern coast of Sicily. The beach is wonderful and the small streets of the old town are quaint and charming. Just outside the city, you will find magnificent Greek temples located in the Valley of the Seven Temples.

Jun 5 Erice

Erice is the site of an an amazing mountaintop fortress overlooking the sea. Erice has all the charm of a medieval town, with winding streets, gorgeous flowering courtyards and more than 60 small churches. Visitors will also find some good restaurants around town. Couscous with fish is the local specialty. There are also several exceptional pastry shops, including Maria Grammatico's in the center of town.

 

Jun 6 At Sea
Jun 7 Taormina

The east coast of Sicily is considered by many to be its most magnificent. Lovely Taormina was called "the greatest work of art and nature" by Goethe in his Italian Journey. Situated above the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna as a spectacular backdrop, this storybook town of sculpted gardens, stately palaces and ancient monuments is easily one of Sicily’s most striking sites. There is much to see and do here; the main attractions in Taormina are seen on foot. Incredible vistas are available from Taormina's Public Gardens which are filled with exotic flowers and plants. In Giardini-Naxos, close to the pier, the Bourbon fort contains a fine museum, Museo Archaeologico. The entrance is via a garden bisected by an ancient lava flow.

Excursions

Taormina and Mt Etna Day - 8 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Full day tour of the famous Volcano Mt.Etna and Taormina

Added value:
  • Experience visiting a live volcano
  • Visit the charming sea village of Taormina
  • Stop at a local winery near Mt. Etna
  • Time for shopping on the famous Corso Umberto in Taormina
Tour duration: 8 hours
Not wheelchair accessible
Physical activity: Moderate with a fair amount of walking

Included:
  • Private car or van and English speaking driver guide.
  • Clients are picked up and dropped off at the Port
Excluded:
  • Meals

Jun 8 Siracusa

Sicilia is the favorite island of Gods in traditional poetry. The most powerful and biggest ancient city in Sicilia is Siracusa. Its name may come from the native word "Siraco", which means "marsh", due to the bogs which surrounded the city. Or it may derive from a Phenician etymology signifying the presence of seagulls on its rocky shores. Few cities of the ancient world had the importance Syracuse had in Magna Grecia, the ancient Greek settlements in Italy. The most spectacular monuments in the archeological area surrounded by colorful Mediterranean vegetation are the Greek amphitheatre and the Orecchio di Dionisio (Dionysius' Ear). Besides touring the Archeological Museum that contains beautiful objects, Ortigia Island, the heart of the old Greek city, is worth a visit. Outside the city limits is Eurialo Castle, an incredible structure built to protect the city from the Cathaginians, and Pantalica, the great rocky necropolis in Anapo Valley.

Jun 9 Gozo

Set in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Africa, Gozo is the second largest of the Maltese islands after Malta itself. Reputed in Greek legend to be the island of Ogy'gia, where the sea nymph Calypso entertained Odysseus, it is 9 miles long and 4 miles wide . The main town of Victoria is set on hills in the middle of the island. The impressive Citadel or Gran Castello and the Ggantija prehistoric temples are worth visiting. Also take in the views from Calypso's Cave and the amazing alabaster stalactites of Ninu's Grotto. Xlendi Bay and the surrounding village is another sought after destination on Gozo. Known for scuba diving and various water sports, this picturesque town is a perfect place for relaxation.

Destination Guide

Jun 10 Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Destination Guide

Jun 11 Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Destination Guide

Cabin Categories

Outside Cabin
Outside Cabin

Oceanview

From $15,000 per person

Cabin#207-210.
Size: 236 sq. ft.
These outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and two portholes. Cabin features include a couch, television, small table, dressing table with mirror, a closet, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower. Note: Solo occupancy cabins are available in Category 1.

View Deckplan

Outside Cabin
Outside Cabin

Oceanview

Call for pricing

Cabin#207-210.
Size: 236 sq. ft.
These outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds for cabin share program) and two portholes. Cabin features include a couch, television, small table, dressing table with mirror, a closet, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower.

View Deckplan

Outside Cabin
Outside Cabin

Oceanview

From $16,800 per person

Cabin#211-212, 214-217, 224-231.
Size: 247 sq. ft.
These outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and two portholes. Cabin features include a couch, television, small table, dressing table with mirror, a closet, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower. Note: Some Category 2 cabins have connecting doors.

View Deckplan

Outside Cabin
Outside Cabin

Oceanview

From $20,140 per person

Cabin#218-223.
Size: 258 sq. ft.
These outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three portholes. Cabin features include two chairs, a small table, television, dressing table with mirror, writing desk, two closets, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower.

View Deckplan

Outside Cabin
Outside Cabin

Oceanview

From $21,230 per person

Cabin#301, 302.
Size: 249 sq. ft.
These outside-facing cabins, located on the Promenade Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three large panorama windows. Cabin features include two chairs, a small table, television, writing desk/dressing table with mirror, closets, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower.

View Deckplan

Suite
Suite

Suite

From $23,320 per person

Cabin#303, 304:
These outside-facing suites, located on the Promenade Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three large panorama windows. #303 is 271 sq. ft. and #304 is 265 sq. ft. Suite features include an electric fireplace, separate sitting area with two large chairs and large table, walk-in closet, television, dressing table with mirror, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble and gold-fitted bathroom is equipped with shower bathtub and marble washbasin.

View Deckplan

Suite
Suite

Suite

From $26,520 per person

Cabin#305-312, 314-319.
Size: 281 sq. ft.
These outside-facing suites, located on the Promenade Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three large panorama windows. Suite features include an electric fireplace, separate sitting area with two large chairs and large table, walk-in closet, television, dressing table with mirror, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble and gold-fitted bathroom is equipped with shower bathtub and marble washbasin.

View Deckplan

Suite
Suite

Suite

From $28,790 per person

Cabin#401, 402.
Size: 335 sq. ft.
These outside-facing suites, located on the Lido Deck, have a double four-poster bed and four large panorama windows.
Cabin features include an electric fireplace, separate sitting area with a couch, two large chairs and large table, walk-in closet with four large wardrobes, television, dressing table with mirror, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The large, beautiful marble and gold-fitted bathroom is equipped with separate shower and bathtub, and marble washbasin.

View Deckplan

Terms & Additional Information

Prices are per person and include cabin fare, taxes, fees, excursions and all meals while onboard.  Airfare is available at an additional charge unless otherwise stated.

Price is per person, double occupancy.

Cost Includes: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.

Not Included: Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to ship’s crew at your discretion.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

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