Sailing the Western Mediterranean: Spain to Corsica aboard Sea Cloud

Days 1-2

U.S. / Lisbon, Portugal / Embark Ship

Arrive in Lisbon on an overnight flight. Embark Sea Cloud in the late afternoon and settle into your cabin. Meals are on your own except for dinner on Day 2.

Days 3-4

At Sea

Begin your expedition with two full days of what Sea Cloud does best—sailing. Join our 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 Cádiz, Spain.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Cádiz, Spain / Seville

From the charming port of Cádiz, set off on a full-day exploration of the city of Seville. Enjoy a guided walk through Barrio de Santa Cruz, the city’s oldest and most beautiful quarter. Your experience includes the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, its Giralda bell tower, and the Alcázar (or royal fortress), with its stunning gardens—all part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Choose to enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride to admire María Luisa Park, the green heart of the city, and San Telmo Palace, which belonged to the Duke of Montpensier.

Tapas are Spain’s most famous and enjoyable ways of having a meal, and an authentic tapas lunch is on the menu today. By special arrangement we have a private visit to the early-baroque Hospital de Los Venerables, with its lovely courtyards, cloisters, and patios typical of a house in Seville in the late 17th century. The artistic heritage of the hospital is made up of murals, altarpieces, sculptures, liturgical garments, and more. Return to the port of Cádiz to set sail for the Mediterranean.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

At Sea

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 we sail to Almería.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Almeria / Granada

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 palace complex boasting unparalleled Islamic décor and meticulously landscaped gardens. Originally constructed in 899 A.D. as a small fortress 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

At Sea / Cartagena

A morning at sea along the Spanish coast takes 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, the Monument to the Heroes of Cavite and Santiago de Cuba, the Palacio Consistorial, the port promenade, and the modernist buildings of Calle Mayor.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

At Sea

Take advantage of a full day at sea to savor the pace of life on board this historic four-masted barque. Relax with a book, photograph the ship’s exquisite details, and attend talks by our experts on the history and culture of the places we'll soon explore as Sea Cloud plies her way to the Balearic Islands and Palma de Mallorca, on Mallorca Island.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca

La Ciutat, as Mallorcans call their capital, welcomes us with yachts, palms, and a waterfront Gothic cathedral. Here, history and modernity meld together with the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy learning about Antoni Gaudí’s work as a modernist restorer and decorator at the cathedral. This is, probably, the most distinctive landmark of Palma. Also known as La Seu, the cathedral was constructed from the 14th- to 19th-centuries, and the highly creative Gaudí designed its interior in the 20th century.

Another point of interest is Bellver Castle, a hilltop fortress overlooking 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.

We also have the opportunity to meet a local chef and visit the traditional Santa Catalina Market for an experience of the colors and aromas of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as other ingredients that our chef later shows us how to prepare in a hands-on cooking class of classic Spanish dishes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

At Sea / Mahón, Menorca

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 Salort and see the characteristic T-shaped stone monuments left by the ancient Talayotic people.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

At Sea

Leave Spain behind as we sail to explore two fiercely independent islands: Sardinia and Corsica. These islands share many historic elements through millennia of empires and civilizations, yet they 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 going aloft in the web of Sea Cloud’s riggings to hand-set 30 sails.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Alghero, Sardinia, Italy

We 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 give us a walking orientation to the old town to start the day. Next, travel to nearby Ledà d’Ittiri estate for a wine tasting and tour. In the afternoon we take a local boat out to the dramatic Capo Caccia peninsula to visit the colorful and expansive cave of Neptune’s Grotto. Return to Sea Cloud and sail by the dramatic cliffs of Capo Caccia in the golden sunset light on our way to Bonifacio.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Bonifacio, Corsica, France

Wake up to the sunrise over the layered cliffs of Bonifacio. Enter the 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 ninth century. The rest of the morning is devoted to enjoying this lovely destination. In the afternoon, we drive inland to view some of the menhir standing stone alignments of the Sartène region of Corsica.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

At Sea

A final day at sea gives us 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 is also still time to settle in to your favorite deck chair, indulge in a good book, and listen to Sea Cloud part the surf as we cross the Tyrrhenian Sea en route to Naples.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16

Naples, Italy / Disembark Ship

Disembark in the Naples after breakfast this morning and transfer to the airport for your flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast