Fiery, Green and Gold Adorned

Arrive in La Valletta and transfer to the Sea Cloud II. Settle into your cabin and attend a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.

The municipal area of Syracuse boasts relics from cultural history going back more than three millennia. In ancient times, the city was the most powerful in the known world and was famed for its splendor. The island of Ortigia, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was where Syracuse began its rise as an ancient city. The huge cathedral is at the heart of the old town, magnificent palaces line the Piazza, and wide promenades invite you to take a stroll. The archaeological park brings Greek and Roman history back to life. Yet Syracuse exudes southern Italian charm, with washing drying outside the windows.

strong>Taormina is an excellent option if you're searching for a comprehensive look at Sicily's history and beauty in one location. The settlement is situated on a plateau below Mount Tauro, from which it gets its name, and there are two old stronghold ruins there. The visitor will have a lasting impression of Sicily thanks to Taormina's ancient Greek beauty, medieval charm, and amazing views of Mount Etna and the Ionian shore.

The character of Palermo, Sicily's vibrant capital, was mainly forged by the Arabs, Swabian dynasty, and Normans. Noble palaces line the magnificent streets, cheerful-looking Art Nouveau houses stand next to Baroque buildings, and a little further on you are faced with pure Gothic facades. The medieval quarter towers above the huge Palazzo Reale with its "Capella Palatina", a masterpiece in the Arab-Byzantine-Norman style. The small mountain town of Monreale gives you a breathtaking view over the town and the bay, as well as the 12th century cathedral whose interior combines Romanesque, Byzantine, and Arab art with rich gold mosaics.

The western Sicilian city of Trapani has a crescent-shaped shoreline. The 17th-century Torre di Ligny watchtower is located at the westernmost point and provides views all the way to the Aegadian Islands. It houses the archeological artifact-filled Museo di Preistoria e del Mare. The Chiesa del Purgatorio church to the north of the port is home to wooden sculptures that are carried across the city during Easter's Processione dei Misteri.

Enjoy the onboard amenities and facilties of the Sea Cloud II

Cagliari is a port and university town and, with one of the most modern opera houses in the Mediterranean, is also a renowned cultural city. Behind the Via Roma, a boulevard with shady arcades and classical facades, lies the dock area whose narrow lanes bustle with life. The old town is called Castello and extends picturesquely up the hill. The immense Bastione San Remy towers over the town. Not far from the center is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean and inland you will find glittering cultural treasures, like the ancient town of Nora dating from the 9th century BC.

Enjoy the onboard amenities and facilties of the Sea Cloud II

The Spanish island of Menorca's capital is Mahón, sometimes known as Maó. It is renowned for its sheltered harbor and Georgian buildings in the British style. The Santa Maria Church is located on the main Plaça de la Constitució and features an elaborate 19th-century organ. The city hall next to the church features a Renaissance facade and a clock that the island's first British governor contributed. The Menorca Museum features artwork and historical exhibitions about the island.

Majorca's beautiful capital is an elegant city and its picturesque old town and architectural mix of Arab, Catalan, and Art Nouveau elements are part of its success story. In the center you will be lured by shops behind splendid facades, and cafés and bars set on beautiful squares invite you to stay a while. Not far from the sophisticated marina you will find the dignified cathedral, affectionately known as "La Seu" for short. With pure Gothic beginnings, none other than Antonio Gaudi created part of its interior at the start of the 20th century.