The Magic of the Mediterranean
Date: 10-23 September 2014
Price: 14 days from £1,547 per person
Ports of call
Marseille • San Remo • Ajaccio • Cagliari • Trapani • Valetta • Catania • Brindisi • Venice • Pula • Split • Dubrovnik
Breathtaking landscapes bearing the imprint of centuries of history, cities showcasing the harmonious co-existence of tradition and modernity, a mosaic of cultures, an architectural odyssey, this voyage – with Venice a dazzling centrepiece - effortlessly combines the cosmopolitan, the chic and the classic.
Your voyage begins in Marseille, an intriguing mix of ancient grandeur, Gallic chic and Arabic cool. Catch a glimpse of the medieval among the steep streets and little squares of San Remo, and discover some of the Mediterranean’s most dramatic scenery in Corsica – a continent in miniature!
Sardinia’s bewitching Cagliari boasts a treasure trove of fascinating architecture, while Trapani, which curves elegantly into the waters around Sicily, offers a unique landscape of salt plains dotted with ancient windmills.
Step ashore in Malta’s capital Valletta and Catania, which sits in the shadow of the brooding Mount Etna. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims heading to the Holy Land in Brindisi before you are charmed by Venice and her islands.
In Croatia take time to explore historic Pula and Split before your final port of call, Dubrovnik or ‘heaven on earth’ in the words of George Bernard Shaw.
Your RHS recommended guest speaker
John Fielding studied horticulture in Lancashire and at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. During his 45-year career he has been actively involved in horticulture. John is a member of the RHS Photographic Advisory Committee and the Herbaceous Plant Committee. He has led a number of trips to Greece for the Cyclamen Society to record cyclamen in their natural habitat.
Why choose this cruise?
- Cruise designed in partnership with the RHS to feature a selection of specialist garden shore excursions
- RHS approved Guest Speaker on board
- Complimentary RHS membership or membership renewal for all bookings on this cruise
- Two days in Venice – a city of magnificent art and architecture displayed against a unique canvas
- Dubrovnik Old Town, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
- Stunning Corsican landscape
- UNESCO-listed Alberobello and the characteristic trulli houses
- Taormina – a remarkable medieval town