E-mail a friendShip: Clelia II
Itinerary: Cultural Centers and Glorious Gardens
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Barcelona, Spain
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Rome, Italy / Civitavecchia / Embark |
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| Day 2 : | Ischia |
| Day 3 : | Viareggio / Lucca or Florence / Viareggio |
| Day 4 : | Nice / Eze / St. Paul-de-Vence / Menton, France or Ventimiglia, Italy / Nice |
| Day 5 : | Marseille / Aix-en-Provence or Hyeres / Marseille |
| Day 6 : | Barcelona, Spain |
| Day 7 : | At Sea |
| Day 8 : | Malaga / Granada / Malaga |
| Day 9 : | Cadiz / Seville / Cadiz |
| Day 10 : | At Sea / Lisbon, Portugal |
| Day 11 : | AT SEA |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B | Category A | Category AA | Category VS | Category PHS | ||
| 11 | May 23, 2009 | $7,395 | $8,395 | $9,395 | $10,495 | $11,495 | $12,495 | $13,595 | $14,595 |
| Single Supplement: $3295 | |||||||||
| Destinations : Europe, France, Italy, Mediterranean, Portugal, Spain Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography |
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Mediterranean vistas have inspired countless artists, architects and horticulturists since time immemorial. On a journey cruising along the brilliant coastal arc between Italy and Portugal, experience a veritable open-air museum of botanical, architectural and historic treasures. Here every piazza preserves a memory, from the conquering Romans or Moors to the arts of the Renaissance. Our lyrical voyage aboard Clelia II explores some of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular sites, including the riches of Florence and the masterful art collections along the French Riviera. In the vibrant city of Barcelona, we will trace the flowering of the Gothic style and the birth of modernism in Spain, while in Granada’s fabled Alhambra Palace, as in Seville, we will reflect upon the flourishing of Moorish culture in Andalusia. We are privileged to have with us renowned garden designer Lynden B. Miller, who will focus our experience of enchanting gardens, including La Mortella on the island of Ischia; the French Provencal gardens of Sainte-Claire le Chateau, once owned by Edith Wharton; and the regal landscaping of the Alhambra’s Generalife Gardens.
Day 1 : Rome, Italy / Civitavecchia / Embark
Arrive in Rome and transfer to Civitavecchia, the city’s deep water port, to embark Clelia II. Sail in the evening.
Day 2 : Ischia
The largest island in the Bay of Naples, volcanic Ischia is known for its luxuriant vegetation and striking landscape. Land at the picturesque main town of the island, whose waterfront is lined with quaint shops and cafés. Our tour of this beautiful island includes, by private invitation, La Mortella, the spectacular garden created by Sir William Walton and his wife. We will be hosted by Alessandra Vinciguerra, the knowledgeable horticulturist in charge of the garden.
Day 3 : Viareggio / Lucca or Florence / Viareggio
From Viareggio, a choice of excursions is offered. Explore the delightful Tuscan town of Lucca, home to one of the finest collections of Romanesque churches and medieval places of Italy, enclosed within its historic walls. Just outside of Lucca, in the small town of Collodi, explore the magnificent hillside gardens of the Castello Garzoni, designed in
the 17th century. Alternatively, take a full-day excursion to Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, where art, literature, science and philosophy achieved great heights. Our visit includes the splendid Duomo, crowned by Brunelleschi’s distinctive dome; the Piazza della Signoria, dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and one of Florence’s renowned museums.
Day 4 : Nice / Eze / St. Paul-de-Vence / Menton, France or Ventimiglia, Italy / Nice
An internationally famous resort, the French Riviera’s Nice is synonymous with elegance and style. From here an excursion first visits the celebrated Musée Matisse, which houses
a magnificent collection of the artist’s works. Continue to the nearby Musée National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall, displaying the artist’s vivid series, “The Biblical Message,” as well as sculpture and stained glass pieces. We take the scenic road to the hilltop village of Eze for breathtaking views of the French Riviera. After lunch aboard ship, travel to the popular artists’ haven of St.-Paul-de-Vence to see The Maeght Foundation’s collection of Picassos, Miros, Braques, Calders, and others. Alternatively, drive along the coast to Italy’s Ventimiglia, and old medieval hilltown facing the sea, to visit La Mortola, also called Hanbury Gardens, a splendid botanical garden set on a wooded cape, one of Italy’s most famous gardens during the 19th century. Also stop at the lovely French town of Menton to visit Serre de la Madone, an important garden set on a slope, designated as a Historic Monument of France.
Day 5 : Marseille / Aix-en-Provence or Hyeres / Marseille
From Marseille, drive to Aix-en-Provence, the first Roman settlement in Gaul, immortalized by the works of Cezanne. Tour the Old City, down the leafy Cours Mirabeau amid lovely buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, noting the perfect classical proportions of the Hotel de Ville en route to the Cathedral of St-Sauveur, with its medieval art treasures. Continue to Cezanne’s old studio, which remains exactly as it was at the time of the Impressionist’s death in 1906, or visit the Musée Granet, with a rich collection of art (including eight works by Cezanne) and archaeological exhibits. If you wish, you may instead join the excursion to Hyères, an old town clinging on a hill facing the sea, where we will visit Sainte-Claire Le Château, the evocative villa and its gardens once owned by Edith Wharton, and the gardens of Villa Noailles, considered a fine example of Art Deco garden design.
Day 6 : Barcelona, Spain
Spend the day in Barcelona, a vibrant city rich in extraordinary works of art and architecture. In the morning explore Montjuic, a hill overlooking the city, with its beautiful gardens and many attractions, including the National Museum of Catalonian Art, one of Spain’s finest museums. In the afternoon, visit the Templo de la Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary unfinished masterpiece of Antonio Gaudi, and Parc Güell. Another of Gaudi’s incredible works, the park is laid out on a hill and houses decorative monuments that attest to the imaginative genius of Barcelona’s most famed architect. For those interested, there will be an alternative fullday excursion to the mountain of Monteserrat, with its famed monastery, heritage caves, and fantastic scenery.
Day 7 : At Sea
Enjoy the ship’s facilities and attend lectures as Clelia II cruises along Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
Day 8 : Malaga / Granada / Malaga
From Malaga, a full-day excursion leads to Granada. Visit Alhambra, the world’s finest
Moorish palace. Behind the austere exterior is an architectural marvel of lacy arches, filigreed ceilings, slender columns and romantic courtyards adorned with lovely fountains. Adjacent are the Generalife Gardens, once the retreat of caliphs. After lunch, tour Granada’s Gothic Cathedral and Royal Chapel, which contains the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. The Cathedral’s treasury displays many fine paintings from the collection of Queen Isabella.
Day 9 : Cadiz / Seville / Cadiz
From Cadiz, take an excursion to Seville. One of Spain’s loveliest cities, it is a delightful
mix of Spanish and Moorish architecture. Orange trees lining the avenues and open countryside can be seen from the summit of the Giralda Tower. Visit the immense Gothic
Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Sede, the site of the grand tomb of Christopher Columbus. Continue to the Alcazar, the palace of the Spanish kings for nearly seven centuries, which retains many aspects of Andalusia’s magnificent Moorish heritage. The gardens are especially lovely. Also visit Casa de Pilatos, one of Seville’s finest mansions, built in the early 16th century and noted for its harmonious architecture and verdant garden.
Day 10 : At Sea / Lisbon, Portugal
After cruising along Portugal’s coast, arrive in Lisbon in the evening. Overnight aboard ship docked in port.
Day 11 : AT SEA
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
• 10-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Clelia II
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Clelia II
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Clelia II
To be launched in early 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II will offer the finest in small-ship cruise travel. This private yacht-like cruise ship accommodates only 100 guests in 50 suites, each of which affords ocean views, measures 215 square feet or more and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen-size beds, spacious closets, air conditioning.
Clelia II complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of Zodiacs. Clelia II is staffed by 60 European officers and crew. Taken together with her limited guest capacity, excellence of design, craftsmanship and material, Clelia II's spaciousness and intimate ambiance combine to make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.
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Category E Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto decks with windows and sitting area. 215 sq. feet. Suites 342-345, 428, 429, 433. |
Category DDeluxe suites on Ariadne Deck with windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower . 215 sq. feet. 334-335. |
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Category C Deluxe suites on Athena deck with three portholes, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 275 sq. feet. Suites 246-252. |
Category B Deluxe suites on Ariadne deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 225 square feet. Suites 336-341. |
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Category A Deluxe suites on Leto deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 235 square feet. Suites 420-427, 430-431. |
Category AA Deluxe suites on Leto deck with forward and side windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 285 square feet. Suites 505-506. |
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Category VS Deluxe Veranda suites on Cleo deck with private balcony, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 245 sq. feet. Suites 507-518. |
Category PHSDeluxe Penthouse suites on Phoebe deck with private balcony , sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 260 sq. feet. Suites 601-604. |
