Arrive in Naples and transfer from the airport to

the legendary Sea Cloud in the afternoon. Cast off

from Naples’ active harbor and pass by the rugged

coast of the island of Capri at sunset as we enter the

Tyrrhenian Sea

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 Sardinia.

We dock in Sardinia’s capital of Cagliari on the south end of the island, dominated by its hilltop medieval castle. This morning we explore Sardinia’s history, culture, and landscape with a drive inland to the archaeological centerpiece of Su Nuraxi in Barumini. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest and best preserved of the more than 700 Bronze Age nuraghi, or stone fortresses, that dot the island and have come to symbolize the island’s distant past. Return to Sea Cloud for lunch. This afternoon, peruse the collections at the National Archaeological Museum before taking a walking tour of the old town.

We set sail again for the full morning, then enter the large western bay of Oristano to dock for the afternoon. Visit the archaeological sites of Santa Cristina and Nuraghe Losa before enjoying some local food and entertainment. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening before returning to Sea Cloud.

This morning we anchor 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 toward Corsica.

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 offer an option to drive inland to view some of the menhir standing stone alignments of the Sartène region of Corsica, or to experience the characteristic Corsican maquis, the herbal scrubland known for its fragrances.

The rock formations of Les Calanques de Piana, accessible from the coastal city of Ajaccio, are some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the Mediterranean. Les Calanques de Piana are karst limestone rock ravines that have been shaped by wind and water erosion, and the Calanques de Piana in Corsica are deservedly designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our morning is devoted to this landscape and the delightful town of Piana, set amid this dramatic labyrinth of rock formations.

The scenery and the accompanying fragrance of the maquis and the pure, clean air are unforgettable highlights.

The gorgeous crescent bay, with its narrow white sand beach, and the prominent Genoese citadel have made the northwest Corsican town of Calvi a renowned summer resort destination for the last century. In the shoulder seasons it is a very pleasant town in a lovely setting to explore on foot, starting at the hilltop citadel with its ethnographic museum and medieval shops and alleys. Work your way backdown to the Port de Plaisance waterfront to reboard Sea Cloud. This afternoon, we sail north around Cap Corse.

With hopes for an overnight sail, we keep the morning free to continue sailing on the northeast side of Corsica toward the port of Bastia, where we dock for the afternoon. Explore Bastia, made up of the upper Terra Nova citadel and the lower working district of Terra Vecchia with its lively food and fish markets. Or, opt to drive north to explore the wild nature of Cap Corse, which is the protruding mountainous peninsula of north Corsica, before returning for an evening in Bastia.

We spend the final full day on Sea Cloud, hopefully enjoying the ship under full sail, reflecting on our visits to the unique and extraordinary islands of Sardinia and Corsica, and sorting our photos for the evening’s “guest slide show” of favorite photos contributed by our shipmates.

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