Set sail on a charming Southern France weekend adventure, starting in Barcelona where you can explore the artistic and architectural wonders of Gaudí and Miró. Then, cruise to Collioure, a picturesque French village known for its stunning landscapes that inspired Fauvist artists. Continue to Cassis, where you can enjoy a boat tour through the dramatic fjords of the Calanques, offering breathtaking views and unique natural beauty. The journey concludes in Nice, a vibrant city renowned for its stunning Mediterranean coastline and rich cultural heritage. This itinerary promises a delightful mix of artistic exploration, scenic landscapes, and luxurious relaxation.
- Hit Refresh: Take a short break from your daily routine with the well-deserved luxury of leisure time.
- Creative Barcelona: Immerse yourself in architecture and art from Gaudí to Miró.
- Be Charmed by Collioure: Its breathtaking landscapes captivated the hearts of Fauvist painters.
- Narrow, dark and exciting: Boat tour through the steep fjords of the Calanques.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Departure 7:00 pm
Barcelona revels in contrasts. Many enthuse over the beautiful elegant squares and boulevards, while others look for medieval romance in the Gothic quarter. Some love the artistic treasures in the Picasso Museum or the Joan Miró Foundation, but for most people Barcelona is the capital of Catalan Art Nouveau and its glory is epitomised in the spectacular Palau de la Música. At every turn you encounter the playfully opulent creations of architect Antonio Gaudi. His exuberant fantasies are evident in the numerous houses, idiosyncratic parks and the famous uncompleted Sagrada Familia cathedral which he created.
Arrival 2:00 pm, Departure 11:00 pm
On one side of the harbor a defiant church, on the other the old royal castle, in between a promenade on which gnarled plane trees provide shade – can so much picturesque idyll be real? In Collioure it can. The fishing village has been attracting artists since the beginning of the 20th century: Here, fauvists like Henri Matisse and André Derain revived in the golden light. Today, a theme trail along the harbor leads to the places where their works were created. Artists have again settled in the old town quarter and offer their works for sale in the flower-decorated labyrinth of alleys and stairways.
Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 5:00 pm
As soon as the Provençal sun shines down on pine forests, limestone cliffs and the azure sea, the air in Cassis has a spicy scent of salt and summer. Then nothing is more fun than strolling through the narrow alleys and finding a place in one of the street cafés. With the colorful fishermen's cottages in the back, the view wanders quite relaxed over the rosé wine glass to the boats bobbing in the harbor. A small tip: the Calanques, the wildly romantic rocky bays, can be hiked or discovered on a boat tour.
Arrival 8:00 am
Nice lies in one of the world's most lavishly endowed natural landscapes. The sea glows azure and the mountains in the background rise picturesquely up into the sky. Castle Hill gives you a fantastic view over the rambling old town – a labyrinth of alleyways with Baroque churches, pastel-colored houses and red-tiled roofs. The Promenade des Anglais, a sophisticated, five-kilometer-(3 miles)long walkway along the magnificent Baie des Anges and its long beach, lies at the heart of the elegant new town, with its splendid palaces and aristocratic hotels in the Belle-Époque and Art Deco styles.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Sea Cloud II
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing)
Length: 105 metres
Passenger Capacity: 96
Built: 2001
Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. Just like her legendary sister ship Sea Cloud, the 29,600 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight. Built to accommodate 96 passengers in five star luxury, she offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and extremely comfortable. The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble.
No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud cruise. Relax on the Lido deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail, rekindling memories of a bygone age.
