Deckplan
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
An in-depth exploration of the wonders of Sicily aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Join us aboard the all-suite MS Hebridean Sky for this circumnavigation of Sicily and all its wonders in the company of just 118 fellow guests. This unique island has an incredible wealth of treasures and a geography which lends itself beautifully to exploration by sea with most points of interest located close to the coast. Owing to its benevolent climate and superb strategic position, Sicily has been coveted, fought over and colonised numerous times with the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Byzantines and Bourbons having all made their mark. With our circumnavigation of the island aboard the MS Hebridean Sky we have the luxury of time allowing us to explore Sicily’s rich heritage at a relaxing pace.
From magnificent Doric temples to great Byzantine cathedrals and bizarrely styled villas, there is so much to explore during our circumnavigation of the island which we have timed for October and April, when the temperatures will be pleasant for our guided tours and the sites will be free of the summer crowds. We will visit the Roman mosaics of Villa Romana di Casale, the Valle dei Templi, the superbly well-preserved Greek temples of Segesta and the Norman Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo, Byzantine Monreale Cathedral and the stunning Greek theatre at Taormina. We have planned some late departures from port which afford the opportunity to enjoy dining ashore or an after dinner stroll in some towns which are particularly atmospheric in the evening. In addition, local guides and our onboard Guest Speaker will contribute greatly to your enjoyment and understanding of Sicily.
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Fly by scheduled flight to Malta. On arrival transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening
From the port of Licata we travel inland to what is regarded as the finest Roman site in Sicily, the Imperial Roman Villa of Casale, which is located close to Piazza Armerina amidst wooded rolling countryside. This huge villa was built in the 3rd century and has some stunning floor mosaics. Our return drive takes us through the province of Caltanissetta, recognised today as one of the best winemaking regions in Italy thanks above all to its production of high quality, prestigious red wines including Nero D’Avola. We will break our journey at one of these vineyards and enjoy a chance to sample some wine over a Sicilian lunch before returning to the ship.
Although handsome in its own right and awash with Medieval atmosphere, Agrigento is not our main reason for calling at this southern coast port. Close by is the Valle dei Templi, a series of Doric temples and the most captivating of Sicilian Greek remains, a grouping unique outside Greece. Surrounded in greenery of olive and almond trees, admire the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Dioscuri Temple, the Temple of Olympic Jove and the Temple of Hercules. After lunch on board the afternoon is free to explore Agrigento and shuttles will run from the port to the town and the excellent archaeological museum which you can explore at leisure.
Trapani was the landing point for Peter of Aragon in 1282 to start the Spanish occupation of Sicily. This morning there is the option to travel inland to explore Segesta, one of the grandest Doric monuments to survive. See the unfinished temple dating from 424 BC as well as the theatre from where you can enjoy excellent views of the countryside and distant coastline. Alternatively visit Erice, famed in antiquity for its temple dedicated to the goddess of love, the Phoenician Astarte, Greek Aphrodite or Roman Venus. A tour via cable car will take us to this stunning site high above the sea and to the beautifully preserved Medieval town characterised by its winding cobblestone streets and beautiful courtyards. Both tours will then enjoy a Sicilian lunch at a nearby olive oil farm. We return to the ship later in the afternoon and there will be the opportunity to wander around Trapani at leisure as we plan to sail later in the evening.
Arrive this morning in the Sicilian capital of Palermo. After breakfast we will explore the city, famous for its jumbled and picturesque streets punctuated with ornate Baroque churches, domed Arab mosques and the glittering Byzantine mosaics that reveal a unique and diverse heritage. We visit the impressive 12th century cathedral which houses the royal tombs of Henri VI and King Ruggiero. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon either enjoy some time to explore independently or join an excursion to Monreale Cathedral, said to be the most beautiful Norman Church in Italy, designed and completed by William the Good in 1174. With its thick walls and powerful towers, the exterior looks like an austere fortress yet it is the interior of this great cathedral which is its crowning glory. Here the large nave, with its side aisles and grey granite columns set off the exquisite Byzantine mosaics on the walls above the arches.
From the nearby port of Messina we will visit Taormina, a walled town lying in the shadow of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest volcano. The town has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century and our guided tour will include walking the characteristic alleys before visiting the 15th century Palazzo Corvaja and the impressive Greek Theatre from where there are marvellous views over the town and coast. Those who wish to spend longer here will be able to take lunch independently in one of the local restaurants and enjoy an afternoon exploring at leisure before our coach returns to Messina. Alternatively, return to the ship for lunch and enjoy free time in Messina before we sail this evening.
Syracuse was founded by the Greeks in 734 BC and by the 5th century was a political and military power throughout the Mediterranean which rivalled Athens as the largest and most beautiful city in the Greek world. On leaving the vessel we visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park where we will find a well preserved Greek theatre with seats carved from limestone. Paradise Quarry, now an attractive garden and orange grove, was the primary source of that limestone and is the site of the curious ‘Ear of Dionysius’ a vast grotto with an amplifying resonance. We will continue to explore the island of Ortigia where we will find the Temple of Apollo, considered to be Sicily’s most ancient Doric temple and the Baroque Cathedral, erected over the remains of the Temple of Minerva. The afternoon is free to explore independently before we meet this evening for a private concert in one of the town’s palazzos accompanied by local food and wine.
From our berth in Pozzallo we will explore the Baroque villages of Noto and Ragusa. Built in 1703 Noto is a picturesque city located on the terraced slopes of Mount Iblei among olive groves and almond trees. A guided walk along the central streets will reveal the 18th century Palazzo Ducezio and some Baroque churches: San Francesco Immacolata, the cathedral, San Carlo, Santa Chiara and the imposing Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, built in 1737. We return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon continue to charming Ragusa which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list for its artistic architectural heritage with its Baroque palaces, churches, squares and winding narrow streets, all of which create an evocative and ancient atmosphere. We will discover the wonderful Ragusa Ibla: the “Pearl of the Baroque”, the gardens, the magnificent palaces, the splendid church of San Giuseppe and the Dome of San Giorgio, built in the 18th century on the site where an older church stood before the earthquake of 1693.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
2 to 10 October 2022 • 10 to 18 October 2022 • 5 to 13 October 2023 • 11 to 19 April 2024 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £5295 | £4995 |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £5495 | £5195 |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £5695 | £5395 |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £5995 | £5695 |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £6495 | £6195 |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £6795 | £6495 |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £7795 | £7495 |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £6595 | £6295 |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £6995 | £6695 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS011022/SCHKS101022
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel • Eight nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Olga Stone is one of the most versatile presenters on a lecturing circuit, combining her skills as concert pianist, historian, art historian and classicist to make her talks entertaining, lively, educating and unusual. Olga is an accredited lecturer for the Arts Society (former NADFAS), has PhD in Classics and also has BA in Arts History. She was Head of Classics at King William’s College on the Isle of Man, teaches various History classes, Latin and Russian at the University College Isle of Man. Olga has also worked as sessional Arts History lecturer for the University of Liverpool for 12 years, and for eight years was a History tutor for the University of Chester, lecturing on various art styles from Renaissance to 20th century, Medieval History and the Crusades.
Olga was born in the Crimea and attended Conservatoire in Odessa, graduating with top marks in piano performance. She also has FTCL in Piano Performance, ATCL in Organ Performance and AMusTCL in music theory. Olga has a wide range of lectures on all aspects of art and history, including topics on European history covering the period from Classical times to World War I, on European art from the Classical period through Early Renaissance to Late Romanticism and early 20th century art, and on music. Olga’s training in Classics, history, art and music gives to her lectures and concerts a unique blend of creativity as well as deep insight into a subject.
David took an MA in Classics from St. Andrews University. He subsequently taught Classics for eleven years in Edinburgh, St Andrews and York. David is a prolific author of books on classical history and literature including A History of Ancient Greece in 50 Lives, A Traveller’s Guide to Greek Mythology and A Traveller’s Guide to Roman Mythology (all for Thames and Hudson), Nemesis: Alcibiades and the Fall of Athens and Phoenix: Cimon and the Rise of Athens (both for Harvard University Press). He edits Bloomsbury Press’ Looking at… and is currently working on Looking at Greek Drama and Looking at Hippolytus (both for Bloomsbury) and Hubris: Pericles’ Parthenon Project and the Invention of Athens (Harvard). In 1993, David founded the theatre company, Actors of Dionysus, to perform productions of Greek drama throughout the UK and beyond, directing his own translations and adaptations of Greek tragedies as Joint Artistic Director until 2004. He has subsequently directed events with actors such as Simon Russell Beale, Tom Conti, Jane Asher and Fenella Fielding. David has curated events at The British Museum (including in association with its exhibitions, Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum and Defining Beauty) and at The Ashmolean Museum (in association with the Last Supper in Pompeii exhibition). David is an energetic champion of Classics and writes for publications such as Minerva, The British Museum Magazine, All About History, History News Network and The Wall Street Journal. He has served on the Council of the Roman Society and speaks at a wide range of venues including academic institutions and literary festivals such as Oxford and Cheltenham. In October 2018, David was elected a Fellow of Goodenough College, London. Later this year his show, Just a Little Murder, performed by Dame Sian Phillips and Stephen Greif, can be seen in and around London.
Nigel McGilchrist has lived and worked in the Mediterranean – Italy, Turkey and Greece – for nearly forty years. After graduating from Oxford with a starred First in English, he began teaching at the University of Rome and subsequently worked for the Italian Superintendence of Fine Arts. All his spare time was spent in exploring the lands, coasts and the cultures of the Mediterranean world. He has lectured for many years on the art and history of the area for museums and institutions in Europe and America – among them, the Getty Museum and the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. He has taken many specialist tours to Italy, Greece, Sicily and Malta; and has been a Guest Speaker for several Noble Caledonia cruises. He was formerly Dean of European Studies for a consortium of American universities. He is the author of a twenty-volume series of survey/guides of the archaeology, history and art of the sixty inhabited Aegean Islands. He lived previously in Umbria, where he produced wine and oil; he now lives in Greece.
If you would like to spend some time in Malta after disembarking the MS Hebridean Sky we are offering a two night extension providing the chance to explore Valletta and the surrounding area.
Day 1 Valletta, Malta.
After breakfast we will disembark and begin a city walking tour of Valletta, the 16th century “Fortress City” built by the Knights of St John. Our morning tour will include the highlights of Valletta with its stunning views across the harbour from the Barakka Gardens. We will explore Merchants Street, containing the surviving auberges built by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, together with the palace where Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have stayed in 1798. Our final stop will be at St John’s Cathedral. After lunch we transfer to our hotel and check in. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free for independent exploration.
(B, L)
Day 2 Mdina.
A morning tour will take us to Mdina. Originally this city was given the name of “Citta Nobile” and it is now known as the “Silent City” at the heart of the island. Mdina is Phoenician in origin and was the fortified capital of the island before the arrival of the Knights. Spend the afternoon at leisure before we meet for dinner. (B, D)
Day 3 Valletta to London.
Check out and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
10 to 12 October 2022 • 18 to 20 October 2022 • 13 to 15 October 2023 • 19 to 21 April 2024 | |
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Category | Price |
Twin | £695 |
Single | £945 |
Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation, meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner), tours as described, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
A voyage from Valletta to Brindisi aboard the MS Serenissima
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000