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.
A voyage from Gibraltar to Malta along the coasts of Algeria & Tunisia aboard the MS Hebridean Sky with Guest Speaker Michael Buerk
Africa’s Mediterranean coast has always been a magnet for travellers with its array of wonderful ancient sites which in the main are little visited and yet offer the visitor some of the most splendid and varied remains of the Roman World. First colonised by Phoenicians and Greeks around the 7th century BC, the region eventually fell to Rome and with agricultural development came cities; many impressive and said to rival Rome in their magnificence. The favourable desert influenced climate has been remarkably kind to the sites and they provide an unparalleled insight into life in classical times.
This is a region that is best discovered by sea and from the historic port of Gibraltar we sail to the little known Spanish enclave of Melilla on the Moroccan coast, a fascinating place to spend the afternoon, before continuing to Algeria with its striking Mediterranean coastline and rich cultural heritage. We have five days here to explore and the touring options will include visits to the beautiful city of Tlemcen with its Moorish architecture and 11th century Grand Mosque, Oran with its notable Arab, Spanish, Ottoman and French influences, the ancient city of Tipaza, Bejaia from where you can discover the Roman ruins of Djemila, and one of the oldest cities in all of Africa, Constantine. Continuing east we reach Tunisia which also has a wealth of sites from the great Roman amphitheatre of El Djem, the ancient city of Kairouan, the Hadrian-era amphitheatre of ancient Uthina and Carthage with its Phoenician ruins. It is easy to imagine how daily life played out in Roman times in this great city which will transport you to another world and time. Our final day is spent on the charming Maltese island of Gozo before our voyage concludes in Valletta’s magnificent harbour.
All this will be achieved with great ease aboard the MS Hebridean Sky and with just over 100 like-minded souls, we are able to explore in a way that is impossible from aboard a large cruise vessel. On many days during our voyage there will be a choice of excursions depending on your interests and local guides and our onboard Guest Speaker will also contribute greatly to your enjoyment and understanding of the region. Whether your interest lies in exploring the ancient world, modern politics or simply the joy of experiencing new places from modern cities to Berber villages, this itinerary has it all.
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. On arrival transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Spend the morning at sea as we cruise to a little bit of Spain in North Africa. Situated on the northern coast of Morocco, this Spanish city occupies a rocky peninsula which juts out into the Mediterranean. It has been in Spanish hands since 1497 and previous colonisers included the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. It is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon observing the co-existence of Catholic and Muslim faiths, the influences of Spanish and Moorish architecture and the old walled city, fortress and busy marketplace.
Arrive this morning in Algeria at the port of Ghazaouet located close to the border with Morocco. From here we drive approximately 50 miles inland to Tlemcen, an interesting and cultured city. Our visit will include the 11th century Great Mosque and the deconsecrated Sidi Bel Hassan Mosque which was transformed into a museum in 1901 and houses a selection of mosaics, carvings and pottery. After a local lunch we will continue to El Mansourah to see the remains of an old minaret and El Mechouar, which was built as a citadel in 1145 before it became the royal residence of the Zianide dynasty in the 13th century.
Oran is a city of architectural riches, and the Arab, Spanish, Ottoman and French influences are very noticeable. Its originality is owed much to its turbulent history during the Medieval period which profoundly changed the evolution of its landscape to such an extent that, unlike other Algerian cities, it is indelibly marked by its Hispanic past. Today, Oran can be described as an open-air museum of Western military architecture, alongside buildings with Arab and Ottoman influences as well as modern buildings dating from the French colonial period. We will take a guided walking tour to view some of the most striking buildings including the Cathedral, La Place d’Armes, Pasha Mosque, Sidi El Houari and the old Arab quarters followed by a drive to Mount Aidour and the Fort of Santa Cruz to take in the sweeping aerial views of Oran. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at sea.
Depart this morning for the ancient city of Tipaza which was probably founded by the Phoenicians but really came into being under the Romans. The city was extended by Emperor Claudius and grew wealthy on Mediterranean trade. It was built on three small hills which overlooked the sea. There are ruins of three Basilicas, two cemeteries, the baths, the theatre, the nymphaeum and the unusual oval shaped amphitheatre. After visiting the city, we will enjoy a typical Algerian lunch before continuing to the mysterious Mausoleum of Mauretania which lies in the hills above the sea about 18 kilometres away from Tipaza. It is one of the most breathtaking sights in Algeria. The vast pyramid-like structure is named the Tomb of the Christian on account of the large crosses that decorate the tomb which predates Jesus Christ. Alternatively, a half day city tour will include the Martyrs’ Monument, a dominant landmark which offers spectacular views over the city and Bay of Algiers. Continue to La Grande Poste, an impressive piece of Hispano-Moorish architecture completed in 1908, and the Basilica of Notre Dame D’Afrique.
Bejaia is built on a beautiful bay protected by mountains which give the city a splendid backdrop. A minor port in Roman times, it was named Saldae having been settled by the Roman Emperor Vespasian and is our base for a choice of excursions today. Perhaps take a full day tour to Djemila which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 due to its unique adaptation of Roman architecture to a mountain environment. In a remarkable setting, the ruins are some of the finest preserved in North Africa. We will drive along a very scenic route and traverse spectacular scenery as we climb from little Kabilya towards the high plateau of Setif where the Roman ruins are located. See the Arch of Caracalla, the forum, the basilica and the temples before viewing the mosaics displayed in the museum that represent the best collection in Algeria. This is a long but rewarding excursion. Alternatively, drive through the valley of the Soumman, the legendary meeting place of the leaders of the Freedom Fighters. It was here that they launched the revolution of the 1st of November 1954 which lasted for seven years until they gained independence for Algeria on the 5th July 1962. Afterwards we travel to a Berber village in Kabylia where we visit a typical house and various workshops where things are still made in the old-fashioned unhurried way. Enjoy a “dégustation” of Berber olive oil whilst tasting the different types of bread and other local produce and gain an insight into Berber culture and history.
Our final day in Algeria takes us inland to historic Constantine, one of the oldest cities in Africa. Over 2,000 years ago it was part of the kingdom of Numidia and went by the name of Cirta. The Phoenicians were the first to build the city and called it Sewa – the Royal City and it was invaded and ruled by the Romans, Ottomans, and French. Today it sits on two sides of a 200 metre gorge which was carved out by the Rhumel River to create a natural fortress. The picturesque city is known as the “City of Bridges” as it has a number of engineering marvels including the Sidi M’Cid bridge which was the highest bridge in the world when constructed in 1912 and offers stunning views towards the town and the gorge below. After taking in the views, we will explore the city centre including the Palace of Ahmed Bey, Islamic University and the imposing Mosque Emir Abdelkader.
We have a relaxing morning at sea as we sail to Tunisia and arrive in the port of La Goulette at lunchtime. Over the next day and a half, there will be several touring options. Maybe visit the site of Carthage which was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC and became one of the most influential cities in the Mediterranean. This prosperity led to rivalry with Rome and it was during the Third Punic War, in 146 BC, that the Roman forces destroyed the city. Due to its strategic location, the Romans rebuilt Carthage in the 1st century AD to become one of the most important cities in their Empire. We also hope to explore the Bardo Museum which houses some renowned Roman mosaics from the archaeological sites of El Djem, Sousse and Dougga as well as artefacts and sculptures from Carthage. Meanwhile, a full day tour will travel inland to the ruins of ancient Uthina, one of the Roman Empire’s oldest cities in Africa. A guided walk includes the nearly fully restored Hadrianera amphitheatre which was dug into the hillside and could hold about 16,000 spectators, the grand Capitole, pinned down on one side by five partially reconstructed columns and the baths of the Laberii, which take their name from an inscription found on a mosaic of Orpheus charming the animals, now in the Bardo Museum. Later we will drive to Zriba Olia, an abandoned Berber village that was built in the seventeenth century but deserted in the 1960s.
Spend the next day and a half in the port of Sousse. During our time here we drive out of the city to the small village of El Djem, see the great Roman amphitheatre, built to accommodate 35,000 spectators and visit the excellent museum with its collection of mosaics. Our tour of Sousse will include the museum which is located in the ramparts of the kasbah and houses a fine collection of mosaics, and the imposing Ribat, one of the finest and best conserved buildings of the series of “fortress-monasteries” that dotted the North African coastline. We will also drive to the ancient city of Kairouan where we see the Great Mosque which is a universal architectural masterpiece and one of the most impressive and largest Islamic monuments in North Africa. Also see the Aghlabid Basins, the majestic cisterns built by the Aghlabids in the 9th century which represent a highly sophisticated work of engineering from the Middle Ages.
Arrive this morning off the Maltese island of Gozo, thought to be the Calypso Isles of Homer’s Odyssey and a lovely place to spend a day. From our anchorage in Mgaar we will come ashore and drive to the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra. Dating back to 3600 BC the temples, which are now recognised as a World Heritage Site, are one of the most significant archaeological finds in Malta. We continue to the capital of Gozo, Victoria, which is spread beneath the Citadel, the walled castle dominating the island. Walk within the city walls and view the imposing cathedral before we return to the ship via the Church of Our Lady of Victories, one of the most richly embellished places of worship on the island which was elevated to the rank of a minor basilica in 1967. After lunch on board the afternoon is free to walk the walls or explore the narrow streets of the small picturesque city of Mgarr. Please note we are at anchor today and will use the ships Zodiacs or local tenders to get ashore.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
2 to 14 November 2025 | ||
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Category | Price | |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | Fully Booked | |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | Fully Booked | |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | Fully Booked | |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | Fully Booked | |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | Fully Booked | |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | Fully Booked | |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | Fully Booked | |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | Fully Booked | |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS021125L
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 12 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 • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Algeria visa.
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.
Michael Buerk is one of Britain’s leading broadcast journalists and has won many – if not most - of the industry’s major awards. He has worked as a BBC foreign correspondent and presenter for more than thirty years. He anchored the BBC’s main evening television news programme from 1989 to 2004. He continues to present documentaries and programmes for both BBC Television and Radio as well as ITV and other networks. He currently chairs the BBC’s leading ethical debate programme, “The Moral Maze”. He lectures regularly on current affairs issues and chairs conferences on political, economic and ethical questions.
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