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 Limassol to Gibraltar including Tunisia & Algeria aboard the MS Hebridean Sky with Guest Speaker Right Reverend Tim Stevens
Join us aboard the 118-passenger MS Hebridean Sky in Cyprus and set sail on a 15 night voyage across the Mediterranean spending time in Greece, Sicily, Tunisia, Algeria, Spain and Gibraltar. We will travel a less well-trodden path across the Mediterranean and have timed our journey for late October when the temperature will be pleasant for exploring and we will be able to discover some fascinating sites in relative peace.
Our voyage begins in the Cypriot port of Limassol from where we will visit the Temple of Apollo and the ruins of Kourion with its Greco-Roman Theatre and lovely coastal views. We then set sail for Greece where will spend a few days sailing through turquoise waters, calling into charming villages and admiring the wonderful scenery. We will discover some of the most fascinating and picturesque sites including Olympia, the principal shrine of Zeus and Hera, the fishing town of Gytheio on the Mani Peninsula and the Byzantine hillside town of Mystras.
Continuing on to Sicily we will visit timelessly beautiful Syracuse and appreciate the island’s rich legacy of so many invading civilisations before we reach the North African coast where our call in Tunis will transport you to another world and time as we explore the great city of Carthage with its Phoenician ruins. After a relaxing day at sea, we then arrive in the charming Algerian city of Tipaza with time to explore its fine Roman ruins before heading to Spain. Here we will visit the great naval port of Cartagena and the little known Spanish enclave of Melilla on the Moroccan coast, a fascinating place to spend a few hours before our voyage concludes in Gibraltar.
We have devised the schedule for our voyage to include daily guided excursions and have also included time at leisure for individual exploration enabling you to soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. In addition there will be ample time to relax on board as we sail between our ports of call during which time you will be able to attend the informative talks by our onboard Guest Speaker.
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 and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky. Moor overnight.
This morning we drive to the Temple of Apollo, one of the main religious centres of ancient Cyprus. We will continue to the ruins of Kourion, a city built in 1200 BC. The most spectacular site at Kourion is the Greco-Roman Theatre which has been completely restored and is used today for open-air musical and theatrical performances. We will also visit the Medieval Kolossi Castle before returning to the ship for lunch. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace.
Spend a relaxing day at sea, maybe join a lecture or find a spot on deck.
From our berth in Heraklion it is a short distance to the Palace of Knossos, the legendary home of the Minotaur. Wander around the site impressively excavated by Sir Arthur Evans, seeing some of the 1300 rooms adorned with lively frescoes where King Minos held court. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the town, maybe visit the archaeological museum which holds the world’s largest collection of Minoan artefacts.
Arrive this morning at the picturesque port of Gytheio from where we have a choice of tours this morning. Perhaps head inland to Mystras, a remarkably intact Byzantine hillside town that once housed a population of 20,000 people. Here we visit the Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios, where the two-headed eagle which is the symbol of the Palaeologos Dynasty is carved into a plaque on the floor. Strolling through the narrow lanes of the dead city, we will also visit the Church of Agia Sophia, the Palace of the Despots and the Monastery of Pantanassa, with its brilliant frescoes. Alternatively, join a scenic drive to the Mani Peninsula visiting the villages and enjoying the wonderful views along the coast. Visit Aeropoli named after Ares, the God of War, for its role in the War of Independence. Here we find tower houses, constructed with field stones, which are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterise many Greek villages. Meanwhile in Kardamyli we find a seaside village with unique architecture and beautiful views. The afternoon is free to explore Gytheio at your own pace, maybe take a walk on the promenade, visit the lighthouse or people watch from a waterfront taverna.
Pastoral and lush, Olympia’s plentiful ruins are shaded by Aleppo pines and olive trees. The fame of Olympia rests upon the Olympic Games. During the celebrations that accompanied the Games, competitors, while not forgetting that they were Athenians, Spartans or from other city states, remembered that they were Greeks and regarded an Olympic victory as the highest honour. We will see the gymnasium, the stadium and the palestra or wrestling school. We will also explore the Altis, or sacred precinct of Zeus, which houses structures including the Temple of Zeus, one of the largest temples on the Greek mainland and the Archaeological Museum with some fine sculptures and artefacts from the site. After our visit we drive to a nearby agriturismo where we will partake in a tasting of their olive oils and wines accompanied by local delicacies. After a chance to stroll amongst the olive trees and vineyards we return to the ship.
Enjoy a leisurely day cruising as we cross to Sicily.
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. This morning choose to 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. Alternatively, drive to the Baroque village of Noto. 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. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure 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.
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 by 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.
From the port of Tunis, we have a choice of options today. A half day tour will drive to the site of Carthage; founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC it became one of the most influential cities in the Mediterranean. This prosperity led to a rivalry with Rome and it was during the Third Punic War, in 146 BC, that the Roman forces destroyed the city. Due to the strategic location, the Romans rebuilt Carthage in the 1st century AD to become one of the most important cities in their Empire. See the Phoenician remains of Tophet, the sanctuary of the gods Tanit and Baal, as well as some interesting monuments from the Roman era including the baths and the amphitheatre. Alternatively, join a full day tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dougga, one of Tunisia’s most prestigious archaeological sites. Exploring this well preserved Roman city, covering 65 hectares, we can visit the theatre which could accommodate 3,500 people and provides spectacular views to the plains below and the Capitol temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva before continuing to the Forum. Following our visit we have lunch at a nearby farmhouse before we continue to the village of Testour which was built by Muslims and Jews who were expelled from Spain in the early 17th century and is considered as one of the best examples of Andalusian architecture found anywhere in Tunisia.
Spend the day at sea as we cruise along the North African coast.
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. We return to the ship via the Martyrs‘ Monument which offers spectacular views over the city.
In the early afternoon we arrive in Spain’s main naval port of Cartagena. Enter the deep natural harbour through two fortified rocky headlands for an afternoon of exploration in this historic city that dates back to the Phoenicians. Hannibal used it as his capital city on the Iberian peninsula and named it after Carthage in North Africa whilst the Romans used it as a strategic port and administrative centre. The city walls remained intact until the 20th century creating a dense historic centre. Take the lift or walk up to Concepcio Castle for amazing views of the city and harbour, view the Roman amphitheatre and the archaeological site of Molinete where work continues to uncover the Roman city. Later enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined harbour promenade as we return to the MS Hebridean Sky.
After a morning at sea we visit a little bit of Spain in North Africa. Situated on the northern coast of Morocco the 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.
Spend the day in Gibraltar exploring this strategic British outpost of the Mediterranean. After taking in the views from Europa Point, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, we continue to the Great Siege Tunnels, a labyrinth of tunnels built to defend Gibraltar from Spanish and French attacks between 1779 and 1783 and revered as one of the finest defensive systems. Also see the Gibraltar Museum where we can learn more about the Great Siege, the geological origins of the rock and the area’s natural history. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, perhaps take the cable car up the famous rock, see the Botanical Gardens or visit the Garrison Library. Moor overnight.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
21 October to 5 November 2024 | ||
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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: SCHKS211024a
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 15 nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Shore excursions • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Algerian 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.
Tim Stevens read Classics and English at Cambridge. In 1968 he joined BOAC as a graduate trainee and entered the Foreign Office in 1972 working in the South Asian Dept until starting training for ordination in Oxford. He was a parish priest in East London and Essex before being appointed Archdeacon of West Ham, Bishop of Dunwich and eventually Bishop of Leicester where, from 1999 to 2015, he was heavily engaged in interfaith relations and a visiting professor in Church and Society at De Montfort University. Tim was chair of the Children’s Society between 2004 and 2010 and Convener of the Bishops in the House of Lords, between 2009 and 2015, where he spoke regularly on public policy issues especially on Welfare Reform and inter-faith relations. In 2015 he was responsible for planning and leading the events surrounding the re-interment of Richard lll in Leicester Cathedral. Tim is now on the global governance board of St John International and a trustee of the Woolf Institute in Cambridge which researches and supports understanding between Jews, Christians and Muslims.
A voyage from Malta to the Canary Islands including the Lost Cities of North Africa aboard the MS Island Sky
A voyage from Gibraltar to Naples aboard the MS Hebridean Sky in association with Criterion Travel & the Archaeological Institute of America
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000