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Conflicts, Cures and Curiosities Cruise in the Mediterranean

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Tour leader
Natasha McEnroe
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Dates
18 Apr
28 Apr
2027

Set sail on the MS Monet, a classic small cruise ship taking only 50 guests. Throughout the cruise, enjoy private excursions and fascinating talks from your expert onboard lecturers, Natasha McEnroe and Simon Chaplin, that take you beyond the everyday.

Cruise from Naples up the coast to Gaeta and to the island of Elba, across to beautiful Corsica and down to Sardinia, crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sicily, and finish in Malta. Explore ancient ruins from Gaeta to Porto Empedocle, sample wine in Italian vineyards and honey on a honey farm, wander around medieval and Renaissance towns that have charmed visitors for centuries, and relax over delicious Italian lunches.

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Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
CRU0427-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural cruise
Profession
Medical History
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Nights
10
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Countries
3
Tour grade
Gentle
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Remaining places
0
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Naples, Italy
Sunday
,
18
April
Embark MS Monet and check in to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the tour group, followed by a drinks party as you sail out of Naples Harbour towards Gaeta.
2
Gaeta, Italy
Monday
,
19
April
Enjoy a walking tour visiting the medieval heart of Gaeta and wander through narrow stone alleys, discover hidden courtyards, and admire historic churches overlooking the sea. Continue to the majestic Castello Angioino-Aragonese, a fortress dominating the skyline with breathtaking coastal views. Set sail and hear a talk.
3
Elba, Italy
Tuesday
,
20
April
Sail into the historic port of Portoferraio, described by Nelson as the "safest port in the world." Explore Elba on a themed walking tour, starting at Villa di San Martino, the neoclassical summer residence that Napoleon acquired. Continue to Teatro dei Vigilanti, a historic theatre Napoleon commissioned inside a grand 17th-century church. Time at leisure before reboarding the ship.
4
Corsica, France
Wednesday
,
21
April
Board a little train for a panoramic ride through Bastia. Learn how Bastia’s geographic position and port activity shaped its history, including how it responded to plague outbreaks and infectious diseases in the past. Visit the Bastia Museum, for an overview of the city’s history, art, and heritage. Take a walking tour through Bastia’s oldest district. Option for a pm excursion inland.
5
Ajaccio, Corsica
Thursday
,
22
April
Day at leisure OR take the morning option of a guided walking tour of Ajaccio and Maison Bonaparte, and/or the afternoon option to drive to the stunning Prunelli Gorges and a local honey farm, with tastings. Return for lunch onboard the Monet.
6
Bonifacio, Corsica
Friday
,
23
April
Explore the impressive fortified town Bonifacio with a scenic mini-train ride from the pier, passing through the charming Bosco quarter. Learn about Bonifacio’s unique history as a strategic maritime stronghold. Return to the Monet for lunch.Depart for a scenic drive along Corsica’s rugged west coast to Sartène, often considered the most archetypal Corsican village perched on a rocky promontory.
7
Olbia, Sardinia
Saturday
,
24
April
Enjoy a relaxing morning on the beach in Olbia before setting sail in the afternoon. In the evening cruise the Maddalena Archipelago and learn of its maritime history.
8
Cagliari, Sardinia
Sunday
,
25
April
Discover the ancient city of Nora, a stunning seaside archaeological site where Phoenician, Roman, and Punic ruins reveal history through mosaics, temples, and a breathtaking coastline. After lunch at a local restaurant enjoy a charming walking tour through historic districts in Cagliari, from Castello to Marina, uncovering medieval towers and piazzas. Visit the Anatomical Wax Museum.
9
Trapani, Sicily
Monday
,
26
April
Afternoon visit to the shimmering Salt Flats in Paceco, an historic salt-producing landscape and protected wetland. Continue to the historic town of Marsala and enjoy a visit to a local winery. Tour the cellars, discover how authentic Marsala wine is crafted and enjoy a guided tasting. Return to the ship and hear a talk while cruising.
10
Porto Empedocle, Sicily
Tuesday
,
27
April
Visit Agrigento, Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sicily’s most extraordinary landmarks, offering a mesmerising blend of ancient Greek ruins, breathtaking vistas, and a rich cultural legacy. Lunch at a local restaurant. At leisure in the afternoon before returning to the port.
11
Valletta, Malta
Wednesday
,
28
April
Arrive in Valetta and disembark. Depart the tour or join the extension.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

From Naples to Valletta, journey around the Tyrrhenian Sea along the coastlines of Italy, Corsica and Sardinia and Sicily, exploring history that spans thousands of years.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

Napoleon themed visits
Elba and Ajaccio, Corsica

Explore Napoleon’s Elba in vivid detail on a themed walking tour from Villa di San Martino, Napoleon's neoclassical summer residence. Guided tour of Maison Bonaparte, his birthplace & family home.

Extraordinary archaeology
Nora, Italy

In Sardinia, discover the ancient city of Nora, a stunning seaside archaeological site where Phoenician, Roman, and Punic ruins reveal history through mosaics, temples, and a breathtaking coastline.

The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Agrigento, Sicily

One of Sicily’s most extraordinary landmarks, the Valley of the Temples offers a mesmerising blend of ancient Greek ruins, breathtaking vistas, and a rich cultural legacy.

Private charter on a small ship, MS Monet
Mediterranean

Cruise on a stylish, privately chartered small ship from Naples to Malta, with access to smaller ports.

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Beautiful landscapes

Tour gallery

Enrich your journey

Extend your holiday

Pre-tour

Naples
15–18 April 2027

Explore the heart of historic Naples, where churches, artisan shops, and pizzerias line the narrow streets, and the UNESCO World Heritage designated Archaeological Area of Pompeii. The pre-tour extension includes 3 nights’ accommodation, English speaking local guide throughout, visits and meals as per the itinerary, admission fees, transport and tips. See brochure for more details.

Post-tour

Malta
28 April – 1 May 2027

The post-tour extension includes 3 nights’ accommodation, English speaking local guide throughout, visits and meals as per the itinerary, admission fees, transport and tips. See tour brochure for more details.

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Gentle
Level 2

Easy walking at a mostly leisurely pace. Slightly more sightseeing and travel.

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Your expert companions

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If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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