Trying to step out of our consolation zone, we agreed to spend 12 nights within the Mediterranean on a luxurious yacht holding solely 165 passengers. This example could be a dream come true for some. Nevertheless, we mega-ship fans had been not sure how we’d survive the confines of the 8-deck, 10K gross ton ship for almost two weeks. Effectively, we’re again and sharing our experiences of what yachting via the Med is like in our Atlas Ocean Voyages assessment.
What’s a Small Ship Cruise within the Med Actually Like? Our Atlas Ocean Voyages Overview
Life Onboard Atlas Ocean Voyages World Traveller
The Mediterranean is one in all our favourite cruise locations. The truth is, we spent two weeks within the area on Superstar Past final yr to have a good time our anniversary and had a unbelievable time. However crusing on a a lot smaller vessel within the area was new for us.
Nevertheless, we had been no strangers to Atlas Ocean Voyages. Our first introduction to this luxe-adventure cruise line was in November 2023. On an Antarctica expedition, we spent 9 nights onboard the cruise line’s latest vessel, World Voyager.
Atlas Ocean Voyages did a unbelievable job throughout all the expedition. So, we had no worries about crusing with the cruise line once more. Good for this sort of cruise expertise, we did have our reservations about crusing such a small vessel on a extra conventional cruise itinerary although.
Whereas Polar Expeditions are all about exploring the extra distant landscapes of Antarctica and the Arctic, Atlas Ocean Voyages positions its Mediterranean voyages as Epicurean Expeditions. These food-focused cruises embrace visitor audio system, cooks, and different themed occasions. The itinerary additionally appealed to us, because the ship is ready to go to many ports that bigger cruise ships can’t. The truth is, most of the locations on this 12-day voyage had been fully new for us.
What’s Included on Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Sailings
Like different manufacturers within the luxurious cruise area, the Atlas cruise fare covers most onboard facilities like eating and drinks. It additionally consists of free pre-paid gratuities, a cultural immersion expertise, and extra.
All onboard eating, together with 24-hour room service, is included. The Lisboa Restaurant on deck 4 is house to every day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Atlas Ocean Voyages additionally gives an alternate restaurant, the 7 Aft Grill, throughout Mediterranean cruises. Situated on the pool deck, this outside venue offers a definite lunch with {custom} burgers and sandwiches. At evening, this al fresco restaurant turns into the ship’s steakhouse.
Additional, alcoholic drinks, together with beer, home wines, and cocktails, are complimentary. Some premium spirits and bottles of wine can be found for buy, however there’s actually no have to improve except you take pleasure in a selected premium wine or spirit. All premium non-alcoholic drinks, comparable to espresso-based drinks, teas, gentle drinks, and mocktails, are additionally complimentary. There’s even a free stocked mini-bar in all staterooms.
Like most cruise ships, visitors have entry to different onboard services all through the cruise which can be largely free to make use of as properly.
Onboard Facilities
Not all public areas had been operable once we sailed with Atlas Ocean Voyages in Antarctica given the climate circumstances. So, we had been able to reap the benefits of every little thing World Traveller needed to provide throughout this summer time cruise within the Mediterranean.
Whereas small, the ship nonetheless options many cruise staples. There’s a predominant eating room, espresso store, spa, health middle, operating observe, a pool, sizzling tub, bars and lounges, and an auditorium for every day enrichment.
World Traveller boasts a pool and whirlpool on deck 7 midship. Simply steps from the pool is the pool bar, which started serving drinks at 11 AM every day. Close by, there’s additionally a self-serve ice cream cart for a bit snack whereas lounging poolside.
The jogging observe is on deck 8. Given the ship’s small footprint, it takes 12 occasions to achieve one mile across the observe. There are additionally just a few stations with exercise gear scattered round this high deck.
One of many two predominant lounges contained in the ship, The Dome commentary lounge, is on deck 7 ahead. This area options numerous pure gentle and scenic views. There’s a big cocktail record and pleasant bar workers able to take your order. The outside viewing space ahead of The Dome gives unbelievable views overlooking the ship’s bow. I sat right here many mornings, watching us sail into the subsequent picturesque port of name.
Whereas there are primarily staterooms on decks 5 and 6, there are additionally just a few outside public areas. Ahead on deck 5 is the Water’s Edge. We utilized this area extra throughout our Antarctica crusing than on this cruise. However this viewing platform on the ship’s bow is one other glorious spot to unwind and watch the ocean views nearer to water stage.
As well as, there are two outside areas that many visitors overlook about aft on these decks. Throughout our cruise, I spent a while admiring the wake views from right here whereas conversing with some newfound associates. Whereas the deck plans label the deck 5 aft area because the Zephyr Lounge, there isn’t any bar service right here. Each areas solely provide numerous seating preparations to chill out and socialize.
Again inside, deck 4 is the hub of exercise on the ship. The portside has a health middle open till 11 PM, that includes some free weights and cardio machines. The starboard facet has a sauna with close by loungers open most days till 10 PM. Whereas the sauna and loungers are free to make use of, there’s additionally a spa with two remedy rooms providing quite a lot of therapeutic massage providers for an upcharge.
On deck 4, there’s additionally the Atlas Lounge and the Americo Vespucci Auditorium. The auditorium is used for lectures and different edu-tainment all through the voyage. The Atlas Lounge is the second predominant indoor bar the place many congregate for pre-dinner drinks. This area can be used for quite a lot of occasions in the course of the journey.
With solely 165 visitors onboard, there have been a number of occasions when most of the public areas had been empty. Thus, it usually felt like we had all the yacht all to ourselves. This was a drastic departure from the often-crowded areas of even essentially the most well-designed mega-ships.
Onboard Actions
With a brand new port of name every single day, and restricted leisure areas, there weren’t as many scheduled actions as you’d discover on bigger cruise ships. On our one sea day, the cruise director Julie hosted a trivia session. On one other night, there was a recreation of Title that Tune in The Dome. There was additionally an unhosted chess membership, Afternoon Tea, Dancing Beneath the Dome, reside music, and port talks.
The Dome hosted tea time most days from 4 to five PM. Friends may assist themselves to numerous premium teas whereas ordering from a small menu of treats.
Every night between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, the Land Program supervisor gave a port vacation spot discuss, previewing the subsequent day’s vacation spot. Although, we didn’t assume they had been very informative.
From there, The Dome provided gentle music, cocktails, and canapes from round 6:30 PM or 6:45 PM. Dinner began at 7:30 PM, and extra reside music with Piano Paul was again in The Dome at 9:30 PM. Nonetheless, it’s a far cry from the various music choices you’d discover on extra modern cruise strains.
On just a few events, the cruise director, Julie, carried out musical numbers as properly. We bought a sneak peek at her vocals on evening 2 in the course of the Captain’s Reception. However, she wowed the gang on evening 5 along with her reside session at 9:45 PM in The Dome. In a while within the cruise, she carried out a pre-dinner Broadway set, and the next evening, she capped it off along with her Dancing Beneath the Dome present.
Except for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Farewell Cocktail, the Atlas Lounge additionally hosted the crew expertise present on evening 10. It’s at all times a enjoyable time watching these workers members sing, dance, and carry out different abilities.
These occasions had been the one leisure on our 12-day Atlas Ocean Voyages journey. Nevertheless, there have been another actions related to these Epicurean Expeditions that got here largely within the type of reside cooking demos, lectures, and tastings.
We might have loved extra native leisure choices like we’ve skilled on different strains like Windstar or Viking.
Epicurean Expedition Occasions
This Epicurean Expedition featured 4 visitor presenters and/or cooks together with a culinary-centric record of enrichment actions together with epicurean displays; reside cooking demonstrations; tastings of chocolate, wine, and honey; and even a market go to with the chef.
Among the many featured specialists was the Style and Traditions Skilled, Grasp Foodie Mara Papatheodorou. This former editor of Bon Appetit Journal hosted lectures within the auditorium. Together with the featured visitor cooks, Mara additionally co-hosted different tastings and culinary classes within the Atlas Lounge and The Dome. Mara was personable and had a wealth of data. She additionally participated in some shore excursions, including taste and context wherever we visited.
The opposite featured presenters had been Government Chef Marcello Zaccaria from Academia Barilla, Gastronomic Visitor Julieta Davey, and Visitor Lecturer Brian Liss. They hosted lectures, cooking demonstrations, and tastings as properly to spherical out the onboard actions. Whereas we actually loved Chef Marcello’s cooking demos and menu objects, we aren’t fairly positive that the opposite two presenters match on this Mediterran itinerary.
Although, my private favourite exercise was the Yachtsman Cookoff competitors. I donned an apron with one other author to see if we may take the title of greatest pasta salad in a reside visitor cooking present. Effectively, perhaps extra like a preparation present as no heating parts had been concerned. Sadly, we didn’t take house the successful bottle of wine. Possibly subsequent time.
Eating Onboard Atlas Ocean Voyages
Breakfast and Lunch within the Fundamental Eating Room
Except for restricted leisure choices, one other downside of small-ship crusing is the restricted choices for eating.
Most meals happen in the primary eating room, the Lisboa Restaurant on deck 4 aft. For breakfast, the restaurant serves a buffet with a small menu of made-to-order choices like omelets. The meals was normal for breakfast, and we had no points discovering one thing to eat the few mornings we dined right here.
For lunch, the restaurant gives rotating menu choices. There was a salad bar, meats and cheeses, and a {custom} Caesar salad station every day. The carving station provided completely different alternatives most days, like a roast pig or slow-cooked strip loin. The remaining entrees and facet dishes different every day, with normally a hen, beef, pork, or fish entrée.
Whereas I by no means had a problem discovering one thing to eat, there have been a number of days Heidi solely had some recent fruit and cheese for lunch. It will have been good to have objects like burgers, grilled hen sandwiches, or different lunchtime fare right here. Maybe a small made-to-order menu with normal alternatives for lunch as properly.
Dinner within the Fundamental Eating Room
At evening, this predominant eating room incorporates a conventional multi-course sit-down meal. It’s open seating from 7:30 to 9 PM every evening with no set desk project. Whereas it was too sizzling for us to reap the benefits of on this crusing, there’s additionally an outside seating space for an al fresco meal with wake views.
The cruise line has fully revamped dinner menus since our final journey on Atlas Ocean Voyages. And we’re blissful to report that the modifications are for the higher. Whereas the menus provide a number of native specialties, the worldwide delicacies targeted on extra than simply Mediterranean and European fare. For example, different entrees just like the Mongolian beef added some dimension and spice to the menu.
The nightly menus function a rotating Plant-Based mostly part, At all times Out there dishes together with rib-eye, salmon, and plant-based steak, a rotating Dinner Menu, a Native Market Dish, and a Portuguese Alma choice.
Nevertheless, a few of the tastiest dishes had been the regional specialties just like the Seared Swordfish from Sicily or the Rooster Piccata when departing Civitavecchia, Italy. One other stand-out dish was the selfmade Italian Gnocchi obtainable each evening.
Visitor Chef Marcello Zaccaria’s custom-made pastas had been maybe the most effective a part of being on this Epicurean Expedition. This grasp chef held cooking demonstrations and ready a number of signature pasta dishes in the beginning of the cruise. Among the many irresistible, al dente alternatives had been the Pasta Alla Norma and the Trofie Alla Pesto Genovese. We solely wished he was onboard for all the crusing.
Paula’s Pantry
In addition to the primary eating room, there have been simply two different eateries onboard.
Within the morning and afternoon, the ship’s resident espresso store, Paula’s Pantry, gives fast bites. The breakfast objects right here embrace danishes, muffins, and the tasty ham and cheese toasties. These had been nice to rapidly snag earlier than heading ashore.
Coming again within the afternoon, Paula’s Pantry was our go-to for a caffeine repair and typically a tiny sandwich, quiche, or freshly made cookies. Whereas the pastries and snacks had been good, we’d have appreciated a greater collection of pre-made sandwiches, as many had been repetitive and never all that appetizing.
Whatever the time of day, this venue serves espresso-based drinks, premium teas, frappes, and freshly squeezed juices. On most days, the espresso store was open from 6:30 AM to six:30 PM.
Paula’s Pantry additionally incorporates a self-serve Vero water station the place visitors may refill their reusuable water bottles any time of day.
7AFT Grill
Except for the primary eating room, the one different sit-down venue is situated poolside. The 7AFT Grill serves a buffet lunch with most of the identical menu objects which can be additionally obtainable in the primary eating room together with a menu of made-to-order objects.
This outside eatery is house to a Jasper grill, which provides the freshly seared menu objects additional taste. The lunch menu options freshly ready sizzling canine, hamburgers, and private pizzas on the grill. These lunch alternatives had been extra of our fashion. However given the warmth, we didn’t at all times need to eat exterior in the midst of the day.
At evening, the 7AFT Grill is the resident steakhouse which is complimentary to all visitors, however reservations are required. Heidi couldn’t resist the Chef’s Cobb Salad as a starter. I went off script and requested for a half order of the Do-it-yourself Louisiana Crawfish Ravioli. The ravioli was delicate, with a creamy sauce and only a little bit of kick. Nevertheless, I didn’t understand that this entrée, which I ordered as a starter, additionally got here with a complete lobster tail!
My rib-eye steak was flavorful and juicy, cooked to a medium temperature. It was greater than satisfying after consuming my extra-large app. This steakhouse has a normal lineup of sides and desserts as properly, making it a welcomed change from the primary eating room.
Room Service
As we talked about beforehand, 24-hour room service is obtainable for all visitor staterooms. So after all, we needed to take a look at out the 2 menus.
For breakfast, visitors may order any merchandise on the predominant restaurant and have it delivered to their stateroom. Omelets, pancakes, French toast, and different continental objects had been among the many alternatives.
One other good perk is that the cruise line will allow you to place your breakfast order exterior in your door as late as 2 AM. You can too request breakfast supply at anytime within the morning. So, it was a pleasant deal with after sleeping in on day 4 to take pleasure in our breakfast on the balcony in Good, France, with the French Riviera as our backdrop.
The all-day room service menu consists of only some choices, and it was a bit hit and miss. We sampled a grilled hen Caesar wrap, a {custom} hamburger, and a flatbread pizza. The pizza was higher than our vegan pizza throughout our Antarctica crusing however nonetheless nothing to jot down house about. Whereas I loved my burger, Heidi’s sandwich was drenched in dressing and contained largely lettuce.
Stateroom
For this Mediterranean cruise, we stayed in stateroom 514, a veranda stateroom situated ahead of the ahead elevators on the ship’s portside.
Provided that the ship’s public areas are largely discovered on decks 4 and seven, it was by no means a far stroll up or down from our stateroom to wherever on the ship. Though, there are each ahead and midship elevators for these with restricted mobility.
In accordance with the Atlas Ocean Voyages’ web site, this veranda stateroom measures 270 sq. toes, together with the balcony. It felt noticeably bigger than the balcony staterooms we’re accustomed to on modern cruise strains.
Instantly upon coming into our room, the toilet was to the left. Throughout the best way was the closet. For a stateroom of this dimension, the closet lacked adequately-designed space for storing. There have been three small garments bars with hangers, a collection of small cabinets, and two drawers. However, our packing cubes didn’t match properly on the cabinets and there wasn’t a superb place to retailer footwear.
Nevertheless, the luxurious lavatory with marble finishes was actually an improve by way of dimension and facilities. The self-importance provided loads of counter area, and there was satisfactory storage for all of our merchandise with the extra three cabinets over the bathroom.
The primary point of interest of this upgraded lavatory although is the walk-in mosaic bathe with a rainfall showerhead and physique jets, which had been enjoyable after a protracted day ashore. The toilet additionally options premium L’OCCITANE merchandise, so there’s no have to pack any toiletries from house.
The mattress was situated after the closet and loo, adopted by a small seating space and desk earlier than the balcony.
The queen-sized mattress was on the midship wall going through ahead, trying instantly on the giant flat-screen tv. We by no means had any points falling asleep after exploring that day’s port of name with the luxurious Portuguese cotton linens by Lameirinho.
Moreover, there was a nightstand on both sides of the mattress. Although, just one facet incorporates a USB outlet for charging units in a single day.
Now, when in comparison with our Horizon Stateroom (assume infinite balcony) throughout our Antarctica voyage, the desk and seating space had been noticably smaller affording that additional sq. footage from the inside of the cabin to the outside balcony area.
The desk had simply sufficient counter area for Heidi to prepare, whereas additionally housing a Nespresso espresso maker and Kusmi Teas. The mini-fridge, stocked often as a part of the cruise fare, can be underneath the desk. This implies there are not any drawers or further storage compartments situated right here.
Throughout from the desk are two outsized chairs and a small desk. This grew to become our workstation within the afternoon or our spot for some room service within the morning. This space felt tight, undoubtedly making us miss the loveseat present in our earlier cabin.
The place this Veranda Stateroom lacks inside area, it makes up for it with devoted outside area. The balcony options two cushioned chairs and a spherical desk. Whereas the balcony prolonged all the width of the stateroom, it was a bit shallow.
Nonetheless, we loved having this area to step exterior to take movies and photographs of the ports of name. Nevertheless, we didn’t spend as a lot time on the balcony as we’d have anticipated. That is largely as a result of the temperatures had been simply too sizzling.
The massive advantage of this cabin sort is that we may step exterior onto the balcony and nonetheless preserve the remainder of the cabin cool. If we had a Horizon cabin this journey, I don’t assume we’d have used the window a lot as we wouldn’t have needed the air-con to close off within the stateroom.
Going Ashore With Atlas Ocean Voyages
This 12-day cruise included eleven ports of name and just one sea day. For sure, it was a packed itinerary. Provided that most of the ports had been cities we hadn’t visited but, we opted to do a shore tour or tour at virtually each cease.
Many of those smaller locations are locations few main cruise strains go to, so getting non-public excursions would have been tougher, and Heidi’s worst nightmare is simply wandering on our personal. Thus, we booked a majority of our shore excursions instantly with Atlas Ocean Voyages.
The standard of those excursions different tremendously. Whereas we loved lots of our excursions, some weren’t as marketed. Additionally, there have been few choices to select from at a number of ports.
Additional, the land program workers usually didn’t know a lot in regards to the ports of name or the provided excursions. We obtained inaccurate details about the excursions’ inclusions, length, and exercise stage a number of occasions. The tour begin occasions had been usually completely different than the occasions we booked as properly.
As a brand new cruise line, we do assume that Atlas Ocean Voyages has some work to do concerning its land program.
Nonetheless, we didn’t let this detract from our general expertise. We donned our strolling footwear and bought able to trek the cobblestone streets and infrequently uphill paths in 90-degree climate to discover these scenic destintations.
Atlas Ocean Voyages Mediterranean Itinerary
Portoferraio, Elba Island
After leaving the Civitavecchia (Rome) cruise port, World Traveller had a brief distance to sail. Our first port of name was Portoferraio, the biggest metropolis on Elba Island. This northern island, a part of the Italian Riviera, is house to a waterfront radiating with colourful buildings overlooking the ocean.
Like all shore excursions, we met on the designated time within the Atlas Lounge, solely to subsequently discover out that our tour had been canceled. So, we had the selection to discover on our personal or ebook the one remaining tour obtainable, Panoramic Elba.
Whereas we’re not normally followers of huge bus excursions, we determined to hop on this tour. This roughly 4 hour tour included two stops at small resort cities, Marina di Campo and Port Azzuro. Every cease included a quick narrated stroll of the city and a few free time. Together with a number of photographs, we made positive to seize our first gelato of the cruise whereas admiring the harbor views.
Porto Venere, Italy
Whereas all of the locations on the itinerary had been intriguing, we had been very enthusiastic about just a few ports, together with Porto Venere.
Whereas the city itself is gorgeous, we had our sights set on Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Reserving the Scenic Cinque Terre tour, we launched into a day-long tour winding via the seaside roads.
Our almost 8-hour tour took us to a few of the 5 small villages. It was an idyllic day within the Italian Riviera and positively a spotlight of our journey. Alongside the best way, our tour information made positive to overload us with details about the area and the villages we had been exploring: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Monterosso. This tour additionally included a 3-course lunch at a country farmhouse and vineyard.
Whereas it was a whirlwind day, the itinerary lived as much as our expectations and was as charming as we had hoped.
Good, France
Good, France was the one port we determined to discover independently. We deliberate to make amends for some sleep and revel in breakfast on the balcony earlier than our night cultural immersion tour. However after a morning of labor, FOMO set in. So, we spent a few hours within the afternoon strolling the picturesque shoreline of the French Riviera and Good’s previous city.
Every Epicurean Expedition features a cultural immersion occasion as a part of the cruise fare. This itinerary featured a Rooftop Aperitif Cocktails tour at 7 PM.
Perched on high of the AC Lodge Good, this rooftop retreat missed the seashore. The three-hour get together included reside jazz music, wine, and handed appetizers. Whereas I loved the tapas and drinks, Heidi may solely take the warmth and lack of air-con for thus lengthy.
Together with many different visitors, we hopped on one of many first shuttles again to the ship for much-needed air-con and yet one more spherical of drinks with associates earlier than calling it an evening.
Sète, France
The really useful tour on this French seaside metropolis was the Gastronomic Sète tour. This 3-hour strolling tour hugged the harbor as our information offered particulars in regards to the city and its in depth seafaring legacy and trendy seafood business.
Whereas Sète is understood for its native markets, they had been closed because it was a Sunday. Nonetheless, we had been in a position to get a small style of native octopus, oysters, biscuits, and naturally wine, at a small brassiere. Whereas Heidi just isn’t a fan of seafood, I’m at all times up for making an attempt something, at the least as soon as. Of all of the delicaces, I appreciated the octopus pie the most effective.
Alongside the best way, we additionally strolled the streets of this “Venice of France” to admire the seventeenth century structure. Maybe essentially the most placing a part of the tour was the water jousting. Sure, you learn that appropriately. On the primary canal, we had been handled to some rounds of this native sport.
Nonetheless, of all our excursions, this was our least favourite.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona was the one port the place we opted for a personal tour. Pre-cruise, we related with some associates touring on the journey too and secured a van with Spain Day Excursions for eight hours of exploring all the town provided.
Led by our superior driver and information, Marta, we began with a scenic cease at Montjuic, the place our orientation to the historical past and growth of Barcelona started.
From right here, we took a complete metropolis tour to numerous landmarks. Among the many highlights had been visits to Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and different Gaudi architectures like Casa Batllo and Casa Mila on the famed Passeig de Gracia.
We stopped at a neighborhood restaurant for lunch in Plaza Cataluña for some Spanish tapas, together with Iberian ham, croquettes, and potatoes bravos, earlier than persevering with our adventures exploring the Gothic Quarter, Port Olympic, and a drive via Las Ramblas.
This tour was a unbelievable orientation to the town, and we are able to’t wait to find extra of those neighborhoods on a return journey.
Menorca, Spain
Many Mediterranean cruises go to the bigger island of Palma de Mallorca within the Balearic Sea. However just some go to its smaller sister, Menorca. Figuring this could be one in all our few alternatives to go to the island, we booked the Flavors of Menorca tour.
Leaving Mahon, the place the ship was docked, we headed north to Fornelis. The city was waking up as our group wandered the cobblestone streets and absorbed views of the protected bay.
From right here, we went to a neighborhood cheese farm for a tasting. Whereas I don’t normally eat cheese and drink wine at 10:30 AM…when in Spain, do because the locals do!
Amongst our further stops was Mont Toro, the island’s highest level. Alongside the ascent, we heard the story of the statue of the Virgin Mary and the monks whose journey gave the mountain its identify. To cap issues off, we rapidly stopped at a neighborhood gin distillery adjoining to our ship to attempt some regionally produced spirits.
Porto Cervo, Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest Italian island within the Mediterranean and a well-liked vacationer vacation spot. The truth is, we stopped on the southern port of Cagliari on our Virgin Voyages cruise in 2022. Porto Cervo is on the northern finish, so we appeared ahead to seeing much more of the island.
With only some tour choices via the cruise line, we selected the extra encompassing Villages of Sardinia & Giants Tomb. In accordance with the outline, this tour included stops at two cities and a 3,000-year-old archaeological website of the Nuragic civilization.
However of all our excursions, this one felt essentially the most disjointed. It didn’t assist that our tour information was maybe the least enthusiastic or engaged. At our first cease in San Pantaleo, she walked us to the city middle with minimal narration and gave us 45 minutes to discover independently.
At our second cease, her overview of the Large’s Tomb and the historic civilization was extra informative. From right here, it was again on the bus for one more 20-minute trip to the final cease, the beautfiul seaside village of Baia.
Whereas planning to stroll round and take footage, some fellow vacationers invited us to hitch them for lunch. Provided that we hadn’t had any pizza our entire time in Italy, they made us a suggestion we couldn’t refuse.
Trapani, Sicily
Heidi and I had plans to go to the east coast of Sicily throughout our Mediterranean cruise in 2023. Nevertheless, that port of name was skipped as a result of sea circumstances delaying our departure from Civitavecchia. So, we had been excited to have the prospect to go to two locations on the island this time round.
Our first name on the island was Trapani. Whereas it was a brief stroll from the ship’s docking spot into city, we bought a shore tour to the historic city of Erice. The Enchanting Erice tour included a bus tour via Trapani and a semi-guided tour of Erice, situated a virtually half-mile climb up the mountain.
A number of cultures have influenced this eclectic city over time. From the Norman tower fortifications overlooking the ocean to the opposite touches of Hellenic tradition, the city’s medieval cobblestone streets, castles, and cathedrals had been mesmerizing.
Duing our roughly 2.5 hour go to on the village, we had some free time. So after all, we made positive to cease for cannoli and occasional granita. Whereas we felt a tad rushed, this was the proper ending to the tour and our first cease in Sicily.
Messina, Sicily
On the highest of our record whereas in Sicily was visiting Taormina. As a school pupil, my household did a tour of Italy that included two days on this well-known Italian resort city, and I remembered it as being probably the most enchanting locations I had visited.
With excessive expectations, we set out on the cruise line’s 4.5-hour Magical Taormina tour. It took about an hour to get to Taormina, following some temporary sightseeing by bus via Messina. Thus, we had about 2.5 hours to walk the primary streets and marvel on the fifteenth century structure.
First, our information took us alongside the colourful alleys and walkways, stating the extra outstanding buildings and landmarks alongside the best way. We took the trek as much as the Greek theater, which continues to be in use in the present day, as evidenced by the trendy stage and music rigging nonetheless current from a live performance that passed off the earlier evening.
After the guided tour, we had about 90 minutes of free time. This gave us sufficient time to pattern cannoli and gelato from the 2 retailers that our tour information really useful and do some buying.
Whereas stunning and memorable, the town was packed and appeared nothing like I remembered it from my go to near twenty years in the past. Having extra time right here would have been nice as properly.
Chania, Crete
We knew we’d be exhausted by the final day of the journey. So, we booked a shorter tour in Chania, the seaside cease in Crete. The two.5 hour Chania’s Archaeology and Venetian Harbor tour sounded excellent. But, we subsequently came upon that the tour length had modified to 4 hours.
So, we mustered up the vitality for one final tender trip ashore. As soon as on land, our information whisked us away towards the dockyards into the guts of the town. She identified the intersection of cultures and religions which have formed the island alongside the pretty lengthy stroll to a bus. We’d be taking a bus to the archaeological museum for a go to. That was information to us!
We then spent the subsequent 90 minutes within the newly designed Archaeological Museum of Chania in a close-by neighborhood. Our tour information was a bit intense and never very pleasant, nevertheless it rapidly grew to become clear that she was an avid historian and culturalist. Her narration of the artifacts weaving collectively themes and evolutions of civilizations was fascinating.
Though this tour wasn’t precisely what we had signed up for, we nonetheless had time afterwards to peruse the harbor earlier than returning to the ship.
Feedback
Have you ever sailed on Atlas Ocean Voyages? Are you a fan of small ship cruising? Drop us an anchor beneath along with your cruise opinions.
