Timeless Islands of the Mediterranean: Palermo to Nice Aboard Sea Cloud II

Step aboard Sea Cloud II and discover the wonders of lesser-known Mediterranean islands off the dazzling coast of Italy and France.

Sail the vivid blue waters of the Mediterranean as you venture to culturally rich islands off the coast of Italy and France. Witness Roman remains decked with mosaic details as you wander the cobblestone streets of Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari. View the rugged cliffs of Corsica as you sail towards the French Island. Walk in the footsteps of Napoleon with an expert-guided tour of Villa Sa Martino, followed by a privately held wine tasting overlooking panoramic vineyard views. Transfer to the nearby village of Portofino for a guided walking tour and a visit to Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta, a picturesque center surrounded by artisan shops and pastel-painted buildings. In Genoa, meet experts for a behind-the-scenes tour at Villa del Principe, the grand palazzo of Genoa’s powerful 16th-century admiral.

Highlights

Experience the romance of a bygone era aboard Sea Cloud II as you cruise the Mediterranean’s vividly blue waters to some of its most historically important yet less well-known islands
In Sardinia, join expert guides to explore Nora’s remarkably preserved ruins, including a second-century A.D. Roman theater and intricate mosaic floors, revealing layers of contributions from its Punic, Roman, and Byzantine rulers
Stand on deck as Sea Cloud II approaches French Corsica and Bonifacio‘s medieval citadel perched atop 200-foot-tall white limestone cliffs, stepping ashore for an inside look at its 12th-century churches
On the island of Elba, enjoy an expert-guided tour of Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s residence during his exile, followed by a private tasting at a historic vineyard with sweeping Mediterranean views
In Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus, meet experts for guided looks at its Renaissance and Baroque treasures, including 17th-century frescoes inside the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato

Lecturer

Jennifer Dasal

Lecturer

Jennifer Dasal is an art historian, curator, lecturer, and author. After stumbling into an art history class as an undergraduate student at UC Davis, Jennifer was hooked. She went on to complete an M.A. in Art History from University of Notre Dame, and completed PhD coursework in art history at the Pennsylvania State University. She is the former curator of modern and contemporary art at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), where she worked for thirteen years. She is the author of “The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Epoque Paris,” which was released in July of 2025. She’s also the creator and host of the ArtCurious Podcast, which was chosen as one of PC Magazine’s Best Podcasts of the Year for three years in a row (2018-2020).

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