A Historical Odyssey With Voyages of Discovery & Swan Hellenic

History enthusiasts and fans of the British Museum’s celebrated ‘Life and death in Pompeii and Herculaneum’ exhibition (running until September 29) can see the real ruins for themselves this year with Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic.  

Join Voyages of Discovery’s 15-day Mediterranean Medley cruise on September 12 to the Italian port of Castellammare di Stabia, where passengers can enjoy a guided tour of the ruined cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii on foot, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. Prices start from £1,399 per person (Saver Fare, based on two sharing an inside cabin).  

The voyage departs from Marseille and calls at Nice, Livorno, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Castellammare di Stabia, Messina, Brindisi, Ancona, Venice, Sibenik, Hvar and Dubrovnik (overnight). NB: The ‘Herculaneum and Pompeii’ excursion is subject to a supplementary charge of £75 per person.

Alternatively, join Swan Hellenic’s 14-day cruise, Through the Pillars of Hercules, on November 5. As well as visiting Pompeii, passengers will be able to listen to special guest lectures from Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, a renowned expert in archaeology. Other highlights of the cruise include a full day visit to the Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada and a chance to explore Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Prices start from £1,395 per person (Saver Fare, based on two sharing an inside cabin).  

The voyage departs from Naples (with an overnight stay), and calls at Catania, Palermo, La Goulette, Malaga, Cadiz, Funchal and Tenerife (overnight). 

Prices for both cruises include return flights, all overseas transfers, meals and entertainment and the Guest Speaker programme on board. Cabin numbers will not be allocated at the time of booking. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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Cruise the Moorish Mediterranean and stay in a Moroccan riad

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a unique opportunity to explore the history of the Mediterranean, combining the romance of a voyage through the Balearic Islands and Andalucia to Morocco with a stay in a beautiful riad in Marrakech.

This one-off cruise, on the line’s flagship, the five-masted square rigger Royal Clipper, departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on October 15.

After a day exploring the dramatic medieval fortress town of Bonifacio in Corsica, the ship sets a course to Mahon, Menorca (above), Lord Nelson’s chosen base for the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars. There’s a day in Ibiza, best known for its nightlife but actually rich in history, from its Carthaginian origins to 500 years of Moorish rule. Ibiza is especially lovely in autumn, when the summer crowds have left but the sea is still warm enough for swimming.

Royal Clipper next calls at Motril on southern Spain’s Costa Tropical, an easy hop from Grenada and the magnificent Alhambra Palace. Then there’s a day at Safi in Morocco, famous for its pottery, before disembarking in Casablanca and being transferred to Marrakech.

Here, in conjunction with short break specialist Kirker Holidays, guests will spend four nights in the Riad Kniza, an exquisite town house that has been restored by one of the city’s top antique dealers, situated in the heart of the old Medina, just minutes’ walk from the famous Djemaa el Fna Square.

The riad, built around three open air courtyards, has just 11 rooms, as well as a pool, traditional hammam and roof terrace. Marrakech is a wonderful city for browsing the tangled streets of the souks, walking along the massive ramparts, soaking up the carnival atmosphere of the Square, or taking day trips into the Atlas Mountains.

From £2,199 per person, including flights to Rome and from Marrakech; eight nights’ full board on Royal Clipper; four nights’ B&B at the Riad Kniza, a three-hour private tour of Marrakech, transfers and the services of a Kirker Holidays concierge.

For more information, please visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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