Sea & Music

Single supplements waived for selected Inside and Outside cabins!

Do you love fine classical music? Do you love cruising? Here is your chance to combine both with the legendary Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on board the luxurious Mein Schiff I.

From and back to Malta, this seven-night cruise of the eastern Mediterranean visits Istanbul, Kusadasi and Athens. In venues such as the Anadolu Auditorium (Istanbul), the Megaron Concert Hall (Athens) and under the stars in the ancient archaeological site of Ephesus there will be full orchestral concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Herbert Blomstedt, with soloists Rudolph Buchbinder (piano), Rainer Honeck (violin) and Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano). On board, as you cruise the Mediterranean, enjoy four chamber concerts by ensembles of the VPO, sit in on public rehearsals of the orchestra and mingle with the artists at ‘meet and greet’ and autograph sessions.

The cruise includes four excursions (Malta, Istanbul, Ephesus and Athens), on board lectures and all meals.

+ pre-tour to Sicily and Malta (10 days) or pre-tour to Malta (4 days)

Click here for Sea & Music brochure



Mein Schiff 1


Route of Mein Shiff 1


Vienna Philharmonic


Mediterranean Coastline

Ephesus Turkey


Before the cruise, you have a choice of our optional pre-tour to Sicily (Taormina, Etna and Syracuse) and Malta or a three-night Malta package.



Pre-tour to Sicily and Malta
(10 days)

Midway between Africa and Europe lie the Mediterranean lands of Sicily and Malta, rich in history, archaeology, culture and sunshine.
Because of their strategic locations, Sicily and Malta have been variously fought over and colonised by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Castilians, the Knights of St John, the Bourbons and the British.

Designed to complement the Sea & Music cruise, our 10-day tour explores the eastern coast of Sicily, before crossing by ferry to Malta. Enjoy three-night stays in the exclusive resort of Taormina and the Old Town of Siracusa, from where you will make excursions to Mount Etna, the ‘ceramic city’ of Caltagirone, ancient Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina and the Baroque town of Noto. In Malta, you will discover Valletta and Mdina, the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, the ‘Three Cities’ and the Blue Grotto, before boarding Mein Schiff I in the Valletta Grand Harbour.

Alternatively, you may join our three-night pre-cruise stay in Malta. Both these tours will be escorted by expert local guides, specialists in the long histories, extraordinary archaeology and fascinating cultures of these two islands.


Click here for Pre-tour to Sicily and Malta brochure



Valletta, Malta





ITINERARY

Tue 26 June 2012 / Depart Australia Depart SYD/MEL/BNE/PER on Emirates flights via Dubai. Overnight in flight.

Wed 27 June 2012/ Arrive Sicily 12.35pm Arrive Rome Airport (Terminal 3). After passing through EU immigration and customs, make your way to Terminal 1.

3.30pm Depart Rome on Alitalia flight AZ 1753 for Catania (Sicily), arriving at 4.45pm. After collecting your luggage, meet your local guide and transfer to Taormina (approx 50 km, 1 hr).

Check-in to your hotel, the Monte Tauro, located a few minutes walk from the centre of Taormina and featuring panoramic views of Naxos Bay and Mount Etna.

Evening welcome dinner with your local guide and fellow travellers. (D)

Thu 28 Jun / Taormina Dramatically perched on the side of Monte Tauro, with wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna, Taormina was first publicised by the German poet, Goethe, in the late 18th century. Since the opening of the first hotel in 1874, it has been one of the world’s most favoured and exclusive resort destinations. Taormina has remnants of its Greek and Roman habitation, a fine medieval quarter and castle ruins, and elegant galleries, shops and restaurants. Below the town are excellent beaches where you can swim in the clear sea water.

During a morning tour, see the splendid Greek Theatre, the Roman ‘Naumachiae’, the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolà, the 14th century Palazzo Corvaja, the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint Stefano, the public gardens and the ‘Badia Vecchia’ (Ancient Abbey). Following lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is at leisure to further explore Taormina on your own. (BL)

Fri 29 Jun / Taormina Full day at leisure to enjoy the sophisticated yet relaxed resort atmosphere of Taormina. Explore the elegant shopping along the famous Corso Umberto with its classical music cafes and pastry shops, visit art exhibitions held in local palazzi and churches, enjoy walks in the surrounding countryside or simply relax on the superb beaches. Your local guide will be on hand to assist with optional sporting or other activities (not included in tour price, additional cost may apply).

This evening, subject to performances, it may be possible to enjoy an open-air concert, opera or ballet in the Greek Theatre (not included in tour price, performances announced in 2012). (B)

Sat 30 Jun / Taormina – Etna – Siracusa Depart Taormina and travel to Mount Etna (subject to volcano activity). Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and the highest point on the island. The drive up the Mount Etna mountain slopes takes you through picturesque villages and an ever changing landscape. The lower slopes of the volcano are extremely fertile with groves of oranges, lemons and other Mediterranean flora and of course vines which produce Sicily’s best wines. During your tour of Mount Etna visit the Sylvester Craters located at an altitude of 1,800m and travel to 3,000m by cable car and 4WD.

After lunch at a restaurant on the slopes of Mount Etna, continue to Siracusa. (BL)

Sun 01 Jul / Siracusa The 2,700-year-old city of Siracusa is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the pre-eminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. Founded in 734 or 733 BC by Greeks from Corinth, Siracusa became a very powerful city-state, exerting influence over the entire Magna Grecia area of which it was the most important city. It later became part of the Roman Republic and Byzantine Empire. After this Palermo overtook it in importance, as the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily. Today the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Begin your exploration of Siracusa with a walk around the island of Ortigia, the historic centre of the city, rich in Baroque architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. See the Piazzo del Duomo, the Temple of Apollo, the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, the Basilica of Santa Lucia, the 13th century Maniace Castle, the Lacrime Church, the Spring of Arethusa and the catacombs of San Giovanni.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis with its wealth of ancient Greek and Roman ruins including a Greek amphitheatre, a Roman theatre, the Altar of Geron II, the Ear of Dionysius (formerly a limestone quarry) and the Paoli Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum, one of the most important archaeological museums in Italy. Its artefacts, found throughout Sicily, survey the Greek, Roman and early Christian epochs. (BL)

Mon 02 Jul / Siracusa Depart the coast for a full day tour to the hilly inland of Sicily. First visit Caltagirone, long famous for the production of pottery, particularly majolica and terra-cotta wares. Inhabited since pre-historical times, the city’s name derives from the Arabic ‘qal’at-al-ghiran’ (‘Hill of Vases’) because of the presence of vast necropolises throughout the territory. Almost completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693, many public and private buildings were reconstructed in Baroque style.
After lunch at a local farmhouse, continue to nearby Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman villa built in the first quarter of the 4th century and containing the world’s richest, largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics. (BL)

Tue 03 Jul / Siracusa – Malta Morning at leisure.

Early afternoon departure from Siracusa for the nearby town of Noto. The current town was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 and is famous for its fine buildings of the early 18th century, considered masterpieces of the richly decorated Sicilian Baroque style.

Continue to Pozzallo for dinner before embarking on an evening express ferry for Malta (departure at 9.30pm, arrival at 11.00pm). On arrival in Valletta, transfer to your hotel. (BD)

Wed 04 Jul / Malta Depart the hotel for a full day tour of Valletta and Mdina. Begin with a walking tour of Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Admire the panorama from the Upper Barracca Gardens, see the Auberge de Castile and Leon (office of the Prime Minister of Malta), the 16th century Grand Masters Palace and visit St John’s Co-Cathedral.

After lunch in Rabat, visit St Paul’s Grotto and walk into the ancient citadel of Mdina – Malta’s former capital city – also known as the ‘silent city’. During a walking tour of the narrow streets of Mdina, see the imposing bastions that command a magnificent view of most of the island and visit the Cathedral of Malta, dedicated to St Paul, patron saint of Malta.
Evening at leisure. (BL)

Thu 05 Jul / Malta Enjoy a morning excursion to the south of the island, visiting Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. The temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta’ Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta. These temples represent a unique architectural tradition that flourished on the Maltese Islands between 3600 and 2500BC.

Optional cruise to the Blue Grotto and its neighbouring system of caverns mirroring the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora (boat fee not included; weather permitting).
Afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Fri 06 Jul Malta – Sea & Music Morning at leisure.

Early afternoon departure from the hotel for a tour of the historical area known as the ‘Three Cities’: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. A drive past Cospicua will bring you to Vittoriosa where you walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic buildings and churches. From the old quay take a typical harbour ‘fregatina’ (traditional fishing boat) for a tour of the famous harbour creeks. In Senglea have a look from the beautiful ‘vedette’ placed in the centre of the Grand Harbour.
Following the tour proceed directly to Valletta Grand Harbour for embarkation on Mein Schiff I at 5.00pm. (B)

Pre-tour to Malta (4 days)

Mon 02 July 2012 / Depart Australia Depart SYD/MEL/BNE/PER on Emirates flights via Dubai and Larnaca. Overnight in flight.

Tue 03 Jul / Arrive Malta 1.20pm Arrive Malta. After passing through immigration and customs, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure before you meet your local guide and fellow travellers for dinner. (D)

Wed 04 Jul / Malta Depart the hotel for a full day tour of Valletta and Mdina. Begin with a walking tour of Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Admire the panorama from the Upper Barracca Gardens, see the Auberge de Castile and Leon (office of the Prime Minister of Malta), the 16th century Grand Masters Palace and visit St John’s Co-Cathedral.

After lunch in Rabat, visit St Paul’s Grotto and walk into the ancient citadel of Mdina – Malta’s former capital city – also known as the ‘silent city’. During a walking tour of the narrow streets of Mdina, see the imposing bastions that command a magnificent view of most of the island and visit the Cathedral of Malta, dedicated to St Paul, patron saint of Malta.
Evening at leisure. (BL)

Thu 05 Jul / Malta Enjoy a morning excursion to the south of the island, visiting Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. The temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta’ Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta. These temples represent a unique architectural tradition that flourished on the Maltese Islands between 3600 and 2500BC.

Optional cruise to the Blue Grotto and its neighbouring system of caverns mirroring the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora (boat fee not included; weather permitting).
Afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Fri 06 Jul / Malta – Sea & Music Morning at leisure.

Early afternoon departure from the hotel for a tour of the historical area known as the ‘Three Cities’: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. A drive past Cospicua will bring you to Vittoriosa where you walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic buildings and churches. From the old quay take a typical harbour ‘fregatina’ (traditioanl fishing boat) for a tour of the famous harbour creeks. In Senglea have a look from the beautiful ‘vedette’ placed in the centre of the Grand Harbour.
Following the tour proceed directly to Valletta Grand Harbour for embarkation on Mein Schiff I at 5.00pm. (B)