Seabourn Sojourn
May 7, 2025

Monte Carlo, Monaco, offers docking at Monte Carlo Port. Travelers explore Prince’s Palace and Casino de Monte-Carlo. Excursions visit Eze’s medieval village. Local markets sell pissaladière. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures yachts and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes bouillabaisse, a Monégasque favorite. Souvenirs, like perfume crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Grimaldi history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance village walks. Monte Carlo’s luxurious charm offers a vibrant Monégasque stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of opulent landmarks and scenic Riviera, making Monte Carlo an engaging destination.

Portoferraio, Elba, Italy, offers docking at Portoferraio Port. Travelers explore Napoleon’s Villa dei Mulini and old town’s fortifications. Excursions visit Biodola Beach for swimming. Local markets sell cantuccini. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures Tuscan architecture and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes cacciucco, an Elban favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Napoleon’s exile history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Portoferraio’s historic charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of Napoleonic history, scenic beaches, and island culture, making Portoferraio an engaging destination for exploring Elba’s Tuscan heritage.

Amalfi, Italy, anchors offshore with tenders to Porto Amalfi, a 5-minute ride to the town center on the Sorrento Peninsula. The village, population 5,000, centers on Piazza Duomo, where the 9th-century Cathedral of St. Andrew houses bronze doors from 1066. Travelers stroll Via Lorenzo for ceramics shops and lemon groves. Excursions to Ravello, 15 minutes uphill, visit Villa Rufolo’s 13th-century gardens. Positano, 30 minutes by boat, offers pebbly beaches and pastel houses. Local boats access Emerald Grotto, a sea cave with stalactites, 20 minutes away. Markets sell limoncello and sfogliatella pastries. Peak season May to September; taxis 10-20 EUR. Dining includes scialatielli (seafood pasta) at harborside trattorias. Souvenirs feature hand-painted ceramics. Coastal paths suit short hikes.

Giardini di Naxos, Sicily, has docking at Giardini Naxos Port with excursions to Taormina. Travelers explore Taormina’s Greek Theatre and Mount Etna views. Excursions visit Castelmola’s hilltop village. Local markets sell cannoli. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures ancient ruins and volcanic landscapes. Dining onboard includes pasta alla Norma, a Sicilian dish. Souvenirs, like ceramic tiles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sicilian history. Light clothing suits the Mediterranean climate. Sturdy shoes enhance ruin walks. Giardini di Naxos’ scenic beauty offers a vibrant Sicilian stop, blending ancient heritage with coastal charm.

Valletta, Malta, offers docking at Valletta Port. Travelers explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Excursions visit Mdina’s medieval walls. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Baroque architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Knights of Malta history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Valletta’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Maltese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic harbors, making Valletta an engaging destination.

Mgarr, Malta, provides docking at Mgarr Port on Gozo. Travelers explore the Ġgantija Temples, a UNESCO site, and Dwejra’s Azure Window site. Excursions visit Victoria’s Cittadella fortress. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for historic tours. Photography captures limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Gozo’s prehistoric history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance temple walks. Mgarr’s ancient and scenic charm offers a serene Maltese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a blend of archaeological treasures, fortified cities, and coastal beauty, making Mgarr a delightful destination for exploring Gozo’s unique heritage and tranquil Mediterranean landscapes.

Returning to Valletta — see Day 5 above for port info.

St. Tropez, France, offers docking at St. Tropez Port. Travelers explore Vieux Port and Citadelle de Saint-Tropez. Excursions visit Gassin’s vineyards. Local markets sell tarte tropézienne. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures yacht-filled harbors and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes bouillabaisse, a Provençal favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Riviera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance village walks. St. Tropez’s glamorous charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of chic harbors and scenic beauty, making St. Tropez an engaging destination for exploration.

La Ciotat, France, has docking at La Ciotat Port. Travelers explore Parc du Mugel’s botanical gardens. Excursions visit Cassis’ calanques for boat tours. Local markets sell lavender soap. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures Mediterranean shores and cliffs. Dining onboard includes bouillabaisse, a Provençal dish. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Provençal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance coastal walks. La Ciotat’s coastal charm offers a serene French stop, blending nature with Mediterranean allure.

Palamos, Spain, offers docking at Palamos Port. Travelers explore the medieval old town and Fishing Museum. Excursions visit Girona’s Gothic cathedral. Local markets sell gambas de Palamós. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Costa Brava beaches and historic streets. Dining onboard includes fideuà, a Catalan dish. Souvenirs, like ceramics, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Catalonia’s history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance town walks. Palamos’ coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of maritime heritage, scenic beaches, and medieval history, making Palamos an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Costa Brava and cultural richness.

Barcelona, Spain, offers docking at Barcelona Port. Travelers explore Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Excursions visit Montserrat Monastery. Local markets sell paella. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures Gaudí architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes tapas, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Catalan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Barcelona’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modernist landmarks and scenic coasts, making Barcelona an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Catalan region.