6 Days “Christmas” Cruise

From Genoa, Marseilles, Palma de Mallorca, Bizerte, Palermo, Naples, ending at Genoa.

Onboard “Coral”

From March 06 to November 13

Genoa, Italy
Genua was a city of the ancient Ligurians. Its name is probably .Ligurian, meaning "knee", i.e. "angle", from its geographical position, thus akin to the name of Geneva. Or it could derive from the Celtic root genu-, genawa (pl. genowe), meaning "mouth",i.e., estuary, or from the Latin word of Celtic origin "ianua", meaning "door". Part of the old city of Genoa was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 The main features of central Genoa include Piazza De Ferrari,around which are sited the Opera and the Palace of the Doges.There is also a house where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.

Marseilles, France*
For 2,600 years, Marseilles has been a port: from Massalia, the Phocean city, to Marseilles gateway to the East, maritime adventure and the rapid expansion of trade in the 19th century are evoked from the Old Port. The large historic buildings representing many political and religious symbols, which tell the story of the city can be seen on this itinerary. These are all there: Saint Victor Abbey, Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, the cathedrals, Palais Longchamps, and the famous Old Port with The Canebière. Also, you can see all the large residences, villas or mansions, chose the exceptional site of the Corniche: architectural surprises, extravagance or elegance, splendid views of the sea, Castle of If, can be seen everywhere

Palma de Mallorca, Spain
From the port, a short motor coach drive admiring the olive trees and the local vegetation will transport you to Valldemossa, one of the most beautiful villages of Majorca. Located on the western area of the island and at almost 400 m. above the sea level.

Its origin goes back to the times when the Arabs were establishing their first farmsteads, although some traces of prehistoric settlements have also been found. Once in Valldemossa, you will visit La Cartuja, built as a hunting lodge at the beginning of the fourteenth century by the King Sancho. But finally in 1400 was progressively transformed into a monastery inhabited by Carthusian Monks. A small chapel, an ancient pharmacy, the prior's cell with a private oratory, a library that houses the monk's books and manuscripts, and other monk's cells that shows their way of life, will be discovered by you during the course. A ten minutes piano concert will be the perfect ending to the view to this village, considered like a balm to the spirits.

Promenade reaching the Bellver Castle, one of the most important examples of Gothic civil architecture in Mallorca. It was built by Jaume II at the beginning of the 14th century. It was conceives as a defensive redoubt and royal residence. But it became most famous, or infamous, as a prison, from the Middle Ages until the Civil War. Next stop will be at the Cathedral which presides the city and frames its silhouette. Constructed between the 13th and the 14th century it is one of the finest pure Gothic examples of the continent. The visit to the Cathedral's Museum can not be passed by as it contains interesting works of Gothic painting.

Next to it stands the Almudaina Palace, a monument which was converted from an Arab fortress into the residence of the Kings of Mallorca. Guides will point out the most important aspects of this monument from the outside. Next, you will pass by the Bull Ring and after you will be driven to the ship.

Bizerte, Tunisia
You begin your drive, in the company of a local guide , along the coast to the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. This is an artist's paradise, with blue and white sugar-cube houses scattered across the hillside above the sea. There will be time to stroll and admire the typical architecture and local handicrafts , or to relax in one of the local tea houses with some delicious mint tea. Just down the hill from Sidi Bou Said lie the impressive ruins of Carthage. According to legend, the city of Carthage was founded in 800 B.C. by the Phoenicians, and it was from here that Hannibal began his journey. It was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C., then refounded by Julius Caesar and eventually became the Empire's second city after Rome.

Palermo, Italy
Palermo (Sicilian: Palermu, Greek: Panormus) is a historic city in southern Italy, the capital of the autonomous region Sicily and the province of Palermo. The city is noted for its rich history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old. Palermo is located in the north-west of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The city was founded by the Phoenicians, but named by the Ancient Greeks as Panormus meaning all port. Palermo became part of the Roman Republic and eventually part of the Byzantine Empire, for over a thousand years. For a brief period it was under Arab rule where it first became a capital. Following the Norman reconquest, Palermo would become capital of a new kingdom from 1130 to 1816 the Kingdom of Sicily. Eventually it would be united with the Kingdom of Naples to form the Two Sicilies until the Italian unification of 1860.
The metropolitan area of Palermo is the fifth most populated in Italy and in the top eighty of the largest in all of Europe with around 1.2 million people. In the central area, the city itself has a population of around 670 thousand people, the inhabitants are known as Palermitans or poetically panormiti, the languages spoken by its inhabitants are the Italian language and the Sicilian language.
The religion of Roman Catholicism is highly important in Palermitan culture, the patron saint of the city is Saint Rosalia, her feast day on July 15 is perhaps the biggest social event in the city. The area attracts significant amounts of tourists each year and is widely known for its colourful fruit, vegetable and fish market at the heart of Palermo

Naples, Italy
Ancient and rich town of the Oscan period, Pompei represents a magnificent and historical example of life in the 1st century A.C. The town was entirely covered by the ashes of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.C. The excavations started in the XVIIth century and have brought to light items of immeasurable value. At the pier you will be met by your local guide and by coach you will reach Pompei in approximately 45 minutes. The tour of the excavations starts from Porta Marina, the gate to the forum that was the economical and political centre of the town. Afterwards you will walk through the remains of some ancient shops and homes. You will proceed visiting the Roman Baths. Afterwards drive back to the ship.

Genoa, Italy
Genua was a city of the ancient Ligurians. Its name is probably .Ligurian, meaning "knee", i.e. "angle", from its geographical position, thus akin to the name of Geneva. Or it could derive from the Celtic root genu-, genawa (pl. genowe), meaning "mouth",i.e., estuary, or from the Latin word of Celtic origin "ianua", meaning "door". Part of the old city of Genoa was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 The main features of central Genoa include Piazza De Ferrari,around which are sited the Opera and the Palace of the Doges.There is also a house where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.