Spirit of The Mediterranean
with Chef Eric Leterc

Optional Shore Excursions

Optional Shore Excursions Information

Spirit of The Mediterranean with Chef Eric Leterc will be offering optional private shore excursions during the 10-day cruise. Please see below for more information.

Optional Shore Excursions

(as of April 7, 2023, subject to change.)


Friday, June 30, 2023

Highlights of Minorca (10 AM - 4 PM)
One of the loveliest, unspoiled islands in the Mediterranean, Minorca teems with spectacular sights, such as the whitewashed town of Fornells, your first stop. This peaceful fishing village, whose bay is one of the largest natural harbors on the island, sits within a protected nature area. For centuries, the idyllic setting has inspired artists. Fresh seafood is another signature of Fornells, particularly its lobster stew. Continuing along the southern coast, you will make your way up the steep road to Monte Toro, the island's highest peak. The views from the top are truly breathtaking and in clear weather, you may see the eastern shore of Mallorca. You will also have time to visit the beautiful monastery, which is home to Franciscan nuns. Next , taste locally made cheese and Menorcan wines at Hort Sant Patrici, where time seems to be suspended, an oasis of peace in the middle of the Menorcan countryside. A farm that follows the tradition since its inception more than a hundred years ago. Lunch will be served in this unique settings before proceeding to Binibeca, a picturesque fishing village built in the old Arab style,. Here you will enjoy a stroll along the city's narrow cobbled streets and passageways, before returning to the ship. (6 hr tour duration)

Tour Cost: $240.00 per person (based on 30 - 40 travelers)

Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private coach
  • Guide: Private Guide provided
  • Meal: lunch included

  • Saturday, July 01, 2023

    Marseille – Truffle Hunt (8 AM - 7 PM)
    After our arrival at Marseille, we will depart by bus to Ventoux for a truffle hunt. At the bottom of Mont Ventoux, the Jaumard family has been roaming through their truffles’ fields for three generations. The first seeding has been made by Albert Jaumard, the grandfather, with the emergence of mycorrhized oaks in the seventies. From this family passion, they made it their trade. Enjoy a 2 hr truffle experience with an introduction to the truffle, truffle hunt and truffle aperitif (glass of wine and truffle toast)

    Continue to Arles, where the group is going to have lunch in a local restaurant where you will eat truly unique local specialties.

    After lunch we will start our walking tour of this wonderful city. Arles, two thousand years old, has managed to preserve an exceptional monumental heritage which makes it a true open-air museum. This famous touristic and cultural place opens its doors to you. You will see during this guided tour Roman Amphitheater (the Arena), the Roman Theater, Church of St. Trophime with its cloister and its church which are part of the way to Arles, one of the three ways leading to St. Jacques of Compostela. We will continue our visit by the Place du Forum and finally, the Roman Baths of Constantine. (11 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $328.00 per person (based on 40 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private coach
  • Guide: Tour manager provided
  • Meal: lunch included
  • Admission: Amphitheater, ancient Theater, Saint Trophime Cloister, Cryptoporticus (underground galleries, foundation of the ancient forum), Alyscamps (ancient roman and medieval graveyard, romanesque church), Baths of Constantine

  • Sunday, July 02, 2023

    Antibes – Grasse – Saint Paul de Vence (7 AM - 4 PM)
    Today, we travel to the mid evil walled city of Saint Paul de Vence.

    This private guided tour from Antibes' port takes you to the medieval village of Saint Paul de Vence, a fairytale village on the top of the mountain that should not be missed. (1 guide for each 15 guest) its winding alleyways, centuries-old stone cottages, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. This city is one of the best-preserved walled villages in southern France. The restaurant chosen for lunch will be determined by the total number of guests.

    Following Saint Paul de Vence, we will travel to Grasse, the world's perfume capital. Our visit to this enchanting town will be for Chocolate, not scents! You will have free time to explore the city center, which has been designated a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity site.(8 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $295.00 per person (based on 40 - 45 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private coach
  • Guide: Tour manager provided
  • Meal: lunch included

  • Monday, July 03, 2023

    Rome, Italy (7 AM - 7 PM)
    Today, we travel to Rome, often known as the Eternal City, which is Italy's capital. This full-day guided tour is designed to give you the most out of your time in Rome.

    Once we arrive in Rome we will start the walking tour with our guides (1 guide for each 15 guest) we will use whisper guides to ensure that you don’t miss any of the fascinating nuances on what is frequently referred to a the Baroque Tour of Rome. You will be introduced to the Spanish Steps and Bernini's stunning boat fountain, The Trevi Fountain, where you can choose to throw a coin into the fountain in the hope of returning to Rome. After leaving The Trevi Fountain, we'll travel through the streets to The Pantheon, a Roman temple dating back to 609 AD. Lunch will be served at Alfredo La Scrofa, the historic eatery where Fettuccine Alfredo was created!

    After lunch, we'll continue the tour to St. Peter's Square and the Vatican. After touring the Vatican, we'll pass the Colosseum and other sights, such the Roman Forum, before heading back to the ship.(12 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $250.00 per person (based on 40 - 44 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private coach
  • Guide: Assistant English-speaking provided (to/from Civitavecchia Port); guide at Baroque Rome, and internal guide at the Vatican museum
  • Meal: lunch included

  • Tuesday, July 04, 2023

    Amalfi/Positano, Italy (9 AM - 5 PM)
    Today, we travel to the Amalfi coast & Positano – the Jewel of the French Rivera.

    We will begin at the Pier, where we will meet our drivers, as we will be taking Mini Vans to Positano, as this is the most convenient way to effortlessly navigate this part of the Amalfi coast during the summer vacation period. After that, we'll meet our guides in Positano for a walking tour of this most famous and iconic village.

    Lunch today will be at Restaurant Lo Seraldino located steps from the Sea.

    On the way back to Amalfi, we will stop at The Emerald Grotto before continuing to Amalfi's Cathedral and ending the excursion with some time to shop in the city center before returning to the ship.(8 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $298.00 per person (based on 42 - 48 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private minivans
  • Guide: Private Guide provided
  • Meal: lunch included
  • Admission: Amalfi Cathedral & Emerald Grotto

  • Wednesday, July 05, 2023

    Syracuse (Sicily), Italy (8 AM - 4 PM)
    You will enjoy a guided tour of the splendid island of Ortygia, Syracuse's old town center. Located close to the mainland, it offers evidence from the Greek to the Baroque age. This tour will take you through the narrow streets and the most famous monuments: the Apollo temple, the Diana fountain, the cathedral, Santa Lucia alla Badia church and the legendary Aretusa fountain.

    We will complete the visit of Syracuse through its famous and unique historical market, where you will discover unique flavors of Sicily, which will make you enter the heart of the local tradition, walking through the stalls of the Ancient Market of Ortigia.

    You will be able to follow the scent of unique spices and delicacies such as oregano, saffron, olives, dried tomatoes, almonds, figs and walnuts from Etna. Let yourself be conquered by the bright colors of seasonal fruit and vegetables. You will discover signs and craft shops that have handed down their presence on the market from generation to generation. It will be a temptation to finally resist the various tastings offered by the vendors who will capture your attention with their songs.

    At the end of our visit, we will take you to a typical Trattoria, where you can taste specialties that you will only find in this splendid city, where flavours, colors and imagination will remain in your memories forever. Before returning to the ship you will have some free time to do some typical Sicilian shopping.(8 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $198.00 per person (based on 40 - 44 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Guide: Private Guide provided
  • Meal: lunch included
  • Admission: Cathedral


  • Friday, July 07, 2023

    Philippi & Kavala (10 AM - 5 PM)
    The ancient city of Philippi, now the most important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia, lies at the boundary of the marshes that cover the southeast part of the plain of Drama. The site was originally colonized by the people of Thasos, who, aware of the area's plentiful supplies of precious metals, timber, and agricultural products, established the city of Krinides in 360 BC. Soon after its establishment, however, Krinides was threatened by the Thracians (365 BC) and turned to King Philip II of Macedon for help. Realizing its economic and strategic potential, Philip conquered, fortified, and renamed the city after himself. Hellenistic Philippi had a fortification wall, a theatre, several public buildings, and private houses. The construction of the Via Egnatia through the city in the second century BC made Philippi an important regional centre. The dramatic battle of Philippi, which took place outside the west city walls in 42 BC, was a turning point in the city's history. The city was conquered by Octavian and renamed Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis. The new Roman colony developed into a financial, administrative, and artistic centre.

    Kavala is the second largest city of Northern Greece and the principal seaport of Eastern Macedonia, in antiquity it was the port of Philippi and flourished when the via Egnatia passed through the city increasing the trade and commerce of the city. The fortifications were built by the Byzantines and reinforced by the Ottomans and the old town of Kavala is located below. Before, you will head back to port, you will enjoy a Greek lunch at a local tavern. (3.5 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $192.00 per person (based on 20 - 50 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private coach
  • Guide: Private Guide provided
  • Meal: lunch included

  • Saturday, July 08, 2023

    Istanbul, Turkey (11 AM - 6 PM)
    Our private guides will meet us at the port to begin the tour, which will include a tour of Istanbul's incredible history, culture, and natural beauty. The Roman Hippodrome, also known as Sultanamet Square, and its Egyptian Obelisk serve as the starting point for the tour. Then, we go to the Blue Mosque, the only mosque in the world with six minarets and a magnificent masterpiece of 17th-century Ottoman architecture. 21,000 blue-green tiles adorn the interior. we will then continue our tour to the 6th century Byzantine Underground Cistern, possibly the most unusual structure in Istanbul, displaying the engineering marvels that solved the capital city's water supply issues. Then we'll go to the Grand Covered Bazaar, the world's largest and oldest covered market, where everything imaginable is for sale! This vibrant bazaar is worth the trip to Istanbul; we will also visit one of the many spice markets.

    We will return to the ship by 6 PM.(7 hr tour duration)

    Tour Cost: $159.00 per person (based on 35 - 44 travelers)

    Tour Price Includes:

  • Transportation: Private coach
  • Guide: Private Guide provided
  • Admission: museums and historical sites indicated in the recommended above tour program in Istanbul


  • Registration for the Optional Shore Excursion is now open

    Click here to register

    Registration will close on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 5PM Hawaii Standard Time.

    Contact Us

    For any questions, please contact Randy King at (808) 791-5464 or rking@seawindtours.com



    Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc.



    725 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 301
    Honolulu, HI 96813
    Tel: 808.949.4144
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