Silversea Luxury Cruises To Collioure

From the pier, depart with your guide for this 2-hour stroll in Collioure.

In the early 20^th century, Collioure became a center of artistic activity, with several Fauve artists making it their meeting place. This seaside village has inspired all Henry Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and many other artists. Walk past and view the exterior of Collioures Royal Castle. The Chateau (Royal Castle) is the juxtaposition of at least four castles and is a massive French Royal Castle and its lighthouse, which was converted into the church of Notre-Dame-des-Agnes surrounded by its typical Mediterranean Bay. The church was built between 1684 and 1691 by reusing as a bell tower, surrounded by the sea on three sides, the old tower-lantern was used to announce the position of the port of Collioure by smoke during the day and by fires at night. On one of the walls in the town there is a reproduction of one of Henri Matisse's work's which you will have an opportunity to photograph. The Rue Bellevue is one of Collioure's prettiest flower-filled streets. Among the blooming flowers and plants are the terraced houses and beautifully decorated benches in front of houses. It is no doubt that these vivid colours inspired the painters a century ago.

All too soon, your walking tour will end and you will have the opportunity to stay in town to explore on your own or return to the pier.

Experience the excitement of a helicopter flight on an aerial tour from Perpignan.

Helicopter Flight, Cathar Castles

Depart Collioure for a 45-minute drive by van towards Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport. after the briefing and boarding formalities, board the helicopter for a flight on an aerial tour from Perpignan. Soar over the Pyrénées, looking down over a patchwork of vineyards and rolling hills, dotted with fairy-tale chateaux on a 35-minute flight. Swoop over the mountains, vineyards and villages of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Learn about the history of the legendary Cathar Castles from your pilot's live commentary and enjoy magnificent views of Quéribus Castle, one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne" five castles strategically placed to defend the French border again the Spanish, until the border was moved in 1659. Peyrepertuse Fortress, located on a limestone ridge at an approximate altitude of 800m. A strategic position which enables one at the same time to see far into the valleys that circle it, to control the mountain passes, or to send communications signals to Quéribus Castle a little further south. Côte du Roussillon and Notre Dame de Penes which was founded in the 14^th century. After the tour you have the option to be dropped in town to make your way back to the ship at leisure.

After this amazing experience, reboard you Van for the 45-minute drive to the pier in Collioure.

Important note: Due to local Customs rules, the photocopy of passport of all participants is required to take part in this tour. Please provide it to Shoreconcierge@silversea.com within 72 hours prior to the excursion's date.

Depart Collioure for a 45-minute drive by coach with your guide to reach Ceret main modern art museum in Roussillon area.

Ceret Modern Art Museum

You will discover fauvism, cubism masterpieces and artists such as Soutine, Derian, Picasso, Matisse as well as more contemporary artists' paintings. It houses a permanent collection of both internationally famous and local artists, including 78 pieces by Pablo Picasso - 57 of which were gifts from the artist himself. The museum was inaugurated on June 18, 1950 in the rooms of a 17^th century Carmelite convent. As the years passed, its reputation grew. In the 1980's, the town decided to enlarge and renovate it and entrusted Josephine Matamoros with the project. The President of France inaugurated the new museum on December 17, 1993. The permanent collection has more than 250 great works, painted by more than 50 artists.

After the museum visit one hour of free time is made available to stroll in Ceret before boarding your coach for the 45-minute return drive to the pier.

Depart Collioure by coach to Port Vendres to meet your Oenologist who will be versed in the science and study of wine and winemaking.

With your guide experience an exclusive open-air Oenology and tasting in the vineyards. Catalan wines are those that are produced in the wine region of Catalonia. Occasionally, the appellation is applied to some French wine made in the Catalan region of Roussillion (also known as French Catalonia) which is close to the border with Spain on the Mediterranean Coast. It produces powerful dry red and white wines from the most southerly of France's vineyards. The appellation comprises of four communes, the one from which it takes its name, plus Cerbere, Port Vendres and Banyuls. The wines from this part of France are evocative of the landscapes where they are grown. The villages and vineyards of Cerbere, Collioure, Port Vendres and Banyuls are perched on high cliff tops overlooking the Western Mediterranean below.

With your guide and Oenologist learn the secrets of the Catalan wines, and the wine techniques. Enjoy local cold cuts and wine served in the vineyard itself.

After the tasting return to Collioure by way of the scenic coastal road.

From the pier, depart with your guide for this 3-hour walking tour to discover the Fauvism Painters.

Fauvism Painters, Templar's Hotel, Tapas & Wine Tasting

Enjoy with your guide an exclusive walking tour through Collioure to embrace the same atmosphere as the fauvism painters like Derain and Matisse used to do. Pass through the narrow streets to admire the various masterpieces displayed on your way, and stroll along the seashore before stopping at legendary Templar's Hotel for a wine & tapas tasting.

For 3 generations, this establishment at the beginning of the last century, has welcomed many artists and sculptors who have left traces of their passage in this unique house, typically Catalan, dedicated to modern and contemporary art. In 1925, Rene Pous and his wife took over his mother's modest business, a small restaurant-hotel, and very quickly became successful. They were friends with painters and sculptors such as Matisse, Derain, Picasso, Dufy and many other artists. The owners of the establishment were offered some of the work by artists and this is how the collection began. Works cover the walls of the stairwells, each corridor and each room.

Enjoy a glass of wine and tapas and then you can decide if proceeding with the guide for an additional short stroll or going back to the ship.

Enjoy your day in the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site of Carcassonne.

Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE Carcassonne, Free time

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximate two-hour drive along the highway to Carcassonne where your guide will give you the tips and the major useful historical and important information about this magnificent walled -in city.

Although this majestic site was inhabited as early as the 3rd century B.C., the expansive walled city we see today was gradually built between the 4th and 13^th centuries A.D. Arguably, nowhere else in Europe exists a more intact walled city of this importance and in such an impressive setting.

Its medieval core, the cité, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997. Although both the Romans and Visigoths were here, Carcassonne really flourished under the well-to-do Trencavel family of the late 12th century.

Approximately 3 ½ hours free time is afforded to have a meal on your own, explore and browse the myriad of shops and attractions.

At the conclusion, return to the coach parking lot and re-board the coach for the approximate two hours drive back to the pier.

Depart Collioure by coach with your guide for a 45min drive to Perpignan, the biggest city in Roussillon.

Panoramic, Walking tour, Majorca Kings Palace

You will start your visit of Perpignan with a panoramic tour, followed by a guided walking tour in downtown.

Your guide will take you to the famous Majorca Kings Palace. In 1276 King James II of Majorca made Perpignan the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca. He started to build a palace with gardens on the hill of Puig del rey on the South of the town and it was completed in 1309.

Cathedral

A visit may also be made to the Cathedral (interior visit subject to services that day). The Cathedral was built in 1324 by King Sancho of Majorca, and later finished in the 15th century. It was built in the Catalan Gothic style, because of its association with the Kingdom of Majorca. The façade also features a portico and clock tower, which date from the 18^th century.

Stroll through the pedestrian commercial street, where you first will have a view of the little red castle called the Castillet over the banks of Tet River. It is an ancient fortification and today this monument, a strong symbol of the city, has become a museum. The Castillet was made of three parts. The bastion was destroyed in the early 20^th century the other two remain intact.

Next, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute journey back to Collioure.

Explore Collioure at your leisure during your full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Collioure at your leisure during your half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Collioure at your leisure during your full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Collioure at your leisure during your half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Discover all the villages: Port Vendres -Banyuls and the last French city before Spain "Cerbere." Between the sea and the mountains, this village offers breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Its inhabitants are called Cerverins. Cerbere's proximity to Spain played a significant role in what has become known as "The Retreat". The village is best known for the border railway station between Spain and France. In the early months of 1939, many of the near 500,000 Republic refugees fleeing Franco's Spain flooded over the border and passed through Cerbere and other border villages. It was in 1864 that the destiny of Cerbere was to change. In that year, an agreement was signed between Spain and France to build a rail link between the two countries, leading to the construction of two frontier stations, which led to a rapid growth of population.

Take some free time to admire the colourful Catalan boats in the port or accompany your guide to visit the Hotel Belvedere a former hotel designed in Art Deco style by a local architect and built between 1928 and 1932. It has the overall appearance of a ship. It had its own cinema and tennis court on the roof but closed its doors in 1983. Part of the building has been brought back to life into use as apartments with original features still intact.

Alternately, browse the village admiring the old houses freight (Massot home, Trias home) and discover 2 works of Gustave Eiffel: