Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Valletta
VallettaLandmarks Valletta - Day 2
Syracuse
Syracuse- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Noto, the Baroque Jewel of Sicily and Cannoli tasting (must be pre-booked)
- Ortigia and Local Produce Tasting (must be pre-booked)
Landmarks Archaeological Park of Neapolis Ortygia Cathedral of Syracuse Temple of Apollo Fountain of Artemis Fountain of Arethusa Cathedral of San Nicolò Palazzo Ducezio - Day 3
Giardini Naxos - Taormina
Giardini Naxos - Taormina- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Taormina (scenic journey along eastern coastline passing through Giardini Naxos; walking tour of historic centre; exterior views of Cathedral; Ancient Greek Theatre with Mount Etna backdrop; medieval Palazzo Corvaja; Odeon remains; stroll along Corso Umberto with boutiques and cafés; free time for exploration; Moderate activity level; 4 hours)
Optional Activities
- Mt. Etna & Wine Tasting (journey through fertile countryside with vineyards, orchards, and lava-sculpted landscapes; pass villages of Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea; ascend Mount Etna with guide explanations; visit Silvestri Craters at approximately 1,950 metres (6,400 feet) above sea level; explore extinct volcanic craters with panoramic views across eastern Sicily; visit Cantine Nicosia winery for guided tour and tasting of locally produced Etna wines; Moderate activity level; 5 hours 30 minutes)
Landmarks Mount Etna Taormina Ancient Greek Theatre Cathedral of Taormina Palazzo Corvaja Odeon Corso Umberto Silvestri Craters Cantine Nicosia - Day 4
Lipari
Lipari- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Vulcano Island by boat (depart from Marina Corta; private motorboat scenic cruise across Aeolian archipelago; pass volcanic landscape with three distinct peaks; free time to wander village streets with shops and cafés; relax at beach or enjoy mud bath in thermal complex for joint, skin, and respiratory treatments; scenic sail back passing I Faraglioni rock formations; Moderate activity level; 3 hours 30 minutes)
- Lipari island tour and Malvasia tasting (meet guide at Marina Corta; scenic drive around island learning about history dating back to 4000 BC; visit traditional local bakery to sample homemade biscuits; stop at Quattrocchi Viewpoint perched 300 metres above sea with views of Vulcano; another panoramic viewpoint overlooking Salina; visit historic Lipari Castle built by Spanish in 16th century; visit Cathedral of St. Bartholomew originally built by Normans, rebuilt after Barbarossa destruction; free time for shopping and exploration; Active activity level; 3 hours)
Landmarks Aeolian Islands Vulcano Island I Faraglioni Marina Corta Lipari Castle Cathedral of St. Bartholomew Quattrocchi Viewpoint - Day 5
Amalfi
Amalfi- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Neapolitan Evening Tarantella (onboard performance inspired by famous Tarantella folk dance; performed by talented dancers and musicians in traditional costume; live music recreating late 19th-century festive spirit; audience interaction; Easy activity level; 1 hour 15 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Amalfi and Ravello (travel by minibus along winding mountain road to Ravello with breathtaking coastal views; walk through charming cobbled streets; pass Cathedral Square and picturesque alleyways; guided visit to Villa Rufolo dating back to 13th century with Moorish-inspired architecture, iconic tower, and beautifully landscaped Mediterranean gardens; free time to admire gardens, browse shops, or relax at café; Moderate activity level; 4 hours)
Landmarks Amalfi Coast Duomo di Amalfi Ravello Villa Rufolo - Day 6
Capri
Capri- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Capri from the Sea (board local boat for scenic cruise around Capri after tendering ashore; pass towering limestone cliffs, secluded coves, and striking rock formations; view lush Mediterranean vegetation; see Villa Jovis, magnificent palace where Emperor Tiberius ruled; pass entrance to famous Blue Grotto; see Marina Piccola and White Grotto, one of Capri's most impressive sea caves; free time to explore at own pace; return independently by tender; Easy activity level; 2 hours 30 minutes)
Landmarks Capri Marina Grande Villa Jovis Blue Grotto Marina Piccola White Grotto - Day 7
Sorrento
Sorrento- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Slice of traditional Neapolitan pizza accompanied by a soft drink), Dinner
Included Activities
- Discover Pompeii (board local shuttle to coach departure point; travel to Pompeii with views of Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius (weather permitting); guided walk through ancient streets; discover Forum, Stabian Baths, theatres, elegant villas, beautifully preserved frescoes and mosaics; learn about catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79; slice of traditional Neapolitan pizza with soft drink; return by coach to Sorrento; Active activity level; 5 hours 30 minutes)
Landmarks Pompeii Forum Stabian Baths Mount Vesuvius Bay of Naples - Day 8
Gaeta
Gaeta- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sperlonga National Archaeological Museum With Tiberio Villa (travel by coach to Sperlonga, one of Italy's most picturesque seaside villages with whitewashed houses and spectacular coastal views; National Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga featuring marble sculptures 'Marble Odyssey' with scenes from Homer's epics; archaeological remains of Emperor Tiberius' Villa including famous seaside grotto and ancient fish ponds; guided walk through charming historic centre; wander narrow whitewashed streets, pass ancient town gates, visit Church of Santa Maria di Spelonca, admire historic Truglia Tower overlooking Tyrrhenian Sea; free time to browse boutiques or relax at café; Active activity level; 4 hours)
- Montecassino Abbey and Matilde Winery (travel by coach to magnificent Montecassino Abbey founded by St. Benedict in 529 AD on site of ancient Roman settlement; guided visit to impressively restored monastery with peaceful cloisters; learn about Benedictine order and abbey's extraordinary history including destruction and rebuilding, notably after Battle of Monte Cassino during Second World War; continue to Villa Matilde Winery, one of Campania's respected wine estates; guided visit through vineyards and cellar; traditional winemaking techniques blended with modern innovation; tasting of selected white and red wines accompanied by traditional bruschetta; Moderate activity level; 6 hours)
Landmarks Sperlonga National Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga Emperor Tiberius' Villa Church of Santa Maria di Spelonca Truglia Tower Montecassino Abbey Villa Matilde Winery - Day 9
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- The Tufo cities of Pitigliano & Sovana (journey into southern Tuscany to explore two captivating hilltop villages with Etruscan heritage, medieval architecture, and dramatic landscapes; begin in remarkable Pitigliano spectacularly perched on ridge of volcanic tufa rock, referred to as 'Little Jerusalem' for historic Jewish community; guided walk through atmospheric streets, admire unique buildings carved into rock, learn about history from Etruscan origins to powerful Aldobrandeschi family; continue to charming medieval village of Sovana, one of Tuscany's best-preserved settlements; explore quiet streets, discover imposing remains of Rocca Aldobrandesca with surviving tower and defensive walls; guide explains area's rich Etruscan and Roman heritage evident in ancient stone fortifications; free time to soak up atmosphere; Moderate activity level; 4 hours 30 minutes)
Landmarks Monte Argentario Spanish Fort Pitigliano Sovana Rocca Aldobrandesca - Day 10
Portoferraio
Portoferraio- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Napoleon's Path and Tasting at La Chiusa winery (journey through history exploring Napoleon's isolated life during brief 1814 exile on Elba; visit Villa San Martino, Napoleon's Summer Residence, with charming rooms and picturesque gardens; explore Demidoff Gallery, imposing building dedicated to special exhibitions showcasing art and history of island's rich cultural heritage; leisure time at Porto Azzurro, delightful town dominated by ancient Spanish fortress and picturesque fisherman's harbor; stroll through charming streets, explore local boutiques; stop at family-owned La Chiusa winery with vineyard overlooking Portoferraio and surrounding 20 hectares of property; tasting of local wines paired with tasty light snacks; Moderate activity level; 4 hours 30 minutes)
Landmarks Medici Fortresses Villa San Martino Demidoff Gallery Porto Azzurro La Chiusa Winery - Day 11
Civitavecchia (Rome)
Civitavecchia (Rome)- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rome On Your Own (extra expense, must be booked on board)
- Rome Tour & Transfer (extra expense, must be booked on board)
Landmarks Circus Maximus Colosseum Trevi Fountain Pantheon Piazza Navona Castel Sant'Angelo Vatican City St Peter's Basilica Roman Forum
