Itinerary
- Day 1
Valletta
Valletta- Meals
- Dinner
Landmarks Valletta - Day 2
Syracuse, Sicily
Syracuse, Sicily- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Noto with visits to Porta Reale, Cathedral of San Nicolò, Archbishop's Palace, Palazzo Ducezio, Palazzo Villadorata, Palazzo Sant'Alfano, and Church of Santissimo Salvatore, followed by traditional Sicilian cannolo tasting at Caffè Sicilia (extra expense, must be pre-booked)
- Guided walking tour of Ortigia including Pancali Square, Temple of Apollo, Archimedes Square, Fountain of Artemis, Cathedral Square, and Fountain of Arethusa, with local produce tasting including regional cheeses, cured meats, preserves, Sicilian cannolo, and local wine (extra expense, must be pre-booked)
Landmarks Archaeological Park of Neapolis Cathedral of Syracuse Ortigia Porta Reale Cathedral of San Nicolò Palazzo Ducezio Temple of Apollo Archimedes Square Fountain of Artemis Fountain of Arethusa - Day 3
Giardini Naxos
Giardini Naxos- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Taormina including views of the Cathedral exterior, Ancient Greek Theatre with Mount Etna backdrop, medieval Palazzo Corvaja, and Odeon remains, plus free time to explore local shops and Corso Umberto (4 hours, Moderate activity level)
Optional Activities
- Mt. Etna & wine tasting tour including drive through villages of Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea, visit to Silvestri Craters at approximately 1,950 metres elevation, and guided winery visit with Etna wine tasting at Cantine Nicosia (5 hours 30 minutes, Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina Mount Etna Cathedral of Taormina Palazzo Corvaja Silvestri Craters - Day 4
Lipari
Lipari- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Vulcano Island by motorboat including scenic cruise, exploration of village with shops and cafés, option for mud bath at thermal complex, and return sail past I Faraglioni rock formations (3 hours 30 minutes, Moderate activity level)
- Lipari island tour with Malvasia tasting including scenic drive around island, visit to traditional local bakery for homemade biscuits, Quattrocchi Viewpoint at 300 metres elevation overlooking Vulcano and other Aeolian Islands, panoramic viewpoint overlooking Salina, guided visit to 16th-century Lipari Castle and Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, plus free time to explore local shops and streets (3 hours, Active activity level)
Landmarks Lipari Castle Cathedral of St. Bartholomew Quattrocchi Viewpoint Vulcano Island I Faraglioni rock formations - Day 5
Amalfi
Amalfi- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Neapolitan Evening Tarantella performance on board featuring traditional Tarantella folk dance with live musicians and dancers in traditional costume (1 hour 15 minutes, Easy activity level)
Optional Activities
- Amalfi and Ravello excursion including minibus journey along winding mountain road with coastal views, guided visit to 13th-century Villa Rufolo with Moorish-inspired architecture and Mediterranean gardens, free time to explore shops and cafés, and return coach journey (4 hours, Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Duomo di Amalfi Villa Rufolo - Day 6
Capri
Capri- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Capri from the Sea boat cruise including tender to shore, local motorboat journey around Capri viewing dramatic cliffs, hidden grottoes, rock formations, Villa Jovis, Blue Grotto entrance, Marina Piccola, and White Grotto sea cave, plus free time to explore Capri and independent return by tender (2 hours 30 minutes, Easy activity level)
Landmarks Marina Grande Villa Jovis Blue Grotto Marina Piccola White Grotto - Day 7
Sorrento
Sorrento- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Neapolitan pizza with soft drink), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Pompeii archaeological site including exploration of the Forum, Stabian Baths, theatres, elegant villas, frescoes and mosaics, with explanation of the AD 79 Mount Vesuvius eruption that preserved the city, followed by traditional Neapolitan pizza and soft drink (5 hours 30 minutes, Active activity level)
Landmarks Pompeii Mount Vesuvius Bay of Naples - Day 8
Gaeta
Gaeta- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Sperlonga National Archaeological Museum with Tiberio Villa including coach journey, museum visit with marble sculptures from Homer's Odyssey, archaeological remains of Emperor Tiberius' Villa with seaside grotto and ancient fish ponds, guided walk through historic centre with Church of Santa Maria di Spelonca and historic Truglia Tower, and free time to browse boutiques and cafés (4 hours, Active activity level)
- Montecassino Abbey and Matilde Winery including coach journey to Montecassino Abbey founded by St. Benedict in 529 AD, guided visit to restored monastery with impressive architecture and peaceful cloisters, and Villa Matilde Winery visit with vineyard tour, cellar tour, and tasting of selected white and red wines accompanied by traditional bruschetta (6 hours, Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Sperlonga National Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga Tiberius Villa Church of Santa Maria di Spelonca Truglia Tower Montecassino Abbey - Day 9
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Pitigliano and Sovana including exploration of Pitigliano perched on volcanic tufa ridge with atmospheric streets and buildings carved into rock, discovery of Pitigliano's history from Etruscan origins through Aldobrandeschi family period, and visit to charming medieval village of Sovana with guided explanation of Rocca Aldobrandesca, surviving tower and defensive walls, plus free time to explore atmosphere and return journey (4 hours 30 minutes, Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Pitigliano Sovana Rocca Aldobrandesca Spanish Fort - Day 10
Portoferraio
Portoferraio- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Napoleon's Path and tasting at La Chiusa winery including visit to Villa San Martino where Napoleon spent his exile in 1814 with exploration of rooms and gardens, Demidoff Gallery visit with special exhibitions and art displays, leisure time in Porto Azzurro dominated by ancient Spanish fortress and fisherman's harbour, and stop at family-owned La Chiusa winery overlooking Portoferraio with local wine sampling paired with light snacks (4 hours 30 minutes, Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Villa San Martino Demidoff Gallery Porto Azzurro Medici Fortresses - Day 11
Civitavecchia - Rome
Civitavecchia - Rome- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Rome On Your Own with panoramic drive past Circus Maximus and Colosseum, free time to visit Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona or relax at traditional cafés, followed by orientation drive past Castel Sant'Angelo, Vatican City, and St Peter's Basilica (extra expense, must be booked on board)
Landmarks Colosseum Pantheon Roman Forum Circus Maximus Trevi Fountain Piazza Navona Castel Sant'Angelo St Peter's Basilica - Day 12
Calvi, Corsica
Calvi, Corsica- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Discover Old Corsica and its villages including visit to Calenzana at foot of mountains and starting point of GR20 hiking trail, Zilia renowned for natural mineral spring, panoramic Col de Salvi with coastal and valley views, hilltop village of Sant'Antonino founded in 9th century with cobbled lanes and vaulted passageways overlooking Balagne countryside and Mediterranean, scenic return through villages of Cateri, Lavatoggio, and Lumio reflecting authentic Corsican character (3 hours 45 minutes, Active activity level)
Landmarks Calenzana Zilia Sant'Antonino Col de Salvi Cateri Lavatoggio Lumio - Day 13
Livorno
Livorno- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- The Best of Florence & Pisa - guided walking tour of Florence including Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza Santa Croce with free time for lunch and shopping; then to Pisa to see Piazza dei Miracoli with Cathedral, Baptistery, and Leaning Tower of Pisa (9 hours, Active)
Landmarks Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Piazza della Signoria Ponte Vecchio Piazza Santa Croce Piazza dei Miracoli Leaning Tower of Pisa - Day 14
Marina di Carrara
Marina di Carrara- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Soprano Serenade - opera performance by singer Luisa Kurtz and pianist Carlos Morejano featuring Italian music, opera arias, and classics (1 hour, Easy)
Optional Activities
- Carrara Marble Quarries Adventure - scenic drive through Ligurian and Tuscan coastline to the Apuan Alps, exploring how marble has been extracted since Roman times, with tasting of local specialities including Lardo di Colonnata IGP (3 hours 30 minutes, Easy)
Landmarks Carrara Marble Quarries - Day 15
Porto Venere
Porto Venere- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Porto Venere including ancient Roman Gate, medieval village streets, Genoese-Gothic architecture, Doria Castle, and Church of St. Peter
- Tasting of traditional Italian snacks at a local café
Optional Activities
- Cinque Terre by Boat - scenic cruise to Monterosso al Mare and Vernazzo with guided walk, pesto bruschetta tasting, and local wine (extra expense)
Landmarks Porto Venere Church of St. Peter Doria Castle Roman Gate Cinque Terre National Park Monterosso al Mare Vernazzo - Day 16
Santa Margherita Ligure - Portofino
Santa Margherita Ligure - Portofino- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Culinary experience in Rapallo - visit to the 'Pearl of the Tigullio Gulf' with guide Guido, exploration of Rapallo's food market, preparation of authentic pesto alla Genovese at Guido's traditional bottega, tasting of pandolce (traditional cake) with sweet Moscato wine, and free time to explore Rapallo's waterfront and historic centre (4 hours 45 minutes, Moderate)
- Portofino & Castello Brown Walk - guided tour through Portofino's harbour with pastel-coloured houses, ascent to Castello Brown fortress with Mediterranean gardens and museum, panoramic views across Portofino Bay, visit to Church of St. George, and free time at the Piazzetta with access to boutiques and waterfront cafés (2 hours, Active)
Landmarks Portofino Harbour Castello Brown Church of St. George Piazzetta - Day 17
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monte Carlo, Monaco- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Highlights of Monaco & Monte Carlo by city bus including chartered city bus transfers to Monaco-Ville historic Old Town on the Rock, visit to Prince's Palace Square and Cathedral of Monaco (where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace were married), free time to explore charming streets and shops, transfer to elegant Monte-Carlo with Casino Square showcasing Monte-Carlo Casino, Hôtel de Paris, and Café de Paris, and atmosphere absorption before return (3 hours 30 minutes, Easy to Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Prince's Palace Square Cathedral of Monaco Monaco-Ville Monte-Carlo Casino Casino Square Hôtel de Paris Café de Paris - Day 18
Nice
Nice- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Nice Walking Tour - scenic excursion through Nice's districts including Avenue Jean Médecin (boutiques), Place Masséna (red façades and fountains), Coulée Verte (green parkland), Promenade des Anglais (Mediterranean views and palm trees), Place du Palais de Justice, Cours Saleya (open-air flower and produce market), and Old Nice's narrow lanes and colourful squares, with free time to explore the Old Town, market, and local shops (4 hours, Active)
Landmarks Promenade des Anglais Place Masséna Cours Saleya Old Nice
