Day 1 — Valletta, Malta

Arrive in Valletta, and enjoy a chance to see its baroque architecture on your own before boarding the ship. Settle into your cabin and find a spot on deck to photograph the golden-hued city as the ship cruises out of one of Europe’s loveliest harbors. (D)

Day 2 — Agrigento, Sicily, Italy

Your first stop in Sicily is Porto Empedocle on the southern coast. From here, travel inland to the World Heritage site of Agrigento, once one of the most powerful cities in the Mediterranean.  Here, seven remarkably preserved temples built in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. line a picturesque ridge in the Valley of the Temples. On a guided tour, learn about the purpose and mythology of the various temples; then spend time at the Museum of Agrigento, which houses one of the best collections of ancient artifacts on the island. (B,L,D)

Day 3 — Tunis, Tunisia

Sail south to Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and head out on an excursion to the ancient ruins of Carthage, a seaside city founded by the Phoenicians in the ninth century BC and now a World Heritage site. Later, meander the picturesque lanes of Sidi Bou Said, a blue-and-white fishing village that has long drawn artists and writers. Or tour the excellent Bardo Museum, home to a fabulous collection of Roman mosaics.  (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Trapani, Erice and Segesta, or Selinunte

Anchor in Trapani and choose from three excursions. Journey into the hills to the beautiful village of Erice, once a retreat for Trapani’s wealthy families. Explore its medieval streets on foot, admiring lovely homes, castles, and gardens and taking in views of the Sicilian coast far below. Continue to the ancient city of Segesta to see its magnificent Doric temple, standing alone amid grassy slopes, and the hillside Greek theater. Or choose to delve into Trapani’s 2,000-year-old tradition of sea salt production, following the Via del Sale to saltworks, windmills, and wetlands and visiting the Salt Museum. Later discover the dramatic history of Marsala on a walking tour, and sampling its namesake dessert wine during a traditional lunch at a local winery. Alternatively, venture to Selinunte, a vast archaeological site with an Acropolis that affords incredible views. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Palermo

Spend today in Palermo, a city that still bears the vestiges of its many rulers, including the Carthagians, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Normans. On a panoramic city tour, discover its unique Arab-Norman architecture, built at the height of the city’s prosperity in the 12th century and recognized as a World Heritage site. Then set off on one of three excursions. Follow a guide through the mosaic-clad Capella Palatina, then travel the orchard-covered hills to see the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Or stroll Piazza Bellini to the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio Monreale to see its Byzantine mosaics, then delve into Palermo’s celebrated gastronomy at one of the city’s oldest food markets. Tour the Palazzo Conte Federico, where you’re hosted by Countess Federico herself, and enjoy a tasting of typical local street food. Or travel to the medieval port town of Cefalù for a walking tour including its Cathedral, covered in splendid painting and gold mosaics, and the excavations of Osterio Magno, where ancient edifices and ceramics from early Roman times have been discovered. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Aeolian Islands

Just north of Sicily lie the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago where evidence of human habitation goes back to the Neolithic era. Go ashore on the main island of Lipari, and explore the island, taking in volcanic vistas from a variety of viewpoints. Continue on a walking tour of the town of Lipari, dominated by an ancient castle, and visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum to see artifacts from many centuries found on the archipelago. Or experience the island’s long winemaking traditions on a tour of the fascinating Tenuta di Castellarro vineyards, where excellent vintages are produced using ancient techniques. Enjoy a tasting accompanied by charcuteries and cheeses. In the evening, glide by the island of Stromboli where glowing lava can often be seen sliding down the slopes of an active volcano. (B,L,D) 

Day 7 — Taormina, Sicily

Poised on the Ionian Sea against a backdrop of craggy headlands, beautiful Taormina has long drawn writers and philosophers to its piazzas and winding lanes. Discover the town’s cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja on a guided walking tour and visit the Greek Theater, where live performances still take place today.  Alternatively, travel to the slopes of Mount Etna, another World Heritage site, passing through historic towns and villages.  See Etna’s inactive volcanic craters before heading to a mountainside winery with extraordinary coastal views for a tasting tour and a typical Sicilian lunch. (B,L,D) 

Day 8 — Syracuse and Ortigia, Sicily

Your final stop is Syracuse, an ancient city once so powerful it rivaled Athens and Rome. Follow in the steps of Aeschylus and Archimedes as you explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Enter the Ear of Dionysius cave and and see the extraordinary collections of the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Instead, choose to discover stunning churches and palaces in the 5th-century town of Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture and a World Heritage site.  In the afternoon immerse yourself in the charms of Ortigia on an excursion to this World Heritage-listed island. Delve into the island’s mythology and history as you explore its temples and piazzas, and stroll through the local market to get a glimpse of everyday life. (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Depart from Valletta, Malta

After breakfast, disembark in Valletta and transfer to airport for your onward flight. (B)