Day 1 — Valletta, Malta

Arrive in Valletta and discover its World Heritage-listed baroque architecture on your own before boarding the ship. Settle into your cabin in the late afternoon and take in the views as you cruise out of the city’s spectacular harbor. (D)

Day 2 — Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

Sail north to Syracuse, a city that rose to great power in the 4th and 5th centuries BC, even ruling over parts of southern Italy at its height. Delve into ancient history or local culture on your choice of excursion. Visit the archaeological park of Ancient Syracuse, a World Heritage site that houses a 15,000 Greek theater as well as a famous Roman amphitheater. See the Altar of Hieron, and enter the  Ear of Dionys  cave, where the fine acoustics allowed Emperor Dionysius to eavesdrop on his prisoners. Then browse the extraordinary collections of the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum or head to a family-owned agriturismo for a delightful lunch of traditional Sicilian dishes. Alternatively, spend a relaxing day sampling wines and local snacks at a family winery set amid gardens on a 12th-century property; explore the temples, piazzas, and local markets of historic Ortigia on a walking tour; or visit the World Heritage site of Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture and 18th-century urban planning. (B,L,D) 

Day 3 — Taormina, Sicily

Nestled on the seaside between rugged headlands—and backed by the silhouette of Mount Etna—Taormina’s bougainvillea-filled lanes have long enchanted writers and philosophers. 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. Or travel to 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. Alternatively, choose to embark on a foodie tour of Catania, delving into local markets and sampling Sicilian specialties, including arancino and cannoli. (B,L,D)  

Day 4 — Calabria, Italy

Your first stop on the mainland is Reggio Calabria, poised on the tip of Italy’s toe just across the Strait of Messina from Sicily. Choose from a variety of ways to discover the Calabria region. At the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Græcia, admire the Riace Bronzes, rare 5th-century bronze warriors sculpted in magnificent detail. Visit ancient Scilla, made famous by Homer, and the seaside fishing community of Chianalea, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Or tour the Museum of Bergamotto to learn about the cultural significance of the fragrant bergamot, a citrus native to the region. Then enjoy a cooking lesson and dine on the dishes you prepare. Alternatively, head to the town of Vibo Valentina, on the edge of Mount Poro. Explore its castle before a tasting of wines and Calabrian specialties, or venture to Pizzo to explore its historic sites and a sampling of world-famous tartufo.  (B,L,D) 

Day 5 — Agropoli and Paestum

Sail north to Agropoli and travel inland through fertile farmland to the World Heritage site of Paestum. Here, three well-preserved Greek temples stand on the plains, a testament to the former glory of the 6th-century city of Poseidonia. Discover the fascinating history of the site, later settled by the Romans and occupied by foreign armies from the Lucanians to the Normans. Explore the site and its wonderful museum in depth or combine a tour of the temples with a visit to a traditional dairy farm, where mozzarella is made exclusively with the milk of the farm’s buffalo. Witness artisans using age-old cheese-making techniques and sample the farm’s world-renowned mozzarella. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Naples, Pompeii, or Sorrento

Drop anchor in Naples and immerse yourself in the region’s history or cuisine. Discover the haunting ruins of Pompeii, buried under some 20 feet of ash and pumice when nearby Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Picture life as it was 2,000 years ago as you explore city streets and art-filled homes frozen in time. Continue your tour at Herculaneum, where opulent villas—and their stunning mosaics—were well preserved in mud and ash or ascend the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius to a scenic vineyard for a tour and a lunch of local dishes paired with the vineyard’s volcanic wines. Opt for a morning visit to a working farm in the hills above Sorrento to see how olives are pressed and cheeses are produced. Make pizza using ingredients sourced at the farm and enjoy it for lunch before heading to Pompeii for an afternoon tour. Alternatively, stay in Naples for a walking tour of its historic center—and its famous street food. Try a Neapolitan cuoppo or a libretto and indulge your sweet tooth with a sfogliatella. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Rome

Spend a full day exploring the Eternal City, beginning with a panoramic tour of important sites such as the Villa Borghese, the Circus Maximus, and the Baths of Caracalla, luxurious public baths that have inspired architects into the modern era. Then head out on foot to experience the iconic sites of Rome, from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to the Piazza Navona. See the Roman Forum and enjoy a visit to the Colosseum, descending to the floor where gladiators and beasts battled to the death before some 50,000 spectators. You may instead choose to begin the day with a pasta-making workshop at a local farmhouse or a guided foodie tour of the flavors of Rome. Alternatively, encounter the artistic gems of the Vatican—including the Sistine Chapel and the extraordinary St. Peter’s Basilica, home to works by Michelangelo and Bernini. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Livorno / Return Home

Disembark after breakfast in the Tuscan port city of Livorno and continue your journey with a stay in Tuscany or transfer to the airport in Pisa or Florence for your flight home. (B)

Day 1 — Valletta, Malta

Arrive in Valletta and discover its World Heritage-listed baroque architecture on your own before boarding the ship. Settle into your cabin in the late afternoon and take in the views as you cruise out of the city’s spectacular harbor. (D)

Day 2 — Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

Sail north to Syracuse, a city that rose to great power in the 4th and 5th centuries BC, even ruling over parts of southern Italy at its height. Delve into ancient history or local culture on your choice of excursion. Visit the archaeological park of Ancient Syracuse, a World Heritage site that houses a 15,000 Greek theater as well as a famous Roman amphitheater. See the Altar of Hieron, and enter the  Ear of Dionys  cave, where the fine acoustics allowed Emperor Dionysius to eavesdrop on his prisoners. Then browse the extraordinary collections of the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum or head to a family-owned agriturismo for a delightful lunch of traditional Sicilian dishes. Alternatively, spend a relaxing day sampling wines and local snacks at a family winery set amid gardens on a 12th-century property; explore the temples, piazzas, and local markets of historic Ortigia on a walking tour; or visit the World Heritage site of Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture and 18th-century urban planning. (B,L,D) 

Day 3 — Taormina, Sicily

Nestled on the seaside between rugged headlands—and backed by the silhouette of Mount Etna—Taormina’s bougainvillea-filled lanes have long enchanted writers and philosophers. 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. Or travel to 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. Alternatively, choose to embark on a foodie tour of Catania, delving into local markets and sampling Sicilian specialties, including arancino and cannoli. (B,L,D)  

Day 4 — Calabria, Italy

Your first stop on the mainland is Reggio Calabria, poised on the tip of Italy’s toe just across the Strait of Messina from Sicily. Choose from a variety of ways to discover the Calabria region. At the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Græcia, admire the Riace Bronzes, rare 5th-century bronze warriors sculpted in magnificent detail. Visit ancient Scilla, made famous by Homer, and the seaside fishing community of Chianalea, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Or tour the Museum of Bergamotto to learn about the cultural significance of the fragrant bergamot, a citrus native to the region. Then enjoy a cooking lesson and dine on the dishes you prepare. Alternatively, head to the town of Vibo Valentina, on the edge of Mount Poro. Explore its castle before a tasting of wines and Calabrian specialties, or venture to Pizzo to explore its historic sites and a sampling of world-famous tartufo. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Agropoli and Paestum

Sail north to Agropoli and travel inland through fertile farmland to the World Heritage site of Paestum. Here, three well-preserved Greek temples stand on the plains, a testament to the former glory of the 6th-century city of Poseidonia. Discover the fascinating history of the site, later settled by the Romans and occupied by foreign armies from the Lucanians to the Normans. Explore the site and its wonderful museum in depth or combine a tour of the temples with a visit to a traditional dairy farm, where mozzarella is made exclusively with the milk of the farm’s buffalo. Witness artisans using age-old cheese-making techniques and sample the farm’s world-renowned mozzarella. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Naples, Pompeii, or Sorrento

Drop anchor in Naples and immerse yourself in the region’s history or cuisine. Discover the haunting ruins of Pompeii, buried under some 20 feet of ash and pumice when nearby Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Picture life as it was 2,000 years ago as you explore city streets and art-filled homes frozen in time. Continue your tour at Herculaneum, where opulent villas—and their stunning mosaics—were well preserved in mud and ash or ascend the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius to a scenic vineyard for a tour and a lunch of local dishes paired with the vineyard’s volcanic wines. Opt for a morning visit to a working farm in the hills above Sorrento to see how olives are pressed and cheeses are produced. Make pizza using ingredients sourced at the farm and enjoy it for lunch before heading to Pompeii for an afternoon tour. Alternatively, stay in Naples for a walking tour of its historic center—and its famous street food. Try a Neapolitan cuoppo or a libretto and indulge your sweet tooth with a sfogliatella. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Rome

Spend a full day exploring the Eternal City, beginning with a panoramic tour of important sites such as the Villa Borghese, the Circus Maximus, and the Baths of Caracalla, luxurious public baths that have inspired architects into the modern era. Then head out on foot to experience the iconic sites of Rome, from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to the Piazza Navona. See the Roman Forum and enjoy a visit to the Colosseum, descending to the floor where gladiators and beasts battled to the death before some 50,000 spectators. You may instead choose to begin the day with a pasta-making workshop at a local farmhouse or a guided foodie tour of the flavors of Rome. Alternatively, encounter the artistic gems of the Vatican—including the Sistine Chapel and the extraordinary St. Peter’s Basilica, home to works by Michelangelo and Bernini. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Florence

Immerse yourself in the spectacular Renaissance city of Florence, encountering some of its most iconic artistic treasures, from Brunelleschi’s dome to Michelangelo’s David. Tour the city’s piazzas and churches, and learn how the city of the de Medicis shaped art history. Alternatively, ascend to hilltop Volterra and visit Roman ruins and the Etruscan Museum, where an impressive collection of artifacts traces the rich legacy of this ancient civilization. (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Livorno / Return Home

Disembark after breakfast in the Tuscan port city of Livorno and continue your journey with a stay in Tuscany or transfer to the airport in Pisa or Florence for your flight home. (B)