Glories of Italy Islands

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Tour Details

Aboard the Le Ponant, you are going to experience one of the best 11 day trips you’ve ever had exploring the Mediterranean and Southern Italy. Italy is a country of immense history and beauty and on this trip you will get unparalleled access to Sicily and the Amalfi Coast’s best destination like an after hours visit to the Vatican Museums and trips to see the Siracusa Greek Theater and Segesta’s unfinished temple. Get ready for some of the best Italian food you’ll ever taste and enjoy Sicilian entertainment with your own eyes as you enjoy your time on the cruise and excursions on the shore. This will be a culture trip for the ages as you feast your eyes on splendid architecture and rare Italian paintings. The best of Northern Italy is certainly a sight to see with city lights and stunning mountain ranges. From churches to castles, wine tastings, Aeolian Isles, and the picturesque Amalfi Coast, this trip includes everything you could want to experience in this beautiful area.

2 Days in Malta
1 Day in Ortigia Island
1 Day in Taormina
1 Day in Palermo
1 Day in Trapani
1 Day in Lipari
1 Day in Amalfi
1 Day in Naples
2 Days in Rome

Weather and Climate

Weather in Italy depends on the region. Temperatures in the south are generally hotter than in the north. You can usually rely on sun between May and September with the hottest temperatures in July and August. Beaches along the coast are at their busiest in August. During spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October), weather is generally good without much rain. For up-to-date forecasts, check weather.com.

Day 1 :

Malta Fly into Malta to begin your journey and join other explorers to a welcome reception and dinner at the Palazzo Parisio, a place of past glory as the home of nobles for centuries.

Day 2 :

Malta Take a guided tour of Malta and drive to St. Julian’s Bay for a picture opportunity over the cliffs with a background of the colorful maltese boats. Then, return for a show depicting the exciting history of Malta and a visit to the St. John’s Co-Cathedral before boarding the Le Ponane at the Grand Harbour to start your cruise.

Day 3 :

Ortigia Docking in Ortigia, you will visit Siracusa and have a choice between seeing the Neapolis Parco Archeologico for the Teatro Greco, go on a walking tour including the Temple of Apollo, or visit the town of Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Baroque architecture.

Day 4 :

Taormina Today, you will visit the stunning coast of Siciliy. Your options of excursions are a Taormina sightseeing tour to the Teatro Greco, Corso Umberto, and Old Town or visit Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. You will take a cable car up the slopes, and board an off road vehicle with local guides to take you up 9,514 feet for the breathtaking landscapes.

Day 5 :

Palermo Once considered the greatest city in Europe, you will dock in Palermo. Choose between a tour of Monreale with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cathedral of Monreale and a wine tasting at a winery or take a 2 hour walking tour to explore the Mafia, Palazzo Gangi di Valguarnera, and in the afternoon everyone will meet for a tour of Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele.

Day 6 :Trapani

Today will be a day of history where you have the choice to visit ancient Segesta to see an unfinished temple encircled by 36 Doric columns before heading to the town of Erice. Or, you can take a journey on the “Salt Route” to Spagnola for a wine tasting and spend some time exploring on your own.

Day 7 :Lipari

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and sits atop red volcanic rock. The Spaniards found their way here in the 16th century and here you are today, where you can choose between a walking tour with a trip to the Archaeological Museum or a drive across the island to visit the village of Quattropani and its unique vineyard.

Day 8 :Amalfi

The scenic views of the Amalfi Coast is among the most stunning in the world. You will arrive in Ravello to see the Villa Rufolo and eat a wonderful lunch in the town. Or, you can drive along the coast to Positano, a beautiful cliffside town. Then, you’ll head back to Amalfi by motorboat to get back on the ship for a final dinner.

Day 9 :Naples

Herculaneum, an upscale city preserved under the ashes of the ruins of Pompeii, will be the last excursion on your trip, where you get to take a tour before you are on your way to Rome. After settling into your hotel, you’ll get to go on the highlight of the trip- an after hour guided visit to the Vatican Museums to see the Tapestries, Sistine Chapel, Candelabra Gallery, and more.

Day 10 :Rome

On a guided tour of Rome’s greatest landmarks, you’ll start at St. Peter’s Basilica, then make your way to Colosseum with pre-reserved tickets to bypass the winding line. Then, you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon in Rome at your own discretion visiting and sightseeing before attending the farewell reception and dinner.

Day 11 :Rome

While your trip ends here in the magnificent city of Rome, be sure to take in as such as you can! Indulge in a final delicious breakfast and head to the airport for your flight back home.

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Malta
Valletta, Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbo, St. John`s Co-Cathedral, the Idyllic Island of Gozo, the Medieval Hilltop Town of Mdina, Historic attractions in Rabat, Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Prehistoric Tarxien Temples, Blue Lagoon on the Island of Comino, The Blue Grotto, Dingli Cliffs

Taormina
Teatro Greco (Greek Theater); Townscape, the town itself is a pleasure to stroll, lined with romantic buildings and stunning views; Piazza IX Aprile and San Giuseppe; Cattedrale di San Nicola; Via Circonvallazione, Latomia dei Cappuccini (Quarries); Isola Bella (Beautiful Island); Porta Catania and Palazzo Duca di Santo Stéfano; Palazzo Corvaia; Villa Comunale; Sant'Agostino

Palermo
The Cathedral, The Three Markets (Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo), Pizza at Pollicino, Mondello, Teatro Massimo, Castello Utveggio on the top of Mt. Pellegrino, Chiesa della Martorana - a Byzantine Church, Teatro Massimo (3rd largest theatre in Erope), Quattro Canti (represents the four primary districts) and Piazza Pretoria

Trapani
The Baroque Old Town; The Harbor south of the peninsula; The Beautiful Beaches; Enjoy the good restaurants all over the center; Visit the neighboring Medieval Village of Erice; Egadi Islands, three pearls wedged into the Mediterranean’s blue waters (Favignana, Levanzo and Maréttimo); Trapani and Paceco salt pans; Segesta Temple and Theater; Mount Cofano Nature Reserve

Amalfi
The Emerald Grotto is one of Amalfi`s natural wonders, at Cape Conca. It emits an eerie emerald hue that emanates from its depths thanks to an underwater crevice that refracts sunlight.
Convento di San Francesco (now Hotel Luna Convento). Its 16th-century watchtower over the cape to the east of town is an annex of the hotel. Here you can visit the well-conserved 13th-century cloister and the attached church.

Rome
Roman Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Pantheon, Capitoline Museums, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Ancient Appian Way, Borghese Gallery

Malta:Eat

Dinner in the Sky Malta

With 22 guests, Dinner in the Sky up 40 meters above the island for the most amazing panoramic views of Malta. It is a magical combination fine food, entertainment, and fun.

The Roots

Known for their cocktails, you can look forward to beautiful and delicious drinks at the bar as you indulge in the lively atmosphere. Be sure to check out their tiramisu and piadina as well as their other pastas.

Malta:Stay

Pebbles Boutique Aparthotel - 3 Star

Pebbles Boutique ApartHotel is a space for you to fully enjoy the seafront in Malta. Set on the harbor in Valletta, guests can peer over sea views and cityscapes. The Hotel offers a variety of room sizes, suites, apartments, studios, and rooms each spacious, modernly, and newly renovated. Each also come with TV’s, free WiFi, and air conditioning. Guests are also able to dine at both in-hotel restaurants, MedAsia which is an fusion restaurant of Mediterranean and Asian flavors and TexMex, a American bar and grill. If you head on upstairs, there is also a Rooftop Terrace that has a jacuzzi and spectacular sea views. Pebbles is certainly also ideally located. It is just 10 km away from the International Airport and 300 meters from the Bus and Ferry Ports close to the property.

Solana Hotel - 4 Star

The Solana Hotel is the hotel of impeccable service and beauty in the middle of the city of Malta. Situated close to the beach and a number of restaurants and attractions for entertainment . Solano’s rooms are the perfect blend of comfort and modernity. All of the rooms, studios, and suites are newly renovated and of high quality. The Hotel also offers amazing facilities like an indoor pool to relax and swim in and sun deck for tanning under the amazing Italian sun. Additionally, they also have a spa to pamper yourself at and two restaurants serving high quality Italian and Mediterranean food or tasty drinks at the poolside bar on the top deck, like the Bellini Restaurant and Tosca Restaurant.

Hotel Phoenicia - 5 Star

Set amidst seven acres of beautiful gardens, the Hotel Phoenicia lies just outside the ancient city walls of Valletta, Malta, overlooking the harbor. A national treasure opened in 1947, the Phoenicia Hotel has played a key role in Malta’s social and cultural history. Stars, socialites and the crowned heads of Europe have enjoyed this 5 star hotel for over 60 years. The hotel enjoys a classical beauty that impresses at first glance; from the luxurious soft furnishings to the carefully chosen furniture, it is the details that make your stay a memorable one. Guests can enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi while taking in a magnificent view of the harbor, take advantage of the fitness room or play a round or two of miniature golf. From cocktails and quick refreshments to a dining experience that is second to none, Hotel Phoenicia provides limitless options. Wake up to the lavish Phoenicia Breakfast Buffet, and for lunch or dinner, sample Mediterranean cuisine on the picturesque terrace of the Phoenix Restaurant, which recently received a fine dining award as one of the top 10 restaurants in the country. The Pegasus Brasserie welcomes those in search of an unforgettable dining experience, while the Palm Court Lounge is perfect for specialty coffees, tantalizing snacks and traditional afternoon tea while relaxing on one of the comfortable sofas or armchairs. The hotel's cellar boasts an unparalleled selection of wines to suit all tastes.

Ortigia:Eat

Oz & Cappuccio Pesce Fresco

This small restaurant is charming and offers the best street food seafood. Their ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere is casual, and the food is simply delicious.

Caseificio Borderi

This famous market in Ortigia offers the best of cheeses, wines, olives, desserts, and most prominently their amazing sandwiches using phenomenal baguettes.

Taormina:Eat

Villa Antonio

Phenomenal Mediterranean cuisine is what Villa Antonio has perfected. The gastronomical experience they offer fuses local dishes and tradition with modern spirits.

Ristorante Nettuno

Right in the center of Taormina, Ristorante Nettuno is perfect for a romantic evening in the town where you can order wine from their cellar and taste food from the Ionian Sea.

Palermo:Eat

Ristorante Pizzeria 131

Pizza from Italy is world class, and Ristorante Pizzeria 131 can show you exactly why with its traditional Italian cuisine, serving gourmet pizzeria, and elevating their plates to elegance.

Quattroventi Comfort Food

Quattroventi means four winds, paying homage to the history of the city and the sea just steps away from the restaurant. They serve comfort food made from fresh raw materials for a great taste of the Mediterranean.

Trapani:Eat

Al Vicoletto

This small restaurant in Trapani truly captures the charm of this seaside city. Dined at by locals and tourists alike, they serve great seafood, especially their mussels dish.

Versi de Rosso

Found in the historic center of Trampani, when guests walk in you are greeted by a wall of wines. They offer a spectacular wine list and menu of Italian delicacies and antipasti.

Lipari:Eat

Il Corallo

Whether you eat inside the restaurant, streetside, or in the open area outdoors, this restaurant is going to surround you in a lively atmosphere for a great dining experience with Italian and seafood.

Trattoria Del Vicolo

Chef Guiseppe has crafted a beautiful menu and team to cook phenomenal Sicilian and Aeolian dishes reinvented with a modern twist.

Amalfi:Eat

Da Ciccio Cielo Mare E Terra

This ancient trattoria is a world famous restaurant located on the Amalfi Coast and headed by the same family since 1931 with the family preparing the dishes, picking the fish, and creating the dessert to immerse your tastebuds.

Taverna degli Apostoli

Once an art gallery and cafe, this space has been transformed into a hole in the wall restaurant serving the highest quality seafood in the main square of Amalfi. Enjoy the world class paintings that hang on the wall from great painters from all over the world.

Naples:Eat

Hachi Ristorante Giapponese

Hachi offers amazing Japanese food in the middle of Naples serving a wide selection of beautifully plated rolls and formula all you can eat.

Sea Front Pasta Bar

Serving Gragnano pasta, Sea Front by Partino Pasta Bar has a five course tasting menu paired with the perfect wine for a romantic and intimate dinner.

Rome:Eat

Ad Hoc

In the center of Rome and in a 15th century building, Ad Hoc serves a carefully crafted menu with explosive flavors of meat and fish preparations that would blow your mind.

Ristorante Crispi 19

Between the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, you can find the Ristorante Crispi 19 serving fresh, homemade bread, pastas, fish, fruits, meats, and desserts. In their wine cellar, you can find the perfect wine to pair for a meal you’ll never forget.

Rome:Stay

Hotel Raffaello - 3 Star

: In central Rome, Hotel Raffaello is surrounded by the immense culture and history and you can feel it from the moment you walk into the hotel. Situated on a quiet street in one of the busiest cities in the world. The hotel is ideally situated close to many shops, bars, boutiques, and restaurants. Additionally, in terms of transportation and attractions, Hotel Raffaello is close to the Roma Termini train station, many monuments in Rome, the Piazza Venezia, and the Colosseum among others. The Hotel offers concierge, laungry, and dry cleaning services in addition to offering breakfast in the morning and coffee and tea all day.

Hotel Artemide - 4 Star

Located in the heart of Rome in Via Nazionale, Hotel Artemide is your home away from home. Everything from restaurants, cafes, theatres, bars, and art galleries is just a stone’s throw away from the Hotel. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with staff that embody hospitality. The rooms at the hotel are all elegant and comfortable, perfect for your vacation and stay in Rome with different sizes for your every need from rooms to suites. Additionally, they offer the Ambrosia restaurant where you can dine at a fantastic restaurant that faces out over panoramic views of the city as you taste their homemade pasta. Not to mention, they also offer the Artemis Spa for some deep relaxation and pleasure after a tired day of traveling. Hotel Artemide focuses on the little things so that your stay is the best it could possibly be.

Hotel Majestic Roma - 5 Star

A jewel of neoclassic elegance built in 1889, Hotel Majestic Roma is set on the renowned Via Veneto within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and the Villa Borghese Gardens. This intriguing hotel was constructed in the shape of a piano to accommodate a bend in the Via Veneto; its distinctive antiques and fresco-adorned ceilings make it a special place to stay. Welcoming guest rooms, with their unique combinations of fabrics used for drapes and bedspreads, feature air conditioning, direct dial phone, satellite and cable TV channels, hair dryer, safe, mini-bar and Carrara marble bathroom. The Fitness Center, available to guests 24-hours a day, is equipped with the latest in exercise equipment. An on-site restaurant offering local Roman and Italian dishes and cocktails on the terrace in a cozy, informal atmosphere, is one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. A part of the scenery in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, it has long been a favorite choice of royalty and celebrities.

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Malta

Full Day Quad Tour of Gozo

This 7 hour quad bike adventure takes you on a scenic tour through Gozo’s beautiful natural landscape including valleys, bays, Inland Sea, Calypso Cave, and other hidden gems to explore. They offer a 3 course lunch and photo taking opportunities. And then, on the way back you will take a relaxing powerboat ride to Malta through Comino’s sea caves.

‘Game of Thrones’ Filming Locations Tour in Malta

All Game of Thrones watchers will be familiar with the streets and settings of Red Keep and King’s Landing. Now, you have the opportunity to visit and hear the behind the scenes stories about the filming on this full day tour as you visit Mdina, Rabat, and other filming locations.

Taormina

Sicilian Cooking Class in Taormina

The only thing better than tasting Sicilian food in Sicily is learning from a professional Sicilian chef how to make local dishes. This 5 hour cooking class will include a market visit and wine tasting as you learn about the history of the cuisine and prepare a full 3 course meal featuring meat, pasta, fish, and vegetables that you will purchase at the market. Then, you’ll get to savor your delicious creations.

Taormina Food and Wine Walking Tour

If you love food and wine, there’s no better place to explore that love than on this 2 hour walking tour where you will be lead by a local guide to sample the cities best places to eat fresh fish, Sicilian red wine, bruschetta, Sicilian cakes and so much more. And, you’ll also get to pass major landmarks like the Palazzo Corvaja.

Palermo

Palermo Street Food Walking Tour

In a small group, you’ll take a three to four hour walking tour of the city of Palermo to see visit the best Sicilian street food and taste five different authentic Sicilian street food and local wine like panelle or arancine. You’ll see the two open air markets the Vucciria Market and Mercato de Capo and landmarks like the Teatro Massimo, Quattro Canti, and Piazza Pretoria.

Naples

Capri and Blue Grotto Day Tour from Naples or Sorrento

From the island of Capri, this full day tour will take you around the island first on minibus to stop at local shops in Anacapri and stop at the Augustus Gardens and the La Piazzetta. Then, you’ll cruise by jetfoil to enjoy the coastal views and see natural wonders like the Faraglioni rocks and the Blue Grotto.

Naples Street Food and Sightseeing Tour

One of the best ways to explore a city is not only to check out their famous attractions but also to dine on their local cuisine and Naples is among the best places to do that. You’ll spend 2.5 hours on this tour to see basilicas and squares as you try zucchini flowers, baccala, Pizza, and ragu.

Rome

Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small-Group Walking Tour

As you visit the Domitilla Catacomb and Basilica of San Clemente, this 3.5 hour walking tour will take you to the Capuchin Crypt where you can see Caravaggio’s St Francis in Meditation painting and see a chapel made up of bones.

Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour from Rome

This half day tour of Tuscany begins in Rome where you’ll journey to see the countryside and visit the Val d’Orcia, and the wine towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino. Additionally, you’ll also have time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Pienza. Included in the tour is a 3 course lunch on a Tuscan farm and wine tasting including the famous Brunello di Montalcino.

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