Vacations by Megan

LET US HELP YOU PLAN - CALL

10-night Sailing the Ancient Shores of Sicily and Malta

Cruise Line:
Lindblad Expeditions
Ship:
Sea Cloud
Destination:
Valletta/Naples
Departure Date:
5/9/2024
Length:
10
Offer ID:
1492039
from
$19354


Itinerary

Destination
Arrival
Departure
Valletta
5/9/2024
5/9/2024

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Gozo
5/10/2024
5/10/2024

Set in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Africa, Gozo is the second largest of the Maltese islands after Malta itself. Reputed in Greek legend to be the island of Ogy'gia, where the sea nymph Calypso entertained Odysseus, it is 9 miles long and 4 miles wide . The main town of Victoria is set on hills in the middle of the island. The impressive Citadel or Gran Castello and the Ggantija prehistoric temples are worth visiting. Also take in the views from Calypso's Cave and the amazing alabaster stalactites of Ninu's Grotto.

Xlendi Bay and the surrounding village is another sought after destination on Gozo. Known for scuba diving and various water sports, this picturesque town is a perfect place for relaxation.

At Sea
5/10/2024
5/10/2024

No information currently available.

At Sea
5/11/2024
5/11/2024

No information currently available.

Trapani
5/12/2024
5/12/2024

Trapani was founded in antiquity on Sicily's western coast by the Sicanians. Trapani is an unusual Sicilian city for its westward position, which affords spectacular views of some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful sunsets. The oldest parts of the city have been modernized in many respects, but Trapani shows its medieval past. The Annunciation Sanctuary was built in the fourteenth century in Romanesque Gothic style and still retains splendid medieval elements such as the facade's portal and rose window, though the church's interior has been modified. The Pepoli Regional Museum is renowned for its medieval and modern collections, including articles from the Bourbon era, though it also houses ancient finds. Giudecca Palace is a Catalan Gothic structure built in the sixteenth century. The Church of Saint Mary of Jesus has a splendid Renaissance Gothic facade. The Church of Sant'Agostino is Romanesque Gothic with a beautiful rose window. The Cathedral and Collegio Church were built in Baroque style during the seventeenth century.

Erice
5/12/2024
5/12/2024

Erice is the site of an an amazing mountaintop fortress overlooking the sea. Erice has all the charm of a medieval town, with winding streets, gorgeous flowering courtyards and more than 60 small churches. Visitors will also find some good restaurants around town. Couscous with fish is the local specialty. There are also several exceptional pastry shops, including Maria Grammatico's in the center of town.


 

Marsala
5/12/2024
5/12/2024

No information currently available.

Porto Empedocle
5/13/2024
5/13/2024

While there is little to see in Porto Empedocle except the 16th century Quadrangular Tower of Carlo V, the jewel is Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. Numerous remarkable monuments are present all over Agrigento including the Cathedral and the 13th century Church of Saint Nicholas - now an Archeological Museum. However, it is the Valley of the Temples, built in the 5th century BC, which is the most significant evidence of the Greek civilization in Sicily. In a countryside of blooming almond trees, enjoy the wonderful ruins of temples which even after centuries still keep their architectural grandeur intact.

Agrigento
5/13/2024
5/13/2024

Agrigento is a small town on the Southern coast of Sicily. The beach is wonderful and the small streets of the old town are quaint and charming. Just outside the city, you will find magnificent Greek temples located in the Valley of the Seven Temples.

At Sea
5/13/2024
5/13/2024

No information currently available.

At Sea
5/14/2024
5/14/2024

No information currently available.

Siracusa
5/15/2024
5/15/2024

Sicilia is the favorite island of Gods in traditional poetry. The most powerful and biggest ancient city in Sicilia is Siracusa. Its name may come from the native word "Siraco", which means "marsh", due to the bogs which surrounded the city. Or it may derive from a Phenician etymology signifying the presence of seagulls on its rocky shores. Few cities of the ancient world had the importance Syracuse had in Magna Grecia, the ancient Greek settlements in Italy. The most spectacular monuments in the archeological area surrounded by colorful Mediterranean vegetation are the Greek amphitheatre and the Orecchio di Dionisio (Dionysius' Ear). Besides touring the Archeological Museum that contains beautiful objects, Ortigia Island, the heart of the old Greek city, is worth a visit. Outside the city limits is Eurialo Castle, an incredible structure built to protect the city from the Cathaginians, and Pantalica, the great rocky necropolis in Anapo Valley.

Taormina (Giardini Naxos)
Suggested Private Excursion
5/16/2024
5/16/2024

It is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. It has a small, but prosperous fishing port. There are many hotels and restaurants and the town is ten minutes away from another of Sicily's most important tourist destinations Taormina.

Suggested Private Excursions

Giardini Naxos: Greek Taormina Walking Tour - 3 hours

Giardini Naxos: Syracuse & Ortigia Island - 8 hours

Giardini Naxos: Catania and Piazza Armerina - 8 hours

Taormina (Giardini Naxos)
Suggested Private Excursion
5/16/2024
5/16/2024

It is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. It has a small, but prosperous fishing port. There are many hotels and restaurants and the town is ten minutes away from another of Sicily's most important tourist destinations Taormina.

Suggested Private Excursions

Giardini Naxos: Greek Taormina Walking Tour - 3 hours

Giardini Naxos: Syracuse & Ortigia Island - 8 hours

Giardini Naxos: Catania and Piazza Armerina - 8 hours

Castello degli Schiavi
5/16/2024
5/16/2024

No information currently available.

Messina, Sicily
5/16/2024
5/16/2024

Situated on the western shore of the Strait bearing its name, the port at the entrance to Sicily is one of the deepest and safest in the Mediterranean. The city's was rebuilt low buildings to minimize the danger of earthquakes. This gives the center a pleasant, open townscape combining sea, sky and hills. Train-ferries, car-ferries and hydrofoils make the connection across the Strait of Messina to Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland. Among the main attractions is the Norman-Romanesque cathedral, with an adjoining bell tower. The works of Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina and two large Caravaggios can be seen at the Museo Regionale - which features an interesting collection of material salvaged after the 1908 earthquake. From Messina, excursions are possible to Taormina, Mount Etna and across the Strait to mainland Italy.

Strait of Messina
5/16/2024
5/16/2024

Channel in the Mediterranean Sea separating Sicily in the west and Italy in the east and linking the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. The strait is 20 miles long, 2 miles wide in the north (between Faro Point and the Rock of Scylla), and 10 miles wide in the south (between capes Alì and Pellaro); it is 300 feet deep at the northern end.

At Sea
5/17/2024
5/17/2024

No information currently available.

Lipari
5/17/2024
5/17/2024

Cast in the Tyrrhenian sea, the Lipari Islands experience an increasing amount of tourism due to unusual scenery and mild climate. The variety and beauty of rock formations, the volcanic phenomena of Stromboli and the crystalline waters always impress visitors. Local-style architecture adds charm to picturesque villages. The main islands include famous Stromboli and Lipari. In a bay on Lipari’s east coast lies the main town of the same name - dominated by the Castello or Acropolis, which separates the town’s two harbors. Within Castello are the cathedral and the former Bishop's Palace, which now houses the Archaeological Museum. It is noted for its fine collection of relics from recent excavations, Greek masks and statuettes from theatrical life as far back as Sophocles and Euripides. At Marina Corta there are hydrofoils and boats offering trips to neighboring islands. The most southern Lipari Island, Vulcano Island, has a spectacular volcanic landscape of rugged peaks rising above beaches. A steep trail leads up from the plain to a 1,150-foot crater.

Stromboli
5/17/2024
5/17/2024

Stromboli is a volcanic island located just north of Sicily in Italy. It is home to one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with its continuous eruptions in the past 2000 years. The island itself is 2 miles in diameter and about 3000 feet above sea level.

At Sea
5/18/2024
5/18/2024

No information currently available.

Naples
Suggested Private Excursion
5/19/2024
5/19/2024

From Naples visitors can explore the rugged Amalfi coast, Italy's most romantic stretch of coastline. Near Amalfi is the resort of Positano, where visitors enjoy strolling through streets and shopping in small boutiques. Take an excursion to legendary Pompeii, an ancient Roman city covered and preserved by the debris from the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The monuments of this city are considered to be among the finest of any ancient city in Europe, and visitors can spend a day here learning about life in a Roman town during the first century A.D. The Cathedral of San Gennaro, a fine medieval building, has one chapel containing the tomb of Charles of Anjou, while another houses the cathedral's gold and silver treasure. Among the Christian underground burial vaults discovered in an area of suburban heights, the Catacombs of San Gennaro can be visited. Capodimonte Park - a well-kept tropical park - has a royal palace built by Charles III in 1738 that now houses Naples' picture gallery, the National Museum of Capodimonte.

Suggested Private Excursions

Naples: Food Tour of Naples - 4 hours

Naples: The City of Naples - 8 hours

Naples: Historic Pompeii & Vesuvius - 9 hours

Itinerary subject to change without notice. Please confirm itinerary at time of booking.

Prices are per person and include cabin fare, taxes, fees, excursions and all meals while onboard.  Airfare is available at an additional charge unless otherwise stated.

Departure Date:
5/9/2024
Number of Nights
10
Cruise Inclusions:
  • 10-nights accommodations
  • All meals aboard ship
  • And more
Available Addons:

Optional roundtrip airfare
Optional pre or post cruise nights

Remarks:

Price is per person, double occupancy.

Cost Includes: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation whe

All prices per person and in USD unless otherwise stated.

Offer ID:
1492039

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections.

Company Info