Compare Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome - Northbound 2020 by Tauck vs Classical Sicily by Explore!

Day 1 Welcome to Malta

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Phoenicia Malta. A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to The Phoenicia Malta. Rich in historic treasures, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century.  Join us tonight for a Tauck Exclusive welcome reception and dinner at your historic hotel overlooking Valletta's Grand Harbour.

MEALS : D

LODGING : The Phoenicia Malta

PORTOFCALL : Valletta, Malta

Day 2 Explore Malta and embark Le Ponant

A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, perched atop a cliff; a drive around St. Julian’s Bay, a favorite setting for the colorful Maltese boats that are often photographed here for worldwide enjoyment; and a walking tour of Valletta and The Malta Experience, an audio-visual show that tells the dramatic story of Malta's 7,000-year history. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a virtual open-air museum of Baroque architecture; visit the splendid St. John's Co-Cathedral to see its silver and gold-leafed interior and rare art treasures, including the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Italian painter Caravaggio. Your newly refurbished small ship, Le Ponant, awaits in the Grand Harbour; set sail for Sicily tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Valletta, Malta

Day 3 Antiquities at Siracusa & on Ortigia Island

Le Ponant docks at Ortigia Island this morning, lined with 18th- and 19th-century townhouses, for a visit to Siracusa on the Sicilian mainland. Drive to Neapolis Parco Archeologico to see the Teatro Greco, an ancient 15,000 seat theatre hewn out of rock, and Latomia del Paradiso, featuring the Ear of Dionysius, with your local guide. Crossing back to the Island of Ortigia, a walking tour includes the 6th-century Temple of Apollo – transformed over the centuries as a Byzantine church, a Muslim mosque and then a Norman church – and the Baroque Duomo. Return to the ship for lunch and a free afternoon. This evening, join us onboard for the captain's welcome reception and dinner; sail tonight for Giardini-Naxos and Taormina. 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Siracusa, Italy

Day 4 Cliff-top Taormina on Sicily

With Le Ponant docked in Giardini-Naxos, ride a Zodiac ashore to Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily, with Mt. Etna – the largest volcano in Europe, and still active – towering in the distance. A tour with a local guide takes you to the Teatro Greco, featuring both Greek and Roman elements, and for a stroll along the Corso Umberto, Old Town Taormina’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and pasticcerie. After returning to the ship for lunch (or staying in Taormina to have lunch as you please), enjoy some free time in the afternoon before Le Ponant departs, bound for Palermo.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

Day 5 Palermo, a private palazzo & more

Enjoy a pleasant morning's cruise aboard Le Ponant en route to Palermo, the capital of Sicily, once considered among Europe's grandest cities; your yacht will be docked in the heart of the city's pedestrian area. Join us for Palermo sightseeing that includes visits to a private residence, Palazzo Gangi di Valguarnera, and Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, the largest Opera House in Italy, as well as some time for exploring on your own. Return to Le Ponant at the end of the day for dinner; this evening, continue your cruise to Trapani.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Palermo, Italy

Day 6 Salt, wine & a private home

Anchor dockside in Trapani for a journey to nearby Spagnola, situated on the coast connecting Trapani and Marsala, to learn about the spectacular "Salt Route" – flanked by glittering ponds and salt mountains, where they still extract salt from the sea as the Arabs did centuries ago. Tour the small salt museum and enjoy its multimedia program about the culture of salt through the ages. You'll also visit a local well-known winery in Marsala for a cellar tour and tasting. On your way back to the ship in Trapani, stop at an 18th-century villa – the private home of the Baronessa Viva and her husband Peppe – to enjoy coffee and homemade sweets in their lovely garden. Rejoin Le Ponant in Trapani and cruise to the Aeolian Islands.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

Day 7 Lipari and a sail past Stromboli

The largest of the Aeolian Islands and noted for its colorful houses, Lipari sits on red volcanic rock and resembles “a wall of bronze,” according to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found have yielded clues to civilizations which date to 1700 BC, including the Neolithic stones that sit alongside ancient tombstones, and ruins of Greek walls and Roman villas. The Spaniards found their way here in the 16th century, building the castello (castle) and the 17th-century cathedral that is perched above the harbor. Join us for a guided walking tour of Lipari, then explore its renowned Archaeological Museum on your own. Return to the ship for lunch, or if you wish, spend some free time exploring and enjoy lunch as you please in town. Back aboard ship, as you head to the Amalfi Coast, experience a different view of these volcanic islands when you sail by the island of Stromboli, home to one of the world’s few constantly active volcanoes – it has continuously erupted for 2,000 years. The view is unforgettable.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

Day 8 The spectacular Amalfi Coast

Today, Le Ponant calls on mainland Italy and the picturesque towns of Amalfi and Ravello on the fabled Amalfi Coast. Go ashore via Zodiac and explore the region on a guided walking tour of the town of Amalfi, and a drive along the dramatic Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, for a visit to Villa Rufolo. This beautifully restored castle boasts amazing architecture, a rich history dating back to a wealthy 13th-century merchant family, and outstanding coastal views; enjoy a lunch of seasonal specialties in Ravello, and time to explore on your own. During your final night aboard ship, join us for the captain’s farewell reception and dinner as Le Ponant heads for Naples.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Amalfi, Italy

Day 9 Herculaneum, Rome & the Vatican Museums

After disembarking Le Ponant in Naples, you'll embark on a fascinating excursion to the ruins of Herculaneum. The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD is infamous – and while the ruins of Pompeii are well known, the upscale city of Herculaneum, buried under ash that same day, is better preserved. An informative guided tour of the antiquities precedes your journey to Rome, where you'll spend two nights on the Via Veneto in the heart of the city. After settling into your hotel in the "Eternal City," depart for a special Tauck Exclusive – and a guaranteed highlight of your Italy cruise – an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums! With a guide – and without the usual daytime crowds – you can explore the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery, the Tapestries, and the iconic Sistine Chapel, seeing them leisurely... a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Hotel Majestic Roma

PORTOFCALL : Rome, Italy

Day 10 Glories of Rome

Join our guide for an overview of Rome’s landmark sights, including St. Peter’s Basilica and various sites from Rome's ancient Imperial days; keep your cameras handy. Spend the afternoon exploring Rome as you please, then share highlights of your extraordinary trip at tonight's farewell reception and dinner.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Hotel Majestic Roma

PORTOFCALL : Rome, Italy

Day 11 Journey home

Tour ends: Rome. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Hotel Majestic Roma to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino is included. You should allow 3 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Rome, Italy

Day 1 Join trip in Syracusa

Our tour of Sicily starts today in Syracusa. During the Greek Classical period, this east coast city was the largest in the ancient world - even bigger than Athens. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also notable as being the birthplace of antiquity's greatest mathematician, Archimedes. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), which is about a one-hour drive away. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to walk into the historic centre of Ortygia Island, which is about 20-30 minutes from our hotel. Artemis Fountain and the Baroque cathedral are lit up beautifully at night. Tonight will be your first opportunity to sample Sicilian cuisine and wine. According to Greek legend, the god Dionysus brought wine to Sicily, however, it's more likely that wine has been produced here since ancient times due to the island being blessed with plenty of sunshine and reliably moderate rainfall, along with fertile volcanic soils. Nowadays there's a huge variety of delicious red and white wines to choose from. You might also like to try a typically Sicilian dish such as pasta with sardines and wild fennel, aubergine stew or boiled pork in salsa verde and saffron.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Discover Syracusa's historic Neapolis and Ortygia Island

We'll start today by driving the short distance to the city's Neapolis Archaeological Park, where a local guide will show us its famous Greek theatre, hewn out of the hillside, and the fine Roman amphitheatre where gladiators once fought. We'll then drive over to Ortygia Island, where we'll have free time to have lunch and explore. This small island is the historical centre of the city and home to many landmarks such as the Fonte of Aretusa, Temple of Apollo ruins, Maniace Castle, and the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter with its old baths found under the Residenza Alla Giudecca Hotel. Alternatively, you could take a short boat trip along the rocky cave-strewn coastline. Thanks to its limestone buildings and pretty harbour, Ortygia Island is also a great place to sit and watch the world go by in a local café or restaurant. You could try cannolo, a traditional Sicilian dessert, a crisp shell filled with sweet ricotta and chocolate chips topped with candied fruits. If you\ d prefer a savoury snack then arancini is just the thing - a rice ball stuffed with a range of fillings such as beef ragu and gooey cheese, it's simply delicious. Leaving Syracusa this afternoon, we'll drive for a couple of hours inland to our base for tonight, Piazza Amerina, a charming market town set amid rolling countryside. This town is off the tourist trail and tonight you'll have the opportunity to dine in one of the delightful family-run restaurants. As you stroll along through the peaceful streets and picturesque squares you can see the local men gathering to discuss the events of the day and put the world to rights - just as their families have been doing for generations.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 3 See the mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale and the Valley of the Temples

Today we'll visit two of Sicily's most important historic sites. We'll start at the Villa Romana del Casale, which is just a short hop from our hotel. We'll aim to arrive before the crowds. A local guide will show us the ruins of this magnificent country mansion that contains some incredibly well-preserved and beautiful Roman mosaics, such as the famed bikini girls, fishing cupids and hunting scenes featuring exotic wildlife like tigers, rhinos and elephants. The mosaics are UNESCO-listed and spread over a remarkable 3,500 square metres. We'll drive on to Agrigento, which was once one of the most prosperous cities in Sicily. The ancient acropolis, now the modern city, overlooks a southern ridge, misleadingly named the Valley of the Temples. Visiting these temples with a local guide, we'll walk around the ruins of the largest Doric temple ever constructed - the Temple of Zeus. Standing next to this monumental structure, you feel tiny staring up at the gigantic pillars above you. We'll also explore the perfectly proportioned Doric columns of the Temple of Concord, as well as the oldest temple in the complex, honouring Hercules. Later this afternoon, we'll drive north along the coastline for two hours to tonight's hotel in Marsala. Our hotel this evening is a 25-minute walk from the centre of town. We'll head into the centre to the Porta Garibaldi from where our local guide will take us on a short walk through the old town. After time for dinner, we'll return to our hotel.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Explore Erice and the Greek ruins of Segesta en route to Palermo

This morning, we'll drive up the twisty mountain roads to one of Sicily's best-kept secrets, the delightful medieval hilltop walled town of Erice. Here, we'll have the morning free to soak up the atmosphere and get lost among the maze of cobbled narrow streets. At 750 metres above sea level, on a clear day, you can see right across the valley to the sea below from here. The town is home to a number of churches that you can visit, you could also drop into the courtyard of the Norman fortress, Castello di Venere or the nearby Garden of Balio. It's also well worth noting that Erice is home to Sicily's most famous cake shop - Maria Grammatic. Early afternoon will see us travelling on to Segesta - one of the best-preserved ancient sites. Once home to the Elymians, who it's believed descended from the Trojans. The two most famous monuments found here are the Doric temple and the amphitheatre that sit on the slopes of Mount Barbaro in a stunning natural setting - no modern-day structures mar your appreciation of the site. Along the old entrance roads to the city are the Sanctuary of Contrada Mango and the Agora - the central meeting place of the city. Near to the amphitheatre, you can see the more recent remains dating from around 1442 of a castle, mosque, and church. If you visit in springtime, you can spot colourful wildflowers and giant fennel as you walk around the site. The site is large and hilly but there's a complimentary bus service that operates in the archaeological site. On leaving magnificent Segesta, we'll drive for around one hour along the north coast to our hotel in Sicily's capital, Palermo where we'll have the evening free.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 Visit the Palatine Chapel and Monreale Cathedral, free time in Palermo

This morning, we'll get to experience some of Sicily's Norman history. In Palermo, we'll visit the Palatine Chapel with a local guide. This is the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily and is packed with spectacular Byzantine mosaics. Driving into the hills just a short distance out of the capital, we'll go with our guide to visit the majestic Norman Cathedral of Monreale. Founded in 1174 by William the Good, the cathedral is also famous for its extensive mosaics, as well as its cloisters showing both Romanesque and Islamic influences. Returning to Sicily's capital, the afternoon is free to enjoy Palermo. The city stands at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, with the fertile valley of Concha d'Oro behind. It was one of the richest cities in Europe from the 9th to the 12th centuries AD when Islamic culture, Byzantine magnificence and medieval Europe were merging into a fascinating civilisation. Today, the city maintains a sense of cultural diversity and is famous for its art, music and food. You might like to visit Palermo's cathedral with its ornate facade, the grand Teatro Massimo opera house, the natural beauty of the Botanical Gardens or the extensive catacombs under the city, to name just a few of the attractions on offer. If you fancy a snack whilst exploring then you could try panelle, which is a popular street food. It's a fritter made from chickpeas eaten in a roll like a hot sandwich. If you fancy something sweet then cassata is Sicily's most famous cake, which is normally covered in marzipan and green icing over a moist fruity sponge layered with ricotta.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Drive along the coast with a stop in Cefalu en route to Giardini Naxos

Leaving Palermo this morning, we'll drive along the spectacular northern coastline to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalu. Here, we'll stop to explore the town and have the opportunity to go for a swim. You might like to visit the Norman Cathedral, with its stupendous mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Alternatively, if you're feeling active then you can walk up the steps passed the Temple of Diana ruins to the Castle on the Rock (the ascent is 278 metres) - the incredible seaviews make the climb worthwhile. From Cefalu, we'll continue our drive along the coast to the small coastal town of Giardini Naxos, which will be our base for the next two nights. This sweet little fishing town sits in the shadow of Mount Etna and is the spot of the oldest Greek settlement in Sicily back in 735 BC. It's a great place for relaxing beside the sea and tucking into fresh fish and gelato. When in Sicily you have to sample the gelato… the region has some of the creamiest in all of Italy.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 7 Travel to Mount Etna, afternoon in Taormina

This morning, we'll travel to the base camp of Mount Etna to explore the lunar landscape, craters and lava fields of one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. We'll head directly to the cable car base at Rifugio Sapienza, which is on the south side of Etna and 1,900 metres above sea level. Here there are several cafes and gift shops, and you can also see the old Silvestri Craters. There's the option to board the cable car up to 2,500 metres where there's another cafe and gift shop and you can have a walk around on the mountainside, please note this is an additional expense, see the optional activities section for more details. From here, you have the option of boarding a four-wheel drive coach up to 2,900 metres to take a short walk (around 45 minutes) with a mountain guide to view the craters formed in the 2002/3 eruptions and the fumaroles at around 3,000 metres, which is as close to the summit as we're currently permitted to go. You then return down the mountain the same way. This afternoon, we'll meet back up at base camp (1,900) meters and travel the short distance to Taormina, Sicily's most famous resort. Once a haven for the likes of D. H Lawrence and Oscar Wilde, Taormina is still a popular tourist destination today. A short walk around the chic town, with its pretty medieval churches and charming streets, will show you just why it's so loved. We'll join a local guide to visit the Greek Theatre. The snow-capped Mount Etna acts as a spectacular backdrop to the remarkably preserved columned stage - it's easy to see why this is possibly the most famous view in all of Sicily. We'll also visit the Roman Odeon before having the rest of the afternoon free to explore. In the early evening, we'll return to Giardini Naxos. You might choose to visit the Villa Comunale Gardens which offer a peaceful escape from Taormina's bustling main street. Here you can walk amidst magnolia, hibiscus, and bougainvillaea trees. If you'd like to enjoy a drink and a snack, then we'd recommend taking a stroll down one of Taormina's side streets where you'll find plenty of authentic bars and restaurants (which are less crowded than in the centre of town).

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Trip ends in Giardini Naxos

Our trip ends after breakfast this morning at our hotel in Giardini Naxos. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Giardini Naxos at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), which is about a one-hour drive away.

Meals Provided : Breakfast