"Moonlit Volcanos and Baroque Beauties of Italy"
Duration: 6 Days
The maritime sentinel of Civitavecchia begins our journey to sculpted shores and fiery isles of Italy. Gentle breezes carry us across the Tyrrhenian Sea to idyllic Ischia, renowned for spa soaks and wine tastings, before Capri, where you are invited to dine in an exclusive cliff-top and watch the sun gild the sculpted rocks below. Embracing the words of Gabriel García Márquez, “going to Sicily is better than going to the moon,” you venture to three harbors of sublime contrast: surreal Stromboli, captivating with its volcanic drama and hopes of glimpsing molten lava; Giardini Naxos, a gateway to Taormina’s enchanting Greek ruins; and Syracuse, with its Baroque grandeur. Finally, you yield to the storied harbor of Valletta to mingle with artists, tastemakers, and royals.
Countries visited:
Italy
Places visited:
Capri, Ischia, Lipari, Rome, Syracuse, Taormina
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DAY 1:
Rome
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Rome is far more that a destination; it's an experience
Docking in Civitaveccia, you'll be just an hour and a half away from Rome - a city of legends, where history and myth intertwine. Rome shaped the world, and in turn, the world remains captivated by its grandeur.
Every street corner reveals a story: the Colosseum's ancient grandeur, the Pantheon's awe-inspiring dome, the elegance of the Trevi Fountain, and the quiet splendor of Villa Borghese. Rome's timeless monuments - from St. Peter's Basilica to the Sistine Chapel - speak of emperors, philosophers, and artists who left their mark on the Eternal City.
A city of cinema, la dolce vita, and endless discoveries, Rome is far more than a destination; it's an experience. They say every stone there tells a story. Yours is waiting to be written.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Take a guided tour of the Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
DAY 2:
Ischia
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Thermal Springs and Endless Italian Embrace in Ischia
Ischia exudes an air of refined seclusion, where emerald hills cascade into crystalline bays and ancient thermal springs bubble forth like nature's private elixir. A favorite destination for wealthy Neapolitans, this volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples owes much to its hot springs, celebrated since antiquity. Ascend craggy promontories to medieval stronghold, their weathered ramparts guarding vine-wrapped terraces and sun-bleached cathedrals. Wander flower-filled hamlets where groves of citrus and olives frame pebbled shores or linger in hillside sanctuaries yielding mineral-rich wines. A haven of nature's grace.
HIGHLIGHTS:
See the hot springs
Visit the sun-bleached Cathedrals
Enjoy the views of the flower-filled Hamlets
DAY 3:
Capri
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Five Legendary Letters
From the sea, Capri's dramatic coastline comes into view, along with its cliffs, caves, and, if the light is right, glimpses of vineyards and gardens. Famous worldwide, Capri has long drawn the world's elite to its shores - Rilke, Wilde, Cocteau, Taylor, and Kennedy, to name a few.
Capri captivates like a magnet. Perhaps it's the shimmering blue of the Grotta Azzurra, or the piazzetta, with whitewashed houses and luxury boutiques where people-watching becomes art. Maybe it's the iconic Malaparte villa or the charming village of Anacapri, which offered refuge to literary figures like Moravia and Greene. There are countless reasons to fall in love with Capri. Yours will be one of them.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Take a tour to the Blue Grotto
Kayak between caves
DAY 4:
Lipari
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The Geothermal Gem of Lipari
A bounteous island of mythical volcanic beauty, Lipari leaps from the sea as the largest and most vibrant island in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Aeolian archipelago of seven volcanic isles, rises dramatically from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Shaped by ancient eruptions, its striking pumice cliffs and obsidian flows harken to its geological past, where on its slopes vines and caper bushes cling to the black earth as scents of rosemary mingle with briny sea air. In Lipari Town, narrow whitewashed streets lead to the ancient citadel, a fortified site with layers of Greek and Roman ruins, including a Norman cathedral that bears traces of early mariners who once settled here. Rugged beauty and gin-clear shores give Lipari it's timeless allure.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy sights from the Volcanic Beauty
Visit the Lipari Castle
DAY 5:
Syracuse
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Syracuse, An Enchanted Realm
Syracuse, a city where legends come to life, invites you to fall under its timeless spell. Situated on the Ionian coast of Sicily, this ancient city is imbued with myth and history - from Archimedes' famous "Eureka!" moment to the enduring beauty of its architecture.
Stroll past the Fountain of Arethusa, where fresh spring water meets the sea, or gaze over the Ionian Sea from the walls of Castello Maniace. In the Piazza Duomo, baroque churches and majestic palaces stand proudly, while the nearby Neapolis archaeological park offers a glimpse of Syracuse's Greek past with its grand theater and ancient ruins. In Syracuse, the past feels alive, as if the city exists both within and beyond time - a place that makes you feel part of the world both enchanted and eternal.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy a walking tour with a local
Take a cooking class
DAY 6:
Taormina
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Taormina: Ancient Beauty Above the Sea
Spending a day in Taormina while docked on a cruise feels like stepping into a postcard. After tendering ashore, you wind your way up to this cliffside town perched high above the Ionian Sea. Corso Umberto pulls you in first—lined with cafés, boutiques, and bursts of Sicilian color. A short stroll leads to the ancient Greek Theatre, where sweeping views of Mount Etna and the coastline make the climb worthwhile. With a few hours to spare, you can linger over granita, wander quiet side streets, or take the cable car down to the beaches of Mazzarò. As sail-away approaches, Taormina leaves you with that rare mix of history, beauty, and effortless charm that stays with you long after the ship pulls away.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Sicilian Street Food & Wine Tour
Take a Tour of Mount Etna
FINAL THOUGHTS
The mix of dramatic coastlines, historic cities, and refined onboard experiences reflects the brand’s “Golden Age of Travel” ethos - a journey as much about the art of travel as the destinations themselves. Let me help you book an intimate voyage.