DETAILS
Bask in sun-dappled islands at the crossroads of history on this deluxe, seven-night cruise from the Amalfi Coast to Malta. Visit the UNESCO-inscribed ruins of Pompeii and savor the splendor of the Isle of Capri. Enjoy calls at Palermo, Taormina, ancient Syracuse and Malta’s capital city of Valletta. Join Guest Speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II on a guided tour of a museum devoted to the history of the 1943 Allied landings in Sicily during World War II. Complementary alcoholic & nonalcoholic beverages & Wi-Fi are included throughout the cruise!
- Pricing from
- $5,390
Reserve & SAVE up to $2,000 per cabin!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Jun 27, 2025 - Jul 5, 2025
Rome – June 24 to 28, 2025 (Program Begins: June 25)
Begin your Mediterranean tour with three nights in the UNESCO-inscribed “Eternal City” of Rome, which features spectacular Baroque landmarks from centuries as a nucleus of culture, religion and political power. Travel to the Colosseum, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, followed by a tour of the Roman Forum. Immerse yourself in Vatican City, the smallest country in the world and home to the opulent Vatican Museums, on a tour that includes a visit to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Stroll the Piazza Trinita, see the iconic Spanish Steps and toss a coin into the legendary Trevi Fountain. Conclude your time in Rome with a guided tour of Villa Borghese Park and its lovely art museum, the Borghese Gallery.
Accommodations are in the deluxe Westin Excelsior Rome.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $1,495
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,895
Valletta – July 5 to 7, 2025 (Program Ends: July 7)
Complete your journey with a two-night sojourn in the beautifully preserved, UNESCO‑inscribed town of Valletta, built by the Knights of the Order of St. John in the late 16th century. Visit the megalithic temple of Hagar Qim to explore the Palace of the Inquisitor and the Tarxien Temples. Experience an authentic village festa, a colorful local festival deeply rooted in Maltese culture, and enjoy an excursion to the island of Gozo, the second largest of Malta’s seven-island archipelago. Accommodations are in the deluxe Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $695
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $895
Airport transfers and luggage handling abroad are only included if air arrangements are booked through Gohagan & Company. If travelers make their own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included; transfers can be organized through Gohagan & Company and purchased by the traveler.
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Sara N. James
Sara N. James combines her passion for art, architecture, and gardens with her sense of adventure and love of travel. She is Professor Emerita of Art History at Mary Baldwin University and a specialist in Renaissance and Baroque art. In her 30-year teaching career she taught broad range of courses, including Classical, Medieval, Renaissance (Italian and Northern), and Baroque art and architecture, as well as interdisciplinary honors courses. An avid gardener and garden lover, she is a certified Master Gardener and a member of the Garden Club of Virginia and the Garden Club of America. She has regularly traveled and lectured abroad with adult groups since 2016. Her publications include two books: Signorelli and Fra Angelico at Orvieto: Liturgy, Poetry and a Vision of the End-time (Ashgate, 2003) and Art in England from the Saxons to the Tudors: 600-1600 (Oxbow/Casemate, 2016), as well as numerous chapters, articles, and reviews in scholarly journals. Sara holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Virginia and is a member of the Old Dominion chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society. She has spent three sabbatical terms at the American Academy in Rome and one at the Paul Mellon Centre in London.
A non-refundable administrative fee of $300 per person will apply for all cancellations received more than 7 days after booking and before other fees take effect at 120 days:
120 days $300 per person admin fee after 7-day grace period from booking
120 – 91 days 25% of full invoice fare
90 – 61 days 50% of full invoice fare
60 – 31 days 75% of full invoice fare
30 – 0 days 100% of full invoice fare
Separate airfare Terms & Conditions apply
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1 & 2
Home City/ Rome/Civitavecchia/Embark World Navigator
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day 3
Sorrento/Pompeii
Enjoy breakfast with views of Sorrento, the scenic gateway to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. Explore the ancient petrified city of Pompeii on foot to see the wealthy Vetti family estate, the extraordinary amphitheater and Temple of Jupiter. Later this afternoon, immerse yourself in Sorrento’s local traditions on a walking tour through the historical old town that includes a chance to learn the secrets of limoncello and experience a tasting of the popular Italian liqueur. Later this evening you may enjoy a traditional tarantella performance, featuring traditional Neapolitan songs and dance. Join fellow guests tonight for the Captain’s Welcome Reception.
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day 4
Amalfi Coast/Amalfi/ Isle of Capri
Admire the natural splendor of the Amalfi Coast on a scenic drive to the medieval village of Amalfi, where you may enjoy time on your own to explore the charming boutiques and cafes. Later this afternoon we sail to Capri — the island where, legend has it, Homer’s Odysseus resisted the alluring call of the sirens. Visit the Augustus Gardens, a series of serene, flower-filled terraces that afford breathtaking panoramas. You will also see the ancient perfumery of Carthusia — the smallest fragrance laboratory in the world.
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day 5
Palermo
Visit Palermo’s Baroque square and the 12th-century Duomo of Cefalù cathedral. Step inside the Palatine Chapel, a 12th-century masterpiece that reflects Sicily’s diverse origins with European, Sicilian, Byzantine and Arab influences. At the Capo market, see revered Palermo street food and admire colorful stalls. After a tasting nearby, visit the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Monreale — one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture and known for its Byzantine mosaics.
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day 6
Giardini Naxos/Taormina/Catania
Be on deck this morning as we cruise past the Aeolian Island of Stromboli, the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” Travel to Taormina, where a guided walking tour takes you along the Corso Umberto to the archaeological site of the Roman Odeon, built in 21 B.C. Visit the remarkably preserved Greco-Roman Theatre, the most dramatically sited Greek theater in the world that’s still in use today, and explore the 14th-century Corvaia Palace. Return to the ship for lunch on board, followed by an excursion with Guest Speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II to visit the Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily 1943 in nearby Catania.
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day 7
Syracuse
Discover the city’s ancient past on a visit to the Neapolis Archaeological Park, containing some of Syracuse’s most important ruins. See the Altar of Hieron II, a monument dedicated to Zeus and used for public sacrifices, and the Ear of Dionysius, a limestone cave carved out of the Temenites hill. Later you will travel to the small island of Ortigia for a walking tour that includes the sixth century B.C. Temple of Apollo, a cathedral containing the ruins of a fifth century B.C. temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and the Piazza Archimede. Enjoy a wine tasting on a visit to one of the most noble palaces in the area, hosted by Baron Beneventano, a leading wine producer.
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day 8
Valletta. Malta
Disembark for an excursion that includes a stroll through the 16th‑century Barrakka Gardens. Also visit the Grandmaster’s Palace, the former residence of the Order of the Knights of St. John, and the St. John’s Co‑Cathedral with its two large bell towers. Admire the lavishly ornamented interior and see Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s only signed work, the dramatic “Beheading of John the Baptist.” Later this evening, attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception.
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day 9
Valletta/Disembark ship/Return to home city
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for a return flight to your home city.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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