DETAILS
Sicily and Malta have possessed an almost mythical appeal since Homer and Virgil first extolled their virtues. From the classical perfection of Agrigento’s Roman relics to the ancient cliffside village of Taormina, this carefully curated, 7-night itinerary explores resplendent shores and prized remnants of bygone civilizations. Bask in sun-dappled islands at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and explore coastal cities that date back more than 7,000 years. Cruise along two of Europe’s most dramatic coastlines through the fabled Strait of Messina to the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas. Journey from the island of Malta to the ancient Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and to the souk (marketplace) of Tunis, Tunisia. Enjoy calls at Taormina, Trapani, and Palermo on the island of Sicily before cruising to Syracuse.
- Pricing from
- $4,945
Reserve early for SAVINGS! BONUS SAVINGS! Pay in full at the time of booking to receive additional savings. Bookings made inside 121 days prior to departure are not eligible for this discount.
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
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May 7, 2024 - May 15, 2024
Malta Pre-Program Option
Enhance your Mediterranean cruise experience with a 2-night immersion on the island of Malta. Walk the medieval streets of the beautifully preserved, UNESCO‑inscribed town of Valetta, built by the Knights of the Order of St. John in the late 16th-century. Visit the Lower Barrakka Gardens for a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbor and the Grandmaster’s Palace. Explore the stunning 16th century Casa Rocca Piccola, home of the Marquis De Piro family, led by one of the family members. Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral and at UNESCO-inscribed Hagar Qim, explore the Palace of the Inquisitor and the Tarxien Temples. Accommodations are in an ideally located 5‑star hotel.
The Pre -Program Option is available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
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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Linda Harper
Linda was on the NTHP National Main Street program’s management team working with over 200 communities. As the director for Exchange Programs for the Countryside Institute she provided oversight for communities in 3 counties to implement sustainable environmental and economic programs. Her time as the Board Chair and Executive Director of Historic Congressional Cemetery saw the property go from being listed on the NT’s 11 Most Endangered to being listed as a National Landmark with a $4M endowment. Most recently she served as the CEO for Cultural Tourism for Washington, DC promoting the embassies, monuments, arts and neighborhoods as an integral part of the city’s economic development plan. Her background in historic preservation, cultural tourism and community engagement will help each traveler better understand the flavor and significance of our stops along the way.
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
Depart the U.S. for Valletta, Malta/Embark Le Bougainville
Arrive in Valletta, Malta, and embark the intimate 5-star ship Le Bougainville. Enjoy dinner on board later.
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day 3
Reggio Calabria, Italy/Naxos for Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Arrive in Giardini Naxos after breakfast on the ship. Stroll through Taormina, an ancient village on the top of a cliff above the Ionian Sea. Visit the Greco‑Roman Theater, the Corvaia Palace, see Odeon, and visit the Corso Umberto. After enjoying lunch on board the ship, spend afternoon free time in the city once ruled by ancient Greeks before the Romans overtook it in 215 B.C. and later destroyed by the Arabs in 902 A.D. Later, join your fellow passengers for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and dinner on board afterwards.
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day 4
Palermo
Visit Palermo’s traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, Baroque square, and 12th‑century Duomo. At the Capo market, see and taste revered Palermo street food and admire colorful stalls displaying an abundance of produce, seafood, and meats. After lunch on the ship, you have the option of either taking part in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience with a local guide ending with a tasting at the Operà House Cafè, or driving up the hillside to visit the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site Cathedral of Monreale—one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture and known for its magnificent Byzantine mosaics.
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day 5
Trapani, Sicily
Following breakfast on the ship, drive through the Sea Saltpans of Trapani and continue to Segesta. See the ancient and well‑preserved Doric Temple, with 36 gold limestone columns as well as an amphitheater still in use today. Visit the medieval town of Erice, set atop a hill surrounded by a lush park and accessible via cable car. Enjoy panoramic views of Erice’s charming old stone streets and medieval churches, and marvel at the Norman Venus Castle.
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day 6
Tunis, Tunisia for Carthage
Arrive in Tunis, Tunisia, home to an exotic blend of African and Arab cultures and once considered one of the wealthiest cities in the Islamic world. The capital has a history dating back to 200 B.C. Transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carthage to visit the Baths of Antonino, the ancient Roman theater, and the Punic ports where Carthaginian fleets once took shelter. See Tunis’s historic center, the Arabic Medina or Old Town—also a UNESCO‑inscribed site with a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, small shops, mosques, and palaces. Enjoy afternoon free time in the souks (markets) after an included lunch at a local restaurant near Medina.
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day 7
Porto Empedocle for Agrigento, Sicily
This afternoon, visit Agrigento’s UNESCO World Heritage‑designated Valley of the Temples to see eight Doric shrines dating from the fifth century B.C., including the Temple of Juno. Explore the Temple of Concordia, which is still in a perfect state of conservation and is considered one of the most important landmarks of the Greek world.
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day 8
Syracuse
Visit the Altar of Hieron II, a monument dedicated to Zeus, and Dionysius’ Ear in Syracuse. Also within the historically significant Syracuse Archaeological Park is the Roman Amphitheater and the Greek Theater. Transfer to the island of Ortygia—Syracuse’s maritime heart also known for its street food and markets—where the Temple of Apollo stands in the remains of Piazza Pancali. Stroll through the old city for a walking tour including a Baroque cathedral incorporating the ruins of a fifth‑century B.C. temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. At the Piazza Archimede, view the Baroque‑style Fountain of Diana. After lunch on the ship, enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Ortygia, Syracuse’s historical center where the Greek goddess Leto was rumored to have given birth to the goddess Artemis. Tonight, attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner with your fellow passengers.
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day 9
Valletta, Malta/ Disembark ship/ Return to home city
Enjoy breakfast on the ship and travel to the airport for your return flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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