Italy/Sicily/Malta
Southern Italy, Malta & Sicily — A Small Ship Voyage
Program No. 25141RJ
Say “salve” — or “hello” — to Italy as you set sail on this Floating Campus voyage that brings you though ancient history at ports in southern Italy, Sicily and Malta.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
10 days
9 nights
23 meals
8B 7L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
6
Taormina- Greek Theatre
At Sea
At a Glance
The coasts of Italy have long called explorers to their historic shores and ports — and now it’s time for you to experience this beautiful region for yourself on this Floating Campus voyage! Board the Variety Voyager, a small ship reserved just for Road Scholar, and begin your learning adventure with a field trip to Herculaneum to learn about its archaeology and ancient history. From there, your journey will take you across southern Italy, Sicily and Malta to continue learning about stories from thousands of years ago. Come into port at Taormina’s Greek Theatre and the island of Gozo’s megalithic temples, designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their Bronze Age structures. Opportunities also abound to appreciate the natural beauty of the region, from the gardens at Villa San Michelle on Capri to Mt. Etna, the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island. If you’re hearing the siren call of ancient history, prepare to embark on an unforgettable Floating Campus voyage!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 3 miles per day over various types of terrain; walking up stairs unassisted, getting in and out of motor coaches.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Enjoy the instruction of a dedicated onboard expert who will be with you throughout your journey as you take in private lectures and educational activities on this Floating Campus voyage.
- Explore Syracuse, birthplace of the ancient Greek astronomer and physicist Archimedes, and learn about this city’s role in ancient history.
- Take in the breathtaking views at the top of Mount Etna and learn about the studies of geophysics and volcanology in the area.
Suggested Reading List
(10 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Southern Italy, Malta & Sicily — A Small Ship Voyage
Program Number: 25141
Italy in Mind
A terrific collection of some of the best literary writing on Italy, including pieces by Melville, Lawrence, Henry James, Mary McCarthy and many others.
My Brilliant Friend
Set in 1960s Naples, Italy, Ferrante explores the complexities of friendship that spans decades. She weaves a story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it transforms in ways that also changes the lives of these two women.
Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum
Drawing on sharp, full-color photographs of more than 200 objects excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roberts, a curator at the British Museum, discusses what life was like in the ancient cities. He covers everything from birth certificates to the prevalence of bakeries and taverns.
Italy, A Short History
Elegantly written, generous and informative, this compact book takes in the sweep of Italian history from the Roman Republic through the Renaissance, World War II and up to the present.
Incontinent on the Continent: My Mother, Her Walker, and Our Grand Tour of Italy
"Incontinent on the Continent: My Mother, Her Walker, and Our Grand Tour of Italy" is a humorous and heartwarming memoir that chronicles the author's unforgettable journey through Italy with her elderly mother and her trusty walker. In this delightful travelogue, Christmas shares their misadventures, touching moments, and the challenges they face as they navigate Italy's beautiful yet sometimes challenging terrain. Along the way, they encounter colorful characters, savor delicious Italian cuisine, and explore the country's rich cultural heritage. With wit and candor, Christmas's storytelling captures the essence of a mother-daughter bond and the transformative power of travel. This book is a charming and relatable tale for anyone who has embarked on an adventure with a loved one, especially in the backdrop of a captivating destination like Italy.
La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z
La Dolce Vita University (LDVU) is the perfect sampler for anyone curious about (or already in amore with) Italy and its remarkably rich cultural gifts, both past and present.
Street Fight in Naples: A City's Unseen History
Peter Robb's Street Fight in Naples ranges across nearly three thousand years of Neapolitan life and art, from the first Greek landings in Italy to the time of his own less auspicious arrival thirty-something years ago.
Blue Guide Malta and Gozo
A comprehensive guide in the well-known series, this book provides detailed coverage of the history, culture and architecture of these Mediterranean islands.
Italian Folktales
A treasured collection of 200 lively folk tales presented by one of the modern masters of Italian fiction. Calvino's elegant rendering of these old stories reveals his great affection for the folkloric traditions of his childhood.
Masters of the Great Stones
A simple introduction to Malta’s Prehistoric Monuments: the World’s Oldest Freestanding Buildings, and the Mediterranean’s Earliest Civilization. This book represents a sampling of what people seem to want to know. Easy language and original full color photos present a mysterious island society of accomplished architects and builders whose engineering artistry flourished a thousand years before the pyramids! (Formerly available only in Europe.)
