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.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
23 meals (
8B, 7L, 8D
)
4 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Naples, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Naples
Meals:
D
Stay:
Caracciolo Palazzo Naples
Activity Note
Check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After arriving at the hotel, check-in and take some time to unpack and relax. Attend an orientation meeting. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.
Dinner:
At the hotel, get to know your fellow participants with a welcome meal.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Naples-Herculaneum, Embark Ship
Location:
Naples
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Please pack your passport and any medications in your hand luggage today. Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 3 miles; varied terrain, stairs in archaeology park.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Check out of the hotel and transfer our luggage to the motorcoach before departing for our Field Trip. We will set out via motorcoach to the doomed ancient resort town of Herculaneum. Mount Vesuvius erupted on the 24th of August in the year 79 CE. The town of Herculaneum was overwhelmed by a massive mudflow 16 meters deep. The depth of the ash left much of Herculaneum very well preserved, including wooden structures and food. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers an in depth view into the daily lives of ancient Romans. We will return to port at the end of the field trip for some free time to explore independently.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will transfer to the port of Naples to embark our ship in the late afternoon for the cruise portion of our program. Once aboard, we will have a welcome drink to meet the ship's crew and staff, followed by a safety orientation before we depart. Please note that your departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship, dinners will be eaten in the open seating dining room. Most will be buffets, with choices of salads, vegetarian and meat or seafood entrees, dessert, and coffee, tea, and water. The first and last dinners on board will include a glass of wine, with other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Naples on our journey to Capri.
Day
4
Capri-Anacapri Discovery & Villa San Michelle
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 2 miles on varied terrain. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will dock at the island of Capri, the true jewel of the bay of Naples. Upon arriving at Capri, we will board our motorcoach and enjoy a scenic drive to Anacapri, the alluring village perched at the island's summit. Our local expert will lead us on a walk to the Villa of San Michele, home of the Swedish physician Axel Munthe, who visited Capri in 1885 and built his dream house "open to the sun, to the wind, and the voice of the sea, just like a Greek temple, and light everywhere." We’ll explore the villa and terraced gardens. We will then return to Capri and reboard our ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program. Weather permitting, we will have a stop to swim in the Mediterranean waters.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Capri on our journey to Lipari.
Day
5
Lipari-Walking Discovery & Spanish Castle
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles on varied terrain. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
After a delightful breakfast, our ship anchors at Lipari, the largest gem of the Aeolian Islands. Known for its rich mythology and stunning landscapes, Lipari is irresistibly charming. We will explore the picturesque town of Lipari with our local expert. Continue to the Spanish-built castle, now a cathedral and museum with artifacts from prehistoric and ancient Greek and Roman eras. After our walking discovery, enjoy free time in the village visiting Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Lipari's liveliest street or the atmospheric Marina Corta, a pretty little marina ringed by popular bars and restaurants.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Lipari on our journey to Taormina.
Day
6
Taormina- Greek Theatre
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 3 miles, an inclined road, paths of uneven stone pavers, steep and uneven stone steps at the amphitheater, and few handrails. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will depart the ship via motorcoach and drive to nearby Taormina for a walk along the Corso Umberto, Taormina's pedestrian-only main street on our way to the ancient Greek Theater that dates back to the 3rd century BCE. From here, we will have breathtaking views of the sea and Mt. Etna. We will return to the ship at the end of our field trip. Those who wish to stay ashore and explore independently are welcome to do so.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program. Weather permitting, we will have a stop to swim in the Mediterranean waters.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Taormina on our journey to Catania.
Day
7
Catania- Mt. Etna Discovery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 2 miles on varied terrain. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will board our mororcoach and head towards the northeastern slopes of Mount Etna National Park. Upon arrival, explore the captivating history of volcanic eruptions associated with this active volcano with a local expert. It is worth noting that Mount Etna holds the prestigious title of a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. According to the inscription by UNESCO, "Mount Etna stands as the tallest mountain on a Mediterranean island and ranks as the most active stratovolcano worldwide. Its eruptive legacy spans half a million years, with documented activity spanning at least 2,700 years. Mount Etna's near-continuous eruptions have profoundly impacted the fields of volcanology, geophysics, and other disciplines within Earth sciences. Moreover, the volcano nurtures significant terrestrial ecosystems featuring unique plant and animal species. Its ongoing activity serves as a natural laboratory for studying ecological and biological processes. We will then return to Catania and reaboard our ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship Weather permitting, we will have a stop to swim in the Mediterranean waters.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Catania on our journey to Syracuse.
Day
8
Syracuse-Archaeological Park & Ortygia
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps.Walking up to 4 miles, park paths of stone, dirt, gravel, and some inclines. No handrails in the archaeological park or amphitheater. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and head towards the outskirts of Siracusa. Accompanied by a local expert, we will embark on a field trip into the Archaeological Zone, an area of historical significance. Our exploration will encompass notable sites such as the remarkable Greek amphitheater and the Paradise Quarry, which once held captive 7,000 Athenian soldiers countless centuries ago. The Greek Theater, carved meticulously into the rocky hillside during the 5th century BCE, held immense importance in the ancient world. As we step into this amphitheater, ascend a few of the stone seats, taking our place on the stone "bleachers" and immersing ourselves in the perspective of spectators from centuries past. Having absorbed the rich history and ambiance of this ancient site, we will regroup, board our motorcoach and head out to the small island of Ortygia, located at the eastern end of Syracuse, separated by a narrow channel and connected to mainland Sicily by two bridges. We will have some time to explore the area, before returning to the ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program. Weather permitting, we will have a stop to swim in the Mediterranean waters.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Syracuse on our journey to Gozo.
Day
9
Gozo-Ggantija Temples, Valletta
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 2 miles and standing up to 2 hours at a time; varied & uneven terrain; limited/little shade.All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach for a field trip to Xaghra. Here with our expert historian, we will explore Ggantija, the first in the series of Malta’s megalithic temples. This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of side-by-side temples that were constructed between 5600 and 5200 BCE. The Coralline limestone rocks of which these temples are constructed are more than five meters in length, and weigh more than fifty tons. They are so large that Gozitans — residents of Gozo — used to believe they were built by giants, which is why the name of these temples comes from the Maltese word for giant. We will then return to the ship and sail to nearby Valletta, the capital of Malta, where you will some free time to explore on your own.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
The ship will dock in Valletta, have free time to explore on your own.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation tomorrow morning. The ship will be in the port of Valletta overnight.
Day
10
Valletta, Disembarkation, Program Concludes
Location:
Valletta
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Disembarkation by 9:00 AM.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Disembarkation at Valletta Cruise Port will follow after breakfast, timing based upon cabin location and flight schedule. All participants must be off the ship by 9 AM. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
