Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Rome

•   All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides

Day 1: Malta to mainland Italy cruise begins
A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Hotel Phoenicia Malta. Rich in historic treasures, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century.  Meet fellow travelers at tonight's welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Phoenicia Malta, Valletta, Malta
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: • Let the southern Italy cruise begin
A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay. A highlight of your Valletta walking tour is the treasure trove of art found in the Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. Begin your Italy cruise aboard Tauck's motor sailing yacht, Le Ponant, in Valletta's Grand Harbour, and set sail for Sicily.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: • Savor a day among Siracusa's antiquities
Your Italy cruise docks at Ortigia Island for a visit to Siracusa, Sicily, once an ancient Greek stronghold. Check out the Neapolis Parco Archeologico, highlighted by a 15,000-seat, rock-hewn Greek theater. Discover Latomia del Paradiso to see what you hear through the Ear of Dionysius. Meander around Ortigia on your own, and don’t miss the Doric Temple of Apollo.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: • Clifftop Taormina on Sicily
Admire the astounding views as you sail into Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily, with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Survey the Teatro Greco, featuring both Greek and Roman elements, and stroll the Corso Umberto, Old Town Taormina’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and pasticcerie.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: • A morning's cruise to historic Palermo
Enjoy a pleasant morning's cruise aboard Le Ponant before docking in Palermo, the capital of Sicily and once considered among Europe's grandest cities. See the Cathedral with its mix of architectural styles, the Palazzo dei Normani, Fontana Pretoria and Porto Nuovo. Attend a performance of traditional Sicilian entertainment on board the ship tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: • Relics of Segesta and Erice
Dock in Castellammare in northwest Sicily and drive to ancient Segesta. Take in the unfinished temple encircled by 36 massive Doric columns, which was started in 426 BC and is remarkably preserved. Continue on to the age-old walled town of Erice, the mythological seat of the Roman goddess Venus, where you'll see the Castello di Venere, a Norman castle; spend time exploring on your own; and ride a cable car to nearby Trapani. Rejoin Le Ponant in Castellammare as your southern Italy cruise continues to the Aeolian Islands.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: • Sailing the Aeolian Isles
The next port of call is Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, noted for its colorful houses, 17th-century cathedral and 16th-century castle; see them on a sightseeing excursion. Sail by the island of Stromboli tonight; one of the world's few constantly active volcanoes, its eruptions will provide a fiery – and unforgettable – nighttime show that's a highlight of your Italy cruise.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • The Amalfi Coast to Ravello
A guided walk awaits you in the picturesque town of Amalfi itself;  then set out on the mountainous route along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. Visit Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes, where you'll savor outstanding coastal views – along with a wonderful lunch of seasonal specialties. Back aboard Le Ponant for your last night at sea, enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Herculaneum and an after-hours Vatican Museums visit
After disembarking Le Ponant in Naples, you'll embark on a fascinating excursion to the ruins of Herculaneum. The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD is infamous – and while the ruins of Pompeii are well known, the upscale city of Herculaneum, buried under ash that same day, is better preserved. An informative guided tour of the antiquities precedes your journey to Rome, where you'll spend two nights in the heart of the city. A guaranteed highlight of your Italy cruise is actually a Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums! With a guide – and without the usual daytime crowds – you can explore the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery, the Tapestries, and the Sistine Chapel, seeing them as you have them pictured in your mind's eye... a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Note: Day of the visit to the Vatican Museums may vary.
Overnight: Hotel Majestic Roma, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: All roads lead to Rome
Get a good overview of some of Rome’s landmark sights on a sightseeing tour with a local guide, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Spend time pursuing what interests you most in the "Eternal City," before sharing tour highlights with companions at tonight's farewell reception and dinner... marking the end of your extraordinary Malta to Italy cruise.
Overnight: Hotel Majestic Roma, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Arrivederci Italy cruise
Tauck's southern Italy cruise ends in Rome. A transfer from Hotel Majestic Roma to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino is included. You should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/18/2010 - 8/29/2010	$6,990
9/25/2010 - 10/6/2010	$7,590
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

7-Night Cruise on Le Ponant ~ Malta ~ Taormina ~ Siracusa ~ Lipari ~ Ravello

Tauck Tour Deals

Tauck Single Specials

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