Day 1 (Saturday): Salerno -
Capri
Embarkation at 4
pm. Sailing to Capri where we will arrive at 5.30 pm. Walking tour around the city
to the Gardens of Augustus. Late in the evening we leave Capri for an overnight at sea
to Sicily.
Day 2 (Sunday): Lipari - Taormina
Early in the morning we reach Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian
Islands. Lipari sits on red volcanic rock and looks like ''a wall of bronze'' according
to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found here have yielded clues to
civilizations which date to 1700 BC, including the Neolithic stones that sit alongside
ancient tombstones, and ruins of Greek walls and Roman villas. The Spaniards found
their way here in the 16th century, building the Castello (castle) and the 17 century
cathedral that is perched above the harbour; All these sights will be available to see
them on your morning optional sightseeing excursion. After lunch we leave Lipari for
Taormina. This afternoon the Variety Voyager reaches Taormina. Overnight at
anchor.
Day 3 (Monday): Taormina
This morning we go ashore for a memorable visit to Taormina,
clinging to the cliffs over the sea. With endlessly winding medieval streets and
secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, Taormina enchants visitors with its
history and beauty. Our optional excursion features a stroll along the Corso
Umberto through the Old Town, lined with piazza, duomos and palazzi such as the
Palazzo Santo Stefano. Later you will take a guided tour of the ancient Greek
Theatre, hewn out of a rocky mountain slope during the Hellenistic period,
remodelled by the Romans. The amphitheatre offers magnificent views of the sea
and is one of Sicily's largest. The afternoon is at leisure to see more of the
city or even visit the Etna Volcano. Late in the evening we sail to Syracuse.
Overnight at sea.
Day 4 (Tuesday):
Syracuse
Today we arrive in
Syracuse, one of the most and prestigious cities of the Hellenistic World, and a rival
of Athens. Our morning optional excursion will bring us to the spectacular 15000-seat
Greek theatre, among the most impressive to survive from antiquity, and the elliptical
Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest of its kind. After a visit to the Archaeological
Museum, walk the winding lanes of Syracuse's Old Town, situated on the island of
Ortygia, and explore the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Aretusa, and
the Cathedral, which incorporates the remains of the famed Temple of Athena. After
lunch you can take our afternoon excursion taking you inland, into Sicily's southeast
region, known for its Baroque towns. You will visit exquisitely-preserved Noto, a jewel
of a town situated on a plateau surrounded by olive and almond groves. In the evening,
we leave Syracuse for an overnight sailing to Malta.
Day 5 (Wednesday):
Malta
Malta was home
to a rich prehistoric culture that created megalithic structures that are among the
world's most impressive. The structures at the Tarxien and elsewhere on the island
were built before Egypt’s Great Pyramids. The island was later occupied by
Phoenicians and Carthaginians, followed by the Romans. Our morning and afternoon
optional tours will allow you to these prehistoric sites as well the historic sites
of Valletta, the island's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city. The walking
tour in the afternoon will include a visit inside St. John's Cathedral to see its
stunning interior and art treasures such as the Beheading of Saint John the
Baptist, a masterpiece in oil by the Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio, Flemish
tapestries and silver artifacts. In the evening we leave Malta behind to cross back
to Sicily to reach Licata / Agrigento.
Day 6 (Thursday):
Licata/Agrigento
Today, we leave
Licata to drive North and discover one of the most breathtaking sites in the
Mediterranean, the majestic Valle dei Templi (Valley of Temples). This is a collection
of sacred buildings, including two virtually intact the Temple of Concordia and the
Temple of Hera of the mid 5th century BC.
Day 7 (Friday): Cefalu
This morning we anchor in Cefalu, a quaint Sicilian city which
still retains its medieval character. Your morning walking excursion will show
you the famous Norman cathedral, in the apse of which is the great 12th century
mosaic of Christ in all Christian art. Later in the afternoon we leave for
Salerno and cruise by the Stromboli Volcano, home to one of the world's few
constantly active volcanoes-it has continuously erupted for 2000 years. The view
is unforgettable.
Day 8 (Saturday): Salerno
Arrival in Salerno at 9 am. Disembarkation between 9 and 10
am.
Note: The cruise itinerary is subject
to weather conditions.
