Hidden Gems of Italy

Fly from the UK and arrive in Valletta, transfer to your ship. This evening, get to know your Cruise Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.

This morning, arrive in Syracuse, founded by Greek political exiles around the fifth century BC. You have a free day to explore this ancient city at your leisure. Or, perhaps head out on an optional tour to visit the ancient Neapolis Archaeological Park, the island of Ortigia, the Arethusa Spring and the Temple of Apollo. Later, join your fellow travellers for a Gala Welcome Dinner.

Discover Crotone in Calabria, boasting a spectacular coastline and a rich history dating back to 710BC. This morning, visit Santa Severina. Admire the town’s stunning cathedral built in the 13th century, with a spectacular circular baptistery from the Byzantine period. Return to the ship for lunch on board. This afternoon, enjoy this historic city at your leisure.

Dock in the port town of Otranto, where you’ll have the day at leisure to explore. Perhaps join an optional guided city tour, visiting the town’s Romanesque cathedral and the Castello Aragonese, a fortified castle. Alternatively, take an optional tour to historic Lecce, a beautiful baroque town filled with sandstone palaces and churches. Your ship will stay docked in port until late evening, so you may wish to savour dinner at your leisure at a local restaurant.

Today, you'll visit Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its trulli, which date back to the 15th-17th centuries during the Kingdom of Naples. These unique structures were built without mortar by resourceful Puglian farmers. Facing heavy taxes, the farmers pulled out keystones to collapse roofs and dismantle walls so that the village appeared uninhabited to tax collectors. As you stroll among the trulli, observe their subtle differences as your guide shares engaging commentary on their architecture and historical context.

Spend a relaxing morning on board as you sail to Ancona. On arrival, enjoy time at leisure to explore. Perhaps, embark on one of the optional tours on offer, including a guided walking tour of Ancona or a visit to nearby Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site renowned for its dazzling architecture.

Visit Ravenna, known as the City of Mosaics and an elected capital on three separate occasions. Admire glorious Roman and Byzantine architecture, and eight UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments. Set out on a guided tour and explore some of the impressive structures including the Basilica of San Vitale, an octagonal building renowned for its mosaics that date to the sixth century. See the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, one of the best-preserved monuments in the city located in a nearby chapel. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full-day tour, combining Ravenna with a visit to Bologna, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities known for its gastronomy. Savour lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the historic Piazza Maggiore, the central square lined by medieval buildings including the Basilica of San Petronio and, at its heart, the famous Fountain of Neptune, built in 1556 by order of the pope.

This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.