Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands small ship cruise

Itinerary

Day 1 – Saturday: VALETTA (MALTA) ☽

Embarkation at 3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Overnight in port.

Day 2 – Sunday: VALETTA – GOZO ISLAND (MALTA)

Morning sailing to Gozo Island. Morning swim stop at one of Gozo’s beautiful beaches. Arrival in Gozo harbor after lunch. Optional excursion with visits of the Citadel and its baroque Cathedral, our Lady of Ta Pinu Basilica, the St George Basilica and the Cathedral Museum. Late in the afternoon, after a short wine tasting, we will return to the ship. Late night departure for Syracuse, Sicily. Overnight at sea.

Day 3 – Monday: SYRACUSE (ITALY)

Early morning arrival in the port of Syracuse. Syracuse, one of the most and prestigious cities of the Hellenic World, was a rival of Athens. Our morning optional excursion will bring us to the spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theatre, the elliptical Roman amphitheater, the Archaeological Museum, 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 optional 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 plateau. Late in the evening we leave Syracuse for the Aeolian Islands. Overnight at sea.

Day 4 – Tuesday: LIPARI (ITALY) ☽

Morning arrival in Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, sitting on the red volcanic rock looking like a “wall of bronze”, according to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found here have yielded clues to civilizations which date back 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 17th century cathedral that is perched above the harbor; All these sights will be available for seeing them on your morning optional sightseeing excursion. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Lipari. Day 5 – Wednesday: VULCANO ISLAND – PANAREA – STROMBOLI (ITALY)

We leave Lipari in the morning to reach Vulcano Island, famous for its majestic volcano crater and the mud baths. Morning optional walking tour along the slopes of the volcano towards the crater, while enjoying gorgeous views over the sea and the archipelago. In the afternoon we sail to Panarea, a quaint old style Aeolian Island. Late in the afternoon, we reach Panarea. Time at leisure in port, and in the evening we start our trip to Catania and sail slowly past the island of Stromboli, famous for its live volcano. The sight of live lava eruptions is not to be missed. Overnight at sea.

Day 6 – Thursday: CATANIA (ITALY) ☽

Morning optional excursion to the Etna Volcano, the highest point in Sicily and a live volcano. A resident volcanologist will provide you with full details on its activity and volcano activity in South Italy. In the afternoon you can take our optional walking tour of Catania and discover the hidden treasures of this old Italian city. Overnight in port.

Day 7 – Friday: CATANIA – TAORMINA (ITALY)

Our day starts with an optional tour at nearby Taormina, a city with endlessly winding medieval streets and secluded gardens hidden by stone walls. Our optional full day excursion to this city boasting such beauty and history, features a stroll along the Corso Umberto, lined with piazza, Duomos and palazzo such as the Palazzo Santo Stefano. Later you will take a guided tour of the ancient Greek Theatre with wonderful uninterrupted views of the seal. Our lunch break is followed by time at leisure explore the city and its shops. After our farewell dinner, we start our return sailing to Malta. Overnight at sea.

Day 8 – Saturday: VALETTA (MALTA)

Disembarkation at 9:00 am after breakfast.

☽OVERNIGHT IN PORT

Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of Variety Cruises and of the Vessel’s Captain in case of adverse weather conditions – winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel- on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle automatically passengers to any refunds but Variety Cruises guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.