The Islands of Italy and Cinque Terre

Fly from the U.S. to Palermo, Sicily, Italy.

 Arrive in Palermo and transfer to the port to board Callisto. Overnight aboard ship docked in port.

Renowned for the wealth of its court, Palermo has inherited a tremendous artistic legacy. This morning tour the Archaeological Museum; visit San Giovanni degli Eremiti church; and see the glorious Cappella Palatina, one of Italy’s finest works of art.  Later, travel to Monreale to see the famous Norman Cathedral, whose interior contains a magnificent series of mosaics. Sail in the evening.

Arrive at Lipari, one of the seven islands of the Aeolian Archipelago claimed by Greek mythology as home of Aeolus, the god of the winds. Dominating the unspoiled, twin-harbor town of Lipari is a 16th-century Norman castle-turned-archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis. From Lipari’s white pumice slopes, cruise by the dramatic island of Stromboli to see the striking black basalt rocks of Strombolicchio. Also from the ship, look for fiery eruptions from one of Europe’s few continually active volcanoes.

Enchanted Capri was the favorite retreat of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius and the legendary home of the Sirens. The island is endowed with limestone cliffs that have been torn and tumbled into fantastic forms, most notably Grotta Azzurra, a vast cavern renowned for the iridescent blue light that fills the cave when the sun reflects on the water. After lunch, cruise to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples and the site of the picturesque Aragon castle.  Discover La Mortella botanical gardens, designed by landscape architect Russell Page for British composer Sir William Walton and his wife. Home to rare plants from around the world—including a giant water lily from the Brazilian Amazon—and a Greek-styled amphitheater, the garden was intended to inspire music.

Ponza, the main island of Italy’s Pontine Archipelago, is dotted with Roman ruins and fringed with dramatic coves and cliffs. For many, Ponza is the archetypal Tyrrhenian town, its pretty houses spread out like a fan around the amphitheater, vineyards blanketing the hillsides and fishing boats setting out from the 18th-century harbor. One side of the town is dominated by the Torre dei Borboni and the lighthouse at Punta Madonna. The Romans dug several tunnels on Ponza, one of which leads from the port area to Chiaia di Luna, a luminescent crescent of beach beneath a steep, pale cliff.

From Porto Torres, drive to the town of Sassari, whose medieval streets and squares are lined with churches and palazzi, many of them fine examples of Renaissance architecture. Our tour of Sassari also includes the Museum Sanna, noted for its collection of artifacts from Sardinia’s Nuraghic culture. Reboard the ship in Porto Torres.

Though best known as Napoleon I’s place of exile after his forced abdication in1814, the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago drew the swords of Greeks, Etruscans and Carthaginians spoiling for dominion of its strategic perch and mineral resources. Admire the raw beauty of the landscape and visit the lovely patrician villa of Grotte di Capo Castello, built by the Romans.

Today, discover Cinque Terre, a World Heritage Site and national park spanning five raked towns built in the rocks between the sea and the terraced cliffs on Italy’s Ligurian coast. Begin with Riomaggiore, the first of the five towns, and stroll along the Via Amore, an historic footpath that ribbons alongside the seaside slopes.  Next, reach Manarola, Cinque Terre’s second town over. Enjoy a scenic drive en route to Cinque Terre’s last town, Monteroso.

Disembark in Genoa’s Molo Vecchio—Old Wharf—and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.