Italy/Malta
Western Sicily & Malta — A Small Ship Voyage
Program No. 25365RJ
Experience firsthand what calls so many travelers to the Mediterranean on this Floating Campus voyage through history and culture from Malta to Italy’s southern coast.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
25 meals (
9B, 7L, 9D
)
5 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Valetta
Meals:
D
Stay:
Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Check-in available from 3:00 PM
Afternoon:
After arriving at the hotel, check-in and take some time to unpack and relax. Attend an orientation meeting. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.
Dinner:
At the hotel, get to know your fellow participants with a welcome meal.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Valletta, Embark Ship
Location:
Valetta
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Please pack your passport and any medications in your hand luggage today. Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 2 miles; varied terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Check out of the hotel and transfer our luggage to the motorcoach before departing for our Field Trip. We will set out via motorcoach for a morning discovery of Valletta, the tiny capital of Malta. The walled city was established in the 1500s on a peninsula by the Knights of St. John and known for its museums, palaces, and churches.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We will transfer to the port in Valletta to embark our ship in the late afternoon for the cruise portion of our program. Once aboard, we will have a welcome drink to meet the ship's crew and staff, followed by a safety orientation before we depart. Please note that your departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship, dinners will be eaten in the open seating dining room. Most will be buffets, with choices of salads, vegetarian and meat or seafood entrees, dessert, and coffee, tea, and water. The first and last dinners on board will include a glass of wine, with other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Valletta on our journey to Porto Empedocle, Sicily.
Day
4
Porto Empedocle, Sicily-Valley of the Temples
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 3 miles, uneven terrain, and few handrails. There is no shade, bring a hat, water bottle, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will depart the ship via motorcoach and drive to the Valley of the Temples. This extensive archaeological site includes a well preserved series of ancient Greek temples and buildings. This is the site of Ancient Akragas, a wealthy city of as many as 500,000 people and one of the most important in Ancient Greece. We'll re board our coach and on our way back to port stop at Scala dei Turchi or Turkish Steps. These bright white cliffs rising from the Mediterranen Sea is one of Sicily's most breathtaking natural wonders.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Porto Empedocle on our journey to Trapani.
Day
5
Trapani, Sicily- Segesta Archaeological Park
Location:
Trapani
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 3 miles, uneven, hilly terrain, and few handrails. There is no shade, bring a hat, water bottle, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We'll board our coach and ride to Segesta Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico di Segesta). The park is home to the well preserved ruins of an ancient Greek temple and theater. The temple, thought to have been built in the 5th century BC, is one of the best preserved Doric temples in Europe. The theater, dating back to the 3rd century BC, is still used today for performances during the summer months.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Enjoy an olive oil tasting before heading back to port. Later in the afternoon, enjoy free time onboard.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.
Day
6
Trapani-Erice Discovery
Location:
Palermo
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 3 miles, narrow, cobblestone streets and few handrails. Wear comfortable walking shoes. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning, we'll board our coach and head out to the Medieval town of Erice. Discover this wonderfully preserved town sitting 751 meters above sea level with a local expert. Enjoy a stroll among the narrow cobblestone streets flanked by ancient stone buildings untouched by time and marvel at the stunning views.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program. The ship is scheduled to leave Trapani on our journey to Palermo.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
The ship will arrive in Palermo, free time to explore on your own.
Day
7
Palermo-Palermo Discovery & Monreale
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 2 miles; varied terrain.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We'll head to Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, via coach and discover this city known for its art history, opera house, food markets, and shopping areas. Next we'll head to Monreale to see the cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Palermo on our journey to Lipari.
Day
8
Lipari-Walking Discovery & Spanish Castle
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles on varied terrain. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
After a delightful breakfast, our ship anchors at Lipari, the largest gem of the Aeolian Islands. Known for its rich mythology and stunning landscapes, Lipari is irresistibly charming. We will explore the picturesque town of Lipari with our local expert. Continue to the Spanish-built castle, now a cathedral and museum with artifacts from prehistoric and ancient Greek and Roman eras. After our walking discovery, enjoy free time in the village visiting Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Lipari's liveliest street or the atmospheric Marina Corta, a pretty little marina ringed by popular bars and restaurants.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Lipari on our journey to Sorrento.
Day
9
Sorrento-Amalfi Coast Discovery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Variety Voyager
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 2 miles; varied terrain.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning, enjoy a scenic drive along the Amalfi coast. Located in the Campania region of Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 34 miles of majestic terrain; sky-high costal cliffs display vibrant vegetation and multicolored towns live side by side among the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Sorrento on our journey to Naples.
Day
10
Naples, Disembarkation, Herculaneum, Check In Hotel
Location:
Naples
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Caracciolo Palazzo Naples
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps. Walking up to 3 miles; varied terrain, stairs in archaeology park.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Disembarkation in Naples will follow after breakfast. We will set out via motorcoach to the doomed ancient resort town of Herculaneum. Mount Vesuvius erupted on the 24th of August in the year 79 CE. The town of Herculaneum was overwhelmed by a massive mudflow 16 meters deep. The depth of the ash left much of Herculaneum very well preserved, including wooden structures and food. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers an in depth view into the daily lives of ancient Romans.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Head to our hotel where we will check in. Later in the afternoon, we will have a wrap up meeting.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out tomorrow morning.
Day
11
Naples, Program Concludes
Location:
Naples
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
