Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Rome

•   All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides

Day 1: Arrive Malta
A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Hotel Phoenicia Malta. Your landmark hotel boasts an excellent location and gracious service. Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner to meet your fellow cruisers.
Overnight: Hotel Phoenicia Malta, Valletta, Malta
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Explore Malta / Embark Le Ponant
A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, perched atop a cliff, and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay, a favorite year-round setting for the colorful Maltese boats that are often photographed here for worldwide enjoyment. Return to Valletta for a walking tour – this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a virtual open-air museum of Baroque architecture – and go inside the elaborate Co-Cathedral of St. John where priceless art and silver artifacts are housed. Your yacht, Le Ponant, will be waiting for you in the Grand Harbour, one of the most beautiful ports of call in the Mediterranean. Dine aboard ship tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Savor the Day at Siracusa, Sicily
Le Ponant docks at Ortigia Island this morning, lined with 18th- and 19th-century townhouses, for a visit to Siracusa, an important stronghold of ancient Greece. Drive to Neapolis Parco Archeologico to see the Teatro Greco, an ancient 15,000 seat theatre hewn out of rock, and Latomia del Paradiso featuring the Ear of Dionysius. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Ortigia. Easy to explore sights include the 6th-century Temple of Apollo and the Baroque-inspired Duomo. Leave time to experience the Piazza del Duomo, one of the most elegant squares in Sicily. Set sail for Taormina this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Explore Historic Taormina, Sicily
The views of mighty Mt. Etna astound as Le Ponant approaches the terraced town of Taormina, built on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. Ride a Zodiac to shore for a guided visit to town and the Teatro Greco. Dating from the 2nd century, it was built by the Greeks and remodeled by the Romans. Stroll along the Corso Umberto through Old Town before returning to the ship.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Cruise to Palermo, Sicily
Spend a delightful morning at sea en route to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. In 1768, the German Romantic poet Goethe remarked that the best way to appreciate Palermo for the first time is by an arrival at sea. We think you’ll agree. Set in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, Palermo was once Europe’s grandest city. See the Cathedral, Porto Nuovo, the Palazzo dei Normani and Fontana Pretoria. The ship overnights in port in the heart of the city’s pedestrian area.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Antiquities and Artifacts of Sicily
Wake up in Castellammare for a drive to Segesta. A major city in its heyday, this ancient Sicilian stronghold was the site of many conflicts between conquering powers of the earliest centuries and few ancient vestiges remain intact – with the exception of the Tempio (Temple) of Segesta. Dating back to 426 BC, the full-size temple boasts 36 remarkably preserved Doric columns which still support the structure; the interior was never completed presumably because of the almost constant conflicts the town endured in ancient times. When you see the views from here, it is easier to understand why so many powers wanted to control this place! Continue on to the enchanting medieval city of Erice, suspended above the sea and surrounded by Punic and Norman fortifications – Baroque balconies and flowering vines line its narrow streets. Ride a cable car to nearby Trapani as you make your way back to Le Ponant.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Lipari / View the Island of Stromboli
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 17th-century cathedral that is perched above the harbor; see them on a sightseeing excursion. Back aboard ship, experience a different view of these volcanic islands when you sail by the island of Stromboli tonight, home to one of the world’s few constantly active volcanoes – it has continuously erupted for 2,000 years. The view is unforgettable!
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Travel the Incomparable Amalfi Coast
Few coastlines are as inspiring in scenic beauty as the Amalfi Coast. Cast anchor and venture ashore in the seaside town of Amalfi for a guided walk. Its strategic location on a natural harbor made it a maritime republic in ancient Roman times, but today it is Amalfi’s pretty picture-book setting that brings worldwide visitors to its shores. Breathtaking sights continue on your drive along the Amalfi Coast to cliff-top Ravello, “a terrace over the sea,” for a visit to historic Villa Rufolo, resplendent with gardens, statues and columned loggias. Enjoy lunch and free time this afternoon. Sail by Capri en route to Naples this evening. Your Captain hosts a farewell dinner tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Disembark Ship / Herculaneum / Rome
Disembark ship in Naples for a drive over land to Rome. Stop in Herculaneum to see the ash-covered ruins of this once prosperous city. Like Pompeii, it was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but is better preserved. Arrive in Rome in late afternoon, where your two-night stay begins with Tauck’s after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. This is a very special opportunity to experience its treasures and frescoes without crowds or long lines.
Overnight: Hotel Majestic Roma, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Rome, Capital of the Ancient World
Join our insider guide for sightseeing today, getting a great overview of Rome’s landmark sights with a local’s perspective and firsthand insights. Pre-reserved tickets bypass the wait at  the Colosseum, making admission to this amazing amphitheater hassle free. Your city orientation tour includes St. Peter’s Basilica and the Roman Forum so keep your cameras handy. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. Your hotel is located at one of Rome’s best in-town addresses, right in the heart of the Eternal City on Via Veneto, and is steps from the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese and the Trevi Fountain. Make a wish for a return trip to Rome before joining us for our farewell dinner at the hotel tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Majestic Roma, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Journey Home
Tour ends: Rome, Italy. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Hotel Majestic Roma to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino is included. Allow 3 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/13/2011 - 9/24/2011	$7,390
9/27/2011 - 10/8/2011	$7,390
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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