SICILY, MALTA & THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS

Experience the beauty of Taormina on a Variety Cruises tour

Cruise Around Sicily, Malta & the Aeolian Islands

The unique and varied peninsulas of both countries offer a natural playground to be best experienced by a small ship, and so we have designed the ultimate itinerary for you to experience the destinations we visit in depth, always keeping in mind your comfort and safety. Rising out of the cobalt-blue seas off Sicily's northeastern coast, the Unesco-protected Aeolian Islands (Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi) are a little piece of paradise, a seven-island archipelago offering a wealth of opportunities for relaxation and outdoor fun.

Stunning waters provide sport for swimmers, sailors, kayakers and divers, while trekkers can climb hissing volcanoes and gourmets can sip honey-sweet Malvasia wine.

History rich Malta and Sicily welcome you for your next small ship cruise adventure.

LOCATION

Italy & Malta

TRAVEL PERIOD

17 Jun 2023 -
15 Jul 2023

BOAT

Harmony G

DURATION

8 days

PRICE

From €2850 / per person

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SICILY & MALTA

GALLERY

DAY BY DAY

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Day 1

VALLETTA, MALTA

Valletta, Malta (3pm):
Enjoy a welcome drink on board, and a chance to settle in as well as meet your crew and fellow passengers. Overnight in port before we set sail on our adventure the following morning.

Turcquoise waters and rocks in the background

Day 2

VALLETTA - GOZO ISLAND, MALTA

Morning sail to Gozo Island, stopping for our first swim stop on the way.. We’ll arrive after lunch, ready for an afternoon of exploration. Join us on our optional excursion to sightsee the Citadel and its beautiful Baroque Cathedral, or tell us what you want to sightsee and we’ll be happy to arrange it. Come afternoon, celebrate the fruits of the local vineyard’s labour with a wine tasting session, then back to the ship for departure to Sicily. Overnight at sea.

A beautiful view of the coastline of Syracuse with traditional buildings

Day 3

SYRACUSE, ITALY

Syracuse, on the Sicilian Ionian Coast, is rich in Greek and Roman history. Indeed it’s one of the most prestigious cities of the Hellenic Word, and was once a rival to Athens! Today’s optional excursion explores this heritage: we’ll visit a spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theatre, a Roman amphitheatre, the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Arethusa, and more. In the afternoon, visit the UNESCO protected town of Noto, known for its Baroque architecture. Reboard the ship in time for our evening sail to the Aeolian Islands. Overnight at sea.

A view of Lipari Island's coastline and blue sea

Day 4

LIPARI, ITALY

Morning arrival in Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian islands and scattered with important archeological sites; ruins and remains here date back to 1700 BC and include Neolithic stones, ancient tombstones, Greek walls, and Roman villas. Join our optional morning tour to learn about them, as well as the 16th Century Spanish castle and 12th Century harbour Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Lipari.

View from the sea of the Stromboli island in Italy

Day 5

VULCANO ISLAND - PANAREA - STROMBOLI, ITALY

From Lipari to Catania stopping at the striking Vulcano Island. No points for guessing this is home to a majestic volcano, but we will give you some credit if you know that it’s famous for its therapeutic mud baths. Optional walking tour towards the volcano crater. Afternoon sail to Panarea, a quaint Aeolian Island. Enjoy time the in port before we up anchor for Catania, sailing past Stromboli, an active volcano. The sight of live lava eruptions is something you’ll never forget. Overnight at sea.

A view of the historic Via dei Crociferi and San Benedetto arch in Catania, Italy

Day 6

CATANIA (FOR MT. ETNA), ITALY

Breakfast followed by a volcano. We bet there aren’t many days in life where you can say that - but today is one of them. Our optional morning tour is to Mount Etna, with a resident volcanologist to talk you through the volcanic activity across Italy’s south. Wander nearby Catania in the afternoon to get a feel for the laid back lifestyle of the historical Italian city influenced by Romans, Arabs, and Normans.

A beautiful view of Taormina, a hilltop town in Sicily

Day 7

CATANIA (FOR TAORMINA), ITALY

Today starts with an optional tour of hill-top town, Taormina - where mediaeval streets meet secluded gardens. Stroll the vibrant main street - Corso Umberto - lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. Explore the nearby 14th Century Palazzo Duchi Di Santo Stefano, once home to Spanish aristocrats. Or tour the nearby ancient Greek Theatre (side note: it’s worth it for the sea views alone). In the evening we’ll gather on board for our signature Captain’s Farewell Dinner, before sailing back to Malta. Overnight at sea.

A view of the Grand Harbor in Valletta, the capital city of Malta

Day 8

VALLETTA, MALTA

Breakfast in Valletta Port, then time to say goodbye. For now. We hope to see you on another one of our cruises soon!

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Dates & Rates

Variety Cruises itinerary through Italy, Malta, and the Aeolian islands

In case of severe weather conditions our expertly designed routes are adjusted ensuring your safety & comfort by applying our rich marine knowledge, garnered since 1949.
Stay flexible - Adventure on.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ta Pinu

In 1883 a woman, Karmni Grima heard the voice of Our Lady at a small chapel. Today an architectural masterpiece, especially inside with its superb sculptures and craftsmanship in Maltese stone, was constructed in front of the original chapel that remains intact and still contains the painting from which the voice is said to have spoken to Karmni Grima. Accessible for persons with a disability.

Stromboli

The Aeolian Islands shaped from the eternal struggle between sea and the bowels of the earth, from the unstoppable strength of lava, which managed to win them against god Neptune from deep waters of the Tyrrhenian sea. A millenary war still lasting as there are two active volcanoes – Stromboli and Vulcano. The volcanic activity of steaming fumaroles and thermal waters are on most of the islands.

Taormina

The most famous monument of Taormina remains its Greek theatre. It dates from the 3rd century BC and is remarkably well preserved. The ancient theatre is without question the most important feature for sight-seers in Taormina, also because for its very fortunate natural setting, with splendid view toward the Calabrian coast, the Ionian coast of Sicily and the spectacular cone of Etna.

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