A Circumnavigation of Sicily

Round-trip from Valletta Aboard the 184-guest Le Champlain

A cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT

9 days from $7,540*

Apr. 14–22, 2024

Step into antiquity as you cruise all the way around Sicily, discovering the extraordinary ruins of cities that flourished in the Greco-Roman era. On a voyage that begins and ends in Malta’s walled capital, explore five World Heritage sites, including the ancient Greek cities of Agrigento and Syracuse. Sample Sicilian wines on the slopes of Mount Etna, and enjoy a range of excursions to choose from along the way.

Highlights Include

Valletta and Gozo, Malta: Sail out of and into one of Europe’s most stunning harbors, the fortified city of Valletta. On the island of Gozo, encounter megalithic sites that predate Stonehenge, or visit the town of Xewkija before sampling island vintages at a local winery.

Sicily, Italy: Encounter captivating towns and important archaeological sites as you circumnavigate Sicily. Explore the ancient temples of Agrigento, a powerful city in antiquity and now a World Heritage site. See the impressive ruins at Segesta, visit medieval Erice, and admire the mosaics in Palermo’s Norman cathedral. Delve into the lively bustle of Taormina, or sample local wines on the slopes of Mount Etna. Make a final stop in Syracuse to stroll amid the stunning architecture of Ortigia.

Lipari and Stromboli, Italy: Tour the Aeolian Island of Lipari, and visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum to see an excellent exhibit of ancient artifacts. Then cruise by Stromboli in the evening, watching for activity from its active volcano.

Add a one-night extension in Malta.

*Pricing reflects a savings bonus, ranging from 5% to 30% based on availability at the time this catalog was printed. See our website for current pricing. Book early for the highest savings.

The Smithsonian Journeys/PONANT Experience

Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts and an included excursion or activity in each port of call. Our experts on this cruise are historian Charles Ingrao and Allan Langdale, an art and architectural historian.

Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights:

Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily

From Valletta to Livorno Aboard the 184-guest Le Bougainville

A cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT

8 days from $6,910* Sept. 8–15, 2024

Voyage from Malta to Tuscany and experience the wonders—and flavors—of Sicily and southern Italy. Gain insight into the ancient past among the Greco-Roman treasures of Syracuse and Rome; explore a delightful fishing village in Calabria and the ruins of Pompeii; and visit family-owned farms. Through culinary tours and classes, savor local cuisine wines.

Highlights Include

Syracuse and Taormina, Sicily: Tour the archaeological sites of Ancient Syracuse and Taormina. Enjoy lunch at an agriturismo or sample wines and local cuisine at a vineyard on Mount Etna.

Calabria: Discover this lesser-known region on Italy’s “toe,” viewing the exquisite Riace Bronzes in Reggio Calabria, exploring a beautiful fishing village, and visiting historic churches.

Paestum and Pompeii: Experience some of Italy’s most remarkable ruins during in-depth tours of two World Heritage sites: the Greek temples of Paestum and the city of Pompeii, buried beneath volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 years.

Naples and Rome: Anchor in Naples and opt for a tour of the city’s famous street food—and its historic center—or head for the hills above Sorrento for a lunch and a cooking lesson at a working farm. Then spend a day discovering incomparable Rome on a VIP visit to the Colosseum, an art-filled excursion at the Vatican, or on a foodie tour.

Culinary Experiences: Sample local delicacies during culinary experiences such as a pizza-making class at a mozzarella-producing dairy. Enjoy the unique flavors of

Sicily and southern Italy, from arancini to sfogliatella Add a one-night extension in Malta or a two-night extension in Tuscany.

*Pricing reflects a savings bonus, ranging from 5% to 30% based on availability at the time this catalog was printed. See our website for current pricing. Book early for the highest savings.

The Smithsonian Journeys/PONANT Experience

Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts and an included excursion or activity in each port of call. Our experts on this cruise are Al Leonard, an archaeologist and an expert in both culinary arts and wine, and author Nancy Harmon Jenkins, a widely recognized authority on Mediterranean cuisines.

Southern Italy and Sicily

15 days from $6,574 Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Sept. 30–Oct. 14, 2023 & Apr. 4–18, Apr. 24–May 8, Sept. 12–26, Sept. 28–Oct. 12, Oct. 18–Nov. 1, 2024

Italy’s southernmost regions present an array of distinct landscapes and cultures—from the Greco-Roman ruins of Sicily to the whitewashed villages of Apulia, Italy’s “boot heel,” to the rugged splendor of the Amalfi Coast. Immerse yourself in these spectacular regions, savoring delightful culinary and architectural traditions, exploring one World Heritage site after the next, and enjoying plenty of free time to soak up the charms of gems like Taormina, Matera, and Capri.

Highlights Include

Sicily: Spend four nights in lovely Taormina and set out on daily excursions to visit some of eastern Sicily’s highlights. Tour the town’s Greek Theater and the World Heritage-listed Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Enjoy lunch at a family farm on the slopes of Mt. Etna—and a private lesson in making cannoli.

Matera: Take a guided tour of this cliff-top tufa town, venturing into ancient troglodyte churches and sassi cave houses where humans lived as far back as the Paleolithic era. Discover the unique urban plan established centuries ago and learn how Matera was transformed from “the shame of Italy” into a World Heritage site during the late 20th century. Stay in a restored cave dwelling in the heart of the town.

Apulia: Travel down Italy’s “boot heel” visiting remarkable sites such as Alberobello, home to hundreds of cone-shaped trulli houses; the whitewashed hilltop gem of Ostuni; and Lecce, “the Florence of the South,” where you’ll learn about the town’s papier-mâché tradition at a private demonstration. Savor a wine tasting and dinner in the gardens of a palazzo.

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast: During four nights in the lovely town of Sorrento, learn about ongoing excavations on a tour of the evocative ruins of Pompeii, take a hydrofoil to Capri for time to explore, and wind along the dramatic Amalfi Coast on a breathtaking drive from Sorrento to Amalfi. Take part in a hands-on Neapolitan cooking lesson—and savor your concoctions over dinner.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Allan Langdale (Sept. 30)–art and architectural historian. Sara James (Apr. 4), Gary Radke (Apr. 24), and Rafael Chacón (Oct. 18)–art historians.

Highlights of Italy

16 days from $6,374

Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Oct. 26–Nov. 10, 2023 & Apr. 9–24, Apr. 16–May 1, Apr. 30–May 15, May 14–29, Sept. 3–18, Sept. 10–25, Oct. 8–23, Oct. 24–Nov. 8, 2024

Set off on a grand tour of Italy’s most beloved sites, making your way from the spectacular Amalfi Coast to the canals of Venice. Encounter history and world-renowned art in the captivating cities of Rome and Florence, and follow guides into the storied walled towns of Siena and San Gimignano. Along the way, enjoy wine tasting and visits to lesser-known sites; and stay in wonderful lodgings including a stunning resort on the Amalfi Coast, a Tuscan villa in the Chianti hills, and a canal-side hotel in Venice.

Highlights Include

Amalfi Coast and Pompeii: Take a cruise along the Amalfi Coast, explore gem-like hilltop towns overlooking the sea, and enjoy a coastal drive with spectacular views. Tour the stunning Villa Rufolo in Ravello, the excavated city of Pompeii, and the lovely Benedictine abbey of Montecassino.

Rome: Capture the essence of ancient Rome with a tour of the Colosseum and the Forum. Step inside the Borghese Gallery to view masterpieces by Bernini, Titian, Caravaggio, and other major artists. Then spend a day at the Vatican, touring St. Peter’s Basilica; the Sistine Chapel; and the Vatican Museums, featuring works by Michelangelo and Raphael.

Umbria and Tuscany: Stay in enchanting Orvieto, perched high above the surrounding landscape, and delve into art and culture. View Giotto’s renowned frescoes in the basilica at Assisi, and see how the traditions of hand-painted Majolica ceramics continue today in Deruta. In Tuscany, experience the World Heritage site of San Gimignano, and get a close-up look at medieval life at the interactive exhibits of San Gimignano 1300. Continue to Siena to explore the fan-shaped Campo and see works by Michelangelo and Donatello at the Duomo.

Florence: See Michelangelo’s David and other sculptures at the Galleria dell’Accademia and visit the revered Duomo, capped by the stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. Enjoy free time to explore the city’s treasures on your own.

Venice: From your base at a centrally located waterfront hotel, tour St. Mark’s Square and explore the museums and canals of this magical city at leisure.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Andy Becker (Oct. 26)–professor with expertise in ancient Rome. Adam Tanner (Apr. 30)–writer and former foreign correspondent. Allan Langdale (May 14)–architectural historian. Valerie Hedquist (Oct. 8)–art historian.

Northern Italy: The Lake District, Tuscany, and the Dolomites

15 days from $6,674

Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Oct. 4–18, 2023 & Apr. 17–May 1, May 18–June 1, 2024

Make your way across five regions of Northern Italy, exploring a plethora of natural and cultural treasures including seven World Heritage sites. Soak up the delights of the Italian Lake District, and sample premier vintages at a winery in Barolo. Stay on the Italian Riviera and cruise the rugged Ligurian coast to Portofino and to the spectacular Cinque Terre. In the Tuscan cities of Florence and Siena, enjoy guided tours of Renaissance masterpieces and plenty of free time. Then get acquainted with the unique culture of South Tyrol, and travel through the mighty Dolomites to end your journey amid the storied canals of Venice.

Highlights Include

Italian Lake District: Spend three nights in Stresa, a haunt of Ernest Hemingway situated on beautiful Lake Maggiore. Cruise to Isola Bella to explore a 17th-century palace and its extravagant gardens. Then travel to nearby Lake Orta to meander through the medieval, cobblestone lanes of lovely Orta San Giulio.

Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre: Stay in the resort town of Santa Margherita and experience the highlights of the Ligurian coast on a morning boat ride to Portofino and a full-day cruise to the villages of the World Heritagelisted Cinque Terre.

Florence and Tuscany: Settle into a palace in the Chianti hills and set out to explore Tuscany. Gain insights into the Renaissance treasures of Florence on a guided tour of the Accademia and the Duomo. Explore the narrow streets of Lucca, fortified by thick medieval walls. In Siena, discover the Piazza del Campo and the unusual Duomo, and learn about the city’s 500-year-old Palio horserace at a contrada museum.

South Tyrol: Soak up the unique, German-influenced culture of South Tyrol during two nights in the captivating city of Bolzano. See the mummy and artifacts of Ötzi the Iceman and take in views of the majestic Dolomites.

The Veneto: Visit the World Heritage site of Verona, renowned for its Roman arena and the setting for three Shakespeare plays. Conclude in Venice with a walking tour of St. Mark’s Square, a visit to a gondola workshop, and free time to explore on your own.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Stephen Clancy (Oct.) and Sara James (May)–art historians. Sanjaya Thakur (Apr.)–expert in the classics.