Delights:

Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bougainville

8 days from $6,910* / Sept. 8–15, 2024

Venture to seven World Heritage sites as you sail from Malta to Tuscany and savor local gastronomy through vineyard visits, tasting tours, and cooking classes. Itinerary

Day 1 — Valletta, Malta: Arrive in the World Heritage site of Valletta and board the ship. Take in the views as you cruise out of the city’s spectacular harbor.

Day 2 — Syracuse, Sicily, Italy: Visit the Greek and Roman theaters in the World Heritage-listed archaeological park of Ancient Syracuse, and enter the Ear of Dionysius cave. Then visit the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum or enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch at a family-owned agriturismo. Alternatively, stop at a local winery; take a walking tour of Ortigia; or visit Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture.

Day 3 — Taormina, Sicily: Set out on a guided walking tour of Taormina and discover the town's cathedral, Palazzo Corvaja, and the Greek theater. Or travel to Mount Etna to see its inactive volcanic craters and enjoy a tasting tour and lunch at a mountainside winery. Instead, embark on a foodie tour of Catania, sampling Sicilian specialties.

Day 4 — Calabria: In Reggio Calabria, at the tip of Italy’s toe, admire the Riace Bronzes at the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Græcia. Visit ancient Scilla and the seaside village of Chianalea, or learn about the culturally significant bergamot at the Museum of Bergamotto. Take a cooking lesson, enjoy wine tasting and Calabrian dishes at Cantine Tramontana, or venture to historic Pizzo to try its world-famous tartufo

Day 5 — Agropoli and Paestum: Sail to Agropoli and travel to the World Heritage site of Paestum, home to three well-preserved Greek temples. Explore the site and its museum, or combine a tour of the temples with a visit to a traditional dairy farm. Learn about age-old cheese-making techniques and sample the farm’s world-renowned mozzarella.

Day 6 — Naples, Pompeii, or Sorrento: Dock in Naples and discover the haunting ruins of Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Continue your tour at Herculaneum, or enjoy lunch paired with volcanic wines at a vineyard on Mount Vesuvius. Or, choose a pizza-making lesson at a working farm in the hills above Sorrento before touring Pompeii; or explore Naples’ historic center and discover its famous street food.

Day 7 — Rome: Embark on a walking tour from the Trevi Fountain to the Piazza Navona. After lunch, see the Roman Forum and enjoy a VIP visit to the Colosseum. Or begin the day at the Colosseum before a pizza-making workshop or a guided foodie tour. Alternatively, experience the Vatican and enjoy a specially arranged visit to the Renaissance Gardens.

Day 8 — Livorno: Disembark in Livorno and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

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.