Day 1: Rome, Italy
Travel to Rome and revel in the magnificent monuments, from the ancient Roman Forum and Coliseum to the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica with Michelangelo’s Pietà and his breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Or enjoy a drive through the lush farmlands of the Roman countryside to lovely medieval Castelgandolfo.
Day 2: Sorrento/Capri, Italy
Beautiful Capri, with its stunning panoramas, villages, charming piazzas and the Villa San Michele, makes a nice diversion. Visit the ruins at Pompeii, take a cooking lesson in Sorrento or travel to the frenetic city of Naples and learn to make pizzas as the Neapolitans do.
Day 3: Taormina, Sicily
Enjoy magnificent panoramic views on the way up to the town, where you can stroll down medieval lanes past stunning palaces. See the famed Greek theater and its fantastic view of Mount Etna. Or take a trip to the volcano itself and get a first-hand look at cones, craters and lava streams from previous eruptions and a fantastic view over the Gulf of Catania.
Day 4: Corfu, Greece
Immerse yourself in this island of glorious scenery and beaches, serene monasteries, beautiful palaces, traditional mountain towns and Corfu’s lovely old Venetian quarter. Or visit the ornate Achilleion Palace, built by Empress Sissi of Austria and filled with dramatic sculptures of the Greek hero Achilles.
Day 5: Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is a beautiful walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. Stroll through the compact old town, admire the impressive walls and tour the imposing St. Tryphon Cathedral, consecrated in 1166.
Day 6: Igoumenitsa, Greece
An undiscovered gem on the northwest coast of Greece, Igoumenitsa stands on the site of a settlement dating to the 4th century BC, and several ancient sites are located nearby. Founded in 31 BC, the archaeological site Nikopolis was once a thriving capital built by the Roman emperor Octavian to commemorate his victory over Anthony and Cleopatra. You can also visit Meteora with its spectacular 15th century monasteries built into seemingly inaccessible sandstone peaks.
Day 7: Crotone, Italy
A city of soaring castles and scenic coastline, Crotone boasts an eventful history dating to 710 BC. Standing on a promontory overlooking the sea, Capo Colonna Archaeological Park holds some of the most ancient remains, including a column of the temple of Hera Lacinia from the fifth century BC. The town cathedral is notable for its 12th century baptismal font and the icon of the Black Madonna brought from the East when the church was first built.
Day 8: Valletta, Malta
Discover the myriad of cultural layers of Malta, from its amazing prehistoric temples at Tarxien to beautiful walled medieval Mdina, nearby Rabat, and Marsaxlokk, a colorful fishing village. Admire the stunning scenery and wander through imposing churches and down the streets of fortified towns where the Knights of St. John once held sway.
