The Maltese capital, Valletta, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and sits on a peninsula northeast of the island. Walk through streets that range from grand boulevards to narrow staircases. Admire the painted loggias and ornate corbels on towering buildings, all in a peaceful, traffic-free setting. Explore the Grandmasters Palace, featuring coats of arms and intricate frescoes. Visit iconic landmarks like Saint John’s Cathedral and the 16th-century ramparts that once protected the city. Stroll through the terraced Barrakka Gardens, where greenery and flowers create a serene atmosphere.

Located on Sicily’s southwestern coast, Porto Empedocle is named after the ancient philosopher Empedocles. Explore this historic coastal town, which serves as the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples, a remarkable archaeological site of Greek civilization. See the remains of temples dedicated to Zeus, Hera, and Hephaestus. Take in the scenic Italian countryside, dotted with olive groves stretching across the rolling hills.

At the crossroads of civilizations, the capital of Tunisia is rich in cultural discoveries. The ruins of Ancient Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and particularly well preserved, testify to the splendor of this city that was once Rome’s great rival. The hill of Byrsa, the former fortified citadel of the Phoenician port and one of the presumed burial places of Saint Louis who died there during the Eighth Crusade, offers spectacular views over the Gulf of Tunis. In the Bardo National Museum, you'll be able to admire one of the world’s finest Roman mosaic collections, including the magnificent portrait of the poet Virgil.

Bathed in the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city of Erice, boasting a privileged natural position in western Sicily. As you wander through its little streets, you'll discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilizations that came here: San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata sanctuary, the fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savor some fresh fish from the morning’s catch. Or else you can opt for seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbors.

Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You'll fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in color, and headily picturesque.

Of the seven Aeolian islands, this is the largest and the most populated. Lying off the north coast of Sicily, in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Lipari is one of UNESCO’s marvelous World Heritage sites. Its lava stone quarries and obsidian flow of Rocce Rosse are indications of its volcanic nature. The town, the largest urban area in the whole archipelago, proudly houses its citadel and its castle, both rooted in Antiquity. If you head further into the center, you’ll be surprised to come across a Norman cathedral, complete with a magnificent baroque façade.

Like Ulysses during his Odyssey, you'll have the opportunity to admire the Stromboli, the capricious volcano that looms over the Aeolian Islands. Its activity, uninterrupted for thousands of years, has earned it the nickname the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”.

Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicily’s Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches, and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval center, suspended 300 meters above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theatre. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area which overlooks a turquoise bay.

Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form of Mount Etna which surveys its island like a patriarch, the flowery gardens on the hillside... Sicily lays out its varied landscapes like a shopkeeper displays his wares. Described by Cicero as “the most beautiful city in the world”, Syracuse was one of the most prestigious cities in Sicily and at her height was even a rival for Athens. A central city of Ancient Greece, it was home to a succession of civilizations, each of which has left their mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine, and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colors, and flavors.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today.