Best Of The Mediterranean Cruise: Valletta, Sicily & Crete

Day 1 - Nice (Villefranche)

Arrive: Tue 28 April 2026 / Depart: Tue 28 April 2026 at 18:00

Nice, Queen of the Riviera, is imbued with the joie de vivre that epitomizes this fabled coastline. Perhaps it is that famous light and color that has long attracted artists, that makes one feel so alive, makes a stroll down the wide seaside Promenade des Anglais so exhilarating. The old town is a warren of meandering lanes edged by tall houses, and small, alluring shops. A treasure trove of archaeological and fine art museums is not to be ignored, nor is the famous flower market, awash in the heady scent and glowing hues of blossoms, and amazing displays of produce.

Day 2 - Portoferraio,Elba

Arrive: Wed 29 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 29 April 2026 at 20:00

Portoferraio is a town and comune in the province of Livorno, on the edge of the eponymous harbour of the island of Elba. It is the island's largest city. Because of its terrain, many of its buildings are situated on the slopes of a tiny hill bordered on three sides by the sea.

Day 3 - Porto Vecchio, Corsica

Arrive: Thu 30 April 2026 at 06:30 / Depart: Thu 30 April 2026 at 17:00

Dating back to the 16th century, the fortified port town of Porto Vecchio is now a Corsican resort destination. The Old Town district—with its cobblestone streets, charming buildings, and ruins of the ancient citadel—features fashionable shops, boutiques, and cafés, while Porto Vecchio’s modern marina offers ferry rides to Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands nature reserve, plus a variety of places to enjoy a local beverage harborside.

Day 4 - Cerdeña / Porto Cervo, Italia

Arrive: Fri 01 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 01 May 2026 at 18:00

You’re in luck—we happen to think the best way to arrive in Cagliari is by sea. (Not that we’re biased or anything!) This way you get to witness to full specter of this colorful city rising haphazardly from the sea, cresting with a rocky centerpiece better known as Il Castello. The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari boats over 25 centuries of history to explore in the form of Roman ruins, museums, churches, and numerous galleries.

Day 5 - La Goulette

Arrive: Sat 02 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 02 May 2026 at 18:00

Day 6 - Malta

Arrive: Sun 03 May 2026 at 12:00 / Depart: Sun 03 May 2026 at 22:00

Tiny Malta, smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean and on everyone's route since ships began to ply the seas, is packed with history from top to bottom. Over time it was ruled by a variety of empires, all of which contributed to the look and culture of the islands. Valetta is living museum of baroque architecture, constructed by the Knights of St. John five centuries ago. Today the city is also a dynamic hub of cultural and commercial activity, its harbor now welcoming luxury yachts and cruise ships.

Day 7 - Mgarr (Victoria)

Arrive: Mon 04 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 04 May 2026 at 18:00

Day 8 - Syracuse, Italy

Arrive: Tue 05 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 05 May 2026 at 18:00

Siracusa is known for the archaeological and historical sights that define its grand past, as one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world in the 5th century BC. They include a Greek theater, still in use, where Aeschylus produced some of his plays; a dramatic necropolis with burial niches cut into the rock that include the tomb of Archimedes, famous mathematician, engineer, and inventor; and the Ear of Dionysus, a cave with amazing acoustical properties. The “modern” city was rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style after the devastating earthquake of 1693.

Day 9 - Taormina

Arrive: Wed 06 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 06 May 2026 at 18:00

This island off the tip of the Italian boot is the largest in the Mediterranean. Mountainous and rugged, its highest point is the tip of that infamous firebrand, the still active Mt Etna at 10,900 feet. Farmland, enriched by volcanic soil produces lush crops of olives, citrus, and grapes. Climbing higher you’d find forests, the scars left by old lava flows, and eventually the crater where smoke and simmering lava is sometimes visible. Taormina, is a lovely small medieval town perched on high cliffs, with spectacular views over the bay and rugged coastline below.

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 11 - Heraklion

Arrive: Fri 08 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 08 May 2026 at 20:00

History is very much alive in Iraklion. The Fountain of the Lions, built by Morozini in 1628 during the Venetian occupation of Crete, dominates the central square. Today, the city's Town Hall is located in the Venetian Loggia, a building from the same era. Stroll among the shops and cafes surrounding the central square, or follow the old Venetian walls to Koules, a bastion overlooking the old harbor. Explore the archaeological site at Knossos and walk among Minoan findings displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion. Don't miss the Historical Museum of Iraklion, which houses findings from the early era of the Christian religion.

Day 12 - Santorini

Arrive: Sat 09 May 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 09 May 2026 at 17:00

Your daydream of a Greek island meets reality in Santorini – its whitewashed villages cling to cliff sides, and bright blue roofs reflect the sea and sky. So beautiful is it, that you can almost believe the myths that claim it as the birthplace of gods. Born itself as a volcanic cone, the island blew its top in 1450 BC, its center sank, and it assumed its current crescent shape, outlined by three main islands. The capital, Fira, a pedestrian haven with narrow, meandering cobblestone lanes, is reachable only by cable car, donkey, or for the fit and fearless, a flight of 600 steps.

Day 13 - Athens

Arrive: Sun 10 May 2026 at 05:30 / Depart: Sun 10 May 2026

You could spend a lifetime in Europe’s oldest city and still not see everything it has to offer. Settled over 3,500 years ago, Athens is like a mythological crossroads of the past and present, where modern buildings share the skyline with spectacular ruins like the Parthenon. To see a veritable “greatest hits” line-up, make your way to Vasilissis Amalias Street for the archaeological walk. Winding through the heart of the ancient city, the route leads to landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Arch of Hadrian, and of course, the Acropolis.