Wind Surf, Sicilian Splendors ex Rome Return – 29 Sep 2021

10 Night Cruise sailing from Rome return onboard Wind Surf.

Encircle the Isle of Sicily and discover sparkling resorts favored by emperors, towns frozen in time by legendary volcanoes, Maltese palaces where knights and Grand Masters once gathered … this itinerary has them all. Watch the stunning Amalfi Coast pass by from the deck of your intimate small ship and raise a glass of limoncello to another blissful day in the warm Mediterranean sunshine.

Highlights of this cruise:

Rome, Italy
2,500 years of history are woven into the fabric of modern Rome. You can feel it in the glory of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Or as you wander sidestreets that open onto piazzas, fountains, Bernini sculpture, and elegant courtyards. Famous treasures are legion in Rome: the Colosseum…the Forum…St. Peter’s Cathedral…the Trevi Fountain…the Spanish Steps. Take time out between sights to do as the Romans do: enjoy a three-hour lunch, shop, people-watch, or savor the best gelati in the world.

Catania, Italy
In this fascinating city nestled at the foot of Mount Etna you’ll find a thriving downtown that is not only the active city center, but a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site, combining the best of ancient and modern city style. Your options are as wide as your imagination. Explore the temperamental volcano that has reshaped the city many times, visit the beautiful setting of Taormina where stunning views and beautiful antiquities vie for your attention or the UNESCO site of Tantalica. If you prefer, explore the ancient city of Syracuse, called by Cicero himself “the most beautiful of all,” and another UNESCO site.

Gozo, Malta
Pretty Xlendi Bay lies on the west coast of Gozo, an island long thought to be the mythical Ogygia of Homer’s Odyssey. In the story, Calypso fell in love with Odysseus and held him captive for seven years.. The reputed Calypso Cave is just one of several intriguing caves on the island. There’s also Caroline’s Cave, a natural grotto that was once a private swimming hole for nuns. Surprisingly for such a small island, Gozo is home to the oldest freestanding temples in the world, the Ggantija Temples, nestled among the rolling green hills. You should also visit the Citadella, a small, fortified town that houses the island’s Cathedral, the Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum, and the Old Prisons.

Valletta, Malta
Malta’s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the world’s smallest, yet definitely most charming. Graced with the paintings of Caravaggio and kissed by beautiful shorelines, you’ll find photographic icons at almost every turn. Not to be missed is a visit to the stately Palazzo Parisio to glimpse the enchanting lifestyle of Malta’s nobility. Our stay here also allows the exquisite romance of an evening walk through the beautiful lanes of Mdina, Malta’s enigmatic “Silent City.”

Porto Empedocle, Italy
Here you’ll find what are widely acclaimed as the best, ancient ruins in the entire Mediterranean. Imagine the wonders of Athens, of Ephesus, of legendary Olympia itself. Then imagine them all in one place, at Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you wander the verdant ridge overlooking the Mediterranean you will be transported to the 5th and 6th centuries. The irresistible scent of olive, almond, and eucalyptus trees will entice you back to the present. This is one of the world’s most beautiful sites.

Amalfi, Italy
The town of Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. As part of the Amalfi Coast, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important tourist destination. The whole region is famed for its lemons, which are about double the size of other lemons, and the production of the limoncello liqueur. An optional tour can take you to the UNESCO archaeological areas of Pompeii, Positano and Ravello.

Sorrento, Italy
UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento. Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.