An all-inclusive 12-day Mediterranean small ship cruise with something for everyone… a crossroads of legend, empire, and artistry, where you don’t just visit history, you live its story. From Malta’s honey-colored shores and Gozo’s ancient temples to Sicily’s volcanic vineyards and cliffside Amalfi, each stop reveals a layer of culture shaped by sea and stone. Stroll markets where recipes are centuries old, linger in private palaces still home to aristocrats, and toast the good life beneath Rome’s timeless skyline. Traveling to shores that once stirred poets and explorers, experience the Mediterranean as it was meant to be – unforgettable.
Europe Spring Air Savings
With thanks to our global travel partners, enjoy exclusive air savings – in one upfront flat price – when you book a Tauck springtime journey to Europe by 11/15/25. Valid on all Europe land trips, river and small ship cruises departing 2/1 – 4/30/26.
Upfront Value
Price Certainty, One Flat Price
- Economy air – $990 per person ( CAD $1,390)
- Premium Economy air – $1,790 per person (CAD $2,490)
- Business air – $3,990 per person (CAD $5,490)
Flying Made Easy
No Hidden Costs, No Surprises
- Fully inclusive
- Taxes and fuel surcharges included
Peace of Mind
Travel with Confidence
- Air is refundable until ticketed
- Tauck’s personal assistance
- Air payment not required until final payment
Go to tauck.com/springair for complete terms & conditions, or ask at booking. Valid in the United States and Canada only.
Sicily
Beauty and antiquities at the crossroads of cultures
Sicily reveals itself through contrasts – active adventure, cultural treasures, and cuisine that tells a story – and yours is told through sightseeing choices. Bike through Siracusa’s streets, hike the slopes of Mt. Etna alongside a geo guide, and explore Palermo’s
aristocratic palazzi in private. In Trapani, a cooking demonstration that introduces fish couscous, a dish that reflects the island’s centuries of cultural exchange. Every day blends discovery with tradition, bringing Sicily’s layered character into view.
Wine and artistry enrich the journey further. Visit a small family winery near Taormina, where vines thrive in volcanic soil, then enjoy an onboard performance of the Sicilian puppet theatre, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. In Palermo, meet with
Addiopizzo to learn how Sicilians move beyond mafia myths. Sicily’s archaeology, flavors, and resilience create an experience as complex and captivating as the island itself.
The Amalfi Coast & Rome
Coastal beauty and Roman treasures in Italy’s heart
Along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, discover villages where tradition still runs deep. Wander Cetara, a fishing town known for its tuna and anchovy heritage, or sip wines at a family-owned estate. Free time in Amalfi lets you savor the coastline at your own pace, whether strolling its lemon-scented lanes or watching boats drift across the harbor. Culinary traditions and coastal beauty make
each stop as memorable as it is authentic.
Your journey concludes in Rome, where archaeology and culture take center stage during your two-night stay at either Anantara Palazzo Naiadi or Sina Bernini Bristol. Sightseeing options include the Colosseum and Roman Forum, or a visit to the Papal Farm in Castel Gandolfo for a cooking class – each offering a window
into Italy’s rich legacy. A farewell evening at Palazzo Brancaccio captures why Rome remains the Eternal City – its spirit of empire still alive in every street and square.
Malta
Archaeology, artistry and Malta’s dazzling island light
In Malta, your journey begins with layers of history and striking seascapes on a two-night stay at Malta Marriott Resort & Spa or The Westin Dragonara Malta. Step inside St. John’s Co-Cathedral, where Caravaggio’s brushwork still stuns, and stand before the Ġgantija Temples on Gozo – Neolithic stones older than the
pyramids. The past feels alive here, set against golden-stone towns and quiet harbors that speak to centuries.
Active moments come, too, in the crystal waters between Malta and Gozo. Swim in the secluded Crystal Lagoon, far from the crowds of Comino’s Blue Lagoon, then linger over a fresh lunch served aboard a traditional wooden gulet. Malta’s blend of antiquity, artistry, and the sea leaves an impression as timeless as the islands themselves.
Gozo – the Mediterranean’s ancient soul
Gozo, part of Malta, is an island where history is not read in books, but felt beneath your feet and seen in stones older than the pyramids. The Ġgantija Temples rise from the earth as enduring guardians of a civilization lost to time, their mystery echoing across the island’s honey-colored hills and sunlit valleys. Rugged cliffs tumble to sapphire seas, hiding quiet coves once whispered about in legend – Homer’s Calypso said to have waited here for Odysseus. Layers of history unfold in every view: salt pans glistening in the sun, the Blue Lagoon shimmering nearby, churches built by master craftsmen, and villages where life moves at an unhurried pace. To journey to Gozo is to be drawn into one of humanity’s oldest stories, in a place as captivating, as mysterious, and as timeless as the first people who called it home.
All included…
Exclusive Tauck Charter – all private shore excursions are included as well as all gratuities to your Tauck Director and ship staff – highlights include:
- 7-night cruise aboard Le Dumont d’Urville or Le Bougainville
- 2-night hotel stays in Malta and Rome
- A choice on Gozo: island drive with salt pans & Ta’ Pinu, or sailing to Comino with a Crystal Lagoon swim
- A choice in Siracusa: archaeological park, Baroque Noto, Pupillo Winery, or a guided Ortigia bike tour
- In Taormina: Teatro Greco and winery, Mt. Etna ascent with a volcanologist, or a coastal cruise
- Onboard lectures offering insights such as those into Sicily’s volcanic landscapes from an expert volcanologist
- In Palermo, exclusive access to aristocratic palazzi or a “no-mafia” walking tour with tastings
- A choice on the Amalfi Coast: Amalfi town and cathedral with a scenic cruise, or seasonal fish tasting in Cetara
- A farewell dinner in Rome at Palazzo Brancaccio, an 18th-century palace featured in the film Roman Holiday
- Tour prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout your cruise
For complete details, pricing and availability, click here.
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