Rome - Sicily - Malta - Sardinia & Corsica

Saturday 06 September

Depart on Emirates Airlines, change planes and depart for Rome.

Sunday 07 September

Arrive in Rome and transfer to your centrally-located hotel. A welcome dinner tonight.

Monday 08 September

Experience the grandeur of ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Imperial Forum and Pantheon.

Tuesday 09 September

Today starts with a walking tour (mini bus between areas) of the iconic Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Later in the afternoon travel, by coach to Naples. 

Wednesday 10 September

Today, explore Pompeii the partially buried Roman town-city which was destroyed and completely buried during a catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in the year AD 79, and rediscovered in 1749. Following this, visit a boutique winery for a light lunch including local wines. Return to Naples for a guided walking tour.

Thursday 11 September

After breakfast, there is a full day coastal excursion along the spectacular Amalfi Coast, with leisure time in Amalfi and Ravello. 

Friday 12 September

The day starts with a visit to a local historical olive grove and organic lemon-farm. Learn about production and traditional farming techniques before sampling the farm’s products: homemade jams, extra virgin olive oil in different flavourings, on home-made bread plus sample their Limoncello. Onto a nearby organic farm and we observe the Mozzarella making and enjoy a tasting accompanied by a glass of a local organic wine. Time in Sorrento before returning to Naples to board an overnight ferry to Palermo.

Saturday 13 September

On arrival at the port, you will transfer to the hotel, before departing on a tour of historical Palermo, capital of ancient Sicily. Experience the markets where you will have the opportunity to taste “panelle”, “arancini” and visit one of the most renowned pastry shops in town. Rest of the day free to explore. 

Sunday 14 September

On the way to Catania, visit Monreale, famous for the of XII century Cathedral decorated with Byzantine mosaics. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Catania - the ancient port city with its historic city center, fine baroque architecture and bustling markets.

Monday 15 September

A full day excursion starting with the 4th century B.C, town of Taormina,  located on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, with panoramic views of the bays and Mount Etna. Explore Taormina’s Greek amphitheatre and historic centre. Then continue to Mt Etna for a guided excursion by jeep of the highest active volcano in Europe.  

Tuesday 16 September

A guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park, featuring the town’s most important attractions, the Teatro Greco, one of the great theatres of the classical period, the Altar of Hieron II, the Ear of Dionysius grotto, and the Roman Amphitheater, then return to the historic centre of Ortigia. This evening, dine at leisure in one of Ortigia’s wonderful restaurants. 

One of the centres of ancient Western civilization, Ortigia, the ancient part of Siracusa (Syracuse) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooking the Mediterranean. Of all the Greek cities of antiquity that flourished on the coast of Sicily, Siracusa was the most important, a formidable competitor of Athens. In its heyday, it dared take on Carthage and even Rome. Colonists from Corinth founded Siracusa on the Ionian Sea in about 735 B.C.  

Wednesday 17 September

Another day excursion to discover the Baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa, before continuing on to Pozzallo and a late afternoon ferry to Valletta, Malta  for a four-night stay.

Noto, set amid olive groves and almond trees on a plateau overlooking the Asinaro Valley, dates from the 9th century. Ragusa, often described as two towns in one: Ragusa Superiore, created after a devastating earthquake in 1693, and Ragusa Ibla designated a UNESCO World Heritage, it is one of the best-preserved historic towns in Sicily.  

Thursday 18 September

La Valletta the capital city of Malta is often described as an ‘open-air museum’. Visit the 16th century St John’s Cathedral and view Caravaggio’s most famous masterpiece “The Beheading of St John”. The tour includes Upper Barakka Gardens, with unparalleled views of the Grand Harbour, and Valletta’s most prominent Square, St George. 

Rest of the afternoon free to roam around, explore and take in the city’s heritage. 

Friday 19 September

Today, explore the wonders of Gozo, Malta’s sister island. A 4-kilometer ferry ride divides Malta from Gozo. It appears more rural, less developed, and greener than Malta. The tour includes the Ġgantija Megalithic Temples, the northern region of the island, the ancient Roman’s salt pans of Qbajja and its stunning inland sea. A walking tour of Victoria, the island’s main town to explore its charming narrow streets, markets, and shops before the ferry back to Valletta. Lunch is at Marsalforn.

Saturday 20 September

A full day excursion by coach to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk to admire its traditional market and typical colored boats. In the afternoon, a stop at the panoramic point from which you can admire the famous Blue Grotto of Malta, then on to the ancient capital of Mdina to discover one of the best viewpoints on the island. 

Sunday 21 September

Transfer to the airport and depart on Air Malta, change planes in Rome and continue to Cagliari. On arrival a transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.

Monday 22 September

A drive takes you to the pink flamingos natural habitat, the salt marshes, an incredible natural show not to be missed. Then continue on to the archaeological site of Nora for a guided visit of the Roman ruins and a visit to beaches that are considered to be some of the, best in the world. 

Tuesday 23 September

Journey through the heart of Sardinia. First stop for a true in-depth experience of Sardinia in Mamoiada. Then onto the colourful village of Bosa, an ancient Phoenician settlement nestled among lush green valleys and later taken over by the Romans, and famous for its handicraft traditions and the quality of its oil and wines.

Wednesday 24 September

Alghero is a true jewel overlooking the sea and to this day has preserved the traditions and language of Catalonia, which ruled it for centuries. On a walking tour along the cobbled streets you will have no difficulty coming across the elderly women of the villages who, to this day, still wear the traditional costume known as “su hustumene”. Afternoon at leisure 

Thursday 25 September

From Alghero, travel north and explore the Stintino area that features more beautiful beaches of Sardinia then onto Santa Teresa di Gallura village where a late ferry will cross to Bonifacio, the French island of Corsica. 

Friday 26 September

From Bonifacio travel to Ajaccio the capital of Corsica and birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. A pristine shoreline with exquisite powder sand coves, calm turquoise waters and rugged islands, backed by imposing snow-capped mountains. 

Enjoy a city tour this afternoon. 

Saturday 27 September

On the drive through the heart of the island, visit Venaco where you can admire the Pont du Vecchio rail bridge built by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. (Eiffel Tower fame). Then, a stop in Corte the ancient capital of Corsica, a historic fortress town located in central Corsica at the foot of the island’s highest mountains.

Sunday 28 September

Cape Corse Peninsula is located at the north-east, its road is Corsica’s signature scenic drive recognized worldwide for an incredibly diverse range of attractions. The gently sloping hilly east coast is washed by clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea with small fishing ports indented by idyllic coves. The west coast scenery becomes wilder with sheer cliffs plunging into crashing waves of the Mediterranean. Farewell dinner tonight.

Monday 29 September

Depart Bastia airport on Air Corsica to Nice. Change Planes for flight to Dubai. 

Tuesday 30 September

Arrive Dubai for an overnight stay at the airport hotel. Depart this morning for Auckland. 

Wednesday 01 October

A mid-morning arrival in Auckland