Malta Cruise from Valletta to Rome Italy — 11 Days

Valletta, Malta

Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.

Siracusa, Italy

Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.

Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Italy

Giardini Naxos sits on Sicily’s Ionian coast, beneath Mount Etna and a short drive from Taormina. Its waterfront pairs pebble beaches with cafés, gelaterie and views across the bay. Sicily’s first Greek colony was founded here in 734 BC. A nearby archaeological park preserves traces of its ancient streets and walls. Come for a seaside day, or use the port as a gateway to Taormina. There, the Greek Theatre commands sweeping views of Etna and the coast.

Lipari Island, Italy

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain off Sicily’s northern coast. The town rises around a citadel, home to the Aeolian Archaeological Museum and its collection of island finds. Walk the old lanes to Marina Corta, then choose a waterfront table for fresh seafood. Beyond town, pumice quarries and coastal viewpoints reveal a landscape shaped by fire and sea.

Amalfi, Italy

Amalfi brings the coast’s drama within easy reach: cliffs, lemon terraces and a harbor backed by steep streets. Start in the old center, where the striped façade of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew rises above Piazza Duomo. Then choose your pace: browse lanes and cafés, visit the Paper Museum, or take the winding road to Ravello. Sea views come with history here, and the pleasure of seeing one of Italy’s celebrated shorelines at close range.

Capri Island, Italy

Capri rises from the Bay of Naples in cliffs, pale houses and terraces of lemon trees. Come ashore for the Piazzetta, then follow lanes to the Gardens of Augustus and views over the Faraglioni. Boats reach the Blue Grotto when sea conditions permit; Anacapri offers quieter streets and Villa San Michele. Allow time for steep paths, crowded summer ferries and a long lunch featuring the island’s local dishes.

Sorrento, Italy

Sorrento rises above the Bay of Naples, facing Mount Vesuvius across water busy with ferries. From here, ferries connect with Capri, while the town rewards a slower day among old lanes, churches, and sea-view terraces. Follow the scent of citrus to shops selling Sorrento lemons, locally made limoncello, and finely crafted marquetry. Then pause over lunch: the region’s seafood and Campanian produce are best enjoyed without hurry.

Gaeta, Italy

Gaeta sits on a rocky headland between Rome and Naples, where the Tyrrhenian coast shifts from harbour to beach. Explore its medieval quarter, then climb Monte Orlando to the Roman mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus. At the Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata, a dramatic cleft in the rock draws pilgrims and visitors alike. Leave time for tiella, Gaeta’s savoury stuffed pie, and a swim in the clear coastal waters.

Porto Ercole, Italy

Porto Ercole sits on Monte Argentario, where southern Tuscany meets the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its old harbour curves beneath pastel houses, while sixteenth-century Spanish forts keep watch above the town. Walk uphill to the Rocca for views across the rooftops and water, then linger over lunch beside the boats. Nearby, the Feniglia nature reserve offers pine shade, dunes and a long sweep of sand. Caravaggio died here in 1610, adding a striking historical note to this coastal stop.

Portoferraio, Italy

Portoferraio rises above Elba’s deep-blue harbor, its honey-colored walls reflecting the ambition of Cosimo I de’ Medici. Walk the steep lanes between the Medici fortresses, then visit Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s residence during his 1814–15 exile. Beyond the old town, clear coves and pale beaches invite a swim. Vineyards and coastal roads reward a longer stay. This is Tuscany with salt air and a storied past.

Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy

Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.

Rome City, Italy

Civitavecchia, Rome’s cruise port, lies about 50 miles northwest of the capital. From the town station, trains reach central Rome in around 70 minutes, depending on service. The Colosseum, Vatican and Baroque piazzas reward a day spent exploring. Choose your priorities before you arrive; traffic and queues can consume precious hours. Then make room for a Roman lunch.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)