8 nights · Malta · Departs Valletta (Malta) · Visiting Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Sorrento, Civitavecchia-Rome, Rome City, Bastia, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer · Aboard Scenic Cruises on the Scenic Eclipse 2
Image courtesy of Scenic Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Scenic Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Scenic Eclipse 2 |
| Duration | 8 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $10,283 per person |
| Year built | 2023 |
| Guests | 228 |
| Cabins | 114 |
| Crew | 176 |
| Length | 168 m |
| Beam | 22 m |
| Cruising speed | 17.0 kn |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bastia is Corsica’s northern gateway, where ferries, fishing boats and café terraces meet beneath a steeply rising old town. Begin around the old port in Terra Vecchia, then climb into Terra Nova’s citadel. Pause at Saint-Jean-Baptiste, whose twin bell towers define Bastia’s skyline. From Place Saint-Nicolas, one of France’s largest squares, watch local life unfold over a coffee. For a change of pace, drive north toward Cap Corse, where fishing villages and rugged headlands frame the coast.
Portofino is a small Ligurian harbour, framed by green hills and pastel façades. On its crescent waterfront, fishing boats share the view with polished yachts. From the piazzetta, lanes climb to Castello Brown, a former fortress overlooking the harbour and coast. Walk on to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo, or take a boat to nearby Santa Margherita Ligure. A table by the water offers the best reason to linger.
Monte Carlo makes a striking first impression, with superyachts in Port Hercule and the Alps rising behind the coast. A short walk leads to Casino Square, where Belle Époque architecture frames the famous casino and designer boutiques. For a quieter contrast, climb to Monaco-Ville for the Prince’s Palace, cathedral and views across the harbor. The principality is compact and easy to explore on foot, though its steep streets reward comfortable shoes.
Arrive in Cannes and the Riviera’s polished glamour is immediately on show. Follow the palm-lined Croisette past Belle Époque hotels, designer boutiques and the Palais des Festivals, home of the film festival. Then climb into Le Suquet, the old quarter, for narrow lanes and views across the harbour. At Marché Forville, local produce and Provençal specialities offer a taste of everyday life. Ferries to the Lérins Islands make an easy escape to pine-scented shores.
Villefranche-sur-Mer makes an unusually graceful first impression: pastel houses rise above one of the Riviera’s deepest natural harbors. Wander the old town’s narrow lanes, then visit the 16th-century citadel and its museums. Jean Cocteau’s painted Chapel of Saint-Pierre adds a distinctive local detail. Nearby trains connect you with Nice; roads lead to Èze and the wider Côte d’Azur.
Published August 16, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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