Caper farm , Salina , Aeolian Islands
SMALL SHIP ADVENTURES
Mdina , Malta Buffalo farm , Salerno , Italy
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Depart today on your flight to Rome .
DAY 2 • Arrive in Rome , Italy Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel . Meet travelers who took our optional Tuscany : Florence & Siena pre-trip extension .
Hotel Delle Nazioni or similar
DAY 3 • Explore Rome Discover Rome ’ s highlights — from the Pantheon to the Spanish Steps and more — during an included walking tour . This evening , celebrate the discoveries ahead during a Welcome Dinner .
Meals : B , D | Hotel Delle Nazioni or similar
DAY 4 • Rome • Visit Roman Forum Today we ’ ll explore the Roman Forum with our local guide , who will help us imagine what the Forum must have been like when it was the bustling nerve center of the world ’ s most powerful empire .
Meals : B | Hotel Delle Nazioni or similar
DAY 5 • Overland transfer to Gaeta • Ninfa • Embark ship
Discover the Garden of Ninfa , a romantic garden built in the ruins of a medieval town , before embarking your small ship in the port of Gaeta .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 6 • Pozzuoli Enjoy a walking tour of Pozzuoli , including the Flavian Amphitheater , constructed by the same architects who designed the Colosseum . This evening features a Neapolitan folk music performance .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 7 • Sorrento • Home-Hosted Lunch Enjoy a discovery walk in Sorrento followed by a Home-Hosted Lunch with a local familiy .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 8 • Salerno • Paestum • Mozzarella farm Dock in Salerno and travel overland to Paestum , famous for its Doric Greek temples . Then , visit a buffalo farm to sample buffalo mozzarella cheese . Later , learn about Salerno ’ s role during World War II .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 9 • Salerno • Optional Pompeii tour Explore Salerno independently , or visit Pompeii on an optional tour . Later , begin cruising to the Aeolian Islands .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 10 • Explore Lipari , Aeolian Islands Enjoy a walking tour of Lipari , the largest of the volcanic Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily , including a tasting of the famous Sicilian cannoli .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 11 • Lipari • Salina • A Day in the Life of a farm on Salina • Strait of Messina
Tender to Lipari , and then take a private boat ride to Salina , where we ’ ll experience A Day in the Life of a caper farm to learn about the island ’ s agricultural traditions .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 12 • Mount Etna Hike along the slopes of Mount Etna , Europe ’ s tallest active volcano . Later , enjoy a conversation with an expert in Italian geology .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 13 • Taormina • Controversial Topic : The Sicilian Mafia
Enjoy a guided tour of the the resort town of Taormina . Later , two experts will join us onboard to discuss the Controversial Topic of the Sicilian mafia .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 14 • Valletta , Malta Enjoy a walking tour of Valletta , Malta ’ s walled capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Later , engage in a conversation about the late journalist Daphne Caruana .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 15 • Valletta • Hagar Qim • Three Cities Explore the megalithic temple complex of Hagar Qim . Then , during a walking tour of “ The Three Cities ,” explore Vittoriosa , which dates back to the time of the Phoenicians .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
DAY 16 • Explore Mdina Stroll along the winding medieval streets of Mdina , the former capital of Malta , known as “ the Silent City .”
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / rvm 205