SMALL SHIP ADVENTURES
Italy: Venice, Ravenna, Tremiti Islands, Monopoli | San Marino | Sicily: Siracusa | Malta: Valletta, Mdina, Hagar Qim
Small groups of no more than 25 travelers, guaranteed
Spend 11 nights aboard the 50-passenger M/V Athena or M/V Artemis, cruising across the Adriatic and Ionian seas to discover what life is like in six of Italy's lesser-known regions—as well as the tiny island of Malta. Throughout your voyage, you'll explore destinations that are truly undiscovered, like the white-washed port towns of Monopoli and Otranto or the cone-shaped trulli dwellings of Alberobello. Plus, this itinerary is now enhanced with an additional night in Venice.
18 days starting from $9,495
including in ternational airfare from New York
Single Supplement: FREE or $1,495
Departure Dates: Mar-Apr; Jun; Aug-Oct
Activity Level: Moderate
IT'S INCLUDED
- 16 nights accommodation, including 11 nights aboard the privately owned 50-passenger M/V Athena or M/V Artemis
- International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges, unless you choose to make your own air arrangements
- 40 meals: 16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13 dinners—including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner—plus all onboard house beer, wine, and soft drinks
- 22 guided tours and cultural experiences
- Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers
- All port charges
- Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
- 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U.S.
Depart today on your flight to Venice, Italy.
DAY 2 • Venice
Arrive in Venice, where you'll be met at the airport and assisted with the transfer to your hotel by an O.A.T. representative. You'll then be joined by travelers from the pre-trip extension to Ljubljana & Trieste: World War II to the Present.
Palazzo Barocci or similar
DAY 3 • Explore Venice • Controversial Topic: The MOSE Dam
Embark on a walking tour of Venice, visiting the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square). After, join your Trip Experience Leader for a traditional Italian aperitivo before a Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B,D | Palazzo Barocci or similar
DAY 4 • Venice • Explore Burano and Murano
Engage in a Controversial Topic about the MOSE Dam project with local activists. Then, travel to the Venetian island of Burano for a walking tour of this village renowned for lace-making and bright waterside cottages.
Meals: B | Palazzo Barocci or similar
DAY 5 • Gondola ride • Embark ship
Enjoy a ride aboard a gondola, the iconic symbol of Venice. After some free time, embark our small ship. Sit down to Captain's Welcome Dinner onboard this evening.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 6 • Ravenna • Balera music performance
Witness the highlights of Ravenna on a walking tour that includes Dante's tomb, the Basilica di San Vitale, and the Mausoleo Galla Placida. This evening, enjoy traditional balera music after dinner.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 7 • Pesaro • The Republic of San Marino
Stop in the Italian port town of Pesaro, then travel overland to the independent Republic of San Marino, one of the world's smallest states. After, explore Pesaro during a discovery walk.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 8 • A Day in the Life of an Ortona farmstead
Today, drive out to the countryside to experience A Day in the Life of a local Ortona farmstead. You'll meet with the farm's owner, tour the property, and have the chance to roll up your sleeves and pitch in on some chores. Afterwards, sit down to farm-fresh meal with your hosts.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 8, experience A Day in the Life of a family owned and operated farmstead in the countryside of Ortona
DAY 9 • Tremiti Islands
Begin a full day of exploration in the Tremiti Islands. Board a ferry bound for San Nicola, where we'll set out on a walking tour. Then, continue on to a boat tour for views of the cliffs and coves surrounding the islands before spending some time on San Domino.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 10 • Explore Alberobello • Conversation about environmental issues in Puglia • Home-Hosted Dinner
After docking in Monopoli, depart for Alberobello, and marvel at the trulli homes that line the streets. Later, learn about the environmental issues affecting Puglia's olive groves, and by extension, its olive oil production. This evening, enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local family.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 11 • Monopoli • Optional Matera Troglodyte City tour
Enjoy a day of independent discoveries in Monopoli. Or, perhaps you'd like to explore Matera Troglodyte City on an optional tour, where you'll discover the cave dwellings of Sassi di Matera.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 12 • Otranto • Afternoon at sea
Visit the port city of Otranto, and take a walking tour of this town known for its white-sand beaches, famed Aragonese Castle, and Romanesque cathedral. Enjoy the afternoon aboard ship as you set sail for Siracusa.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 10, join a family for a Home-Hosted Dinner in the village of Monopoli to sample eastern Italy's rustic cuisine and learn first-hand about life here
DAY 13 • Siracusa, Sicily • Sicilian folk music performance
Arrive in the Sicilian city of Siracusa and embark on a walking tour of Old Town, where modern life blends with the timelessness of southern Italy. This evening aboard the ship, enjoy dinner followed by a performance of Sicilian folk music.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 14 • Siracusa • Visit the Roman amphitheater • Visit Siracusa War Cemetery
This morning we visit the Roman amphitheater in Siracusa—the third largest and one of the best preserved in Italy. Later, we'll pay our respects at the Siracusa War Cemetery, the final resting place of the men who lost their lives as part of the early stages of the campaign to capture the island (Operation Husky).
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 15 • Valletta, Malta • Conversation on anti-corruption activism in Malta
Cruise into Valletta, Malta's capital city. Explore the serene Barracca Gardens, and learn about the mysterious Sovereign Military Order of Malta. After, engage in a conversation about anti-corruption activism. Return to the ship this evening for the Captain's Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B,L,D | M/V Artemis or M/V Athena
DAY 16 • Disembark ship • Mdina
Disembark your ship and journey to Mdina—the "Silent City". Stroll along the peaceful winding streets, lined with Baroque buildings made of Malta's characteristic yellow limestone.
Meals: B | Grand Hotel Excelsior or similar
DAY 17 • Hagar Qim • The Three Cities
Explore the megalithic temple complex of Hagar Qim. Then, embark on a walking tour of Vittoriosa, dating back to the time of the Phoenicians. After, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Drink and dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B,D | Grand Hotel Excelsior or similar
DAY 18 • Return to U.S.
Fly home or extend your discoveries on our post-trip extension to Rome: Ancient Sites & Hidden City Gems.
Meals: B
See the full deck plan for the M/V Artemis or M/V Athena small ships on page 216. 
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www.oattravel.com/vma
Special Departures available on this adventure. Call for details.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Choose to maximize your discoveries and value when you add a pre- or post-trip extension—or both—to your adventure. All extensions include the services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader; all transfers; and gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage handlers.
Ljubljana & Trieste: World War II to the Present
PRE-TRIP: 5 nights from $1,695
Discover how the past and present have seamlessly merged in Slovenia. Then find inspiration where James Joyce once did in Trieste, Italy—where Italian, Slovenian, Croatian, and Austrian influences combine in a flourish of central European elegance.
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/vma-ljubljana-2026
Cultural Treasures of Rome & Florence
POST-TRIP: 6 nights from $2,195
From the marbled piazzas of Rome, to the magnificent Duomo of Florence, the legendary expressions of beauty in these timeless Italian cities are unmatched. We think you’ll agree that, when you travel to Italy, additional time to explore these iconic destinations in depth is an opportunity not to be missed.
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/vma-rome-2026
ARRIVE EARLY
- Arrive early in Ljubljana before your Ljubljana & Trieste pre-trip extension from $230 per room, per night
- Arrive early in Venice before your main adventure from $540 per room, per night
To calculate your trip price with airfare, add deck price to air add-ons below.
Prices are listed as per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.oattravel.com/tc . Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.
For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.oattravel.com/vma2026pricing