A cruise through these cobalt seas takes the traveler on a journey through empires: the Persian, the Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman. Setting sail from Istanbul, with Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace rising on the starboard side and the hinterlands of Anatolia on the port, sets the tone for an adventure through the ages.

On the 15-day Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities sailing, history-lovers will find no end of ancient sites to enthrall them, from Troy to the Parthenon and Pompeii. Yet the past isn’ t the only appeal; copious sunshine has blessed the region with some of the world’ s best produce, from pinot grapes to plump Kalamata olives.

As the Viking Saturn criss-crosses the Aegean, each stop presents an opportunity to immerse yourself in culture, cuisine and natural beauty. Plus, with overnight stays in Istanbul and Athens, you’ ll get the chance to discover how these magnificent, cosmopolitan cities change after dark.

A day at sea in the Mediterranean gives you the chance to enjoy la dolce vita on board— savor a multi-course meal at Manfredi’ s Italian Restaurant, or relax in the infinity pool. With the tip of the Italian mainland just a stone’ s throw away, you’ ll start your Sicilian adventure in Messina, wandering by citrus-draped townhouses and admiring the cathedral’ s campanile. The world’ s largest astronomical clock puts on a spectacular show at midday each day, complete with a classical soundtrack and roaring mechanical lions.

Taormina, just under an hour’ s drive away, encapsulates old-school glamour. À la The White Lotus, don your finest cruising attire to snap photos at Piazza IX Aprile, which is bordered by a Baroque church, a Louis Vuitton boutique and views of the sea.

The rocky summit of Mount Etna also makes for a once-in-a-lifetime excursion. Ascend it by foot, coach, cable car or even 4WD: at over 11,000 feet high, it dominates the Sicilian landscape. The nutrientrich volcanic terroir produces phenomenal wines, too: the ruby-red nero d’ avola variety is one of Italy’ s most celebrated. Taste a few vintages at the Barone di Villagrande estate, where the Baroness herself will tell tales of the vineyard as you survey the cool wine cellars.

Clockwise from top left: Viking cruise ship; old town of Cefalù, Sicily; Fiat 500 in Trapani, Sicily; San Nicolò Cathedral, Noto Valley, Sicily Previous pages: Positano, Amalfi Coast

images: Viking; getty; awl images

62 • pos t c a rds