AIA Tours: cruise

Antiquities of the Southern Mediterranean

Tour Dates: May 10-18, 2023 (9 days)

Tour Leader(s): Lisa C. Pieraccini ,

Join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Lisa Pieraccini and discover the timeless allure and cultural mélange of the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Cruise round-trip from Malta to Sicily, Tunisia, and mainland Italy aboard the state‑of‑the‑art, five‑star Le Bougainville. Featuring only 92 suites and staterooms, this elegant small ship is able to call at ports inaccessible to larger vessels.

This outstanding southern Mediterranean itinerary cruises along two of Europe’s most dramatic coastlines, through the fabled Strait of Messina and the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas. Discover Sicily’s storied town of Taormina in the shadow of Mount Etna; Agrigento’s unforgettable Valley of the Temples; Tunisia’s fabled Phoenician and Roman site of Carthage; the age-old beauty of Palermo, including Monreale Cathedral, one of the world’s greatest extant examples of Norman architecture; and the majesty of Syracuse, once the most powerful city of the ancient Greek world and today an open-air museum of monumental antiquities. Take the optional, pre-trip extension in Malta and witness the rich history of this island nation from the remarkable prehistoric, megalithic temples of Tarxien and Hagar Qim to the monuments of the medieval Order of the Knights of St. John.

AIA lecturer and host Lisa Pieraccini will be part of a team of onboard lecturers who will further illuminate the ancient sites and scenic landscapes that you encounter through a series of lectures and informal discussions. This program offers a fascinating combination sites and cities that are made easily accessible via our 92-cabin ship, and I encourage you to reserve your preferred suite or stateroom now, while space and early booking savings are still available.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient Greco‑Roman sites in Syracuse and Agrigento; Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, near the base of which we visit Taormina’s Greco‑Roman ruins; and the Norman Cathedral of Monreale in Sicily; as well as the Phoenician and Roman site of Carthage in Tunisia.
  • Admire centuries-old cities, medieval ports, and landscapes that were once coveted by the world’s most powerful empires.
  • Cruise past the active volcanic island of Stromboli, nicknamed the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”
  • See the famous Riace bronzes, two splendid, life-size bronzes of Greek warriors.
  •  Travel with a fascinating and engaging AIA lecturer/host and other experts.
  • Be pampered aboard a five-star ship with just 92 staterooms and suites.
  • The opportunity to extend your trip in Malta, including visits to two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites: its capital city of Valletta, bursting with medieval architecture; and the prehistoric, megalithic temples of Tarxien and Hagar Qim.
Le Bougainville

Tour Prices (7 nights)

Book with confidence! No cancellation fees for new bookings.
Early booking savings up to $4,200 per couple, if booked by February 3, 2023

Per person, double occupancy

Tour prices start at $4,995 double occupancy with early booking savings through February 3, 2023, starting at $5,745 after February 3, 2023.

Single supplements apply across all categories at 160% of the per person double price (limited availability). Taxes are an additional $450 per person.

For detailed pricing information, download the brochure.

To reserve your space using the online form, click here. For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884).

Valletta, Malta

Agrigento, Sicily

Taorminia, Sicily

Carthage, Tunisia

Reggio Calabria

Itinerary


Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11: Depart the U.S./Valletta, Malta/Embark ship
Friday, May 12: Porto Empedocle for Agrigento, Sicily
Saturday, May 13: Tunis, Tunisia for Carthage
Sunday, May 14: Trapani, Sicily
Monday, May 15: Palermo
Tuesday, May 16: Reggio Calabria/Naxos for Taormina
Wednesday, May 17: Syracuse
Thursday, May 18: Valletta, Malta/Disembark ship/Return to the U.S.

 

View Detailed Itinerary

Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11: Depart the U.S./Valletta, Malta/Embark ship
Depart the U.S. and arrive the next day in Valletta, Malta.

Friday, May 12: Porto Empedocle for Agrigento, Sicily
Visit Agrigento’s UNESCO World Heritage-designated Valley of the Temples. Here, see eight Doric Greek temples dating from the fifth century B.C. including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia, and the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Deities. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception.

Saturday, May 13: Tunis, Tunisia for Carthage
Arrive in Tunis and transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Roman site of Carthage to visit the Baths of Antonino, the ancient theater, and the Punic ports where Carthaginian fleets once took shelter. Discover the magnificent Moorish village of Side Bou Said and enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Tunis for a tour of its Old Town—a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, small shops, majestic mosques, palaces, and colorful markets.

Sunday, May 14: Trapani, Sicily
Drive to Segesta and see the splendid Doric Greek Temple. Visit the medieval town of Erice, set atop a hill and accessible via cable car. Enjoy panoramic views and marvel at the Norman Venus Castle.

Monday, May 15: Palermo
Visit Palermo’s traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, Quattro Canti (a Baroque square) and 12th‑century Duomo. At the Capo market, see and taste famous Palermo street food and admire colorful stalls displaying an abundance of produce, seafood, and meats. This afternoon, drive up the hillside and visit the remarkable Cathedral of Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tuesday, May 16: Reggio Calabria/Naxos for Taormina
Cruise through the Strait of Messina before arriving in Reggio Calabria to visit the National Archaeological Museum, which houses the Riace Bronzes, a pair of ancient, life‑size Greek statues. After lunch, arrive in Giardini Naxos and then visit Taormina, an ancient village on the top of a cliff above the Ionian Sea. Visit the Greco-Roman Theater, the Corvaia Palace, Odeon, and the Corso Umberto.

Wednesday, May 17: Syracuse
In Syracuse, visit the Altar of Hieron II, a monument dedicated to Zeus; Dionysius’ Ear; the Roman Amphitheater; and the Greek Theater. Transfer to the island of Ortygia, Syracuse’s maritime heart, where the Temple of Apollo stands in the remains of Piazza Pancali. See the city’s Baroque cathedral incorporating the ruins of a fifth‑century B.C. temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. At the Piazza Archimede, view the Baroque-style Fountain of Diana. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, attend a folklore show on deck, and then the Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner.

Thursday, May 18: Valletta, Malta/Disembark ship/Return to the U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.


For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884). To reserve your space using the online form, click here.

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