Rome and Sicily

Step inside the Colosseum, where 45,000 once watched gladiators fight under a vast retractable awning. Walk through the Forum Romanum, ancient Rome’s center of politics, markets, and temples. Cross into Christian Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, then explore the Vatican Museums and gaze at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Conclude at Piazza Venezia, home to the Victor Emmanuel Monument and Mussolini’s former headquarters.

From the Bay of Naples, the island of Capri is less than an hour away by boat. Weather permitting, you’ll visit the Blue Grotto, where sunlight reflecting beneath the water bathes the cave in a shimmering silver-blue light.

Cameos—oval portraits carved in relief on a contrasting background—have been treasured since ancient Greece and were especially popular in Rome among Augustus’s family. Visit a modern studio to learn how skilled artisans continue the tradition, carving these delicate works of art up close.

Stop in Pompeii, the city where time stood still. Once home to 20,000 residents, it was buried by Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago and lay hidden under 30 feet of ash and mud. Excavated over centuries, the site reveals daily Roman life through public spaces, political graffiti, taverns, and street signs.

Lively and dramatic, Naples bursts with energy. See the Maschio Angioino, the 13th-century fortress dominating Piazza Municipio, and wander Piazza Plebiscito, often home to striking art installations. Visit Castel dell’Ovo, tied to the legend of Virgil’s hidden egg, and explore the treasures of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, housing masterpieces from Pompeii and beyond.

Explore Palermo, Sicily’s lively capital where Italian, Arab, French, and Phoenician influences blend. With a licensed guide, see the Baroque Quattro Canti and the grand Palermo Cathedral, then visit the Norman Palace and La Martorana with its glittering Byzantine mosaics. Stop at the Teatro Massimo Opera House, a jewel of 19th-century design, and conclude at Monreale Cathedral, famed for golden mosaics that rival any in Europe.

Explore Agrigento’s historic center, a maze of alleys, sunlit piazzas, and baroque churches adorned with ornate façades. Then visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site where some of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples stand. Marvel at the Temple of Concordia, the ruins of Juno and Heracles, and the colossal remains of the Olympian Zeus.

An earthly paradise, Taormina enchants with views from its ancient Greek theater, where Mount Etna dominates the skyline and the sea glimmers below. Explore Palazzo Corvaia, a medieval gem, and wander the lush Botanical Gardens with a licensed guide. It’s no wonder cultures through the ages—and even Francis Ford Coppola, who filmed "The Godfather" nearby—were captivated here.

Named for the Greek god of wind, the Aeolian Islands exude a breezy charm. Cruise past volcanic shores where fishing villages and resorts share the coastline. Available March through October, this excursion includes visits to several islands with time to explore shops, cafés, and local eateries.