Amalfi & Sicily Expedition with Star Clippers

Day 1 - Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia, Italy: Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, yet no other city on earth evokes its past as powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention. Rome is also an ideal place to embrace the Italian-perfected 'il dolce far niente', the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling through a beguiling piazza.

Day 2 - Stromboli

Stromboli, Italy: Famous for its continuously active volcano, Stromboli is a breathtaking island offering stunning views of black sand beaches and azure waters. An opportunity to witness the spectacle of natural fireworks, with illuminating eruptions visible from the mainland, creates an unforgettable experience.

Day 3 - Lipari

Lipari, Italy: The largest and most developed of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari welcomes you with distinctive pastel-coloured houses. Fields of spiky agaves decorate the northern tip of the island, Acquacalda, which is marked by pumice and obsidian quarries. In the west, discover San Calogero, where hot springs and mud baths can be explored. Rising from the red-lava base of the island is a plateau crowned with a 16th-century castle and a 17th-century cathedral.

Day 4 - Messina

Messina, Italy: Home to the Museo Regionale of Messina, renowned for showcasing two of Caravaggio's masterpieces, this city is rich in history as the former capital of the ancient kingdom of Sicily. Beyond its cultural treasures, Messina's charm lies in its scenic landscapes and rich culinary traditions.

Day 5 - Amalfi

Amalfi, Italy: Though currently a renowned resort destination, it is hard to imagine that Amalfi was once one of the world's great naval powers, rivalling Genoa and Pisa for Mediterranean dominance in the 11th and 12th centuries. Nestled in a verdant valley of the Lattari Mountains, the town is lined with cream-coloured and pastel-hued buildings packed tightly within a gorge on the Bay of Salerno. The vibrant harbour, once home to Italy’s greatest fleet, is now lively with ferries and blue-and-white fishing boats. Its main street, bustling with shops and pasticcerie, has replaced a once-raging mountain torrent. The terraced hills brandish the green and gold of lemon groves, while Amalfi's Arab-Sicilian cloisters and covered passages speak to historical trade with Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers. In a way, Amalfi has reclaimed its greatness, celebrating its medieval glory days with sea pageants, convents-turned-hotels, ancient paper mills, covered streets, and its glimmering cathedral.

Day 6 - Ponza Island

Ponza Island, Italy: Known for its dramatic landscapes and emerald waters, Ponza Island is a hidden gem of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its serene atmosphere and rugged coastlines invite exploration, while its quaint villages add charming contrast to the natural beauty that surrounds.

Day 7 - Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia, Italy: Returning to Italy's vibrant capital, Rome, which lives in the present while powerfully evoking its historical past. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left indelible marks here. The city's ancient Roman ruins, art-filled churches, and the extraordinary treasures of Vatican City compete for your attention. Rome is also perfect for practising ‘il dolce far niente’, the sweet art of doing nothing. Perhaps your most cherished memories will involve lounging in a café in the Campo de' Fiori or taking leisurely strolls through its enchanting piazzas.