Fly by scheduled flight to Pisa. On arrival transfer to the port of Livorno to embark the MS Serenissima. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail tonight.

After breakfast we will explore the enchanting island of Elba, best known as Napoleon’s island of exile from 1814 to 1815. Departing from the island’s busy capital Portoferraio, we set out for a delightful drive exploring the southern region of this charming island with superb views over the coastline. The first stop will be Villa San Martino which was the summer residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and has been transformed into a museum. Later enjoy some time at leisure in Porto Azzurro to explore this delightful town which is dominated by an ancient Spanish fortress and a picturesque harbour. Our drive continues along the coast to the 17th century country wine farm, La Chiusa, which is beautifully nestled in a vineyard estate surrounded by olive trees and overlooking the ocean. As with every self-respecting mansion on Elba, La Chiusa claims to have once housed Napoleon during his exile here. Experience the estate’s interesting cellar to learn how the wine is produced and enjoy a delicious sampling of the local wine. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Portoferraio.

Be on deck this morning as we arrive in Corsica at Bonifacio’s stunning natural harbour. On our morning tour we will explore the narrow streets and the historical heart of the town. We will discover the Bosco quarter with the St Francis Convent, the 14th century church of St Marie Majeure and take in the views from the clifftop on which the city is built. Afterwards maybe take a walk in the nearby Marine Park which offers some stunning views back to the town. We will sail late this evening allowing time for an after-dinner stroll.

Arrive in Sardinia and the port of Porto Torres this morning. A panoramic drive takes us to Nuraghe Palmavera with its main tower of the Nuraghe, which still has its dome shaped ceiling that dates back to 1100 BC. The complex, which was abandoned in the 5th century BC due to fire, shows the different phases of social life and political organisation of the tribal community. Continue to the Medieval city of Alghero, which was colonised by the Catalans in the 14th century and where today there is still a strong Catalan identity throughout the town, and it is often even referred to as “Barceloneta”. There will be some free time to walk through the Medieval streets or maybe visit the archaeological museum. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on board as we sail towards Cagliari.

After a morning cruising we arrive in the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, an ancient city that dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. Choose to join an afternoon walking tour around the old town with its narrow streets running along a steep hillside and see the terraced Piazza del Palazzo and the 14th century Cathedral of St Cecila. Alternatively drive along the southwestern coast to reach Nora which was founded by the Phoenicians but also has Carthaginian and Roman ruins. Still visible today are the remains of a Carthaginian warehouse and various Roman buildings.

Trapani was the landing point for Peter of Aragon in 1282 to start the Spanish occupation of Sicily. This morning there is the option to travel inland to explore Segesta, one of the grandest Doric monuments to survive. See the unfinished temple dating from 424 BC as well as the theatre from where you can enjoy excellent views of the countryside and distant coastline. Alternatively visit Erice, famed in antiquity for its temple dedicated to the goddess of love, the Phoenician Astarte, Greek Aphrodite or Roman Venus. A tour via cable car will take us to this stunning site high above the sea and to the beautifully preserved Medieval town characterised by its winding cobblestone streets and beautiful courtyards. Both tours will then enjoy a Sicilian lunch at a nearby olive oil farm.

Although handsome in its own right and awash with Medieval atmosphere, Agrigento is not our main reason for calling at this southern coast port. Close by is the Valle dei Templi, a series of Doric temples and the most captivating of Sicilian Greek remains, a grouping unique outside Greece. Surrounded in the greenery of olive and almond trees, admire the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Dioscuri Temple, the Temple of Olympic Jove and the Temple of Hercules. After lunch on board the afternoon is free to explore Agrigento at leisure and shuttles will run from the port to the town and the excellent archaeological museum.

This morning we arrive into Catania where the architecture is particularly impressive but a little forbidding being mainly constructed from black lava stone from Mount Etna. On a walking tour we will see the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, a World Heritage Site, St Agatha’s Cathedral and the imposing 13th century Castello Ursino. Alternatively drive up the coast to Taormina, a walled town lying in the shadow of Mount Etna where our guided tour will include walking the characteristic alleys, the 15th century Palazzo Corvaja and the impressive Greek Theatre from where there are marvellous views over the town and coast. This afternoon we sail the short distance to Syracuse arriving in the early evening. Maybe take an after dinner stroll from our central berth as we moor overnight.

Syracuse was founded by the Greeks in 734 BC and by the 5th century was a political and military power throughout the Mediterranean which rivalled Athens as the largest and most beautiful city in the Greek world. On leaving the vessel we visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park where we will find a well preserved Greek theatre with seats carved from limestone. Paradise Quarry, now an attractive garden and orange grove, was the primary source of that limestone and is the site of the curious ‘Ear of Dionysius’, a vast grotto with an amplifying resonance. We will continue to explore the island of Ortigia where we will find the Temple of Apollo, considered to be Sicily’s most ancient Doric temple and the Baroque Cathedral, erected over the remains of the Temple of Minerva. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon to explore independently.

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.