The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) gets its name from sunlight passing through an underwater cavity and shining through the seawater to create a stunning blue reflection. Combine this wonder of nature with exploration of Capri’s “must-see” sights. You will take a 20-minute boat ride from the ship to the Grotto’s entrance where you board a small rowboat to enter the cavern. Then another 20-minute cruise to Marina Grande where a minibus awaits your arrival. During the ascent to Anacapri you’ll discover expansive views over the bay of Naples and Sorrento. In Anacapri you may choose to visit the Villa San Michele, the former home of the Swedish writer Axel Munthe which is now a museum, or ascend further up to Monte Solaro. Monte Solaro offers a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Gulf of Naples framed by Mount Vesuvius in the background. Combine those with the Gulf of Salerno, Anacapri Plain, the Sorrentine Peninsula, Ischia Island, the offshore faraglioni (limestone rocks), and the deep blue of the sea to provide you with memories to last a lifetime. Following leisure time to stroll the narrow streets, you will sample local wines and cheeses before descending to the famous square and the famous Augustus Gardens. You will return by funicular railway to the yacht at Marina Grande.

Here’s an ideal opportunity to explore Capri’s highlights, to sample local wine and cheese, and to learn about Limoncello. After proceeding ashore by ship’s tender, you will board a minibus at Marina Grande. During the ascent to Anacapri you will see expansive views over the bay of Naples and Sorrento. On arrival in Anacapri you may choose one of two activities. Either visit the Villa San Michele, the former home of the Swedish writer Axel Munthe which is now a museum, or ascend further up to Monte Solaro where you will be rewarded with a 360° panoramic view over the Gulf of Naples framed by Mount Vesuvius in the background. Views of the Gulf of Salerno, Anacapri plain, the Sorrentine peninsula, Ischia Island, the offshore “faraglioni” limestone rocks and the deep blue of the sea will provide you with memories to last a lifetime. Following time at leisure to stroll the narrow streets you will be invited to sample local wine and cheese and taste the local Limoncello. Your guide will explain all the secrets about this famous drink. Descend to the famous square in the town of Capri before venturing on foot to the famous Augustus Gardens. You will return by cable car to the ship’s tender at Marina Grande.

Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, is well known not only for its mythological connections, but most of all for its natural beauty. Your local guide will escort you up to the castle, built on the site of the ancient acropolis. The castle today plays host to several churches, an archaeological site, and the Aeolian Archeological Museum. You will visit the classical section of the museum to admire the precious finds from Lipari and the other islands in the archipelago. You will be able to admire over 250 masks from Greek comedy. Board the bus at Marina Lunga where a short coach trip will give you the chance to admire the island in all its beauty. You will stop off at the most spectacular points of the island, giving you real proof of what a remarkable place the world can be. From the Faraglioni rocks to the picturesque pumice quarries and the flow of hardened red obsidian at the Rocche Rosse, your guide will take you on a journey of discovery around the island. Before returning to the yacht you will have time to do a little shopping, to take a few final photos or enjoy a pleasant stroll.

The island of Vulcano is one of the most interesting in the Aeolian archipelago because of the exceptional nature and the variety of its landscapes. Your tour begins with a boat trip around the island where you’ll see breathtaking views of the Faraglioni, Grotta del Cavallo and Vulcanello, arriving at the only landing spot, Porto di Levante. You have the option to stay at the beach for a mud bath or a bath in the clear water of the island, or to follow the guide for a hike up to the volcano. The climb up to the middle crater is particularly interesting and you can reach the top in less than an hour. The bathing and mud baths are available all year round, while hot springs heat the sea. In fact, off near the Faraglioni, you’ll see the boiling seawater phenomenon, caused by underwater fumaroles, jets of gas, bubbling up through the sea. The medicinal value of these thermal waters, together with the mud baths, is used in the treatment of various diseases and has made the island famous.

Capture the essential sights of the medieval city of Bonifacio on foot and aboard a mini train. Whether approached from east or west, Bonifacio appears as “Land’s End,” through its isolation from Corsica’s vast, arid limestone plateau. Your sightseeing of the Citadel and Old Genoese town is aboard a little train on wheels. It will first take you to the marine cemetery located high atop cliffs, affording impressive views over the Straits of Bonifacio to Sardinia, which lies approximately 7 miles away. Once in the heart of the old town, your exploration continues with a guided walk, through typical narrow streets. You will see wonderful sitesaround each corner with historic churches, monuments and curiosities dating back to the 16th century. After returning to the station on the little train, you will return by coach to Porto Vecchio.

Come face-to-face with Corsica’s resplendent scenic highlights on this overview traveling by comfortable motor coach. You will take a 1¾-hour drive along the scenic west coast , with several stops en route including the great landmark – the Roccapina Lion. This mass of rose-colored granite has been weathered through time into the shape of a recumbent lion. You will then head toward Sartene, which has been dubbed the most “Corsican of Corsican towns.” It lies cradled on a promontory with impressive houses nestled into the rocks. Due to its coastal location, it was vulnerable to foreign invaders and its colorful history includes pirate attacks, battles against the Genoese occupiers in the Middle Ages and several vendettas in Corsican history. Following a guided walking tour of Sartene, you will have free time to browse before returning to the coach for the 1¾-hour drive back to Porto Vecchio.

Emperor Napoleon I was exiled on the island of Elba for 300 days beginning in May 1814. Trace the history of that fascinating bygone era on this look at one of his two island residences, both of which are now museums. Depending on the day of the week, you may either visit his town residence (Villa dei Mulini), or his country residence (Villa San Martino). Guests visiting the Villa San Martino country home see the Room of the Doves, whose ceiling is adorned with a painting depicting two doves linked by a knotted ribbon that tightens as they fly further away. By way of contrast, the Egyptian Room has a circular ceiling painting featuring a ring of Zodiac signs. Other points of interest include Napoleon’s bedroom, dressing room and study as well as the villa’s beautifully manicured gardens. (Please note, there is an uphill walk of around 900 feet along a smooth surface to reach this villa.) Alternatively (depending on the day of the week) you may visit the Villa dei Mulini town residence, to explore Napoleon’s study, reception hall, bedroom and library. (Please note, there is an uphill walk of around 900 feet along cobbled and uneven surfaces to reach this villa.) A pause at the Porto Azzuro resort area provides a brief and relaxing interlude before your direct return to your yacht.

Combine a visit to the enchanting village of Porto Azzuro with wine tasting at a vineyard once frequented by Emperor Napoleon. After leaving the busy capital of Portoferraio, your 30-minute drive will feature magnificent views of Lacona and Laconella Bays as well as Golfo Stella as you pass rocky beaches and high cliffs. Ahead lies Porto Azzuro, which boasts an ancient medieval fortress and picturesque fisherman’s harbor. You will have free time to browse among its many tempting shops. Back aboard the coach you will continue to the Azienda Agricola La Chiusa estate, whose vineyard directly overlooks Portoferraio. This estate hosted Napoleon Bonaparte on two separate occasions. As the vineyard prides itself on quality over quantity, its vines are always pruned very short. During your 1½-hour stay there will be an explanation of wine production at the farmhouse before you will have the opportunity to sample the extra virgin olive oil and taste the wine. After enjoying time at leisure you will take the 30-minute return drive to your yacht at Portoferraio.

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestoned streets of the Eternal City. You will meet the local guide in Civitavecchia and board a coach for Rome. You will start the Orientation Tour with the Ostiense Gate, the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome. Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Visit the Colosseum, constructed in only eight years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your tour also includes Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. The dome of the basilica was designed by Michelangelo. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on our own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity.

The city of Herculaneum was founded around the 4th century B.C., copying the geometric regularity of the layout of Naples. Its “decumani” (main streets) have an east-west orientation, while the “cardines” (narrower streets) run north-south. There is undeniably a “feeling” about Herculaneum, quite different from Pompeii, where you get the impression that its ancient population of 5,000 packed up and left only moments ago. Herculaneum was smaller than Pompeii but is better preserved simply because, while hot ashes consumed the wood of Pompeii’s buildings, Herculaneum was covered by hot mud which sealed and protected entire city blocks. This means that marble floors, mosaics, paintings and carbonized woods can still be admired today. You will discover the ancient luxurious properties and villas including the House of the Mosaic, the house of Deer, the Thermae (baths) and the House of Carbonized Furniture. After a guided tour, you will be driven back to meet the yacht in Sorrento.

From the pier, you’ll take a 13/4-hour ride by motor coach to the remarkable ruins of Pompeii, perfectly preserved since the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Learn about the excavation techniques and what the residents were doing at the time of the eruption, and you’ll gain an insight into the lives of the ancient Romans as you discover baths, theaters, temples, markets and the huge forum with the Arch of Nero. After your tour, you will be driven back to Sorrento to meet your Windstar yacht.