The ancient remains of Athens constitute one of the brightest jewels of the Mediterranean. The Ancient City and the Acropolis have been kept fairly intact. You will see perhaps the most famous temple of the Ancient City, the Parthenon, dedicated to the patron Goddess of Athens, Athena. Walking up a winding path towards the Acropolis, you pass through the Propylaea, which is the entrance to the Acropolis and see the Erechtheum Temple, built between 421-405 B.C. and famous for its exquisite attention to detail. You will also see the Porch of the Caryatids, (or Porch of the Maidens), in the distance. Reinforced by man, the natural fortress of the Acropolis stands 230 feet above the city. You cannot help but be impressed by the wide-sweeping view below. The intent of the New Acropolis Museum is to house every artifact found on the archaeological site. You will have the opportunity to discover for yourself the unsurpassed quality of the masterpieces of Ancient Athens which have long fascinated western civilization, including the entire sculpted decoration of the Parthenon as it was on the ancient building. Excavations unearthed an important part of the ancient city of Athens, so you will see many architectural phases and thousands of finds that provide valuable insight into the everyday activities of ancient Greece.

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.

Founded in the 6th century B.C. by Greeks from Naples, Taormina was subsequently taken over by the Romans. Many of its narrow cobblestone streets are closed to traffic, making the main part of Taormina accessible only by foot. Your guide will introduce you to Taormina’s delights on a guided walk that includes the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and the bustling main street of Corso Umberto, lined with former mansions of enchanting architecture and balconies that brim with flowers. Stop briefly in the inner courtyard of the medieval Corvaja Palace. You will enjoy the panoramic views of the bay and snow-capped Mount Etna in the distance as you gaze from the Balcony of Piazza IX Aprile. Follow your guide up the narrow street that leads to the Greco-Roman Theatre. Taormina’s most famous antique dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. and still hosts performances today. The theatre’s dramatic location is nothing less than breathtaking. The tiny village of Castelmola is strategically located near Taormina, a splendid site with panoramic views. The focus of the village is the attractive Piazzetta del Duomo with its fine, intricate paving. From various points there are wonderful views of Mount Etna, the north coast and the beaches below. You will have over an hour to indulge in browsing the many shops and boutiques that line the main street of Taormina.

Mount Etna, a very active volcano, is the largest in Europe at 10,723 feet and has erupted 130 times. Of great interest is the variety of landscapes and vegetation that can be found on the volcano’s slopes. Your drive to Mount Etna will be along a coastal highway and through a fertile paradise of green vineyards and golden citrus groves, passing through villages such as Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea. The scenery becomes more forbidding as you approach the Sapienza Refuge. You will see the city of Catania, overwhelmed by an eruption 300 years ago and walk around Crateri Silvestri inspecting the lava flow from the eruption of 1983. These small craters are set amid bare fields of grey lava that stretch for miles. Using the modern installations of cable cars on the slopes of southern Mount Etna, in only 15 minutes it is possible to reach the height of 8,215 feet. Every year more than 300,000 visitors take advantage of this modern cableway system, which can transport 1,200 people per hour.

The Barone di Villagrande Farm on the slopes of Mount Etna has belonged to the Nicolosi family since ancient times. In 1727, a decree issued by Emperor Charles VI conferred privileges and the title of Barone di Villagrande to the Nicolosi family in recognition of their passion for viticulture. Their skill in the production of fine wines is legendary. The farm lies 1,800 feet above sea level in a natural, south-facing amphitheatre in the heart of the Etna D.O.C. and Etna Bianco Superiore appellation zone. The red wines are stylish and firm, while the whites are long and structured with a delicate, penetrating aroma. The ancient wine cellars have maintained their historic aspect, with stainless steel and oak barrels aging side by side. The owners will show you the old cellar and will introduce you to the range of wines produced in the winery, accompanied by a delicious refreshment of typical Sicilian products. On the way back you’ll have the opportunity to see the lava flows from 1992 before you return to your ship.

Your journey will begin as your driver-guide collects you from the quayside for your 4x4 adventure. En route to the summit of Mount Etna you’ll stop to see the vast lava flows and the more recent paths corroded by the 2002 eruptions. You’ll see how the lava flow has carved its way through hillside forests and bush land leaving a scar, seen from miles around. In 1980 Etna’s flank suffered a collapse, which caused part of the volcanic edifice to slide towards the east. The huge depression which remains is known as Valle de Bove (Valley of the Ox). You’ll be able to see this site from your jeep as you travel over the lava fields. The eruptions of 1992 and 1993 created a fascinating cave from the lava flows. You’ll visit the Lava Cave, with a length of around 2,854 feet and a diameter ranging between 16 and 26 feet. Next, you’ll have a truly up-close and personal view of magnificent Mount Etna as you are guided on a walk over the new lava flows. You’ll see the steam created from the activity of Piano Provenzana and the wonderful views from atop one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. After your exciting morning you’ll enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch at Kikajon Refuge, a holiday farm located in the park of Mount Etna. After lunch you’ll have time to discover the delights of Alcantara Gorge, where the water is freezing, even in the summer.

This tour by motorcoach will cross the plain of Laconia through its orange and olive groves, with the mighty Taygetus Mountain (7,897 ft.) in the background to arrive in Sparta, which today is a big, modern town. As the original Spartans cared little for buildings and lived a “Spartan” existence in barracks, their ancient architecture was simple and basic. Today, its scanty remains reflect little of Sparta’s ancient renown. Four miles west however, sits the medieval town of Mystras with its churches and houses, monasteries and palaces lining the steep narrow streets. For 200 years, from the middle of the 13th century, this Byzantine town flourished. From the mid-15th century to the beginning of our century, the town was in constant decline, with the exception of a few years during which it was under Venetian control. However, the magnificence of the Byzantine architecture, remarkably preserved and sensitively restored, gives you the impression you are entering a whole different age.

Leaving Gythion your tour will cross the Mani peninsula to Diros to visit the spectacular caves of Vlyhada and Alepotrypa, first opened to the public in 1963. You will ride in specially constructed boats for almost a mile through “caverns measureless to man.” Aided by electricity, the splendors of nature are on show. You will see formations that look like, and are named after, great sites such as the Metropolitan Throne, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Chinese Palace. At the bottom of one of the lakes of Vlyhada, often considered the most beautiful cave in the world, many interesting things have been discovered, such as fossils of hippopotami. After your cave visit you will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town, before returning to Gythion.

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.

Monemvasia is unique among ruined medieval cities in that it is entirely built on a rock that appears to be barren when seen from the mainland. Your tour will commence with a walk through the narrow streets within the castle walls, so tiny that in many places only two people can walk side by side. You will see the ruins of houses and Byzantine churches — most in ruins with the fortunate exception of the Church of Christ Elkomenos. This cathedral dates back to the 13th century, but features alterations made during the Venetian occupation of Monemvasia. Four surviving ancient Byzantine icons are on display. At the top of the hill, on the steepest side of the cliff, rises the ethereal and beautiful church of Saint Sophia—one of Greece’s finest monuments and a rare example of the domed octagonal style of church. It also dates back to the 13th century and features wall paintings and marble decorations from that time. From the top of the castle, the view of the sea and the houses of the lower town are quite memorable.