Valletta – Civitavecchia · 27 May – 6 June 2028

Approaching Valletta by sea, you enter one of the Mediterranean’s great natural harbours, framed by honey-coloured fortifications and tightly packed historic buildings rising above the waterfront. Nearby, the old city’s bastions, domes and narrow streets give the area a grand yet lived-in atmosphere, with views across the water to the surrounding Three Cities.

Approaching Gozo by sea, you are met by a rugged limestone coast, small harbours, and a quieter, more rural atmosphere than on Malta’s main island. Nearby, visitors can look out for steep cliffs, sheltered bays, and the honey-coloured villages that give the island its relaxed Mediterranean character.

Arriving by ship in Syracuse, you come to a broad Sicilian harbour with sunlit waterfronts and a relaxed Mediterranean feel. Nearby, the old city on the island of Ortigia, baroque streets, sea views and the archaeological heritage of ancient Syracuse make this one of the most atmospheric stops on Sicily’s east coast.

Arriving by ship at Lipari, you are greeted by a bright Mediterranean harbour backed by steep volcanic slopes and a town rising above the waterfront. Nearby, you can head toward the old quarter and hilltop fortifications for sweeping views, while the island’s white pumice tones, dark rock and clear sea give the whole place a vivid, sunlit atmosphere.

Arriving in Trapani by sea, you come alongside a working Sicilian harbour with the old town stretching nearby on a low peninsula between open water and salt flats. The atmosphere is bright, breezy and distinctly Mediterranean, with ferries, fishing boats and views toward the historic centre and the Egadi Islands offshore.

Arriving in Cagliari, you see a broad Gulf of Cagliari backed by a city climbing pale hills above the harbour. From the port, the historic upper districts, old fortifications and the long sandy sweep of Poetto beach are among the nearby sights, while the atmosphere blends a working Mediterranean harbour with relaxed Sardinian light and sea air.

Approaching Carloforte by sea, you arrive to a harbour with a distinctly Mediterranean feel, backed by low hills, pastel buildings and the clear light of San Pietro Island. Nearby, the town’s lanes, waterfront and rocky coves give the place a relaxed island atmosphere that feels both quiet and full of character.

Arriving by ship at Alghero, you are greeted by a handsome Sardinian port with old stone ramparts and a historic town set just beyond the waterfront. Nearby, visitors can wander narrow streets, look out over the blue bay, and enjoy the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere with a distinctly Catalan character.

Arriving in Bonifacio by sea is unforgettable: the harbour lies beneath towering white limestone cliffs, with the old town seeming to perch dramatically above the water. Near the port you can soak up the lively marina atmosphere, while the cliffside citadel and views across the strait are the standout sights nearby.

Approaching Portoferraio by sea, you are greeted by a deep natural harbour framed by pastel buildings, green hills, and the old fortified town rising above the water. From the port, the historic centre and hilltop fortifications are nearby, while the surrounding coast offers the bright light, rocky shores, and relaxed island atmosphere that make Elba so distinctive.

Civitavecchia greets arriving ships with a broad working harbour, sea walls, ferries and a stretch of Tyrrhenian coastline that feels more practical than picturesque at first glance. Just beyond the port, you can find an old seafront town atmosphere, waterfront promenades and views toward the Lazio coast, with Rome lying further inland as the great nearby draw.