Dates & Prices

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Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/18/2010 - 8/29/2010	$6,990
9/25/2010 - 10/6/2010	$7,590

What's Included

•   All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides

Your Tour Itinerary Includes

Day 1: Malta to mainland Italy cruise begins
A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Hotel Phoenicia Malta. Rich in historic treasures, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century.  Meet fellow travelers at tonight's welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Phoenicia Malta, Valletta, Malta
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: • Let the southern Italy cruise begin
A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay. A highlight of your Valletta walking tour is the treasure trove of art found in the Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. Begin your Italy cruise aboard Tauck's motor sailing yacht, Le Ponant, in Valletta's Grand Harbour, and set sail for Sicily.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: • Savor a day among Siracusa's antiquities
Your Italy cruise docks at Ortigia Island for a visit to Siracusa, Sicily, once an ancient Greek stronghold. Check out the Neapolis Parco Archeologico, highlighted by a 15,000-seat, rock-hewn Greek theater. Discover Latomia del Paradiso to see what you hear through the Ear of Dionysius. Meander around Ortigia on your own, and don’t miss the Doric Temple of Apollo.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: • Clifftop Taormina on Sicily
Admire the astounding views as you sail into Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily, with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Survey the Teatro Greco, featuring both Greek and Roman elements, and stroll the Corso Umberto, Old Town Taormina’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and pasticcerie.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: • A morning's cruise to historic Palermo
Enjoy a pleasant morning's cruise aboard Le Ponant before docking in Palermo, the capital of Sicily and once considered among Europe's grandest cities. See the Cathedral with its mix of architectural styles, the Palazzo dei Normani, Fontana Pretoria and Porto Nuovo. Attend a performance of traditional Sicilian entertainment on board the ship tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: • Relics of Segesta and Erice
Dock in Castellammare in northwest Sicily and drive to ancient Segesta. Take in the unfinished temple encircled by 36 massive Doric columns, which was started in 426 BC and is remarkably preserved. Continue on to the age-old walled town of Erice, the mythological seat of the Roman goddess Venus, where you'll see the Castello di Venere, a Norman castle; spend time exploring on your own; and ride a cable car to nearby Trapani. Rejoin Le Ponant in Castellammare as your southern Italy cruise continues to the Aeolian Islands.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: • Sailing the Aeolian Isles
The next port of call is Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, noted for its colorful houses, 17th-century cathedral and 16th-century castle; see them on a sightseeing excursion. Sail by the island of Stromboli tonight; one of the world's few constantly active volcanoes, its eruptions will provide a fiery – and unforgettable – nighttime show that's a highlight of your Italy cruise.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • The Amalfi Coast to Ravello
A guided walk awaits you in the picturesque town of Amalfi itself;  then set out on the mountainous route along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. Visit Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes, where you'll savor outstanding coastal views – along with a wonderful lunch of seasonal specialties. Back aboard Le Ponant for your last night at sea, enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Herculaneum and an after-hours Vatican Museums visit
After disembarking Le Ponant in Naples, you'll embark on a fascinating excursion to the ruins of Herculaneum. The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD is infamous – and while the ruins of Pompeii are well known, the upscale city of Herculaneum, buried under ash that same day, is better preserved. An informative guided tour of the antiquities precedes your journey to Rome, where you'll spend two nights in the heart of the city. A guaranteed highlight of your Italy cruise is actually a Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums! With a guide – and without the usual daytime crowds – you can explore the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery, the Tapestries, and the Sistine Chapel, seeing them as you have them pictured in your mind's eye... a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Note: Day of the visit to the Vatican Museums may vary.
Overnight: Hotel Majestic Roma, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: All roads lead to Rome
Get a good overview of some of Rome’s landmark sights on a sightseeing tour with a local guide, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Spend time pursuing what interests you most in the "Eternal City," before sharing tour highlights with companions at tonight's farewell reception and dinner... marking the end of your extraordinary Malta to Italy cruise.
Overnight: Hotel Majestic Roma, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Arrivederci Italy cruise
Tauck's southern Italy cruise ends in Rome. A transfer from Hotel Majestic Roma to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino is included. You should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Sightseeing Highlights

• = cruise day 1. Arrive Malta Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Hotel Phoenicia Malta. A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Hotel Phoenicia Malta. Your landmark hotel boasts an excellent location and gracious service. Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Meals D • 2. Explore Malta / Embark Le Ponant A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay, where the oft-pictured colorful Maltese boats are sheltered. Return to Valletta for a walking tour, and visit the elaborate Co-Cathedral of St. John. Arrive at the Grand Harbour to board the yacht Le Ponant and cruise to Sicily. Meals BLD • 3. Savor the Day at Siracusa, Sicily Le Ponant docks at Ortigia Island for a visit to Siracusa, an important stronghold of ancient Greece. Visit Neapolis Parco Archeologico and its masterpiece, Teatro Greco, a 15,000-seat theatre hewn out of rock. Explore Latomia del Paradiso, featuring the Ear of Dionysius. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps seeing the 6th century Temple of Apollo or the architecturally unique Duomo. Meals BLD • 4. Explore Historic Taormina, Sicily The views of Mt. Etna astound as Le Ponant approaches the terraced town of Taormina, built on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. Ride a tender to shore for a guided visit to town and the Teatro Greco, built in 3 BC by the Greeks and remodeled by the Romans, followed by a stroll along the Corso Umberto through Old Town. Meals BLD • 5. Cruise to Palermo, Sicily Spend the morning at sea before arriving in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Set in a natural amphitheatre, Palermo was once Europe’s grandest city. See the Cathedral, Porto Nuovo, the Palazzo dei Normani and Fontana Pretoria. Enjoy traditional entertainment tonight. Meals BLD • 6. Antiquities and Artifacts of Sicily From Castellammare, drive to Segesta to see its never- completed Doric temple, which was started in 426 BC; in addition to its well-preserved columns, it boasts some of the most magnificent views in Sicily. Continue on to the ancient walled town of Erice, suspended above the sea, and ride a cable car to nearby Trapani. Meals BLD • 7. Lipari / View the Island of Stromboli The largest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari sits on red volcanic rock and looks like “a wall of bronze,” according to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found here have yielded clues to civilizations which date to 1700 BC, including the Neolithic stones that sit alongside ancient tombstones, and ruins of Greek walls and Roman villas. The Spaniards found their way here in the 16th century, building the castello (castle) and the 17th-century cathedral that is perched above the harbor; see them on a sightseeing excursion. Back aboard ship experience a different view of these volcanic islands when you sail by the island of Stromboli tonight, home to one of the world’s few constantly active volcanoes – it has continuously erupted for 2,000 years. The view is unforgettable! Meals BLD • 8. Travel the Incomparable Amalfi Coast Venture ashore in Amalfi for a guided walk and a drive along the Amalfi Coast to cliff-top Ravello. Visit the Alhambra-inspired Villa Rufolo for a lunch of seasonal specialties and return to the ship for your last night at sea and the Captain’s farewell dinner. Meals BLD 9. Disembark Ship / Herculaneum / Rome Disembark ship and journey to the ruins of Herculaneum en route to Rome. Like Pompeii, it was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, but is better preserved. Your two-night stay in Rome begins with an exclusive after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Meals BL 10. Rome, Capital of the Ancient World Tauck’s sightseeing tour with a local guide will give you a great overview of Rome’s landmark sights, with an insider’s perspective. See the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Roman Forum. You’ll have free time to explore on your own  before joining us for our farewell dinner tonight. Meals BD 11. Journey Home Tour ends: Rome, Italy. A transfer from Hotel Majestic Roma to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino is included. Allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B

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Details & Specials

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SPECIALS

Special Air Savings - Learn More

Hurry! Air Savings End March 26!

Special International Air Savings – Europe

Book and deposit summertime departures of the following Tauck journeys to Europe by March 26, 2010 and save $2,000 per couple off Business Class Air ($1,000 off per person) from select U.S. cities.

Savings are valid for travel between June 29 and September 5, 2010, subject to availability:

•Treasures of the Aegean – 14 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit

•Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome – 11 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Le Ponant

•Switzerland – 11 days featuring travel along Tauck’s scenic Yellow Roads

•Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence & Rome – 10 days in Italy with all multiple-night stays

•Paradors of Northern Spain – 14 days exploring culturally rich Iberia

•The Best of Ireland – 13 days featuring iconic cultural treasures of the Emerald Isle

•A Week In… Ireland – 8 days with a 2-night stay at Dromoland Castle

•A Week In… Spain – 8 days from Barcelona to Andalucía, Seville and Madrid

•A Week In… Scotland – 8 days with 2- and 3-night stays in Loch Lomond, Inverness & Edinburgh

•Spain and Portugal – 14 days of Iberian pleasures and culinary treasures

•Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley – 13 days showcasing joie de vivre

•A Week In… London & Paris – 4 nights at a grand hotel in London and 3 nights in Paree

•Castles & Kings: London to Paris – An 8-day family vacation alive with royal traditions

Deposit must be paid at time of booking and certain restrictions apply. Valid on new bookings only and not combinable with other promotions; ask for details.

Tauck Tour Deals

Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey.

Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE.

Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE

Tauck Single Specials

For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost.

Tauck Single Specials in North America

Best of the Canadian Rockies

Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island

Charleston/Savannah

Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia

San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys

Tauck Single Specials in Europe

A Week in Ireland

A Week in Spain

Mediterranean Discovery

Istanbul and the Black Sea

Treasure of the Mediterranean

Cruising Mediterranean Shores

The Blue Danube

Holland Belgium in Spring

Strasbourg to Prague Serenade

The Rhine and Moselle

Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat

Budapest to the Black Sea

Classic Italy

Bellissima Northern Italy

Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome

A Week in Paris and Provence

Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America

Panama Canal & Costa Rica