Italian Treasures: Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Malta

Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza.

Welcome to the Eternal City, where ancient monuments and elaborate churches sit alongside busy cafes and designer boutiques. Your Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, will be waiting at Civitavecchia, a Roman port dating back to the second century. 

When you arrive, you’ll be warmly welcomed on board by the Captain and crew. Meet your butler and settle into your spacious suite. Head to the Sky Bar on Deck 10 to toast the beginning of your voyage as you look over the city’s twinkling lights. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Rome prior to 01:00 PM.

Tour description Capri, Italy Popular since Roman times when the emperors built their villas on Capri, this island is surely one of the world's most famous and beautiful spots. Visiting Capri, it is easy to see why the ancient Romans fell in love with this place 2,000 years ago - the craggy mountains, the sea caves and grottos and the brilliantly colored flowers cast a magic spell then and still capture the admiration of today's travelers. There are sleek yachts moored in the deep blue waters of the bays, and beautiful villas and tiny villages cling to steep slopes. An excellent year-round climate and a breathtaking landscape complete the picture of a storybook island. There are two main villages - Capri Town, site of the popular meeting point "Piazzetta," and Anacapri, the upper town, dominated by 1,750-foot-high Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island. Both remain the "in" scene for international travelers. By spending millions on comfort and style, the island has ensured its continuing success. After a trip to upper-level Anacapri, visitors enjoy strolling the narrow, cobbled streets of Capri Town, browsing in chic boutiques and spending time in the Piazzetta with a drink in one of the outdoor cafés. There is a funicular from the main port of Marina Grande to Capri Town; from Anacapri, a chair lift whisks visitors to the top of Monte Solaro for a spellbinding view. The magical Blue Grotto can be reached by boat from Marina Grande, but entrance into the grotto depends for the most part on sea conditions. Please Note: For your convenience, the shore excursions offered for this port of call are available to reserve in advance at www.silversea.com until August 8 , as well as offered for purchase on board, unless otherwise noted in the description. Going Ashore in Capri Pier Information The ship is scheduled to anchor off Capri's main port, Marina Grande. Guests will be taken ashore via local tenders, arriving at the pier just a short distance from the funicular to Capri Town. Taxis and minibuses are also available near the pier area. Be sure to agree on the fare before starting out. Shopping Capri is a shopping mecca, though by no means inexpensive. Upscale shops and boutiques offer an array of jewelry, designer fashions, resort wear, straw articles and souvenir items. Start from the Piazzetta and the streets fanning out from the square. Some shops may be closed between 12:30/1:00 p.m. and 4:00/4:30 p.m. The local currency is the euro. Cuisine Capri features plenty of open-air eateries in addition to top rated restaurants. Fresh seafood and delicious pasta dishes make for a nice lunch; for a quick meal there are tempting sandwiches and pizza. You might enjoy a hearty Italian table wine with lunch. Other Sights Capri Town La Piazzetta is the main square of Capri Town located just opposite the upper funicular station. The square is an ideal place from where to start exploring or shopping. Sidewalk cafés around the square provide residents and visitors with a popular pastime - people-watching while sipping a drink or enjoying a coffee.   Anacapri Reaching Capri's second town is via local minibus. In addition to numerous souvenir shops and designer boutiques, attractions include Axel Munthe's Villa San Michele and the chair lift to Monte Solaro. Blue Grotto Boat excursions to the Blue Grotto can be booked locally at Marina Grande. Be aware that it is necessary to transfer into smaller boats in front of the grotto. Also, entrance to the grotto is subject to weather and sea conditions. For this reason, tours to the Blue Grotto are frequently cancelled. Private arrangements are not available in this port.

Capri’s mythical charm has captured hearts for more than 2,000 years. Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus fell in love with the island in 29BC, building villas, temples and gardens for his own private paradise. Today, its jaw-dropping beauty still draws royalty, celebrities and fashionable travellers from all over the world.

Spend today exploring Capri. Wander through the Piazzetta and listen to the melodious chiming of the clock tower, admire the blue ocean as it crashes onto the cliffs, and taste its famous flourless chocolate cake or a fresh caprese salad. A late departure means you can soak in the atmosphere of the village after dark.

At first glance, it's hard to imagine that this resort destination was one of the world's great naval powers, and a sturdy rival of Genoa and Pisa for control of the Mediterranean in the 11th and 12th centuries. Once the seat of the Amalfi Maritime Republic, the town is set in a verdant valley of the Lattari Mountains, with cream-colored and pastel-hued buildings tightly packing a gorge on the Bay of Salerno. The harbor, which once launched the greatest fleet in Italy, now bobs with ferries and blue-and-white fishing boats. The main street, lined with shops and pasticcerie, has replaced a raging mountain torrent, and terraced hills flaunt the green and gold of lemon groves. Bearing testimony to its great trade with Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers, Amalfi remains honeycombed with Arab-Sicilian cloisters and covered passages. In a way Amalfi has become great again, showing off its medieval glory days with sea pageants, convents-turned-hotels, ancient paper mills, covered streets, and its glimmering cathedral.

This morning you’ll arrive in Amalfi, the historic village that gave this region its name. Nestled between mountains and the sea, Amalfi was one of the four Maritime Republics of Italy in the Middle Ages, bringing great wealth and power. Wander along its meandering alleyways to admire historic buildings, grand churches and ornate fountains, or just relax at one of the many cafes that spill out onto the street. The nearby village of Ravello offers spectacular views of the Bay of Salerno and peaceful gardens surrounding medieval ruins.

The largest and most developed of the Aeolians, Lipari welcomes you with distinctive pastel-color houses. Fields of spiky agaves dot the northernmost tip of the island, Acquacalda, indented with pumice and obsidian quarries. In the west is San Calogero, where you can explore hot springs and mud baths. From the red-lava base of the island rises a plateau crowned with a 16th-century castle and a 17th-century cathedral.

The World Heritage-listed Aeolian Islands are seven volcanic outcrops set off the north coast of Sicily with a rich history dating back to 5000BC. As you sail into the islands this morning, look out for the huge rock formations that rise dramatically from the water. Lipari is the largest and most populated of the islands, known for its pebbled beaches, hiking trails and historic harbour. From its panoramic position, a castle overlooks the seafront of pastel-coloured townhouses, with windswept highlands and steep cliffs in the distance.

Known as the Jewel of Sicily, Taormina is one of the island’s most popular resorts. Once a stop on the famed Grand Tour of the 19th century, today it is packed with luxury hotels, exceptional restaurants and designer boutiques. It’s also the gateway to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, which dominates the picturesque backdrop. This charming small town set high above the Ionian Sea is known for its stunning ancient theatre, beautifully resorted medieval buildings, astonishing vistas and exclusive atmosphere.

Sicily’s most important trading port for more than 700 years, Pozzallo offers a charming blend of traditional Italian architecture and serene coastal beauty. Today, it’s a popular seaside resort for Italian tourists but other nationalities are a rarity, making for a delightful escape for travellers seeking tranquillity and authenticity. Explore picturesque streets lined with colourful houses, indulge in delectable local cuisine at quaint cafes, and soak up the warm Mediterranean sun on pristine beaches.

Gozo is an idyllic Mediterranean island of green rolling hills dotted with small farms, quaint fishing villages, small coves and sandy sheltered beaches. Its crystal-clear waters are an invitation for exploration. Complete with historical sites, forts and phenomenal panoramas, Gozo has earned the reputation of being one of the Mediterranean’s top outdoor adventure playgrounds, with 300 days of sunshine a year.   

Malta's capital, the minicity of Valletta, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-color limestone. Houses along the narrow streets have overhanging wooden balconies for people-watching from indoors. Generations ago they gave housebound women a window on the world of the street. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. City Gate and the upper part of Valletta are experiencing vast redevelopment that includes a new Parliament Building and open-air performance venue. The complex, completed mid-2013, has numerous pedestrian detours in place along with building noise and dust. Before setting out along Republic Street, stop at the tourist information office on Merchant Street for maps and brochures.

This morning, Scenic Eclipse II will sail into the spectacular deep harbour of Valetta, the capital of Malta. You’ll dock right alongside the historic waterfront, lined with grand Baroque warehouses and just a short walk from the fascinating walled city, built by the Knights Templar in the 16th century. It’s a fitting end to this grand exploration of the Mediterranean, immersing you in history, architecture and natural beauty. 

Enjoy a final breakfast on board before farewelling the crew and your fellow guests, taking with you memories of an unforgettable voyage. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Valletta after 12:00 PM.

+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. #Spa treatments at additional cost.   

Please note the itinerary is a guide and may be subject to changes for operational reasons. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.