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The ancient ruins of a theater in Sicily frame a view of the snow-capped, smoking Mount Etna in the distance under a blue sky.
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Italy/Sicily/Malta

Southern Italy, Malta & Sicily — A Small Ship Voyage

Program No. 25141RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
10 days
Program Begins
Naples
Program Concludes
Valletta
Meals
23 ( 8B, 7L, 8D )
Activity Level
From
6,499
Free Airfare From Select Cities
The coasts of Italy have long called explorers to their historic shores and ports — and now it’s time for you to experience this beautiful region for yourself on this Floating Campus voyage! Board the Variety Voyager, a small ship reserved just for Road Scholar, and begin your learning adventure with a field trip to Herculaneum to learn about its archaeology and ancient history. From there, your journey will take you across southern Italy, Sicily and Malta to continue learning about stories from thousands of years ago. Come into port at Taormina’s Greek Theatre and the island of Gozo’s megalithic temples, designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their Bronze Age structures. Opportunities also abound to appreciate the natural beauty of the region, from the gardens at Villa San Michelle on Capri to Mt. Etna, the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island. If you’re hearing the siren call of ancient history, prepare to embark on an unforgettable Floating Campus voyage!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Enjoy the instruction of a dedicated onboard expert who will be with you throughout your journey as you take in private lectures and educational activities on this Floating Campus voyage.
  • Explore Syracuse, birthplace of the ancient Greek astronomer and physicist Archimedes, and learn about this city’s role in ancient history.
  • Take in the breathtaking views at the top of Mount Etna and learn about the studies of geophysics and volcanology in the area.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Barbara Gigi was born in Milan to a family of southern Italian origins. Skilled in languages, she graduated from the School for Interpreters and Translators, learning French, English, and Dutch. Her career in the fashion industry lasted until she decided that life was too short to be involved in activities not related to one’s own passions, specifically learning and traveling. When not leading groups, Barbara is a graduate student in anthropology at the Ecole des hautes études en Science sociales in Paris.
Jill Rosenfield lives in Jerusalem and works full time as an Israeli official guide and Road Scholar group leader. For the past 25 years, she has led a wide variety of groups. She loves introducing the historical, cultural, and culinary wonders of Israel. Jill grew up in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, before moving to South Africa to finish her schooling and university. After graduating, she emigrated to Israel and worked for many years as a special education teacher, then changed careers and became a licensed Israeli guide.
Alex Paiva Cardoso was born in Portugal and grew up in Paris. He studied at Sorbonne University and lived in London and Barcelona before returning to Portugal. He is an experienced group leader with more than 20 years in educational travel. In addition to leading groups in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, Alex has led groups aboard the Aegean Odyssey since 2013, sharing and creating new experiences with Road Scholars. He is fluent in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.
Ann Carr, after careers as an officer in the Royal Air Force then an flight attendant, joined a major UK travel company in an operational role, handling incoming American groups. She later served as head of enrichment for a cruise line. Experienced in all aspects of planning, she trained as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has over 30 years of practical experience leading groups. She is a food and wine expert, and has a passion for sports and theater.
Tommy Hatwell—born in Plymouth, England—has lived, worked, and photographed all over the globe. In 2017, he completed his B.A. with honors in commercial photography and soon after was nominated for the prestigious Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London, also opening his first solo exhibition. He shares his passion and knowledge of photography by traveling around the world, offering workshops, and visiting universities.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles per day over various types of terrain; walking up stairs unassisted, getting in and out of motor coaches. Please note: the ship does not have an elevator and is not suitable for wheelchair or electric scooter use.
Floating Campus®
On our Road Scholar Floating Campuses, we’ll have the entire ship to ourselves and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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