From the Adriatic to the Amalfi Coast

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Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 London to Split, Croatia.

   Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Monet and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.

2. 2

   Day 2 Split.

   After breakfast we will take a guided walk through the town including the Palace of Diocletian which was built by the emperor in 295-305 AD as his retirement villa. Much of this large building is well preserved and the palace contains Split's Old Town within its walls, making it the only Roman palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times and a wonderful spot to wander the maze of streets. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further at your own pace. Alternatively, join us as we drive the short distance to the ancient site of Salona, the Roman capital of Dalmatia and a city that was once home to over 40,000 people. Archaeologists have excavated remains of temples, amphitheatres, early Christian churches, burial grounds, and baths which we can explore with our local guides.

3. 3

   Day 3 Korcula.

   Spend the day on the island of Korcula, the reputed birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. A morning guided tour will include a walk along Korcula's crooked Medieval streets revealing elegant squares flanked with palaces of the old nobility. After lunch on board we drive to the interior of the island, past olive groves and vineyards offering views down to the coast below. On our visit to a winery we will learn more about the mainly white wines that have been cultivated on the island for centuries before enjoying a tasting.

4. 4

   Day 4 Kotor, Montenegro.

   Be on deck as we enter the Gulf of Kotor and sail up the fjord-like entrance to the Medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. This really is an extraordinary place full of marvellous architecture and pretty town squares. Our guided walk will include the 12th century Cathedral of St Tryphon, the ancient town gates, the Maritime Museum and Romanesque churches including St Luke's. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the afternoon to explore at your own pace.

5. 5

   Day 5 Monopoli, Alberobello or Ostuni, Italy.

   This morning there will be a choice of excursions. You may wish to join the tour into the Puglian countryside which is scattered with ‘trulli', limestone dwellings built with dome or conical roofs. Enjoy a pleasant walk in Alberobello, a fairy-tale ‘trulli' village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we will also visit St Anthony Church, built in the same distinctive style. Alternatively, travel to the ‘White City' of Ostuni, so called due to the dazzling sunlight reflected on the walls of its whitewashed dwellings. Ostuni has a privileged position as it was built on three hills and from the top of the town you can enjoy a stunning view of the Adriatic coast from which Ostuni is separated by an ocean of centuries-old olive trees. The town has retained much of its Medieval charm, which we will experience as we wander through the narrow, winding streets of the old town which lead to the impressive 15th century cathedral, a beautiful example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. After lunch on board, enjoy a free afternoon in Monopoli to explore the historic centre, visit the cathedral, or see the Castello di Carlo V.

6. 6

   Day 6 Otranto for Lecce.

   From our berth in Otranto we will drive to Lecce, often referred to as ‘The Florence of the South' with its amazing collection of Baroque architecture. Our guided walk will include a visit to the beautifully decorated Santa Croce Basilica and the Piazza Duomo, regarded as one of the most impressive squares in southern Italy. We return to the ship for lunch, after which you may enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring Otranto independently, perhaps strolling through the winding streets of the old town or along the seaside promenade. A particular highlight is the magnificent cathedral with its Medieval mosaic floor created by the monk, Pantaleone, between 1163 and 1165.

7. 7

   Day 7 Crotone.

   After a morning at sea we arrive in Calabria and the port of Crotone which is on the site of the ancient Greek City of Kroton. Whilst little remains of the Greek city it was one of the most important settlements of Magna Graecia, where Pythagoras set up a school in 530 BC and whose athletes were very successful at the Olympic Games. We will take a scenic drive inland this afternoon to Santa Severina, one of Italy's prettiest towns overlooking the Neto River valley. We will explore the majestic Carafa Castle, which was built by the Normans in 1076 and is surrounded by strong, crenelated walls with a moat on three sides and contains intricate underground labyrinths and stables, with the remains of Medieval frescoes. We will also see the cathedral, the beautiful Byzantine baptistery and there will be the opportunity to wander the town's tangled streets. On our return to the ship, we will stop at a local farmhouse for a tasting of typical Calabrian food served with local wine.

8. 8

   Day 8 Messina for Taormina or Tindari, Sicily.

   From our berth in Messina there will be a choice of excursions. You may travel to the walled town of Taormina, a favoured tourist destination since the 19th century, lying in the shadow of Mount Etna, Europe's highest volcano. Our guided tour will include a walk through the characteristic narrow alleys, a visit to the 15th century Palazzo Corvaja, and the impressive Greek Theatre, from which there are splendid views over the town and coastline. Alternatively, join an excursion to the town of Tindari, founded by Syracusan merchants during the war against Carthage in 396 BC. The ruins of the ancient city are relatively well preserved including the 4th century Greek Theatre which is a marvel of acoustic engineering. However, the foremost attraction is the Sanctuary of the Madonna Nera containing the sculpture of the Virgin and Child, in citron wood, and which is said to have reached Tindari in an attempt by the faithful to keep it safe from the 8th century Byzantine Iconoclast movement. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at sea as we sail towards Stromboli, the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean'. This evening, enjoy dinner on board and, weather permitting, we hope to witness the spectacular eruptions of the island's active volcano.

9. 9

   Day 9 Vibo Valentia, Italy.

   Arrive this morning into the Calabrian town of Vibo Valentia. Founded as a Greek colony known as Hipponion and part of Magna Graecia, the town has, over the centuries, fallen under the rule of the Brutti, Romans, Normans, Arabs and Byzantines. This morning we will explore the Medieval historical centre, dominated by the ancient Norman Castle, and now home to the state archaeological museum and the bell tower of San Michele. Later, we drive to nearby Tropea, a clifftop village voted one of the most beautiful in Italy. As we explore the historical centre, we see the Norman Cathedral before continuing to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola, an 11th century chapel originally built on an island but now connected to the town by a causeway. We will also sample the town's famous delicacy of sweet red onions. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at sea.

10. 10

    Day 10 Salerno for Paestum or Cilento.

    Overnight we will have sailed along the Amalfi coast to the ancient city of Salerno, our gateway to the Cilento region, a mix of small villages, coastal paths, archaeological sites, national parks and renowned as the home of the Mediterranean diet. You may wish to visit the site of Paestum, founded by Greeks in 600 BC. This well preserved and fascinating site was rediscovered in 1752, and during our guided tour we will see the impressive Temple Poseidon, the Basilica, Amphitheatre and Aethenian before spending some time in the museum adjacent to the site. Alternatively, learn about one of the Cilento region's main exports during a visit to a farm to hear about the production of the local Mozzarella di Bufala.

11. 11

    Day 11 Naples to London.

    Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the return scheduled flight to London.

Meet your Experts

A distinguished team of guest lecturers, expedition leaders and specialist hosts will be travelling with you on selected departures — enriching your voyage with their insight, expertise and company.

John Davie

John Davie is a classicist, translator and author, now living in South Devon. After graduating with First Class Honours from Glasgow University he spent three years at Balliol College as a Snell Exhibitioner and graduated as Bachelor of Letters with a thesis on Greek tragedy (also winning a Blue at golf). He taught at Harrow before becoming Head of Classics at St Paul's School in London, and for the last 15 years of his career he taught Classics to undergraduates at various Oxford colleges, including Trinity, where he was awarded a lectureship. He has written widely on classical literature and its influence on later authors, especially Shakespeare. He has translated the 19 surviving plays of Euripides for Penguin Classics and various works of Seneca, Horace and Cicero for Oxford World's Classics. A Visiting Lecturer for the Hellenic and Roman Societies, he has a special interest in the a

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Monet

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