Deal

Welcome to Rome. On arrival at Rome airport, make your way to the Arrivals Hall, to meet our representative, followed by a transfer to your group hotel. At the hotel, visit the hospitality desk in the lobby to meet your team who will provide you with useful information regarding pre-embarkation procedures and about your time in Rome. You will also receive cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and your cabin number on the ship. This evening enjoy dinner at one of the local trattorias (own expense), with time to relax in preparation for our day tomorrow.

After breakfast, you can enjoy free time to explore Rome at your own pace, revisit favourite landmarks, or join an optional morning excursion to Vatican City. Once the site of a circus where Nero’s brutal spectacles entertained the masses, Vatican Hill became sacred ground when Rome’s first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, declared it the “Hill of the Martyrs”. Granted independence from Italy in 1929, this sovereign state encompasses St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and an intricate network of corridors, residences and gardens that serve as the home of the Pope and Vatican staff. This morning, you can choose between a locally guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica or a more comprehensive experience that combines the Basilica with the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. In the early afternoon, you will transfer to the port city of Civitavecchia to board the Douglas Mawson. Following embarkation later in the day and an important safety briefing, enjoy a Welcome Aboard dinner and the opportunity to meet your Aurora Expeditions Expedition Team and crew.

After breakfast, you can enjoy free time to explore Rome at your own pace, revisit favourite landmarks, or join an optional morning excursion to Vatican City. Once the site of a circus where Nero’s brutal spectacles entertained the masses, Vatican Hill became sacred ground when Rome’s first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, declared it the “Hill of the Martyrs”. Granted independence from Italy in 1929, this sovereign state encompasses St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and an intricate network of corridors, residences and gardens that serve as the home of the Pope and Vatican staff. This morning, you can choose between a locally guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica or a more comprehensive experience that combines the Basilica with the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. In the early afternoon, you will transfer to the port city of Civitavecchia to board the Douglas Mawson. After embarkation and an important safety briefing, enjoy a Welcome Aboard dinner and the opportunity to meet your Aurora Expeditions team and crew.

Jutting into the Gulf of Gaeta, the historic town of Gaeta boasts a rich past shaped by Romans, Saracens, emperors, pirates, popes and kings. Dominated by its imposing fortress and framed by a picturesque marina, this authentic medieval town is yours to explore at your own pace. This morning, you can choose between two included experiences: a visit that reflects on the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought at Battle of Monte Cassino, or an exploration of the remarkable Roman engineering achievements found in nearby Formia. The afternoon is free for you to further discover Gaeta’s historic streets, waterfront and local atmosphere before setting sail south towards the Bay of Naples.

Shrouded in the shadow of brooding Mount Vesuvius, Naples carries a once-infamous “underworld” reputation that has mellowed in recent years, providing a fitting culmination to your explorations. Having survived successive imperial invasions, outbreaks of plague and devastating natural disasters, Neapolitans are known for their vivid personalities and enduring resilience, with a deep connection to family and ancestral roots that makes them natural storytellers eager to share the history and spirit of their remarkable city. You can hear tales from Naples’ complex past on a locally guided walking tour, or, if you prefer to stay above ground, join a guided foodie experience celebrating the city’s culinary icons, including Neapolitan pizza, sfogliatella and polpette, or choose to visit the grand Royal Palace of Caserta, often referred to as “Naples’ Versailles”. This afternoon, a shuttle will operate from the ship to Via Toledo, a lively pedestrian high street lined with international brands, Neapolitan artisan shops, chocolatiers and boutiques, before you set sail early this evening as the sun sets over the mythical island of Capri and the celebrated coastline of the Amalfi Coast.

The historic city of Salerno acts as a gateway to one of Europe’s most famous coastlines: the Amalfi Coast. A magnet for both ancient and modern visitors, its scattered villages appear to grow directly from the rock face on which they are built. The dramatic cliffs and natural harbours of the Amalfi Coast have long hosted the holiday homes of the rich and revered. Our excursions offer a glimpse into the region’s abundant past and present, whether exploring the excavations of luxurious villas, theatres and bathhouses at Pompeii Archaeological Park, or wandering the beachfront villages of the Amalfi Coast in search of the stories and traditions at the heart of local life.

We follow the coastline to the “boot” of Italy, arriving around midday at the gateway to the island of Sicily: Messina. The city of Messina guards the mouth of the straits of the same name, just a short ferry crossing from the Italian mainland. Marked by its share of hardship and resilience, Messina has endured repeated invasions and devastating natural disasters, including two major earthquakes and a tsunami that destroyed much of the city. Famously associated with the finish line wager between Bernard Montgomery and Dwight D. Eisenhower over who would reach the city first, this stoic destination now serves as your gateway to Europe’s highest active volcano and its surrounding coastal landscapes. This afternoon, you can choose from a range of included experiences: ascend Mount Etna, take in sweeping views from an ancient Roman amphitheatre, or follow cinematic history on a The Godfather-themed tour inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic trilogy.

Once infamous as the centre of the Sicilian Mafia, the capital of Sicily, Palermo, now proudly presents itself as a “clean city”, offering the opportunity to explore its ancient sites, colourful markets and vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle once more. Steeped in history, culture and Mediterranean charm, Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians as early as the 8th century BCE, and its strategic position at the crossroads of civilisations has seen it shaped by Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman and Spanish influences, all of which are reflected in its remarkable architecture, from ancient ruins and Norman palaces to Baroque churches and Arab-Norman art. The city’s famous street markets, including the bustling Ballarò Market, offer a vivid glimpse into Sicily’s renowned culinary traditions. Palermo’s more recent history includes a difficult period associated with the Sicilian Mafia, or Cosa Nostra, most notably marked by the courageous efforts of anti-Mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who became enduring symbols of resistance following their assassinations in 1992, helping to drive significant anti-Mafia reform and transformation across the city. Today, Palermo is also known for its lively piazzas, vibrant street food culture and sun-soaked coastline, with its resilience, layered history and cultural richness making it a compelling destination to explore.

Sailing around the western tip of Sicily, you arrive at Porto Empedocle around midday and enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon, your “Your Choice” experiences offer two engaging options: you can join a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, where you will explore the rich history and fascinating lifestyles of Sicily’s ancient inhabitants, or travel inland to a family-owned winery to discover the island’s centuries-old winemaking traditions, including a tasting of local wines. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, you can spend time exploring Porto Empedocle at your own leisure, soaking up its local charm and waterfront atmosphere.

The delightful jumble of Greek, Roman, medieval and Baroque layers in Syracuse makes every street corner and ancient site a story in itself. Greek ruins rise from citrus orchards, Baroque churches stand stoic, and medieval streets wind their way down to the sea, all blending into a rich tapestry of history and culture. Your “Your Choice” experiences offer both a morning and full-day option today. For those exploring Syracuse this morning, you can stroll from the port to the island of Ortigia, the historic heart of the city. Inhabited for over 3,000 years and recognised for its remarkable Greek heritage, Ortigia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring elegant piazzas, ornate church facades and vibrant outdoor dining. Surrounded by the sea, it offers a relaxed yet atmospheric experience that blends historic charm with a distinctly coastal Mediterranean feel.

As a matter of Mediterranean real estate, Malta offers prime location, but not always an easy one when it comes to defence from invasion. A convivial, family-oriented people, the Maltese have long fought to defend their country against successive invaders, from the Greeks to Napoleon, with their bravery during the Second World War, particularly the Second Siege of Malta, leading King George VI to award the nation the George Cross, which now features on the Maltese flag and coat of arms. Your day is spent in Malta’s convivial capital, Valletta, a historic city whose streets are filled with layers of stories spanning centuries, and this morning you join a local guide to explore its essential sights, including the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where you can take in sweeping views of the harbour from a strategic naval perspective, as well as the Grandmaster’s Palace and Armoury, home to an impressive collection assembled by the Knights Hospitaller, while the multimedia experience The Malta Experience brings the island’s long and complex history to life; this afternoon you can enjoy further independent exploration before transferring to your overnight hotel, and in the evening you gather for a Farewell Event where you reflect on the bravery of this island nation and hear stories of Second World War courage from a local expert.