Italy is one glorious art museum, where even small out-of-the-way towns shelter magnificent works of art. Our voyage contours Italy’s entire coastline from the Gulf of Genoa to the Gulf of Venice and showcases a glorious collection of art treasures, from the paintings of Renaissance artist Ludovico Brea in the small town of Taggia, to the frescoes (and one of Italy’s best Etruscan museums) in Tuscania and Tarquinia. In Sicily, we visit Cefalu’s cathedral, with its dazzling Byzantine mosaics, and the National Museum of Taranto to see sublime ancient Greek and Roman art that rivals the museum collections of Rome. Join us aboard the Corinthian II to discover some of Italy’s best-kept art secrets.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Barcelona, Spain / San Remo

Embark aboard the Corinthian II in Barcelona and from the port of Imperia, Italy, explore historic San Remo and its 16th century Palazzo Borea d’Olmo, with its fascinating collection of archaeological remains. At the old village of Taggia, we visit the 15th century Gothic church of San Domenico to view works by Ludovico Brea, then head to Albenga to visit its cathedral and baptistery, which houses a splendid 5th century mosaic.

Days 5-7
Porto Santo Stefano / Tuscania / Cefalu

From Porto Santo Stefano, we explore Lazio’s northern towns of Tuscania and Tarquinia. The Duomo in the walled town of Tuscania contains excellent paintings and frescoes, and in Tarquinia, we visit a fantastic Etruscan museum and an Etruscan necropolis with more than 5,700 tombs. From Agropoli, on a headland facing the sea, we head to 6th century BC Paestum, one of Italy’s most important archaeological sites. After visiting Sicily’s medieval port town of Cefalu, we explore the small town of Mistretta, with its lovely Baroque and Rococo buildings.

Days 8-9
Apulia / Taranto / Metapontum / Alberobella

In Apulia, the ìheelî of Italy’s boot, we visit Taranto, founded by Spartan settlers in 708 BC, and Metapontum, the remains of an ancient Greek city along the Tyrrhenian coast. We also explore the region’s unique trulli villages, including spectacular Alberobello, a World Heritage Site where conical whitewashed houses line the streets.

Days 10-11
Pescara / Abruzzo / Chieti / Atri / Venice

From the fishing port of Pescara in the Abruzzo region, we head to Chieti to visit the National Museum of Archaeology, housed in a 19th century villa. In the hilltown of Atri, whose stepped and bridged streets make for an enjoyable stroll, we explore the beautiful Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, built on the ruins of a Roman bath, and see 15th century frescoes by the Abruzzi artist Andrea DeLitio. Our voyage ends in Venice, where we disembark and fly home on Day 12.

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What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest. There are shore excursions featuring walks, and it is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active.

Explanation of Trip Levels