Cultures of the Mediterranean

Your cruise begins in Civitavecchia, where you'll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to begin your journey along the Italian and Spanish coastlines.

Please book your flight to arrive into Rome prior to 03:00 PM. (D)

Gaeta is a popular holiday destination set on a headland that juts out towards the Gulf of Gaeta, in the Lazio region of Southern Italy. A key attraction in Gaeta is Montagna Spaccata (Split Mountain), a natural sea grotto. According to legend the miraculous split rock was created when God sent a lightning bolt making three giant cracks in the mountain. (B/L/D)

Naples is the third-largest city in Italy and one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban regions in the world, over 2,800 years. Neapolitan cuisine is globally renowned for local wines, fresh seafood, delicate pastries and pizza — it's famously considered the birthplace of pizza, notably the Margherita, named after Italy's Queen Margherita. (B/L/D)

Messina is a harbour city in northeastern Sicily. The turn-of-the-century architecture reflects the city's varied history, with influences from Norman and Arab to Spanish and French. One notable landmark is the Madonna della Lettera, a golden statue of Virgin Mary poised at the port entrance and visible from many viewpoints. (B/L/D)

The capital of Malta, Valletta, is famed for its impressive Baroque architecture and ancient fortifications. The city was founded in 1566 by the Order of St John and was planned and built in an innovative orthogonal-grid design, credited to Italian engineer Francesco Laparelli. (B/L/D)

Part of the province of Agrigento in Sicily, the town of Porto Empedocle is memorable for marvellous golden beaches and its historical importance. In the 1400s, it was a significant port for transporting grains, and later became known for sulphur and rock salt mining. (B/L/D)

Perched on a steep cliff in Tunisia on the Mediterranean coast of northwest Africa, Sidi Bou Said is acclaimed for its quaint, white-washed buildings with blue doors and windows draped with bright fuchsia bougainvillea. A haven for artists, writers and musicians, its often compared to Santorini because of its similar architectural style and scenic beauty. (B/L/D)

Cagliari is the capital of the island of Sardinia, nestled between the rolling hills and the sea. It's home to one of the longest beaches in Italy, Poetta Beach, and Molentargius-Saline Regional Park, known for its bright pink flamingo colonies. Try unique culinary experiences, such as the traditional dishes malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi) and porceddu (roast suckling pig). (B/L/D)

Relish the nautical adventure of a lifetime with some relaxing time at sea. Enjoy the lavish comforts of your luxury yacht — slide into the infinity-style pool where the water seems to touch the horizon; ascend to the Sky Deck to drink in panoramic views or relax in the Observation Lounge. (B/L/D)

The compelling city of Mahon is the capital Menorca, one of Spain's Balearic Islands. Mahón's uniquely shaped, deep harbour is among the largest in the world. Mahón is also well-known for its cuisine, markets and eateries — it's the birthplace of mayonnaise (named after the city) and famous for its local cheese, Mahón, a bold-flavoured, semi-firm cow's milk cheese. (B/L/D)

Palma de Mallorca, the capital of Spain's Balearic Islands, is a city steeped in history and adorned with remarkable architecture. One of Palma's most notable landmarks is the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with one of the largest rose windows — a decorated circular window with stained glass — in the world. (B/L/D)

Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes in Barcelona, Spain, where you'll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home or to continue your holiday.

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

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. (B)