NEW! Grand Mediterranean Explorer

Explore the ancient culture of Crotone at your leisure. Travel by motor coach to Piazza Pythagoras, an homage to the Greek mathematician and Crotone resident. Set off on a self-guided exploration on foot. See Piazza Duomo and its 9th-century cathedral, then journey into alleys and and see the archaeological walls and the Immaculate Conception church, where a storyteller will share the secret of eternal youth. Meet Pythia, the High Priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and hear the history of  the ancient city of Crotone. Head to Charles V Castle, where you are greeted by Pythagoras and one of his daughters. Local staff will be on hand to assist you at various points around the city and to help you make the most of your visit. Explore the main square before returning to your ship.

Visit one of the Val di Neto region’s most celebrated wineries to explore Calabrian wines and family traditions. Board your motor coach and set out to learn about renowned Calabrian wines, which, according to local legend, were given as prizes to ancient Olympic champions. Your destination is a family-owned winery. Hear how owner Roberto Ceraudo took a risk when he became one of the first Calabrian vintners to go organic—today, with the help of his children Giuseppe, Susy and Caterina, he not only produces acclaimed red and white wines but also operates an olive oil mill and a Michelin-starred restaurant on his stunning estate. During your visit, you will meet the family and learn about the business, visit the farmhouse and the vineyard and taste some homemade Calabrian specialties before returning to Crotone and your awaiting ship.

Discover hilltop Santa Severina, called one of Italy’s loveliest towns, visit its cathedral and enjoy a local meal. Its position atop a limestone bluff gives the village its nickname, the “Stone Ship.” Santa Severina was established in the 6th century BC by the Oenotrians, an ancient Italiote tribe. But what will capture your imagination are the outstanding medieval features, starting with Carafa Castle, built by the Normans in 1076 on a Byzantine fortification. Replete with a moat, towers and crenellated walls, it also boasts medieval frescoes, baroque ornamentation and furnishings, and paintings by Francesco Giordano. Take in spectacular views of the Neto Valley as far as the Ionian Sea from the Belvedere, and also step into the Cathedral to see its Byzantine Baptistery. After some free time in town, proceed to a farmhouse for a tasting of typical Calabrian food and the famous local Cirò wine. Afterward, return to your ship in Crotone.

See this beautiful island with its ancient fortress, and discover local traditional ceramic techniques. After exploring here, you may agree with the scholars who claim that Le Castella was Homer’s inspiration for the island of Calypso, the magical oasis that enchanted Odysseus and his men. Travel 15 scenic miles south of Crotone by motor coach before arriving at the fishing village of Le Castella, which sits on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Visit the fortress, which was most likely built by the Aragonese around an existing Anjou fortification and has foundations dating back to 204 BC. After some free time in Le Castella, attend a ceramic workshop, where a craftsman will show you his techniques for making traditional local pots and masks. Afterward, enjoy some complimentary refreshments before returning to your ship.

Discover the natural heritage of the protected lands in the heart of Reggio Calabria. A mountainous plateau and protected historic region, Sila National Park spans approximately 285 square miles of biodiverse mountainous territory covered by forests, woodlands and meadows. The significant value of Sila’s natural resources and landscapes have earned the area its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will discover Sila as you travel by motor coach to the village of San Giovanni in Fiore—the gateway to the mountains. We will visit the 12th-century Florence Abbey, around which the town gradually developed, and the Folk Museum (Museo Demologico), where the town’s story is told. Explore at your leisure, then enjoy a scenic drive to Fallistro Wood, home to the “Giants of Sila”—imposing, majestic trees that have been standing for over 500 years. Savor a typical Italian lunch of local specialties in a country farmhouse before returning to your ship.

Discover the intricate history of silk weaving in the Italian peninsula within the walls of a 15th-century castle. For centuries, this peninsula was Europe’s largest producer of silk. The Calabria region flourished, and the silk of Catanzaro supplied most of Europe, from the Middle Ages well into the 17th century. You will journey to the Silk Museum of San Floro—housed inside Caracciolo Castle, which overlooks the Corace Valley—to uncover this rich heritage. Here, exhibits include ancient dresses, Catanzaro damasks, holy tapestries and a 17th-century loom. Learn about the master weavers of Catanzaro, which was once the European capital of silk. Take a short, scenic drive into the heart of a mature pine forest, where you will learn about silkworm breeding (which dates back to the 11th century in this region) and even assist with a silk reeling demonstration. Savor a homegrown, homemade lunch, with all organic ingredients harvested from local producers.

Explore the ancient ruins at Scolacium Archaeological Park, and enjoy Squillace’s architectural sights. Journey by motor coach to the Scolacium Archaeological Park, near the monumental remains of the 12th-century Norman Basilica di Santa Maria della Roccella. The ancient Greek city of Skylletion once stood here before it became the Roman colony of Minervia Scolacium in 123–122 BC. The forum has been well preserved, as have the buildings facing it and the theater and amphitheater in the hillside. The quaint museum chronicles the pre-Roman settlement’s history, starting from prehistoric times and continuing with exhibits from the Greek Skylletion. Continue to the seaside town of Squillace, where you will have the chance to visit its famous castle and the 18th-century Duomo, built atop a medieval Norman cathedral. For centuries, Squillace has been renowned for its terra-cotta pottery. After a ceramic workshop visit, enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant before transferring back to your ship.