Trip Summary
Experience the timeless beauty of Italy, Sicily, and Malta on this extraordinary small-ship cruise through the heart of the Mediterranean, highlighted by a rare solar eclipse at sea. Begin in Rome before embarking aboard the elegant Wind Spirit for a roundtrip voyage that blends classical history, coastal landscapes, and celestial wonder. Enjoy days at sea as you sail toward Sicily, where visits to Palermo and Trapani reveal Arab-Norman architecture, vibrant markets, hilltop villages, and salt pans shaped by centuries of tradition. Continue to Malta to explore Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its baroque splendor, and the island of Gozo, where you may choose to delve into local crafts, cuisine, history, or pristine beaches. While at sea, witness the awe-inspiring moment when the sun, moon, and Earth align, casting an ethereal twilight across the Mediterranean. Return to Italy with a stop in Giardini Naxos and Taormina to explore the dramatic Greco-Roman Theater and stroll along historic streets overlooking Mount Etna. Conclude your journey back in Rome, having experienced a remarkable convergence of ancient cultures, storied coastlines, and one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena.
Event Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Home City
Day 2: Rome, Italy
Day 3: Rome | Embark Wind Spirit
Day 4: Day at Sea
Day 5: Palermo, Sicily
Day 6: Trapani | Erice/Marsala
Day 7: Day at Sea
Day 8: Solar Eclipse Viewing
Day 9: Valletta, Malta
Day 10: Gozo
Day 11: Giardini Naxos, Italy | Taormina
Day 12: Day at Sea
Day 13: Rome, Italy | Disembark | Return to Home City
Meet Your Faculty Expert
Ryan Hickox
Professor Hickox is an observational astrophysicist with primary interests in supermassive black holes and the evolution of galaxies. He has a B.S. in Physics (2000) from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Astronomy (2007) from Harvard University. He held postdoctoral fellowships at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Durham University in the UK, and joined Dartmouth College in December 2011. His research has been funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation (including a CAREER award), and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship.