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Ship:  Callisto

Itinerary:  The Islands of Italy and Cinque Terre

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  The Islands of Italy and Cinque Terre Map

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

The natural and cultural treasures of Italy's enthralling islands are the stuff of legends. And for excellent reason. For 3,000 years, wave after wave of new cultures, new ideas and new artistic techniques have swept over this scintillating swath of the Mediterranean, leaving in their wake sublime temples, great cities, captivating villages and extraordinary works of art. Our sun-soaked voyage around The Islands of Italy and Cinque Terre will explore the awe-inspiring places where ideas and civilizations converged and flourished. We will discover Sicily's inviting towns, starting with grand Palermo and the famous Norman Cathedral at nearby Monreale, and the volcanic lunarscape of Stromboli and Capri, the fabled home of the Sirens. Witness the prodigious achievements of Sardinia's Nuraghic culture amidst stunning nature as our 34-guest yacht Callisto navigates the waters of this idyllic part of the world.We round off our journey with a visit to Cinque Terre and its five quaint fishing villages situated on remote, cliff-bound islets that comprise a World Heritage Site.

Day 1 : PALERMO, SICILY, ITALY | EMBARK

Arrive in Palermo and transfer to the port to board Callisto. Overnight aboard ship docked in port.

Day 2 : PALERMO

Renowned for the wealth of its court, Palermo has inherited a tremendous artistic legacy. This morning tour the Archaeological Museum; visit San Giovanni degli Eremiti church; and see the glorious Cappella Palatina, one of Italy’s finest works of art. Later, travel to Monreale to see the famous Norman Cathedral, whose interior contains a magnificent series of mosaics. Sail in the evening.

Day 3 : LIPARI | STROMBOLI

Arrive at Lipari, one of the seven islands of the Aeolian Archipelago claimed by Greek mythology as home of Aeolus, the god of the winds. Dominating the unspoiled, twin-harbor town of Lipari is a 16th-century Norman castle-turned-archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis. From Lipari's white pumice slopes, cruise by the dramatic island of Stromboli to see the striking black basalt rocks of Strombolicchio. Also from the ship, look for fiery eruptions from one of Europe's few continually active volcanoes.

Day 4 : CAPRI | ISCHIA

Enchanted Capri was the favorite retreat of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius and the legendary home of the Sirens. The island is endowed with limestone cliffs that have been torn and tumbled into fantastic forms, most notably Grotta Azzurra, a vast cavern renowned for the iridescent blue light that fills the cave when the sun reflects on the water. After lunch, cruise to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples and the site of the picturesque Aragon castle. Discover La Mortella botanical gardens, designed by landscape architect Russell Page for British composer Sir William Walton and his wife. Home to rare plants from around the world—including a giant water lily from the Brazilian Amazon—and a Greek-styled amphitheater, the garden was intended to inspire music.

Day 5 : PONZA, PONTINE ISLANDS

Ponza, the main island of Italy's Pontine Archipelago, is dotted with Roman ruins and fringed with dramatic coves and cliffs. For many, Ponza is the archetypal Tyrrhenian town, its pretty houses spread out like a fan around the amphitheater, vineyards blanketing the hillsides and fishing boats setting out from the 18th-century harbor. One side of the town is dominated by the Torre dei Borboni and the lighthouse at Punta Madonna. The Romans dug several tunnels on Ponza, one of which leads from the port area to Chiaia di Luna, a luminescent crescent of beach beneath a steep, pale cliff.

Day 6 : PORTO TORRES | SASSARI | PORTO TORRES

From Porto Torres, drive to the town of Sassari, whose medieval streets and squares are lined with churches and palazzi, many of them fine examples of Renaissance architecture. Our tour of Sassari also includes the Museum Sanna, noted for its collection of artifacts from Sardinia's Nuraghic culture. Reboard the ship in Porto Torres.

Day 7 : ELBA

Though best known as Napoleon I's place of exile after his forced abdication in1814, the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago drew the swords of Greeks, Etruscans and Carthaginians spoiling for dominion of its strategic perch and mineral resources. Admire the raw beauty of the landscape and visit the lovely patrician villa of Grotte di Capo Castello, built by the Romans.

Day 8 : PORTOVENERE | CINQUE TERRE | PORTOVENERE

Today, discover Cinque Terre, a World Heritage Site and national park spanning five raked towns built in the rocks between the sea and the terraced cliffs on Italy's Ligurian coast. Begin with Riomaggiore, the first of the five towns, and stroll along the Via Amore, an historic footpath that ribbons alongside the seaside slopes. Next, reach Manarola, Cinque Terre's second town over. Enjoy a scenic drive en route to Cinque Terre's last town, Monteroso.

Day 9 : MOLO VECCHIO, GENOA | DISEMBARK

Disembark in Genoa's Molo Vecchio—Old Wharf—and transfer to the airport for return flights home or on to other adventures.

Ship Description: Callisto

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  Callisto

The finest, most memorable voyages take place aboard a luxurious private yacht. On a private yacht one is part of a small, select, sociable community. Cabins are more like guest rooms in a fine home -- beautifully furnished, comfortably arranged, and complete with the little extras one would expect from a thoughtful host. The yacht's public areas, whether indoors or out on deck, are warm, inviting places where friends meet for conversation, a drink, or to pass a pleasant hour with a good book. The cuisine is superb. And the service is considerate and congenial.

This is the kind of exceptional experience you'll enjoy aboard the Callisto, a beautiful oceangoing yacht that is the fulfillment of a traveler's dream.

Like a fine country house, Callisto is furnished with rich fabrics, handsome woodwork, gleaming brass, rare antiques, and fine works of art. The guest list is limited to no more than 34 individuals -- a group large enough to bring together an interesting mix of travelers, but small enough to foster a genuine spirit of camaraderie.

In addition to all of the other pleasures of the Callisto, the ship's guests enjoy an advantage that eludes travelers aboard big ships: because Callisto is a yacht, it can visit those unspoiled islets, pristine beaches, and intimate coves and harbors that have been familiar to fishermen and other sailors of small craft for thousands of years, but which are inaccessible to large commercial cruise liners.

Callisto was designed with the comfort of her guests in mind. All staterooms are exterior with large windows (portholes on Daphne Deck) that look out on the sea and the yacht's various ports of call; they are air conditioned and feature generous storage space, a telephone, two-channel radio, and a marble bath with shower. The yacht's public areas include a spacious lounge; a dining room in which all guests are accommodated at a single unassigned seating; two broad decks for sunbathing and dining alfresco; and a swimming platform at the yacht's stern. The Callisto flies the Greek flag and is served by a crew of 18.

Cat D Stern outside cabins on Daphne Deck with portholes	Cat C Outside cabins on Daphne Deck with portholes
Cat B Outside cabins on Leto Deck with picture window	Cat A Outside cabins on Leto Deck with two picture windows