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Enchanting Italy with La Dolce Vita! From Naples to Malta Cruise 2026
18 days from Rome to La Valletta
Tour Description:
Small groups translate to great experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of Italy! With more room to roam in Rome and space to savor the pleasures and treasures of Umbria and Tuscany, you’ll never miss a sight, bite, or decadent delight from the Eternal City to the timeless traditions of culture, cuisine, and captivating romance in Venice and Florence. Share the sweet life with your small group companions while dipping into chocolate, discovering secret recipes, daydreaming by gondola, or drinking wine with a few of your closest amici. And find more amore in the avenues and venues that are perfect for small groups on this Small Group Discovery tour in Umbria and Tuscany. Che bello!Your adventure continues with a truly authentic experience in Naples—where pizza was invented and piazzas reign in Neapolitan style beside the Mediterranean Sea. Embark on a sea cruise, discover more of Italy’s treasures on the island of Capri, and the hilltop town of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily. Marvel at the “black city” of Catania on the lava landscapes of Mount Etna and savor the culinary tastes and archaeological treasures of Syracuse, Gozo and Malta on this inspiring and relaxing Mediterranean Sea adventure.
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Dates & Pricing
Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner
| Wednesday 24 Jun 26 — Sunday 12 Jul 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $11,079 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 08 Jul 26 — Sunday 26 Jul 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $11,079 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 29 Jul 26 — Sunday 16 Aug 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $11,079 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 18 guests in Europe, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close and exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours. We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app!And that’s not all! Enjoy a train ride from Venice to Naples where you will board your small cruise ship to sail from Naples to Malta.
Notes:
Services of the Tour director end on day 9Cruise details:The cruise portion of your vacation is operated by Variety Cruises. Rotation of ports of call may vary with or without prior notice, due to adverse weather conditions, port authority instructions, or other extraordinary conditions.There may be changes to the meals offered depending on weather conditions. Cabin category C - other cabin types are available for a supplement. Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the M/Y Variety Voyager, operated by Variety Cruises.
Services of the Tour director end on day 9Cruise details:The cruise portion of your vacation is operated by Variety Cruises. Rotation of ports of call may vary with or without prior notice, due to adverse weather conditions, port authority instructions, or other extraordinary conditions.There may be changes to the meals offered depending on weather conditions. Cabin category C - other cabin types are available for a supplement. Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the M/Y Variety Voyager, operated by Variety Cruises.
MEALS
ITINERARY
Day 1
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Time stands still with a small group walk through the Eternal City. Join your personal Local Guide to be amazed by the monumental, artistic, and religious buildings of Rome. Along the way, stop in three local venues that are perfect for small groups to taste local specialties
Day 2
OLIVE YOU, ITALY! For generations, the same family has cared for hectares of fertile ground in the green hearth of Umbria. Take in the scent and the color of the excellent olive oil in this timeless mill as the family shares their history of cultivating Frantoio olives to achieve the authentic characteristic of its delicious flavor
Day 3
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Settle in with your small group to enjoy two nights in the serenity of The Relais Chiostro di Pienza hotel. This former 13th-century Monastery of St. Francis combines austere elegance with Tuscan luxury in the center of the historic hamlet of Pienza
Day 4
TABLE MANNERS Roll up your sleeves with a personal, professional chef to learn the techniques of preparing an authentic Tuscan meal. Master the secret methods of creating your own mouthwatering dishes using fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients
Day 5
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Those lucky enough to visit the Tuscan capital are witness to some of the world’s most magnificent art and architecture. Follow your Local Guide through a maze of must-see sights and legendary landmarks. Discover more about one of Italy’s great fashion designers, Salvatore Ferragamo, with a captivating visit to the Ferragamo Museum. Then mix with the locals as you relax and enjoy an aperitif. Cincin!
Day 6
MOORS & OARS Enjoy the quintessential Venetian experience with a Gondola ride on the iconic canals. Glide through the narrow waterways with the expert of your gondolier who effortlessly steers with just a single oar—while possibly offering a serenade or two. Get a new perspective of the city sights, architecture, picturesque bridges, and bustling waterfronts from the comfort of your private water taxi. Mamma mia!
Day 7
CULTURE & TRADITION Naples delivers Old World charm in spades as one of Italy’s oldest cities. From its regal Palazzo Reale to the 13th-century Duomo di San Gennaro’s frescoed masterpieces, to nearby Mount Vesuvius, to the most famous pizza in the world served throughout the city in Neapolitan style. A stroll along the promenade beside the Bay of Naples reveals why locals and visitors choose this spot to soak in the sunset on the Mediterranean Sea
Day 8
CULTURAL GEMS Neapolitan culture has collected a lot of superstitions over time. The “cornicello” a small red horn that is a symbol of luck and fortune, can be seen everywhere around Naples, including worn as jewelry or hanging from car mirrors. Another symbol is Pulcinella, a classic puppet character that symbolizes the voice of the people, it is considered to bring good luck if you rub the nose of the statue. Probably the most anxiously awaited symbol of fortune is connected to San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. At the Cathedral there is a vial of the saint’s dried blood. Three times a year the archbishop holds up the vial, if the blood liquefies it is a sign of good fortune for the city
Day 9
NATURAL WONDERS The natural beauty and climate of Capri has been drawing visitors for centuries; it is thought that the trend was started by the Emperor Augustus. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of vibrant natural colors on the island; from the lush green vegetation to the purple flowers of the bougainvillea, the pastel-colored buildings, and the bright azure waters of the blue grotto
Day 10
MYTHS & LEGENDS Originally submarine volcanoes, the Aeolian Islands have weather related links in mythology. They are said to be where Aeolus, king of the islands and a Greek prince, stored violent winds, only releasing them when the gods requested. It is also said that he was an early weatherman as he could predict the weather based on the shape of cloud above the volcanoes
Day 11
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Greek Theatre of Taormina is considered one of the most impressive examples of auditorium engineering and architecture for its superb natural setting and acoustical design. This ancient marvel was dug into the hard rock slopes of Mount Tauro in the 3rd-century BC, with seating to accommodate thousands of spectators. The Teatro Antico di Taormina was built in the Greek tradition of incorporating the natural surroundings to become part of the performance, with light and air permeating the columns to become part of the story
Day 12
CULTURE & TRADITION Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell’ Elefante statue and richly decorated St. Agata Cathedral. Nearby, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants
Day 13
ARCHITECTURE & ARCHAEOLOGY Discover the extraordinary evidence of history found at Neapolis Archaeological Park of Siracusa. The stars of this show are the magnificent ancient ruins of the Greek Theatre and remarkable Roman Amphitheatre which are revered as one of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Italy
Day 14
ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY Even older than the Egyptian pyramids, Ggantija is a megalithic temple complex dating back around 5,500 years. They are the oldest freestanding structures in the world. Locals claim the site was built by giants, hence the name “Ggantija.”
Day 15
HISTORIC SPOT Enjoy superb views over the whole of the Grand Harbour, with the Three Cities in the background from the Barakka Gardens. Perched atop the Grand Harbour, these colonnaded gardens were created in 1661 and were actually the private gardens and exercise grounds of the Knights of the Langue of Italy, whose auberges lie very close by.
Accommodations
| Rome | Perugia | Pienza | Florence | Venice | Naples | Valletta |
Fiume
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Via Brescia 5 Rome Italy
Hotel Fiume, built on the turn of the nineteenth century, completely refurbished and recently renovated, offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It features elegantly-furnished and functional rooms, a lovely rooftop terrace with city views and equipped with umbrellas, and and a cosy bar near the lobby. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel. The Hotel offers all the comforts in order to make guests feel like "At home away from home".
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Via Brescia 5 Rome Italy
Hotel Fiume, built on the turn of the nineteenth century, completely refurbished and recently renovated, offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It features elegantly-furnished and functional rooms, a lovely rooftop terrace with city views and equipped with umbrellas, and and a cosy bar near the lobby. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel. The Hotel offers all the comforts in order to make guests feel like "At home away from home".