Islands of the Mediterranean: Spain to Malta

Your unforgettable cruise begins in Spain and the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to begin a voyage discovering the Mediterranean’s beautiful islands.

Please book your flight to arrive into Barcelona prior to 01:00 PM.

The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.

Part of the Spanish Balearic Islands, Menorca may not be as famous as its neighbouring islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, but equals them in natural beauty, blessed with stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush green landscapes. The island’s capital, Mahón, welcomes as a bustling port town with a charming old quarter and is worth exploring for its narrow cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and bustling waterfront lined with restaurants and cafés.

The capital of Menorca since 1721, Mahon has a impressive natural deep water harbour, which is one of the largest in the world. This, coupled with its strategic location, has made it a stronghold for many nations throughout history. Mahon has an abundance of historical buildings, the oldest being the Arch of Saint Roc which is all that remains of the wall that once encircled the whole town. The island was occupied by the British during the 18th century and Lord Nelson is thought to have stayed there. Indeed, San Antoni Mansion, located on the north side of the harbour, houses a collection of Nelson memorabilia. The legacy of colonial rule can be seen in the muted Georgian style of some of the buildings, but Mahon still boasts attractive examples of neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque architecture. With narrow streets to explore, pleasant shaded squares and welcoming pavement cafés, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Please be aware that most shops in town close for a siesta between 1330 and 1730.

Perched atop a narrow limestone peninsula on the southern shores of the French island of Corsica, Bonifacio reveals breathtaking views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. This picturesque town is known for its deep natural harbour and atmospheric Old Town, an imposing medieval citadel perched atop white limestone cliffs.

Located in the South of Corsica, Bonifacio is one of the island’s most beautiful destinations. From its breathtaking views and sandy white islands to its historic citadel, the city is a must visit for anyone travelling to the island.

Sitting high above the Mediterranean Sea, Bonifacio is known for its dramatic cliffs, ancient fortifications, and a labyrinth of medieval streets. The town is built on a promontory carved out by wind and wave erosion over time, creating a stunning backdrop of white cliffs. You will overnight in Porto Cervo.

Located in the South of Corsica, Bonifacio is one of the island’s most beautiful destinations. From its breathtaking views and sandy white islands to its historic citadel, the city is a must visit for anyone travelling to the island.

Welcome to Sardinia and Porto Cervo, one of Italy’s most renowned beach resort towns and a favourite holiday playground for yachting enthusiasts and the rich and famous. Porto Cervo’s impressive marina is crammed with gleaming mega yachts and is known for hosting prestigious sailing competitions, such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Despite its reputation for luxury, Porto Cervo has not however, lost its unmistakable Sardinian charm and its striking architecture is defined by colourful villas, narrow winding streets, and lovely piazzas.

The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari comes prettily sandwiched between rolling verdant hills and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. It is home to one of the longest beaches in Italy, Poetta Beach, and Molentargius-Saline Regional Park, known for its bright pink flamingo colonies. For a unique culinary experience, sample some of the traditional local dishes, such as malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi) and porceddu (roast suckling pig).

Known in Sardinia as Casteddu, the island's capital has steep streets and impressive Italianate architecture, from modern to medieval. This city of nearly 160,000 people is characterized by a busy commercial center and waterfront with broad avenues and arched arcades, as well as by the typically narrow streets of the old hilltop citadel (called, simply, “Castello”). The Museo Archeologico makes a good starting point to a visit. The imposing Bastione di Saint Remy and Mercato di San Benedetto (one of the best fish markets in Italy) are both musts.

Located on the western coast of Sicily, Trapani is famous for its storied history as a trading port, interwoven with influences from diverse civilisations, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans. Trapani's scenic setting, nestled between the sea and nearby hills, offers visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The city centre is defined by narrow winding streets, baroque-era architecture, and bustling markets selling fresh seafood and local produce. Noteworthy historic landmarks include the 14th-century Castello di Terra and 17th-century Palazzo della Giudecca.

Trapani, the most important town on Sicily’s west coast, lies below the headland of Mount Erice and offers stunning views of the Egadi Islands on a clear day. Trapani’s Old District occupies a scimitarshaped promontory between the open sea on the north and the salt marshes to the south. The ancient industry of extracting salt from the marshes has recently been revived, and it is documented in the Museo delle Saline. In addition to the salt marshes,Trapani’s other interesting environs include the beautiful little hill town of Erice, the promontory of Capo San Vito stretching north beyond the splendid headland of Monte Cofano, the lovely island of Motya and the town of Marsala. Trips farther afield will take you to the magnificent site of Segesta or the Egadi Islands, reached by boat or hydrofoil from Trapani Port.

Lipari is the largest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Sicily amid the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. Its stunning scenery is characterised by rugged coastline, beautiful beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation. In the charming Old Town, explore the winding, narrow streets and alleys lined with a contrasting blend of pastel-hued town houses and simple dwellings and the 16th-century castle, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

The largest and most developed of the Aeolians, Lipari welcomes you with distinctive pastel-color houses. Fields of spiky agaves dot the northernmost tip of the island, Acquacalda, indented with pumice and obsidian quarries. In the west is San Calogero, where you can explore hot springs and mud baths. From the red-lava base of the island rises a plateau crowned with a 16th-century castle and a 17th-century cathedral.

Set on Sicily’s eastern shores, the picturesque town of Giardini Naxos reveals stunning views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna – the fabled active volcano. This seaside town is popular for its beautiful sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and vibrant waterfront promenade edged with bustling restaurants, shops, and cafés. Giardini Naxos also harbours a rich history, with archaeological sites dating back to ancient times.

Syracuse is a historic city located on the southeastern coast of Sicily, renowned for its ancient ruins, picturesque architecture, and stunning waterfront views. Syracuse's historical centre, Ortygia, is a charming island connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. Stroll through the meandering narrow streets lined with Baroque-era buildings, visit the stunning Cathedral of Syracuse, and enjoy fresh seafood at the delightful waterfront restaurants.

Siracusa, known to English speakers as Syracuse, is a wonder to behold. One of the great ancient capitals of Western civilization, the city was founded in 734 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and soon grew to rival, and even surpass, Athens in splendor and power. It became the largest, wealthiest city-state in the West and a bulwark of Greek civilization. Although Siracusa lived under tyranny, rulers such as Dionysius filled their courts with Greeks of the highest cultural stature—among them the playwrights Aeschylus and Euripides, and the philosopher Plato. The Athenians, who didn't welcome Siracusa's rise, set out to conquer Sicily, but the natives outsmarted them in what was one of the greatest military campaigns in ancient history (413 BC). The city continued to prosper until it was conquered two centuries later by the Romans.Present-day Siracusa still has some of the finest examples of Baroque art and architecture; dramatic Greek and Roman ruins; and a Duomo that's the stuff of legend—a microcosm of the city's entire history in one building. The modern city also has a wonderful, lively, Baroque old town worthy of extensive exploration, as well as pleasant piazzas, outdoor cafés and bars, and a wide assortment of excellent seafood. There are essentially two areas to explore in Siracusa: the Parco Archeologico (Archaeological Zone), on the mainland; and the island of Ortygia, the ancient city first inhabited by the Greeks, which juts out into the Ionian Sea and is connected to the mainland by two small bridges. Ortygia is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, and is starting to lose its old-fashioned charm in favor of modern boutiques.Siracusa's old nucleus of Ortygia, a compact area, is a pleasure to amble around without getting unduly tired. In contrast, mainland Siracusa is a grid of wider avenues. At the northern end of Corso Gelone, above Viale Paolo Orsi, the orderly grid gives way to the ancient quarter of Neapolis, where the sprawling Parco Archeologico is accessible from Viale Teracati (an extension of Corso Gelone). East of Viale Teracati, about a 10-minute walk from the Parco Archeologico, the district of Tyche holds the archaeological museum and the church and catacombs of San Giovanni, both off Viale Teocrito (drive or take a taxi or city bus from Ortygia). Coming from the train station, it's a 15-minute trudge to Ortygia along Via Francesco Crispi and Corso Umberto. If you're not up for that, take one of the free electric buses leaving every 10 minutes from the bus station around the corner.

Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes in the tiny capital of Malta, Valletta – the entire city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Centre – 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 Valletta 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. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Malta's capital, the minicity of Valletta, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-color limestone. Houses along the narrow streets have overhanging wooden balconies for people-watching from indoors. Generations ago they gave housebound women a window on the world of the street. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. City Gate and the upper part of Valletta are experiencing vast redevelopment that includes a new Parliament Building and open-air performance venue. The complex, completed mid-2013, has numerous pedestrian detours in place along with building noise and dust. Before setting out along Republic Street, stop at the tourist information office on Merchant Street for maps and brochures.