From Sicily's Ancient Monuments to the Canals of Venice

With Professor of Classical Studies, Bryan Burns, aboard the elegant and new cruise ship DIANA

PROGRAM LECTURER

Bryan Burns is a Professor of Classical Studies at Wellesley College, where he teaches courses on the representation of myths in Greek art, interaction between regions of the ancient Mediterranean, and the evolving methods of archaeological research. An active archaeologist, Burns leads an excavation at ancient Eleon, where his team has uncovered houses and tombs from the Mycenaean period (1700–1100 BCE) and a religious shrine from the Classical period (500 BCE). His research focuses on how ancient Greek societies made connections across space and time, an interest especially valuable on our voyage to regions far removed from the center of Greek civilization in the Aegean.

A section of the magnificent interior of Palermo’s Capella Palatina.

The unique trulli houses of Puglia’s Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Street scene in Lipari, the main island of Italy’s Aeolian Islands

ITINERARY

Wednesday, August 20, 2025
DEPART THE USA

Thursday, August 21, 2025
PALERMO, Sicily
Arrive in Palermo and transfer to the elegant Grand Hotel Wagner (or similar), your home for the night. Gather with fellow travelers this evening for a welcome dinner. (D)

Friday, August 22, 2025
PALERMO/EMBARKATION
Palermo is one of the Mediterranean’s most enchanting cities. Founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and conquered by the Saracens in the 9th century, Palermo became one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, under Norman rule. Enjoy a tour of Palermo, including a visit to Cappella Palatina, the royal chapel built by Roger II between 1132 and 1143. A wonder of Byzantine-Arab-Norman artistry, it features dazzling mosaics, an exquisitely carved wooden ceiling, and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls. In the afternoon, transfer to the pier to embark DIANA. (B, L, D)

Saturday, August 23, 2025
LIPARI/STROMBOLI, Aeolian Islands
Lipari is the largest and most populous of the Aeolian Islands, and according to Greek mythology, the home of Aeolus, God of the Winds. Visit the 16th-century Norman castle that sits atop the town’s ancient acropolis and houses the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, displaying finds from all of the islands to illustrate the evolution of the archipelago as an active volcano system. In the evening, DIANA will cruise by the island of Stromboli, affording views of its volcanic activity against the night sky. (B, L, D)

Sunday, August 24, 2025
GIARDINI NAXOS/TAORMINA, Sicily
Giardini Naxos is your gateway to Taormina, one of Italy’s most attractive hill towns. A maze of narrow streets, splashed with the vibrant colors of bougainvillea and oleander, the site has attracted the attention of many civilizations over the centuries. Tour the town, including the magnificent Greek theater, still in use for concerts today, as well as other sites. (B, L, D)

Monday, August 25, 2025
GALLIPOLI/LECCE, Puglia
After a morning at sea and lunch aboard ship, arrive in Puglia’s Gallipoli for an excursion to Lecce, one of many cities and towns in Puglia that rightfully boast of their dazzling Baroque architecture. Visit the Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and the Amphitheater in Piazza Oronzo. Return to Gallipoli, reminiscent of Greek fishing towns in the Aegean, and enjoy some time at leisure to explore on your own. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
DUBROVNIK, Croatia
Set on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its ancient walls enclose narrow cobblestoned streets and alleyways, palaces, and mansions. The city contains within its ramparts the Rector’s Palace; the Franciscan Monastery, which houses a 13th-century pharmacy (the oldest in Europe); and the baroque Cathedral, with works by Renaissance painters Titian and Andrea del Sarto. DIANA is in port until late in the evening, providing ample opportunity to continue exploration of this fascinating city on your own, and perhaps to have a meal ashore as well. (B, L, D)

Thursday, August 28, 2025
KOTOR, Montenegro
Sail the fjord-like Bay of Kotor to reach the Montenegrin port town of the same name, located at the head of the bay beneath towering mountains. One of the most striking and best-preserved towns along the Adriatic coast, Kotor is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour of this delightful town reveals its magnificent walls, palaces, and churches, including the Drago Palace, with its elegant Renaissance windows, the 12th-century St. Tryphon Cathedral, and the baroque Lipovac Palace. (B, L, D)

Friday, August 29, 2025
SPLIT/HVAR, Croatia
This morning, DIANA docks in Split, an ancient city built around the formidable Palace of Diocletian, constructed between 295 and 305. An extensive structure, much of it well-preserved, the palace contains within its walls Split’s medieval town, making it the only palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. Over lunch, the ship sails to Hvar, a fertile island of stone houses surrounded by rosemary, lavender, and laurel. Your tour of the island’s principal town includes the 17th-century Municipal Theater, the Franciscan Monastery, the city’s Loggia, and St. Stephen’s Square. (B, L, D)

Saturday, August 30, 2025
ROVINJ, ISTRIA, CROATIA
After a morning at sea, arrive in Rovinj, which was for centuries the center of Venetian control of the Istrian Peninsula. It continues to display Venetian influence in its architecture and urban design. Explore this attractive town, including the Baroque Basilica of Saint Euphemia, which houses the saint’s relics, brought here from Constantinople in the 9th century, and explore Rovinj’s narrow streets and alleyways. As in Dubrovnik, DIANA remains in port until late in the evening. (B, L, D)

Sunday, August 31, 2025
VENICE, Italy
Be on deck as the DIANA sails in the morning into Venice. In the morning, explore St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. The interior of the Basilica is covered with 14,000 square feet of gold mosaics, and the altarpiece known as Pala d’Oro is universally considered the most refined expression of Byzantine sensibility in the world. The Doge’s Palace, combining Gothic, Renaissance, and Mannerist elements, was the working center of Venetian government when Venice dominated the entire eastern Mediterranean. Following lunch aboard, visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, whose walls and ceilings are covered with murals by Tintoretto, and the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, which, despite its rather plain exterior, contains a treasure trove of paintings and sculptures by artists including Titian, Canova, Sansovino, Donatello, and Bellini. Overnight aboard the ship, docked in Venice. (B, L, D)

Monday, September 1, 2025
VENICE/DISEMBARK
After breakfast aboard, disembark and transfer to the airport for flights homeward. (B)

All accommodations aboard DIANA are spacious staterooms and balcony suites, elegantly decorated and designed for comfort. They feature:

● Outside-facing rooms with stunning sea views.
● Queen-size bed (convertible to two twin beds).
● Spacious bathroom for added convenience.
● Mini-refrigerator for personal refreshments.
● Secure in-room safe for valuables.
● Ample closet space for storage needs.
● Climate control for personalized comfort.
● Telephone for onboard communication.
● TV with entertainment options.
● Wi-Fi access for staying connected.
● USB connections for easy device charging.
● Additional thoughtful amenities for an enhanced stay.