Italy, Malta, Tunisia Cruise on Costa Fascinosa from Catania (Sicily)

Catania (Sicily)

Cataniais the second city of Sicily, after Palermo. The Cathedral square where we can find the Comune and the Cathedral of Catania, the Duomo, around the Elephant Fountain of Vacarini; the Pescheria market, and the market of Fiera, the theatre and the roman amphitheater, the odeon, Via Crociferi with an endless line of churches, the Bellini gardens, the theatre Massimo Vincenzo Bellini, Saint Nicolo and the Benedictine Convent (headquarters of the University di Lettere de Catania), without forgetting the Ursino Castle and multitude of baroque palaces proliferating in Catania.

Taranto (Italy)

Crystal clear beaches, culture and archeology await you in the city of Taranto, located on the Ionian Coast of southern Italy, from where you can discover the best of Puglia. In the historic center and in the Archaeological Museum you can admire the Greek and Roman past of the city

Valletta (Malta)

Valletta is the capital of Malta, situated in the east central portion of Malta. It is the second southernmost capital of Europe. The city was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The city is essentially Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo Classical and Modern architecture in selected areas. The city consists of buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as Knights Hospitaller. The official name given by the Order of Saint John was Humilissima Civitas - Valletta the Most Humble City of Valletta. The bastions, curtains along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens, and churches, led the ruling houses of Europe to give the city its nickname Superbissima - Most Proud. Valletta cruise port is stunning and the views from your ship of the harbour will blow you away. There’s lots to see and do in the immediate port area, and shuttle buses are sometimes provided to take you further into the city. A day of exploring here will not disappoint.

La Goulette (Tunis)

La Goulette is the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. La Goulette is linked to Tunis by the TGM railway. As you disembark the port it will bring you closer to a totally different and fascinating culture. Tunisia is one of the favorite most exotic destinations you can visit. There are several festivals each year, of which the largest is the Carthage International Festival which takes place in July and August with international attraction. Tourist attractions are: Camel ride, Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul, Dar Ben Abdallah, MuseumBab el Bahr French Gate, The Great Mosque, Old City Medina, Bardo Museum & Souks.

Palermo (Sicily)

 Palermo, the capital of Sicily and the Province of Palermo is situated in the northwest of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Palermo is a beautiful place and has a noteworthy architectural heritage. It is known for many of its Norman buildings, including churches, museums, palaces, and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence - it is over 2,700 years old. The city is rich in history, culture, art, music, and food. There are many tourist attractions such as Palermo’s Arabic quarter, Orto botanico Botanical Gardens and Real Tenuta della Favorita Park. In Vucciria market, visitors will experience the unique, strongly Sicilian atmosphere, as well as taste the typical local produce. Things to see and do include the Vucciria market, Palazzo dei Normanni, Quattro Canti, Norman churches, palaces, museums, and the Capuchin Catacombs – the latter of which being not for the faint hearted. It is here where you can see the mummified bodies of monks and more, including that of a small child named Rosalia Lombardo who died in 1920. She is a true marvel.

Naples (Italy)

Naples is the capital of Campania, one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea. The Port of Naples is one of the largest Italian seaport and one of the largest seaport in the Mediterranean Sea. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Naples has long been a major cultural centre with a global sphere of influence, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. In the immediate vicinity of Naples are numerous culturally and historically significant sites, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Culinary Naples is synonymous with pizza, which originated in the city. Neapolitan music has furthermore been highly influential, credited with the invention of the romantic guitar and the mandolin, as well as notable contributions to opera and folk standards.

Civitavecchia (Rome)

 Civitavecchia is the city of Rome´s port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means Ancient Town. There, the Eternal City lies before us in large format architectural and artistic sculptures such as the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome and used for public entertainment. Do not miss the Trevi Fountain and make a wish while you throw a coin over your shoulder and then continue to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of antiquity, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican City. Take a walk through the Plaza of Spain and rest on the steps of Trinita dei Monti before heading to Via Condotti, a wide avenue lined with shops. Civitavecchia is always popular with cruise passengers because, as noted earlier, it is the gateway to Rome. All cruise lines tend to offer shore excursions here to the Eternal City and we highly recommend that you book one.