These photographs were taken in early fall 2024, before and during our cruise to southern Italy (Puglia and Sicily) and Malta. Although there are aspects of cruises we don’t like (i.e. limited time at each port of call and bus tours one feels compelled to take ), we were attracted to this particular itinerary, offered by the UK-based small ship cruise company Noble Caledonia. Why? Simply put, there was really no way to so efficiently see these coastlines, which are full of history, archeological sites and great Italian cuisine. Our ship, the MS Island Sky, docked at ports that many larger ships cannot. And, typically, Noble Caledonia offers itineraries worldwide that are more imaginative than many other cruise operations.
The trip started in London, where we took a day to stroll through St. James Park, tour Westminster Abbey and visit haunts and neighborhoods familiar from previously living in the city. From Gatwick airport, we flew to Bari, Italy and embarked on the MS Island Sky. First, we cruised to several ports along the coast of Puglia, an area that is only now being discovered by mainstream tourists, then cruised on to Sicily and finally disembarked in Malta, where we spent two post-cruise days exploring the capital, Valletta, and environs and learning about the rich, multi-cultural history of this island.
Below is a small sample of our images:
St James Park, London, where we started
The beautiful harbor and waterfront of Syracuse, Sicily
Trulli, the style of houses in Alberobello, Puglia, Italy
Panorama of the fairytale rooftops of Alberobello, Puglia, Italy
Man at prayer in the Basilica of the Madonna Della Madia, Monopoli, Italy
The harbor of Valletta, Malta, from Upper Barrakka Park
Enjoying the sunset while overlooking Valletta, Malta.
Valletta harbor with the Sea Cloud II yacht docked nearby.
Cathedral in Syracuse, Sicily
Ruins of a Greek temple in Agrigento, Sicily
Matera, Italy
Young woman carrying the Sicilian flag. Ragusa, Sicily