This spring adventure offers insight into some of the Mediterranean's great ancient civilizations: Carthaginian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine. One of the highlights of the trip will be a visit to some of Libya's renowned archaeological sites, including Leptis Magna. Founded some 3,000 years ago by the Carthaginians, it flourished under the Romans and reached a magnitude of splendor that rivaled Rome itself.

We also have a full day in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, where we visit the Medina, the old walled town built over a Roman settlement, and the Jamahiriya Museum, a great repository of Libya's past which is housed in a vast medieval citadel. After a call at Benghazi—known for its role during the African campaigns of WWII—we head for the sunny Aegean. Early spring is a delightful time to visit the Greek Isles, free of the usual summer crowds and abloom with seasonal flowers. On Crete, see the Minoan palace at Kato Zakros, once an important trade center that was excavated in 1962, and the 14th-century monastery-fortress of Toplou. Visit the old walled citadel on Rhodes, the headquarters of the Knights of St John from 1309 to 1523 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Walk along the Street of the Knights, decorated with mosaics and fine carvings, and later see the Palace of the Grand Masters. Many believe it was a volcanic eruption in 1500 BC on Santorini that caused the abrupt end of the Minoan civilization. Explore the picturesque town of Thira, perched high above the ancient crater. An afternoon excursion takes you to Akrotiri to see the remains of this Minoan city once buried beneath layers of volcanic pumice. From the islands of the Aegean we make our way to the Peloponnese and the port of Monemvasia, a magical place for visitors.

Crowned by a fortress, a massive rock rises dramatically out of the sea. But the real attraction is the medieval town with its narrow cobbled streets and winding stairways. An optional tour will also visit the Byzantine hilltop town of Mystras with its captivating ruins. We then cross the Ionian Sea to Sicily and the town of Syracuse, which rivaled Athens itself as the largest and most beautiful city in the Greek world. An optional tour begins with a visit to the archaeological district and its well-preserved Greek theater, with seats carved from the limestone. Finally, we return to Malta, but before reaching Valletta we will call at the tiny, charming island of Gozo. Saved from the more commercial aspects of tourism, Gozo possesses that rare, timeless and genuine quality that is easier to find aboard a small ship like Andrea. Sail during lunch to Valletta, the splendid fortified city where there is time for an optional excursion or personal exploration.