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Ancient shores of the Mediterranean

Ancient shores of the Mediterranean

  • Itinerary
    Valletta to Málaga
    Duration
    10 days
  • Dates
    Prices from
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Come aboard Le Lapérouse for an unforgettable voyage.

With a departure from Valetta, PONANT invites you to discover archaeological and historical sites – most of them UNESCO World Heritage sites – on a 10-day cruise to Malta, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and Spain. You will be captivated by an unforgettable voyage aboard Le Lapérouse in the Mediterranean.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, marvel at Greek, Norman and Baroque influences during a walk on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, discover the ruins of Hippo Regius in Annaba, or explore the history-laden streets of the Casbah, the jewel of Algiers ’s heritage. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

Leaving from Valletta, capital of the island of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, you will set sail north towards Italian shores. In Syracuse, the Sicilian soul unfolds across the island of Ortygia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest part of the city, a maze of small streets dotted with churches, palaces, ancient remnants, shelters a majestic cathedral in its very heart. Then you will head for Porto Empedocles, gateway to the legendary Greek temples of Agrigento: some of the most fascinating ruins in the Mediterranean, also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Le Lapérouse resumes its journey to head for the Tunisian shores and capital, Tunis. Rome’s great rival, Ancient Carthage, is yours to discover as you visit its ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your journey then continues along the coast of nearby Algeria to Annaba, where you visit the archaeological site of Hippo, one of Roman Africa’s main cities.

You will set sail again, heading for “Algiers the White”. The capital of Africa’s largest country, radiant and vibrant, will reveal its centuries of history. In Tipasa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the wisteria-scented ruins mingle with the sun and the sea, summoning up the Nuptials essays by Albert Camus.

After a call at Palma de Majorca, one of the jewels of the Balearic Archipelago, known for its four main islands that are charming, picturesque and discreet, sitting atop the clear waters of the Mediterranean like grains of sand, you will join Valencia, with its remarkable architectural splendours.

Your last port of call will be Cartagena, an ancient walled city with a remarkable architectural heritage, lying in the heart of a rolling landscape. Finally, you will sail to Malaga, the bustling cultural capital of the Costa del Sol, where you will disembark.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

Print
Destination

Destination

Mediterranean

Valletta to Málaga

Duration

10 days, 9 nights on board

Timeless

Offers

PONANT Bonus 10%

Ref: ER121225

Journey

Your daily itinerary

  • A dive into the remnants of ancient Mediterranean civilisations, out of season, between Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and Spain.
  • Discovery of emblematic ancient sites (ruins of Agrigento, Carthage, Tipaza, all UNESCO sites) and old towns (Casbah in Algiers, Medina in Tunis, Syracuse).
  • Among your included excursions: the ruins of Hippo Regius in Annaba, a walk on Ortygia Island in Syracuse, and a stroll through Algiers' Casbah.
Ancient shores of the Mediterranean null

Customize your journey:

Staterooms and suites

Elegance and refinement

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

Details

More information

What's Included

Important travel details

In your luggage

Ancient shores of the Mediterranean

Itinerary

Embarkation 12/12/25 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 12/12/25 at 18:00

12 Dec 25 - Valletta
12 Dec 25 - Valletta

Arrival 13/12/25 early morning Departure 13/12/25 late afternoon

13 Dec 25 - Syracuse, Sicily
13 Dec 25 - Syracuse, Sicily

2 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 14/12/25 early morning Departure 14/12/25 early afternoon

14 Dec 25 - Porto Empedocle, Sicily
14 Dec 25 - Porto Empedocle, Sicily

1 available excursionto this stopover

Arrival 15/12/25 early morning Departure 15/12/25 mid afternoon

15 Dec 25 - Tunis
15 Dec 25 - Tunis

3 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 16/12/25 early morning Departure 16/12/25 midday

16 Dec 25 - Annaba
16 Dec 25 - Annaba

2 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 17/12/25 mid morning Departure 17/12/25 evening

17 Dec 25 - Algiers
17 Dec 25 - Algiers

3 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 18/12/25 midday Departure 18/12/25 early evening

18 Dec 25 - Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands
18 Dec 25 - Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands

3 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 19/12/25 early morning Departure 19/12/25 late afternoon

19 Dec 25 - Valencia
19 Dec 25 - Valencia

4 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 20/12/25 early morning Departure 20/12/25 midday

20 Dec 25 - Cartagena
20 Dec 25 - Cartagena

4 available excursionsto this stopover

Arrival 21/12/25 early morning Disembarkation 21/12/25 at 8:00

21 Dec 25 - Málaga
21 Dec 25 - Málaga

Ancient shores of the Mediterranean

Customize your journey

Walking tour of malaga

Walking tour of Malaga
Details

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your daytime between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Malaga

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

Start your walking exploration: pass by the Cathedral with its renaissance style, the Picasso Museum, hosted in a 16th-century palace of Andalusian architecture, and the nearby famous painter´s birthplace.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.


Total

£60/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Treasures of andalusia (3 nights)

TREASURES OF ANDALUSIA (3 NIGHTS)
Details

Total

£1,360/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Visit of malta's former capital, mdina

Visit of Malta's former capital, Mdina
Details

 Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your daytime between airport and embarkation port.

Valletta

Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.

Drive to Dingli Cliff for a photostop brefore Mdina visiting. Then, proceed to Mdina - Malta's Old Capital. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.

Continue with the visit of Palazzo Parisio, a unique 19th century palace in the heart of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Parisio is not only another palace of the legendary Knights of St. John, but the ultimate memorial of ambitions, aspirations and pretensions of a 19th century noble family. It houses two baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangery - a miniature Versailles.

Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.

You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on your ship.

 

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers, and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

 

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

 

Important Information: Depending on the day of embarkation, this program may be subject to change : the Cathedral is closed on Sundays, so you will visit the Mosta Basilica instead. Palazzo Parisio is closed on Mondays; so refreshments and snacks will be served at Casa Bernard instead.

 

Duration and price of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT's selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.


Total

£190/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Visit of mdina, gourmet lunch and wine tasting (1 night)

VISIT OF MDINA, GOURMET LUNCH AND WINE TASTING (1 NIGHT)
Details

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 – Valletta

Meet and greet at the airport arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to your hotel The Phoenica 5*.

Check-in in your room.

The end of the day and dinner are at leisure.

Day 2 – Valletta

Set off from your hotel with a local guide and start your day by visiting Mdina. Take a stroll through the Silent City’s narrow streets and visit the Mdina cathedral and fortifications. Mdina, Malta’s Old Capital, was used as a filming location for the movie Black Eagle, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and for the Game of Thrones series. With its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture, Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city.

You will then proceed to a local boutique winery, where wine is produced on an estate comprising four hectares of terraced vineyards. It was built with weathered limestone blocks that perfectly blend old-world charm with practical, modern architectural touches. About 15,000 vines are planted on this estate, along with around 200 olive trees plus fig trees, carob trees, and other indigenous Maltese flora. After the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste three fine wines.

This will be followed by a fine meal at a local gourmet restaurant.

You will then be transferred to the port in time for embarkation onboard your ship.

Your hotel:

The luxurious Phoenicia Hotel 5* dates back to 1935. Surrounded by seven acres of gardens, it is ideally located next to the Triton Fountain in Valletta's City Gate Square, just outside the ancient city walls. The rooms are spacious and elegant with modern furnishings. You have a choice of three restaurants, serving a range of Maltese and Mediterranean food. The pool bar and restaurant offer a resort-style setting overlooking Grand Harbour. The hotel is also equipped with a gym and spa. Wi-Fi is available to all guests, throughout the hotel.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation at the Phoenicia Hotel 5* (or similar) in Executive room, breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverages package during meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        Local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Lunch and dinner of day 1.

·        Tips for the guide and the driver.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

Contact of your hotel:

Phoenicia Hotel
The Mall Floriana
FRN 1478, MALTA
Telephone number: +356 2122 5241

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.


Total

£660/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Ancient shores of the Mediterranean

Other available date

12/12/2521/12/25

9 nights aboard the ship Le Lapérouse

PONANT Bonus 10%

From

£4,930

/person*

16/11/2625/11/26

9 nights aboard the ship LE CHAMPLAIN

No single supplement, PONANT Bonus 25%

From

£5,150

/person*

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