From the Adriatic to the Ionian Sea

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

Valletta

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at pier by our local representative.

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.

Then, Mosta discovery, famous for its church and its spectacular dome inspired by the Pantheon, in Rome.

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.

Transfer to Malta Airport on time for the flight selected by PONANT.

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: This program may be subject to change depending on the day of disembarkation and the Ponant flight schedules. The Cathedral is closed on Sundays, and the visit will include Mosta Basilica instead. Palazzo Parisio is closed on Mondays; refreshments will be served at Casa Bernard.

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.

 

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

 

Take advantage of this stay in Dubrovnik, also called the Pearl of the Adriatic, to explore this cultural and historical gem and to discover the picturesque villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose eastern heritage remains very present. This programme will be a pleasant prelude to your cruise.

 

Day 1 - Dubrovnik

 

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

You will be transferred to your hotel Hilton Imperial 5*.

Check-in and dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

 

Day 2 - Dubrovnik

 

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will start your day with a ride in a tuk-tuk to Mount Srd, a hill situated right behind the walled city of Dubrovnik. From there, you will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Bosnia and Herzegovina mountains to the north, of the old town and its walls to the south, and of the islands of Kolocep and Lopud to the west.

 

You will then visit the Old City of Dubrovnik with your guide. You will enter its famous Franciscan monastery, a masterpiece of Romanesque art in Dalmatia. You will discover the magnificent walls that surround the city, the palaces, the churches, and the many courtyards... this city is an open-air museum! You will wander along the cobbled streets, going through different doors and passageways to immerse yourself in the city's unique atmosphere.

 

You will then take a boat to Lokrum Island, a peaceful haven inhabited by peacocks. You will also be able to roam among the ruins of an old Benedictine monastery and enjoy the botanic garden.

You will then have lunch on the island before boarding your boat back to Dubrovnik, where you will enjoy some free time in the old town.

 

Back at your hotel, enjoy a wine tasting as you admire the sunset over the Adriatic from the hotel's rooftop.

Dinner will be served at the hotel's restaurant.

Overnight.

 

Day 3 - Bosnia Herzegovina

 

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will journey for approximately 2.5 hours by road to reach Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Your day of visits will begin with the discovery of Blagaj, a charming village renowned for its unique combination of architecture and nature. Since the Ottoman period, this village has been one of the major centres of Sufism, a mystic branch of Islam. You will actually get to see old Ottoman homes along the Buna.

Next, you will visit Mostar, a gem listed as World Heritage by UNESCO and considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans. Mostar is located in a green valley surrounded by mountains. Flowing through it is the Neretva River. You will dive into the orient as soon as you arrive and you will love the old part of Mostar, its old stone houses, its streets paved with pebbles and lined with oriental shops, mosques, and you will most especially love the warm hospitality of its inhabitants. You will also cross the highly arched bridge that is emblematic of the town and to which it even owes its name, since the latter is derived from "most", meaning "bridge" in the Serbo-Croatian language.

You will then have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, you will head to Pocitelj, a picturesque village perched on the hills overlooking the Neretva Valley and dominated by the ruins of a Turkish fortress from the 15th century. There, you will be able to admire old traditional Ottoman houses made of stone and drowning in greenery; the ruins of ramparts and bastions; a labyrinth of steep, cobbled streets; stone slate roofs; and the magnificent domed Šišman Ibrahim Pasha Mosque, built between 1562 and 1563. You will be surprised by the oriental character of this village and its Ottoman architecture dominating the historical centre.

 

Dinner will be served at the hotel's restaurant.

Overnight.

 

Day 4 - Dubrovnik

 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

You will complete your hotel check-out. You will take a speedboat to Kolocep, located not far from Dubrovnik and known for its stunning little beaches, before heading to Lopud Island, a small jewel featuring a botanic garden, small beaches, and a superb Benedictine monastery overlooking the island.

You will have lunch at a restaurant with sea views.

You will then be taken directly to your ship by speedboat, to begin your cruise.

 

Your hotel :

 

Located on the doorstep of Dubrovnik's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik features an indoor pool and a wellness center with saunas, a hammam, fitness and massage facilities. Set in a historic building built in 1897, the guest rooms are reflecting late 19th century charm combining it at the same time with modern technology. 

 

Your program includes :

·        3 nights in Superior room at Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik 5* (or similar), including breakfast.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverages package during the meals (mineral water + 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer or 1 soft drink + 1 coffee or tea)

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

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include :

·        Dinner on day 1.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Your 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 :

 

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Ul. Marijana Blažica 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatie
+385 20 320 320

 

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent ; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.