Italian Escape

 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.

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.

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

Naples

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

You will start this half-day tour with a beautiful panoramic view of the entire city, before discovering Naples' historic center.

 

Accompanied by your guide, you will stroll along the Decumanus (nicknamed Spaccanapoli, or Naples splitter, because it seems to divide the city into two roughly equal parts), where you will discover the immense Jesuit church of Gesu' Nuovo with its famous diamond-shaped façade. Continue on to the heart of the Decumanus, Piazza San Domenico, adorned with the famous guglia (spire), erected in 1658 as an ex-voto for deliverance from the plague that struck the city.

 

You will then visit the Monastery of Santa Chiara, built in 1310 by order of Robert d'Anjou, King of Naples. Stroll through the beautifully tiled garden and enjoy this oasis of beauty, spirituality and culture immersed in the city's historic center.

 

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

 

After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

·        Lunch with beverage package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).

·        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.

 

Please note :

·        This tour is mostly operated on foot through the pedestrian section of the old town. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.

Duration and order of the visits may vary. 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 journey with a carefully designed program.

 

Day 1 - Pompeii & Naples

 

Upon arrival at the port, guests will be greeted by their French-speaking guide and transferred by private coach to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, located at the foot of the majestic Mt. Vesuvius.

 

Pompeii is considered one of the world's finest examples of an ancient Roman town. The catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD not only preserved its structures but also the fascinating remnants of daily life, such as a tavern where the last customer’s money was left on the counter.

 

The walking tour will allow you to explore this preserved town, from the luxurious mansions of wealthy patricians to modest homes, baths, temples, theaters, markets, and the grand forum. Admire the fine art, intricate mosaics, and the 15,000 paintings and inscriptions that reveal a surprising resemblance to modern times, such as public notices, personal love notes, and even advertisements for gladiator fights.

 

After the guided visit of the Pompeii excavations, enjoy some free time before transferring to a local pizzeria in Naples for a traditional pizza-style lunch.

 

Following lunch, reboard the coach and drive to the Naples Archaeological Museum. Established by Charles of Bourbon in the 18th century, the museum houses the remarkable Farnese Collection and exquisite frescoes, mosaics, and murals from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The highlight of your visit will be the Magna Grecia Exhibition, showcasing one of the richest collections of antiquities from the Greek colonies in Southern Italy. Special shoes will be provided to preserve the museum's pavements during the visit.

 

After approximately 1.5 hours exploring the museum, guests will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.

 

Your Hotel: Grand Hotel Santa Lucia 4*

 

Overlooking the Bay of Naples, the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia combines timeless elegance with modern comfort. This historic hotel offers luxurious accommodation and breathtaking sea views, all within walking distance of Naples' main attractions.

 

Dinner is at leisure, and guests can enjoy the rest of the evening to relax or explore.

 

Day 2 - Departure

 

After breakfast and check-out, you will be transferred from the hotel to Naples International Airport, with your guide assisting with check-in

 

Your Program Includes:

 

·        1-night in a sea view room at the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia 4* (or similar) with breakfast

·        Meals as mentioned in the program

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

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as per the program

·        The services of a French-speaking local guide

 

Your Program Does Not Include:

 

·        Dinner on Day 1

·        Personal expenses

·        Visa (if required)

·        Tips for the driver and local guide

·        Any services not mentioned in the program

 

Please Note:

 

·        To ensure proper transfer arrangements, please provide your flight details to your travel agent at least 30 days before the start of your cruise.

·        This program involves walking on uneven surfaces, including cobblestones, and is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended, and guests should be in good physical condition.

·        Churches may be visited individually in case of ongoing religious services.

·        Special dietary requests must be communicated at least 48 hours in advance.

·        Backpacks and large bags are not permitted at the Pompeii excavation site for security reasons.

·        The program operates daily, except Tuesdays, when the museum is closed.

 

Hotel Contact Information:

 

Grand Hotel Santa Lucia 4*

Via Partenope, 46, 80121

Naples, Italy

Phone: +39 081 764 0666

 

The duration and order of visits may vary. To check your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent or refer to your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.