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13 May 26, from £6,640
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Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

  • Itinerary
    Valletta to Nice
    Duration
    8 days
  • Dates
    13 May 26 to 20 May 26
    Prices from
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Come aboard Le Bougainville for an unforgettable voyage.

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This voyage in the heart of the Mediterranean explores four islands that, despite their differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations that have washed over them from prehistoric times to the present. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, French, and Italians—all have left their mark on the language, art, architecture, and cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba.

From Valletta, Malta, your discovery of these very special islands begins with three days on the largest of them, Sicily, as you visit the cities of Syracuse, Taormina, and Palermo. In Syracuse, which rivalled Athens as one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world, you may choose to explore the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus and the 15,000 seat Greek theater, or join a walking tour of Ortygia, Syracuse's old town. Or you may choose to travel to nearby Noto, a Baroque World Heritage site, now rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1990.

The beautiful resort town of Taormina, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, is home to a stunning Greek theater, an Odeon from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, and villas built by European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also a gateway to Mt. Etna and the vineyards that thrive in the rich volcanic soils of its slopes.

Palermo, Sicily's capital and your final port of call on the island, was founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and became one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you may combine Roger II's Cappella Palatina, featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls, with a drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Or you may choose to focus on Palermo's famous markets and street food, or decide to travel along the coast to the resort town of Cefalù.

Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is your gateway to the archaeological site of Nora. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it was subsequently taken over by Carthaginians, then by Romans. Explore the  remains of Carthaginian warehouses, buildings from the time of the Roman Republic, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large baths with splendid mosaics,  and a theater, almost intact, dating to the time of the Empire.

You will want to be on deck as your ship navigates the narrow waterway that leads to Bonifacio, perched high on cliffs on Corsica's southern coast. Board a mini-train to transport you to the oldest part of the city, where you can stroll through winding medieval lanes of brightly colored houses and admire their fine Gothic architecture. Or you may prefer to explore the small archipelago of the Lavezzi Islands, a nature reserve famous for the Grotte du Sdragonatu (Dragon's Cave) accessible only by sea.

Portoferraio is the main harbor of the island of Elba, the last of the four islands on your journey. Most famous as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile in 1814-15, Portoferraio was founded by the Medicis in the 16th century. A walking tour of the town includes a visit to Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s home during exile, and is followed by a wine tasting and sampling of Tuscan mezze at a local vineyard.

Your voyage ends in Nice, France.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

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Destination

Destination

Mediterranean

Valletta to Nice

Duration

8 days, 7 nights on board

Smithsonian Journeys, Timeless

Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Journeys

Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included

Offers

PONANT Bonus 10%

Ref: VN9445US - EG130526

Journey

Your daily itinerary

  • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
  • Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
  • An opportunity to explore five Mediterranean islands on one itinerary: Malta (embarkation point), Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba.
  • Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites en route: Palermo, Monreale, Taormina, Syracuse, and Noto.
  • Well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins in Syracuse and Taormina, and on Sardinia.
  • Stunning Byzantine-Arab mosaics in the Cappella Palatina in Palermo and the Norman Cathedral of Monreale.
  • The medieval clifftop town of Bonifacio on Corsica.
  • Napoleon's villa on Elba.
  • Opportunities for tasting wines and local specialties in Noto, Taormina, Palermo, and Portoferraio.
Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys 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

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

Itinerary

Embarkation 13/05/26 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 13/05/26 at 18:00

13 May 26 - Valletta
13 May 26 - Valletta

Arrival 14/05/26 early morning Departure 14/05/26 evening

14 May 26 - Syracuse, Sicily
14 May 26 - Syracuse, Sicily

Arrival 15/05/26 early morning Departure 15/05/26 late afternoon

15 May 26 - Taormina, Sicily
15 May 26 - Taormina, Sicily

Arrival 16/05/26 early morning Departure 16/05/26 mid afternoon

16 May 26 - Palermo, Sicily
16 May 26 - Palermo, Sicily

Arrival 17/05/26 midday Departure 17/05/26 late afternoon

17 May 26 - Cagliari, Sardinia
17 May 26 - Cagliari, Sardinia

Arrival 18/05/26 midday Departure 18/05/26 early evening

18 May 26 - Bonifacio, Corsica
18 May 26 - Bonifacio, Corsica

Arrival 19/05/26 early morning Departure 19/05/26 mid afternoon

19 May 26 - Portoferraio, Elba
19 May 26 - Portoferraio, Elba

Arrival 20/05/26 early morning Disembarkation 20/05/26 at 8:00

20 May 26 - Nice
20 May 26 - Nice

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

Included package

Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

Customize your journey

Maltese highlights (2 nights)

MALTESE HIGHLIGHTS (2 NIGHTS)
Details

This specially designed program is an opportunity to get a sense of the extraordinarily rich history of this small island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Learn about the importance of Malta as a crossroads of trade and as the headquarters of the Knights of St. John, as well as something of the island's Neolithic past as preserved in the prehistoric megaliths of Hagar Qim. Enjoy all of this while staying at one of the world's truly grand hotels.

Day 1 – Valletta, Malta

On arrival at the Malta International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Phoenicia Malta hotel (or similar), your home for the next two nights. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m. A local representative will be present at a hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.

Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

Day 2 – Valletta

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining a guided walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a stroll to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views over the Grand Harbor. Your visit to the extraordinary interior of the 16th-century Co-Cathedral of St. John affords the opportunity to see Caravaggio’s massive masterpiece, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. And during your tour of the Palace of the Grand Master, which serves today as the office of the president of Malta, you will see the richly decorated state rooms and tapestry chamber.

The balance of the day is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner.

Day 3 - Valletta | Embarkation

After breakfast and check out of the hotel, drive inland to the city of Mdina, the capital of Malta until the Knights of St. John moved it to Valletta in the 16th century. Your walking tour includes the stunning Baroque Cathedral of St. Paul, built on the site where it is said Paul converted the Roman governor to Christianity in the months following his shipwreck on the island in the year 60. From Mdina, drive to the a nearby winery for a tasting of some of Malta's finest wines before stopping at a historic local restaurant for a lunch of traditional Maltese specialties.

After lunch, drive to the southern coast of the island to visit the Hagar Qim Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to 3600 BC. Located on a hilltop overlooking the sea, Hagar Qim is among the earliest free-standing stone buildings in the world. Following your guided tour of this extraordinary site, transfer to the pier to embark your ship.

Your hotel:

The Phoenicia Malta, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is Malta’s landmark hotel with a storied history spanning over 60 years. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the hotel is situated in an ideal location just outside the walled city of Valletta and its 16th-century bastions. From the hotel’s front door, the historic wonders of Valletta, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, are all within easy walking distance. The hotel boasts 136 rooms and suites combining old-world elegance and a fresh style. Its modern conveniences ensure a comfortable and luxurious stay.

Your program includes:

  • 2 nights at The Phoenicia Malta (or similar), including breakfast
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
  • Transfer and luggage handling to the pier on embarkation day
  • Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
  • Breakfast on days 2 and 3
  • Lunch on Day 3
  • Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
  • Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Early check-in and / or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

The duration of the visits is given as a guide only, and the order of the visits may change.

This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

Program is offered on a space available basis.

Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

The Phoenicia Malta

The Mall

Floriana FRN1478

Malta

Telephone: +356.2122.5241


Total

£1,190/person*

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