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Le Bougainville, 7 Night Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba - with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta to

Cruise Le Bougainville, 7 Night Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba - with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta to
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Bougainville
Destination EU Mediterranean
Brief Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Valletta, Malta onboard Le Bougainville
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 15 May 2024
Cruise Description 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 dei Mulini, 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.
Sailing Dates
15 May 2024
Pricing
Please enquire for pricing
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
15 May 2024 Valletta, Malta 6:00 PM
16 May 2024 Syracuse, Sicily. IT 7:00 AM 10:00 PM
17 May 2024 Taormina, Sicily 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
18 May 2024 Palermo, Sicily. IT 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
19 May 2024 Cagliari, Sardinia. IT 12:00 PM 5:00 PM
20 May 2024 Bonifacio, Corsica. FR 12:00 PM 7:00 PM
21 May 2024 Portoferraio, Italy 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
22 May 2024 Nice, France 7:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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