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Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome - Southbound
Rome to Malta aboard Le Ponant |
| 11 Days / 10 Nights • • September 19 • October 3,17 2009 |
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Explore the ancient history, mythology, and natural beauty of Southern Italy cruising aboard Le Ponant, a sleek motor-sailing yacht that accommodates just 60 passengers.
The tour includes additional days to see historic sights in Rome and Malta. Your ports-of-call include Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and remote Aeolian Isles. In Sicily, see the Greek Theater in Siracusa, the charming pedestrian market in Taormina, the medieval town of Erice, and the impressive Doric temple in Segesta.
Take in castles, cathedrals, and fortresses in Valletta, Lipari, and Naples. Drive along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, and visit the Vatican and Roman Forum in Rome.
Enjoy Palermo’s nightlife and Naples’ pizza on this Italy cruise tour
2009 Itinerary - Southbound Click here for Northbound itinerary.
• Indicates day of cruising
Day 1: Buon Giorno Rome
Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Rome, Italy. Tour begins at 6:00 p.m. at the hotel.
Meet fellow travelers at the welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Majestic, Rome, Italy
Day 2: The Eternal City of Rome
See Rome’s landmark sights with a local guide, including Vatican City, on a walking tour.
Pursue your own interests in the "Eternal City" in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Majestic, Rome, Italy
• Day 3: Antiquities in Herculaneum, then Italy cruises embark
The créme de la créme of Italy cruises begins today, but first your Italy tour continues on land. Travel to the coast where you'll embark on a fascinating excursion to the ruins of Herculaneum.
The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD is infamous – and while the ruins of Pompeii are well known, the upscale city of Herculaneum, buried under ash that same day, is better preserved. An informative guided tour of the antiquities precedes embarkation on one of the most memorable Italy cruises or tours aboard yacht Le Ponant
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 4: The Amalfi Coast to Ravello
Go ashore at Salerno, and visit the town of Amalfi. Then set out on the mountainous route along the Amalfi Coast,
one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea.
Visit Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes, offering outstanding coastal views.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 5: Sailing the Aeolian Isles
The next port-of-call is Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, noted for its colorful houses, 17th-century cathedral
and 16th-century castle. Sail by the island of Stromboli tonight, and see if its active volcano will provide a natural show.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 6: Antiquities of Sicily
From northwest Sicily, drive to the medieval town of Erice, the mythological seat of the Roman goddess Venus; see the Castello di Venere, a Norman castle, with free time to explore on your own.
Drive to ancient Segesta to take in the unfinished temple encircled by 36 massive Doric columns, which was started in 426 BC and is remarkably preserved.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 7: Pleasures of Palermo
Spend the day in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. See the Cathedral, with its mix of architectural styles, and Porto Nuovo.
Experience a "Taste of Palermo" during lunch featuring an array of regional specialties, then set sail for Taormina.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 8: Taormina on Sicily
Admire the views as you sail into Sicily and travel to Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs
on the east coast of Sicily with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Survey the Teatro Greco and stroll the
Corso Umberto, Old Town’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and paticceries.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 9: See Siracusa, Sicily
Dock at Siracusa, an ancient Greek stronghold. Visit the Neapolis Parco Archeologico highlighted by a 15,000-seat,
rock-hewn Greek theater. Discover Latomia del Paradiso to see what your can hear through the Ear of Dionysius.
Meander around Ortygia on your own, and don’t miss the Doric Temple of Apollo.
Enjoy the Captain’s reception and dinner this evening, featuring traditional Sicilian entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Parco Dei Principi, Rome, Italy
Day 10: Medieval Malta
One of our unforgettable Italy cruises concludes as you disembark
in Malta's chief port of Valletta, founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century.
A guided tour includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay.
The walking tour highlight in Valletta is the art treasure-filled Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of
Baroque architecture. Share fond memories with fellow travelers at a farewell reception followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta
Day 11: Ciao, Mediterranean
Tour ends in Valletta, Malta. A transfer to the airport is included.
Meals: Breakfast
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| SHIP
STATISTICS |
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Built:1991
Renovated:2004
Flag: France
Number of Crew:30
Passeng. Cap.: 60
Ship Speed: 14 knots
Tonnage: 850 GRT
Length: 290 Feet
Beam: 39 Feet
Draft: 13 Feet
Crew Nationality: French
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| DAY |
PORT
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ARRIVAL |
DEPARTURE |
Voyage at a Glance
7 Cruise Days aboard Le Ponant
| 1 |
Arrive Rome
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| 2 |
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| 3 |
Embark Naples
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6:00 PM |
| 4 |
Amalfi Coast
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8:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 5 |
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11:00 AM |
5:00 PM |
| 6 |
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8:00 AM |
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| 7 |
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4:00 PM |
| 8 |
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8:00 AM |
10:00 PM |
| 9 |
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9:00 PM |
| 10 |
Disembark Valetta
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9:00 AM |
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| 11 |
Depart Malta
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| sCruise Rates (per person) |
Sep. 19, Oct. 3
Oct. 17
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Double
$ 6,990
$ 6,690
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Single
$ 10,890
$ 10,590
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Triple
$ 6,290
$ 5,990
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| Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars.
All accommodations, motor coach, and cruise ship transportation, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions, luggage handling, and the services of cruise Directors are included.
Hotel and Ship Accommodations
Price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value.
Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels.
Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Cruise & Land Director
Each cruise is conducted by a Director who
remains with the group throughout the duration of the cruise. Your Director is a professional, fully-trained employee.
Gratuities Included
All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, luggage handling, doormen, dining room servers, local guides and cruise ship staff are included.
No Options Sold
With the exception of select options detailed in the itinerary, price includes entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing and most activities.
Directors may assist with information on other free-time activities, based on honest opinion, but will not sell you any “extras.”
This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours
Luggage Responsibility
Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities.
Personal Expenses
Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees (if applicable), and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
You may settle your onboard expenses using American Express, MasterCard and VISA. U.S. traveler’s checks are accepted on a limited basis. The U.S. dollar is the currency used onboard.
Director Gratuities
The customary gratuity to the Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
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