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Treasures of the Mediterranean
Provence, Corsica, Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Malta aboard Le Ponant |
11 Days / 10 Nights • May 2 • Aug. 22 • Sep. 5, 2009
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This Mediterranean sea cruise takes in Provence, the French Riviera, Italy's Amalfi Coast, and remote Mediterranean islands by land and yacht. Prepare for sheer enchantment (and lots of walking) in Provence,
where sights include a hilltop citadel, charming Aix-en-Provence, Avignon’s Palace of Popes, a Roman aqueduct, and legendary wineries. Experience Monte-Carlo, and board your 60-passenger motor-sailing yacht to discover the islands of Lipari, Ponza,
Stromboli, Corsica, Sicily, and Malta. See fortified medieval towns, ornate cathedrals, ancient castles, and the incredible cliff-side drive along the Amalfi Coast. Feel like a jetsetter pulling into ports aboard Le Ponant, designed to access the small harbors
and remote destinations that large ships can’t maneuver.
2009 Southbound Itinerary
Click here for Northbound itinerary.
• Indicates day of cruising
Day 1: Arrive in Nice / Monte-Carlo
Tour begins: 6:30 p.m. at Fairmont Monte Carlo. Mediterranean sea cruise includes a transfer from Nice Cote d'Azur Airport to the Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monaco.
Meet your travel companions this evening at the welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Fairmont, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Day 2: Monte-Carlo magic
Experience the glamour of Monaco today as you get a royal taste of what life is like on the chic French Riviera during a guided morning tour.
Spend the remainder of the day exploring as you wish; your hotel is steps from the Monte-Carlo Casino, where lady luck favors the fortunate few!
Meals: Breakfast,
Lodging: Hotel Fairmont, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Day 3: St. Paul-de-Vence / Embark ship
Visit the medieval hill town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a long-time artists’ magnet, before journeying to Nice for a brief city sightseeing tour. Meander through the maze of streets in Old Town, see the Promenade des Anglais along the seafront, and discover the daily flower market in Cours Saleya.
Board your yacht, Le Ponant, for the start of your 7-night Mediterranean Sea cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 4: The Island of Elba
Aboard Le Ponant in the Mediterranean Sea cruise to the picturesque island of Elba and the secluded harbor of Portoferraio. Today you'll learn about the secluded, isolated life of Napoleon Bonaparte,
who spent a brief exile on the island in 1814 prior to his daring escape. There's local entertainment aboard the ship today.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 5: Hidden Bonifacio
Sail into the nearly hidden Corsican port of Bonifacio with a deep, narrow harbor sitting at the base of sheer
limestone cliffs - a highlight of your Mediterranean Sea cruise. The fortified 12th-century town is built on the
top of the cliffs with great views of the sea. Tour the walled fortress, explore medieval lanes, and see the former
barracks of the French Foreign Legion.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 6: Island life in Ponza
Stop to explore Ponza, the largest island in Italy’s Pontine Archipelago.
The island features dramatic coves and cliffs, while the main town features yellow and pink houses,
and a harbor full of fishing boats. Sail for Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 7: The Amalfi Coast to Ravello
Go ashore today to set out on the mountainous route along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. After a stop in the town of Amalfi, arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea.
Visit Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes, where you'll get some pretty spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea below
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 8: Sailing the Aeolian Isles
Sail to Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands. On your shore excursion, enjoy a guided sightseeing
tour with free time to explore. Sail by the island of Stromboli, and see if its active volcano will provide a natural show.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 9: Taormina on Sicily
Admire the view as you sail into Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily with Mt.
Etna towering in the distance. Stroll the Corso Umberto, Old Town’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and pâtisseries.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Day 10: Malta memories / Disembark ship
Sail into the dramatic Grand Harbor of Valletta on Malta, founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, and disembark Le Ponant for the end of your Mediterranean Sea cruise. Tour the medieval walled city of Mdina, and take a coastal drive around St. Julian’s Bay. A highlight of your Valletta walking tour is the art treasure-filled Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture.
Share favorite tour highlights at the farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta
Day 11: Ciao, Mediterranean
Tour ends in Valletta, Malta. A transfer is included from Hotel Phoenicia Malta to Malta International Airport; you should allow 2 1⁄2 hours for flight check-in.
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 Nice/ Monte Carlo
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| 2 |
Monte Carlo, Monaco
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| 3 |
Embark Nice
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5:00 PM |
| 4 |
Elba, Italy
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10:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 5 |
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8:00 AM |
2:30 PM |
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1/2 day at sea |
| 6 |
Ponza, Italy
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9:00 AM |
1:00 PM |
| 7 |
Amalfi, Italy
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12:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 8 |
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12:00 AM |
10:00 PM |
| 9 |
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8:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 10 |
Disembark Malta
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8:30 PM |
| 11 |
Depart Malta
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| sCruise Rates (per person) |
May 2
Aug.22
Sep.5
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Double
$ 6,490
$ 6,590
$ 6,790
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Single
$ 9,990
$ 10,090
$ 10,290
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Triple
$ 5,880
$ 5,980
$ 6,180
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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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