| |
Treasures of the Mediterranean
Provence, Corsica, Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Malta aboard Le Ponant |
13 Days / 12 Nights • Sep.7 • Oct. 19, 2008
|
 |
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.
2008 Northbound Itinerary
Click here for Northbound itinerary.
• Indicates day of cruising
Day 1: Arrive in Malta
Mediterranean sea cruise begins at 6:00 PM at Le Méridien Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta. A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Le Méridien Phoenicia. Meet your travel companions this evening at the welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Le Méridien Phoenicia,Valletta
• Day 2: Make Malta memories and embark your ship
On the island of Malta, tour the medieval walled city of Mdina, and discover Valletta, founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, on a walking tour. See the art treasure-filled Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture, before boarding Le Ponant for the start of your Mediterranean Sea cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 3: Taormina on Sicily
Admire the view as you sail toward Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Guided sightseeing includes a stroll along the Corso Umberto, Old Town’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and patisseries; visit the Greek Theater. Continue your cruise to Lipari tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 4: Sailing the Aeolian Isles
Travel by tender for a shore excursion to Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands; tour the island and visit the Archaeological Museum. Sail by the island of Stromboli, and see if its constantly active volcano will provide a natural show.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 5: The Amalfi Coast to Ravello
Go ashore today to set out on the mountainous route along Italy's 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, where you'll get some pretty spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea during a lunch of regional specialties.
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 Bonifacio on Corsica.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 7: 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 8:The Island of Elba
Aboard Le Ponant in the Mediterranean Sea cruise to the picturesque island of Elba and the secluded harbor of Porto Azzuro. Today you'll learn about the isolated life of Napoleon Bonaparte on Elba, who spent a brief exile here in 1814 prior to his daring escape. There's local entertainment aboard the ship this evening as you sail for the French Riviera.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Day 9: Medieval Saint Paul-de-Vence and Monte-Carlo
Disembark Le Ponant in Nice for the end of your Mediterranean Sea cruise. Take a city tour before continuing on to Monte-Carlo, capital of the Principality of Monaco, where your luxurious hotel is located above the harbor, near the world-famous Monte-Carlo Casino
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Fairmont, Monte Carlo
Day 10: The medieval magic of Provence
Drive to the medieval hill town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and poke around this long-time artists’ magnet this morning. After lunch, travel to beautiful Aix-en-Provence – the city of a thousand fountains, featured in many paintings by Paul Cezanne – for a walking tour and time at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Mercure Roi René, Aix-en-Provence,
Day 11: Citadel of Les Baux
Check out Van Gogh Bridge, and then walk up to the Citadel of Les Baux, once a hilltop stronghold of feudal lords. (Note: Sightseeing in the Citadel of Les Baux and most sites in Provence involves significant walking; these venues are not accessible to vehicles.) Tour the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine-growing region, and enjoy a local wine and food event.
Stop at the heavily fortified 14th-century Palace of the Popes in Avignon before arriving in Arles, one of Vincent Van Gogh’s favorite painting subjects, for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging:Hôtel Jules César, Arles,
Day 12: Roman ruins and wine in Provence
See Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old, three-tiered Roman bridge and aqueduct with impressive arches spanning the Gardon River, then return to Arles. Take a walking tour of the Gothic cloisters at the Church of St-Trophime, dating from the 12th century. Please join us this evening for a farewell dinner.
Share favorite tour highlights at the farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging:Hôtel Jules César, Arles
Day 13: Au revoir, Mediterranean
Tour ends in Arles, France. A transfer to the airport is included.
Meals: Breakfast
|
|
| MORE
INFO |
|
|
| SHIP
STATISTICS |
|
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
|
|
|
| DAY |
PORT
|
ARRIVAL |
DEPARTURE |
Voyage at a Glance
7 Cruise Days aboard Le Ponant
| 1 |
Arrive Malta
|
- |
- |
| 2 |
Embark Valletta
|
- |
6:00 PM |
| 3 |
Taormina, Sicily
|
8:00 AM |
10:0 PM |
| 4 |
Lipari, Italy
|
8:00 AM |
5:00 PM |
| 5 |
Amalfi, Italy
|
8:00 AM |
10:00 PM |
| 6 |
Ponza, Italy
|
8:00 AM |
4:00 PM |
|
| |
1/2 Day at Sea |
| 7 |
Bonifacio, Corsica
|
8:00 AM |
10:00 PM |
| 8 |
Elba, Italy
|
8:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 9 |
Disembark Nice
|
9:00 AM |
|
|
Monte Carlo
|
- |
- |
| 10 |
Aix en Provence
|
- |
- |
| 11 |
Arles
|
- |
- |
| 12 |
Arles
|
- |
- |
| 13 |
Depart Marseille
|
- |
- |
| sCruise Rates (per person) |
13 Day Land / Cruise
|
Double
$ 6790
|
Single
$ 10,762
|
Triple
$ 6190
|
|
|
| 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.
|
