PonantEU180527
Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys
Date
2027-05-18
Duration
8 nights
Departure Port
Valletta
Malta
Arrival Port
Nice
France
Rating
Luxury
Theme
—
Ponant
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Ponant Explorers
Launched
2019
Refitted
—
Tonnage
9,976 GT
Passengers
184
Cabins
92
Crew
118
Length
430 m
Width
18 m
Speed
13 knots
Adults Only
No
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Valletta
Depart 18:00
Valletta, Europe's smallest capital, is a fortress city of exceptional grandeur raised from bare limestone in just fifteen years after the Knights of St. John repelled the great Ottoman siege of 1565 — its rigid Renaissance grid of sun-drenched streets concealing a density of baroque palaces, gilded oratories, and subterranean World War II shelters unrivaled anywhere in the Mediterranean. The Grand Harbour, framed by golden bastions plunging into startlingly blue water, offers one of the most dramatically photogenic arrivals in the world for arriving vessels. Spring and autumn deliver the most comfortable temperatures for exploring this UNESCO-listed gem.
Day 2
Day 2
Mgarr
Depart 17:00
Mġarr is the harbor gateway to Gozo, Malta's greener sister island, home to the Ġgantija Temples—among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, predating the pyramids—and the medieval Citadella fortress. Must-dos include visiting the 5,600-year-old temples, diving at Dwejra's dramatic coastline, and tasting fresh ġbejna cheese and rabbit stew. April through June and September through November offer ideal mild temperatures.
Day 3
Day 3
Syracuse
Arrive 07:00Depart 22:00
Syracuse (Siracusa) is one of the ancient world's greatest cities, featuring the island quarter of Ortigia—a baroque masterpiece built over Greek temple ruins—and an archaeological park with a fifth-century BC theatre still hosting summer performances. Must-dos include Ortigia's cathedral with its embedded Greek columns, the morning market, and tasting pasta with sea urchin. April through June and September through November offer ideal temperatures.
Day 4
Day 4
Taormina
Arrive 07:00Depart 18:00
Taormina is a cliffside Sicilian jewel 200 meters above the Ionian Sea, featuring an ancient Greek theater with Mount Etna as its backdrop, the exquisite Isola Bella bay, and some of Sicily's finest cuisine. Must-dos include a performance at the Teatro Antico, the cable car to Isola Bella, and tasting Etna volcanic wines. April through June and September through October offer ideal temperatures.
Day 5
Day 5
Palermo
Arrive 07:00Depart 16:00
Palermo is the Mediterranean's most intoxicating crossroads of civilisations — Arab arches meet Byzantine gold mosaics beneath Norman royal chapels in the extraordinary Palatine Chapel, a monument to 12th-century multicultural brilliance that is Sicily's single greatest work of art. The Ballarò and Capo street markets, among southern Italy's most atmospheric, tumble through the ancient city in a sensory barrage of swordfish, blood oranges, jasmine, and street food improvised across centuries. Do not leave without tasting arancini and sfincione, Sicily's gloriously thick street pizza. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the ideal climate — warm enough for the sea, cool enough for extended walking.
Day 6
Day 6
Cagliari
Arrive 12:00Depart 17:00
Cagliari, Sardinia's sun-drenched capital overlooking the Gulf of Angels, has absorbed three thousand years of Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Pisan, and Spanish ambitions into a layered and deeply compelling Mediterranean city — where the flamingo-fringed salt lagoons stretching to the city's western edge create one of Europe's most surreal urban vistas. The Castello quarter's medieval ramparts enclose a cathedral, Pisan towers, and panoramic terraces that survey the entire city and coastline, while the Marina district below offers some of the finest bottarga pasta and fresh tuna in Italy. Visit May through September for beach perfection; the prehistoric Nuraghe Su Nuraxi at Barumini, a UNESCO Wonder, is an hour's drive north.
Day 7
Day 7
Bonifacio
Arrive 12:00Depart 19:00
Bonifacio is a dramatically cliff-perched medieval citadel at Corsica's southern tip, where Genoese ramparts tower above a fjord-like natural harbour in the turquoise Strait of Bonifacio. Visitors should descend the vertiginous Escalier du Roi d'Aragon carved into the limestone cliffs and take a boat excursion to the pristine Lavezzi archipelago nature reserve for world-class snorkelling among sculpted granite formations. The ideal window is June or September, when the Mediterranean light is at its most luminous and the narrow streets of the haute ville remain blissfully uncrowded.
Day 8
Day 8
Portoferraio
Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00
Portoferraio is the historic capital of Elba, the Tuscan island famous as Napoleon's place of exile, featuring Medici fortifications, pastel waterfront facades, and over 150 beaches. Must-dos include Napoleon's Villa dei Mulini, the Monte Capanne cable car, and sampling Aleatico dessert wine. May through October offers ideal Mediterranean conditions, with June and September best for avoiding crowds.
Day 9
Day 9
Nice
Arrive 07:00
The port of Nice is a vibrant gateway to the French Riviera, offering a rich tapestry of history, stunning architecture, and delectable local cuisine. Must-do experiences include savoring local specialties at the bustling Cours Saleya Market and exploring the charming streets of Vieux Nice. The best time to visit is during the spring and early fall when the weather is mild and the city is alive with cultural festivities.
Day 1
Valletta
Depart 18:00
Valletta, Europe's smallest capital, is a fortress city of exceptional grandeur raised from bare limestone in just fifteen years after the Knights of St. John repelled the great Ottoman siege of 1565 — its rigid Renaissance grid of sun-drenched streets concealing a density of baroque palaces, gilded oratories, and subterranean World War II shelters unrivaled anywhere in the Mediterranean. The Grand Harbour, framed by golden bastions plunging into startlingly blue water, offers one of the most dramatically photogenic arrivals in the world for arriving vessels. Spring and autumn deliver the most comfortable temperatures for exploring this UNESCO-listed gem.
Day 2
Mgarr
Depart 17:00
Mġarr is the harbor gateway to Gozo, Malta's greener sister island, home to the Ġgantija Temples—among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, predating the pyramids—and the medieval Citadella fortress. Must-dos include visiting the 5,600-year-old temples, diving at Dwejra's dramatic coastline, and tasting fresh ġbejna cheese and rabbit stew. April through June and September through November offer ideal mild temperatures.
Day 3
Syracuse
Arrive 07:00Depart 22:00
Syracuse (Siracusa) is one of the ancient world's greatest cities, featuring the island quarter of Ortigia—a baroque masterpiece built over Greek temple ruins—and an archaeological park with a fifth-century BC theatre still hosting summer performances. Must-dos include Ortigia's cathedral with its embedded Greek columns, the morning market, and tasting pasta with sea urchin. April through June and September through November offer ideal temperatures.
Day 4
Taormina
Arrive 07:00Depart 18:00
Taormina is a cliffside Sicilian jewel 200 meters above the Ionian Sea, featuring an ancient Greek theater with Mount Etna as its backdrop, the exquisite Isola Bella bay, and some of Sicily's finest cuisine. Must-dos include a performance at the Teatro Antico, the cable car to Isola Bella, and tasting Etna volcanic wines. April through June and September through October offer ideal temperatures.
Day 5
Palermo
Arrive 07:00Depart 16:00
Palermo is the Mediterranean's most intoxicating crossroads of civilisations — Arab arches meet Byzantine gold mosaics beneath Norman royal chapels in the extraordinary Palatine Chapel, a monument to 12th-century multicultural brilliance that is Sicily's single greatest work of art. The Ballarò and Capo street markets, among southern Italy's most atmospheric, tumble through the ancient city in a sensory barrage of swordfish, blood oranges, jasmine, and street food improvised across centuries. Do not leave without tasting arancini and sfincione, Sicily's gloriously thick street pizza. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the ideal climate — warm enough for the sea, cool enough for extended walking.
Day 6
Cagliari
Arrive 12:00Depart 17:00
Cagliari, Sardinia's sun-drenched capital overlooking the Gulf of Angels, has absorbed three thousand years of Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Pisan, and Spanish ambitions into a layered and deeply compelling Mediterranean city — where the flamingo-fringed salt lagoons stretching to the city's western edge create one of Europe's most surreal urban vistas. The Castello quarter's medieval ramparts enclose a cathedral, Pisan towers, and panoramic terraces that survey the entire city and coastline, while the Marina district below offers some of the finest bottarga pasta and fresh tuna in Italy. Visit May through September for beach perfection; the prehistoric Nuraghe Su Nuraxi at Barumini, a UNESCO Wonder, is an hour's drive north.
Day 7
Bonifacio
Arrive 12:00Depart 19:00
Bonifacio is a dramatically cliff-perched medieval citadel at Corsica's southern tip, where Genoese ramparts tower above a fjord-like natural harbour in the turquoise Strait of Bonifacio. Visitors should descend the vertiginous Escalier du Roi d'Aragon carved into the limestone cliffs and take a boat excursion to the pristine Lavezzi archipelago nature reserve for world-class snorkelling among sculpted granite formations. The ideal window is June or September, when the Mediterranean light is at its most luminous and the narrow streets of the haute ville remain blissfully uncrowded.
Day 8
Portoferraio
Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00
Portoferraio is the historic capital of Elba, the Tuscan island famous as Napoleon's place of exile, featuring Medici fortifications, pastel waterfront facades, and over 150 beaches. Must-dos include Napoleon's Villa dei Mulini, the Monte Capanne cable car, and sampling Aleatico dessert wine. May through October offers ideal Mediterranean conditions, with June and September best for avoiding crowds.
Day 9
Nice
Arrive 07:00
The port of Nice is a vibrant gateway to the French Riviera, offering a rich tapestry of history, stunning architecture, and delectable local cuisine. Must-do experiences include savoring local specialties at the bustling Cours Saleya Market and exploring the charming streets of Vieux Nice. The best time to visit is during the spring and early fall when the weather is mild and the city is alive with cultural festivities.
Cabin Categories
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Suite
290 m²Max 3
1
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
A glazed panoramic swing door and panoramic window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Suite
290 m²Max 3
2
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic slidging bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Suite
290 m²Max 3
3
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Suite
290 m²Max 3
4
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
A glazed panoramic swing door and panoramic window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Suite
484 m²Max 4
GDS
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge with sofa convetible to a double bed (160 x 190 cm), armchair, and second TV
A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
A private 32 m² terrace with two deckchairs and four-seater dining table
2 panoramic sliding bay windows
King or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedFree Wi-FiSafeHair Dryer+12
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Owner's Suite
Suite
484 m²Max 4
OS
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Private return transfer
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A lounge with armchair, double sofa bed (160 x 190 cm), and second TV
A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A bathroom with shower, Balneo bathtub and smart mirror
A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer
Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar
A private 40 m² terrace: 2 deckchairs, jacuzzi, and outdoor lounge area with sofa and armchair
Two panoramic sliding bay windows
King or Twin ConfigurationShowerBathToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableButler Service+14
View Details
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Suite
8
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
Two bathrooms with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs
Two panoramic sliding bay windows
View Details
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Suite
9
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
Two bathrooms with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs
Two panoramic sliding bay windows
View Details
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Suite
344 m²Max 3
10
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Butler service
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair
A bathroom with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedButler ServiceTV+12
View Details
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Suite
344 m²Max 3
11
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair
A bathroom with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedButler ServiceTV+12
View Details
Deluxe Stateroom
Balcony
204 m²Max 2
D
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A glazed panoramic swing door and rectangular window
King or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+11
View Details
Prestige Deck 4
Suite
409 m²Max 4
5
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
One chaise longue
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
King or Twin ConfigurationToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableButler ServiceSafeHair Dryer+14
View Details
Prestige Deck 5
Suite
409 m²Max 4
6
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
One chaise longue
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
King or Twin ConfigurationToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableButler ServiceSafeHair Dryer+14
View Details
Prestige Deck 6
Balcony
7
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
One chaise longue
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
View Details
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