TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
ITINERARY:
Southbound (Marseille – Malta)
1. Arrive Marseille / Arles
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Hotel Jules César, Arles, France. A
transfer is included from the Marseille-Provence Int’l Airport
to the Hotel Jules César in the Provençal town of Arles. Join us
for tonight’s welcome reception and dinner. Meals D
2. Discover Provence – Arles / Avignon
A walking tour of Arles, inspiration for many works by
Vincent Van Gogh, includes the Roman Arena and the cloisters at
St-Trophime. Travel to the Pont du Gard to see the aqueduct
spanning the Gardon River, then on to Avignon and the Palace of
the Popes. A visit to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
precedes an evening of local wine and food, served as heavy hors
d’oeuvres. Meals BD
3. Citadel of Les Baux / Aix-en-Provence
See the Van Gogh Bridge, then visit the medieval Citadel of
Les Baux. Travel to the ancient Roman town of Aix-en-Provence,
today a chic spa town, boasting grand architecture and beautiful
fountains. Note: Sightseeing in the Citadel of Les Baux, and
most sites visited in Provence, involves significant walking;
these venues are not accessible to vehicles. Meals BD
4. Monte-Carlo Diversions
Journey to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval town that once
guarded the Var Frontier, and continue on to Monaco. The
afternoon and evening are free to spend at your leisure – your
hotel is close to the Monte-Carlo Casino. Meals B
• 5. Discover Nice / Embark Le Ponant
Journey to Nice for a brief tour of the city and several
hours of free time; board the sporty yacht Le Ponant for your
7-night cruise in the Mediterranean. Meals BD
• 6. Island of Elba
Drop anchor in the secluded harbor of Porto Azzurro, Elba,
this morning for a visit to the Palazzina dei Mulini; Napoleon
and his sister lived here during their brief exile on the
island. Enjoy local entertainment aboard ship this afternoon
before you sail along the coast. Meals BLD
• 7. Small Ships Only in Bonifacio
Corsica’s fjord-like harbor of Bonifacio is only accessible
to small ships – your majestic entrance aboard Le Ponant is
truly a special moment! Tour the walled fortress area, explore
medieval lanes, stroll along the bluff high above the harbor,
and see the former barracks of the French Foreign Legion. An
afternoon at sea takes you through the Strait of Bonifacio to
Ponza. Meals BLD
• 8. Ponza / Cruise the Mediterranean
Charming Ponza is fringed with dramatic coves and cliffs,
featuring yellow and pink houses. Fishing boats set out from the
18th-century harbor, and vineyards cover the hillsides. Spend
the morning exploring before setting sail for the Amalfi Coast,
arriving in the Gulf of Salerno. Meals BLD
• 9. Travel the Amalfi Coast / Ravello
Travel ashore today for a memorable journey along the Amalfi
Coast. Stop in the town of Amalfi en route to Ravello; enjoy
splendid sea views during a lunch of regional specialties before
visiting 13th-century Villa Rufolo. Meals BLD
• 10. Lipari / Fiery Lava of Stromboli
A tender takes you ashore to explore Lipari, largest of the
Aeolian Islands. Sail by Stromboli, the “Black Giant,” one of
the few volcanoes in the world that is frequently active. The
view from the sea at night is unforgettable! Meals BLD
• 11. Cruise to Sicily / Taormina
Explore Taormina, clinging to the cliffs above the coast of
eastern Sicily – stroll the Corso Umberto through Old Town, and
take a guided tour of the ancient Greek Theatre, dating back to
2 BC, boasting inspiring views of Mt. Etna. Meals BLD
12. Arrive at Valletta, Malta
Le Ponant sails into the dramatic Grand Harbor of Valletta
in Malta. A guided island tour includes the city of Mdina, a
coastal drive around St. Julian’s Bay, and a walking tour of
Valletta. Join us for a farewell dinner tonight. Meals BLD
13. Journey Home
Tour ends: Valletta, Malta. A transfer is included from Le
Méridien Phoenicia to Malta International Airport. Allow a
minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B
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