Guest Speaker 
Diving 
Kid Explorers 
Christmas offer 
Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
25% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Malta, Italian shores and Isle of Beauty
Valletta - Nice
Dates:
19/8/2024
to
29/8/2024
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
From the splendid Maltese capital to the pearl of the French Riviera, set sail on a brand-new 11-day cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. Aboard Le Bougainville, discover the Isle of Beauty, the Italian shores and Malta during an unforgettable trip.
From Valletta, you will head for Gozo, an unspoiled island that is home to a megalithic site listed with UNESCO. On foot, kayak or bike, explore the island and its spectacular scenery, from the endless turquoise sea to the dreamlike decor of the salt marshes. Do not miss your chance to taste the local wines.
You will then arrive on Malta’s smallest island, the idyllic Comino, whose blue lagoon, renowned for its turquoise waters, rivals the finest beaches of the Seychelles! Then, you will sail in front of Stromboli, an active volcano whose crater regularly erupts with lava flows.
A little further north, you will discover the Aeolian islands. Lipari is the capital of the Aeolian volcanic archipelago and is renowned for its many natural and architectural gems.
Your ship will stop at Porto Ercole, a charming Tuscan village with colourful houses, on the Monte Argentario peninsula. Here, you will have the possibility of meeting fisherman from the Orbetello Lagoon as well as local producers. The peninsula’s rolling and lush landscapes will also provide you with opportunities for magnificent outings.
After a port of call on the Tuscan island of Giglio, you will visit Portofino. Built in a natural harbour protected by a pine forest, it is a picturesque and lively port that has successfully retained its authenticity and traditions.
You will finally set sail for Calvi in the heart of the Balagne region. Between steep peaks and sublime beaches with turquoise waters, you will experience a wild and authentic Corsica.
Your cruise will end in Nice, capital of the French Riviera.
Ref : EG190824
Your itinerary
Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION. Cruise from the French Riviera to the Maltese capital, to discover the cultures, regional heritage and natural wonders of the...
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Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Diving & initiation dive
Supervision of the dives
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Level required for scuba diving on this cruise
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 1 star CMAS or the PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Process of the dives (certified divers)
The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:
- For those with PADI Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 20 metres.
- If two Stars CMAS or PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.
Process of the initiation dives (novice divers)
Before your initiation dive, your instructor will show you the equipment and will explain to you how to communicate underwater using hand gestures and how to breathe through a regulator. Once in the water, equipped with your material, you will learn how to breathe through your regulator on the surface for a couple of minutes. When your instructor feels you are ready, he will immerse you in water for about 20 minutes to a depth of 6 metres maximum.
Duration of the dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.
Supplied equipment
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilising jacket
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
- Fins
Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel .As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions.
The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.
* within the limit of available stock.
Fauna of the Mediterranean Sea
The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is very varied. During the various dives, divers could observe various species of benthic fauna such as rainbow wrasse, dusky grouper, sea bass, and pelagic fauna as tuna, amberjack, as well as endemic wildlife such as red gorgonians, red coral.
Scuba diving activities on this cruise
|
PORTS OF CALL |
DIVES (for certified divers) |
DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING (for beginners) |
|
Malta – Valletta |
NO |
NO |
|
Malta – Valletta |
NO |
NO |
|
Malta – Mgarr - Gozo Island |
YES |
NO |
|
Malta – Mgarr - Gozo Island |
YES |
YES |
|
Malta – Comino |
NO |
NO |
|
Italy – Lipari - Aeolien Islands |
YES |
NO |
|
Italy – Porto Ercole |
YES |
YES |
|
Italy – Giglio |
YES |
YES |
|
Italy – Portofino |
YES |
NO |
|
Corsica – Calvi |
YES |
YES |
|
France – Nice |
NO |
NO |
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
Rates
This activity must be pre-booked before departure with your travel advisor. Any reservation made after this deadline will only be confirmed once on board and subject to availability.
Price per person
- Initiation dive :
- Introductory dive (1 dive) : €80
- Ponant Discovery Pack (2 dives) : €150
- Certified dive :
- Exploration (1 dive) : €80
- Excellence Package (3 dives) : €225
- Passion Package (6 dives) : €420
Kid Explorers
PONANT has joined forces with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation to run its Kid Explorers children’s club.
As part of its commitment to safeguarding the oceans, during your cruise PONANT offers an activity programme for children aged 4 to 13 years on all our ships, and from 6 to 13 years on board Le Commandant Charcot to familiarise them with issues related to protecting our oceans. We have special educational kits, activity sheets and themed videos all provided by the Foundation.
Every day a team of activity leaders organises creative activities (crafts, painting, etc.), fun educational workshops, board games, introduction to meditation sessions and more, as well as activities specific to the cruise itinerary and number of participants. There are also activities ashore to prolong the experience for your Kid Explorers such as walks and treasure hunts.
The activity programme is available every day.(The precise times will be provided by animators).To best meet your needs, the schedule is adapted to fit in with your cruise programme. For more information, contact the team organising the activities.
Activity schedules are posted daily in the logbook.
Every child receives a welcome kit with gifts enclosed.
-------------------------------
Activities will depend on the number and age of the children who register and the weather conditions.
Parents or guardians must read the ‘General information on the PONANT Kid Explorers Club’ and sign a form authorising the Kid Explorers Club to look after their child on board and for outings ashore.
Maud Fontenoy Foundation
Since 2008, the Maud Fontenoy Foundation has been operating in France and internationally to protect our oceans. We organise educational activities focused on the environment for the younger generation and general public, with support from scientific partners and the French Ministry of National Education. The latter has made us responsible for its Sea Education programme and relaunch of the Sea Classes initiative. Our aim is both ecological and social: to protect the ocean and save people. We start from a strong principle that protecting the environment, particularly the ocean, is a humanitarian issue that affects all mankind, without exception. For us, the oceans are a powerful force, a potential for the future. Every year, 700,000 children benefit from our programmes.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
- Cruise from the French Riviera to the Maltese capital, to discover the cultures, regional heritage and natural wonders of the Mediterranean.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Aeolian Islands, the temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo, Valetta (embarkation port).
- Discover Calvi and its citadel on the Isle of Beauty (Corsica).
- Comino, renowned for its idyllic blue lagoon.
- Visiting Portofino, an emblematic site of the Italian Riviera and former fishing village with colourful houses, an ideal setting for hiking and kayaking.
- Sailing by the Stromboli volcano.
- The Maltese island of Gozo, its emblematic historical sites, its magnificent salt marshes and its vineyards to be discovered.
- Overnights in Valletta and in Gozo island.
- Possibility of diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board.
Ports of Call & Excursions
19 August 2024 20 August 2024 - Valletta
Embarkation 19/8/2024 From 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 20/8/2024 at 12:00 pm
The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you’ll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-John’s cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.
20 August 2024 21 August 2024 - Gozo
Arrival 20/8/2024 early afternoon
Departure 21/8/2024 late evening
Located to the north of Malta, a lot less urbanised than its larger sibling and protected from mass tourism, the small island of Gozo has managed to remain natural and authentic. Lush hills and valleys alternate with a mosaic of cultivated fields. The buildings, some of which are medieval, are built from honey-coloured limestone and blend in perfectly with the surrounding scenery. Gozo also boasts a unique historic site that is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the megalithic temples of Ggantija near the town of Xaghra. An archaeological museum adjoining the site presents a number of objects that were found there. Red-sand beaches and a crystal-clear sea add to the calm and serenity of Gozo.
22 August 2024 - Comino
Arrival 22/8/2024 early morning
Departure 22/8/2024 mid morning
In the turquoise waters of the Maltese Mediterranean, the small island of Comino is a real jewel that delights swimmers, divers or just simply nature lovers. This natural reserve, measuring barely 35 square kilometres, allows no cars on its preserved territory and is perfect for walks in an enchanting setting. Wild thyme, fennel and over 300 plant species perfume the island, although it is cumin that gives it its name. A pirate stronghold in the Middle Ages due to its many inlets which served as hiding places for corsairs, it was then used as a hunting ground by the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem before becoming a place of exile and imprisonment between the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, it is renowned for its magnificent, cerulean-blue lagoon, an exceptional natural pool surrounded by two rocky islands.
23 August 2024 - Sailing in front of Stromboli
Arrival 23/8/2024
Departure 23/8/2024
Like Ulysses during his Odyssey, you will have the opportunity to admire the Stromboli, the capricious volcano that looms over the Aeolian Islands. Its activity, uninterrupted for thousands of years, has earned it the nickname the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”.
23 August 2024 - Lipari, Aeolian Islands
Arrival 23/8/2024 early morning
Departure 23/8/2024 late afternoon
Of the seven Aeolian islands, this is the largest and the most populated. Lying off the north coast of Sicily, in the Tyrrhenian sea, Lipari is one of UNESCO’s marvellous World Heritage sites. Its lava stone quarries and obsidian flow of Rocce Rosse are indications of its volcanic nature. The town, the largest urban area in the whole archipelago, proudly houses its citadel and its castle, both rooted in Antiquity. If you head further into the centre, you’ll be surprised to come across a Norman cathedral, complete with a magnificent baroque façade.
24 August 2024 - At sea
Arrival 24/8/2024
Departure 24/8/2024
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
25 August 2024 - Porto Ercole
Arrival 25/8/2024 early morning
Departure 25/8/2024 late evening
With its landscapes of undulating hills covered in lush meadows, narrow streets with colourful houses, and picturesque paths shaded by pines... Porto Ercole is a concentration of all of Tuscany’s beauty. And what would it be without a fascinating, mystery-filled history? Overlooked by its 16th century fortress, this small village is renowned for having witnessed the final days of the famous painter Caravaggio, said to be buried there. On the Monte Argentario peninsula, you might have the chance to meet the fishermen of the Orbetello Lagoon, classed as a natural reserve, who perpetuate traditional fishing methods, or meet local wine, olive oil and cheese producers. For our sportier guests, the surrounding wild and pristine nature will provide the opportunity for a hike along the island’s heights to enjoy breathtaking views.
26 August 2024 - Giglio
Arrival 26/8/2024 late morning
Departure 26/8/2024 evening
On the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the small island of Giglio is home to a concentration of all of Tuscany’s secrets and beauty. Fine sandy beaches and hidden coves compose a landscape in which the emerald sea serves as a setting for wild nature. This mountainous land is covered by garrigue on which pine forest and vineyards grow, a real paradise in the Mediterranean. A walk through the heart of this bucolic environment will also be the opportunity to discover rich history, as reflected in the medieval village of Giglio Castello.
27 August 2024 - Portofino
Arrival 27/8/2024 early morning
Departure 27/8/2024 late evening
Close to the Cinque Terre, Portofino is the jewel of the Ligurian Riviera. This "small village that stretches like a half moon around a silent basin", described by Guy de Maupassant, is today a pretty, lively little port that has managed to preserve the authenticity of its maritime traditions, which have been recognised since Ancient times. Built in the hollow of a small natural cove sheltered by the pine forest, the village is at the heart of a protected maritime reserve. The shimmering colours of its house fronts and the exceptional location of this village have inspired many authors and artists. You will also see the Portofino lighthouse, immaculate in its green setting. Perched on the Punta del Capo, it watches over the peninsula and its postcard setting.
28 August 2024 - Calvi, Corsica
Arrival 28/8/2024 mid morning
Departure 28/8/2024 late afternoon
Nestled on a rocky spur in the north-west of Corsica, the port of Calvi offers its whiteness between two sapphire-coloured bays. Capital of the Balagne region, the Genoese city benefits from an exceptional natural setting between the abrupt relief of the central chain, fertile hills and long sandy beaches. From the promontory of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra chapel, built in the 19th century on the ruins of a 15th century sanctuary, you will not miss the sublime panorama of the seaside, the mountains and the Calvi citadel. A little further west, you will have the opportunity to discover with the peninsula of Revelatta, a wilder and more preserved part of Corsica.
29 August 2024 - Nice
Arrival 29/8/2024 early morning
Disembarkation 29/8/2024 at 8:00 am
Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the baie des Anges. The Château hill is also a very pleasent place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.
Ggantija temples & wine tasting
From the pier, you will board your minivan for a 15-minutes drive to Ggantija Temples.
Located in Xaghra, Ggantija Temples are one of the most important archaeological sites in the Maltese Islands and part of UNESCO World Heritage. The well-preserved site consists of two temples dating back to between 3600 and 3200 B.C. Considered to be one of the oldest free-standing monuments in the world predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, they represent phenomenal culture.
Follow your guide and visit the newly constructed Interpretation Centre which helps put context to this mysterious civilization. From here you will explore the site via an external pathway that provides unique views of the natural landscape that surrounds Ggantija.
After discovering the Ggantija Temples, you will enjoy a scenic route to Tal-Mixta Cave located high in the hills of Nadur, a small village. You will admire a picturesque view of Ramla Bay one of Gozo's widest and most famous beaches. The cave is especially known as a window to one of the greatest views of Gozo.
Afterwards, you will start your hike from Tal-Mixta Cave to a local winery where you will taste local wines and delicacies. .
Finally, you will return to your ship.
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This tour involves about 2,48 miles (4 kms) walking over rough and uneven terrain and some uphill walking. We advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel from the ship. The other of sites visited may vary. This tour is limited to 70 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Xwejni Bay and its salt pans
From the pier, you will start your walking tour with your local guide from Marsalforn Bay to the must-see salt pans. You will meet a salt harvester, who will provides step-by-step explanations of the salt harvesting process.
Moving from theory to practice, you will then fill up your own burlap bag of sea salt that you will take back home as a Gozitan souvenir.
You will be able to taste the salt, take pictures and visit the old salt storages, which dates to the beginning of 19th century.
Afterwards, you will hike along the coast to the inlet of Ghar Il-Qamh inlet, where you can enjoy a swim.
Finally, you will head back to Marsalforn Bay by minivans and reboard your ship.
-
This tour involves about 1,5 miles (2,5 kms) of walking on uneven surfaces. We advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel from the ship. Please note that the swim stop will be on a pebbly beach, we recommend you to wear watershoes. The other of sites visited may vary. This tour is limited to 30 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Panorama of the Aeolian Islands
Lipari is the largest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands. Famous since olden times for its obsidian quarries, the town and port are dominated by a citadel, testimony to the archipelago’s strategic importance in the past.
Leaving from the port by coach you will take a tour of the island. Your first stop stop is the Quattrocchi viewpoint, one of the archipelago’s most striking panoramas. Here you can admire the volcanic peaks of Jacopo and Perciato, against a backdrop of Vulcano Island. There are also other good spots to see the island of Salina, the pumice stone quarries and the Rocche Rosse obsidian flow.
The coach then heads to the centre of Lipari where your excursion will continue on foot. Lipari’s historic centre is dominated by a Castle built on the promontory. Its construction dates back to ancient times, with a tower forming part of Greek fortifications of the 4th and 5th centuries BC, medieval towers from the 13th century, and surrounding walls from the Spanish period. Inside there are numerous archaeological remains as well as the Norman Cathedral Saint Bartolomeo (only outside visit) dating from 1084 and which has a Baroque facade. On the sides, you will notice the ruins of a Norman Abbey. You will also visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum revealing the evolution of the islands in the active volcano system. You can go into the “classic” section where objects from Lipari and the other islands, from prehistoric times to the Greek and Roman periods, are presented.
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Photography and video are not allowed inside the museum. This excursion involves 1 hour of walking over uneven grounds with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. From the pier to the coach, you will have to walk 550 yards (500 metres), and 20 minutes to the museum on narrow streets.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Vulcano island by private boat
Lipari is the biggest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands. Famous since olden times for its obsidian quarries, Lipari is linked to Sicily by very regular ferry and hydroplane services. The town and port are dominated by a citadel, testimony to the archipelago’s strategic importance in the past.
From the ship, you will disembark by tender in Marina Corta pier, where you will meet your guide and board the private motorboat.
You will start your sail with beautiful scenery, passing first by the Lipari coast, and then proceeding on the west coast of Vulcano to see the Faraglioni, the Grotta del Cavallo, the Spiaggia di Ponente and Vulcanello.
You will then arrive on Vulcano Island where you will discover its impressive plateau. The vastest of the Aeolian Islands, formed by lava, banks of tuff and quaternary deposits; it is furrowed by deep valleys and surrounded by hills that descend towards the sea. On the highest slopes of the island, the panorama is picturesque and wild. There used to be three craters, one of which, as a result of erosion by the sea, presents an interesting cross-section of a volcanic cone, with lava flows and stratifications of pyroclastic material.
Upon your arrival in Vulcano, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a short visit of the village and stroll through town on your own to buy some souvenirs.
During your boat trip back to the pier, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a swim, jumping in the sea directly from the boat.
-
Walking distance is at your own discretion on the island. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Lipari Island & Italian cooking
From the pier, begin your tour with a walk through the town of Lipari, main city of the Aeolian Islands. The pastel-coloured houses of this little port contrast with the rugged and typically Mediterranean landscape that can be seen in the rest of the island.
A one-and-fifteen-hour scenic drive will give you the opportunity to discover this volcanic island and enjoy some stunning panoramas, including the Quattrocchi viewpoint, where you will admire the volcanic peaks of Jacopo and Perciato, against a backdrop of Vulcano Island, one of the most iconic island of the Aeolian archipelago.
In a local pizzeria, the owner will show you how to make this world famous national dish and give you the chance to realise your own pizza and personalise it with your favourite ingredients. Finally, you will taste your tailor-made pizza, accompanied with some wine and other Aeolian delicacies.
After the tasting, you will re-embark your coach for the drive back to the pier.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 25 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
WWF Reserve & beach break
From the pier, board your coach for a 20-minute drive to the WWF nature reserve at Orbetello Lagoon. WWF works to sustain natural conditions and to inform visitors on the importance of biological diversity. The Orbetello Lagoon Oasis was established in 1971 after the discover made by Fulco Pratesi and Hardy Reichelt of a small nesting colony of stilt plover, a species considered extinct in our country since the beginning of the last century.
Orbetello offers all the charm that only wetlands can give. In fact, wetlands have always inspired painters, poets, and writers, and visiting them means entering the deepest and most ancestral relationship we have with the natural environment.
Visiting the Oasis of Orbetello allows you to closely observe thousands of birds, including ducks, herons, geese, cranes, flamingos, lapwings, waders, birds of prey and many passerines, though species vary according to the season. Among the coastal wetlands, Orbetello is truly one of the most impressive Italian lagoons, where it is possible to regularly witness unforgettable scenes, such as the pink and fuchsia flights of flamingos or the colourful display of ducks as they take wing to escape marsh harriers.
You will have the opportunity to bird-watch from the hides, so as to not disturb the animals.
After this experience, you will head to La Giannella beach, where you will have 1 hour of free time to relax and swim.
Finally, you will reboard your coach and head back to your ship.
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This tour involves a 1,5 miles (2,5 kms) walking distance on mainly flat surfaces, natural trails and sandy areas. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants, protect yourself from the sun and bring binoculars. Please note that flip-flops and shorts are not admitted during the WWF Reserve visit. We recommend to bring your swimsuit and beach towel from the ship. The fauna and flora observation is not guaranteed.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Meet the fishermen in Orbetello
The first inhabitants of Monte Argentario were fishermen. Still today, walking along Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano, you may encounter old sea dogs as they work intently on repairing fishing nets.
From the pier, you will meet your guide and board your coach for a 20-minute ride to the heart of Orbetello. You will discover its narrow alleys, picturesque squares, and the promenade along the Salt Lake in Orbetello’s natural reserve.
Once you’re there, you will walk along the promenade overlooking the lagoon where the ancient Powder building is. There are still signs pointing to its history under the State of Presidios. The area was ruled by the Spanish from the time of Filippo II. From 1500, and for almost 2 centuries, Orbetello was the territory’s capital city.
After this first glimpse, you will walk to the Pescatori headquarters, called Slow Food presidia. You can still see sites dedicated to unloading fish from the returning fishing boats and the modern laboratory for transforming the raw fish into traditional and unique recipes.
In summer this restaurant serves thousands of meals to tourists, while keeping on an ancient culture of working in a natural setting and promoting local ingredients, and thus sustainability. Today, you will take part to an exclusive and rich tasting including various types of snacks made with fresh vegetables of Maremma and local fish, accompanied by local white wine and mineral water.
At the end of this experience, enjoy some free time in Orbetello city centre or along the lagoon promenade before returning to your ship.
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This tour involves a 1 mile (2 km) walking distance on mainly flat surfaces. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and clothes and protect yourself from the sun. A minimum of 30 participants is needed to run this tour, and a maximum of 45 persons can take part to it. The tasting is included in your tour.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
E-bike tour around the Orbetello lagoon
Monte Argentario is situated in the south of Tuscany, and is the gateway to the Tuscan archipelago, with some close-by islands such as Giglio and Giannutri island, that are part of the Tuscan Nature reserve.
From the pier, you will board your bus for a 20-minutes drive towards Orbetello. From here, you will collect your e-bike and helmet and get a short safety briefing.
Your sporty tour consists in a 2-hours ride from the foot of the Argentario promontory through the Feniglia Nature Reserve, a very charming pinewood overlooking the sandy beach on one side and the salt lake on the other. Exploring with your private guide the natural landscape of the Mediterranean wood, you will be able to see some wildlife including birds that live and nest in the Orbetello lagoon. Follow your guide's cycling pace and gaze at the Monte Argentario covered by woods, the ‘silver’ mountain’, as you approach Orbetello downtown.
You will finally enjoy some time at leisure in downtown Orbetello to stroll and buy some local souvenirs before going back to your ship.
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This tour involves a 0,5 miles (1 km) walking distance on mainly flat surfaces and 9 miles (19 kms) of e-bike riding. We recommend you wear comfortable sport shoes and clothes and protect yourself from the sun. A minimum of 7 participants is needed to run this tour, and a maximum of 15 persons can take part to it. The e-bikes and helmets are provided. The fauna and flora observation is not guaranteed.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Porto Ercole and its Spanish forts
From the pier, you will meet your local guide and start your walking tour of Porto Ercole, a lovely seaside resort located on the Argentario promontory. The three Spanish Forts in Porto Ercole were built during Spanish domination and still characterize the unique landscape of Argentario.
First, you will enjoy an exterior visit of Forte Filippo, after a 40-minutes uphill walk towards the top of the cliff. Once at the top, you will admire the entire perimeter of the walkway built for the soldiers who controlled the territory. An enormous stretch of coast is visible to the naked eye, from the Argentario promontory shores to the Orbetello lagoon and La Feniglia nature reserve, a beautiful sandy beach stretching East.
Then, you will resume your walk to the village of Porto Ercole, from where a scenic path leads to the Rocca, with the imposing emblem of the State of the Presidios that dominates the entrance. The Spanish Presidios ruled in this part of Tuscany from 1500 to 1700, and the fortified buildings, including watch towers and military ramparts, are visible throughout Monte Argentario.
After this panoramic view on the Southern coast of Argentario promontory, with its rich wild vegetation and exclusive villas and resorts, follow your guide to the Borgo - an old village that is teeming with history.
Finally, you will have the choice to walk back to the pier at your convenience or spend time on your own enjoying the many shops and restaurants along the port promenade in Porto Ercole.
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This tour involves a 3 miles (5 kms) walking distance, sometimes uphill and downhill, with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun and bring your bottle of water from the ship. Order of sights may vary.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Santa Margherita & Rapallo by private boat
From the pier, you will meet your local guide and take a 15-minute walk to your private boat. You will embark for a scenic cruise to Santa Margherita.
Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are world-renowned symbols of Italy. The coast is a sequence of resorts with marinas, pastel-coloured houses, giving to this place a seductive atmosphere of la dolce vita. Suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains, it offers some of the most famous views in Italy.
Upon arrival in the charming town of Santa Margherita, you will start your exploration with the downtown area before visiting the Santa Margherita di Antiochia Basilica, also known as ‘La Madonna della Rosa’. The church honours the legend of a sailor who brought a sculpture of the Virgin Mary with a rose in her right hand and Jesus on her left arm.
Then, you will re-embark your private boat and continue your coastal cruise to Rapallo. This beautiful town of the Italian Riviera features a gracious old seaside and port, remains of its Medieval and Renaissance-style architecture. You guide will take you in the narrow streets of the town and will explain the richness of Rapallo’s history and architecture.
Afterwards, you will get back to your private boat and enjoy the 30-minute scenic cruise back to your ship.
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This tour involves walking 1,2 miles (2 km) on flat ground and some cobblestones surface. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. We also recommend you bring a windproof jacket for the scenic cruise. Appropriate clothing is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). Operation of tour is subject to the weather conditions of the day.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€€: the excursion price is more than €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Portofino walking tour
Through the centuries, Portofino functioned primarily as a fishing village and, occasionally, as a small naval port. Today, it is a classy resort-village. Portofino's miniscule bay is neatly packed with pricey yachts, common boats and, as a vestige of its past, some fishing boats.
From the pier, you will meet your local guide and start your panoramic walking tour. If you don't bring your camera to Portofino, you will regret it. The town is striking with its brightly colored antique buildings hovering over sparkling blue water. And the surrounding luxuriant green hillsides of the Portofino Promontory are equally stunning.
Your walk heads up to the right as you face the harbour. You will enjoy a path through one of the largest concentrations of flora and fauna in the Mediterranean. For some fantastic views of the entire bay and the Tigullian Gulf, you will walk up the hill to the Church of San Giorgio. Perched high above the town, this church contains relics of St. George brought over by crusaders from the Holy Land. From here you will walk to another great lookout point at the Punto del Capo, the Portofino lighthouse.
Afterward, you will take the way back to the pier.
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This tour involves walking 2.5 miles (4 km) on flat and cobblestone ground and sloping floor. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Internal visits of the Church of San Giorgio and Portofino lighthouse are not included.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Hiking to San Fruttuoso
San Fruttuoso is located at the foot of the Portofino Mountain and can be reached by boat or by following the hiking trails on the mountain.
From the pier, you will meet your hiking guide and start your walk to San Fruttuoso. The beginning of the hike takes place on a very scenic route without major difficulties, but expect a small climb to reach the heights of Portofino.
After 10 minutes, in the locality of Palara, you will reach a gate and barrier that prevent wild animals from entering. Continue through a short tunnel created by a line of shrubs on both sides, allowing you to bypass the village of San Sebastian. The trail continues to climb straight ahead from there.
Some metres away, you will reach a second gate in Cappeletta. From here, the trail of mostly flat, dirt roads winds through the countryside to Vessinaro, where the trail deviates to "Cala degli Inglesi", a beautiful cove accessible only by foot or boat.
You will then walk toward the western side of the promontory that overlooks the numerous coves below. The trail alternates in short stretches of ups and downs along protruding rocks. After one-hour and 15 minutes of walking, you will reach Base 0, a former military post during World War II.
From here the trail enters the woods and down in a steep and irregular path, with large panoramic views over the village. San Fruttuoso is around the corner, and passing under a porch, you will enter the first of two enchanting bays. You will then enjoy a visit of the interior of San Fruttuoso Abbey. According to the legend, the place where the Abbey was to be built was shown to Bishop Fruttuoso in a dream. He would later die at the stake in Spain, but first shared his dream with five monks, who, after wandering for a long time along the Ligurian coast, recognised the place and built the Abbey there. The first document attesting to the presence of the monastery dates to 984. It then passed to the Benedictines, who enlarged it, and then to the Doria family. The Abbey reached its greatest splendour in the 15th century. It has been the main political and economic centre of the promontory until the last century, and influenced the organisation of the territory, agricultural system and fishing economy.
After the visit, you will enjoy some free time to stroll or bathe in the clear water of the cove.
Finally, you will return to Portofino by public motorboat and reach your ship.
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This tour involves walking 3,8 miles (6 km) on uneven, cobblestoned, and sometimes slippery terrain with inclines and declines. We recommend you wear sturdy walking shoes, comfortable light clothing, and your swimsuit under it, and protect yourself from the sun. In case of rain or bad sea, the tour might be cancelled. Please note the tour will be guided only in English.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Kayaking in the Tigullian bay
Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are world-renowned symbols of Italy. The coast is a sequence of resorts with marinas and pastel-coloured houses, giving this place a seductive atmosphere of la dolce vita. Suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains, it offers some of the most famous views in Italy.
Today, you will have the chance of discovering the secrets of Portofino’s Marine Park.
From the pier, you will meet your guide and walk for 30 minutes to Niasca Bay, where the kayak experience will begin, allowing you to explore the beauty of the Tigullian Bay.
Upon your arrival, you will be briefed on how to paddle a kayak, and then you will be ready to explore the Tigullian Bay coast, starting from Niasca and leaving the spectacular view of Paraggi Gulf behind you. Guided by marine biologists and local experts, you will have the chance to meet the most peculiar and traditional aspects of this small and rich natural sanctuary and its many forms.
You will then reach the port of Portofino and the small beach of Olivetta, where century-old maritime pine trees tower over the skyline. Then, you’ll soon reach a stretch of coast rich with caves and inlets, which are accessible only by kayak. Here, you will be able to spot a great variety of fauna (grey herons, cormorants and dolphins). Passing by the “Punta del Faro”, the lighthouse, the panorama will change: no trace of civilization can be seen as wild nature finally takes over!
After your kayak experience, you will paddle back to Niasca and return to Portofino and your ship, on foot.
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This tour involves walking 1,2 miles (2 km) on flat ground and some cobblestones surface. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, beachwear, and your swimsuit under your clothes. Please bring your towel and bottle of water from the ship. The kayaks are for 2 persons, paddle and lifejacket are provided. We recommend protecting yourself from the sun. Operation of tour is subject to the weather conditions of the day. Please note there are no commodities available during the tour, only public toilets in Portofino.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Le Bougainville
Welcoming and spacious common areas, refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, a marina to make access to the ship's zodiac inflatables easier, hi-tech equipment, an outdoor pool, a multisensorial underwater lounge… Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions.
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Diving
During an introduction to scuba diving or a more advanced dive for holders of the necessary certifications (level 1 on yachting cruises and 2 on expedition cruises), explore the planet’s most beautiful underwater environments in the company of a PONANT diving instructor, as well as a local instructor when required by local legislation. They will ensure that your dives are conducted smoothly and safely: supervision of four certified divers at a time, evaluation of diving skills and experience, adherence to safety stops, zones and the maximum depth authorised.
A recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to the main diving instructor.
Kid Explorers
Welcome to all our young explorers! Thanks to the Kid Explorers Club by the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, children aged 4 on all our ships, and children aged 6 on board Le Commandant Charcotland up can take advantage of a wide variety of activities orchestrated by a team of activity leaders: creative activities, board games, DVD evenings, finding out what the crew do, or supervised outings and walks ashore for the 4+ age group. Helping children to learn about the oceans and the need to protect them is at the heart of our approach. So why not savour the magic of your destination in peace and quiet knowing your child is busy with an activity programme, specially designed for them in partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation and posted each day in the daily program.
Christmas offer
Choosing your destination, dreaming of your departure, preparing to experience exclusive moments... Because travel brings its share of magic, we design them as true enchanted interludes. And what better occasion than the end of year celebrations to treat yourself to some sweet moments? Book your next cruise between November 30, 2023 and January 2, 2024, and take advantage of our Christmas offer: a 10% discount on a large number of departures in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
To benefit from the offer and all your advantages, we invite you to contact PONANT travel advisors or your travel agency by telephone or e-mail, indicating the code XMAS10 when making your reservation.
Offer is non-retroactive and subject to availability. Offer cannot be combined with the Single Supplement offer or any other specific offer. In case of cancellation by the guest, fees will be applied according to the T&Cs at time of booking and offer would not be applicable to any new booking in case of postponement of original date.
Non-retroactive offer, subject to availability and cannot be combined with the Flight Credit, Free Single Supplement, On-board Sale, Webinar or Ponant event offers. The price displayed opposite does not take into account the -10% CHRISTMAS offer.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Ggantija temples & wine tasting
Price range:
Xwejni Bay and its salt pans
Price range:
Panorama of the Aeolian Islands
Price range:
Vulcano island by private boat
Price range:
Lipari Island & Italian cooking
Price range:
Meet the fishermen in Orbetello
Price range:
Porto Ercole and its Spanish forts
Included
Find out more
Portofino walking tour
Included
Find out more
VISIT OF MDINA AND PALAZZO PARISIO
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your daytime between airport and embarkation port.
Valletta
Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
Then, proceed to Mdina - Malta’s Old Capital, one of the locations used by the film “Black Eagle” featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and by “Game of Thrones” series. Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city, with its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.
Continue with the visit of Palazzo Parisio, a unique 19th century palace in the heart of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Parisio is not only another palace of the legendary Knights of St. John, but the ultimate memorial of ambitions, aspirations and pretensions of a 19th century noble family. It houses two baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangery – a miniature Versailles.
Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.
You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on your ship.
Your programme includes:
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Transfers, and visits as mentioned in the programme.
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Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
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Tips for the driver and local guide.
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Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
Duration and price of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : AU$304
VISIT OF MDINA, GOURMET LUNCH AND WINE TASTING (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Valletta
Meet and greet at the airport arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to your hotel The Phoenica 5*.
Check-in in your room.
The end of the day and dinner are at leisure.
Day 2 – Valletta
Set off from your hotel with a local guide and start your day by visiting Mdina. Take a stroll through the Silent City’s narrow streets and visit the Mdina cathedral and fortifications. Mdina, Malta’s Old Capital, was used as a filming location for the movie Black Eagle, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and for the Game of Thrones series. With its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture, Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city.
You will then proceed to a local boutique winery, where wine is produced on an estate comprising four hectares of terraced vineyards. It was built with weathered limestone blocks that perfectly blend old-world charm with practical, modern architectural touches. About 15,000 vines are planted on this estate, along with around 200 olive trees plus fig trees, carob trees, and other indigenous Maltese flora. After the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste three fine wines.
This will be followed by a fine meal at a local gourmet restaurant.
You will then be transferred to the port in time for embarkation onboard your ship.
Your hotel:
The luxurious Phoenicia Hotel 5* dates back to 1935. Surrounded by seven acres of gardens, it is ideally located next to the Triton Fountain in Valletta's City Gate Square, just outside the ancient city walls. The rooms are spacious and elegant with modern furnishings. You have a choice of three restaurants, serving a range of Maltese and Mediterranean food. The pool bar and restaurant offer a resort-style setting overlooking Grand Harbour. The hotel is also equipped with a gym and spa. Wi-Fi is available to all guests, throughout the hotel.
Your programme includes:
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1-night accommodation at the Phoenicia Hotel 5* (or similar) in Executive room, breakfast included.
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Meals as mentioned in the programme.
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Beverages package during meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee or tea).
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Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
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Local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
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Lunch and dinner of day 1.
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Tips for the guide and the driver.
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Personal expenses
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Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
Contact of your hotel:
Phoenicia Hotel
The Mall Floriana
FRN 1478, MALTA
Telephone number: +356 2122 5241
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$960
Ggantija temples & wine tasting
From the pier, you will board your minivan for a 15-minutes drive to Ggantija Temples.
Located in Xaghra, Ggantija Temples are one of the most important archaeological sites in the Maltese Islands and part of UNESCO World Heritage. The well-preserved site consists of two temples dating back to between 3600 and 3200 B.C. Considered to be one of the oldest free-standing monuments in the world predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, they represent phenomenal culture.
Follow your guide and visit the newly constructed Interpretation Centre which helps put context to this mysterious civilization. From here you will explore the site via an external pathway that provides unique views of the natural landscape that surrounds Ggantija.
After discovering the Ggantija Temples, you will enjoy a scenic route to Tal-Mixta Cave located high in the hills of Nadur, a small village. You will admire a picturesque view of Ramla Bay one of Gozo's widest and most famous beaches. The cave is especially known as a window to one of the greatest views of Gozo.
Afterwards, you will start your hike from Tal-Mixta Cave to a local winery where you will taste local wines and delicacies. .
Finally, you will return to your ship.
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This tour involves about 2,48 miles (4 kms) walking over rough and uneven terrain and some uphill walking. We advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel from the ship. The other of sites visited may vary. This tour is limited to 70 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Xwejni Bay and its salt pans
From the pier, you will start your walking tour with your local guide from Marsalforn Bay to the must-see salt pans. You will meet a salt harvester, who will provides step-by-step explanations of the salt harvesting process.
Moving from theory to practice, you will then fill up your own burlap bag of sea salt that you will take back home as a Gozitan souvenir.
You will be able to taste the salt, take pictures and visit the old salt storages, which dates to the beginning of 19th century.
Afterwards, you will hike along the coast to the inlet of Ghar Il-Qamh inlet, where you can enjoy a swim.
Finally, you will head back to Marsalforn Bay by minivans and reboard your ship.
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This tour involves about 1,5 miles (2,5 kms) of walking on uneven surfaces. We advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel from the ship. Please note that the swim stop will be on a pebbly beach, we recommend you to wear watershoes. The other of sites visited may vary. This tour is limited to 30 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Panorama of the Aeolian Islands
Lipari is the largest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands. Famous since olden times for its obsidian quarries, the town and port are dominated by a citadel, testimony to the archipelago’s strategic importance in the past.
Leaving from the port by coach you will take a tour of the island. Your first stop stop is the Quattrocchi viewpoint, one of the archipelago’s most striking panoramas. Here you can admire the volcanic peaks of Jacopo and Perciato, against a backdrop of Vulcano Island. There are also other good spots to see the island of Salina, the pumice stone quarries and the Rocche Rosse obsidian flow.
The coach then heads to the centre of Lipari where your excursion will continue on foot. Lipari’s historic centre is dominated by a Castle built on the promontory. Its construction dates back to ancient times, with a tower forming part of Greek fortifications of the 4th and 5th centuries BC, medieval towers from the 13th century, and surrounding walls from the Spanish period. Inside there are numerous archaeological remains as well as the Norman Cathedral Saint Bartolomeo (only outside visit) dating from 1084 and which has a Baroque facade. On the sides, you will notice the ruins of a Norman Abbey. You will also visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum revealing the evolution of the islands in the active volcano system. You can go into the “classic” section where objects from Lipari and the other islands, from prehistoric times to the Greek and Roman periods, are presented.
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Photography and video are not allowed inside the museum. This excursion involves 1 hour of walking over uneven grounds with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. From the pier to the coach, you will have to walk 550 yards (500 metres), and 20 minutes to the museum on narrow streets.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Vulcano island by private boat
Lipari is the biggest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands. Famous since olden times for its obsidian quarries, Lipari is linked to Sicily by very regular ferry and hydroplane services. The town and port are dominated by a citadel, testimony to the archipelago’s strategic importance in the past.
From the ship, you will disembark by tender in Marina Corta pier, where you will meet your guide and board the private motorboat.
You will start your sail with beautiful scenery, passing first by the Lipari coast, and then proceeding on the west coast of Vulcano to see the Faraglioni, the Grotta del Cavallo, the Spiaggia di Ponente and Vulcanello.
You will then arrive on Vulcano Island where you will discover its impressive plateau. The vastest of the Aeolian Islands, formed by lava, banks of tuff and quaternary deposits; it is furrowed by deep valleys and surrounded by hills that descend towards the sea. On the highest slopes of the island, the panorama is picturesque and wild. There used to be three craters, one of which, as a result of erosion by the sea, presents an interesting cross-section of a volcanic cone, with lava flows and stratifications of pyroclastic material.
Upon your arrival in Vulcano, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a short visit of the village and stroll through town on your own to buy some souvenirs.
During your boat trip back to the pier, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a swim, jumping in the sea directly from the boat.
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Walking distance is at your own discretion on the island. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Lipari Island & Italian cooking
From the pier, begin your tour with a walk through the town of Lipari, main city of the Aeolian Islands. The pastel-coloured houses of this little port contrast with the rugged and typically Mediterranean landscape that can be seen in the rest of the island.
A one-and-fifteen-hour scenic drive will give you the opportunity to discover this volcanic island and enjoy some stunning panoramas, including the Quattrocchi viewpoint, where you will admire the volcanic peaks of Jacopo and Perciato, against a backdrop of Vulcano Island, one of the most iconic island of the Aeolian archipelago.
In a local pizzeria, the owner will show you how to make this world famous national dish and give you the chance to realise your own pizza and personalise it with your favourite ingredients. Finally, you will taste your tailor-made pizza, accompanied with some wine and other Aeolian delicacies.
After the tasting, you will re-embark your coach for the drive back to the pier.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 25 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
WWF Reserve & beach break
From the pier, board your coach for a 20-minute drive to the WWF nature reserve at Orbetello Lagoon. WWF works to sustain natural conditions and to inform visitors on the importance of biological diversity. The Orbetello Lagoon Oasis was established in 1971 after the discover made by Fulco Pratesi and Hardy Reichelt of a small nesting colony of stilt plover, a species considered extinct in our country since the beginning of the last century.
Orbetello offers all the charm that only wetlands can give. In fact, wetlands have always inspired painters, poets, and writers, and visiting them means entering the deepest and most ancestral relationship we have with the natural environment.
Visiting the Oasis of Orbetello allows you to closely observe thousands of birds, including ducks, herons, geese, cranes, flamingos, lapwings, waders, birds of prey and many passerines, though species vary according to the season. Among the coastal wetlands, Orbetello is truly one of the most impressive Italian lagoons, where it is possible to regularly witness unforgettable scenes, such as the pink and fuchsia flights of flamingos or the colourful display of ducks as they take wing to escape marsh harriers.
You will have the opportunity to bird-watch from the hides, so as to not disturb the animals.
After this experience, you will head to La Giannella beach, where you will have 1 hour of free time to relax and swim.
Finally, you will reboard your coach and head back to your ship.
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This tour involves a 1,5 miles (2,5 kms) walking distance on mainly flat surfaces, natural trails and sandy areas. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants, protect yourself from the sun and bring binoculars. Please note that flip-flops and shorts are not admitted during the WWF Reserve visit. We recommend to bring your swimsuit and beach towel from the ship. The fauna and flora observation is not guaranteed.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Meet the fishermen in Orbetello
The first inhabitants of Monte Argentario were fishermen. Still today, walking along Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano, you may encounter old sea dogs as they work intently on repairing fishing nets.
From the pier, you will meet your guide and board your coach for a 20-minute ride to the heart of Orbetello. You will discover its narrow alleys, picturesque squares, and the promenade along the Salt Lake in Orbetello’s natural reserve.
Once you’re there, you will walk along the promenade overlooking the lagoon where the ancient Powder building is. There are still signs pointing to its history under the State of Presidios. The area was ruled by the Spanish from the time of Filippo II. From 1500, and for almost 2 centuries, Orbetello was the territory’s capital city.
After this first glimpse, you will walk to the Pescatori headquarters, called Slow Food presidia. You can still see sites dedicated to unloading fish from the returning fishing boats and the modern laboratory for transforming the raw fish into traditional and unique recipes.
In summer this restaurant serves thousands of meals to tourists, while keeping on an ancient culture of working in a natural setting and promoting local ingredients, and thus sustainability. Today, you will take part to an exclusive and rich tasting including various types of snacks made with fresh vegetables of Maremma and local fish, accompanied by local white wine and mineral water.
At the end of this experience, enjoy some free time in Orbetello city centre or along the lagoon promenade before returning to your ship.
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This tour involves a 1 mile (2 km) walking distance on mainly flat surfaces. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and clothes and protect yourself from the sun. A minimum of 30 participants is needed to run this tour, and a maximum of 45 persons can take part to it. The tasting is included in your tour.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
E-bike tour around the Orbetello lagoon
Monte Argentario is situated in the south of Tuscany, and is the gateway to the Tuscan archipelago, with some close-by islands such as Giglio and Giannutri island, that are part of the Tuscan Nature reserve.
From the pier, you will board your bus for a 20-minutes drive towards Orbetello. From here, you will collect your e-bike and helmet and get a short safety briefing.
Your sporty tour consists in a 2-hours ride from the foot of the Argentario promontory through the Feniglia Nature Reserve, a very charming pinewood overlooking the sandy beach on one side and the salt lake on the other. Exploring with your private guide the natural landscape of the Mediterranean wood, you will be able to see some wildlife including birds that live and nest in the Orbetello lagoon. Follow your guide's cycling pace and gaze at the Monte Argentario covered by woods, the ‘silver’ mountain’, as you approach Orbetello downtown.
You will finally enjoy some time at leisure in downtown Orbetello to stroll and buy some local souvenirs before going back to your ship.
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This tour involves a 0,5 miles (1 km) walking distance on mainly flat surfaces and 9 miles (19 kms) of e-bike riding. We recommend you wear comfortable sport shoes and clothes and protect yourself from the sun. A minimum of 7 participants is needed to run this tour, and a maximum of 15 persons can take part to it. The e-bikes and helmets are provided. The fauna and flora observation is not guaranteed.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Porto Ercole and its Spanish forts
From the pier, you will meet your local guide and start your walking tour of Porto Ercole, a lovely seaside resort located on the Argentario promontory. The three Spanish Forts in Porto Ercole were built during Spanish domination and still characterize the unique landscape of Argentario.
First, you will enjoy an exterior visit of Forte Filippo, after a 40-minutes uphill walk towards the top of the cliff. Once at the top, you will admire the entire perimeter of the walkway built for the soldiers who controlled the territory. An enormous stretch of coast is visible to the naked eye, from the Argentario promontory shores to the Orbetello lagoon and La Feniglia nature reserve, a beautiful sandy beach stretching East.
Then, you will resume your walk to the village of Porto Ercole, from where a scenic path leads to the Rocca, with the imposing emblem of the State of the Presidios that dominates the entrance. The Spanish Presidios ruled in this part of Tuscany from 1500 to 1700, and the fortified buildings, including watch towers and military ramparts, are visible throughout Monte Argentario.
After this panoramic view on the Southern coast of Argentario promontory, with its rich wild vegetation and exclusive villas and resorts, follow your guide to the Borgo - an old village that is teeming with history.
Finally, you will have the choice to walk back to the pier at your convenience or spend time on your own enjoying the many shops and restaurants along the port promenade in Porto Ercole.
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This tour involves a 3 miles (5 kms) walking distance, sometimes uphill and downhill, with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun and bring your bottle of water from the ship. Order of sights may vary.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Santa Margherita & Rapallo by private boat
From the pier, you will meet your local guide and take a 15-minute walk to your private boat. You will embark for a scenic cruise to Santa Margherita.
Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are world-renowned symbols of Italy. The coast is a sequence of resorts with marinas, pastel-coloured houses, giving to this place a seductive atmosphere of la dolce vita. Suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains, it offers some of the most famous views in Italy.
Upon arrival in the charming town of Santa Margherita, you will start your exploration with the downtown area before visiting the Santa Margherita di Antiochia Basilica, also known as ‘La Madonna della Rosa’. The church honours the legend of a sailor who brought a sculpture of the Virgin Mary with a rose in her right hand and Jesus on her left arm.
Then, you will re-embark your private boat and continue your coastal cruise to Rapallo. This beautiful town of the Italian Riviera features a gracious old seaside and port, remains of its Medieval and Renaissance-style architecture. You guide will take you in the narrow streets of the town and will explain the richness of Rapallo’s history and architecture.
Afterwards, you will get back to your private boat and enjoy the 30-minute scenic cruise back to your ship.
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This tour involves walking 1,2 miles (2 km) on flat ground and some cobblestones surface. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. We also recommend you bring a windproof jacket for the scenic cruise. Appropriate clothing is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). Operation of tour is subject to the weather conditions of the day.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€€: the excursion price is more than €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Portofino walking tour
Through the centuries, Portofino functioned primarily as a fishing village and, occasionally, as a small naval port. Today, it is a classy resort-village. Portofino's miniscule bay is neatly packed with pricey yachts, common boats and, as a vestige of its past, some fishing boats.
From the pier, you will meet your local guide and start your panoramic walking tour. If you don't bring your camera to Portofino, you will regret it. The town is striking with its brightly colored antique buildings hovering over sparkling blue water. And the surrounding luxuriant green hillsides of the Portofino Promontory are equally stunning.
Your walk heads up to the right as you face the harbour. You will enjoy a path through one of the largest concentrations of flora and fauna in the Mediterranean. For some fantastic views of the entire bay and the Tigullian Gulf, you will walk up the hill to the Church of San Giorgio. Perched high above the town, this church contains relics of St. George brought over by crusaders from the Holy Land. From here you will walk to another great lookout point at the Punto del Capo, the Portofino lighthouse.
Afterward, you will take the way back to the pier.
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This tour involves walking 2.5 miles (4 km) on flat and cobblestone ground and sloping floor. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Internal visits of the Church of San Giorgio and Portofino lighthouse are not included.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Hiking to San Fruttuoso
San Fruttuoso is located at the foot of the Portofino Mountain and can be reached by boat or by following the hiking trails on the mountain.
From the pier, you will meet your hiking guide and start your walk to San Fruttuoso. The beginning of the hike takes place on a very scenic route without major difficulties, but expect a small climb to reach the heights of Portofino.
After 10 minutes, in the locality of Palara, you will reach a gate and barrier that prevent wild animals from entering. Continue through a short tunnel created by a line of shrubs on both sides, allowing you to bypass the village of San Sebastian. The trail continues to climb straight ahead from there.
Some metres away, you will reach a second gate in Cappeletta. From here, the trail of mostly flat, dirt roads winds through the countryside to Vessinaro, where the trail deviates to "Cala degli Inglesi", a beautiful cove accessible only by foot or boat.
You will then walk toward the western side of the promontory that overlooks the numerous coves below. The trail alternates in short stretches of ups and downs along protruding rocks. After one-hour and 15 minutes of walking, you will reach Base 0, a former military post during World War II.
From here the trail enters the woods and down in a steep and irregular path, with large panoramic views over the village. San Fruttuoso is around the corner, and passing under a porch, you will enter the first of two enchanting bays. You will then enjoy a visit of the interior of San Fruttuoso Abbey. According to the legend, the place where the Abbey was to be built was shown to Bishop Fruttuoso in a dream. He would later die at the stake in Spain, but first shared his dream with five monks, who, after wandering for a long time along the Ligurian coast, recognised the place and built the Abbey there. The first document attesting to the presence of the monastery dates to 984. It then passed to the Benedictines, who enlarged it, and then to the Doria family. The Abbey reached its greatest splendour in the 15th century. It has been the main political and economic centre of the promontory until the last century, and influenced the organisation of the territory, agricultural system and fishing economy.
After the visit, you will enjoy some free time to stroll or bathe in the clear water of the cove.
Finally, you will return to Portofino by public motorboat and reach your ship.
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This tour involves walking 3,8 miles (6 km) on uneven, cobblestoned, and sometimes slippery terrain with inclines and declines. We recommend you wear sturdy walking shoes, comfortable light clothing, and your swimsuit under it, and protect yourself from the sun. In case of rain or bad sea, the tour might be cancelled. Please note the tour will be guided only in English.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Kayaking in the Tigullian bay
Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are world-renowned symbols of Italy. The coast is a sequence of resorts with marinas and pastel-coloured houses, giving this place a seductive atmosphere of la dolce vita. Suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains, it offers some of the most famous views in Italy.
Today, you will have the chance of discovering the secrets of Portofino’s Marine Park.
From the pier, you will meet your guide and walk for 30 minutes to Niasca Bay, where the kayak experience will begin, allowing you to explore the beauty of the Tigullian Bay.
Upon your arrival, you will be briefed on how to paddle a kayak, and then you will be ready to explore the Tigullian Bay coast, starting from Niasca and leaving the spectacular view of Paraggi Gulf behind you. Guided by marine biologists and local experts, you will have the chance to meet the most peculiar and traditional aspects of this small and rich natural sanctuary and its many forms.
You will then reach the port of Portofino and the small beach of Olivetta, where century-old maritime pine trees tower over the skyline. Then, you’ll soon reach a stretch of coast rich with caves and inlets, which are accessible only by kayak. Here, you will be able to spot a great variety of fauna (grey herons, cormorants and dolphins). Passing by the “Punta del Faro”, the lighthouse, the panorama will change: no trace of civilization can be seen as wild nature finally takes over!
After your kayak experience, you will paddle back to Niasca and return to Portofino and your ship, on foot.
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This tour involves walking 1,2 miles (2 km) on flat ground and some cobblestones surface. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, beachwear, and your swimsuit under your clothes. Please bring your towel and bottle of water from the ship. The kayaks are for 2 persons, paddle and lifejacket are provided. We recommend protecting yourself from the sun. Operation of tour is subject to the weather conditions of the day. Please note there are no commodities available during the tour, only public toilets in Portofino.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.