A NEW cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT
Uncover layers of history as you cruise to the islands of the central Mediterranean—Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba—encountering Greco-Roman treasures, medieval fortresses, and Napoleon’s villa in exile.
Mediterranean Island Voyage
Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba aboard the 184-guest Le Bougainville
8 days from $7,700
A NEW cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT
Uncover layers of history as you cruise to the islands of the central Mediterranean—Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba—encountering Greco-Roman treasures, medieval fortresses, and Napoleon’s villa in exile.
Overview
Pre-Cruise program - Highlights of Malta - 2 days, 1 night
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a specially designed program.
Day 1 – Valletta, Malta
Arrive at Malta International Airport. You will be met at the exit of the Arrivals hall. Look for the PONANT-SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS sign or a sign with your name on it. Transfer from the airport to The Grand Hotel Excelsior (or similar) and check in. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. An independent dinner is at your leisure.
Day 2 – Valletta | Embarkation
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, depart on a walking excursion of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital city located on a hilly peninsula between two natural harbors. Visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens to enjoy panoramic views over the Grand Harbor. Proceed to the 16th-century St. John’s Co-Cathedral and view Carravaggio’s famous masterpiece, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, during an inside visit. Walk to the Magisterial Palace, today serving as the office of the president of Malta. Here, visit the state rooms and the tapestry chamber.
Board your coach and drive to a local vineyard. Enjoy a wine tasting of some of the country’s most delicious wines. Proceed to a historic local restaurant for a lunch of traditional Maltese specialties. The chef will speak to you about Maltese cuisine and introduce the dishes that you will eat.
After lunch, reboard your coach and drive to the Hagar Qim Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple complex dates to 3600 BC and is in a beautiful location on a cliff overlooking the sea. After a guided visit, transfer to the ship for embarkation.
Your hotel:
The Grand Hotel Excelsior has a stunning location, overlooking Marsamsett harbor and Manoel Island. The hotel is just steps from the capital city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic wonders, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, are all within easy walking distance. The hotel boasts 433 rooms and suites combining classic and contemporary design, as well as several retaurants and lounges.
Your program includes:
- 1 night at The Grand Hotel Excelsior (or similar), including breakfast
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
- Transfer and luggage handling to the pier on embarkation day
- Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
- Breakfast and lunch on Day 2
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- The duration of the visits is given as a guide only, and the order of the visits may change.
- This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Program is offered on a space available basis.
- Program is subject to change without notice.
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
2024 Itinerary - Valletta to Nice
Day 1 – Valletta, Malta
Arrive in the World Heritage site of Valletta and board the ship. Take in the views as you cruise out of the city’s spectacular harbor. (D)
Day 2 – Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Cruise north to Sicily, where your first port of call is Syracuse, founded in 732 B.C. by the Corinthians and an important Mediterranean city for some 500 years. Follow in the steps of Aeschylus and Archimedes as you explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Venture into the Ear of Dionysius, a cave that allowed the tyrant Dionysus to eavesdrop on his prisoners, and see Greco-Roman artifacts at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, visit the World Heritage site of Noto, an excellent example of Sicilian baroque architecture and 18th-century urban planning. Stop for a gelato or a granita before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, visit the World Heritage-listed island of Ortigia, and delve into its mythology and history as you explore its Duomo and the legend-infused Fountain of Arethusa. (B,L,D)
Day 3 –Taormina
Tucked into the rugged coast with Mount Etna as a backdrop, charming Taormina was once the capital of Byzantine Sicily. Discover the town’s cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja on a guided walking tour and visit the Greek Theater, where live performances still take place today. Or journey to Mount Etna, a World Heritage site, passing through traditional towns and villages. Take a look inside Etna’s inactive volcanic craters before heading to a mountainside winery for a tasting tour and a typical Sicilian lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Palermo
Anchor off Palermo and spend the day discovering the city’s eclectic cultural heritage, which blends influences of the Carthagians, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Normans. Learn about its unique Arab-Norman architecture, which flourished at the height of the city’s prosperity in the 12th century and is recognized as a World Heritage site. Admire the mosaics in the Norman cathedral, visit the Capella Palatina in the Norman Palace, then travel into the countryside to see the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Or visit the Arab-Norman Palazzo Conte Federico and take a stroll through the open-air market to soak up the ambiance of everyday life. You may instead choose an excursion to the medieval port town of Cefalù where a walking tour includes the Cathedral, covered in splendid painting and gold mosaics, and the excavations of Osterio Magno. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Sail into the harbor at Cagliari at midday and set out to tour Sardinia’s rose-colored capital city. Stroll through wide piazzas bordered by baroque palazzi and churches, and ascend to the impressive hilltop fortress. Take in views from Monte Urpino, then journey to ancient Nora, once a thriving port under the Carthaginians and the Romans. On a tour of the remarkable ruins here, some of which are now submerged, learn about the innovative waterworks and drainage system designed thousands of years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Bonifacio, Corsica, France
At the southern tip of Corsica lies the fortress town of Bonifacio, perched on cliffs high above the sea. Take an overview tour of the historic center by private mini-train. Then set off on foot into the labyrinthine streets of the medieval Citadel, visiting historic landmarks along the way. Stop at the old market where a viewpoint atop 230-foot-high cliffs offers panoramic views. Or choose to ride a local boat along the coast to Lavezzi Island, exploring magnificent grottos and coves that draw the turquoise seas deep into dramatically eroded limestone cliffs. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Elba, Italy
Trace European history from the Renaissance to Napoleon on the rugged island of Elba, just over six miles off the Tuscan coast. Dock in Portoferraio and visit Villa San Martino, Napolean's summer residence during his brief exile on the island. Continue to the charming fishing village, Porto Azzurro. Then travel through stunning scenery to a traditional wine farm to sample local wines, cheeses, and charcuteries. Alternatively, take a beautiful drive across Elba to visit Ottone Botanical Garden. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – Nice, France
Disembark in Nice and extend your stay in the south of France or transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
2025 Itinerary - Nice to Valletta
Day 1 – Nice, France
Arrive in Nice, France and board the ship. Take in the views as you cruise out of the city’s harbor. (D)
Day 2 – Elba, Italy
Trace European history from the Renaissance to Napoleon on the rugged island of Elba, just over six miles off the Tuscan coast. Dock in Portoferraio and visit Villa San Martino, Napolean's summer residence during his brief exile on the island. Continue to the charming fishing village, Porto Azzurro. Then travel through stunning scenery to a traditional wine farm to sample local wines, cheeses, and charcuteries. Alternatively, take a beautiful drive across Elba to visit Ottone Botanical Garden. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Bonifacio, Corsica, France
At the southern tip of Corsica lies the fortress town of Bonifacio, perched on cliffs high above the sea. Take an overview tour of the historic center by private mini-train. Then set off on foot into the labyrinthine streets of the medieval Citadel, visiting historic landmarks along the way. Stop at the old market where a viewpoint atop 230-foot-high cliffs offers panoramic views. Or choose to ride a local boat along the coast to Lavezzi Island, exploring magnificent grottos and coves that draw the turquoise seas deep into dramatically eroded limestone cliffs. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Sail into the harbor at Cagliari this morning and set out to tour Sardinia’s rose-colored capital city. Stroll through wide piazzas bordered by baroque palazzi and churches, and ascend to the impressive hilltop fortress. Take in views from Monte Urpino, then journey to ancient Nora, once a thriving port under the Carthaginians and the Romans. On a tour of the remarkable ruins here, some of which are now submerged, learn about the innovative waterworks and drainage system designed thousands of years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Dock in Palermo and spend the day discovering the city’s eclectic cultural heritage, which blends influences of the Carthagians, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Normans. Learn about its unique Arab-Norman architecture, which flourished at the height of the city’s prosperity in the 12th century and is recognized as a World Heritage site. Admire the mosaics in the Norman cathedral, visit the Capella Palatina in the Norman Palace, then travel into the countryside to see the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Or visit the Arab-Norman Palazzo Conte Federico and take a stroll through the open-air market to soak up the ambiance of everyday life. You may instead choose an excursion to the medieval port town of Cefalù where a walking tour includes the Cathedral, covered in splendid painting and gold mosaics, and the excavations of Osterio Magno. (B,L,D)
Day 6 –Taormina
Tucked into the rugged coast with Mount Etna as a backdrop, charming Taormina was once the capital of Byzantine Sicily. Discover the town’s cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja on a guided walking tour and visit the Greek Theater, where live performances still take place today. Or journey to Mount Etna, a World Heritage site, passing through traditional towns and villages. Take a look inside Etna’s inactive volcanic craters before heading to a mountainside winery for a tasting tour and a typical Sicilian lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Syracuse
Cruise south to Syracuse, founded in 732 B.C. by the Corinthians and an important Mediterranean city for some 500 years. Follow in the steps of Aeschylus and Archimedes as you explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Venture into the Ear of Dionysius, a cave that allowed the tyrant Dionysus to eavesdrop on his prisoners, and see Greco-Roman artifacts at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, visit the World Heritage site of Noto, an excellent example of Sicilian baroque architecture and 18th-century urban planning. Stop for a gelato or a granita before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, visit the World Heritage-listed island of Ortigia, and delve into its mythology and history as you explore its Duomo and the legend-infused Fountain of Arethusa. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – Valletta, Malta
Disembark in the World Heritage site of Valletta and extend your stay in Malta or transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)