Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Jewels of the Italian coastlines with Côté Sud
Nice - Venice
Dates:
28/06/2025
to
08/07/2025
days
nights on board
An irresistible blend of savours, architectural styles and ancestral traditions, the Mediterranean is remarkable for its refined simplicity. The Mediterranean way of life, imbued with various influences, reflects a perfect harmony between secular history, sumptuous nature, unique gastronomy and an inimitable lifestyle.
During a unique 11-day cruise aboard Le Bougainville, in a brand-new partnership with Maisons Côté Sud magazine and with the exceptional presence of Martine Duteil, Editorial Director of Maisons Côté Sud, accompanied by a line-up of special guests, specialists in the Mediterranean way of life, travel these mythical waters and discover the natural treasures and cultural jewels of the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coastlines.
This cruise is specially-tailored for French-speaking travelers and lectures will be conducted in French only.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, admire the charms of the mythical village of Portofino; explore Lecce, known as the Florence of Southern Italy, from Otranto; or set off from Taormina to climb the mythical Mount Etna. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
From Nice, you will cruise towards one of most legendary parts of Italy: Cinque Terre. While enjoying a unique sailing experience, you will discover a coastline scattered with small beaches and fishing villages clinging to cliffs that form the beauty of this suspended province. Next, you will sail to 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.
Your cruise will continue along the Tuscan shoreline to Livorno, a port city famous for its Renaissance fortifications. The Little Venice district, as it is known, offers a picturesque setting in which to enjoy fish and seafood.
You will then stop at Porto Santo Stefano, a town built along a hillside and surrounded by a 17th century fortress, before sailing on to Amalfi and its coast, which are magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Perched between sky and sea, Amalfi presents amazing landscapes.
You will then head to Taormina, overlooking Etna’s blanket of snow. Its streets will lead you to its famed ancient Greek theatre, where the quality of the acoustics is exceptional.
After calls in Otranto and Ancona, Le Bougainville will reach Ravenna. Capital of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the city bears witness to a thousand-year-old history where Roman and Byzantine cultures mingled and which can be seen today inside the city's religious buildings through its ancient mosaics.
The trip will end with a visit to the Serenissima Venice and its lagoon.
Ref : EG280625
Your itinerary
In a brand-new partnership with Maisons Côté Sud magazine and with the exceptional presence of Martine Duteil, Editorial Director of Maisons Côté Sud, accompanied by a line-up of special guests,...
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Your trip in detail
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
LE LYRIAL
LE LAPÉROUSE
LE CHAMPLAIN
LE SOLÉAL
01/11/2024 to the 16/11/2024
*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
- Diptyque 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
Martine Duteil
Two routes Ied me to Côté Sud. The first is one of origins. Born in Corsica, the South is inscribed in my DNA. From the perfume of the maquis to that of Fiadone, from the Mar et Monti landscapes to the natural swimming pools, from the wild aridity of Cap Corse to the limestone rocks of Bonifacio, from the family spirit to the actors of this mineral and steep culture, everything here is familiar to me. This anchoring has forged my taste for the acts that shape, the encounters that build, the landscapes like promises of dawn, unfolding in plays of shadow and light at dusk. The second route is a path begun with studies in history and art history, combined with affinities for the decorative arts that have become more precise over time. My desire to combine words and images was confirmed by joining the decoration pages of Madame Figaro. We created impactful scenographies and set installations for both photoshoots and interior design features, while also conducting interviews with leading figures in decoration and design. Later, collaborations with AD, Maison Française, Côté Sud, Côté Ouest, Côté Est, opened the field to other perspectives on this universe. Contacted to support the launch of Côté Paris, I took over as editor-in-chief, then that of Côté Sud, to finally lead the editorial teams of the « Côté » magazines. It is this openness to the World and its humanities, the gestures and know-how, the encounters of talents that are the essence of Côté Sud. And it is a little bit of all this that we want to share with this itinerary under the sign of the « art de vivre » guided by the expertise of Ponant and orchestrated with the collaboration of Sonia Lazzari and the editorial team. As for a magazine summary, the idea is to set sail for the South.
Spoken language: French
Photo credit: Christine Solers
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
Maisons Côté Sud
Since 1990, for over 200 issues, Côté Sud has carved out a sunny spot in the world of interior decoration, design, and lifestyle magazines. With the South as its guiding light, the magazine strives to capture the essence of the Souths, in all their diversity. Whether it's an ultra-local focus on a city or area, or a glimpse towards the horizon through grand escapes, the approach is panoramic to encompass these diverse landscapes. Provence, Camargue, Riviera, Corsica, Alpilles, Basque Country... The magazine's pages cast their eyes both upon the sea and the hinterland. From the rugged shores of the Mediterranean to faraway lands… the reports are always a source of inspiration, embodied by local and inspiring figures or personalities connected to their culture who shape their region. Portraits of artists and artisans, chefs and producers, creators and designers, publishers and manufacturers... The editorial line always emphasizes the underlying spirit of things. Cultural blends, artistic legacy, innovative projects - all the objects featured illustrate the craftsmanship and know-how of artisans. Côté Sud accompanies stories of transmission, planting settings rooted in a sunny culture. The essence of the South is brought to life in words and images within the magazine’s pages, as well as through encounters at the Vivre Côté Sud shows in Aix-en-Provence, Saint-Tropez... Côté Sud evokes a sense of belonging, a subject close to our hearts that defines us, just as the South radiates a culture of exchange and sharing. The "Côté Sud - Le Ponant" cruise tour celebrates the unique lifestyle of the Mediterranean in all its facets. Embark on a journey punctuated by stopovers that mirror the magazine's themes, filled with encounters and discoveries, between the sunny Riviera and timeless Italy. Bon voyage to all!
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- In a brand-new partnership with Maisons Côté Sud magazine and with the exceptional presence of Martine Duteil, Editorial Director of Maisons Côté Sud, accompanied by a line-up of special guests, specialists in the Mediterranean way of life.
- Precious moments between visits, encounters, discussions and tastings during a unique cruise between the French and Italian Rivieras via the shores of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.
- Unesco sites: the eight early Christian monuments of Ravenna, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Mount Etna from Taormina and its Greek Theatre, the Venetian lagoon (landing port).
- Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
- Discovering the charms of the Italian dolce vita in the off-season.
- Visiting Portofino, a quiet fishing village with colourful houses.
- Porto Santo Stefano, a small confidential port on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
*Pre-bookings open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests are processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
Ports of Call & Excursions
28 June 2025 - Nice
Embarkation 28/06/2025 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 28/06/2025 at 18:00
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.
29 June 2025 - Sailing off Cinque Terre
Arrival 29/06/2025
Departure 29/06/2025
The Ligurian coast will reveal the splendour of its contours as you sail along its abrupt landscapes facing the Mediterranean Sea. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a national park since 1999, the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza et Monterosso distil their charm and their uniqueness.
29 June 2025 - Portofino
Arrival 29/06/2025 late morning
Departure 29/06/2025 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.
30 June 2025 - Livorno
Arrival 30/06/2025 early morning
Departure 30/06/2025 late afternoon
On the ligurian coast, Livorno invites us to Tuscany, a charming region offering archaeological vestiges, Renaissance treasures, undulating landscapes and a pleasant way of life. When the Medicis arrived in the 16th century they developed the city, which became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. Cosmopolitan and multireligious, Livorno has welcomed many immigrants and is a wonderful example of cultural diversity. Built during that period, Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuova attest to the city’s power. At the foot of the new fort, Nuova Venezia is an enchanting district with small canals and streets to stroll along to discover a few architectural treasures, such as the magnificent Santa Caterina da Siena church in the Tuscan baroque style.
1 July 2025 - Porto Santo Stefano
Arrival 01/07/2025 early morning
Departure 01/07/2025 early afternoon
In Southern Tuscany, Porto Santo Stefano, a charming seaside resort located on the Monte Argentario peninsula, is renowned for its enchanting setting. Nestling on the side of a hill, the small town offers beautiful sandy beaches with crystal-clear water and a picturesque town centre. Stroll around its steep alleyways lined with coloured houses and discover La Rocca, a Spanish fortress built in the 17th century to protect the town against pirate attacks. There, you can enjoy a stunning view over the port and the Gulf of Talamone.
2 July 2025 - Amalfi
Arrival 02/07/2025 early morning
Departure 02/07/2025 late afternoon
The little town of Campania gives its name to the region containing the magnificent, UNESCO World Heritage listed, Amalfi coast. And for good reason. Located at the foot of Mount Cerreto, against a rock face of a gorge that opens onto the sea, Amalfi’s absolutely splendid natural scenery alone is enough to feast your eyes on before making for the medieval streets to explore some of its history. The mix of cultural influences from the Mediterranean Rim is omnipresent here.
3 July 2025 - Taormina, Sicily
Arrival 03/07/2025 midday
Departure 03/07/2025 late afternoon
Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicily’s Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval centre, suspended 300 metres above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theatre. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area which overlooks a turquoise bay.
4 July 2025 - Otranto
Arrival 04/07/2025 midday
Departure 04/07/2025 evening
Located in the Apulia region, Otrante is the easternmost transalpine town. Behind its medieval ramparts, you will taste the sweetlife of Salento, the “heel on Italy’s boot”. Inhabited since Antiquity, Otrante has today become a very pleasant seaside town. Yet its history is still visible as you meander through the little streets of its old centre. With its magnificent 12th century ornamental mosaic tiling, the Cathedral is one of its most beautiful treasures. During a stroll along the ramparts, you can sit and relax at a café terrace.
5 July 2025 - At sea
Arrival 05/07/2025
Departure 05/07/2025
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.
6 July 2025 - Ancona
Arrival 06/07/2025 early morning
Departure 06/07/2025 late afternoon
Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbour, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th century mansion where the painter Raphael was born and raised.
7 July 2025 - Ravenna
Arrival 07/07/2025 early morning
Departure 07/07/2025 late afternoon
Linked to the Adriatic Sea by a canal, the city of Ravenna and its countless monuments offer you a rich journey back in time. Roman and Byzantine cultures intermingle here, and the fruits of this history adorn the interiors of the cityﾒs religious buildings: the abundance of classical mosaics is the most stunning witness to Ravennaﾒs glorious past. Eight UNESCO World Heritage listed Paleo-Christian sites punctuate your journey into the historic heart of the city. Still very lively despite the weight of its history, Ravenna has much to offer to visitors.
8 July 2025 - Venice
Arrival 08/07/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 08/07/2025 at 07:00
Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.
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.Lucca and Pisa
From the pier, board your coach to Lucca, 45-minute drive. Lucca is the most civilized of Tuscany's cities, a stately grid of Roman roads snug behind a mammoth belt of tree-topped battlements. It is home to Puccini and hosts an elegant landscape of churches and palaces, delicate facades, and Art Nouveau shop fronts on wide promenades.
You will first visit the highlights of Lucca with your local guide. The walls are what make Lucca, and they comprise a city park more than 2,5 miles (4 km) long but only about 59 feet (18 m) wide, filled with avenues of plane, chestnut, and ilex trees planted by Marie-Louise Bourbon in the 19th century.
Near the north end of Via Fillungo, you will admire a series of houses which were built during the Middle Ages into the remains of a 1st or 2nd century AD. Roman amphitheatre, which had been used for centuries as a quarry for raw materials to raise the city's churches and palaces. The outline of the stadium was still visible in the 1930s when Duke Ludovico asked local architect Lorenzo Nottolini to rearrange the space and bring out the ancient form better.
Then, you will discover Piazza San Michele, the centre of the town, crammed with cafés and shops and the church of San Michele in Foro, as beautiful as a 12th century Romanesque church. It boasts a Pisan-inspired façade of blind arches with lozenges and colonnaded arcades. It is smack in the centre of town - on top of the ancient Roman forum, in fact, hence the name. Finally, you will enjoy the outside view of the façade of Lucca's Duomo is an excellent and eye-catching example of the Pisan-Lucchese Romanesque school of architecture.
After enjoying a fine lunch at Buca di Sant'Antonio, you will get back to your coach and take the 30-minute drive to Pisa.
Since the beginning of tourism in Mediterranean region, Pisa has been known for just one thing – the Leaning Tower – a freakishly beautiful building whose impact no amount of prior knowledge can blunt. Yet it is just a single component of the city’s amazing religious core – the Campo dei Miracoli – where the Duomo, Baptistery and Camposanto complete an unrivalled quartet of medieval masterpieces. Here, you will enjoy a walking tour in the beautiful city with your local guide before getting back to your coach and join your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 3,7 miles (6 km) of walking on cobblestoned streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The walking tour in Pisa does not include internal visit of the monuments.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Wine tasting and panoramic drive
From the pier, you will board your coach and take the 30-minute drive to La Parrina Estate.
Tenuta la Parrina is one of the oldest historic farms that lies between the low hills of the Tuscan Maremma in a spectacular landscape with olive trees, vineyards and fields of golden grain. The estate is spread on an area of about 200 hectares, 60 of which are destined to vineyards, 40 to fruit production, 20 to the horticultural, 22 to the olive plants, and the remaining are divided between arable land and growing nurseries.
Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided visit of the estate, followed by wine tasting accompanied by local products. You will have the opportunity to see how to make a wine, starting with the grape harvest, through the vinification and aging and ending with bottling. La Parrina DOC wines are produced in the basement of the estate since 1971. The cellar is certainly a tribute to the land, because it is the instrument with which they produce quality wines, but it is also the physical location in which they give the opportunity to their guests to come into direct contact with the production philosophy.
After your visit, you will board your coach for a 1-hour panoramic drive to the Argentario promontory, ending in Porto Santo Stefano, a very charming village. While comfortably sitted on your bus you will learn some history facts and admire the rich landscapes, that make this territory even more fascinating.
You will finally be back to your ship.
- The tour involves walking on flat and gravel ground during the visit of the estate. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Walking distance is at guest’s discretion.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.The Tarot Garden and panoramic drive
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your 45-minute drive to The Tarot Garden, in Southern Tuscany.
You will visit this unique garden, which was built by the internationally famous French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle in the second half of the last century and displays some huge and beautiful sculptures which depict the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarots cards.
The garden was the result of the wish to express Niki's idea of a “small Eden where man and nature meet each other”. She took inspiration from the beautiful Park Güell by Antoni Gaudì in Barcelona, Spain. She created and personally built great statues for the garden and worked at this colossal work for over 17 years, collaborating with many important contemporary artists, including Jean Tinguely her husband.
The sculptures represent the artist's personal view of the symbolic and esoteric Tarots cards, one of her passions. The Empress is probably the most representative sculpture: portrayed as a large woman-sphinx. This artistic house was also where Niki lived while working in the garden.
After your visit, you will board your coach for a 45-minute panoramic drive to the Argentario promontory, ending in Porto Santo Stefano, a very charming village. While comfortably sitted on your bus you will learn some history facts and admire the rich landscapes, that make this territory even more fascinating.
Then, you will get back to your ship.
- This excursion involves a walking distance of approximately 1.3 miles (2 km), on uneven paths in the garden. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Pompeï
After disembarking, you will board your coach to a scenic 90-minute drive to Pompeii, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Founded in the 6th century BC, it counted approximately 20,000 inhabitants in 79. That year, a volcanic eruption completely buried the flourishing cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabies. Forgotten during 1,600 years, it was rediscovered by chance to become today one of the florets of archaeology and an extraordinary testimony of the Roman Empire.
You will enter the site by the Porta Marina. Similar to a bastion, facing west, it is the most imposing of the seven gates of Pompeii together with Porta Ercolano. The ring of walls, built in the 6th century BC and still visible today, is over 3,200-metre long. Arriving inside the city, you will first discover the administrative buildings located on the main square. The more recent has kept its marble floor, and its eastern hall might have been the meeting room for the decurions (administrators), and its central hall might be used for the tabularium (legal archive).
Next, opening onto via dell’Abbondanza, is the Comitium, an open-air hall where the populus was summoned to exercise their political-administrative rights. It held the administrators, who presided over the assemblies and supervised the voting procedures. You will proceed by the Macellum. The building, which was the city's main market, dates from the 2nd century BC and underwent subsequent renovations. You will also admire the Basilica dedicated to administering justice and for business negotiations. Passing by the merchant streets you will cross the Forum baths or public baths that where divided in different sections. They were inexpensive and heavily used: bath time was apparently in the early afternoon. You will enter some remarkable villas, modest homes and explore ancient baths, temples, theatres, markets and forum.
After your visit, enjoy a refreshment and a slice of pizza. Then, you will re-board your coach and return to your ship.
- This excursion involves 2,5 km (1,5 miles) of walking over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Pompeii is not wheelchair accessible.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Positano by boat & Amalfi
From the pier, board your motor-launch for a scenic cruise to Positano, the prettiest town along the coast where white Moorish style houses cling to the slopes around a small sparkling bay. In 1953 when writer John Steinbeck lived here, the town was a forgotten fishing village, loved by artists. It became a retreat for the wealthy and is now a popular resort area. Enjoy some free time to explore Positano and its quaint boutiques that sell the casual, locally made cotton clothing the town is noted for.
At the end of the visit, you will re-board your boat for a ride to the enchanting village of Amalfi, which has a Spanish flavour, its white houses sitting on the rocks facing a bright blue bay. Flanked by an old Saracen tower and a 12th-century Capuchin monastery, Amalfi boasts a cathedral dating from the 11th century that is covered with geometrical designs in coloured stones. Your guide then will take you to view St. Andrew’s Cathedral and will offer an introduction to the town so that you make the best use of some free time to explore on your own.
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Operation of tour is subject to the weather conditions of the day. Participants must be able to embark and disembark the local boats and negotiate 60 steps to visit the cathedral. Proper attire is recommended to visit the inside of the Cathedral (shoulders and knees covered). No explanation inside the Cathedral when holy service is performed. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Taormina & Greek Theatre
From the pier, you will be transferred by coach to the ancient Greek town of Taormina, a 30-minute drive.
Called Tauromenium in ancient times, Taormina clings to the side of Mount Tauro and offers superb views, splashed with the vibrant colours of bougainvillea and oleanders, of the Mediterranean Sea, Isola Bella and a snow-capped Etna in the background.
A maze of narrow streets, stairs and tiny squares, Taormina has attracted many civilisations over the centuries. It is home to theatres and a gymnasium from the Greek period, an Odeon and baths from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, traces of Byzantine, and villas belonging to European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
You will start your excursion with a visit on foot to the historic centre. You will cross the famous Corso Umberto to discover numerous monuments from several eras, and admire Porta Catania, the Cathedral, Piazza IX Aprile and Palazzo Corvaja.
You will then arrive at Teatro Antico, a theatre built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, and almost completely rebuilt by the Romans who created a gladiatorial arena. The theatre is the second largest in Sicily after the one in Syracuse. Due to its size and acoustic quality the theatre is still used to host festivals and concerts. Seated on the stone terraces, the audience can enjoy the concert while admiring a breath-taking panoramic view of the sea, Mount Tauro and Etna.
After your visit, you will enjoy a refreshment at a local bar and some free time.
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As this excursion involves a walk of around 1.5 miles (2 km) on rough terrain with several stairways, we advise you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is required when visiting religious monuments, with knees and shoulders covered.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Lecce - Florence of southern Italy
The city of Lecce has earned itself various epithets thanks to its beauty and its historical and architectural treasures: in fact, it is usually referred to as “the Florence of Southern Italy” or “open-air museum” for the abundance of churches and noble palaces, made more elegant and refined by the unique and sumptuous decorations realized with the “leccese stone”, a particular stone whose colour gets the same nuance as honey under the rays of the sun.
Set in the very heart of the Salento region, called “the Heel of Italy’s boot”, Lecce dates back to Roman times: in fact, you can still admire in Piazza St. Oronzo the Roman Amphitheatre (from outside) which dates back to the second century A.D. and could hold up to 20,000 spectators. In it gladiators used to face and fight against wild animals.
From Otranto, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Lecce where your walking tour of the old town will start. Walk the centre of town with your guide to discover a remarkable architectural style known as the “Barocco Leccese”. From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecce knew a period of great splendour during which it was embellished with Rococo’ and Baroque Monuments. The local finely grained limestone was particularly easy to work, making easy the creation of a very decorative style, with delicate details, which you will recognize immediately.
During the tour you will visit Santa Croce Basilica (only outside visit), which is sumptuously decorated, without being overbearing: close to it you can admire the impressive façade of the Governor’s Palace (the former monastery of the Celestine monks). Your tour cannot end without a visit of what is considered one of the finest squares in Southern Italy: Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral as well as the Archbishop’s Palace are located. Following your visits, you will enjoy a nice local break tasting Apulian wine and local delicacies.
Some free time will allow you to wander at leisure for shopping before returning to Otranto and your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1.3 miles (2 km) of walking, mainly over uneven and cobblestone streets. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The inside visit of the Basilica is not permitted on Sundays due to religious services. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Tasting is included in your tour.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Pizzica dance, Apulian folkloric show
The pizzica belongs to the large family of traditional dances known as tarantella, and was a popular dance in Puglia and Basilicata until the 1970s.
As well as being performed at festive occasions by various family groups or local communities, the pizzica also accompanied the ritual of tarentism (therapeutic treatments to cure the venom of the tarantula) in the Salento area. It was performed by orchestras made up of various instruments, with the tambourine and violin standing out for their rhythmic and melodic characteristics.
Today, you'll be treated to a performance by three musicians and one dancer, dressed in traditional costumes. Let yourself be carried away by this tradition and admire their art.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.The Renaissance city of Urbino
This excursion will take you to the heart of Marche region where the old city of Urbino is located.; Urbino is one of the most renowned towns in Italy, notable for its renaissance architecture, history and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1998.
After disembarking, you will board your coach for a one-and-a-half-hour scenic drive through the hilly landscape of Montefeltro. You will then reach the fortified town of Urbino, nestled on a high sloping hillside. The city retains much of its picturesque medieval aspect, as well as its historical legacy and its Renaissance culture that flourished under the patronage of Federico II of Montefeltro, duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482.
There, you will start your guided visit of the Ducal Palace that Federico II decided to build in the heart of the old town to welcome the best talents in art and literature of his time like Piero della Francesca, Leon Battista Alberti as well as Giovanni Santi, the father of Raffaello, and Raffaello himself. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known simply as Raphael, is the most popular Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. The very young Raffaello started to learn the first concepts of painting at the Ducal Palace.
The Palace houses the National Gallery of the Marche, one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world. The Palace also features a studiolo (cabinet for contemplation) and a twinned pair of chapels, one Christian and one pagan.
After visiting the Ducal Palace, you will follow your guide for a guided walking tour of the city. You will admire the facade of the Cathedral of Urbino, originally built by the bishop Beato Mainardo in 1062, and the native house of Raffaello located on the street of the same name.
Finally, you will re-board your coach for the one-and-a-half-hour drive back to your ship.
- This excursion involves 1.6 mile (2.5 km) of walking on streets with steps (an elevator is available from bus parking to city center and vice versa to reduce the walking distance). We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees should be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Ravenna, City of Mosaics
From the pier, you will board your coach to discover Ravenna’s beautiful mosaics which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After a 30-minute transfer, begin your walking tour. Your first stop will be the Basilica of San Vitale. As one of Ravenna’s greatest monuments, this octagonal building is renowned for both its choir and its mosaics which date back to the 6th century. It represents a fine example of Byzantine architectural genius. Referred to as “monuments of un-ageing intellect” by W.B. Yeats, its mosaics display vivid colors and intricate details.
Nearby in a small chapel is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the sister of Rome’s last emperor. A real jewel in the crown of Ravenna, the mosaics here date back to the Antiquity, although it may not appear so because their colors are so rich and vivid. Translucent panels bring the mosaics alive in all their grace and harmony, and under a deep blue sky literally glittering with stars are scenes in moss-green, Roman gold, peacock-blue and burnt orange.
Proceeding by foot through the center of the city you will visit the Tomb of Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language and the author of The Divine Comedy, who died in exile in Ravenna in 1321.
After this first glimpse of what Ravenna has to offer, you will enjoy a 3 courses lunch served in a typical restaurant, allowing you to discover the local gastronomy.
Following your lunch, you will reach the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. Here you will admire the largest surface of mosaic works surviving in Ravenna: marvel at the famous procession of female and male saints, richly adorned with pearls and precious stones, moving towards the Virgin and the Child Jesus.
At the end of your walking tour, you will enjoy some free time to browse for colorful souvenirs, peruse the elegant shops, experience local life with the hustle and bustle of the market or sit and relax in an Italian café, before returning to the pier by coach.
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This excursion involves 1.6 miles (2,5 km) of walking over uneven and cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter the religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). On Sunday mornings, church holidays and during weddings, tour groups are not allowed inside the churches during services (you will have the opportunity to visit the churches independently).
· Cette excursion comprend 2,5 km de marche sur des rues inégales et pavées avec quelques marches. Nous vous recommandons de porter des chaussures de marche confortables et de vous protéger du soleil. Une tenue appropriée est recommandée pour entrer dans les lieux religieux.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.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
Media
Discuss and debate geopolitics, societal changes and the major challenges of the future with editors, journalists and columnists from major news outlets. On board, Paris Match, Le Figaro, L’Express or Le Point, undisputed references when it comes to quality news and information, offer in-depth analyses of the shifts occurring in our society. Partnerships with GEO and Point de Vue cater to our guests who are passionate about photography, geography and history.
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.
Excursions included
During your journey, enjoy an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. Whether this is the visit of an emblematic museum or a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an activity in the heart of nature or a tasting of local products, or one of many other highlights, you will benefit from a careful selection of activities throughout your itinerary.
Pre-bookings will open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests will be processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
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.Lucca and Pisa
From the pier, board your coach to Lucca, 45-minute drive. Lucca is the most civilized of Tuscany's cities, a stately grid of Roman roads snug behind a mammoth belt of tree-topped battlements. It is home to Puccini and hosts an elegant landscape of churches and palaces, delicate facades, and Art Nouveau shop fronts on wide promenades.
You will first visit the highlights of Lucca with your local guide. The walls are what make Lucca, and they comprise a city park more than 2,5 miles (4 km) long but only about 59 feet (18 m) wide, filled with avenues of plane, chestnut, and ilex trees planted by Marie-Louise Bourbon in the 19th century.
Near the north end of Via Fillungo, you will admire a series of houses which were built during the Middle Ages into the remains of a 1st or 2nd century AD. Roman amphitheatre, which had been used for centuries as a quarry for raw materials to raise the city's churches and palaces. The outline of the stadium was still visible in the 1930s when Duke Ludovico asked local architect Lorenzo Nottolini to rearrange the space and bring out the ancient form better.
Then, you will discover Piazza San Michele, the centre of the town, crammed with cafés and shops and the church of San Michele in Foro, as beautiful as a 12th century Romanesque church. It boasts a Pisan-inspired façade of blind arches with lozenges and colonnaded arcades. It is smack in the centre of town - on top of the ancient Roman forum, in fact, hence the name. Finally, you will enjoy the outside view of the façade of Lucca's Duomo is an excellent and eye-catching example of the Pisan-Lucchese Romanesque school of architecture.
After enjoying a fine lunch at Buca di Sant'Antonio, you will get back to your coach and take the 30-minute drive to Pisa.
Since the beginning of tourism in Mediterranean region, Pisa has been known for just one thing – the Leaning Tower – a freakishly beautiful building whose impact no amount of prior knowledge can blunt. Yet it is just a single component of the city’s amazing religious core – the Campo dei Miracoli – where the Duomo, Baptistery and Camposanto complete an unrivalled quartet of medieval masterpieces. Here, you will enjoy a walking tour in the beautiful city with your local guide before getting back to your coach and join your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 3,7 miles (6 km) of walking on cobblestoned streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The walking tour in Pisa does not include internal visit of the monuments.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Wine tasting and panoramic drive
From the pier, you will board your coach and take the 30-minute drive to La Parrina Estate.
Tenuta la Parrina is one of the oldest historic farms that lies between the low hills of the Tuscan Maremma in a spectacular landscape with olive trees, vineyards and fields of golden grain. The estate is spread on an area of about 200 hectares, 60 of which are destined to vineyards, 40 to fruit production, 20 to the horticultural, 22 to the olive plants, and the remaining are divided between arable land and growing nurseries.
Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided visit of the estate, followed by wine tasting accompanied by local products. You will have the opportunity to see how to make a wine, starting with the grape harvest, through the vinification and aging and ending with bottling. La Parrina DOC wines are produced in the basement of the estate since 1971. The cellar is certainly a tribute to the land, because it is the instrument with which they produce quality wines, but it is also the physical location in which they give the opportunity to their guests to come into direct contact with the production philosophy.
After your visit, you will board your coach for a 1-hour panoramic drive to the Argentario promontory, ending in Porto Santo Stefano, a very charming village. While comfortably sitted on your bus you will learn some history facts and admire the rich landscapes, that make this territory even more fascinating.
You will finally be back to your ship.
- The tour involves walking on flat and gravel ground during the visit of the estate. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Walking distance is at guest’s discretion.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.The Tarot Garden and panoramic drive
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your 45-minute drive to The Tarot Garden, in Southern Tuscany.
You will visit this unique garden, which was built by the internationally famous French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle in the second half of the last century and displays some huge and beautiful sculptures which depict the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarots cards.
The garden was the result of the wish to express Niki's idea of a “small Eden where man and nature meet each other”. She took inspiration from the beautiful Park Güell by Antoni Gaudì in Barcelona, Spain. She created and personally built great statues for the garden and worked at this colossal work for over 17 years, collaborating with many important contemporary artists, including Jean Tinguely her husband.
The sculptures represent the artist's personal view of the symbolic and esoteric Tarots cards, one of her passions. The Empress is probably the most representative sculpture: portrayed as a large woman-sphinx. This artistic house was also where Niki lived while working in the garden.
After your visit, you will board your coach for a 45-minute panoramic drive to the Argentario promontory, ending in Porto Santo Stefano, a very charming village. While comfortably sitted on your bus you will learn some history facts and admire the rich landscapes, that make this territory even more fascinating.
Then, you will get back to your ship.
- This excursion involves a walking distance of approximately 1.3 miles (2 km), on uneven paths in the garden. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Pompeï
After disembarking, you will board your coach to a scenic 90-minute drive to Pompeii, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Founded in the 6th century BC, it counted approximately 20,000 inhabitants in 79. That year, a volcanic eruption completely buried the flourishing cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabies. Forgotten during 1,600 years, it was rediscovered by chance to become today one of the florets of archaeology and an extraordinary testimony of the Roman Empire.
You will enter the site by the Porta Marina. Similar to a bastion, facing west, it is the most imposing of the seven gates of Pompeii together with Porta Ercolano. The ring of walls, built in the 6th century BC and still visible today, is over 3,200-metre long. Arriving inside the city, you will first discover the administrative buildings located on the main square. The more recent has kept its marble floor, and its eastern hall might have been the meeting room for the decurions (administrators), and its central hall might be used for the tabularium (legal archive).
Next, opening onto via dell’Abbondanza, is the Comitium, an open-air hall where the populus was summoned to exercise their political-administrative rights. It held the administrators, who presided over the assemblies and supervised the voting procedures. You will proceed by the Macellum. The building, which was the city's main market, dates from the 2nd century BC and underwent subsequent renovations. You will also admire the Basilica dedicated to administering justice and for business negotiations. Passing by the merchant streets you will cross the Forum baths or public baths that where divided in different sections. They were inexpensive and heavily used: bath time was apparently in the early afternoon. You will enter some remarkable villas, modest homes and explore ancient baths, temples, theatres, markets and forum.
After your visit, enjoy a refreshment and a slice of pizza. Then, you will re-board your coach and return to your ship.
- This excursion involves 2,5 km (1,5 miles) of walking over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Pompeii is not wheelchair accessible.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Positano by boat & Amalfi
From the pier, board your motor-launch for a scenic cruise to Positano, the prettiest town along the coast where white Moorish style houses cling to the slopes around a small sparkling bay. In 1953 when writer John Steinbeck lived here, the town was a forgotten fishing village, loved by artists. It became a retreat for the wealthy and is now a popular resort area. Enjoy some free time to explore Positano and its quaint boutiques that sell the casual, locally made cotton clothing the town is noted for.
At the end of the visit, you will re-board your boat for a ride to the enchanting village of Amalfi, which has a Spanish flavour, its white houses sitting on the rocks facing a bright blue bay. Flanked by an old Saracen tower and a 12th-century Capuchin monastery, Amalfi boasts a cathedral dating from the 11th century that is covered with geometrical designs in coloured stones. Your guide then will take you to view St. Andrew’s Cathedral and will offer an introduction to the town so that you make the best use of some free time to explore on your own.
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Operation of tour is subject to the weather conditions of the day. Participants must be able to embark and disembark the local boats and negotiate 60 steps to visit the cathedral. Proper attire is recommended to visit the inside of the Cathedral (shoulders and knees covered). No explanation inside the Cathedral when holy service is performed. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Taormina & Greek Theatre
From the pier, you will be transferred by coach to the ancient Greek town of Taormina, a 30-minute drive.
Called Tauromenium in ancient times, Taormina clings to the side of Mount Tauro and offers superb views, splashed with the vibrant colours of bougainvillea and oleanders, of the Mediterranean Sea, Isola Bella and a snow-capped Etna in the background.
A maze of narrow streets, stairs and tiny squares, Taormina has attracted many civilisations over the centuries. It is home to theatres and a gymnasium from the Greek period, an Odeon and baths from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, traces of Byzantine, and villas belonging to European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
You will start your excursion with a visit on foot to the historic centre. You will cross the famous Corso Umberto to discover numerous monuments from several eras, and admire Porta Catania, the Cathedral, Piazza IX Aprile and Palazzo Corvaja.
You will then arrive at Teatro Antico, a theatre built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, and almost completely rebuilt by the Romans who created a gladiatorial arena. The theatre is the second largest in Sicily after the one in Syracuse. Due to its size and acoustic quality the theatre is still used to host festivals and concerts. Seated on the stone terraces, the audience can enjoy the concert while admiring a breath-taking panoramic view of the sea, Mount Tauro and Etna.
After your visit, you will enjoy a refreshment at a local bar and some free time.
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As this excursion involves a walk of around 1.5 miles (2 km) on rough terrain with several stairways, we advise you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is required when visiting religious monuments, with knees and shoulders covered.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Lecce - Florence of southern Italy
The city of Lecce has earned itself various epithets thanks to its beauty and its historical and architectural treasures: in fact, it is usually referred to as “the Florence of Southern Italy” or “open-air museum” for the abundance of churches and noble palaces, made more elegant and refined by the unique and sumptuous decorations realized with the “leccese stone”, a particular stone whose colour gets the same nuance as honey under the rays of the sun.
Set in the very heart of the Salento region, called “the Heel of Italy’s boot”, Lecce dates back to Roman times: in fact, you can still admire in Piazza St. Oronzo the Roman Amphitheatre (from outside) which dates back to the second century A.D. and could hold up to 20,000 spectators. In it gladiators used to face and fight against wild animals.
From Otranto, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Lecce where your walking tour of the old town will start. Walk the centre of town with your guide to discover a remarkable architectural style known as the “Barocco Leccese”. From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecce knew a period of great splendour during which it was embellished with Rococo’ and Baroque Monuments. The local finely grained limestone was particularly easy to work, making easy the creation of a very decorative style, with delicate details, which you will recognize immediately.
During the tour you will visit Santa Croce Basilica (only outside visit), which is sumptuously decorated, without being overbearing: close to it you can admire the impressive façade of the Governor’s Palace (the former monastery of the Celestine monks). Your tour cannot end without a visit of what is considered one of the finest squares in Southern Italy: Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral as well as the Archbishop’s Palace are located. Following your visits, you will enjoy a nice local break tasting Apulian wine and local delicacies.
Some free time will allow you to wander at leisure for shopping before returning to Otranto and your ship.
-
This tour involves approximately 1.3 miles (2 km) of walking, mainly over uneven and cobblestone streets. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The inside visit of the Basilica is not permitted on Sundays due to religious services. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Tasting is included in your tour.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Pizzica dance, Apulian folkloric show
The pizzica belongs to the large family of traditional dances known as tarantella, and was a popular dance in Puglia and Basilicata until the 1970s.
As well as being performed at festive occasions by various family groups or local communities, the pizzica also accompanied the ritual of tarentism (therapeutic treatments to cure the venom of the tarantula) in the Salento area. It was performed by orchestras made up of various instruments, with the tambourine and violin standing out for their rhythmic and melodic characteristics.
Today, you'll be treated to a performance by three musicians and one dancer, dressed in traditional costumes. Let yourself be carried away by this tradition and admire their art.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.The Renaissance city of Urbino
This excursion will take you to the heart of Marche region where the old city of Urbino is located.; Urbino is one of the most renowned towns in Italy, notable for its renaissance architecture, history and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1998.
After disembarking, you will board your coach for a one-and-a-half-hour scenic drive through the hilly landscape of Montefeltro. You will then reach the fortified town of Urbino, nestled on a high sloping hillside. The city retains much of its picturesque medieval aspect, as well as its historical legacy and its Renaissance culture that flourished under the patronage of Federico II of Montefeltro, duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482.
There, you will start your guided visit of the Ducal Palace that Federico II decided to build in the heart of the old town to welcome the best talents in art and literature of his time like Piero della Francesca, Leon Battista Alberti as well as Giovanni Santi, the father of Raffaello, and Raffaello himself. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known simply as Raphael, is the most popular Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. The very young Raffaello started to learn the first concepts of painting at the Ducal Palace.
The Palace houses the National Gallery of the Marche, one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world. The Palace also features a studiolo (cabinet for contemplation) and a twinned pair of chapels, one Christian and one pagan.
After visiting the Ducal Palace, you will follow your guide for a guided walking tour of the city. You will admire the facade of the Cathedral of Urbino, originally built by the bishop Beato Mainardo in 1062, and the native house of Raffaello located on the street of the same name.
Finally, you will re-board your coach for the one-and-a-half-hour drive back to your ship.
- This excursion involves 1.6 mile (2.5 km) of walking on streets with steps (an elevator is available from bus parking to city center and vice versa to reduce the walking distance). We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees should be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Ravenna, City of Mosaics
From the pier, you will board your coach to discover Ravenna’s beautiful mosaics which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After a 30-minute transfer, begin your walking tour. Your first stop will be the Basilica of San Vitale. As one of Ravenna’s greatest monuments, this octagonal building is renowned for both its choir and its mosaics which date back to the 6th century. It represents a fine example of Byzantine architectural genius. Referred to as “monuments of un-ageing intellect” by W.B. Yeats, its mosaics display vivid colors and intricate details.
Nearby in a small chapel is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the sister of Rome’s last emperor. A real jewel in the crown of Ravenna, the mosaics here date back to the Antiquity, although it may not appear so because their colors are so rich and vivid. Translucent panels bring the mosaics alive in all their grace and harmony, and under a deep blue sky literally glittering with stars are scenes in moss-green, Roman gold, peacock-blue and burnt orange.
Proceeding by foot through the center of the city you will visit the Tomb of Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language and the author of The Divine Comedy, who died in exile in Ravenna in 1321.
After this first glimpse of what Ravenna has to offer, you will enjoy a 3 courses lunch served in a typical restaurant, allowing you to discover the local gastronomy.
Following your lunch, you will reach the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. Here you will admire the largest surface of mosaic works surviving in Ravenna: marvel at the famous procession of female and male saints, richly adorned with pearls and precious stones, moving towards the Virgin and the Child Jesus.
At the end of your walking tour, you will enjoy some free time to browse for colorful souvenirs, peruse the elegant shops, experience local life with the hustle and bustle of the market or sit and relax in an Italian café, before returning to the pier by coach.
-
This excursion involves 1.6 miles (2,5 km) of walking over uneven and cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter the religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). On Sunday mornings, church holidays and during weddings, tour groups are not allowed inside the churches during services (you will have the opportunity to visit the churches independently).
· Cette excursion comprend 2,5 km de marche sur des rues inégales et pavées avec quelques marches. Nous vous recommandons de porter des chaussures de marche confortables et de vous protéger du soleil. Une tenue appropriée est recommandée pour entrer dans les lieux religieux.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.