Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
19 m²
2
Mediterranean springtime in France and Italy
Nice - Nice
Dates:
10/05/2025
to
21/05/2025
days
nights on board
Between France and Italy, set off aboard Le Bougainville for an unforgettable 12-day cruise discovering Elba, the Stromboli, the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, as well as the coastal towns of Nice, Livorno, Amalfi and Marseille.
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, visit the Pompeii archaeological site from Amalfi, attend a concert of Sardinian polyphonic songs in Cagliari, or explore the pretty villages of Gordes, Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence leaving from Marseille. 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 sail towards Tuscan shores to Livorno, a port town famous for its Renaissance-era fortifications. The Little Venice district, as it is known, offers a picturesque setting in which to enjoy fish and seafood.
Portoferraio, a small corner of paradise on the island of Elba, where Napoleon spend many days in exile will be your next port of call. You will sail towards the sublime sites of Amalfi and its coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Suspended between the sky and the sea, this small medieval city offers sumptuous scenery.
A little further south, you discover the Aeolian islands. Lipari is the capital of the Aeolian volcanic archipelago and is renowned for its many natural and architectural gems. Then, you sail in front of Stromboli, an active volcano whose crater regularly erupts with lava flows.
A cultural jewel of Sicily, Palermo is a splendid witness to three thousand years of history where you will be able to visit emblematic landmarks such as the 12th-century cathedral and Teatro Massimo, one of the largest theatres in Europe. In Trapani, discover rich and varied cultural and culinary heritage.
Le Bougainville then arrives in Cagliari, capital of Sardinia and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean; its historic centre is full of charm, with shaded stairs, small squares inundated with light and remains conjuring up its medieval grandeur.
Your ship will set sail towards the southern tip of Corsica, to Bonifacio. A veritable fortress sculpted by the wind and the spray, the “sentinel city” will reveal its historical centre and its long cobbled streets. You will head further north to 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.
Finally, you will reach Marseille, the oldest port city in France, which is constantly renewing itself beneath the protective gaze of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard. Your cruise will end in Nice, famous for its never-ending riviera.
Ref : EG100525
Your itinerary
A cruise between the South of France and the islands bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea along the western coast of the Italian peninsula. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Amalfi Coast, the Pompeii archaeological...
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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
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
Highlights
- A cruise between the South of France and the islands bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea along the western coast of the Italian peninsula.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Amalfi Coast, the Pompeii archaeological site from Amalfi, the Aeolian Islands.
- Discovering the natural and preserved beauty of the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica.
- 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.
- Discover Calvi and its citadel on the Isle of Beauty (Corsica).
- Sailing by the Stromboli volcano.
*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
10 May 2025 - Nice
Embarkation 10/05/2025 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 10/05/2025 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.
11 May 2025 - Livorno
Arrival 11/05/2025 early morning
Departure 11/05/2025 late evening
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.
12 May 2025 - Portoferraio, Elba
Arrival 12/05/2025 early morning
Departure 12/05/2025 early afternoon
In the elbow of a creek on the northern coastline of Elba Island, a small corner of paradise awaits in the form of Portoferraio. As you approach its coastlines, you will make out the powerful and majestic contours of its Medici fortresses. Napoleon Bonaparte spent many of his 300 days in exile here. The Palazzina dei Mulini, his first imperial residence, whose gardens offer outstanding views of the sea, is a must-see. Historical treasures are followed by another kind of treasure, namely white sand beaches, and equally tempting local specialities including gurguglione and rice with cuttlefish ink.
13 May 2025 - Amalfi
Arrival 13/05/2025 midday
Departure 13/05/2025 evening
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.
14 May 2025 - Sailing in front of Stromboli
Arrival 14/05/2025 early morning
Departure 14/05/2025 early morning
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”.
14 May 2025 - Lipari, Aeolian Islands
Arrival 14/05/2025 late morning
Departure 14/05/2025 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.
15 May 2025 - Palermo, Sicily
Arrival 15/05/2025 early morning
Departure 15/05/2025 late evening
Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour, and headily picturesque.
16 May 2025 - Trapani, Sicily
Arrival 16/05/2025 early morning
Departure 16/05/2025 mid afternoon
Bathed in the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city of Erice, boasting a privileged natural position in western Sicily. As you wander through its little streets, you will discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilisations that came here: San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata sanctuary, the fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savour some fresh fish from the morning’s catch. Or else you can opt for a seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbours.
17 May 2025 - Cagliari, Sardinia
Arrival 17/05/2025 early morning
Departure 17/05/2025 mid afternoon
The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, like Rome, is built on seven hills. Its Sardinian name means “castle”, in reference to the citadel, its historic centre, which dominates the city. The old ramparts are now pleasant panoramic terraces bordering picturesque streets. The city hosted the Nuragic, Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine civilisations before the rein of the Spanish Hapsburgs and the House of Savoy. The monuments of Cagliari bear the traces of these successive dominations, such as the Bastion of Saint-Rémy or the Sainte-Marie Cathedral. On the sea front, Art Nouveau-style public monuments give way to the Poetto beach, a magnificent stretch of sand that is 8 kilometres long.
18 May 2025 - Bonifacio, Corsica
Arrival 18/05/2025 early morning
Departure 18/05/2025 evening
The spectacular town of Bonifacio located on the very tip of southern Corsica, clings to a narrow promontory of white rock overhanging the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You can admire its limestone cliffs hewn out by the wind, before setting off on a cultural tour of its cultural treasures. From the little paved streets in the ancient Haute Ville, to the promenade on the open-air medieval chemin de ronde, this stunning town will take you on a journey back in time. Frequented or secluded, there are numerous beaches to choose from, all in keeping with the high standards of the “Île de Beauté”.
19 May 2025 - Calvi, Corsica
Arrival 19/05/2025 early morning
Departure 19/05/2025 mid 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.
20 May 2025 - Marseille
Arrival 20/05/2025 early morning
Departure 20/05/2025 evening
The oldest harbour in France, Marseille is the city where PONANT has chosen to set up its company headquarters. Heart vibrating in its setting of Mediterranean Calanques, it reveals its raw and authentic beauty, made up of a thousand influences and cultures which, over the centuries, have made up its wealth. A stroll through the Old Port will allow you to discover the places corresponding to the city founded by the Greeks as well as Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, with its astonishing neo-Byzantine architecture, which overlooks it. Close to the quays, the Place de Lenche, which covers the ancient agora, will be perfect for a break in one of its lively cafés before melting into the maze of narrow streets with colourful houses in the Panier district, just a stone's throw away.
21 May 2025 - Nice
Arrival 21/05/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 21/05/2025 at 08:00
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.
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.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.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.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Cefalù
From the pier, embark your coach and start your panoramic drive through the historical centre of Palermo, before reaching the coastal highway which will bring you to the charming fishing village of Cefalù.
Cefalù is a haven of tranquillity, a refuge and a sanctuary of religious inspiration. A city of facets, levels, and epochs. The name, which translated means "head", probably referring to the shape of the hill and huge rock crowned with an ancient castle, rising above the town, was given to the town by the Greeks. Cefalù's origins are surrounded in mystery.
Legend tells that Roger II, the well-known Norman sovereign of Sicily, in gratitude to God for sparing his life in a violent storm at sea, commissioned the building of a Cathedral at Cefalù, where he landed after the tempest.
Its characteristics, as well as its position, so close to the sea, make it something of a fortress from the outside as much as it is a church on the inside. The Cathedral was begun on a site in which Roman buildings had already existed. However, after unforeseen circumstances, and changes in construction plans, the original building was never finished. The remains of this building project are three roofs which testify to past ages and building techniques. Inside the cathedral, you will see the paintings and gold Byzantine mosaics the Cathedral is known for.
Continue your walking tour with a photo-stop at the medieval wash-house and the Osterio Magno. Per the tradition, it was built by Roger II as his mansion, but it probably dates from the 14th century. Traces of the medieval tower and decoration can be seen. Excavations held in the interior have showed the presence of ancient edifices and ceramics.
Before returning to the ship, a refreshment will be served and you will have some free time to explore Cefalù on your own and browse the quaint boutiques.
- This excursion involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking mostly over cobble-stone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Palermo & Monreale
From the pier, embark your coach for a scenic fifteen-minute drive through the main streets of Palermo passing by the Piazza Ruggero Settimo, Politeama Square, Massimo Opera House, and the Cathedral.
Located on a wide bay beneath the shadow of Mount Pellegrino, Palermo is a jewel in the crown of Sicily. In the 9th century, Palermo was famed for the wealth of its court and its universities. Today, it is an international famed city with modern day treasures and priceless ancient monuments of architecture and art.
Your stop will be made at the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily located on the ground floor of the Palazzo Reale in Palermo, where you will enjoy a guided visit. The chapel was commissioned by Roger II of Sicily in 1132 to be built upon an older chapel (now the crypt) constructed around 1080. It took eight years to build it and many more to decorate it with mosaics and fine art.
Back on your coach, you will travel to Monreale, where you will visit its Cathedral, the Duomo.
The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture in the world. It was begun in 1174 by William II, and in 1182 the church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was elevated to the rank of a metropolitan cathedral. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. You will also visit the Benedictine’s cloister; the courtyard is enclosed by an arcade supported by 216 sets of twin columns, each with a different design and richly decorated capitals.
After some free time for shopping, re-board your coach for the thirty-minute return drive to the pier and your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 0.6 mile (1 km) of walking on flat streets with 90 steps to negotiate from the coach parking to the Monreale Cathedral. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Flash photography is not allowed inside the Palatine Chapel nor the Cathedral. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Erice
From the pier, you will drive by coach to Erice, which is about half an hour away by road. Erice is a superb medieval village perched on a hill with spectacular views over the sea and Trapani.
Although this spot was occupied for millennia, it really developed in 831 with the arrival of the Arabs. In the Middle Ages, it reached its peak under the Normans. Called Monte San Giuliano until 1934, in Antiquity this place was dedicated to Venus and there are still traces of the ancient city walls. You will be stepping back in time to explore on foot this fascinating medieval city, with its fortress and watchtowers.
Erice still has former residences of Trapani’s wealthy families who would decamp here for the summer. Their influence can be seen in the city’s towers and fortifications and the English gardens.
After seeing the sights, you are free to wander around the streets at your leisure.
And finally, you will be given a panoramic tour of the salt flats and Trapani before boarding your ship.
- The visit of Erice is on foot and involves about 0.8 mile (1.2 km) of walking on cobblestones streets. We advise you to wear comfortable shoes. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees should be covered). Note that Erice is 2.300 feet (700 m) above sea level, so it may be cold and windy.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Segesta
From the pier, you will be taken by coach for the short drive to the town of Trapani, passing the Ligny Tower on the way, before heading to Segesta, an hour’s drive away (with photo stop) via Saline.
Called Egesta by the Greeks and Segesta by the Romans, it was one of the most advanced cities of the ancient Elymian civilisation along with Eryx (Erice) and Entella. The city was probably built between the 5th and 4th century BC, and lies on a wide plateau in a protected position between the two summits of Mount Barbaro. Today it is an important architectural site dating back to the Elmini people who originally came from Anatoly.
You will begin your tour at the Temple of Segesta, a Doric temple built from local limestone on a hill outside the ancient town. Its architecture is typical of the late 5th century. There is evidence to suggest that the temple was not completed, as the columns are unfluted and the substructure still has the bosses or nobs used for transport which should have been removed. You will then visit the theatre which dates back to the middle of the 3rd century and accommodated up to 3,000 spectators. It is on a slope at an altitude of 440 m overlooking the temple.
You will then return to the port at Trapani to board your ship.
- As this excursion involves 0.8 mile (1.2 km) of walking to Segesta on uneven ground, it is not recommended for people who have walking difficulty. The transfer to the theatre is by local shuttle bus that leaves every half hour. Expect some delay if there are a lot of people.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Cagliari and the ancient Roman city of Nora
Discover Cagliari and the archaeological site of Nora, located on a promontory of the Capo di Pula peninsular.
Not just the gateway to Sardinia’s most beautiful coastlines – the Costa Rei, Costa del Sud and Costa Smeralda – Cagliari itself is also well worth a visit. Its rich baroque architecture and its lively districts are reminders of this island’s warm soul, while the Bastione di San Remy, a monumental fort perched on the old town, offers a stunning panorama.
In Nora, a former trading post founded by the Phoenicians, the vestiges of several civilisations offer a wonderful dive into the past. First Carthaginian, then Roman, Nora declined and disappeared around the 8th century. From the old town, you can still see, among many archaeological marvels, Carthaginian warehouses, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large thermal baths with splendid mosaics and an almost intact theatre, dating from Roman times.
The water-supply system is particularly interesting, with large underwater pipes: their mosaics and very fine tesserae form rich geometric patterns. The sea around Nora still covers the part of the town that sank during an earthquake, but the former piers can still be recognised. After the visit, you will have a snack in a local café.
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This excursion involves approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) of walking on uneven ground. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.San Sperate, the Museum-village
From the pier, board your coach and start with a short panoramic drive of Cagliari. Your first stop will be made in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria. Then you will continue to Monte Urpino from where you will enjoy a panoramic view over the capital of Sardinia.
Then, you will drive to San Sperate, a 30-minute drive. Situated just near Cagliari, San Sperate is one of the most important Sardinia agricultural centres. As many remains testify, San Sperate has a very ancient history. The famous “Maschera Ghignante” (sneering mask) has been found in 1976, during one of the first archaeological excavations.
In 1967, San Sperate became a Museum-village and it now hosts many works of important Italian and foreign artists, as well as cultural meetings, theatre exhibitions and festivals. The idea of making San Sperate a Museum-village was born in 1966 by Pinuccio Sciola, who painted all the walls in white on the occasion of the Corpus Christi feast and invited several artists to paint their work on the walls of the village.
You will meet your local guide and have a guided visit of the historical centre of the village, where you can admire a large number of “Murales” and sculptures meant to embellish the village. Your walking tour will also include the garden laboratory of the world-famous sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, who promoted the murals at San Sperate and created the sound stones, both an artistic creation and a musical instrument, unique in its kind.
After enjoying a Sardinian snack, you will board your coach and drive to Cagliari, a 30-minute drive.
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This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over uneven terrain with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). This tour has limited capacity.
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
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
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.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.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.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Cefalù
From the pier, embark your coach and start your panoramic drive through the historical centre of Palermo, before reaching the coastal highway which will bring you to the charming fishing village of Cefalù.
Cefalù is a haven of tranquillity, a refuge and a sanctuary of religious inspiration. A city of facets, levels, and epochs. The name, which translated means "head", probably referring to the shape of the hill and huge rock crowned with an ancient castle, rising above the town, was given to the town by the Greeks. Cefalù's origins are surrounded in mystery.
Legend tells that Roger II, the well-known Norman sovereign of Sicily, in gratitude to God for sparing his life in a violent storm at sea, commissioned the building of a Cathedral at Cefalù, where he landed after the tempest.
Its characteristics, as well as its position, so close to the sea, make it something of a fortress from the outside as much as it is a church on the inside. The Cathedral was begun on a site in which Roman buildings had already existed. However, after unforeseen circumstances, and changes in construction plans, the original building was never finished. The remains of this building project are three roofs which testify to past ages and building techniques. Inside the cathedral, you will see the paintings and gold Byzantine mosaics the Cathedral is known for.
Continue your walking tour with a photo-stop at the medieval wash-house and the Osterio Magno. Per the tradition, it was built by Roger II as his mansion, but it probably dates from the 14th century. Traces of the medieval tower and decoration can be seen. Excavations held in the interior have showed the presence of ancient edifices and ceramics.
Before returning to the ship, a refreshment will be served and you will have some free time to explore Cefalù on your own and browse the quaint boutiques.
- This excursion involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking mostly over cobble-stone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Palermo & Monreale
From the pier, embark your coach for a scenic fifteen-minute drive through the main streets of Palermo passing by the Piazza Ruggero Settimo, Politeama Square, Massimo Opera House, and the Cathedral.
Located on a wide bay beneath the shadow of Mount Pellegrino, Palermo is a jewel in the crown of Sicily. In the 9th century, Palermo was famed for the wealth of its court and its universities. Today, it is an international famed city with modern day treasures and priceless ancient monuments of architecture and art.
Your stop will be made at the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily located on the ground floor of the Palazzo Reale in Palermo, where you will enjoy a guided visit. The chapel was commissioned by Roger II of Sicily in 1132 to be built upon an older chapel (now the crypt) constructed around 1080. It took eight years to build it and many more to decorate it with mosaics and fine art.
Back on your coach, you will travel to Monreale, where you will visit its Cathedral, the Duomo.
The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture in the world. It was begun in 1174 by William II, and in 1182 the church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was elevated to the rank of a metropolitan cathedral. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. You will also visit the Benedictine’s cloister; the courtyard is enclosed by an arcade supported by 216 sets of twin columns, each with a different design and richly decorated capitals.
After some free time for shopping, re-board your coach for the thirty-minute return drive to the pier and your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 0.6 mile (1 km) of walking on flat streets with 90 steps to negotiate from the coach parking to the Monreale Cathedral. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Flash photography is not allowed inside the Palatine Chapel nor the Cathedral. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Erice
From the pier, you will drive by coach to Erice, which is about half an hour away by road. Erice is a superb medieval village perched on a hill with spectacular views over the sea and Trapani.
Although this spot was occupied for millennia, it really developed in 831 with the arrival of the Arabs. In the Middle Ages, it reached its peak under the Normans. Called Monte San Giuliano until 1934, in Antiquity this place was dedicated to Venus and there are still traces of the ancient city walls. You will be stepping back in time to explore on foot this fascinating medieval city, with its fortress and watchtowers.
Erice still has former residences of Trapani’s wealthy families who would decamp here for the summer. Their influence can be seen in the city’s towers and fortifications and the English gardens.
After seeing the sights, you are free to wander around the streets at your leisure.
And finally, you will be given a panoramic tour of the salt flats and Trapani before boarding your ship.
- The visit of Erice is on foot and involves about 0.8 mile (1.2 km) of walking on cobblestones streets. We advise you to wear comfortable shoes. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees should be covered). Note that Erice is 2.300 feet (700 m) above sea level, so it may be cold and windy.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Segesta
From the pier, you will be taken by coach for the short drive to the town of Trapani, passing the Ligny Tower on the way, before heading to Segesta, an hour’s drive away (with photo stop) via Saline.
Called Egesta by the Greeks and Segesta by the Romans, it was one of the most advanced cities of the ancient Elymian civilisation along with Eryx (Erice) and Entella. The city was probably built between the 5th and 4th century BC, and lies on a wide plateau in a protected position between the two summits of Mount Barbaro. Today it is an important architectural site dating back to the Elmini people who originally came from Anatoly.
You will begin your tour at the Temple of Segesta, a Doric temple built from local limestone on a hill outside the ancient town. Its architecture is typical of the late 5th century. There is evidence to suggest that the temple was not completed, as the columns are unfluted and the substructure still has the bosses or nobs used for transport which should have been removed. You will then visit the theatre which dates back to the middle of the 3rd century and accommodated up to 3,000 spectators. It is on a slope at an altitude of 440 m overlooking the temple.
You will then return to the port at Trapani to board your ship.
- As this excursion involves 0.8 mile (1.2 km) of walking to Segesta on uneven ground, it is not recommended for people who have walking difficulty. The transfer to the theatre is by local shuttle bus that leaves every half hour. Expect some delay if there are a lot of people.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Cagliari and the ancient Roman city of Nora
Discover Cagliari and the archaeological site of Nora, located on a promontory of the Capo di Pula peninsular.
Not just the gateway to Sardinia’s most beautiful coastlines – the Costa Rei, Costa del Sud and Costa Smeralda – Cagliari itself is also well worth a visit. Its rich baroque architecture and its lively districts are reminders of this island’s warm soul, while the Bastione di San Remy, a monumental fort perched on the old town, offers a stunning panorama.
In Nora, a former trading post founded by the Phoenicians, the vestiges of several civilisations offer a wonderful dive into the past. First Carthaginian, then Roman, Nora declined and disappeared around the 8th century. From the old town, you can still see, among many archaeological marvels, Carthaginian warehouses, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large thermal baths with splendid mosaics and an almost intact theatre, dating from Roman times.
The water-supply system is particularly interesting, with large underwater pipes: their mosaics and very fine tesserae form rich geometric patterns. The sea around Nora still covers the part of the town that sank during an earthquake, but the former piers can still be recognised. After the visit, you will have a snack in a local café.
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This excursion involves approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) of walking on uneven ground. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.San Sperate, the Museum-village
From the pier, board your coach and start with a short panoramic drive of Cagliari. Your first stop will be made in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria. Then you will continue to Monte Urpino from where you will enjoy a panoramic view over the capital of Sardinia.
Then, you will drive to San Sperate, a 30-minute drive. Situated just near Cagliari, San Sperate is one of the most important Sardinia agricultural centres. As many remains testify, San Sperate has a very ancient history. The famous “Maschera Ghignante” (sneering mask) has been found in 1976, during one of the first archaeological excavations.
In 1967, San Sperate became a Museum-village and it now hosts many works of important Italian and foreign artists, as well as cultural meetings, theatre exhibitions and festivals. The idea of making San Sperate a Museum-village was born in 1966 by Pinuccio Sciola, who painted all the walls in white on the occasion of the Corpus Christi feast and invited several artists to paint their work on the walls of the village.
You will meet your local guide and have a guided visit of the historical centre of the village, where you can admire a large number of “Murales” and sculptures meant to embellish the village. Your walking tour will also include the garden laboratory of the world-famous sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, who promoted the murals at San Sperate and created the sound stones, both an artistic creation and a musical instrument, unique in its kind.
After enjoying a Sardinian snack, you will board your coach and drive to Cagliari, a 30-minute drive.
-
This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over uneven terrain with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). This tour has limited capacity.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.