Italian Shores of Beauty

Embarkation 14/06/27 from 16:00 to 17:00

Departure 14/06/27 at 18:30

14 Jun 27 - Valletta

The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you’ll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-John’s cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.

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Arrival 15/06/27 early morning

Departure 15/06/27 evening

15 Jun 27 - Syracuse, Sicily

Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form of Mount Etna which surveys its island like a patriarch, the flowery gardens on the hillside... Sicily lays out its varied landscapes like a shopkeeper displays his wares. Described by Cicero as “the most beautiful city in the world”, Syracuse was one of the most prestigious cities in Sicily and at her height was even a rival for Athens. A central city of Ancient Greece, it was home to a succession of civilisations, each of which has left their mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colours and flavours.

2 available excursionsto this stopover

Included

Archaeological site & Ortygia

• Date : 15/06/27

Included

Noto, Baroque Town

• Date : 15/06/27

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Arrival 16/06/27 early morning

Departure 16/06/27 early evening

16 Jun 27 - Taormina, Sicily

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.

2 available excursions to this stopover

Included

Mount Etna Drive

• Date : 16/06/27

Included

Taormina and its Ancient Greek Theatre

• Date : 16/06/27

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Arrival 17/06/27 early morning

Departure 17/06/27 evening

17 Jun 27 - Palermo, Sicily

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.

2 available excursionsto this stopover

Included

Palermo & Monreale

• Date : 17/06/27

Included

Cefalù

• Date : 17/06/27

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Arrival 18/06/27

Departure 18/06/27

18 Jun 27 - Sailing in front of Stromboli

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”.

Arrival 18/06/27 early morning

Departure 18/06/27 late afternoon

18 Jun 27 - Lipari, Aeolian Islands

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.

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1 available excursion to this stopover

Included

Panorama of the Aeolian Islands

• Date : 18/06/27

Arrival 19/06/27 early morning

Departure 19/06/27 late afternoon

19 Jun 27 - Salerno

Generating a veritable explosion of intense emotions, the province of Salerno fascinates and enchants travellers. Its fascinating history will lead you to the extraordinary archaeological site of Pompeii, whose sprawling ruins provide a grandiose and moving vision of what a Roman city looked like in Imperial times. The city which was frozen in time under the ashes from the eruption of Mont Vesuvius offers you its peerless historical and cultural wealth, as well as the unique beauty of its location, which has earned it classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2 available excursions to this stopover

Included

Paestum

• Date : 19/06/27

Included

Pompeii

• Date : 19/06/27

Arrival 20/06/27 early morning

Departure 20/06/27 early afternoon

20 Jun 27 - Gaeta

Gaeta takes its name from the legend of the nanny of Aeneas. This illustrious relationship can be seen in the nobility of this old town, built on a peninsula, at the end of a headland. In Roman times, Gaeta was already a renowned seaside destination; it fell under Byzantine domination then became an autonomous duchy and an independent republic. The fortifications that surround this ancient fort remind us of this rich history, as does the cathedral bell tower, an elegant building of both Roman and Moor influence, decorated with ceramic in the style of bell-towers of Amalfi.

2 available excursions to this stopover

Included

Split Mountain of Gaeta and historical centre

• Date : 20/06/27

Included

Tiberio Villa and Sperlonga

• Date : 20/06/27

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Arrival 21/06/27 early morning

Departure 21/06/27 late afternoon

21 Jun 27 - Portoferraio, Elba

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.

3 available excursionsto this stopover

Included

Western Elba

• Date : 21/06/27

Included

Porto Azzurro and Napoleon's Villa

• Date : 21/06/27

Not included

Elbe, between vines and the sea

• Date : 21/06/27

Arrival 22/06/27 early morning

Departure 22/06/27 late afternoon

22 Jun 27 - Calvi, Corsica

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.

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3 available excursions to this stopover

Included

Old villages of Balagna

• Date : 22/06/27

Included

Walking tour of Calvi

• Date : 22/06/27

Not included

Snorkeling at Revellata peninsula

• Date : 22/06/27

Arrival 23/06/27 early morning

Disembarkation 23/06/27 at 8:00

23 Jun 27 - Nice

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.

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INCLUDED SERVICES DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CRUISE/SHIP

Included activities may vary depending on the type of exploration:

Timeless Voyages:

One included excursion? per person, per day, and per port, led by local guides (monument visits, local product tastings, etc.)

Discovery Voyages:

One included activity per person, per day, and per port, which may be either an included excursion? led by local guides or an included activity supervised by naturalist guides

Expedition Voyages:

One included activity per person, per day, and per port, supervised by naturalist guides (hiking, Zodiac outings, etc.)

Exclusive stopovers with limited or no infrastructure will be offered for self-exploration. Passengers will thus be free to explore the area and enjoy independent activities (beach swimming, shopping, dining, shows, etc.)

Lectures by our naturalist guides or destination experts (excluding Sea Voyages)

Non-motorized water sports (excluding diving), such as kayaking on the Le Commandant Charcot or stand-up paddleboarding depending on the ship, subject to weather and safety conditions, local authorizations, and the Captain's approvalNational park and protected area fees

Accompaniment by a team of naturalist guides only on Expedition and Discovery cruises; on land or, depending on the destination, during Zodiac outings and/or landings