Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the Corsican citadel of Bonifacio, perched on soaring sea-cliffs, with its medieval fortress, maze of streets, churches, mausoleums, and unique history
- Visit the prehistoric temple complex at Hagar Qim on Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than Stonehenge
- Discover Ortigia, a small island-city within the city of Siracusa – a romantic enclave of ancient temples and baroque architecture
- Explore the summit of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest volcano, with an experienced mountaineer-guide, and savor some of the most dramatic panoramic views of Sicily and the Mediterranean
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Trip includes
- Visit the waterfront Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean in Marseille, chronicling centuries of Mediterranean cultural influences in Europe
- Private Tauck Shore Excursions – $2,912 value!
- Enjoy exclusive visits to private villas and art collections in Palermo, drinks and canapes included
- Enjoy a gala Sardinian lunch at the Convent di San Giuseppe in Cagliari
- Enjoy a private wine-tasting and family-style lunch at a historic family winery on the foothills of Mount Etna
- Take a ride on a historic lift to the summit of Mount Capanne in Elba for the fabulous views
- Spend two nights at luxury hotels in Marseille or on the island of Malta
- Aboard ship – alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day aboard ship including house wines and spirits; premium spirits and wines are available at extra cost
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
- 26 meals on land and sea, applicable fuel surcharges, service charges, porterage and taxes
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Itinerary
Meals: Dinner
Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Marseille's international airport to the InterContinental Marseille Hotel Dieu, near the historic Panier district, or the Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port, overlooking the old harbor. Join us this evening for a welcome reception followed by dinner at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Settled by Greeks in 600 BC, Marseille has well over 2,000 years of history as a crossroads of cultural influences from Italy, Spain, Asia-Minor, the Middle East, and North Africa tucked in the colorful tangle of narrow streets and eclectic ar...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Arrive in charming Aix-en-Provence, set against the backdrop of Mount Sainte-Victoire; the mountain was the muse of Paul Cezanne, who painted it many times. A university town of tree-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafes, baroque mansion...
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Legend says that the Tuscan archipelago was formed when the goddess Venus dropped her necklace into the sea, and Elba is the largest of the island jewels, set in turquoise waters, with white beaches, rocky cliffs and coves, green hil...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Corsica is thought to be the mythical island of giants in Homer's Odyssey, where Laestrygonians hurled boulders down at Odysseus and his ship from the towering sea cliffs. The inhabitants today are much friendlier, and the isl...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Arrive in Cagliari, Sardinia's capital city. Although the island enjoys a certain degree of autonomy from Italy, and its native language and costume are uniquely its own, Cagliari is thoroughly Italian in its laidback vibe and...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Steeped in Renaissance art and sumptuous Baroque architecture, Palermo is a glorious cultural melting pot with a North African flavor, full of hidden treasures. A walking tour of must-see landmarks takes you through Porta Nuov...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Catania nestles near the foot of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, so huge that it dwarfs every other mountain on Sicily. Locals affectionately call it "Mama Etna", a majestic, living presence in everyday life....
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Siracusa was once a city-state, and the center of everything in the Ancient World: learning, trade, art, geopolitics, architecture, and culture. At one time or another it was the premier city of Greece, the Moorish capital of ...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
In 1530, Charles V of Spain leased the island of Malta to the Knights of the Order of St. John. In lieu of rent every year, the knights gave the king a Maltese falcon – not a jewel-encrusted objet d'art like the one Humphrey Bogart wa...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Prehistoric stone enclaves and temples are scattered over the islands of Malta's archipelago. The earliest signs of civilization in the Mediterranean, some are older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids. Like Stonehenge, the temples are "...
Tour ends: Valletta. Transfers are included from your hotel to Malta's Luqa International Airport. Transfers are approximately 20 minutes depending on time of day and traffic. Please allow three hours for check-in at the airport.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Skip this cruise - not worth it
My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...
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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.
In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.
Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.
Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.
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Le Bougainville offers a refined small ship cruising experience, with a maximum capacity of just 184 passengers. The ship sports six passenger decks that include a main lounge offering a bar with evening entertainment, and a 188-seat theatre hosting informative lectures and entertainment and featuring the latest sound and lighting technology, both on Deck 3; the elegant, panoramic main dining room serving French and international cuisine on Deck 4; the casual restaurant serving grilled specialties, salads and desserts on Deck 3; a panoramic lounge forward on Deck 6; a spa and fitness center on the top deck (Deck 7); and multiple observation areas. Elevators serve all passenger decks. Staterooms (ranging in size from 204 to 296 sq. ft.) and suites (ranging in size from 296 to 484 sq. ft.) have ocean views; 95% have private balconies. Staterooms are decorated by French designers, offering individually controlled air conditioning, twin beds converting to a queen-size bed (or one queen-size bed), DVD / CD player, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, electronic safe and minibar. Aboard Le Bougainville, the Tauck group may share the ship with non-Tauck guests. On all departures, the Tauck group will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests. Your cruise will be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions, while your time on board Le Bougainville will provide opportunities for you to interact with the ship's other non-Tauck guests.
Specifications: Elevator Yes Length 430 ft. / 131 m. Guests 184 Draft 15 ft. / 4.5 m. Crew members 110 Beam 59 ft. / 18 m. Ship registry Tonnage France 9,900 gross tons
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