Treasures of The Mediterranean – Northbound

11 days
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Small Ship Cruise
This is the Mediterranean as you’ve always dreamed it should be, explored aboard a sailing ship small enough to reach remote, treasured islands that larger vessels overlook... A Mediterranean cruise doesn't get any better than this – discover the islands of Lipari, Ponza, Stromboli, Corsica, Sicily, Elba and Malta. See fortified medieval towns, ornate cathedr...

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Valletta, Malta’s capital city and an UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a virtual open-air museum.
    • Opportunity to Cruise to Sicily for a visit to Taormina
    • Shore excursion on Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands that lie off the northern coast of Sicily
    • Explore Napoleon's Elba & do some wine tasting
    • Visit the grave of artist Marc Chagall, a picture of serenity overlooking panoramic views of the countryside.
    • You will enjoy at Island of Ponza and cruising the Mediterranean

What's this trip about?

    This is the Mediterranean as you’ve always dreamed it should be, explored aboard a sailing ship small enough to reach remote, treasured islands that larger vessels overlook... A Mediterranean cruise doesn't get any better than this – discover the islands of Lipari, Ponza, Stromboli, Corsica, Sicily, Elba and Malta. See fortified medieval towns, ornate cathedrals, ancient castles, and the dramatic cliff-side drive along the Amalfi Coast on the Italian mainland. Feel like a jetsetter pulling into ports aboard Le Ponant, designed to access small harbors and remote destinations that large ships can’t maneuver. And on land... spend two nights in glittering Monte-Carlo along the French Riviera, where you'll explore Provence and the tiny principality of Monaco, and enjoy one night on Malta.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityValletta
End CityNice

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • France
  • Italy
  • Malta

Attractions

  • Amalfi Coast
  • Valletta

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Land expedition
  • Nature
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Sailing
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides included
    • Only 60 guests aboard Le Ponant – just 32 staterooms – for club-like cruising that rewards with more personalized services
    • Private Tauck Shore Excursions – $695 Value!
    • Visit six Mediterranean islands best accessed by small ship – Elba, Corsica, Ponza, Lipari, Sicily and Malta – for unique shore excursions off-the-beaten path
    • Explore the walled medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, see the remains of Taormina’s ancient Greek Theatre, and enjoy a wine tasting on Elba, Napoleon’s island base during exile from France
    • A memorable nighttime sailing by the volcanic island of Stromboli to view its fiery eruptions of molten lava
    • Aboard ship – bar & restaurant beverages throughout the day, including house wine & spirits
    • 26 meals (10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners) on land and at sea for an authentic taste of regional cuisine
    • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
    • Service charges, applicable fuel surcharges, taxes and porterage

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Malta
Meals: Dinner Accommodation: Phoenicia Hotel Tauck’s Mediterranean cruise begins at Phoenicia Hotel, Valletta, Malta. A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Phoenicia Hotel, set just outside of the ancient city walls of Valletta, overlooking the harbor. Meet your fellow cruisers this evening at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Day 2: A day in Malta, then embark your yacht
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Enjoy an orientation tour of the walled, pedestrian-only city of Mdina in the center of the island and a coastal drive around St. Julian’s Bay. Continue to Valletta, Malta’s capital city and an UNESCO Wo...
Day 3: Cruise to Sicily for a visit to Taormina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Go ashore at Giardini-Naxos for a memorable visit to Taormina, described by the German poet Goethe in 1787 as “a patch of paradise” clinging to the cliffs above the Ionian Sea. Known as a popular seaside...
Day 4: Cruise to Lipari and view fiery Stromboli
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Travel by zodiac for a shore excursion on Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands that lie off the northern coast of Sicily; vestiges of Lipari's ancient days under Greek and later Roman rule still re...
Day 5: Travel along the dramatic Amalfi Coast to Ravello
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Wake up to spectacular views of the incomparable Amalfi Coast, revered for its natural beauty since before the Middle Ages. Tender to shore for a memorable drive along the magical seascapes and an up-clo...
Day 6: Island of Ponza and cruising the Mediterranean
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Le Ponant anchors in Ponza, giving you lots of time to explore this largest island in Italy’s Pontine Archipelago. Your visual take-away will be the island's dramatic coves and cliffs, the main town's ye...
Day 7: Small ships only in the hidden port of Bonifacio, Corsica
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Sail into the nearly hidden Corsican port of Bonifacio with its deep, narrow harbor sitting at the base of sheer limestone cliffs; the entry is so spectacular it is certain to be a highlight of your Medi...
Day 8: Explore Napoleon's Elba & do some wine tasting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Aboard Le Ponant Le Ponant arrives pierside on the picturesque island of Elba and the secluded harbor of Portoferraio. Today you'll learn about the isolated life of Napoleon Bonaparte on Elba, who spent a brief exile her...
Day 9: Disembark in Nice and on to Monte-Carlo
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Fairmont Monte Carlo Disembark Le Ponant in Nice, France, where your Mediterranean cruise comes to an end; a brief sightseeing tour provides a view of the seaside Promenade des Anglais, which borders some beautiful beaches along the Fr...
Day 10: Saint-Paul-de-Vence & a Monte-Carlo farewell
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Fairmont Monte Carlo Travel this morning to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence for a walking tour that introduces centuries of history, chronicled in the architectural treasures that are found along its cobblestone str...
Day 11: Journey home
Meals: Breakfast Your Mediterranean cruise and tour ends in Nice, France. A transfer is included from the Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport; you should allow a minimum of 3 hours for check-in.  

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,990
Price per day$635
Last Updated: 2/16/2023

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.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

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Other Tauck Reviews

K

Kurlyk40

May 2024

Written on

Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost

My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sa...

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

Written on

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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Tour Operator

Tauck

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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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What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare
    • Passport and visa fees
    • Personal expenses

Accommodation

,Night 1 : Phoenicia Hotel - Valletta, Malta Nights 2 - 8 : Aboard Le Ponant - Mediterranean Sea Nights 9 - 10 : Fairmont Monte Carlo - Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
26 Meals 10 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 9 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for a cruise in the Mediterranean:   Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts An optional jacket and tie for men Casually elegant evening wear for ladies Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat Swimwear Gym wear A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night Binoculars (7x50 preferably) Insect repellent Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in Battery-operated travel alarm clock Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella Zipper-lock bags Daypack for camera equipment Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your ship cabin while traveling
Trip ID
tauck-TreOftTau

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