Treasures of the Mediterranean - Southbound 2019

11 days
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4.4/5 Great
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USTOA

Small Ship Cruise
Sail aboard Le Ponant on one of Tauck's most popular small ship cruises - a weeklong voyage to Corsica, Sicily, Malta and the Amalfi Coast, plus the islands of Lipari, Ponza, and Stromboli - and take in the Côte d'Azur, Provence and Monte-Carlo on a two-night land stay.

Overview

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

Highlights

    • Cruise the Mediterranean on your private sailing yacht
    • ports include Napoleon's island of exile Elba plus 5 other islands
    • with a two-night land stay in Monte-Carlo and one night on Malta

What's this trip about?

    Sail aboard Le Ponant on one of Tauck's most popular small ship cruises - a weeklong voyage to Corsica, Sicily, Malta and the Amalfi Coast, plus the islands of Lipari, Ponza, and Stromboli - and take in the Côte d'Azur, Provence and Monte-Carlo on a two-night land stay.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityNice, France
End CityValletta, Malta

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides included Only 60 guests aboard Le Ponant - just 32 staterooms - for intimate cruising that rewards with more personalized services Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,815 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, Monte-Carlo and Nice Tauck Exclusive - private evening at Palazzo Parisio on Malta A memorable nighttime sailing by the volcanic island of Stromboli to view its fiery eruptions of molten lava 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. 25 meals (10 breakfasts, 6 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 Nice / Monte-Carlo
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Fairmont Monte Carlo. Bonjour! A transfer is included from Nice Cote d'Azur Airport to the Fairmont Monte Carlo, set in the heart of glamorous Monte-Carlo. Join us for tonight's welcome cocktail reception and dinner. MEALS : D LODGING : Fairmont Monte Carlo PORTOFCALL : Monte Carlo, Monaco

Day 2 A day in magical Monte-Carlo
You'll discover much more about Monaco this morning when you get a taste of what life is like on the chic French Riviera during a walking tour of Monte-Carlo and a visit to the royal palace and gardens in Monaco-Ville. The remainder of the day is free to spend as you wis...
Day 3 Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence & embark Le Ponant
Depart Monte-Carlo and travel along the French Riviera to Nice, where you'll take a walking tour; see see landmarks that recall the days when Czarist aristocrats and British royals wintered here including the Promenade des Anglais along the seafront and the flower market...
Day 4 Exploring Napoleon's island of Elba
Le Ponant in the Mediterranean cruises to the 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 here in 1814 prior to his daring escape. You'll have two choices of sig...
Day 5 Corsica's hidden harbor of Bonifacio
Sail into the nearly hidden Corsican port of Bonifacio with a deep, narrow harbor sitting at the base of sheer limestone cliffs - a highlight of most Mediterranean cruises. Your entrance into the harbor aboard Le Ponant will be remembered forever... keep your camera at t...
Day 6 Ponza and cruising the Mediterranean
Ponza is fringed with dramatic coves and cliffs lined with yellow and pink houses. Fishing boats set out from the 18th-century harbor and vineyards cover the hillsides for a quintessential snapshot of daily life here. Spend the morning at leisure exploring the island vil...
Day 7 Spectacular Amalfi Coast & Ravello or Positano
Le Ponant anchors and you travel by Zodiac to the picturesque town of Amalfi - with two different sightseeing excursions to choose from. You can explore today on a guided walk in Amalfi, including a drive on the mountainous route along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most s...
Day 8 Lipari and the fiery lava of Stromboli
The largest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari sits on red volcanic rock and looks like "a wall of bronze" according to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found have yielded clues to civilizations which date to 1700 BC, including the Neolithic stones that sit along...
Day 9 Cliff-top Taormina or Mount Etna on Sicily
Anchor in Giardini-Naxos, a lovely beach resort, and transfer ashore by Zodiac for a choice of sightseeing excursion. First possibility is a visit to Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily with Mt. Etna towering in the distance sigh...
Day 10 A day well spent on Malta
Early this morning Le Ponant docks in the Grand Harbour (Port of Valletta) where you'll disembark. Rich in historic treasures, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, perched...
Day 11 Journey Home
Tour ends: Valletta, Malta. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Phoenicia Hotel Malta to Malta International Airport. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. MEALS : B PORTOFCALL : Valletta, Malta

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,290
Price per day$754
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

4.4/5  Great
Excellent
16
Great
4
Average
0
Disappointing
3
Terrible
0
K

KBone

Sep 2018

Written on

Pay for a 4 star trip and get 2 star food

My husband and I took the Treasures of the Mediterranean tour two weeks ago. The food off the ship was very good. The food on the ship was subpar (2 stars out of 4 ...

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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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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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Logistics

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
LE PONANT
LE PONANT Le Ponant, a three-masted schooner, cruises to small islands, hidden harbors and exclusive ports of call in the Mediterranean with only 60 guests aboard; she is stylish, friendly and relaxed. You’ll feel as though you are cruising with family – the Captain and the crew create a comfortable environment where guests easily interact with everyone aboard. Le Ponant was specially designed for worldwide cruising to remote destinations that are accessible only by small ships – specifically, destinations in the Mediterranean that big ships can’t reach. Coastal navigation and “island hopping” are easily accomplished, and the image of several dramatic harbor entries will last a lifetime!
Built: 1991 Renovated: 2004 Length: 290 ft. Draft: 13 ft. Beam: 39 ft. Tonnage: 850 tons Cruising Speed: 14 knots Air Conditioned: Yes Elevator: No Number of Guests: 60 Crew Members: 30 Registry: France Crew Nationality: International Internet: Send / Receive
LE PONANT
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 .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-WMS2019

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