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Legendary Shores of Italy and Croatia Luxury Cruise

Legendary Shores of Italy and Croatia Luxury Cruise

From AUD $8,150

Description

Set off to discover the legendary shores of Italy, along the Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, via Sicily and with a break at the Croatian island pearl of Hvar. At sea, spectacular landscapes unfold between the deep blue sea, lush hills, secret coves and cliffside villages. Each port of call reveals a facet of this mythical land, at the crossroads of multiple influences: ancient sites bearing witness to a glorious past, treasures of Baroque and Renaissance architecture, sunny squares inviting you to partake in la dolce vita, local flavours… A unique journey featuring a harmonious blend of thousand-year history, living traditions and Mediterranean panoramas of rare beauty.

Trip Name
Legendary Shores of Italy and Croatia Luxury Cruise
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 meters Passenger Capacity: 264 (in twin cabins, 200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 Le Boréal, along with her sisterships L’Austral, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial, embodies PONANT’s signature blend of luxury, intimacy, and serene well-being. Designed with both conviviality and tranquillity in mind, she offers inviting shared spaces alongside peaceful retreats for moments of quiet escape. Her sleek exterior and refined interiors reflect the careful thought and craftsmanship that define the fleet, with a décor that captures the spirit of a private yacht. Featuring 132 staterooms and suites, she welcomes up to 264 guests in an atmosphere that feels both elegant and personal. Built in 2010 by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, Le Boréal measures 466 ft in length, with a beam of 59 ft, an ice-class 1C hull, and eco-design innovations continually updated to improve her environmental performance. With six passenger decks, 11 Zodiacs for exploration, and attentive French-flag service, she is equally at home navigating icy polar waters or warm, sunlit coasts. Life on board combines refined gastronomy, engaging social activities, and immersive excursions, creating a travel experience where elegance meets adventure.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Civitavecchia (Roma)
Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometres from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.
Day 2 - Day 2 - 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.
Day 3 - Day 3 - 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.
Day 4 - Day 4 - 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.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Gallipoli
Gallipoli, which comes from the Greek kalle polis, meaning beautiful town, is very aptly named. Located on the heel of the boot, the town known as “the pearl of Puglia” has many attractions. The whiteness of its façades recalls its Greek origins while its architecture echoes its multiple influences. Its old town, perched on a limestone island, concentrates the cultural heritage of this city with a thousand faces, alternately a Roman colony, then Byzantine, the property of the Popes, Norman, under the rule of Taranto… By itself, it tells the story of the different civilisations of the Mediterranean Sea. 
Day 6 - Day 6 - Monopoli
Perched on the Adriatic coast in Puglia, the charming small town of Monopoli blends history and authenticity. Protected by its fortified walls along the seafront and its castle, in the shade of the cathedral’s elegant bell tower, the town is bustling with fishermen who come to repair their nets or unload the day’s catch. But it is also the gateway to the village of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alberobello is famous worldwide for its traditional dry stone huts called trulli. These dwellings with whitewashed walls and conical, domed or pyramid-shaped roofs are built without any mortar, using a construction technique inherited from prehistoric times.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Hvar
Off the coast of Split, Hvar will surprise you by its traditions that have not changed since Antiquity. The country’s oldest town, Stari Grad, is here on this Dalmatian Island. The town nestles by a cove on the north-west coast, surrounded by dry stone wall structures on the Stari Grad plains. These have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because they were built in the time of the Ancient Greeks.  From these parcels of land come wines and olive oil manufactured manually. In the upper part of town, it is possible to discover hams and cheeses made by local producers. 
Day 8 - Day 8 - Ancona
Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbour, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th century mansion where the painter Raphael was raised.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Venice
Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 11 - Day 11 REYKJAVÍK
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
Day 12 - Please Note:
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the coastal ice cannot be broken, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $8,150Superior Stateroom
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $8,600Deluxe Stateroom
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $9,050Prestige Deck 4
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $9,500Prestige Deck 5
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $10,030Prestige Deck 6
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $16,220Deluxe Suite
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $18,020Prestige Deck 5 Suite
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $18,470Prestige Deck 6 Suite
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $28,540Owner's Suite
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $8,600Deluxe Stateroom
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $9,050Prestige Deck 4
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $9,500Prestige Deck 5
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $10,030Prestige Deck 6
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $16,220Deluxe Suite
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $18,020Prestige Deck 5 Suite
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $18,470Prestige Deck 6 Suite
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $28,540Owner's Suite
20-05-202728-05-2027AUD $8,150Superior Stateroom

Inclusions

    • Emblematic kaleidoscope of Italy
    • from Campania to Veneto via Sicily – and discovering Hvar, a Croatian cultural jewel.
    • Exceptional heritage and UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Civitavecchia (embarkation port); the Neapolis archaeological park in Syracuse; the Greco-Roman Theatre in Taormina; Venice (disembarkation port).
    • A few of the included excursions: mythical Mount Etna (Taormina); visit the pretty village of Noto (Syracuse), etc.

Map