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A Circumnavigation of Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys

A Circumnavigation of Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys

From AUD $11,170

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Description

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
We invite you to join us on a circumnavigation of Sicily, a crossroads of the many historical civilizations—Greek, Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Norman—that have flourished along the shores of the Mediterranean.
Setting sail from Malta, your first stop in Sicily is Porto Empedocle, gateway to the fabled Greek temples of Agrigento, among the most captivating ruins in the entire Mediterranean
Next cross the sea to Tunisia. From Tunis, travel to storied Carthage, a Phoenician stronghold from the 9th century BC until it was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC. The site includes several important Phoenician remains, including Tophet, the sanctuary of the gods Tanit and Baal, as well as many monuments from the Roman period. Also explore the Bardo Museum, world-renowned for its spectacular collection of Roman mosaics.
Back in Sicily, after rounding the western tip of the island, you arrive in Trapani for an excursion into the countryside and the ancient Doric temple of Segesta or to medieval Erice, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea.
Your fifth day aboard Le Bougainville brings you to Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and becoming one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you will visit Cappella Palatina, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman structure featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls. Or drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral.
In Lipari, discover the 16th-century Norman castle-turned-archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis before sailing in the evening to Stromboli, whose active volcano provides the backdrop as you cruise around the island.
From Stromboli, your ship sails through the Strait of Messina to arrive at Taormina on Sicily’s east coast. Visit a winery on the slopes of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, or tour Taormina town with its emblematic Greek theater offering dramatic views of the coastline.
The final port of call before your voyage comes to an end in Valletta is Syracuse, colonized by Greeks in the 8th century BC only to grow to rival Athens as one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. You will visit the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus and the 15,000 seat Greek theater or Ortygia, the old town and its Baroque cathedral.
Your voyage ends back in Valletta.

Trip Name
A Circumnavigation of Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Le Dumont d’Urville is one of PONANT’s state-of-the-art Explorer-class yachts, designed to combine refined French sophistication with immersive expedition travel. Hosting a maximum of 184 guests across 92 elegantly appointed staterooms and suites, the ship offers an intimate cruising experience defined by comfort, style, and innovation. Expansive lounge areas, a panoramic theatre, and multiple bars create inviting spaces to relax and socialise, while the infinity pool seamlessly blends into the sea views. From the marina platform, guests can easily embark on Zodiac excursions or enjoy water activities in serene surroundings. Every detail aboard Le Dumont d’Urville reflects a celebration of nature and discovery. Guests enjoy world-class gastronomy, a serene spa and fitness area, and advanced technology that supports environmentally responsible exploration. Purpose-built for navigating diverse destinations — from Nordic fjords and Mediterranean coastlines to Caribbean islands and Arctic waterways — this sleek, modern vessel embodies the art of travel at sea: luxurious, sustainable, and deeply connected to the natural world.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 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.
Day 2 - Day 2 PORTO EMPEDOCLE, SICILY
Huddled on the south-western coast of Sicily, Porto Empedocles bears the name of the philosopher Empedocles, who lived in the region in the 5th century BC. An age-old city offered up to sun and sea, this is your doorway to the exceptional archaeological site of Temple Valley, a high place of Greek civilisation listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can admire the remains of many temples dedicated to Zeus, his wife Hera and Hephaestus. Make sure you take in the magnificent Italian countryside, with its olive orchards that cover the hillsides.
Day 3 - Day 3 TUNIS
At the crossroads of civilisations, the capital of Tunisia is rich in cultural discoveries. The ruins of Ancient Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and particularly well preserved, testify to the splendour of this city that was once Rome’s great rival. The hill of Byrsa, the former fortified citadel of the Phoenician port and one of the presumed burial places of Saint Louis who died there during the Eighth Crusade, offers spectacular views over the Gulf of Tunis. In the Bardo National Museum, you will be able to admire one of the world’s finest Roman mosaic collections, including the magnificent portrait of the poet Virgil.
Day 4 - Day 4 TRAPANI, SICILY
Bathed in the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city of Erice, boasting a privileged natural position in western Sicily. As you wander through its little streets, you will discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilisations that came here: San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata sanctuary, the fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savour some fresh fish from the morning’s catch. Or else you can opt for a seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbours.
Day 5 - Day 5 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.
Day 6 - Day 6 LIPARI, AEOLIAN ISLANDS & SAILING IN FRONT OF STROMBOLI
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. 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”.
Day 7 - Day 7 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 8 - Day 8 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 9 - Day 9 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.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $12,340Deluxe Stateroom
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $13,670Prestige Deck 4
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $31,230Privilege Suite Deck 6
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $31,230Privilege Suite Deck 5
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $34,290Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $34,290Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $44,810Owner's Suite
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $14,330Prestige Deck 5
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $15,120Prestige Deck 6
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $20,980Deluxe Suite Deck 4
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $20,980Deluxe Suite Deck 5
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $20,980Deluxe Suite Deck 6
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $20,980Deluxe Suite Deck 3
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $28,300Prestige Deck 5 Suite
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $29,770Prestige Deck 6 Suite
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $11,170Deluxe Stateroom
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $12,380Prestige Deck 4
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $12,990Prestige Deck 5
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $13,720Prestige Deck 6
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 6
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 3
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 4
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 5
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $25,710Prestige Deck 5 Suite
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $27,040Prestige Deck 6 Suite
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $28,370Privilege Suite Deck 5
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $28,370Privilege Suite Deck 6
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $31,160Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $31,160Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
10-05-202718-05-2027AUD $46,460Owner's Suite
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $11,170Deluxe Stateroom
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $12,380Prestige Deck 4
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $12,990Prestige Deck 5
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $13,720Prestige Deck 6
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 4
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 6
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 3
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $19,040Deluxe Suite Deck 5
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $25,710Prestige Deck 5 Suite
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $27,040Prestige Deck 6 Suite
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $28,370Privilege Suite Deck 5
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $28,370Privilege Suite Deck 6
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $31,160Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $31,160Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
15-10-202723-10-2027AUD $46,460Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
    • Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
    • Well-preserved Greek ruins in Agrigento, Segesta, Taormina, and Syracuse.
    • Norman cathedral churches in Erice and Monreale.
    • Stunning Byzantine-Arab mosaics in the Cappella Palatina in Palermo.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Megalithic Temples of Malta, Palermo, Monreale, the Aeolian Islands, Taormina, and Syracuse.
    • The active volcanoes of Stromboli and Etna.

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