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Peregrine Travel Centre

Splendours of the Western Mediterranean – with Renaud Capuçon

Splendours of the Western Mediterranean – with Renaud Capuçon

From AUD $7,020

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Description

In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE with the exceptional presence on board of Renaud Capuçon and Alain Duault.

From the Maltese archipelago to the Greek coast via Sicily, PONANT invites you to experience exceptional moments discovering fascinating sites.

Le Lyrial will leave Valletta, the capital of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, for an 8-day cruise on seas that are brimming with history.

After calling at beautiful Catania whose Late Baroque style monuments spread to the foot of Mount Etna, we will set sail for Taormina.

In Taormina, the streets will lead you to the impressive ancient theatre, where the quality of the acoustics is exceptional. And as a constant backdrop: the majestic Mount Etna!

Le Lyrial will then cross the Ionian Sea towards Katakolon, its first Greek point of call. From the port, you will be able to head to Olympia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose ruins testify to its former grandeur. On the following day, from Itea, another exceptional site awaits: Delphi.

Your ship will then sail along the astonishing Corinth Canal, a famous sea channel dug out by men in the 19th century, and arrive in Nafplion. From Nafplion you will able to visit two ancient jewels: the Epidaurus Theatre and Mycenae, the royal city of House of Atreus.

The cruise will then enable you to discover Hydra, a small island of old-worldly charm where motorised traffic is banned.

Your cruise will end in Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.

Trip Name
Splendours of the Western Mediterranean - with Renaud Capuçon
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Launched: 2015 A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the  luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in  Mediterranean coves A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

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 CATANIA, SICILY
Sicily’s second city Catania is dominated by the majestic silhouette of Mount Etna. Nourishing and devastating at the same time, this giant crowned with smoke rings brought about the destruction of the city at the end of the 17th century. Catania was then rebuilt in the late Baroque style, and the many monuments of this epoch have earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The baroque churches of the harmonious Via dei Crociferi perfectly illustrate the riches of this architectural heritage. During your stop, be sure to visit Saint Agatha Cathedral with its apses made of lava stones, and its square decorated with a fountain of the Elephant, the animal which allegedly has the power to calm the fury of Mount Etna …
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 KATAKOLON
This picturesque village stretches along the Ionian sea in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbour offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, the church of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.
Day 5 - Day 5 ITEA & CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL
Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!
Day 6 - Day 6 NAFPLION
The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.
Day 7 - Day 7 HYDRA
This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbour town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-coloured caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.
Day 8 - Day 8 ATHENS
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $7,020Superior Stateroom
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $7,660DeLuxe Stateroom
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $29,220Owner’s Suite
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $8,580Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $9,040Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $9,580Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $13,600Deluxe Suite
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $18,620Prestige Suite - Deck 5
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $19,630Privilege Suite
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $22,640Grand Deluxe Suite
16-09-202223-09-2022AUD $26,940Grand Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • A musical cruise in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with the exceptional presence on board of Renaud Capuçon, of Alain Duault and artists.
    • A cruise from Malta to Greece via the Sicilian coast, discovering majestic landscapes.
    • Unesco World Heritage Site: the historic centre of Valletta (disembarkation port), Mount Etna from Taormina and its Greek Theatre, Delphi from Itea, the Acropolis from the disembarkation port in Athens.
    • Sicily and its treasures with Catania and Taormina.
    • An unforgettable crossing of the Corinth Canal.

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