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Explore the ancient history, mythology, and natural beauty of Southern Italy cruising aboard Le Ponant, a sleek motor-sailing yacht that accommodates just 60 passengers. The tour includes additional days to see historic sights in Rome and Malta. Your ports-of-call include Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and remote Aeolian Isles. In Sicily, see the Greek Theater in Siracusa, the charming pedestrian market in Taormina, the medieval town of Erice, and the impressive Doric temple in Segesta. Take in castles, cathedrals, and fortresses in Valletta, Lipari, and Naples. Drive along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, and visit the Vatican and Roman Forum in Rome. Enjoy Palermo’s nightlife and Naples’ pizza on this Italy cruise tour.
2008 Itinerary
Northbound
* Southbound itinerary is the reverse of Northbound
• Indicates day of cruising
Day 1: Arrive in Medieval Malta
A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Le Méridien Phoenicia in Valletta, Malta. Valletta is rich in historic treasures as it was founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. Tour begins at 6:00 p.m. at Le Méridien Phoenicia. Meet fellow travelers at tonight's welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Le Méridien Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta
• Day 2: Let the Southern Italy cruise begin
A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay. A highlight of your Valletta walking tour is the treasure trove of art found in the Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. Begin your Italy cruise aboard Tauck's sporty yacht, Le Ponant, in Grand Harbour and set sail for Sicily.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 3: Antiquities in Siracusa, Sicily
Your Italy cruise docks at Siracusa, an ancient Greek stronghold. Visit the Neapolis Parco Archeologico highlighted by a 15,000-seat, rock-hewn Greek theater. Discover Latomia del Paradiso to see what you hear through the Ear of Dionysius. Meander around Ortigia on your own, and don’t miss the Doric Temple of Apollo. Enjoy the Captain’s reception this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 4: Taormina on Sicily
Admire the view as you sail into Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Survey the Teatro Greco and stroll the Corso Umberto, Old Town’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and pasticceries.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 5: Palermo
Dock in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. See the Cathedral, with its mix of architectural styles, and Porto Nuovo. Experience a "Taste of Palermo" during lunch today as you sample an array of regional specialties and enjoy local entertainment on board your luxury yacht tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 6: Antiquities of Sicily
Drive to northwest Sicily to ancient Segesta. Take in the unfinished temple encircled by 36 massive Doric columns, which was started in 426 BC and is remarkably preserved. Continue on to the medieval town of Erice, the mythological seat of the Roman goddess Venus; have lunch and see the Castello di Venere, a Norman castle, with free time to explore on your own. Join Le Ponant in Trapani.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 7: Sailing the Aeolian Isles
The next port-of-call is Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, noted for its colorful houses, 17th-century cathedral and 16th-century castle. Sail by the island of Stromboli tonight, where its active volcano will provide an unforgettable show.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
• Day 8: The Amalfi Coast to Ravello
Visit the town of Amalfi. Then set out on the mountainous route along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. Visit Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes, offering outstanding coastal views and savor a wonderful lunch. Enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Ponant
Day 9: Castles and pizza in Naples
Your Italy cruise ends in Naples, but your Italy tour continues on land. Disembark the ship, then take a guided tour including Castel dell’Ovo, a military fortress in the Santa Lucia district, and Castel Nuovo. Visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale showcasing one of the world’s best collections of Greco-Roman artifacts. Savor authentic Neapolitan pizza before traveling to Rome.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Parco Dei Principi, Rome, Italy
Day 10: All roads lead to Rome
See Rome’s landmark sights with a local guide, including Vatican City, and pursue your own interests in the "Eternal City" in the afternoon. Share tour highlights with companions at tonight's farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Parco Dei Principi, Rome, Italy
Day 11: Arrivederci Italy
Tour ends in Rome, Italy. A transfer to the airport from Grand Hotel Parco Dei Principi is included.
Meals: Breakfast
and medieval historic sights by yacht –
book now for the best dates!
Dates & Prices
Northbound
Apr 27
Sep 21
Oct 5
Southbound
May 3
Sep 27
Oct 11
11 Day Land / Cruise from $6,390
| Double | Single | Triple | |
| 2008 Price per Person | $6390 | $10,220 | $5690 |
28 meals included.
International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).
Land / Cruise Price includes private Tauck shore excursions, cruise fare, port charges, wine with dinner aboard Le Ponant, and gratuities to ship staff.
Travel North or South – Cruise operates North from Malta and Southbound from Rome. Sightseeing is identical.
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Cruise Protection Plan.
All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.
- 11418
- Ocean
- 01 Jan 00
- Europe
- 07 Jun 16
- Tauck Cruising
- Cruise Only
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Important Terms
- * This product is priced in USD (USD), AUD rates can fluctuate depending on exchange rates, final rates in AUD will be confirmed by your consultant at time of booking.
- Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated.
- Advertised price includes any bonus nights, special offers or discounts listed in the inclusions.
- Surcharges may apply due to demand, Christmas & New Year's Eve, school or public holidays, trade shows, special events & other unforeseen circumstances.
- Prices may be based on Dynamic Rates and as such, may fluctuate at anytime without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases, or at the property's discretion.
Cruise Line
Tauck Cruising
Go beyond the ordinary and experience cruise travel at its best with Tauck. What makes Tauck’s Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is the focus on the destination. Each scenic ports of call connect you with people and places, which will give you a moving, compelling and heart-warming experience both onboard and ashore.
Time ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Tauck’s cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You’ll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. After a day of extraordinary sightseeing, Tauck welcome you back onboard the hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that’s inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.
You can expect to see the sights a bit differently than you would with anyone else. Tauck explores Europe’s great waterways from the Rhine and the Danube to the Rhône and the Seine in France. Their luxurious riverboats are spacious and comfortable, welcoming you to an onboard experience characterized by the Tauck. Discover river cruises that go beyond the ordinary!
Tauck Voted World’s Best River Cruise Line
For the second time in three years, Tauck has been named the “World’s Best River Cruise Line" by the readers of Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s most authoritative and respected publications for travellers. The World’s Best Awards from Travel + Leisure are selected by the magazine’s readers. Every year, T+L holds a survey for readers to fill out on their main website. The survey remains open until April.
Winners are announced in the August/September issues of Travel + Leisure. These awards are given in categories such as hotels, resorts, spas, cruises, airlines, travel companies, tour operators, cities, islands, family travel, and more.
River Cruising
The heart of history meets the art of sophisticated river cruise travel aboard Tauck’s river cruises. Experience the Tauck difference on cruise travel days along great European waterways from the Rhine to the Danube, from the canals of the Netherlands to the Rhône, from the Main to the Danube and the Moselle…
You’ll cruise aboard spacious riverboats that have been custom designed to meet American standards with well appointed outside facing cabins and suites, a choice of on-board dining venues, complimentary wine with dinner, fitness centers and attentive personal service from Tauck’s staff and the ship’s crew.
Ancient civilizations beckon on cruise travel days along the River Nile in Egypt and China’s Yangtze River on Tauck’s Exotic journeys, where 3- and 4-night river cruise travel enhances land journeys.
Small Ship Cruising
The difference in Tauck’s small ship cruise travel lies in the choreography of the total cruise travel experience – the combination of personalized cruising with cultural land exploration. How you spend your days ashore – where you go, what you do, who you meet – that’s the Tauck difference. From the moment you step ashore, with 85 years of expertise on land ensures that on every cruise travel day, every moment of your shore excursions (all included in the price) count! Smaller ships hold fewer passengers, which means more personal attention from the captain and the crew – you’ll find the on-board atmosphere to be both club-like and comfortable. The pace is more relaxed, the conversations are richer, and the day-to-day experiences are shared with like-minded travelers.
