From: Spain, Barcelona
To: Malta, Valletta
Dates: 12.08.2027 - 19.08.2027
Duration: 8 Nights
Ship: LE BOUGAINVILLE

Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca – with Smithsonian Journeys

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. This voyage in the heart of the Mediterranean explores four islands that, despite their differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations that have washed over them from prehistoric times to the present. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Italians, British, and Spanish—all have left their mark on the language, art, architecture, and cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia, Menorca, and Mallorca. From Barcelona, Spain, your discovery of these very special islands begins with two of Spain’s Balearic Islands.  In Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca, explore the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that define the island's landscape. On Menorca, visit Mahon, the island's main port, where a tour of the town reveals Menorca's varied history through its architecture—classical Georgian sash-windowed town houses sharing pride of place with traditional Spanish homes. Visit the Museum of Menorca, and then drive to Torralba d’en Salord, a large and well-preserved Bronze Age talayotic settlement recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is your gateway to the archaeological site of Nora. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it was subsequently taken over by Carthaginians, then by Romans. Explore the  remains of Carthaginian warehouses, buildings from the time of the Roman Republic, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large baths with splendid mosaics, and a theater, almost intact, dating to the time of the Roman Empire. Spend two days on the largest Mediterranean island, as you visit the Sicilian cities of Palermo and Trapani. Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC, became 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.  Drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Rounding Sicily's eastern tip, 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 voyage ends in Valletta, Malta.

LE BOUGAINVILLE

  • Guests: 184
  • Suites: 92
  • Crew: 118
  • Spa: 1
  • Restaurants: 2
  • Length: 430 ft
  • Beam: 59 ft
  • Draft: 15 ft
  • Ice class: 1C
  • Classification: Bureau Veritas
  • Flag: French
  • Decks: 5
  • Zodiacs: 9
  • Tonnage: 9 976 UMS
  • Motors: 2 X 2 000 KW
  • Power: 6 400 KW
  • Construction: Vard Sovik, Norway

Cruise Itinerary

Day
Date
Location
Arrival
Departure
1
Aug 12, 2027
Spain, Barcelona
16:00*
18:00
2
Aug 13, 2027
Spain, Palma de Mallorca
-
-
3
Aug 14, 2027
Spain, Mahon
-
-
4
Aug 15, 2027
cruising
-
-
5
Aug 16, 2027
Italy, Cagliari
-
-
6
Aug 17, 2027
Italy, Palermo
-
-
7
Aug 18, 2027
Italy, Trapani
-
-
8
Aug 19, 2027
Malta, Valletta
-
08:00**
The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of the cruise line or due to operational, weather, port, or safety considerations. The cruise operator reserves the right to substitute ports, alter the order of calls, or modify the program as necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.

Cabins & Accomodations

Lower deck balcony stateroom

  • Cabin: 19 m²
  • Pax: 2
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Upper decks balcony stateroom

  • Cabin: 19 m²
  • Pax: 2
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Deluxe Suite

  • Cabin: 27 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Prestige Suite

  • Cabin: 38 m²
  • Pax: 4
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Privilege Suite

  • Cabin: 32 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Grand Suite

  • Cabin: 45 m²
  • Pax: 4
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Owner's Suite

  • Cabin: 45 m²
  • Pax: 4
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