Inselwelt und antike Schätze des Mittelmeers

 Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your daytime between airport and embarkation port.

Valletta

Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.

Drive to Dingli Cliff for a photostop brefore Mdina visiting. Then, proceed to Mdina - Malta's Old Capital. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.

Continue with the visit of Palazzo Parisio, a unique 19th century palace in the heart of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Parisio is not only another palace of the legendary Knights of St. John, but the ultimate memorial of ambitions, aspirations and pretensions of a 19th century noble family. It houses two baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangery - a miniature Versailles.

Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.

You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on your ship.

 

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers, and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

 

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

 

Important Information: Depending on the day of embarkation, this program may be subject to change : the Cathedral is closed on Sundays, so you will visit the Mosta Basilica instead. Palazzo Parisio is closed on Mondays; so refreshments and snacks will be served at Casa Bernard instead.

 

Duration and price of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT's selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.

Before embarking on your cruise, take time to immerse yourself in the artistic grandeur, ancient heritage and warm spirit of the Mediterranean.

Day 1 - Valletta

You will be greeted at Malta International Airport by our local representative upon arrival of the flight selected by PONANT, or any other flight provided the details have been shared in advance with your travel advisor.

Transfer to you hotel 4* hotel.

Check-in to your room from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Valletta

After breakfast at the hotel, set off on foot with your guide to explore the wonders of Valletta. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Maltese capital is a treasure full of history, art and culture.

Your walking tour begins at the Triton Fountain and continues past the Parliament building and several historic auberges. You will then visit St John’s Co-Cathedral*, a baroque masterpiece that houses Caravaggio’s renowned Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

The tour continues to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, offering breathtaking views over the Grand Harbour.

Return to the hotel on foot.

Lunch, afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 - Valletta, Embarkation

After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to the traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk, known for its colourful luzzus, the iconic Maltese boats. Enjoy some free time to stroll along the harbour.

The journey continues with a panoramic photo stop at the Dingli Cliffs, followed by a guided tour of Mdina, Malta’s former capital, known as the “Silent City”. Discover its medieval streets, imposing ramparts and magnificent cathedral**.

You will then continue to Mosta to visit its iconic basilica, renowned for its grand neoclassical dome, one of the largest in Europe.

Enjoy a traditional Maltese lunch in a local restaurant.

Transfer to the port for embarkation on your ship.

Your programme includes:

·        2 nights in a 4* Hotel, breakfast included

·        Lunch on Day 3

·        All transfers, guided visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme

·        Services of a local French-speaking guide

Your programme does not include:

·        Meals not mentioned (lunches and dinners at leisure)

·        Personal expenses

·        Gratuities for the guide and driver

·        Any services not mentioned in the programme

Important information:

If you are travelling on a flight not selected by PONANT, please ensure your flight details are communicated to your travel advisor no later than 30 days prior to the start of your cruise, so we can arrange your airport transfer accordingly.

*St. John’s Co-Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. In case of closure, the visit will be replaced by a tour of the Grand Master’s Palace.

**Mdina Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. When closed, guests will be given an exterior explanation and visit the Mosta Basilica instead.

All timings are for reference only and may be adjusted according to local conditions or opening hours.

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

 

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Athens

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

You will be taken by coach for an exploration of one of the oldest cities in Europe, Athens.

You will enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. You will make your first stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, a 19th-century reconstruction on Roman foundations, in which the first modern Olympic Games took place. This stadium is also known as the Kallimármaro which means “the beautiful marbled”, because it is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. It was also restored to host some competitions during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

You will arrive at the Acropolis Museum, which was opened in June 2009. The architecture of the whole venue has been designed to emulate the cult of the Temple of Athena. At the foot of the sacred hill, the building’s rear facade of concrete and glass seems to billow out with the weight of its history, and it is from here that you will have your first view of the Parthenon. The museum provides a magnificent setting for the treasures discovered on the hill. The first gallery houses the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens and the glass floor provides a view of the archaeological excavations, giving you the impression of being in the very heart of these ancient ruins.

At the end of the morning, you will be taken to the Plaka Old District located at the bottom of the Acropolis, in the historic heart of Athens. You will have some free time (about 45 minutes or more depending on your flight return) to explore on foot Plaka’s pedestrian shopping streets where you will find jewellery stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Lunch.

·        Tips for the guide and the driver.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.