Kreuzfahrt durch das Mittelmeer: Sizilien, Sardinien und Mallorca – mit Smithsonian Journeys

This specially designed program is an opportunity to get a sense of the extraordinarily rich history of this small island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Learn about the importance of Malta as a crossroads of trade and as the headquarters of the Knights of St. John, as well as something of the island's Neolithic past as preserved in the prehistoric megaliths of Hagar Qim. Enjoy all of this while staying at one of the world's truly grand hotels.

Day 1 – Valletta, Malta

On arrival at the Malta International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Phoenicia Malta hotel (or similar), your home for the next two nights. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m. A local representative will be present at a hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.

Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

Day 2 – Valletta

 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining a guided walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a stroll to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views over the Grand Harbor. Your visit to the extraordinary interior of the 16th-century Co-Cathedral of St. John affords the opportunity to see Caravaggio’s massive masterpiece, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. And during your tour of the Palace of the Grand Master, which serves today as the office of the president of Malta, you will see the richly decorated state rooms and tapestry chamber.

The balance of the day is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner.

 

Day 3 - Valletta | Embarkation

 

After breakfast and check out of the hotel, drive inland to the city of Mdina, the capital of Malta until the Knights of St. John moved it to Valletta in the 16th century. Your walking tour includes the stunning Baroque Cathedral of St. Paul, built on the site where it is said Paul converted the Roman governor to Christianity in the months following his shipwreck on the island in the year 60. From Mdina, drive to the a nearby winery for a tasting of some of Malta's finest wines before stopping at a historic local restaurant for a lunch of traditional Maltese specialties.

After lunch, drive to the southern coast of the island to visit the Hagar Qim Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to 3600 BC. Located on a hilltop overlooking the sea, Hagar Qim is among the earliest free-standing stone buildings in the world. Following your guided tour of this extraordinary site, transfer to the pier to embark your ship.

 

Your hotel:

The Phoenicia Malta, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is Malta’s landmark hotel with a storied history spanning over 60 years. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the hotel is situated in an ideal location just outside the walled city of Valletta and its 16th-century bastions. From the hotel’s front door, the historic wonders of Valletta, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, are all within easy walking distance. The hotel boasts 136 rooms and suites combining old-world elegance and a fresh style. Its modern conveniences ensure a comfortable and luxurious stay.

 

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at The Phoenicia Malta (or similar), including breakfast

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling to the pier on embarkation day

·        Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast on days 2 and 3

·        Lunch on Day 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        The duration of the visits is given as a guide only, and the order of the visits may change.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

The Phoenicia Malta

The Mall

Floriana FRN1478

Malta

Telephone: +356.2122.5241

 

Catalonia enjoys one of the richest cultural heritages in Spain. This specially designed program introduces you to two fascinating elements of that heritage: the 12th-century Benedictine monastery on Montserrat and the modernist marvels of Barcelona.

Day 1 – Disembark | Montserrat

After breakfast aboard the ship, set out on a full-day excursion to the astonishing Monastery of Montserrat. A scenic drive north of Barcelona brings you to the charming town of Monistrol de Montserrat, where you’ll board a cog railway for the steep climb up the serrated limestone mountains to the monastery perched near the summit.

Your guided visit includes the ornate basilica, home to the beloved wooden statue of the Virgin that has drawn pilgrims since the 12th century, and the Montserrat Museum, which houses works by masters such as Monet, Picasso, Casas, and Rusiñol.

Enjoy a traditional Catalan lunch at the Abat Cisneros Restaurant, once the monastery’s stables, followed by free time to further explore this spiritual site on your own.  Arrive in Barcelona and check in to your hotel.

Day 2 - Barcelona, Spain

After breakfast, set off on a guided tour showcasing Barcelona’s architectural treasures and historic heart. Begin with a leisurely walking tour through the Gothic Quarter, passing by the grand Cathedral, Plaça Reial, Plaça Sant Jaume, and Plaça del Rei. Continue to the Born district for a glimpse of the beautiful Santa Maria del Mar and some free time to explore.

Enjoy lunch at Brisa Restaurant, then board your coach for a panoramic drive passing the Arc de Triomf en route to La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece. Begun in 1884 and still unfinished, this extraordinary basilica continues to awe visitors from around the world. Your guided tour will bring Gaudí’s visionary architecture and the ongoing work to life. Return to Barcelona in the afternoon, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 - Barcelona, Spain

After breakfast, check out of the hotel for individual transfers to the airport for your onward flight.

Your hotel:
The NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón is a premium 4-star hotel, perfectly situated on Rambla Catalunya, just steps from top restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Guests can enjoy modern rooms, a rooftop pool with panoramic city views, a fitness center, and a welcoming lobby bar.

Your program includes:
2 nights at NH Calderón Hotel (or similar)
Transfers and luggage handling from the ship to the hotel on Day 1
Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3
Breakfast on Days 2 & 3
Lunch on Days 1 & 2
Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
Local English-speaking local guide
Gratuities for drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:
Transfers from the airport on days other than the scheduled program arrival day
Personal expenses and any services or meals not mentioned as included

Please note:
It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the program start to secure your transfer.
Early check-in and/or late check-out are available subject to availability and at a supplement. Extra nights can be arranged upon request.
The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted.
This post-cruise program is sold as a package. No refunds will be made for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
Program is subject to change and offered on a space-available basis.

Hotel contact information:
NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón
Rambla Catalunya, 26
Barcelona 08007, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 301 0000