Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean

Dining

Beverages

Gratuities

Wi-Fi

from£5,409pp

08000 086 677 Enquire Now

Voyage Code: PONANTEG010626

8 nights

Le Bougainville

1 Jun '26

Cruise overview

Between Greece and Italy, set off aboard Le Bougainville for a cruise discovering two civilisations that have left traces of their intertwined presence in the Mediterranean. During an extraordinary nine-day odyssey, you will hear accounts of the history and secrets of the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover Reggio Calabria and the famous Riace bronzes during a visit to its prestigious Museum of Magna Graecia; dive into Sicilian baroque architecture with a visit to the village of Noto from Syracuse;.or visit the ruins of Mycenae and Epidaurus from Nafplio. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab). Italy, with its ancient archaeological sites, Renaissance palaces, citrus perfumes and internationally recognised cuisine, will welcome you for a few days of unforgettable visits. In the southernmost part of the Boot, you will sail towards Sicily, the Puglia region and Calabria, with three ports of call. Stroll the paved streets with their unique charm in Syracuse, walk on the lungomare, the sea front promenade, in Reggio di Calabria with the majestic Etna as a backdrop, and travel through time and history as you discover the former Greek city of Gallipoli.

It will now be time to set sail towards Greece. The legendary Peloponnese will plunge you into the country’s tumultuous and glorious past. Nafplio is an opportunity to discover the mythical sites of Epidaurus and Mycenae, respectively a ancient theatre and a pre-Hellenic city, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Monemvasia, a gem breathing poetry and revealing its Venetian and Byzantine architecture, commingles with the hustle and bustle and charm of Gythio, which was a former seaport of Sparta then a Roman naval base. In Epirus, you will be transported by your exploration of Parga, bathed by the Ionian Sea, with its fortress, built by the Normans in the 14th century, overlooking the pretty fishing port.

Valletta

Siracuse, Sicily

Reggio di Calabria

Gallipoli

Parga

Gythio

Monemvasía

Náfplion

Athens

Itinerary

Day 1

Valletta

Malta’s capital, the minicity of Valletta, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-color limestone. Houses along the narrow streets have overhanging wooden balconies for people-watching from indoors. Generations ago they gave housebound women a window on the world of the street. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta’s compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. City Gate and the upper part of Valletta are experiencing vast redevelopment that includes a new Parliament Building and open-air performance venue. The complex, completed mid-2013, has numerous pedestrian detours in place along with building noise and dust. Before setting out along Republic Street, stop at the tourist information office on Merchant Street for maps and brochures.

Day 2

Siracuse, Sicily

Day 3

Reggio di Calabria

Day 4

Gallipoli

Day 5

Parga

Day 6

Gythio

Day 7

Monemvasía

Day 8

Náfplion

Day 9

Athens

Deluxe Stateroomfrom£5,409pp

Prestige Stateroom from£5,699pp

Deluxe Suitefrom£10,239pp

Prestige Suitefrom£11,379pp

Privilege Suitefrom£12,229pp

Owner's Suitefrom£16,379pp

Grand Deluxe SuiteCall for price

Deluxe Stateroom

from£5,409pp

Enquire now

Elegant and light-filled, the Deluxe Stateroom features a private balcony, queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom and refined contemporary décor, offering a comfortable and stylish retreat after days of exploration.