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Le Bougainville, 8 Night A Circumnavigation of Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta Return

Cruise Le Bougainville, 8 Night A Circumnavigation of Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta Return
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Bougainville
Destination EU Mediterranean
Brief Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Valletta, Malta onboard Le Bougainville
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 05 May 2026
Cruise Description 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.

We invite you to join us on a circumnavigation of Sicily, a crossroads of the many historical civilizations—Greek, Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Norman—that have flourished along the shores of the Mediterranean.

Setting sail from Malta, your first stop in Sicily is Porto Empedocle, gateway to the fabled Greek temples of Agrigento, among the most captivating ruins in the entire Mediterranean.

Next cross the sea to Tunisia. From Tunis, travel to storied Carthage, a Phoenician stronghold from the 9th century BC until it was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC. The site includes several important Phoenician remains, including Tophet, the sanctuary of the gods Tanit and Baal, as well as many monuments from the Roman period. Also explore the Bardo Museum, world-renowned for its spectacular collection of Roman mosaics.

Back in Sicily, after rounding the western tip of the island, 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 fifth day aboard Le Bougainville brings you to Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and becoming 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. Or drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral.

In Lipari, discover the 16th-century Norman castle-turned-archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis before sailing in the evening to Stromboli, whose active volcano provides the backdrop as you cruise around the island.

From Stromboli, your ship sails through the Strait of Messina to arrive at Taormina on Sicily's east coast. Visit a winery on the slopes of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, or tour Taormina town with its emblematic Greek theater offering dramatic views of the coastline.

The final port of call before your voyage comes to an end in Valletta is Syracuse, colonized by Greeks in the 8th century BC only to grow to rival Athens as one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. You will visit the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus and the 15,000 seat Greek theater or Ortygia, the old town and its Baroque cathedral.

Your voyage ends back in Valletta.
Sailing Dates
05 May 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $15,920 AU $10,900
PR4 AU $17,670 AU $12,070
PR5 AU $18,540 AU $12,650
PR6 AU $19,580 AU $13,340
DS4 AU $27,260 AU $18,460 AU $9,660
DS3 AU $27,260 AU $18,460 AU $9,660
DS5 AU $27,260 AU $18,460 AU $9,660
PS5 AU $36,870 AU $24,870 AU $12,870
PS6 AU $38,800 AU $26,160 AU $13,510
PV6 AU $40,710 AU $27,430 AU $14,150
PV5 AU $40,710 AU $27,430 AU $14,150
GD6 AU $44,730 AU $30,110 AU $15,490
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
5 May 2026 Valletta, Malta 6:00 PM
6 May 2026 Porto Empedocle, Italy 8:30 AM 2:00 PM
7 May 2026 Tunis, Tunisia 6:00 AM 6:30 PM
8 May 2026 Trapani, Sicily, Italy 8:00 AM 8:00 PM
9 May 2026 Palermo, Sicily. IT 6:00 AM 11:00 PM
10 May 2026 Lipari, Italy 8:00 AM 2:00 PM
10 May 2026 Stromboli. Italy 6:00 PM 8:00 PM
11 May 2026 Taormina, Sicily 8:00 AM 10:00 PM
12 May 2026 Syracuse, Sicily. IT 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
13 May 2026 Valletta, Malta 7:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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