A NEW cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT

Uncover layers of history as you cruise to the islands of the central Mediterranean—Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba—encountering Greco-Roman treasures, medieval fortresses, and Napoleon’s villa in exile.

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Starting at: $7,320 * Price includes special offer Make a Reservation Ask Us A Question or Call 855-330-1542

Cathedral on Ortygia, Syracuse, Sicily

The immense theater in Syracuse, Sicily

The mythical Fountain of Arethusa, Ortygia, Syracuse

The Old Town of Ortygia in Syracuse

Baroque church in Noto

The Greek Theater of Taormina

Cathedral square with St. Nicola Church, Taormina

Piazza IX Aprile and the Church of San Giuseppe, Taormina

View of Mt. Etna from the Greek Theater, Taormina

Close-up view of Mount Etna

Cathedral in Palermo, Sicily

View of Cefalu, Sicily

Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Colorful piazza in Cagliari, Sardinia

Street and baroque church in Cagliari, Sardinia

Archaeological site at Nora, Sardinia

View of Bonifacio, Corsica, France

Houses clinging to the cliffs, Bonifacio, Corsica, France

Bonifacio, Corsica

View of Portoferraio, Elba, Italy

Looking out from Portoferraio to the hills of Tuscany

Napoleon's villa on the island of Elba, Italy

View of port of Nice from atop Castle Hill

Mediterranean Island Voyage

Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba aboard the 184-guest Le Bougainville

8 days from $7,340

A NEW cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT

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Tour Details

TOUR BROCHURE

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JOURNEYS DISPATCHES

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Overview

Post-Cruise program - Maltese Highlights - 3 Days, 2 nights

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

Enjoy breakfast aboard ship before joining a guided walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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.

Continue with a stroll to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views over the Grand Harbor and end at the Phoenicia Malta hotel, your home for the next two nights. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m. The balance of the day is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner.

The Phoenicia Malta

Day 2 - Valletta

After breakfast at 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 a nearby winery for a private tour and 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, return to the hotel. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

The Phoenicia Malta

Day 3 – Valletta | Depart

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.

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 pier to the hotel on disembarkation day
Transfer and luggage handling to the pier from the hotel to the airport on the scheduled program departure day
Breakfast on days 2 and 3
Lunch on Day 2
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 hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day
Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

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

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

Itinerary - May 26, 2025 and May 25, 2026 departures (Nice to Valetta)

Day 1 – Nice, France

Arrive in Nice, France and board the ship. Take in the views as you cruise out of the city’s harbor. (D)

Le Bougainville

Day 2 – Elba, Italy

Trace European history from the Renaissance to Napoleon on the rugged island of Elba, just over six miles off the Tuscan coast. Dock in Portoferraio and visit Villa San Martino, Napolean's summer residence during his brief exile on the island. Continue to the charming fishing village, Porto Azzurro. Then travel through stunning scenery to a traditional wine farm to sample local wines, cheeses, and charcuteries. Alternatively, take a beautiful drive across Elba to visit Ottone Botanical Garden. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 3 – Bonifacio, Corsica, France

At the southern tip of Corsica lies the fortress town of Bonifacio, perched on cliffs high above the sea. Take an overview tour of the historic center by private mini-train. Then set off on foot into the labyrinthine streets of the medieval Citadel, visiting historic landmarks along the way. Stop at the old market where a viewpoint atop 230-foot-high cliffs offers panoramic views. Or choose to ride a local boat along the coast to Lavezzi Island, exploring magnificent grottos and coves that draw the turquoise seas deep into dramatically eroded limestone cliffs. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 4 – Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Sail into the harbor at Cagliari this morning and set out to tour Sardinia’s rose-colored capital city. Stroll through wide piazzas bordered by baroque palazzi and churches, and ascend to the impressive hilltop fortress. Take in views from Monte Urpino, then journey to ancient Nora, once a thriving port under the Carthaginians and the Romans. On a tour of the remarkable ruins here, some of which are now submerged, learn about the innovative waterworks and drainage system designed thousands of years ago. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 5 – Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Dock in Palermo and spend the day discovering the city’s eclectic cultural heritage, which blends influences of the Carthagians, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Normans. Learn about its unique Arab-Norman architecture, which flourished at the height of the city’s prosperity in the 12th century and is recognized as a World Heritage site. Admire the mosaics in the Norman cathedral, visit the Capella Palatina in the Norman Palace, then travel into the countryside to see the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Or visit the Arab-Norman Palazzo Conte Federico and take a stroll through the open-air market to soak up the ambiance of everyday life. You may instead choose an excursion to the medieval port town of Cefalù where a walking tour includes the Cathedral, covered in splendid painting and gold mosaics, and the excavations of Osterio Magno. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 6 – Taormina

Tucked into the rugged coast with Mount Etna as a backdrop, charming Taormina was once the capital of Byzantine Sicily. Discover the town’s cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja on a guided walking tour and visit the Greek Theater, where live performances still take place today. Or journey to Mount Etna, a World Heritage site, passing through traditional towns and villages. Take a look inside Etna’s inactive volcanic craters before heading to a mountainside winery for a tasting tour and a typical Sicilian lunch. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 7 – Syracuse

Cruise south to Syracuse, founded in 732 B.C. by the Corinthians and an important Mediterranean city for some 500 years. Follow in the steps of Aeschylus and Archimedes as you explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Venture into the Ear of Dionysius, a cave that allowed the tyrant Dionysus to eavesdrop on his prisoners, and see Greco-Roman artifacts at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, visit the World Heritage site of Noto, an excellent example of Sicilian baroque architecture and 18th-century urban planning. Stop for a gelato or a granita before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, visit the World Heritage-listed island of Ortigia, and delve into its mythology and history as you explore its Duomo and the legend-infused Fountain of Arethusa. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 8 – Valletta, Malta

Disembark in the World Heritage site of Valletta and extend your stay in Malta or transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

Itinerary - May 13, 2026 departure (Valetta to Nice)

Day 1 – Valletta, Malta

Arrive in the World Heritage site of Valletta and transfer to the ship to settle into your cabin. (B)

Day 2 – Syracuse

Cruise to Syracuse, founded in 732 B.C. by the Corinthians and an important Mediterranean city for some 500 years. Follow in the steps of Aeschylus and Archimedes as you explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Venture into the Ear of Dionysius, a cave that allowed the tyrant Dionysus to eavesdrop on his prisoners, and see Greco-Roman artifacts at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, visit the World Heritage site of Noto, an excellent example of Sicilian baroque architecture and 18th-century urban planning. Stop for a gelato or a granita before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, visit the World Heritage-listed island of Ortigia, and delve into its mythology and history as you explore its Duomo and the legend-infused Fountain of Arethusa. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville

Day 3 – Taormina