4th Opera Festival at Sea

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a specially designed program.

Day 1 - Valletta

After breakfast aboard disembark the ship and depart on a walking excursion of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valletta, Malta's fortified capital city located on a hilly peninsula between two natural harbors.

You will visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens to enjoy panoramic views over the Grand Harbor. Proceed to the 16th-century St. John's Co-Cathedral and view Carravaggio's famous masterpiece, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, during an inside visit.

Then, you will board your coach and drive to a local vineyard. At the Meridiana Winery, enjoy a wine tasting of some of the country's most delicious wines. Proceed to a historic local restaurant for a lunch of traditional Maltese specialties.

After lunch, you will reboard your coach and drive to the Hagar Qim Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site (after a photostop at Blue Grotto). The temple complex dates to 3600 BC and is in a beautiful location on a cliff overlooking the sea.

You will be transferred to your hotel The Phoenica 5*.

Check-in in your room.

The end of the day and dinner are at leisure.

Day 2 - Valletta

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Malta International Airport for flights home.

Your hotel:

The luxurious Phoenicia Hotel 5* dates back to 1935. Surrounded by seven acres of gardens, it is ideally located next to the Triton Fountain in Valletta's City Gate Square, just outside the ancient city walls. The rooms are spacious and elegant with modern furnishings. You have a choice of three restaurants, serving a range of Maltese and Mediterranean food. The pool bar and restaurant offer a resort-style setting overlooking Grand Harbour. The hotel is also equipped with a gym and spa. Wi-Fi is available to all guests, throughout the hotel.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further details.

Your programme includes:

·         1-night accommodation at the Phoenicia Hotel 5* (or similar) in Superior room, breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverages package during meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee or tea).

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

·        Local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·         Lunch and dinner of day 1.

·        Tips for the guide

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 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.

Hotel contact information:

Phoenicia Hotel

The Mall Floriana

FRN 1478, MALTA

Telephone number: +356 2122 5241

Duration 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.

 

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your daytime between the port and the airport.

Valletta

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the pier by our local representative.Begin your journey with a scenic drive around the impressive fortifications of Valletta, offering a first glimpse into Malta’s storied past.

Make a photostop at the Lower Barracca Gardens, a peaceful oasis overlooking the Grand Harbour and home to the neoclassical monument to Sir Alexander Ball.

Continue towards Mdina, Malta’s Old Capital. This ancient walled city is considered one of Europe’s finest examples of preserved medieval and Baroque architecture. Stroll through its narrow streets, visiting the Cathedral and enjoying views from the Ramparts.

Enjoy some free time in Mdina to explore or relax at your own pace.

Next, drive to Mosta to discover the Mosta Basilica, renowned for its immense dome, one of the largest in Europe, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

Continue to Naxxar for a visit to the elegant Palazzo Parisio, a splendid 19th-century palace featuring lavish interiors and two baroque gardens, often referred to as a miniature Versailles.

Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.

Before your departure, head to Ta' Qali, a village known for its artisan traditions. Visit filigree outlets, where you can observe and shop for delicate handmade silver crafts.

Finally, transfer to Malta International Airport in time for the flight selected by PONANT.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme

·        Services of a local 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: This program may be subject to change depending on the day of disembarkation and the Ponant flight schedules. The order of visits may be reversed.

The Cathedral in Mdina is closed on Sundays and public holidays; in such cases, the visit will include alternative sites of interest.

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.

Day 1 -Venice

Meet at Venice Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to the hotel Palazzo Giovanelli 4*.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Venice

After breakfast, you will leave your hotel by boat to explore some of the hidden gardens of the city, learn their history and find out what prompted the locals to create gardens in such a challenging environment. Gardens in Venice come as a surprise: although many of the palaces have their own small, private garden, when wandering around it is easy to get the impression that Venice is a city of stone.

The first stop is Nani Bernardo Palace, opened especially for a private visit. Designed by the architect Vittoria and commissioned the Bernardo family, the palace was built in the mid-16th century with a beautiful Italian garden. On the other side of the Grand Canal, you will then enjoy a private visit of Palazzo Malipiero.
Initially built in a Byzantine style, it has undergone some modifications over the centuries. The adjacent Italian-style garden with a view of the Grand Canal, a rarity in Venice, makes it even more distinctive.
Like many others, this garden was created in the late 18th century, when the large palace gardens situated on the outskirts of the city disappeared because of residential and industrial development.

You will then be transferred by boat to Sant’Erasmo. While this is the largest island in the Venetian lagoon, it is only sparsely populated. For years this has been Venice’s countryside, the agricultural zone which produces the fruit and vegetables consumed by the city-dwellers.  Its artichokes are particularly renowned. You will take a walk through the vineyards of the Cantina Orto di Venezia estate, before tasting three vintages of locally produced Orto, a white wine full of this special island’s unique character. This wine is made from ancient Italian grape varieties; the vines are cultivated using traditional and eco-friendly methods.

Driven by their passion and tenacity, the Thoulouze family have managed to recreate the ancestral methods of drainage using the natural tides of the lagoon.
Orto is a white wine with a high mineral content and a flavour that reflects its terroir. It can be drunk on any occasion but goes especially well with the products of the Venetian lagoon: fish, artichokes, and asparagus. It was recently named the best Italian Malvasia vintage.  

After the visit, you will take a boat ride to Mazzorbo, a rural island connected to Burano by a wooden pedestrian bridge. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. During afternoon, you will enjoy leisure time in Burano.

You will return to your hotel by boat, to enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure.

Day 3 - Venice

Breakfast at your hotel, morning at leisure and check-out.

You will then visit a tavern to enjoy a cooking lesson and learn the secrets of Venetian cuisine.  With the chef’s guidance and supervision, you will create typical local dishes as you learn more about the culture and cuisine of the region. At the end of the lesson, you will eat what you prepared and toast to this memorable experience.

You will then be transferred by boat to the pier of Venice to embark on board your ship.

Your hotel:

Palazzo Giovanelli 4* is a hotel in the heart of the historic centre of the city, near Saint Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace.  Its location by the canals, its intimate atmosphere, and its refined style, will immediately immerge yourself into the Venetian spirit. Its carefully equipped rooms offer a cosy cocoon combining contemporary design and Italian touch.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        2-night accommodation in Superior room at Palazzo Giovanelli 4* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 beer and 1 coffee or tea).

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

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Dinners.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or guests on wheelchair.

·        Early check-in and late check-out can be requested depending on availability and at a supplement.

Contact of your hotel:

The Palazzo Giovanelli

Campo San Stae, 2070, 30135 Venezia VE, Italie

+39 041 525 6040

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.

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer day time between Venice airport to Venice port.

Venice

Meet at Venice airport in the Arrival hall. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT. Your luggage will be taken directly to the ship by coach.

You will depart the airport for a short distance to the airport dock where you will embark on a private water taxi for a one-hour panoramic transfer to the pier. You will appreciate the beauty and the charm of the ride passing by the islands of Murano and San Michele, and along the Fondamente Nuove via the Canale della Giudecca.

Upon arrival at the pier, you will embark on your ship.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfer by a private water taxi as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking hostess at the airport.

·        Separate transfer by coach for the luggage.

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        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 advisor; 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.