Ancient shores of the Mediterranean

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 – Valletta

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

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

Set off from your hotel with a local guide and start your day by visiting Mdina. Take a stroll through the Silent City’s narrow streets and visit the Mdina cathedral and fortifications. Mdina, Malta’s Old Capital, was used as a filming location for the movie Black Eagle, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and for the Game of Thrones series. With its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture, Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city.

You will then proceed to a local boutique winery, where wine is produced on an estate comprising four hectares of terraced vineyards. It was built with weathered limestone blocks that perfectly blend old-world charm with practical, modern architectural touches. About 15,000 vines are planted on this estate, along with around 200 olive trees plus fig trees, carob trees, and other indigenous Maltese flora. After the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste three fine wines.

This will be followed by a fine meal at a local gourmet restaurant.

You will then be transferred to the port in time for embarkation onboard your ship.

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.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation at the Phoenicia Hotel 5* (or similar) in Executive 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 and the driver.

·        Personal expenses

·        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.

Contact of your hotel:

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 organises your daytime between airport and embarkation port.

Valletta

Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.

Drive to Dingli Cliff for a photostop brefore Mdina visiting. Then, proceed to Mdina - Malta's Old Capital. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.

Continue with the visit of Palazzo Parisio, a unique 19th century palace in the heart of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Parisio is not only another palace of the legendary Knights of St. John, but the ultimate memorial of ambitions, aspirations and pretensions of a 19th century noble family. It houses two baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangery - a miniature Versailles.

Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.

You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on your ship.

 

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers, and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking 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: Depending on the day of embarkation, this program may be subject to change : the Cathedral is closed on Sundays, so you will visit the Mosta Basilica instead. Palazzo Parisio is closed on Mondays; so refreshments and snacks will be served at Casa Bernard instead.

 

Duration and price 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.

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.

Before embarking on your cruise, take time to immerse yourself in the artistic grandeur, ancient heritage and warm spirit of the Mediterranean.

Day 1 - Valletta

You will be greeted at Malta International Airport by our local representative upon arrival of the flight selected by PONANT, or any other flight provided the details have been shared in advance with your travel advisor.

Transfer to you hotel 4* hotel.

Check-in to your room from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Valletta

After breakfast at the hotel, set off on foot with your guide to explore the wonders of Valletta. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Maltese capital is a treasure full of history, art and culture.

Your walking tour begins at the Triton Fountain and continues past the Parliament building and several historic auberges. You will then visit St John’s Co-Cathedral*, a baroque masterpiece that houses Caravaggio’s renowned Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

The tour continues to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, offering breathtaking views over the Grand Harbour.

Return to the hotel on foot.

Lunch, afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 - Valletta, Embarkation

After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to the traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk, known for its colourful luzzus, the iconic Maltese boats. Enjoy some free time to stroll along the harbour.

The journey continues with a panoramic photo stop at the Dingli Cliffs, followed by a guided tour of Mdina, Malta’s former capital, known as the “Silent City”. Discover its medieval streets, imposing ramparts and magnificent cathedral**.

You will then continue to Mosta to visit its iconic basilica, renowned for its grand neoclassical dome, one of the largest in Europe.

Enjoy a traditional Maltese lunch in a local restaurant.

Transfer to the port for embarkation on your ship.

Your programme includes:

·        2 nights in a 4* Hotel, breakfast included

·        Lunch on Day 3

·        All transfers, guided visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme

·        Services of a local French-speaking guide

Your programme does not include:

·        Meals not mentioned (lunches and dinners at leisure)

·        Personal expenses

·        Gratuities for the guide and driver

·        Any services not mentioned in the programme

Important information:

If you are travelling on a flight not selected by PONANT, please ensure your flight details are communicated to your travel advisor no later than 30 days prior to the start of your cruise, so we can arrange your airport transfer accordingly.

*St. John’s Co-Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. In case of closure, the visit will be replaced by a tour of the Grand Master’s Palace.

**Mdina Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. When closed, guests will be given an exterior explanation and visit the Mosta Basilica instead.

All timings are for reference only and may be adjusted according to local conditions or opening hours.

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

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

Malaga

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

Start your walking exploration: pass by the Cathedral with its renaissance style, the Picasso Museum, hosted in a 16th-century palace of Andalusian architecture, and the nearby famous painter´s birthplace.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

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.