Cruise From Iberian shores to Greek coastlines from Málaga to Athens - March 2025 | Ponant (2024)

Horses of Spain

INCLUDED

From the pier, embark your coach fora shorth drive to a beautiful Spanish finca, situated on the outskirts of Cartagena. Here, pure Spanish breed horses are bred and sent all overthe world.

Upon arrival,visit the finca and learn more about Spanish horses and their natural environment. Dedicated staff will tell you about the horses breeding, livestock management and horse training. Observe a stampede of horses,a truly spectacular sight, whileenjoying a local product tasting such as local wineand typical tapas.

Then,continue your visit of the finca before enjoying ashort flamenco dance performed by a dancer and a horse.

Finally, get back to your coach for a short panoramic drive back to thepier.

• This tour involves walking 1 mile (1,5 km) onuneven and lawn ground and some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun, with a hat. The horse show is performed outside and flies are expected. To avoidflies,you should not put perfume or perfumed cosmetic.Please be aware that there are long periods of standing as a limited number of seats areavailable in the finca.

Cartagena and Roman theater

INCLUDED

This excursion is the best way to immerse yourself in the ancient Roman city “Carthagonova” and discover the different aspects of the inhabitants’ daily life at that time.

From the pier, meet your guide and start your walking tour of the heart of Cartagena, a city proud of its millennial past, above all the famous Second Punic War: the confrontation between the Carthaginians and Romans.

Start your tour visiting the Roman theatre, one of the most emblematic monuments of Cartagena. This theatre played an important role at the time of Ancient Rome and had a capacity for 6.000 people.

Continue to the Conception castle, boarding a panoramic lift to the roof terrace, an integral part of lovely Torres Park, located on one of the city’s five defensive hills, offering breath-taking city views.

Before returning to the ship, you will explore the Calle Mayor, Cartagena’s major commercial and pedestrian street where you will have the opportunity to admire landmarks such as the Gran Hotel and the Cervantes House and enjoy some free time.

• This excursion involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 90 participants. The order of the visits may vary.

Marivent Gardens & Majorcan Flavours

INCLUDED

A short drive from the ship will bring you to Marivent Gardens, on an estate used by the Spanish royal family in the summer. Opened to the public only since 2017, the gardens are beautifully designed and maintained, featuring a delightful variety of trees, shrubs and flowers and offering an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely stroll amid the tranquillity. Dotted throughout the gardens are a dozen sculptures by Joan Miró, donated to the park by the artist.

After visiting the gardens, your tour will continue on foot, as you discover the Old town of Palma, whose narrow streets are home to fascinating buildings and interesting shops and cafés. Here you will have time to browse the various shops and perhaps make a purchase or two, before stopping at a local pastry shop to enjoy Mallorca's signature ensaïmada, a spiral shaped sweet bread, traditionally served plain with generous amounts of powdered sugar, but also available with a variety of fillings.

• This excursion involves approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) of walking over gravel and sandy paths in the gardens, and sometimes on cobblestone streets in the old town. We recommend you wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.

Valldemossa

INCLUDED

You will depart for a visit to the picture-postcard village of Valldemossa and its Carthusian Monastery. Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful and typical villages on the Island, nestled in a valley of the northern mountain range.

Enjoy all the beauty that Mallorca has to offer, with picturesque mountains and coastline your constant companion. You will drive along the rugged northern coast, seeing landscapes of pine forest and groves of almond and olive trees. A photo stop will be made at "Son Marroig", which offers beautiful views of Mallorca's northern coastline.

Visit the Carthusian Monastery, including the small neo-classical church which is known for its lovely frescoes painted by Goya's brother-in-law, intricately carver choir stall, and rich tapestries, as well as an 18th century pharmacy set up almost exactly as it would have been by the monks in 1723.

The Cartuja is known to have housed the famous musician and composer Frederic Chopin, as week as the writer George Sand, in winter of 1838, where they added their own touches to the romanticism of Majorcan history (on Sundays, only exterior visits will be allowed).

Before returning to the ship, enjoy some free time in the beautiful village of Valldemossa to browse the souvenir shops.

• This excursion involves approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of walking on cobblestoned streets with some steps at Valldemossa. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to visit religious sites (shoulders and knees should be covered).

Miro Foundation & Palma City

INCLUDED

A short drive from the pier, you will find the Fundació Miró Mallorca, a museum dedicated to the work of Joan Miró. In 1981, two years before the artist's death, he and his wife, Pilar, established the foundation to showcase Miró's work and to promote contemporary art in general. It is their gift to the city that served as their home after Miró's self-imposed exile from the mainland of Franco's Spain. The museum includes a main building that houses thousands of the artist's works, a library, a sculpture garden and Miró's studio, in accordance with his wish that everything be left "as it is the moment I disappear." Your visit will allow you to view works spanning the entire length of Miró's career, from 1908 to 1983.

After visiting the foundation, embark on a panoramic tour of the city of Palma, stopping briefly at the 14th-century Bellver Castle, which has towered over the city for more than 700 years, serving various roles as a royal residence, a Mint, and a prison. It is the only circular castle in Spain complete with round towers. It was built in the 14th century for King Jaume II of Mallorca.

Continue the panoramic tour with a stop at the Cathedral for a picture and an opportunity to learn a bit of Majorcan history. La Seu, a 14th century gothic cathedral, stands in the heart of the city of Palma as the most emblematic building in Mallorca's capital. Continue your walking tour in the heart of the old town and immerse yourself in the city's beautiful atmosphere!

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to the ship.

• This excursion involves approximately a mile (1.6 km) of walking, sometimes on cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The cathedral is closed to visitors on Sundays; it will be an exterior visit only.

Cagliari and the ancient Roman city of Nora

INCLUDED

Discover Cagliari and the archaeological site of Nora, located on a promontory of the Capo di Pula peninsular.

Not just the gateway to Sardinia’s most beautiful coastlines – the Costa Rei, Costa del Sud and Costa Smeralda – Cagliari itself is also well worth a visit. Its rich baroque architecture and its lively districts are reminders of this island’s warm soul, while the Bastione di San Remy, a monumental fort perched on the old town, offers a stunning panorama.

In Nora, a former trading post founded by the Phoenicians, the vestiges of several civilisations offer a wonderful dive into the past. First Carthaginian, then Roman, Nora declined and disappeared around the 8th century. From the old town, you can still see, among many archaeological marvels, Carthaginian warehouses, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large thermal baths with splendid mosaics and an almost intact theatre, dating from Roman times.

The water-supply system is particularly interesting, with large underwater pipes: their mosaics and very fine tesserae form rich geometric patterns. The sea around Nora still covers the part of the town that sank during an earthquake, but the former piers can still be recognised. After the visit, you will have a snack in a local café.

• This excursion involves approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) of walking on uneven ground. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
  

San Sperate, the Museum-village

INCLUDED

From the pier, board your coach and start with a shortpanoramic drive of Cagliari. Your first stop will be made in front of theBasilica of Our Lady of Bonaria. Then you will continue toMonte Urpinofrom where you will enjoy a panoramic view over the capital of Sardinia.

Then, you will drive toSan Sperate, a 30-minute drive. Situated just near Cagliari, San Sperate is one of the most important Sardinia agricultural centres. As many remains testify, San Sperate has a very ancient history. The famous “Maschera Ghignante” (sneering mask) has been found in 1976, during one of the first archaeological excavations.

In 1967, San Sperate became a Museum-village and it now hosts many works of important Italian and foreign artists, as well as cultural meetings, theatre exhibitions and festivals. The idea of making San Sperate a Museum-village was born in 1966 by Pinuccio Sciola, who painted all the walls in white on the occasion of the Corpus Christi feast and invited several artists to paint their work on the walls of the village.

You will meet your local guide and havea guided visit of the historical centre of the village, where you can admire a large number of “Murales” and sculptures meant to embellish the village. Your walking tour will also include the garden laboratory of the world-famous sculptor Pinuccio Sciola, who promoted the murals at San Sperate and created the sound stones, both an artistic creation and a musical instrument, unique in its kind.

After enjoying a Sardinian snack, you will board your coach and drive to Cagliari, a 30-minute drive.

• This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over uneven terrain with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). This tour has limited capacity.

Palermo & Monreale

INCLUDED

From the pier, embark your coach for a scenic fifteen-minute drive through the main streets of Palermo passing by the Piazza Ruggero Settimo, Politeama Square, Massimo Opera House, and the Cathedral.

Located on a wide bay beneath the shadow of Mount Pellegrino, Palermo is a jewel in the crown of Sicily. In the 9thcentury, Palermo was famed for the wealth of its court and its universities. Today, it is an international famed city with modern day treasures and priceless ancient monuments of architecture and art.

Your stop will be made at the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily located on the ground floor of the Palazzo Reale in Palermo, where you will enjoy a guided visit. The chapel was commissioned by Roger II of Sicily in 1132 to be built upon an older chapel (now the crypt) constructed around 1080. It took eight years to build it and many more to decorate it with mosaics and fine art.

Back on your coach, you will travel to Monreale, where you will visit its Cathedral, the Duomo.

The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture in the world. It was begun in 1174 by William II, and in 1182 the church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was elevated to the rank of a metropolitan cathedral. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. You will also visit the Benedictine’s cloister; the courtyard is enclosed by an arcade supported by 216 sets of twin columns, each with a different design and richly decorated capitals.

After some free time for shopping, re-board your coach for the thirty-minute return drive to the pier and your ship.

• This tour involves approximately 0.6 mile (1km) of walking on flat streets with 90 steps to negotiate from the coach parking to the Monreale Cathedral. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Flash photography is not allowed inside the Palatine Chapel nor the Cathedral. Appropriate dress is recommended when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Cefalù

INCLUDED

From the pier, embark your coach and start your panoramic drive through the historical centre of Palermo, before reaching the coastal highway which will bring you to the charming fishing village of Cefalù.

Cefalù is a haven of tranquillity, a refuge and a sanctuary of religious inspiration. A city of facets, levels, and epochs. The name, which translated means "head", probably referring to the shape of the hill and huge rock crowned with an ancient castle, rising above the town, was given to the town by the Greeks. Cefalù's origins are surrounded in mystery.

Legend tells that Roger II, the well-known Norman sovereign of Sicily, in gratitude to God for sparing his life in a violent storm at sea, commissioned the building of a Cathedral at Cefalù, where he landed after the tempest.

Its characteristics, as well as its position, so close to the sea, make it something of a fortress from the outside as much as it is a church on the inside. The Cathedral was begun on a site in which Roman buildings had already existed. However, after unforeseen circ*mstances, and changes in construction plans, the original building was never finished. The remains of this building project are three roofs which testify to past ages and building techniques. Inside the cathedral, you will see the paintings and gold Byzantine mosaics the Cathedral is known for.

Continue your walking tour with a photo-stop at the medieval wash-house and the Osterio Magno. Per the tradition, it was built by Roger II as his mansion, but it probably dates from the 14thcentury. Traces of the medieval tower and decoration can be seen. Excavations held in the interior have showed the presence of ancient edifices and ceramics.

Before returning to the ship, a refreshment will be served and you will have some free time to explore Cefalù on your own and browse the quaint boutiques.

• This excursion involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking mostly over cobble-stone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Bronzi di Riace & Scilla

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Reggio Calabria is located on the tip of the Italian Peninsula and is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. It is situated on the slopes of the Aspromonte, a long, craggy mountain range that runs up through the centre of the region.

From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to one of the most important archaeological museums, the prestigious National Archaeological Museum of Magna Græcia, dedicated to Ancient Greece. You will have the possibility to visit the famous Bronzes of Riace, rare example of Greek bronze sculpture, which became one of the symbols of the city. The two statues – discovered on August1972 near Riace – are considered among the most important sculptural masterpieces of Greek art.

Then, you will proceed to Scilla. Scilla is a village of ancient origins known since the days of Homer, who described it in his Odyssey as the home of Scylla, a nymph turned into a sea monster by the sorceress Circe.

The Ruffo Castle, completely turned towards the Strait of Messina, the uncontaminated beaches, the sea and the charming neighbourhood of Chianalea, the ancient fishing village, make Scilla one of the most sought-after tourist destinations of Calabria. Chianalea has earned the nickname of “little Venice” for houses built directly on the rocks, separated from each other by small streets that overlook the sea, particularity that also allowed the village to be counted among the most beautiful villages of Italy. Along the streets of the village you can see ancient fountains, churches and palaces.

After enjoying a visit of the castle and the village, you will taste a delicious refreshment of local products in a beautiful location with a view before returning to the pier, a 30-minute drive.

• This tour involves approximately 2km (1.5 mile) of walking over uneven ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.