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Le Dumont D'Urville, 8 Night Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta to Livorno, (Florence, Pisa)

Cruise Le Dumont D'Urville, 8 Night Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta to Livorno, (Florence, Pisa)
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Dumont D'Urville
Destination EU Mediterranean
Brief Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Valletta, Malta onboard Le Dumont D'Urville
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 06 Sep 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.

This 9-day voyage in Sicily and Southern Italy aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville visits some of the Mediterranean's most compelling ancient, medieval, and Renaissance sites while also offering extensive opportunities to sample the foods and wines that have made this part of the world famous for its cuisine. Because there is so much to see and do, the itinerary is designed to allow for maximum time ashore.

From Valletta, Malta, your experience of Sicily begins in Syracuse, where you may choose to focus on Ortygia, the ancient center of this once-powerful Greek colony, and on the city's extensive archaeological park; enjoy a tasting at a nearby winery; or join excursions that combine exploration of historical sites with samplings of Sicilian arancini, cheeses, salamis, breads, and desserts.

The beautiful resort town of Taormina, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, is home to a stunning Greek theater, an Odeon from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, and villas built by European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also your gateway to Mt. Etna and the vineyards that thrive in the rich volcanic soils of its slopes.

Reggio di Calabria, just across the Strait of Messina from Sicily, is home to the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia and the world famous Riace Bronzes. The surrounding area, both along the coast and in the interior mountains, boasts a number of intriguing castles and many wineries. During your time here, you may visit the hilltop Norman Castle in Vibo Valentia, the Ruffo Castle overlooking the Messina Strait, or the Aragonese Castle in the village of Pizzo, enjoying a variety of local food specialties whichever excursion you choose, including the native citrus bergamot and the ice cream and fruit delight called tartufo.

From the port of Agropoli, about 30 miles south of the Amalfi peninsula, travel to Paestum, founded by Greeks in the 6th century BC and one of Italy’s most important archaeological sites, containing Doric temples that are among the best-preserved ancient monuments in the Mediterranean. The region around Agropoli is famous for the production of Campania mozzarella, and you will have the opportunity to see it being made and to sample the end product.

No visit to Naples is complete without the opportunity to explore Pompeii, destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD and frozen in time. No other site so acutely captures everyday life in the early Roman Empire. Other excursions include Herculaneum, which shared Pompeii's fate, and a working farm near Sorrento, where you can make your own version of what is perhaps the region's most famous food, Neapolitan style pizza.

Spend a full day in the Eternal City of Rome, where exploration of monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican, and Villa Borghese competes for your attention with tastings of street food and making Roman pasta.

Your final full day of discovery from Livorno includes a full day excursion to Florence for an introduction to the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Or if you prefer, you may explore the Etruscan ruins and museum at nearby Volterra. Alternatively, spend the day exploring Romanesque Lucca, birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, and medieval Pisa, with its magnificent Duomo, Baptistry, and Leaning Tower.
Sailing Dates
06 Sep 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $16,880 AU $11,620 ‐ ‐
PR4 AU $18,700 AU $12,840 ‐ ‐
PR5 AU $19,620 AU $13,450 ‐ ‐
PR6 AU $20,710 AU $14,180 ‐ ‐
DS5 AU $28,730 AU $19,530 AU $10,320 ‐
DS3 AU $28,730 AU $19,530 AU $10,320 ‐
DS4 AU $28,730 AU $19,530 AU $10,320 ‐
DS6 AU $28,730 AU $19,530 AU $10,320 ‐
PS5 AU $38,780 AU $26,220 AU $13,670 ‐
PS6 AU $40,790 AU $27,570 AU $14,340 ‐
PV5 AU $42,800 AU $28,910 AU $15,010 ‐
PV6 AU $42,800 AU $28,910 AU $15,010 ‐
GD6 AU $47,000 AU $31,700 AU $16,410 ‐
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
6 Sep 2026 Valletta, Malta 6:00 PM
7 Sep 2026 Syracuse, Sicily. IT 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
8 Sep 2026 Taormina, Sicily 7:00 PM
9 Sep 2026 Reggio, Italy 6:00 PM
10 Sep 2026 Agropoli, Italy 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
11 Sep 2026 Naples, Italy 6:30 PM
12 Sep 2026 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 8:00 AM 6:30 PM
13 Sep 2026 Livorno, (Florence, Pisa) Italy 8:00 AM
14 Sep 2026 Livorno, (Florence, Pisa) Italy 6:00 PM
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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