Compare Treasures of the Mediterranean - Southbound 2020 by Tauck vs Highlights of France and Barcelona (Barcelona) by Trafalgar

Day 1 Arrive Nice / Monte-Carlo

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Fairmont Monte Carlo. A transfer is included from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to the Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monaco. Your hotel is in the heart of Monte-Carlo, where the Principality is right at your doorstep. Meet your traveling companions this evening at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Fairmont Monte Carlo

PORTOFCALL : Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Day 2 A day in magical Monte-Carlo

You’ll discover much more about Monaco this morning when you get a taste of what life is like on the chic French Riviera during a walking tour of Monte-Carlo and a visit to the royal palace and gardens in Monaco-Ville. The remainder of the day is free to spend as you wish; your hotel is steps from the Monte-Carlo Casino, where lady luck favors the fortunate few! Your hotel is nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the legendary Monte-Carlo Casino.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Fairmont Monte Carlo

PORTOFCALL : Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Day 3 Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence & embark Le Ponant

Depart Monte-Carlo and travel along the French Riviera to Nice, where you’ll take a walking tour; see landmarks that recall the days when Czarist aristocrats and British royals wintered here, including the Promenade des Anglais along the seafront and the flower market in Cours Saleya. Next, visit picturesque, walled Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a Provençal hilltop town that was built in the 13th century; you'll be taken with its medieval look and easily understand why it became an artists' enclave. Artist Marc Chagall was inspired by Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a place he called home for the last 19 years of his life; a walking tour of the town includes a visit to his grave, a picture of serenity overlooking panoramic views of the countryside. Enjoy some free time, then return to Nice to embark the extensively refurbished Le Ponant for the start of your 7-night cruise along the Mediterranean Sea.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

Day 4 Exploring Napoleon's island of Elba

Le Ponant calls this morning on the secluded harbor of Portoferraio on the island of Elba. Here you'll learn about the isolated life of Napoleon Bonaparte on Elba, who spent a brief exile here in 1814 prior to his daring escape. Visit Villa San Martino, where the erstwhile Emperor of France lived for a time; spend some free time in the quaint harborside village of Porto Azzurro; and go to a wine tasting at Elba's family-owned La Chiusa Winery before reboarding the ship for lunch, or spending some time exploring and lunching in Portoferraio on your own. Return to the ship mid-afternoon; relax, or go for a swim off the marina, weather permitting. Join us this evening for the captain's welcome reception followed by dinner onboard.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Elba, Italy

Day 5 Corsica's hidden harbor of Bonifacio

Sail into the nearly hidden Corsican port of Bonifacio with a deep, narrow harbor sitting at the base of sheer limestone cliffs; your entrance into the harbor aboard Le Ponant will be remembered forever... keep your camera at the ready! The fortified 12th-century town is built on the top of the cliffs with great views of the sea. Take Le Petit Train for a ride to the town's walled fortress area where you'll explore medieval lanes, stroll along the bluff above the harbor, and see the former barracks of the French Foreign Legion. Have lunch aboard ship or in town as you please. Make an afternoon return to Le Ponant, and set sail once again, bound for Ponza.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Bonifacio, Corsica

Day 6 Ponza and cruising the Mediterranean

Arrive on Ponza, the largest island in Italy’s Pontine Archipelago. Some of the island's most recognizable sights include dramatic coves and cliffs, while the main town features yellow and pink houses, and a harbor full of fishing boats. Spend the morning exploring before an afternoon sail to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Cast anchor in the Gulf of Salerno overnight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

Day 7 Spectacular Amalfi Coast & Ravello or Positano

Today, Le Ponant calls on mainland Italy and the picturesque towns of Amalfi and Ravello on the fabled Amalfi Coast. Go ashore via Zodiac and explore the region on a guided walking tour of the town of Amalfi, and a drive along the dramatic Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, for a visit to Villa Rufolo. This beautifully restored castle boasts amazing architecture, a history rich with cultural legacies, and outstanding coastal views; enjoy a wonderful lunch of seasonal specialties in Ravello. Rejoin Le Ponant and cruise to the Aeolian Islands.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Amalfi, Italy

Day 8 Lipari and the fiery lava of Stromboli

The largest of the Aeolian Islands and noted for its colorful houses, Lipari sits on red volcanic rock and resembles “a wall of bronze,” according to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found have yielded clues to civilizations which date to 1700 BC, including the Neolithic stones that sit alongside ancient tombstones, and ruins of Greek walls and Roman villas. The Spaniards found their way here in the 16th century, building the castello (castle) and the 17th-century cathedral that is perched above the harbor. Join us for a guided walking tour of Lipari, then explore its renowned Archaeological Museum on your own. Return to the ship for lunch, or if you wish, spend some free time exploring and enjoy lunch as you please in town. Back aboard ship, as you head to the Amalfi Coast this evening, experience a different view of these volcanic islands when you sail by the island of Stromboli tonight, home to one of the world’s few constantly active volcanoes – it has continuously erupted for 2,000 years. The view is unforgettable.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Lipari, Sicily

Day 9 Cliff-top Taormina on Sicily

With Le Ponant anchored at Giardini-Naxos, transfer ashore by Zodiac for sightseeing in Sicily. Begin with a visit to Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily with Mt. Etna towering in the distance sightseeing. A guided tour takes you to Teatro Greco, featuring both Greek and Roman elements, and for a stroll along the Corso Umberto, Old Town, Taormina’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and pasticcerie. You can return to the ship for lunch, or stay in Taormina for lunch as you please and some afternoon free time.  Enjoy some afternoon free time in Taormina or Giardini-Naxos before Le Ponant departs for Malta.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Le Ponant

PORTOFCALL : Taormina, Italy

Day 10 A day well spent on Malta

Early this morning Le Ponant docks in the Grand Harbour (Port of Valletta) where you’ll disembark. Rich in historic treasures, Valletta was founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. A guided tour of Malta includes the medieval walled city of Mdina, perched atop a cliff, and a drive around St. Julian’s Bay, a favorite setting for the colorful Maltese boats that are often photographed here for worldwide enjoyment. Return to Valletta for a walking tour and The Malta Experience, an audio-visual show that tells the dramatic story of Malta's 7,000-year history; Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a virtual open-air museum of Baroque architecture. Visit the splendid St. John's Co-Cathedral to see its silver and gold-leafed interior and rare art treasures, including the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Italian painter Caravaggio. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon, then join us tonight for a Tauck Exclusive farewell reception and dinner at the hotel overlooking the Grand Harbour.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Phoenicia Malta

PORTOFCALL : Valletta, Malta

Day 11 Journey Home

Tour ends: Valletta, Malta. A transfer from The Phoenicia Malta to Malta International Airport is included. Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Valletta, Malta

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

Glittering Paris is your launchpad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Light' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit a renowned gallery, shop up a storm or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. Later, join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.

Pullman La Défense

Dinner

Day 2: Explore the Sights of Paris

Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighborhoods of Paris, to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.

Pullman La Défense

Breakfast

Day 3: Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley Connect with Locals

Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on the 'Way of Saint James', and see its inspiring French Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau. Later, Connect With Locals, joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience with local wines.

Mercure Tours Nord

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Onwards to Lyon

Traveling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city, revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill, followed by free time to explore this city between two rivers.

Crowne Plaza Lyon Cite Internationale

Breakfast

Day 5: Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera Dive Into Culture

From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Popes' Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the remnants of the famous bridge immortalized in the French song – Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Later we continue to the French Riviera, arriving in the seaside retreat of southern France, favored by aristocrats for centuries. With an evening at leisure, perhaps stroll around the Bay of Angels and join the Promenade des Anglais. Or sit and enjoy a glass of wine while the sun sets and listen to the blue Mediterranean waters lap against the shore.

Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000

Breakfast

Day 6: Enjoy Monaco and the Cote d'Azur

A fun-filled day includes a visit to the tiny Principality of Monaco where you’ll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. See the superyachts in the port and catch a glimpse of the famed grand prix circuit. Enjoy relaxing on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur, retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, or perhaps embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000

Breakfast

Day 7: Off to Colorful Arles and Carcassonne

We travel west to the Camargue center of Arles, with its honey-colored façades and Roman ruins, enjoying some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city, or perhaps choosing an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert. Later we continue through the landscapes of Provence, immortalized in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh, to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.

Tribe Carcassonne

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona Dive Into Culture

Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We’ll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.

Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia

Breakfast

Day 9: Discover Lively Barcelona

Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Perhaps pay a morning visit to mystical Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to discover the fascinating Gothic Quarter. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a vibrant Spanish restaurant.

Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Journey Home

It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions.

Breakfast