Jess H
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Island Jewels of the Mediterranean
Valletta to Antalya - Example 9 Day Cruise aboard Le Jacques Cartier
Customize any aspect of your Mediterranean trip. 1.406.541.2677
This 9-day cruise embarks in Valletta, the capital of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, and sets sail for Syracuse, one of the most prestigious Sicilian cities, whose monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Your ship will then drop anchor further south, in Crete. The next day, you will visit Santorini and its white villages ornamented with blue domes. In the South of the island, you can visit the ruins of the antique city of Akrotiri buried under volcanic ash. Finally, head for the largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes. You will disembark in the city of Antalya, Turkey where you can explore its Roman port, picturesque narrow streets and beautiful Ottoman homes.
Day 1 : Valletta | Embark
Day 2 : Syracuse, Sicily
Day 3 : Pylos
Day 4 : Gythio
Day 5 : Rethymnon Crete
Day 6 : Santorini
Day 7 : Mykonos
Day 8 : Rhodes
Day 9 : Antalya | Disembark
Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Discover the pearls of the Cyclades: Santorini and Mykonos
Explore Gythio, the main port of ancient Sparta
Sail to Sicily, Crete, and the Dodecanese
Day 1 Valletta | Embark
The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you'll rarely be bothered by traffic. Among the city's countless monuments, you can visit Saint-John's cathedral, the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes, not to mention the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.
Day 2 Syracuse, Sicily
Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form of Mount Etna which surveys its island like a patriarch, the flowery gardens on the hillside... Sicily lays out its varied landscapes like a shopkeeper displays his wares. Described by Cicero as "the most beautiful city in the world", Syracuse was one of the most prestigious cities in Sicily and at her height was even a rival for Athens. A central city of Ancient Greece, it was home to a succession of civilizations, each of which has left their mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colors and flavors.
Day 3 Pylos
The picturesque port of Pylos is located in the south west of the Peloponnese. Backed against the lush green hills of Messenia, it looks out onto the Navarino Bay. You can admire the gorgeous view as you walk uptown amid pink oleanders that cascade over the jetty. A stone's throw away, the historical center's winding streets will plunge you into a maze of houses with whitewashed facades and terracotta roof-tiles. On the attractive main beach, you will be able to relax in the shade of the age-old plane trees and taste the delicious local biscuits made of sesame and honey.
Day 4 Gythio
Located in the south of the Peloponnese, on the Mani Peninsula, Gytheio was the main port and naval base of ancient Sparta, located around fifty kilometers inland. In Roman times, the port experienced significant expansion thanks to trading in imperial dye; in fact, the region had an abundance of murex, the rock snails from which this dye, loved by the Romans, was extracted. The town is nestled against Mount Koumaros and dominated by a citadel. Take a stroll and fall under the charm of the calm that reigns over the stairways bordered by small neoclassic houses with steps overrun with wild flowers.
Day 5 Rethymnon Crete
Between the Sea of Crete and Libya, appears the island of Crete with its unimaginable beauty. Discover Rethymnon, home of Zeus, king of the Gods. With a huge fine sandy beach to the east and a rocky coastline to the west, this small town enchants visitors with its natural beauty and its fascinating history. The cradle of the Cretan Renaissance, a town of letters and intellectuals, from its rich past it has retained Venetian buildings from the 16th century, which cohabit harmoniously with the many minarets, testimony of the Turkish presence. Do not fail to admire its old Venetian port as well as its historical district offering a maze of narrow streets, before you head to the famous site of Cnossos, birthplace of the Minotaur.
Day 6 Santorini
The spectacular volcanic island of Santorini stands out proud in the Cyclades. Its basalt cliffs offer particularly expansive views of the Aegean. To enjoy these views, you can head for the capital, Fira. Its floral belvederes of bougainvillea provide a bird's-eye view of several thousand meters of coastline. Further away, the gorgeous village of Oia looks like a stairway of blue and white houses on the slopes of the volcano. In the south of the island, you will be able to visit the stunning ruins of Akrotiri, an ancient city destroyed by an eruption and covered with a thick layer of lava stone.
Day 7 Mykonos
Nicknamed "little Venice", Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district where houses are built right on the water's edge. Their multi-colored loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian center, bougainvillea bedeck immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island's beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.
Day 8 Rhodes
With its particularly agreeable climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk its pathways and discover its immaculate villages and sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the center of the island the mountains are covered in forest and on the western slopes we find vineyards and crops. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and its character to the Knights of St John who reigned over the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated with majestic gateways. Do not miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches, its large walkways and its lively nightlife, perpetuating the myth of the famous Colossus, the legendary statue that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Day 9 Antalya | Disembark
Disembark this morning after breakfast. On the Turkish Mediterranean coast, discover the seaside resort of Antalya. While the city sports magnificent fine sandy beaches, it is also known for its significant historical heritage. Many vestiges bear witness to the importance of this former Roman port, such as Hadrian's Gate, built in the year 130 in honor of the visiting emperor. In the old town, it is possible to admire magnificent Ottoman houses with flowery gardens, as well as the broken minaret, built on the ruins of a former Byzantine church. The city's surroundings also provide an opportunity to discover major archaeological sites, such as that of the ancient city of Aspendos, renowned for its impressive Roman theatre.
Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. Experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.
19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Prestige Deck 4
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
38 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
45 m² area featuring, 40m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Bathtub
45 m² area featuring an 30m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and are subject to change without notice.
*Rates are capacity controlled and are subject to change without notice.
Cruise fares are per person and include the following:
All meals while on board the ship
Captain's welcome cocktail and gala dinner
"Open Bar" (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
Evening entertainment and events
24h room service (special selection)
English-speaking lecturer
Highly experienced bilingual (French-English) Expedition team
Park entry fees into protected areas
Gratuities to onboard crew, local guides and drivers
Cruise fares do not include:
Any ground services before and/or after the cruise
Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or optional shore excursions mentioned
Visa expenses and/or immigration reciprocity taxes if applicable
Optional Spa package to be booked prior to your departure
Beverages other than the ones mentioned
Laundry services, hair salon and à la carte Spa treatments
Personal expenses, on board medical consultations and drug prescriptions
Cancellation/luggage/assistance/repatriation/medical insurance(s)
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx.
CDP/Ponant Expedition Cruises
101 - 374 days 30% of total tour cost
86 - 100 days 55% of total tour cost
CDP/Ponant NON-Expedition Cruises
Call AU 1.800.751.327
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
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