A Celebration of Art Featuring the 61st Venice Art Biennale

Bonus

No Solo Supplement

Description

This carefully curated journey from Valletta to Venice explores the artistic and architectural wonders of Sicily and Italy’s Adriatic coast. Highlights include ancient Greek and Roman ruins in Syracuse, Baroque splendor in Lecce, Renaissance gems in Urbino, and Ravenna’s dazzling Byzantine mosaics.

Begin in Syracuse, once a rival to Athens, where you can tour its vast archaeological park or the historic island of Ortygia. In Otranto, visit the restored Castello Aragonese and mosaic-filled cathedral, or venture to Lecce to admire its ornate Barocco Leccese style. From Bari, travel to UNESCO-listed Alberobello, famed for its unique trulli houses.

In Ancona, choose between exploring the Renaissance heart of Jesi or discovering Urbino’s artistic legacy, including the Palazzo Ducale and Raphael’s birthplace. Then, in Ravenna, marvel at early Christian churches and their world-renowned mosaics, including those at San Vitale and Galla Placidia.

Conclude your voyage with two days in Venice during the 61st Biennale. Enjoy exclusive access to major exhibitions, including private tours of the Pinault Collection at Punta della Dogana and Palazzo Grassi—culminating in a festive farewell dinner in a Venetian palace.

Highlights

• A specially tailored voyage including transfers before and after your cruise and an included excursion in each port of call.
• Engaging lectures and discussions aboard with accompanying art experts, including Adrien Meyer, Global Head of Private Sales, Co-Chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art, and Chief Auctioneer, and Kathryn Widing, Senior Vice President, Senior Specialist in Post-War & Contemporary Art and Head of the 21st Century Evening Sale, both of Christie’s Auction House.
• Two full days of exclusive access to exhibits and events of the Venice Biennale, including exclusive visits and dinner at the museums of the Pinault Collection.
• The Greek and Roman ruins in Syracuse.
• The unique Baroque/Rococo architecture of Lecce.
• The Renaissance art of the National Gallery of the Marche.
• The trulli houses of Alberobello.

Pricing

Lower deck balcony stateroom

from

AUD$11,720

per person, twin share

What's Included

INCLUDED SERVICES ON ALL OUR CRUISES

Full board from arrival to departure day
High-end gastronomy in all restaurants
All beverages in restaurants, bars, and minibars. All drinks are included² (a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits, beers, cocktails, water, soft drinks, hot beverages)
24-hour room service
Butler service for certain suites³
Unlimited internet access onboard
Evening events, shows, and other entertainment
Access to the fitness area and hammam or sauna, depending on the ship
All port and security charges

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT themed voyages that are specially tailored for 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.

Day to Day itinerary

Day 1 - Valletta

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. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-John’s cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. 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 civilisations, 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, colours and flavours.

Day 3 - Otranto

Located in the Apulia region, Otrante is the easternmost transalpine town. Behind its medieval ramparts, you will taste the sweetlife of Salento, the “heel on Italy’s boot”. Inhabited since Antiquity, Otrante has today become a very pleasant seaside town. Yet its history is still visible as you meander through the little streets of its old centre. With its magnificent 12th century ornamental mosaic tiling, the Cathedral is one of its most beautiful treasures. During a stroll along the ramparts, you can sit and relax at a café terrace.

Day 4 - Bari

Extending out along a fertile plain facing the Adriatic Sea amid infinite landscapes sculpted by the water and wind, Bari bears the traces of the peoples which, over the centuries, have conquered it, settled it, or simply visited it fleetingly before making their way to faraway lands. Though its exact origins are lost among the mysteries of archaeology, the many sites here provide evidence of the town’s rich past. The Saracens, Byzantines, Normans and Swabians have left a trace here, each bringing their own cultural baggage.  During your stop here, stroll along the minuscule streets in Bari Vecchia, the historic centre, where you will find small churches and monuments from bygone eras.

Day 5 - Anacona

Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbour, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th century mansion where the painter Raphael was raised.

Day 6 - Ravenna

Linked to the Adriatic Sea by a canal, the city of Ravenna and its countless monuments offer you a rich journey back in time. Roman and Byzantine cultures intermingle here, and the fruits of this history adorn the interiors of the cityﾒs religious buildings: the abundance of classical mosaics is the most stunning witness to Ravennaﾒs glorious past. Eight UNESCO World Heritage listed Paleo-Christian sites punctuate your journey into the historic heart of the city. Still very lively despite the weight of its history, Ravenna has much to offer to visitors.

Day 7 - 9 -  Venice

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.

Your Ship

Le Bougainville, the third ship in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, combines elegant design, cutting-edge technology, and an open layout that keeps you connected to the sea. With an intimate size and state-of-the-art equipment, it offers a refined cruising experience to some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.

A day on board begins with a delicious breakfast in your cabin or the restaurant, followed by expertly guided excursions ashore. Enjoy gourmet lunches and French-inspired dinners accompanied by live piano music. Between adventures, relax with spa treatments, fitness sessions, or engaging lectures. Evenings come alive with concerts, dance, and film screenings, making every day a perfect blend of discovery, comfort, and entertainment.

Terms and Conditions

Prices are Australian Dollars, per person twin/double share, correct and available at date of publication. All PONANT prices are yield managed and subject to change without notice – book early to avoid disappointment. All prices are correct and available @ 25 September 25 See au.ponant.com for full booking conditions or your Travel Agent