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L'Austral, 7 Night Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca - with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta to Tarragona, S
Cruise L'Austral, 7 Night Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca - with Smithsonian Journeys ex Valletta, Malta to Tarragona, S
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship L'Austral
Destination EU Mediterranean
Brief Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Valletta, Malta onboard L'Austral
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 03 Oct 2025
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 voyage in the heart of the Mediterranean explores four islands that, despite their differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations that have washed over them from prehistoric times to the present. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Italians, British, and Spanish—all have left their mark on the language, art, architecture, and cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia, Menorca, and Mallorca.

From Valletta, Malta, your discovery of these very special islands begins with two days on the largest of them, as you visit the Sicilian cities of Trapani and Palermo. Rounding Sicily's western tip, you arrive in Trapani for an excursion into the countryside and the ancient Doric temple of Segesta or to medieval Erice, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea.

L’Austral then brings you to Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and becoming one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you will visit Cappella Palatina, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman structure featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls. Or drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral.

Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is your gateway to the archaeological site of Nora. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it was subsequently taken over by Carthaginians, then by Romans. Explore the remains of Carthaginian warehouses, buildings from the time of the Roman Republic, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large baths with splendid mosaics, and a theater, almost intact, dating to the time of the Roman Empire.

On Menorca, second largest of the Balearic Islands, visit Mahon, the island's main port, where a tour of the town reveals Menorca's varied history through its architecture—classical Georgian sash-windowed town houses sharing pride of place with traditional Spanish homes. Visit the Museum of Menorca, and then drive to Torralba d’en Salord, a large and well-preserved Bronze Age talayotic settlement recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca, explore the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that define the island's landscape.

Your voyage ends in vibrant Tarragona, Spain, just down the coast from vibrant Barcelona.
Sailing Dates
03 Oct 2025
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
SP3 AU $14,820 AU $7,780 AU $4,260 ‐
DEL AU $16,020 AU $8,380 ‐ ‐
PR4 AU $16,860 AU $8,800 ‐ ‐
PR5 AU $17,380 AU $9,060 ‐ ‐
PR6 AU $18,060 AU $9,400 ‐ ‐
DS6 AU $24,370 AU $12,550 ‐ ‐
PS5 AU $26,240 AU $13,490 AU $7,110 ‐
PS6 AU $27,070 AU $13,900 AU $7,320 ‐
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
3 Oct 2025 Valletta, Malta 6:00 PM
4 Oct 2025 Trapani, Sicily, Italy 12:00 PM 6:30 PM
5 Oct 2025 Palermo, Sicily. IT 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
6 Oct 2025 Cagliari, Sardinia. IT 12:30 PM 8:00 PM
7 Oct 2025 At Sea    
8 Oct 2025 Mahon, Menorca. SP 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
9 Oct 2025 Palma, Majorca. SP 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
10 Oct 2025 Tarragona, Spain 6:00 AM
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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