7 nights · Malta · Departs Valletta (Malta) · Visiting Trapani, Palermo, Lipari Island, Reggio Calabria, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Siracusa · Aboard Ponant Cruises on the Le Bougainville
Image courtesy of Ponant Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Ponant Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Le Bougainville |
| Duration | 7 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $5,600 per person |
| Year built | 2019 |
| Guests | 264 |
| Cabins | 92 |
| Crew | 112 |
| Length | 131 m |
| Beam | 18 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Trapani sits on Sicily’s western tip, where salt pans, fishing boats and old stone streets define the waterfront. Erice rises above the coast, reached from Trapani by cable car in about ten minutes. Stay in town for the Basilica-Santuario di Maria Santissima Annunziata and the lively lanes around the fish market. Local menus bring couscous, tuna and seafood to the table, reflecting Trapani’s long links with North Africa.
Palermo rewards curious travellers with a vivid mix of Arab-Norman architecture, lively markets and Sicilian cooking. Start at the cathedral, where Norman, Gothic and Baroque details reflect the city’s layered past. Then walk through the Capo market or visit the Palatine Chapel, famed for its Byzantine mosaics. Leave time for pasta con le sarde or arancini; Palermo’s strongest impressions often arrive at the table.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain off Sicily’s northern coast. The town rises around a citadel, home to the Aeolian Archaeological Museum and its collection of island finds. Walk the old lanes to Marina Corta, then choose a waterfront table for fresh seafood. Beyond town, pumice quarries and coastal viewpoints reveal a landscape shaped by fire and sea.
Reggio Calabria faces Sicily across the Strait of Messina, at Italy’s southern toe. Its waterfront promenade, the Lungomare Falcomatà, frames views of Mount Etna and the island beyond on clear days. At the National Archaeological Museum, the celebrated Riace Bronzes reveal the city’s deep Greek past. Look beyond the galleries to lively piazzas, elegant Liberty-style buildings, and cafés serving the region’s distinctive bergamot.
Giardini Naxos sits on Sicily’s Ionian coast, beneath Mount Etna and a short drive from Taormina. Its waterfront pairs pebble beaches with cafés, gelaterie and views across the bay. Sicily’s first Greek colony was founded here in 734 BC. A nearby archaeological park preserves traces of its ancient streets and walls. Come for a seaside day, or use the port as a gateway to Taormina. There, the Greek Theatre commands sweeping views of Etna and the coast.
Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Published August 6, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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