PONANT: Le Bougainville

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Set in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Africa, Gozo is the second largest of the Maltese islands after Malta itself. Reputed in Greek legend to be the island of Ogy'gia, where the sea nymph Calypso entertained Odysseus, it is 9 miles long and 4 miles wide . The main town of Victoria is set on hills in the middle of the island. The impressive Citadel or Gran Castello and the Ggantija prehistoric temples are worth visiting. Also take in the views from Calypso's Cave and the amazing alabaster stalactites of Ninu's Grotto.

Xlendi Bay and the surrounding village is another sought after destination on Gozo. Known for scuba diving and various water sports, this picturesque town is a perfect place for relaxation.

Set in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Africa, Gozo is the second largest of the Maltese islands after Malta itself. Reputed in Greek legend to be the island of Ogy'gia, where the sea nymph Calypso entertained Odysseus, it is 9 miles long and 4 miles wide . The main town of Victoria is set on hills in the middle of the island. The impressive Citadel or Gran Castello and the Ggantija prehistoric temples are worth visiting. Also take in the views from Calypso's Cave and the amazing alabaster stalactites of Ninu's Grotto.

Xlendi Bay and the surrounding village is another sought after destination on Gozo. Known for scuba diving and various water sports, this picturesque town is a perfect place for relaxation.

A Mediterranean island paradise named after its surplus of cumin seeds lies in the Maltese archipelago of Malta and Gozo. In the 17th century, this remote location served as a getaway for the Knights of St. John. Rest and relaxation is often found at the Blue Lagoon, a lagoon surrounded by warm crystal clear blue waters.

Stromboli is a volcanic island located just north of Sicily in Italy. It is home to one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with its continuous eruptions in the past 2000 years. The island itself is 2 miles in diameter and about 3000 feet above sea level.

Cast in the Tyrrhenian sea, the Lipari Islands experience an increasing amount of tourism due to unusual scenery and mild climate. The variety and beauty of rock formations, the volcanic phenomena of Stromboli and the crystalline waters always impress visitors. Local-style architecture adds charm to picturesque villages. The main islands include famous Stromboli and Lipari. In a bay on Lipari’s east coast lies the main town of the same name - dominated by the Castello or Acropolis, which separates the town’s two harbors. Within Castello are the cathedral and the former Bishop's Palace, which now houses the Archaeological Museum. It is noted for its fine collection of relics from recent excavations, Greek masks and statuettes from theatrical life as far back as Sophocles and Euripides. At Marina Corta there are hydrofoils and boats offering trips to neighboring islands. The most southern Lipari Island, Vulcano Island, has a spectacular volcanic landscape of rugged peaks rising above beaches. A steep trail leads up from the plain to a 1,150-foot crater.

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The small gem of a city Porto Ercole is anchored in Monte Argentario peninsula and enveloped by a blanket of beautiful sand and rock beaches. Porto Ercole is a perfect getaway spot for those interested in traveling to nearby towns and historic sites for touring or art visits. From here, Siena, Tarquinia, San Gimignano (to name only a few of Porto Ercole's neighbors) lie nearby. The highlights contained inside the town walls include the 16th century Palazzo Consani, located in Piazza Santa Barbara, and the old parish church of San Erasmo, which continues to offer sacred protection to sailors. The whole city is dominated by a fortress (la Rocca), which looms over the port and bay and which was architecturally designed by Giovanni Camerini. Two other forts erected in Porto Ercole are Fort Stella and Fort Filippo. Fort Stella dominates a large area located at the back of the port, and is named for its geometrical form of a star (which houses a hexagonal interior courtyard). Fort Filippo is a formidable structure originally built with the best military architecture of its time.

Colours, aromas and history are the three elements that encapsulate the Island of Giglio - an island with three villages Porto, Castello, and Campese. The island hides in its interior a ‘hidden treasure’. Thanks to its mild climate, visitors are able to enjoy pure and unspoiled nature, which is not easy to come by elsewhere. The crystal clear emerald green sea teems with underwater life. The island is almost totally mountainous, with a maximum peak, the Poggio della Pagana, measuring little more then 1500 feet. From the top, a spectacular panorama can be seen. The most interesting feature of the island is the coastline, which alternates cliffs of smooth granite, with coves, bays and sandy beaches, and always allows the chance of finding a sheltered place. The island is a real hidden treasure, for people who have a genuine relationship with nature, with friendly locals, walks, bird-watching, minerals and the underwater world.

Picturesquely situated in a narrow cove on Italy's northern coast lies enchanting Portofino. This Pearl of the Mediterranean has been a favored gathering place for the elite who appreciate the charm and intimacy of the cliff-lined harbor. Overlooking rocky coastline, quaint Portofino surprises with incredible views of Gulf of Rapallo and surrounding hillsides. The church of San Giorgio offers a beautiful view of the resort and harbor. More extensive views are available from Fortezza de San Giorgio. In 1935, the city government of Genoa declared Portofino a national monument. Visitors enjoy the unique ambiance, chic boutiques and quaint cafes that overlook the small yacht harbor and line narrow, cobbled streets. Others explore the surrounding coastline, where tiny villages are tucked away in hidden coves. Don't miss out on a favorite pastime - people-watching while relaxing in an outdoor cafe. The boutiques and designer shops tempt with chic resortwear and Italian designer clothing. Two miles from Portofino is Paraggi, with a sparkling cove good for a swim.

Calvi, with its long sandy beach, boarded by parasol pine-trees, is dominated by a Genoese citadel planted on a promontory with the small town below, extending along a waterfront, bustling with fishing boats and yachts. Not surprising its idyllic setting is so attractive for ships of all sizes.

Nice is undoubtedly the place for the opening up of art and culture. The Côte d'Azur has inspired, from time immemorial, the greatest painters, writers and musicians. It has compelled recognition of its avant-garde across the Atlantic, its museums are holding prestigious collections in edifices of renowned architecture. Nice is full of an extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. The gentle way of life sustains the imaginary world of artists and stimulates their creativeness. A cultural and aesthetic atmosphere prevails here; the cultural life is intense. It is punctuated by temporary exhibitions in the museums and the municipal galleries, by the programming of the theatres of which the most important is the Theatre of Nice - National Dramatic Centre - directed by Jacques Weber. The Opera House of Nice's Theatre proposes events of great quality.

Suggested Private Excursions

Nice - Shore Excursion - Discovery of Saint-Paul de Vence, Haut de Cagnes & Gourdon - 8 hours

Nice Shore Excursion - Discovery of Nice, Eze & Monaco - 8 hours

Nice - Full Day Tour - 8 hours

Nice & Cannes - Full Day Tour - 8 hours

Nice, Villefranche & St Jean Cap Ferrat - Half Day Tour - 4 hours

Nice: Picturesque Towns of the Cote d’Azur – 8 hours