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From Valletta to Florence / Pisa (Livorno)

Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights: Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys

Dates:
6 Sep - 14 Sep 2026
Duration:
8 Nights
Journey type:
Cruise only (please call for flight options)
No. of ports:
8
Ship:
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Cruise Line:
Ponant Explorations
Fares:

From £7,240 pp

Ortigia Island, Siracusa, Sicily

From Valletta to Florence / Pisa (Livorno)

Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights: Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys

Dates:
6 Sep - 14 Sep 2026
Duration:
8 Nights
Journey type:
Cruise only (please call for flight options)
No. of ports:
8
Ship:
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Cruise Line:
Ponant Explorations
Fares:

From £7,240 pp

Voyage Itinerary

6 September

Setting sail from Valletta

Malta's tiny capital, established by the Knights of St John, packs in an awful lot of history considering its diminutive size. The atmospheric old streets, bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, are full of attractive honey-golden buildings, along with an impressive selection of bars and restaurants.

Valletta, Malta

7 September

Italy: Siracusa

Founded by Greek colonists in 734 BC, Siracusa was once the largest city in the ancient world, surpassing even Athens in its splendour. Highlights include the island of Ortigia, where narrow streets are lined by beautiful Baroque architecture, and the impressive ruins at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis on the Sicilian mainland.
Ortigia Island, Siracusa, Sicily

8 September

Italy: Taormina

Taormina enjoys a truly spectacular setting on Sicily’s east coast, perched on a mountainside looking out towards the smouldering Mount Etna. The medieval streets are pleasant but often crowded in high season, so we’d recommend getting out and exploring the surrounding countryside.
Architecture in Taormina, Sicily

9 September

Italy: Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is the main transport hub for travel to Sicily, and the seafront Lungomare promenade has great views across to Mount Etna. The city’s main attraction is the Museo Nazionale with its stunning Ancient Greek bronze statues, while the picturesque nearby town of Scilla is well worth a day trip.
Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Italy

10 September

Italy: Agropoli

Agropoli is a popular summer resort town on the Cilento coast of southern Italy, with a pleasant historic core and some interesting churches. Most visitors are lured here by the beautiful beaches of Trentova Bay, situated just to the southwest of the town.
Agropoli, Italy

11 September

Italy: Naples

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Naples rewards exploration, and in addition to the many cultural treasures waiting to be unearthed Neapolitans are rightly proud of their food; this is where you’ll find the best pizza in Italy. The city also acts as a gateway to the fascinating remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the beautiful Amalfi coast.
View of Naples and Vesuvius, Italy

12 September

Italy: Rome (Civitavecchia)

One of the world’s great cities, Rome continues to dazzle and delight visitors with a potent mix of architectural marvels, continent-defining history and buzzing nightlife. The Colosseum, the Vatican and the Forum are among the big ticket items, with the crowds to match, though in truth you will find history around almost every corner.
Rome skyline

13 September to 14 September

Arriving in Florence / Pisa (Livorno)

The faded port town of Livorno serves as a gateway to Tuscany’s star attractions. Wonderful Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is resplendent with beautiful architecture and unrivalled artistic treasures, while nearby Pisa is of course famous for its precarious Leaning Tower.
Florence, Italy

The ship

Le Dumont-d'Urville

Capacity:
184 Guests
Crew:
118 Staff
Style:
Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair.

Sleek and stylish, Ponant's wonderful Explorer yachts blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.

What we love

Named after six of France's most famous explorers, Le Champlain, Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d'Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant's trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.

Learn more about Le Dumont-d'Urville
Ponant Explorers - Le Bougainville in Norway

inclusions

  • All meals in all venues
  • Tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
  • All onboard entertainment
  • Unlimited use of the Fitness Centre
  • Zodiac outings and landings on expedition sailings
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • One complimentary excursion per port

How can we help?

Our frequently asked questions

From expedition tips to travel protection, here are some of our most-asked questions.

visit our faqs

Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?

Absolutely. Expedition cruises often start and end in remote destinations, and we're able to arrange everything from flights and transfers to hotels and tours. If you're keen to make the most of your time away with bespoke arrangements, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and we offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24-hour emergency contact, to give you complete peace of mind.

Will I save by booking with Mundy Adventures?

You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line, as well as enjoying more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.

How much time is spent ashore?

Itineraries are planned to deliver an unforgettable experience of the destination, so days are filled with landings ashore via the ship's fleet of Zodiacs (sturdy rubber boats) or exploration along the coastline. It will vary depending on itinerary and operators, so it's best to contact us to discuss but rest assured an expedition cruise is focused on the time you spend off the ship.

Why Mundy?

Who we are

Mundy Adventures is the intrepid little brother of Mundy Cruising Ltd., the UK's very first cruise specialist, and one of the leading companies in its field.

We specialise in travel by ship and have been doing so for over 50 years. By providing expert, personal service, insightful ideas and fascinating add-ons we aim to make your adventure holiday truly unique and special.

More about Mundy

We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.