Your Cruise from Catalonia to the Canary Islands

From Catalonia to the city of Gods

From 6/11/2022 From Barcelona Ship: LE CHAMPLAIN to 18/11/2022 to Athens

PONANT invites you to discover exceptional sites during this brand-new cruise between Spain, Italy, Malta and Greece, in the heart of the Mediterranean. Enjoy this unforgettable13-day trip aboard Le Champlain, with sumptuous landscapes and historic cities.

From the dynamic city ofBarcelona , you will call at Valencia, with its remarkable architectural splendours.

Then, you will joinPalma de Majorca, one of the jewels of the Balearic Archipelago, known for its four main islands that are charming, picturesque and discreet, sitting atop the clear waters of the Mediterranean like grains of sand.

Your exploration of the Mediterranean islands will continue as you discover Cagliari, capital of Sardinia and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean; its historic centre is full of charm, with shaded stairs, small squares inundated with light and remains conjuring up its medieval grandeur.

Then, Le Champlain will cruise towardsPalermo where you will make a stop. A cultural jewel ofSicily , the city is a splendid witness to three thousand years of history where you will be able to visit emblematic landmarks such as the 12th-century cathedral and Teatro Massimo, one of the largest theatres in Europe. You will continue with a call atTrapani , to visit the medieval city ofErice . 750 metres (2,460 feet) up, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea.

Your cruise will join Valletta, former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, before sailing towards Greece Itea and, where another exceptional site awaits: Delphi.

Your ship will then sail along the astonishing Corinth Canal, a famous sea channel dug out by men in the 19th century and arrive inNafplion . From there you will able to visit two ancient jewels: the Epidaurus Theatre and Mycenae, the royal city of House of Atreus.

Your cruise will end inAthens , the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that the form most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.

The information in this document is valid as of 1/10/2021 From Catalonia to the city of Gods YOUR STOPOVERS :

BARCELONA Embarkation 6/11/2022 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Departure 6/11/2022 at 6:00 pm

Located on the seashore between the mountains of Montjuïc and Tibidabo, Barcelona offers its many visitors a perfect blend of tradition and modernism. Truly an open-air museum, the “prodigious town” reveals an astonishing range of artistic treasures and museums, combining Roman ruins, medieval districts and a number of avant-garde elements from the 20th Century. Over the years, it has been marked by some of the greatest artists, such Picassoas , Miró or Gaudí, most of whose work has been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Take the time to stroll alongthe Ramblas and enjoy the gentle, typically Mediterranean lifestyle of the capital of Catalonia.

VALENCIA Arrival 7/11/2022 midday Departure 7/11/2022 late afternoon

Valencia - the city of Art and Sciences. Two hearts beat in this Spanish city: one is modern, avantgarde and almost futuristic; the other is more provincial, more traditional and nostalgic. Valencia has the temperament of a great Mediterranean city whose wide avenues form a border around the old town. The city has an abundance of architectural styles that coexist harmoniously, but above all it resolutely embraces the 21st Century with the futuristic structures of its Agora congress centre and City of Arts and Sciences, emerging from a crystal blue pool.

PALMA DE MALLORCA, BALEARIC ISLANDS Arrival 8/11/2022 early morning Departure 8/11/2022 late afternoon

Palma de Mallorca will reveal its many treasures: idyllic coves, majestic limestone cliffs that plunge into the clear sapphire- and turquoise-coloured waters of the Mediterranean, and vast plains planted with almond trees, olive trees and vineyards. When your ship calls at the capital of the Balearic Islands, take a walk to discover its emblematic monuments, such as itsfamous cathedral, and amble through its old streets. Here, like a painting, the island’s historical heritage forms a backdrop to the lively and warm cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Mediterranean.

AT SEA Arrival 9/11/2022 Departure 9/11/2022

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA Arrival 10/11/2022 early morning Departure 10/11/2022 midday

The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, like Rome, is built on seven hills. Its Sardinian name means “castle”, in reference to the citadel, its historic centre, which dominates the city. The old ramparts are now pleasant panoramic terraces bordering picturesque streets. The city hosted the Nuragic, Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine civilisations before the rein of the Spanish Hapsburgs and the House of Savoy. The monuments of Cagliari bear the traces of these successive dominations, such as the Bastion of Saint-Rémy or Sainte-Marie the Cathedral. On the sea front, Art Nouveau-style public monuments give way to the Poetto beach, a magnificent stretch of sand that is 8 kilometres long.

PALERMO, SICILY Arrival 11/11/2022 early morning Departure 11/11/2022 late evening

Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on thecathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of thePalatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of theNorman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces,baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour, and headily picturesque.

TRAPANI, SICILY Arrival 12/11/2022 early morning Departure 12/11/2022 early afternoon

Bathed in the cobalt waters of theTyrrhenian sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city Erice, of boasting a privileged natural position in westernSicily. As you wander through its little streets, you will discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilisations that came here:San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata sanctuary, the fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savour some fresh fish from the morning’s catch. Or else you can opt for a seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbours.

VALLETTA Arrival 13/11/2022 early morning Departure 13/11/2022 early evening 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.

CATANIA, SICILY Arrival 14/11/2022 early morning Departure 14/11/2022 early evening

Sicily’s second city Catania is dominated by the majestic silhouette ofMount Etna. Nourishing and devastating at the same time, this giant crowned with smoke rings brought about the destruction of the city at the end of the 17th century. Catania was then rebuilt in the late Baroque style, and the many monuments of this epoch have earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The baroque churches of the harmoniousVia dei Crociferi perfectly illustrate the riches of this architectural heritage. During your stop, be sure to visit Saint Agatha Cathedral with its apses made of lava stones, and its square decorated with a fountain of the Elephant, the animal which allegedly has the power to calm the fury of Mount Etna …

AT SEA Arrival 15/11/2022 Departure 15/11/2022

ITEA Arrival 16/11/2022 early morning Departure 16/11/2022 midday

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling Bay the of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to theDelphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.

CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL Arrival 16/11/2022 Departure 16/11/2022

The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

NAFPLION Arrival 17/11/2022 early morning Departure 17/11/2022 late afternoon

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along theArvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

ATHENS Arrival 18/11/2022 early morning Disembarkation 18/11/2022 at 7:00 am

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. TheNational Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.