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Home , Corinth Canal, Isthmus of Corinth, Valletta

Island Jewels of the Mediterranean

From 10/25/2020 From Valletta Ship: LE JACQUES CARTIER to 11/2/2020 to

In , board the Jacques-Cartier for an unforgettable trip to several islands that are emblematic of Southern .

This 9-day cruise will take you to Sicily and to discover exceptional historic and cultural sites of the and the Cyclades.

Your ship will leave Valletta, the capital of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, and set sail for Syracuse, the gateway to the Island of Ortygia and its historic centre which contains famous ancient remains including the Temple of Apollo dating from the 6th century BC.

After a stop in Katakolon, your ship will join the Delphi sanctuary of Greek gods which you will reach via Itea. Delphi is located on a grandiose site that is one of ’s most beautiful natural landscapes. You will walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims of old, who came here to consult the famous oracle.

On board Le Jacques-Cartier, you will take the astonishing Canal, a famous sea channel dug out by men in the 19th century. You will then sail towards Nafplion, a charming and well-preserved city dominated by an impressive Venitian citadel.

The Cyclades capital, Syros Island, will surprise you with its authenticity and neo-classical architecture. Last stop of your stay, Paros Island is reputed for its sublime white marble offers a real concentration of Greek beauty, from whitewashed houses to olive groves to ancient monuments.

You will finally reach Athens, the end of this journey in the Mediterranean.

Due to current Italian government regulations, your own visits are not allowed. PONANT has created an ashore programme for you to discover the charms of Sicily. The information in this document is valid as of 9/28/2021 Island Jewels of the Mediterranean YOUR STOPOVERS :

VALLETTA Embarkation 10/25/2020 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Departure 10/25/2020 at 6:00 PM

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 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.

SYRACUSE, SICILY Arrival 10/26/2020 midday Departure 10/26/2020 early evening

Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form ofMount Etna which surveys its island like a patriarch, the flowery gardens on the hillside... Sicily lays out its varied landscapes like a shopkeeper displays his wares. Described by Cicero as “the most beautiful city in the world”, Syracuse was one of the most prestigious cities in Sicily and at her height was even a rival for Athens.A central city of , it was home to a succession of civilisations, each of which has left their mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colours and flavours.

AT SEA Arrival 10/27/2020 Departure 10/27/2020

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.

KATAKOLON Arrival 10/28/2020 early morning Departure 10/28/2020 late afternoon

This picturesque village stretches along the in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbour offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, church the of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.

ITEA Arrival 10/29/2020 early morning Departure 10/29/2020 midday

Tucked away in the , 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 Arrival 10/29/2020 late afternoon Departure 10/29/2020 evening

The Corinth Canal cuts through the , 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 10/30/2020 early morning Departure 10/30/2020 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 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.

SYROS Arrival 10/31/2020 early morning Departure 10/31/2020 evening

Located to the west of , Syros is an attractiveisland in the Cyclades. It has been inhabited since early antiquity, as you’ll discover by visiting thearchaeological museum in Ermoupoli, its capital built in the shape of an amphitheatre and stretching out over two hills. Don’t miss thehistorical district, where the beautiful houses are evidence of the island’s strategic location for trade, between the East and the West. Admire the Agios superb Nikolaos Church or the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Further on, the medieval town of Ano Syros allows to admire charming stairways and arched passageways, as well as small, white houses decorated with bougainvilleas.

PAROS Arrival 11/1/2020 early morning Departure 11/1/2020 late afternoon

Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays ofParikia, its main town, you’ll see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa. This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove.

ATHENS Arrival 11/2/2020 early morning Disembarkation 11/2/2020 at 6:00 AM

The Greek is located on the edge of the , 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.