Ancient Shores of the Mediterranean

Malaga, located in Andalusia on Spain’s Costa del Sol, blends history with coastal charm. Walk along the La Farola promenade between the marina and the beaches. Visit the Malagueta bullring, a well-known city landmark. From a nearby hill, see the Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba, two historic fortresses. At Plaza de la Merced, visit Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, then explore the Picasso Museum in the Buenavista Palace nearby.

Cartagena sits on a natural bay surrounded by hills and has served as a strategic stronghold for many civilizations. Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Moorish, and Christian influences shape the city’s architecture. The Roman Theater is one of the best-preserved in Spain. Outside the city, travel through vineyards and citrus groves to reach the regional capital of Murcia, known for its historic sites and lively atmosphere.

While it is impossible to fully capture the energy that Oran exudes, the city was a source of inspiration for great novels such as Don Quixote by Cervantes, The Plague by Camus, and more recently What the Day Owes the Night by Yasmina Khadra. Andalusian sailors founded the city in 902 and it continued to develop until becoming Algeria’s second largest city today. Dubbed “the radiant”, the city reflects its multiple influences, a blend of Middle Eastern, African, Mediterranean, and of course French. As you stroll through its streets, you will discover the Fort of Santa Cruz, the Hassan Pasha Mosque, the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Mediterranean garden, and the magnificent seafront. Not far from there, in Sidi Bel Abbes, you may have the opportunity to visit a modern “khaima”, a traditional tent used by the Bedouins in the desert, and to discover Oran’s traditions and customs.

The beauty of the Bay of Algiers offers travellers arriving by sea an unforgettable view. The Casbah houses cascade down to the Haussmann-style buildings and the hustle and bustle of the Mediterranean city creates a unique atmosphere. Algiers the White proudly bears the traces of its history with its magnificent Casbah, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, its tropical garden called Jardin d’Essai, its Martyr’s Memorial, its imposing Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, and its lively city centre with its Grande Poste (main post office) and French quarter. Seventy kilometres (43 miles) away, you will have the possibility of visiting Tipaza, one of the most extraordinary archaeological complexes of the Maghreb, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Once a trading post of the Carthaginians and later the Romans, the ancient city is home to the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, a funerary monument providing precious evidence of what was once the Punic world.

During your journey 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 journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or 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.

At the crossroads of civilizations, the capital of Tunisia is rich in cultural discoveries. The ruins of Ancient Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and particularly well preserved, testify to the splendor of this city that was once Rome’s great rival. The hill of Byrsa, the former fortified citadel of the Phoenician port and one of the presumed burial places of Saint Louis, who died there during the Eighth Crusade, offers spectacular views over the Gulf of Tunis. In the Bardo National Museum, you will be able to admire one of the world’s finest Roman mosaic collections, including the magnificent portrait of the poet Virgil.

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

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 the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendors that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in color and headily picturesque.

Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form of Mount 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 its height was even a rival for Athens. A central city of Ancient Greece, it was home to a succession of civilizations, each of which has left its mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine, and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colors, and flavors.

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 Grandmaster's 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.