Malaga, a vibrant and historic town in Andalusia on the Costa del Sol, blends festive charm with cultural landmarks. Along the La Farola promenade, you can enjoy leisurely walks between the marina and beaches. The Malagueta bullring stands as one of the city’s iconic sites. Overlooking the old town, the Gibralfaro Castle and Alcazaba rise from a hill covered in cypress and pine trees. A visit to Pablo Picasso’s birthplace starts at the elegant Plaza de la Merced, where nearby, the Buenavista Palace houses a museum dedicated to the renowned artist.

Nestled among hills, the Bay of Cartagena has shaped the history of this ancient stronghold, once home to some of Europe's greatest civilizations. Today, the city's rich architectural heritage reflects Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Moorish, and Christian influences. Its Roman theater is one of Spain's most essential and well-preserved. Visitors can also journey through vineyards and citrus groves extending towards Murcia, the vibrant regional capital.

Palma de Mallorca will reveal its many treasures: idyllic coves, majestic limestone cliffs that plunge into the clear sapphire- and turquoise-colored 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 its famous cathedral, and stroll through its old streets. Like a painting, the island's historical heritage forms a backdrop to the Mediterranean's lively and warm cosmopolitan atmosphere.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. 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, shop in the boutique, or 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. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Like Rome, the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, is built on seven hills. Its Sardinian name means “castle,” it is about the citadel and its historic center, which dominates the city. The old ramparts are now pleasant panoramic terraces bordering picturesque streets. The city hosted the Nuragic, Phoenician, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations before the reign 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-Remy or the Sainte-Marie Cathedral. On the seafront, Art Nouveau-style public monuments give way to the Poetto beach, a magnificent stretch of sand that is 8 kilometers long.

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, and 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, housed within the Norman palace's precincts. Discover the palaces and baroque splendors that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. Stumbling upon one of those fabulous markets, high in color and headily picturesque, is thrilling.

At the southern tip of the Italian boot, Reggio di Calabria guards the eastern shore of the Strait of Messina. From the lungomare, the seafront promenade, magnificent views over Sicily, a little over 3 km away, and Etna. Rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake, Reggio is set out in a grid pattern and has Art Nouveau and Belle Epoque architecture that add to its charm. And the fragrance of bergamot, the citrus fruit that dominates the region’s confectionery and perfumery. A visit to the National Archaeological Museum is a must. It is one of the most important in Italy, and among its collections are the famous Riace Bronzes, the stunning Greek statues dating from the 5th century BC that were found off the coast in 1972.

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

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, northwest of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. Visit the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometers from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.

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 slightly over six kilometers long, enabling merchant vessels and passengers to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty meters. Don’t miss this unique opportunity from the exterior decks to watch the ship navigate the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

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, and 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 fantastic. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.
 

The Greek capital city is on the edge of the Saronic Gulf in the east. It bears a plural name for the first villages surrounding the Acropolis. Be enchanted by the rocky plateau, surrounded by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, where, in the evenings, the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are some of the city’s key attractions, allowing visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.

Disembark after breakfast, continue your independent travels, or begin your journey home.