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

11–22 October 2028 | Malta • Sicily • Calabria • Campania • Rome

Fully Escorted by Fiona Fenwick | Solo Travellers & Couples Welcome

Imagine wandering through ancient Greek and Roman sites in the morning, tasting Sicilian wines and regional delicacies in the afternoon, and returning to the comfort of a beautiful small ship as we journey through Southern Italy.

Welcome to Flavours & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean — a remarkable Travel With Lesley Whyte journey combining history, archaeology, culture, food and wine with an eight-night voyage aboard Le Dumont d’Urville.

At the heart of this voyage is a unique alliance between PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution. Together, they have created themed voyages designed to take travellers beyond simply visiting a destination — immersing you more deeply in its history, culture, cuisine, language, environment and wildlife.

This means our cruise includes much more than the usual PONANT experience. During the voyage, we’ll have access to talks and discussions onboard with world-class experts, together with a SHORE EXCURSION OR ACTIVITY INCLUDED IN EVERY PORT OF CALL. These carefully selected experiences are designed to immerse us in the sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of each destination and provide a much deeper understanding of the places we visit.

And for SOLO TRAVELLERS, this journey offers something particularly special — your OWN HOTEL ROOM and your OWN BALCONY STATEROOM throughout, at NO ADDITIONAL COST. No solo supplement and no need to share. Couples are equally welcome, with the same per-person price whether travelling solo or sharing.

Our journey begins with two nights in Valletta, Malta, giving us time to arrive, settle in and discover this extraordinary fortified Mediterranean city before coming together for our Travel With Lesley Whyte Welcome Dinner.

We then board Le Dumont d’Urville for eight nights, travelling from Malta through Sicily and Southern Italy before finishing near Rome.

The itinerary is a wonderful combination of the ancient world and the flavours of modern Italy — Syracuse and Ortygia, Taormina and Mount Etna, Reggio di Calabria, Paestum, Salerno, Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Gaeta. Along the way are opportunities to discover Sicilian wines and regional delicacies, Calabrian specialities, Campania mozzarella and, naturally, authentic Neapolitan pizza.

After disembarking at Civitavecchia, our journey continues to Rome for one final night together and our Travel With Lesley Whyte Farewell Dinner before our included group transfer to Rome Airport the following day.

Throughout the journey, you’ll be fully escorted by Fiona Fenwick for Travel With Lesley Whyte, allowing you to relax and enjoy everything this extraordinary part of the Mediterranean has to offer.

Come solo. Come as a couple. Come for the ancient wonders, the food, the wine and la dolce vita.

  • October 11, 2028 - October 22, 2028
  • AUD $26,700
  • 5 - 12
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11 October 2028 – Welcome to Malta

Our Mediterranean journey begins in Malta.

On arrival at Malta International Airport, we are met and transferred to our 4-star hotel in Valletta, where we’ll spend the next two nights.

We’ve deliberately kept our first day relaxed, allowing everyone to arrive on their individual flights, settle in and recover from the journey.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps take your first wander through Valletta’s beautiful historic streets, find a waterfront café or simply relax at the hotel.

Meals today are at your own cost.

Overnight in Valletta.

12 October 2028 – Discover Valletta & Our Welcome Dinner

Breakfast included | Welcome Dinner included

After breakfast, we’ll spend today discovering Valletta and getting our first taste of Malta.

This remarkable UNESCO-listed fortified city is packed with history, Baroque architecture, grand churches, narrow streets and spectacular views across one of the Mediterranean’s great natural harbours.

We’ll include a guided introduction to Valletta, followed by free time to explore, shop, enjoy lunch or perhaps simply find a café and watch Maltese life go by.

Tonight, we’ll come together for our official Travel With Lesley Whyte Welcome Dinner.

It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travellers, enjoy some wonderful food and wine and celebrate the journey ahead.

Overnight in Valletta.

13 October 2028 – Valletta & Embark Le Dumont d’Urville

Breakfast included | Dinner onboard

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before some final time in Valletta.

Later today, we’ll transfer to the port and board Le Dumont d’Urville, our home for the next eight nights.

Settle into your balcony stateroom, explore the ship and prepare for a wonderful journey through Sicily and Southern Italy.

This particular PONANT voyage is in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys and has been designed especially for English-speaking travellers. Alongside our days ashore, the programme includes fascinating onboard talks and discussions with world-class experts.

14 October 2028 – Syracuse, Sicily

Our first Sicilian destination introduces us to Syracuse, once one of the most powerful cities of the ancient Greek world.

Explore atmospheric Ortygia, the historic heart of Syracuse, and discover the city’s extensive archaeological heritage.

Depending on your chosen included excursion, today could also introduce you to another side of Sicily through its food and wine — perhaps visiting a local winery or combining historical sightseeing with tastings of arancini, cheeses, salami, breads and Sicilian desserts.

Ancient history and fabulous Sicilian food — a wonderful beginning to our time in Italy.

15 October 2028 – Taormina, Sicily

Today brings us to spectacular Taormina, dramatically positioned high above the Ionian Sea.

Its extraordinary Greek theatre is one of Sicily’s great archaeological treasures, while Roman remains, Arab and Norman influences and elegant villas tell the story of the many cultures that have shaped this beautiful town.

Taormina is also our gateway to Mount Etna and the vineyards growing in its mineral-rich volcanic soils — another wonderful opportunity to combine history, landscapes and Sicilian wine.

16 October 2028 – Reggio di Calabria

We cross the Strait of Messina today and arrive on the Italian mainland at Reggio di Calabria.

One of the great cultural treasures here is the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia, home to the extraordinary Riace Bronzes.

Beyond the city, Calabria offers castles, vineyards and distinctive regional flavours. Depending on your excursion, you may encounter historic castles, local wines, fragrant bergamot or Calabria’s famous tartufo ice-cream dessert.

17 October 2028 – Agropoli & Paestum

Today takes us into another extraordinary chapter of the ancient world.

From Agropoli we can discover Paestum, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC and home to some of the best-preserved Doric temples anywhere in the Mediterranean.

But this is Italy — so archaeology naturally comes with food!

The surrounding Campania region is renowned for its mozzarella, and the programme provides an opportunity to discover how this famous cheese is produced and, naturally, taste the finished product.

18 October 2028 – Salerno

Today we arrive in Salerno, beautifully positioned on the Gulf of Salerno.

You may choose another opportunity to discover the magnificent archaeological treasures of Paestum or turn your attention to Salerno itself, with its layered history, seaside character and wonderful southern Italian cuisine.

Take your time, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy another day of Italian history and flavour.

19 October 2028 – Naples

Naples!

Few cities deliver quite the combination of history, energy, food and personality that Naples does.

Today offers the opportunity to discover Pompeii, the extraordinary Roman city preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, or Herculaneum, which suffered the same catastrophic eruption.

Or perhaps food wins the day. Another option takes you towards Sorrento and a working farm, where you can try your hand at creating perhaps the most famous food to come out of Naples — authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

History or pizza? This could be one of the hardest decisions of the entire journey!

20 October 2028 – Gaeta

Our final port before Rome brings us to beautiful Gaeta.

Here you may choose to delve further into Italy’s ancient history with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum and the remains of Emperor Tiberius’s seaside villa.

Alternatively, discover the dramatic Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata — the “Split Mountain” — dramatically positioned above the sea.

Tonight is our final evening aboard Le Dumont d’Urville.

21 October 2028 – Civitavecchia & Rome

This morning our cruise comes to an end in Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome.

After breakfast and disembarkation, we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in Rome for our final night.

Enjoy some time to settle in and perhaps head out to explore before tonight, when we’ll come together for our final Travel With Lesley Whyte dinner.

After our journey through Malta, Sicily and Southern Italy, this is our opportunity to raise a glass, share our favourite moments and celebrate the wonderful experiences and friendships that have been part of our journey together.

Overnight in Rome.

22 October 2028 – Farewell Rome

Breakfast included

Enjoy our final breakfast together before it’s time to say our farewells.

A group transfer to Rome Airport is included today for our onward journeys home.

From Malta and Sicily to Calabria, Campania and Rome, our Mediterranean adventure comes to an end — hopefully with plenty of wonderful memories, new friendships and perhaps a considerably greater appreciation for Italian food and wine!

Accommodation

Throughout this journey, comfort is an important part of the experience — and for solo travellers, your own room and your own balcony stateroom are included at no additional cost.

Our journey begins with two nights in a carefully selected 4-star hotel in Valletta, Malta. Solo travellers will have their own private room, while couples will enjoy a double or twin room.

For our eight-night Mediterranean cruise, we’ll stay aboard Le Dumont d’Urville in beautifully appointed Balcony Staterooms. Each stateroom provides your own private balcony, ensuite bathroom and the contemporary comforts expected aboard a PONANT small luxury ship.

Solo travellers have their OWN BALCONY STATEROOM — no sharing and no additional solo supplement on the cabins we have secured.

Higher-deck balcony staterooms and suites are available at an additional cost, subject to availability. Please enquire if you would like to upgrade.

Following disembarkation at Civitavecchia, we’ll transfer to Rome for our final night together in a 4-star hotel. Once again, solo travellers will enjoy their own private room at no additional cost.

In total, your accommodation includes:

  • 2 nights – 4-star hotel in Valletta
  • 8 nights – Balcony Stateroom aboard Le Dumont d’Urville
  • 1 night – 4-star hotel in Rome
  • Own hotel room and balcony stateroom throughout for solo travellers at no additional cost

What’s Included

One of the standout inclusions of this Smithsonian Journeys voyage is that a SHORE EXCURSION OR ACTIVITY IS INCLUDED IN EVERY PORT OF CALL — allowing you to experience each destination without having to add the cost of your main shore excursions to your holiday.

  • Shore excursion or activity included in EVERY PORT OF CALL as part of the PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys programme
  • Talks and discussions onboard with world-class experts
  • Meet and greet on arrival at Malta International Airport
  • Transfer from Malta Airport to our hotel
  • Two nights’ 4-star accommodation in Valletta
  • Own hotel room for solo travellers at no additional cost
  • Breakfast as outlined in the itinerary
  • Travel With Lesley Whyte Welcome Dinner
  • Guided Valletta experience
  • Transfer from our Valletta hotel to the port
  • Eight-night PONANT voyage aboard Le Dumont d’Urville
  • Balcony Stateroom
  • Own balcony stateroom for solo travellers at no additional cost on the cabins we have secured
  • All meals onboard Le Dumont d’Urville
  • PONANT’s included onboard beverage offering
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
  • 24-hour room service
  • Access to the ship’s facilities and onboard programme
  • Transfer following disembarkation at Civitavecchia to our Rome hotel
  • One night’s accommodation in Rome
  • Own hotel room in Rome for solo travellers at no additional cost
  • Travel With Lesley Whyte Farewell Dinner in Rome
  • Breakfast on our final morning
  • Group transfer from our Rome hotel to Rome Airport
  • Fully escorted throughout by Fiona Fenwick for Travel With Lesley Whyte
  • If you travel on the same international flights as Fiona, you’ll also have the reassurance of being escorted from departure through to your return
  • Travel With Lesley Whyte pre-departure information and support
  • A special Travel With Lesley Whyte traveller gift package valued at AUD $500 per person

What’s Not Included

  • International or domestic airfares to Malta and home from Rome
  • Comprehensive travel insurance — this is MANDATORY for all travellers joining the tour
  • Meals not specifically listed as included in the itinerary
  • Additional or optional shore excursions outside those included in the Smithsonian Journeys programme
  • Premium wines, spirits or beverages outside PONANT’s included beverage offering
  • Personal expenses, including shopping, laundry, spa treatments and other personal purchases
  • Passport, visa or entry requirements applicable to your individual circumstances
  • Vaccinations, medical consultations or other personal health requirements associated with international travel
  • Excess baggage charges or airline seat-selection fees
  • Transfers other than those specifically included in the itinerary
  • Additional accommodation before or after the Travel With Lesley Whyte programme
  • Any additional meals, accommodation, sightseeing or transportation required as a result of flight disruptions, delays or circumstances outside the control of Travel With Lesley Whyte

Level of Fitness

Easy to Moderate

A high level of fitness isn’t required, but this itinerary rewards travellers who are comfortable spending time on their feet.

Many of the destinations feature archaeological sites, historic streets, cobblestones, steps and uneven surfaces. You should be comfortable walking for approximately one to two hours during sightseeing, negotiating occasional inclines and steps, embarking and disembarking the ship and getting on and off coaches independently.

Some included excursions may be more active than others, particularly visits to archaeological sites such as Pompeii, Paestum and Syracuse. Where choices are available, you can select the excursion most appropriate to your interests and fitness.

If you have any concerns about your mobility or whether this journey is suitable for you, please contact us before booking so we can talk through the itinerary with you.

Meet Your Host – Fiona Fenwick

Fiona Fenwick will host this very special Travel With Lesley Whyte journey from Malta through to Rome.

A true global traveller, Fiona brings warmth, humour and a wonderfully relaxed hosting style to our small-group journeys.

And this particular tour couldn’t be a better match.

Fiona is a passionate enjoyer of food and wine and was named by Cuisine Magazine as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s influential and inspiring women in food and drink. When she isn’t travelling, she can often be found amongst the vines of her Pinot Noir vineyard in beautiful Marlborough.

A journey through Sicily and Southern Italy combining ancient history, vineyards, regional cuisine, mozzarella, Sicilian delicacies and Neapolitan pizza is therefore very much Fiona’s kind of adventure!

As your host, Fiona will be there throughout — bringing the group together, helping everything run smoothly and, naturally, being very willing to join you for a glass of Italian wine along the way.

Pricing & Payment Information

Cost: AUD $26,700 per person

The price is the same whether you are travelling solo or sharing as a couple/twin.

For SOLO TRAVELLERS, your own hotel room and your own balcony stateroom throughout are included at NO ADDITIONAL COST — no solo supplement and no need to share.

Payment Schedule

  • AUD $6,000 per person deposit — secures your place
  • 25% of the tour price — Due by 20 September 2027
  • 25% of the tour price — Due by 20 March 2028
  • Final balance — Due by 25 August 2028

 

Please note: The percentage amounts shown for the staged payments are tentative and may change once PONANT releases its final payment requirements. Payment dates may also be subject to change in accordance with PONANT’s final payment schedule.

Higher-deck balcony staterooms and suites are available at an additional cost, subject to availability. Please enquire if you would prefer an upgraded cabin.

All tour payments are invoiced and payable in Australian Dollars (AUD).

 

Click here for booking terms & conditions.

Exchange Rate & Tour Currency

Travel With Lesley Whyte sells our international tours and cruises in the same currency in which we purchase them from our suppliers.

This particular tour has been purchased in Australian Dollars (AUD), and the tour price is AUD $26,700 per person. All deposits and subsequent payments will therefore be invoiced in AUD.

By pricing your journey in the supplier’s currency, we can manage exchange-rate fluctuations much more effectively. This means we are not having to build a large exchange-rate buffer into the tour price or come back to you requesting additional funds should exchange rates move unfavourably.

As at 22 August 2026, AUD $26,700 is approximately:

  • NZD $32,013
  • USD $19,144

These conversions are provided as an indication only. Exchange rates fluctuate, and the actual amount in your home currency will depend on the exchange rate and any fees applied by your bank or payment provider at the time each payment is made.

October 11, 2028 - October 22, 2028

Flights & Travel Arrangements

International flights are not included in the tour price, allowing you the flexibility to choose the airline, routing and travel arrangements that best suit you.

To make your journey as seamless as possible, our trusted Travel Consultant, Kerry, is available to assist with booking your flights and mandatory travel insurance.

Kerry can help coordinate flights to arrive into Malta in time for the start of our programme on 11 October 2028 and your return journey from Rome following the tour on 22 October 2028.

If you would like the additional reassurance of travelling with Fiona, Kerry can also advise you of the flights Fiona will be travelling on once these have been confirmed. Those travelling on the same flights as Fiona will be escorted throughout the international journey.

Kerry
Private Travel
kerry@privatetravel.co.nz

When contacting Kerry, simply let her know you are joining the Travel With Lesley Whyte Cruising Southern Italy & Sicily tour in October 2028.

Book now

For questions or bookings: mail lesley@travelwithlesleywhyte.com