Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and ship accommodations, cruise ship transportation, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions, port fees, luggage handling, wine with dinner aboard
Le Ponant cruise ship, and the services of the Tauck Director and ship crew are included. Tauck will provide a group transfer from the Aéroport Marseille Provence to the Hôtel Jules César for those guests who reserve seats on Tauck’s selected air flight(s). At tour’s end, Tauck will provide a group transfer from Le Méridien Phoenicia to Luqa Airport in Malta. If you are unable to connect with the group transfer(s) on time, then you will need to arrange for your own transportation to or from the airport at your own expense.
Hotel and Ship Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms and a roll-away cot and are not recommended for comfort. Onboard
Le Ponant each stateroom includes either one queen bed or two single beds, which can be joined together to form a queen bed, and a private bath with shower only. A limited number of rooms have one queen bed and a convertible sleeper sofa.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Onboard
Le Ponant, breakfast and lunch are served buffet style on a canopied deck, while dinner is served in the panoramic, window-lined dining room. International cuisine is featured and complimentary wine is offered with dinner. Both restaurants accommodate all guests in one seating.
Tauck Director – Each “Treasures of the Mediterranean” tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for restaurant, hotel and ship staffs and local guides and drivers are included.
No Options Sold – The Tauck Director will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the
Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to
Tauck Travel Protection for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry and dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, individual airport transfers, visa fees and services, airport and departure taxes, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins at Marseille-Provence International Airport approximately one hour after the arrival of Tauck’s selected flight(s). You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Your tour ends at Luqa Airport in Malta approximately 2½ hours before the departure of Tauck’s selected flight(s). If you make other flight arrangements, we suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Air Conditioning – All motor coaches, hotel rooms and
Le Ponant are air conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning should be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air conditioning system may be less than what you may be accustomed to in your own living environment.
ATM and Credit Cards - Tauck recommends that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. Tauck also recommends that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – Southern France and the coast of Italy in summer have very warm, if not hot, days and warm evenings, though at sea the evening breezes do provide cooler temperatures. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is always advisable. A light jacket or sweater for the evenings on deck is also recommended. Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in are a must, as many of the sites visited were built in antiquity and have uneven surfaces, some steep inclines and many steps. For the welcome reception and the farewell dinner - though jacket and tie for men is not required - you may wish to dress up a bit, but by all means be comfortable.
Shipboard attire is casual and informal. The usual dinner dress aboard
Le Ponant is also casual and relaxed; while a jacket and tie is not required, shorts and bathing attire are not appropriate at dinner or other meal times. The captain's dinner aboard
Le Ponant is an occasion for festive attire.
Valet laundry and dry-cleaning services are available for a fee at all the hotels on this itinerary. Onboard, valet laundry and pressing services are available for a fee.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic name of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Hairdryers are located in all hotel rooms and shipboard staterooms. Hair curling and clothes irons are not permitted onboard
Le Ponant for safety reasons.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for a cruise in the Mediterranean:
- Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
- Shorts, slacks and jeans
- Tee shirts
- Socks
- Light sweater (summer), medium-weight sweater (fall)
- Light jacket (summer), medium-weight jacket (fall)
- Raincoat and rain hat
- Collapsible umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Binoculars
- Daypack for camera equipment
- Travel alarm
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room or stateroom while traveling
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 1,500 feet (457 meters) on the Grande Corniche near Nice.
Health – While a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea is very relaxing and the pace is leisurely, to fully enjoy all the tour has to offer, you should be in fairly good health and able to walk reasonable distances, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. There is a moderate to significant amount of walking during our onshore excursions, especially on the cobblestone streets in hilly Provence; for the most part, however, the amount of walking you do is at your discretion. Our activities include many walking tours:
- 1 to 1.5 hour walk in Arles
- A visit to the Palace of the Popes in Avignon that requires climbing many stairs
- A visit to the Citadel of Les Baux which is only accessible on foot
- 1 hour walk in Aix-en-Provence
- 45 minute walk in Nice
If you choose to visit the Museum of Archeology on the Aeolian island of Lipari, you will have to negotiate a very steep hill.
Some ship to shore transportation is by Zodiac (capacity 9 to 12 persons) or local tender. These are safe transports but occasionally you will get wet with spray.
Le Ponant has four decks and no elevator.
Le Ponant has a licensed and registered French physician onboard for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ships' small infirmary is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended or capable of providing on-going treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. For guests requiring oxygen equipment, please notify Tauck so that special arrangements can be made.
We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this cruise. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist you.
Onboard the ship, certain outer decks have been designated as non-smoking areas. There is no smoking permitted in the interior of the ship.
Le Ponant is registered in France. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a citizen of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to France, Monaco, Italy or Malta; however, an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever is required for entry into Malta if you arrive in Malta within five days of leaving a country where yellow fever is endemic. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at
www.cdc.gov.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries on the itinerary to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for you to visit.
Luggage Restrictions:
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage - General:
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport to enter the countries on this itinerary; however, you will not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact a consulate or embassy of each of the countries on this itinerary to determine what travel documentation is required.
Tauck strongly recommends that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. Also, Tauck recommends that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, Tauck does offer for
download a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel, group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency in France, Monaco and Italy is the Euro, and in Malta, the Maltese Lira. Local currencies are generally most acceptable as payment and can be obtained at the Hôtel Jules César in Arles upon arrival. All convertible currency can be exchanged at banks and foreign exchange bureaus, which are generally located at hotels, airports, and railroad and bus stations. ATMs offer convenience, very good exchange rates, and are widespread throughout the areas visited. For the best exchange rate, we suggest using major credit cards. American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted in most locations on this itinerary. Travelers’ checks are not universally accepted and usually fees are charged to convert them. Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling.
You may settle your shipboard account with U.S. currency, American Express, Visa, MasterCard and U.S. travelers’ checks. There is no foreign exchange counter onboard.
To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website
www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If your are a U.S resident who will be returning to the United States at the end of your tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at.
www.cbp.gov.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.
France and Monaco currently levy a Value Added Tax (VAT) of approximately 19.6% on consumer purchases; Italy, 20% and Malta, 18%. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in France and Italy is 230 V, 50 Hz, AC; in Monaco, 220 V, 50 Hz, AC, and in Malta, 240 V, 50 Hz. AC. Onboard
Le Ponant the current is 220 V. If you bring electrical devices that are not compatible with these systems you should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
Most electrical power systems are prone to slight variations in voltage due to demand or other factors. Many former 220 V countries have converted or are in the process of converting to the EU standard of 230 V. Generally, this difference is inconsequential, as most appliances are built to tolerate current that is a certain percentage above or below the rated voltage. However, severe variations in current can damage electrical equipment.
Time Zones – All locations visited on this tour are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March to late October, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 hours ahead.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.timeanddate.com.
Weather – Summer in Provence, along the coast of Italy and in Malta ranges from very warm to hot, with temperatures often above 90°F (32°C) during the day and dropping only to 70°F (21°C) at night. In the fall the temperatures range from 60 to 80°F (16 to 27°C). Rainfall can occur anytime throughout the year, though July and August are the driest month.
|
Average Temperature |
| |
Arles, France
|
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
52 / 37 |
11 / 3 |
55 / 42 |
13 / 6 |
| February |
54 / 39 |
12 / 4 |
55 / 43 |
13 / 6 |
| March |
61 / 43 |
16 / 6 |
58 / 46 |
14 / 8 |
| April |
64 / 46 |
18 / 8 |
61 / 49 |
16 / 9 |
| May |
73 / 54 |
23 / 12 |
67 / 56 |
19 / 13 |
| June |
81 / 61 |
27 / 16 |
74 / 62 |
23 / 17 |
| July |
88 / 66 |
31 / 19 |
79 / 67 |
26 / 19 |
| August |
86 / 66 |
30 / 19 |
80 / 68 |
27 / 20 |
| September |
79 / 59 |
26 / 15 |
75 / 63 |
24 / 17 |
| October |
68 / 54 |
20 / 12 |
68 / 56 |
20 / 13 |
| November |
57 / 45 |
14 / 7 |
61 / 48 |
16 / 9 |
| December |
52 / 39 |
11 / 4 |
56 / 43 |
13 / 6 |
|
|
| |
Bonifacio, Corsica
|
Valletta, Malta
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
55 / 47 |
13 / 8 |
59 / 49 |
15 / 9 |
| February |
54 / 46 |
12 / 8 |
60 / 49 |
16 / 9 |
| March |
57 / 49 |
14 / 9 |
62 / 50 |
17 / 10 |
| April |
60 / 51 |
16 / 11 |
66 / 53 |
19 / 12 |
| May |
67 / 58 |
19 / 14 |
74 / 59 |
23 / 15 |
| June |
74 / 64 |
23 / 18 |
82 / 65 |
28 / 18 |
| July |
80 / 69 |
27 / 21 |
87 / 70 |
31 / 21 |
| August |
81 / 71 |
27 / 22 |
87 / 71 |
31 / 22 |
| September |
76 / 66 |
24 / 19 |
82 / 68 |
28 / 20 |
| October |
69 / 61 |
21 / 16 |
76 / 63 |
24 / 17 |
| November |
62 / 54 |
17 / 12 |
68 / 57 |
20 / 14 |
| December |
56 / 49 |
19 / 9 |
62 / 52 |
17 / 11 |
|
Average Rainfall |
| |
Arles, France
|
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
|
| Month |
Inches |
Millimeters |
Inches |
Millimeters |
| January |
2.2 |
56 |
3.0 |
76 |
| February |
1.3 |
33 |
2.9 |
74 |
| March |
0.9 |
23 |
2.9 |
74 |
| April |
1.9 |
49 |
2.5 |
64 |
| May |
1.4 |
36 |
1.9 |
48 |
| June |
1.2 |
31 |
1.5 |
38 |
| July |
1.0 |
27 |
0.7 |
18 |
| August |
1.3 |
34 |
1.2 |
30 |
| September |
2.6 |
66 |
2.6 |
66 |
| October |
2.7 |
70 |
4.4 |
112 |
| November |
2.3 |
58 |
4.6 |
117 |
| December |
1.6 |
41 |
3.5 |
89 |
|
|
| |
Bonifacio, Corsica
|
Valletta, Malta
|
| Month |
Inches |
Millimeters |
Inches |
Millimeters |
| January |
1.3 |
33 |
3.5 |
89 |
| February |
1.2 |
31 |
2.4 |
61 |
| March |
1.4 |
36 |
1.6 |
41 |
| April |
1.8 |
46 |
0.9 |
23 |
| May |
1.4 |
35 |
0.3 |
8 |
| June |
0.5 |
12 |
0.1 |
3 |
| July |
0.2 |
5 |
0.0 |
0 |
| August |
0.3 |
8 |
0.3 |
8 |
| September |
1.4 |
37 |
1.6 |
41 |
| October |
2.1 |
54 |
3.5 |
89 |
| November |
2..3 |
58 |
3.1 |
79 |
| December |
1.9 |
49 |
4.4 |
112 |
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.weather.com.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers
Tauck Travel Protection.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties reduced.
Click here for more details.
If you choose
not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$1,100 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-30 days before departure
50% of the cost of the tour per person
29-1 days before departure
100% of the cost of the tour per person
