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I'll be off in a few days to Europe (I hope) for two Ponant cruises - first, around the Canary Islands for a week, then around Sicily in about 8 days. At the end, spending a few days in Milan and seeing The Last Supper fresco, amongst other things. I was thinking about not starting this TR until I was under way, but here goes.
Although these cruises are 2 days apart, and on different vessels, I was able to get a 5% 'back to back' discount. There is a 200 euro Virtuoso on-board credit on each, also. Ponant gives me a further 150 euro credit on each, per my status level of 'Grand Admiral'
Why Canary Islands? I was planning a land/flights trip there last year but it fell through, then I saw this cruise and it seemed a better way than packing up every day, catching another plane or ferry. The Canaries are active volcanic islands, with the most recent eruption in 2021. There are excursions at every stop - busses to places of interest, then hiking or walking or viewing. This is my first Ponant cruise that isn't 'expedition'. As usual, its a small vessel - Le Bellot , 184 max guests and 118 crew - so I'll see how it goes. I'm expecting the pax to be dominated by the French, but I'm also expecting separate excursion groups for the 'rest' (Anglos +).
au.ponant.com
Sicily - its been missing from my places to visit for too long (as is most of Italy, frankly) so a cruise around it, tagged onto the Canaries cruise seemed like a good introduction. I was planning to follow the cruise with a driving trip around the island, but I couldn't afford the time in the end. Another time. This is on the Le Dumont d'Urville, same pax and crew compliment as the other. Both vessels are classified as 'Explorers'. This cruise, which begins and ends in Valletta, Malta, is a 'gastronomic' one, with three specialist chefs. Food isn't normally a big thing on my travels, but this may be a bonus to the history of Sicily and - more volcanos!! As with the Canary Islands, there are tours at each stop. Again, expect to be a majority of French pax. This will be my third visit to Malta, and not my last.
au.ponant.com
In Milan, seeing a number of treasures. Booked tickets so far for The Last Supper fresco at Cenacolo Vinciano (hard to get - had to dive in on exactly the right day a few months ago, while cruising the Indonesian archipelago), the magnificent Biblioteca Ambrosiana and the Cathedral. More as time permits. Recommendations?
Getting there:
VA paid J HBA-MEL-HBA. SQ J award flights Melbourne to Singapore and back, mainly via VA points. Then, originally was going to be J QR SIN-DOH-MAD there and MXP-DOH-SIN back, but we all know what's happened there. At the time of writing, the flights to substitute for QR not definite, but I have fully refundable tickets on Turkish, whose timings were almost exactly the same as the Qatar ones. QR's rebooking time periods have been changing over the past week, and my Travel Agent is still seeing if any might be suitable for me, now the return leg is now re-bookable. Besides the timing, I have particular 'requirements' (eg departure times) which limit my options. I'm keen to try Turkish long-haul (in which case QR will be refunded), but if I can get a good QR re-booking, it'll save me a couple of $K.
Within Europe, MAD-LPA (Las Palmas, on the Canaries) is on Iberia using BA Avios. LPA-LGW-MLA (Malta) on BA also using BA Avios and MLA-LIN (Milan) is on KM Malta airlines, using their points gathered in past visits to Malta. All these in business.
Hotels - a few non-Accor (at MAD and in Las Palmas), but otherwise with Accor.
Although these cruises are 2 days apart, and on different vessels, I was able to get a 5% 'back to back' discount. There is a 200 euro Virtuoso on-board credit on each, also. Ponant gives me a further 150 euro credit on each, per my status level of 'Grand Admiral'
Why Canary Islands? I was planning a land/flights trip there last year but it fell through, then I saw this cruise and it seemed a better way than packing up every day, catching another plane or ferry. The Canaries are active volcanic islands, with the most recent eruption in 2021. There are excursions at every stop - busses to places of interest, then hiking or walking or viewing. This is my first Ponant cruise that isn't 'expedition'. As usual, its a small vessel - Le Bellot , 184 max guests and 118 crew - so I'll see how it goes. I'm expecting the pax to be dominated by the French, but I'm also expecting separate excursion groups for the 'rest' (Anglos +).
The Canaries, lands of contrast: from 2 Apr 26 to 9 Apr 26 | PONANT Australia
The Canaries, lands of contrast: from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (Spain) to Canary Islands. Duration: 8 days, 7 nights on board. Theme: Timeless
Sicily - its been missing from my places to visit for too long (as is most of Italy, frankly) so a cruise around it, tagged onto the Canaries cruise seemed like a good introduction. I was planning to follow the cruise with a driving trip around the island, but I couldn't afford the time in the end. Another time. This is on the Le Dumont d'Urville, same pax and crew compliment as the other. Both vessels are classified as 'Explorers'. This cruise, which begins and ends in Valletta, Malta, is a 'gastronomic' one, with three specialist chefs. Food isn't normally a big thing on my travels, but this may be a bonus to the history of Sicily and - more volcanos!! As with the Canary Islands, there are tours at each stop. Again, expect to be a majority of French pax. This will be my third visit to Malta, and not my last.
Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily: from 11 Apr 26 to 19 Apr 26 | PONANT Australia
Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily: from Valletta (Malta) to Sicily. Duration: 9 days, 8 nights on board. Theme: Timeless
In Milan, seeing a number of treasures. Booked tickets so far for The Last Supper fresco at Cenacolo Vinciano (hard to get - had to dive in on exactly the right day a few months ago, while cruising the Indonesian archipelago), the magnificent Biblioteca Ambrosiana and the Cathedral. More as time permits. Recommendations?
Getting there:
VA paid J HBA-MEL-HBA. SQ J award flights Melbourne to Singapore and back, mainly via VA points. Then, originally was going to be J QR SIN-DOH-MAD there and MXP-DOH-SIN back, but we all know what's happened there. At the time of writing, the flights to substitute for QR not definite, but I have fully refundable tickets on Turkish, whose timings were almost exactly the same as the Qatar ones. QR's rebooking time periods have been changing over the past week, and my Travel Agent is still seeing if any might be suitable for me, now the return leg is now re-bookable. Besides the timing, I have particular 'requirements' (eg departure times) which limit my options. I'm keen to try Turkish long-haul (in which case QR will be refunded), but if I can get a good QR re-booking, it'll save me a couple of $K.
Within Europe, MAD-LPA (Las Palmas, on the Canaries) is on Iberia using BA Avios. LPA-LGW-MLA (Malta) on BA also using BA Avios and MLA-LIN (Milan) is on KM Malta airlines, using their points gathered in past visits to Malta. All these in business.
Hotels - a few non-Accor (at MAD and in Las Palmas), but otherwise with Accor.
