Small Ship cruising in the Med 11/17/2005 2:33:51 PM Link  | | In Nice with Le Ponant in background |
If you are like me and want a vacation with no lines, no crowds and no waiting and enjoy attentive, personalized service, then a cruise on a small ship is just perfect.
I recently had the pleasure of traveling with Tauck World Discovery on a very unique trip.I boarded Le Ponant, Tauck’s private yacht in Nice, France ready for my adventure on the Treasures of the Mediterranean trip. Le Ponant is a 289” three-masted motor sailing yacht carrying only 60 privileged guests pampered by a young, friendly staff of 30. I immediately felt like this was MY yacht and I made myself at home in my spacious, well-appointed cabin.
As we sailed out of Nice Harbor, strains of Pavarotti could be heard and under the stars we toasted “bon voyage” to the mainland and set sail on our voyage towards our first port-of-call, Bonifacio, Corsica. Because of the small size of Le Ponant, she travels “off-the-beaten-track”, allowing her guests to explore hidden harbors, secluded islands and exclusive ports-of-call. Bonifacio, with sheer cliffs of limestone creating a narrow entrance to its fjord-like harbor, is a rare gem visited by a select few.
This breathtaking port was just the first of our 6 spectacular and memorable ports that we would experience during the remainder of our trip: exotic and strange sounding places such as the Pontine Island of Ponza, the Aeolian Island of Lipari, historic and mythological Taormina and Agrigento in Sicily, the world famous Amalfi coast and fabled Ravello, and the island nation of Malta. We sailed by the volcanic island of Stromboli and were treated to a spectacular show of molten lava. The Las Vegas style reviews and casinos on larger ships don’t hold a candle to this unforgettable show!
This trip was filled with superlatives: outstanding, hidden ports-of-call; in-depth cultural explorations; sophisticated, club-like and intimate ambiance; and spectacular scenery.
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