A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Across the Western Mediterranean – with Smithsonian Journeys
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will begin over Palma de Mallorca, Spain, at 7:38 p.m., reach totality at 8:31 p.m., and end as the sun disappears over the horizon at 8:49 p.m. This voyage aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville offers you the chance to witness the extraordinarily rare setting of the sun just moments after totality, followed by an exploration of the natural beauty and cultural history of the islands of the western Mediterranean.
Begin in Barcelona and set sail in time to arrive in Palma de Mallorca at midday on the day of the eclipse. You will have time to enjoy a tour of some of the city's landmarks, including Bellver Castle and Palma's Cathedral, the second largest in Spain, before returning to the ship to prepare for the evening's eclipse.
With the experience of the eclipse behind you, attention turns to the islands themselves, which despite differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations—Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, Arabs, Byzantines, the French, and Italians—washing over them and leaving marks on language, art, architecture, and cuisine.
From Menorca's port of Mahon, drive across the island to Ciutadella, which was founded by the Carthaginians and served as the island's capital until 1772. A walking tour of the city's old town reveals a treasure trove of architectural styles, including a gothic cathedral and well-preserved palaces belonging to British nobility. Alternatively, visit Subaida, a family-owned farm known for its handcrafted cheeses and fine wines, for a demonstration of the production process and a tasting of local cheeses. Whichever excursion you choose, you may want to sample a Pomada, Menorca's signature frozen cocktail of gin and lemon soda.
The fishing port of Alghero on Sardinia's northern coast is a quaint old city known as “Barcelonetta” because of its strong Catalan legacy from the Middle Ages. Explore its picturesque cobblestoned streets, old walls and towers, and flamboyant churches, including the 14th-century Church of San Francesco and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, before boarding a coach for a panoramic drive along the coast to Capo Caccia. These stunning limestone headlands jutting into the sea are an impressive sight, and the area is dotted with nuraghi, the prehistoric monumental towers that are found all over the island.
The port of L'Ile-Rousse on the northern coast of Corsica serves as your gateway to Calvi, once a Genoese stronghold and now a picturesque vacation getaway. A guided walking tour includes the Citadel, with stunning views over the sea and the houses below, the Place d'Armes, and the Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste. Also visit the house of Christopher Colombus, who is believed to have been born in Calvi. Then make your way to the lower town and the Quay Landry, featuring a lovely marina and a café-lined promenade.
Continue your discovery of these islands in Portoferraio, the main harbor of the island of Elba. Most famous as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile in 1814-15, Portoferraio was founded by the Médicis in the 16th century. A tour of Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s summer residence during exile, is followed by a visit to the charming village of Porto Azzurro and a wine tasting and sampling of Tuscan mezze at a local vineyard.
Porto Ercole on the Italian mainland is a seaside resort less well-known than some. But nestled between the lush green vegetation of Monte Argentario and the surreal blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is a marvelous place to explore on foot. You may choose among options for walking tours on a variety of trails that lead to great views and to fortifications built by the Spanish to protect Tuscany from Ottoman attacks.
The small Italian fishing village of Portofino, now a favored haunt of the rich and famous, welcomes you on the final day before disembarkation in Nice, France, for a relaxing afternoon and evening of leisurely browsing through its shops and galleries, as well as a chance to sample the local cuisine and wines.