From Malta to the Adriatic coast

Set sail to discover the cultural and artistic jewels of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas with Ponant. During this 9-day cruise, L'Austral will take you to Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy. Your ship will leave Valletta, the capital of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta and set sail towards Sicily. Then, you will set sail for Syracuse, one of the most prestigious Sicilian cities, whose monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Next, you will visit the stunning Puglia region in Italy when the ship calls at Otranto. Do not miss a visit to Lecce: Its lavish baroque...read more monuments have earned it the nickname "Florence of the South of Italy". Your ship will then set sail towards Montenegro, for an unforgettable cruise in the Bay of Kotor.

This impressive gap between two mountain ranges is home to a veritable inland lake with a magical atmosphere; the medieval city of Kotor and its many historical monuments are its jewels. You will then head to the aptly named "Pearl of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by medieval ramparts, its terracotta-tiled roofs, its palaces, cloisters and fountains are bound to impress you and will plunge you into the heart of Croatian history. You will first stop in Hvar, the most famous and attractive of the Adriatic islands.

Ringed by ramparts, the town has many remarkable monuments including its elegant cathedral, old arsenal and aristocratic palaces. The Slovenian shores await you in Piran, a medieval town extending out into the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic. Its architecture, influenced by five centuries under the rule of the Republic of Venice, affords it a singular charm. As a grand finale, your voyage will draw an end in Venice the Serenissima and its lagoon. Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal and the palaces along the canals will be your last stops on an unforgettable cruise.