Le Dumont-D'urville sailing on August 29th, 2026

About Valletta

In 1530, Charles V of Spain granted the island of Malta to the Knights of the Order of St. John. Many impressive 16th-century limestone buildings and fortifications from the Knights have endured, helping make the city of Valetta simply magnificent to experience today.

Valletta Attractions

Explore the city's main square and pass many of its ancient buildings. Then head to St. John's Cathedral, founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John during the 16th century. Today the cathedral is the final resting place for many of the knights - their headstones line the cathedral floor.

Valletta Activities

Visit the Armory, St, John's Co-Cathedral, and the 18th century Manoel Theater for some more spectacular sights. Visit the National Museum of Archaeology. It houses collections of pottery, sculpture, statuettes, stone implements and personal ornaments recovered from the Maltese megalithic temples and other prehistoric sites. Explore the Palace of the Grand Masters, completed in 1574. It contains portraits of the Grand Masters of the Order and European monarchs, interesting furniture and other works of art. Stroll through the Upper Barrakka Gardens and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Grand Harbour.

About Porto Empedocle

Located on Sicily's southwest coast, Porto Empedocle has long served as the port for Agrigento, the capital of the province of the same name. The historic town center, with its huddle of narrow, winding streets, offers some sites worth exploring, like the cathedral. Outside the city, the chief attraction is the Valley of the Temples and its adjoining museum.

About Sousse

On the eastern coast of Tunisia, two hours from the capital Tunis lies Sousse, "the pearl of the Sahel" . The mildness of its climate, its calm and beautiful coast and the hospitality of its people have long captivated those who came to conquer. Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs settled in this lovely "fertile city" each leaving their imprint and heritage. No wonder modern day visitors from all over the world find themselves at home and return again and again.

Sousse Attractions

The resort area of Sousse is perfectly integrated into the city and the visitor welcomed to participate in its exuberance. Proud of its heritage, museums and monuments are accessible and opened with pleasure to its guests and the Medina with its tiny colorful shops overflowing with silver jewelry, pure wool blankets, copper and carpets bustle with activity under the towering walls of the ribat.

About Trapani (Sicily)

About Palermo

The capital of Sicily is situated on a crescent-shaped bay on the island's north coast. Once the intellectual capital of southern Europe, Palermo has always been at the crossroads of civilization. Due to its favorable location, Sicily's most interesting city has attracted almost every people and culture touching the Mediterranean world. Its most unique characteristic is a harmonious blend of Arab-Norman cultures mixed with Byzantine and Jewish elements, which created some unforgettable and resplendent works of art.

Palermo Attractions

Today, visitors still enjoy seeing the legacy of Palermo's rich past. Great Arab-Norman buildings include the Cappella Palatina, La Martorana, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and, a few miles outside the city, the Cathedral of Monreale. The Archaeological Museum and the Regional Gallery are both worth a visit. The bustling streets and animated markets give the town an Oriental feel. Palermo's center can be easily explored on foot. The Quattro Canti, or Four Corners, is the monumental crossroads laid out in 1608-1620 at the central intersection of the four longest and straightest streets of the city. North of Piazza Castelnuovo lie the avenues of the new city. Most sights are scattered along three major streets: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Maqueda and Via Roma. A vigorous metropolis with a strong historical profile, Palermo is packed with interest and, approached with an open mind, you will find it an enriching and enjoyable place to explore.

Palermo Activities

Porta Nuova - At the beginning of Corso Vittorio Emanuele stands this impressive monument. With majolica- tiled pinnacle and the enormous busts of four Moors the Porta Nuova presents an imposing sight. La Martorana The church was founded in 1143. It is known for its fine Byzantine mosaics. Palatine Chapel - The famous chapel is located in the former Palace of the Norman’s and dates from the 12th century. While the palace houses the Sicilian Parliament and is not open to tourists, the chapel can be visited. It features lavish Arab- Norman decorations, with glittering mosaics and a splendid Arab honeycomb stalactite wooden ceiling. Because of its great popularity with visitors, admission is strictly regulated and long lines must be anticipated. Cathedral Treasury - On display here are contents of some of the royal tombs, in particular the crown of Constance of Aragon. The crown was made by local craftsmen in the 12th century. Archaeological Museum - The museum houses one of the most interesting collections in Italy, illustrating the history of western Sicily from prehistoric times to the Roman era. The displays are arranged around two 17th- century cloisters. Among the museum’s most important exhibits are the bas- reliefs from Selinunte.

About Lipari

A visually spectacular panorama unfolds while cruising the Lipari Islands. By day, the scenery is rugged, and untamed...painted against a backdrop of plunging cliffs, charming hillside cottages, and active volcanoes...while after sunset, showers of red sparks and a semmingly flourescent glow light up the sky. Rising from the sea just off the coast of Sicily, the beauty of this volcanic archipelago is unforgettable.

Lipari Attractions

In a bay on Lipari’s east coast lies the main town of the same name. It is dominated by the Castello. Sheltered within its walls stand the cathedral and the former Bishop's Palace, now home to the Archaeological Museum. North of the Castello is the fishermen’s quarter. To the south lie the warehouses in which the island’s exports, pumice stone, currants, Malvasia wine, capers and figs, are stored for shipment. At the local marina, there is a constant coming and going of hydrofoils and boats making trips to neighboring islands.

About Scenic cruising Stromboli

About Taormina

Neighboring villages of Naxos and Taormina are in such harmony with their surroundings they almost seem carved from the hillside. Blooming jacarandas and bougainvillea grow in profusion over balconies and stone buildings built in medieval times. Palm fringed avenues wind through quiet streets and the view from Castle Mola provides a stunning look at the Ionian Sea, the town and Mt Etna.

Taormina Attractions

From the Greek Amphitheater, Taormina's most visited monument, you can see the active volcano Mount Etna, and beautiful views of the coastline. The amphitheater was built sometime during the third century B.C. by the Greeks and expanded later by the Romans who added their own structural characteristics. It's also the site of the Taormina Film Festival held every summer.

Taormina Activities

Explore the Roman Odeon, a small theatre next to the Church of St. Catherine. The theatre was built around 21 A.D., however, it was discovered by accident in 1892, by a local blacksmith Stroll along the city's main street, Corso Umberto I, and through the Piazza del Duomo, where you'll find Taormina's main cathedral, which was built in the 1400s Visit the most famous palace in Taormina, the Palazzo Corvaja, and the Museum of Art and Popular Traditions, located in the Piazza Santa Catarina. The palace also houses the tourist office Spend the day relaxing in Villa Comunale, a small park built by Lady Florence Trevelyan in the late 19th century. Another favorite garden in the city is the Public Garden, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea

About Syracuse, Sicily

On the East coast of Sicily is the city of Syracuse. Some people says that it has the best natural harbour of Italy. Once a great rival to ancient Athens, the old city is based in a small island next to the coast and contains many historical buildings. Archimedes lived and died here. Catania is a city that dates from the 18th century, reconstructed after a series of earthquakes. Mount Etna, the greater active volcano of Europe, is close and its continuous eruption attracts many tourists.

Visit the archaeological museum Paolo Orsi. Break for lunch in a noble villa in the gulf in front of the island of Ortigia. Explore the city and its monuments, such as the Greek theather and the Dyonisuss Ear. Tour Ortigia, historical centre of the city and visit Palazzo Bellomo to see paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina.

About Valletta

In 1530, Charles V of Spain granted the island of Malta to the Knights of the Order of St. John. Many impressive 16th-century limestone buildings and fortifications from the Knights have endured, helping make the city of Valetta simply magnificent to experience today.

Valletta Attractions

Explore the city's main square and pass many of its ancient buildings. Then head to St. John's Cathedral, founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John during the 16th century. Today the cathedral is the final resting place for many of the knights - their headstones line the cathedral floor.

Valletta Activities

Visit the Armory, St, John's Co-Cathedral, and the 18th century Manoel Theater for some more spectacular sights. Visit the National Museum of Archaeology. It houses collections of pottery, sculpture, statuettes, stone implements and personal ornaments recovered from the Maltese megalithic temples and other prehistoric sites. Explore the Palace of the Grand Masters, completed in 1574. It contains portraits of the Grand Masters of the Order and European monarchs, interesting furniture and other works of art. Stroll through the Upper Barrakka Gardens and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Grand Harbour.