Le Dumont-D'urville sailing on October 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 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 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 Annaba

Annaba is in the extreme northeast of Algeria. It is close to the border with Tunisia and can even be visited as a day trip from there. Annaba was first settled by Phoenicians as Hippo Regius and allied with Carthage. Today Annaba is a very European city. The green main street, the Cours de la Revolution has a vibrant afternoon and early evening life. One of the main sights in town is surprisingly enough a Basilica. The basilica of St. Augustine brings your mind to the contemporary Sacre Coeur in Paris.

About Algiers

The capital city of Algeria and the most important Mediterranean port of northwest Africa, Algiers has a population of over 3 million, making it the largest population centre in the country. Algiers is located on the Mediterranean coast, set against forested mountains and overlooking a bay. Once one of the most romantic cities in Africa, encompassed by the legendary whitewashed Casbah, Algiers is now a major modernized city with all the metropolitan trappings. Algiers is the site of Icosium, a legendary city founded by 20 companions of the mythical hero Hercules. Icosium remained a small coastal trading post throughout the Phoenician and Carthaginian eras. The modern city of Algiers is formed of two parts. The lower part is the French-built new town with wide boulevards, and all the cultural trappings of colonialism -- an opera house, cathedrals, theatres, museums, galleries and cafes. The new town is also the site of the city's educational institutions including the University of Algiers. The Casbah or old city forms the upper part of Algiers, replete with labyrinthine passageways and a 16th century walled fortress. With the growth of the population and emigration from the countryside since World War II, suburbs have spread beyond the perimeters of the city. Algiers forms the hub of Algeria's transport links: the main international airport is there; all roads and railway systems emanate from Algiers; and it continues to be a major Mediterranean shipping centre.

About Cartagena

Cartagena is a seaport along the Mediterranean Sea near the city of Murcia.

About Melilla

Melilla is a Spanish exclave, military base, and free port on the northern coast of Morocco. The city is located on the eastern side of the Cabo Tres Forcas, a rocky peninsula that extends approximately 25 miles (40 km) into the Mediterranean Sea.

About Motril (for Granada)

About Malaga

A perfect setting of charm, this alluring port is located on Spains Costa del Sol amidst a profusion of exotic wildflowers in perpetual bloom. View the famous natural wood carvings of artist Pedro de Mena at the Malaga Cathedral.

Malaga Attractions

At the heart of town is the unusual Cathedral of Málaga, built over two centuries ago on the site of the former main mosque. It features 17th-century carved choir stalls, fine pictures and 103 individually carved saints.

Malaga Activities

Explore the numerous museums of Málaga, as well as the Gibralfaro Castle. Visit the town of Nerja and its famous cave, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Inside the cave are impressive stalagmites and stalactites and the exceptional 105-foot-high central column in the Cataclysm Chamber. Behold the arabesque fantasy of Grenada's Alhambra Palace - one of Spain's greatest architectural accomplishments.