From Malta to the Adriatic Coast

Valletta, the capital of Malta, sits on a peninsula and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Walk through its streets lined with historic buildings, from the Tritons Fountain to Fort Saint Elmo. Climb stone stairways leading to hidden alleys or follow broad avenues with little traffic. See the Grandmaster’s Palace, featuring frescoes and coats of arms. Step inside Saint John’s Cathedral to view its ornate interior. Stand on the fortified walls built in the 1500s and overlook the harbor. Pause in the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where stone terraces offer views of the Grand Harbour and shaded spots provide a place to rest.

Visit Taormina on Sicily’s east coast, in the Messina province. Walk through the old town, set high on a hill, and look out over the Mediterranean. Explore narrow lanes lined with shops, cafes, and historic buildings. Stand at the ancient Greco-Roman theater, where stone seating faces both the stage and sweeping sea views. Discover remnants of past civilizations while overlooking the coastline. Find quiet beaches below or browse high-end stores along the main street. Take in the mix of history, culture, and scenic landscapes that define this coastal town.

Included excursion to this stopover:

Taormina & Greek Theatre - 4 hrs and 45 minutes
From the pier, you will be transferred by coach to the ancient Greek town of Taormina, a 30-minute drive. Called Tauromenium in ancient times, Taormina clings to the side of Mount Tauro and offers superb views, splashed with the vibrant colors of bougainvillea and oleanders, of the Mediterranean Sea, Isola Bella, and a snow-capped Etna in the background. A maze of narrow streets, stairs, and tiny squares, Taormina has attracted many civilizations over the centuries. It is home to theatres and a gymnasium from the Greek period, an Odeon and baths from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, traces of Byzantine, and villas belonging to European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

You will start your excursion with a visit on foot to the historic center. You will cross the famous Corso Umberto to discover numerous monuments from several eras and admire Porta Catania, the Cathedral, Piazza IX Aprile, and Palazzo Corvaja.

You will then arrive at Teatro Antico, a theatre built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, and almost completely rebuilt by the Romans who created a gladiatorial arena. The theatre is the second largest in Sicily after the one in Syracuse. Due to its size and acoustic quality the theatre is still used to host festivals and concerts. Seated on the stone terraces, the audience can enjoy the concert while admiring a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea, Mount Tauro, and Etna.

After your visit, you will enjoy a refreshment at a local bar and some free time.

• As this excursion involves a walk of around 1.5 miles (2 km) on rough terrain with several stairways, it is advised you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is required when visiting religious monuments, with knees and shoulders covered.

Located in the Apulia region, Otrante is the easternmost transalpine town. Behind its medieval ramparts, you will taste the sweet life of Salento, the “heel on Italy’s boot”. Inhabited since Antiquity, Otrante has today become a very pleasant seaside town. Yet its history is still visible as you meander through the little streets of its old center. With its magnificent 12th-century ornamental mosaic tiling, the Cathedral is one of its most beautiful treasures. During a stroll along the ramparts, you can sit and relax at a café terrace.

Included excursion to this stopover:

Pizzica dance, Apulian Folkloric Show - 45 minutes
The pizzica belongs to the large family of traditional dances known as tarantella and was a popular dance in Puglia and Basilicata until the 1970s. As well as being performed on festive occasions by various family groups or local communities, the pizzica also accompanied the ritual of tarentism (therapeutic treatments to cure the venom of the tarantula) in the Salento area. It was performed by orchestras made up of various instruments, with the tambourine and violin standing out for their rhythmic and melodic characteristics.

Today, you'll be treated to a performance by three musicians and one dancer, dressed in traditional costumes. Let yourself be carried away by this tradition and admire their art.

Situated in one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays, the medieval city of Kotor is a small town full of charm, truly imbued with the traditions and stories of another time. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, this village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has preserved many historical monuments from this epoch. During your stop, be sure to admire the impressive castle that dominates the town, and let yourself fall under the charm of its maze of small streets and intimate squares on which folk festivals featuring magnificent colorful costumes are often organized.

Included excursion to this stopover:

Mini tour of Montenegro with Lunch - 8 hours
From the pier, board your coach for a 1-hour drive to Njegusi, you will drive through the Lovcen Mountain region, a national park of 6,500 acres (26 km2) that rises to an altitude of 5,400 ft (1,750 meters), providing panoramic views. Upon arrival, you will discover the village, the birthplace of the Petrovic dynasty and especially the one of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, king and great poet who reigned over Montenegrin in the 19th century.

After a 45-minute drive, you will continue to Cetinje, located in the fields at the base of the Lovcen mountain. The village is a treasure of Montenegrin cultural and historical heritage as it was the ancient capital during King Nicolas 1st reign. This museum town which became the city of kings is famous for its monastery and its museum you will visit, before enjoying a local lunch in a typical restaurant, located in the area.

After your lunch, you will drive to Budva and its old town. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see the most beautiful coasts and their numerous beaches. Budva is rich in historic monuments and churches and represents a treasure chest of cultural heritage.
Once arriving, you will start your guided walking visit of the town before enjoying some free time.
Finally, you will reach Kotor after a one-hour drive taking a road with 25-hairpin bends.

• This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1,5 km) of walking over cobblestone streets with some steps. The road is very windy with several hairpin bends. This tour is not recommended for guests suffering from motion sickness. Proper attire is required (knees and shoulders covered). The lunch is included on your tour and is accompanied by one glass of wine, water, and coffee. The visits are only outside visits at Budva and Njegusi.

Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.

Included excursion to this stopover:

Treasures & Panorama of Dubrovnik - 4 hrs
From the pier, meet your guide and start your stroll through the streets of this medieval town. Along the way you will visit, among other places, the Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most inspiring sites of the city. The Monastery houses also the oldest still working pharmacy in Europe and the third oldest pharmacy in the world founded in 1317. It is still active and still offers creams manufactured according to ancestral recipes.

After visiting the monastery, you will go to the Assumption Cathedral built in the 18th century on the ruins of a church dating from the 12th century destroyed by an earthquake in 1667. This one might surprise you by its simplicity and the clarity of its interior, but its treasure is among the richest in Europe, with a unique collection of relics in gold and silver.

You will continue with the Dominican Monastery, soberer than the previous one, and its museum with a fine collection of Renaissance paintings, including the triptych of N. Bozidarevic representing Dubrovnik before the earthquake or the table of Titian representing Sainte Madeleine and Saint Blaise.
Other fine buildings will be viewed from the outside, like the Sponza Palace notable for its columned courtyard with elaborate stone carvings, the Church of Saint Blaise, Onofriou's Fountain, etc.

Then, enjoy some time on your own in the Old Town, before proceeding to the Dubrovnik cable car. A short ride will take you up to the top of Srd Hill from where you can admire Dubrovnik Old Town, Elaphite Islands, and Lokrum.

Enjoy a refreshment before heading back to your ship.

• This tour is mainly done by foot on cobblestone streets with some steps. It is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is recommended to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. In the case of a religious office, the visit to the Cathedral will be canceled. It is not permitted to take photos of the treasures. According to the period, some waiting time can be expected at the cable car.

Off the coast of Split, Hvar will surprise you with its traditions that have not changed since Antiquity. The country’s oldest town, Stari Grad, is here on this Dalmatian Island. The town nestles by a cove on the northwest coast, surrounded by dry stone wall structures on the Stari Grad plains. These have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because they were built in the time of the Ancient Greeks.  From these parcels of land come wines and olive oil manufactured manually. In the upper part of town, it is possible to discover hams and cheeses made by local producers.

Included excursion to this stopover:

Hvar & its Religious Heritage - 2 hrs
This small and charming town is located around a natural port and it is undoubtedly one of the most famous seaside resorts of Dalmatian coast. A lot of splendid monuments such as the Cathedral, the ancient Arsenal, and different palaces are bearing witness to a rich history of Gothic and Renaissance arts.
From the pier, follow your guide through narrow tiny streets to the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery. The cloister with its rounded arches and a well in the middle dominates the Renaissance monastery. The former spacious refectory and a small, adjacent room have been turned into the monastery museum. Along with a collection of old books and coins, the famous "Last Supper", a work belonging to the Venetian School of Palma the Younger from the end of the 16th century, has the strongest claims on the attention of numerous visitors.

After crossing the main square, you will pass by the Cathedral of Saint Stephan (outside visit). It was built in stages during the 16th and 17th centuries, while the interior was not wholly completed until the 18th century. From the outside, it has the characteristics of the Renaissance style and inside the Baroque style.
Then, you will visit the Benedictine Monastery, which holds a rich collection of lace made of agave leaves.
After this walking tour, you may follow your guide back to the pier or stay in town for some time at leisure.

• This excursion involves 2 hours of walking, covering approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) over cobblestone streets and some steps. It is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Rovinj is located in Istria, a region bordering Slovenia. This becomes apparent as you walk through its old cobblestoned town. There are many monuments of Venetian influence here. If you study the Balbi arch, you will see the winged lion, a symbol of Venice. The bell tower erected beside Saint Euphemia Cathedral was designed like the bell of Saint Mark in Venice. From the top of the tower, you can scan the entire historical district. To absorb its quaint atmosphere, take a walk in the ochre and sepia-coloured streets leading to bustling squares and terraces shaded by canvas awnings.

Included excursions to this stopover:

Rovinj & its Cathedral - 2 hrs
From the pier, follow your guide and start your walking tour of the historical center of Rovinj. The historical center is almost entirely built on a rocky island and connected to the mainland since the 13th century. During your tour, you will discover the Venetian influence and its rich cultural legacy, omnipresent in the architecture of the tall houses with warm red-tiled roofs and the narrow streets intersected by covered passageways and archways, decorated with ancient frescoes.

The highlight of your visit will most certainly be the Church of Saint Euphemia, a prestigious building dating from the 8th century. Its 63-metre-high bell tower rises out of the city center and is the most remarked symbol in the Istria region. Built on the ancient ruins of a Roman church, it was altered in the 17th century in the Baroque style and houses the relics of Saint Euphemia. They were brought from Constantinople in the 9th century for their safekeeping in a marble sarcophagus. There is also a mural depicting the life and the martyrdom of the saint. Every year on 16 September, the faithful gather around her tomb.
The church contains several treasures and works of art like Gothic statues from the 15th century and paintings from the 16th and the 17th centuries (The Last Supper and Christ in the Gethsemane).

At the end of your visit, you will enjoy a local snack before returning to your ship.

• This excursion involves approximately 1.5 hours of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. It is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Porec and its Basilica - 4 hrs
Enjoy a guided tour of the old town of Porec to discover the episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica. An experience combining history, architecture and breathtaking views. Nestling at the heart of Porec town center, the basilica has grouped together a number of Christian places of worship since the 4th century; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This architectural marvel blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles. The sparkle of the mosaics in the choir constitutes a real splendor.

After the visit, you will have some free time to discover the town, before heading to Rovinj.

• This excursion involves walking around 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) on uneven ground, with some steps. It is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is necessary to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s Square, the basilica, Doges Palace, the Grand Canal, and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, ramble through its squares, and push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.