Legendary shores of Italy and Croatia

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, to ramble through its squares and to 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.

Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbour, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th century mansion where the painter Raphael was born and raised.

A mild sunny climate has earned Hvar (Croatia) the epithet “Croatia’s Madeira”, and is one of the most beautiful islands in the Adriatic. The old town cradled in the bay boasts many remarkable monuments such as the cathedral, a former arsenal and noble palaces, all bearing witness to a rich history influenced by Gothic and Renaissance art.

Monopoli is a town on the Adriatic Sea, in southern Italy. It’s known for the Baroque Monopoli Cathedral, featuring a tall bell tower. In its crypt is an archaeological museum with sculptures and ancient tombs. On a promontory to the north, the 16th-century Castle of Carlo V has a huge stone portal. Nearby is the frescoed Palmieri Palace, built by a wealthy local family in the late 1700s

Syracuse (Italy) was one of Sicily’s most prestigious cities and at the height of its splendour competed with Athens. Visiting Syracuse is like stepping back in time to plunge oneself into the fabulous history of Sicily. Since its role as a central city of ancient Greece, numerous civilisations have followed one another to these shores, each leaving their mark. Arabs, Romans, Normans, Byzantines and Spanish influences give Syracuse its extraordinarily rich culture, a mosaic of perfumes, colours and flavours.

On the edge of Catania, Taormina (Italy) stands out against the slopes of Mount Tauro in the heart of a picturesque and charming location. Its ancient Greek theatre offers a magnificent panorama with the majestic Mount Etna, its lava flows still smoking, in the background.

Generating a veritable explosion of intense emotions, the province of Salerno fascinates and enchants travellers. Its fascinating history will lead you to the extraordinary archaeological site of Pompeii, whose sprawling ruins provide a grandiose and moving vision of what a Roman city looked like in Imperial times. The city which was frozen in time under the ashes from the eruption of Mont Vesuvius offers you its peerless historical and cultural wealth, as well as the unique beauty of its location, which has earned it classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Port of call for Italy’s capital, Civitavecchia (Italy) is our gateway to “the Eternal City” of Rome. Having dominated the “Western World” for so long, this ancient metropolis harbours a thousand and one testimonies to its rich past. over 400 churches, 300 fountains and countless ruins have become so much a part of the myth and mystery surrounding the great Italian city, held in such esteem by visitors.