8 nights · Malta · Departs Valletta (Malta) · Visiting Siracusa, Otranto, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Vis Island Croatia, Piran, Venice · Aboard Ponant Cruises on the Le Bougainville
Image courtesy of Ponant Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Ponant Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Le Bougainville |
| Duration | 8 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $6,410 per person |
| Year built | 2019 |
| Guests | 264 |
| Cabins | 92 |
| Crew | 112 |
| Length | 131 m |
| Beam | 18 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.
Otranto brings you to Salento’s Adriatic edge, where a walled town faces the sea. Walk from the harbor into the historic center, then visit Otranto Cathedral. Its celebrated medieval floor mosaic depicts biblical scenes and figures from history. Nearby, the Chapel of the Martyrs commemorates victims of the 1480 Ottoman siege. Aragonese Castle guards the waterfront, while cafés serve seafood and regional Salento cooking. Compact and walkable, Otranto makes a rewarding port call without a long transfer.
At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.
Spend a day inside Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, best explored on foot. Walk the city walls for close views of fortifications, roofs, and harbor. Then follow Stradun to Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan monastery. Book wall access in advance during busy months, and start early in summer. Mount Srđ offers a higher view, reached by cable car or road. Leave time for side lanes; their quieter corners reveal the city’s daily rhythm.
Vis offers a slower pace than Croatia’s better-known island ports, with two main towns. Vis Town curves around a sheltered harbor lined with stone buildings and cafés. Explore its waterfront and discover reminders of the island’s long military importance. Vis remained a Yugoslav military base and was closed to foreign visitors until 1989. Boats to Biševo’s Blue Cave depend on sea conditions and local access rules. Allow extra time for boat trips, and keep a flexible plan if seas turn rough.
Piran’s Venetian façades, red roofs and church towers rise above a compact Adriatic peninsula. In Tartini Square, cafés and historic buildings frame the statue of violinist Giuseppe Tartini, born here in 1692. Climb the bell tower of St George’s Church for views across the rooftops and Gulf of Trieste. Beyond town, Sečovlje Salina Nature Park preserves centuries-old salt-making traditions and offers a quieter look at Slovenia’s coast.
Arrive in Venice by water, where the lagoon’s canals replace ordinary streets. St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace anchor the celebrated Piazza San Marco. Take a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore a quieter neighborhood on foot. Confirm your ship’s terminal and transfer arrangements before setting out; cruise access varies. Near Rialto, the market and bridge offer a lively glimpse of the city’s trade. Give yourself time to leave the main routes and follow smaller canals.
Published September 22, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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