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From Valletta to Venice

Valletta to Venice: An Adriatic Renaissance

Dates:

17 Jul - 28 Jul 2026

Duration:

11 Nights

Journey type:

Cruise only (please call for flight options)

No. of ports:

Ship:

Douglas Mawson

Cruise Line:

AE Expeditions

Fares:

From £4,598 pp

From Valletta to Venice

Valletta to Venice: An Adriatic Renaissance

Dates:

17 Jul - 28 Jul 2026

Duration:

11 Nights

Journey type:

Cruise only (please call for flight options)

No. of ports:

Ship:

Douglas Mawson

Cruise Line:

AE Expeditions

Fares:

From £4,598 pp

Voyage Itinerary

17 July to 18 July

Setting sail from Valletta

Malta's tiny capital, established by the Knights of St John, packs in an awful lot of history considering its diminutive size. The atmospheric old streets, bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, are full of attractive honey-golden buildings, along with an impressive selection of bars and restaurants.

19 July

Italy: Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is the main transport hub for travel to Sicily, and the seafront Lungomare promenade has great views across to Mount Etna. The city’s main attraction is the Museo Nazionale with its stunning Ancient Greek bronze statues, while the picturesque nearby town of Scilla is well worth a day trip.

20 July

Italy: Gallipoli

The charming Puglian town of Gallipoli lies close to the bottom of Italy’s ‘heel’, with the modern town on the mainland connected by bridge to the walled old town, which sits just offshore on its own island. The cobbled streets are a delight to explore, full of beautiful baroque palazzi and enticing seafood restaurants.

21 July

Italy: Bari

Bari is the second biggest city in southern Italy, situated at the heart of sunny Puglia. The delightful old town brims over with pretty churches and balconied houses, and the striking Basilica is said to house the bones of Saint Nicholas. Easy day-trips include the trulli houses of Alberobello and the stunning hilltop city of Matera.

22 July

Croatia: Dubrovnik

We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.

23 July

Croatia: Split

Croatia’s second city enjoys a dramatic setting, hugging a sweeping bay against a backdrop of sheer grey mountains. Split's labyrinthine old town is contained within the remarkable Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spills out onto the buzzing seafront Riva promenade.

24 July

Italy: Ancona

Beyond Ancona’s gritty and somewhat unappealing port you’ll find a surprisingly attractive old town, with impressive Roman ruins and Renaissance palazzi. Ancona is also the gateway to Le Marche and the charming UNESCO-listed town of Urbino, birthplace of the artist Raphael.

25 July

Italy: Ravenna

Ravenna is a must-visit for art and history lovers, with an impressive array of UNESCO-listed historic buildings decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. The city is also home to Dante’s tomb, and you’re within easy reach of Bologna, Ferrara and San Marino.

26 July

Croatia: Rovinj

Rovinj is undoubtedly the highlight of the Istrian coast, a picturesque medieval fishing port with a strong Italian influence discernible in everything from the elegant architecture to the bilingual street signs. A day trip to one of the nearby islands also makes for an enjoyable excursion.

27 July to 28 July

Arriving in Venice

Venice is a city like no other, a marble maze of turquoise canals criss-crossed by beautiful bridges, overflowing with palaces, churches and charming little piazzas. No matter how many times you’ve seen it in photographs, that first glimpse of the Grand Canal will simply take your breath away.

Don't miss

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection houses an eclectic assortment of works from the likes of Picasso, Magritte and Jackson Pollock. There is also a lovely garden facing on to the Grand Canal, with a rather rude sculpture of a rider on horseback.

The ship

Douglas Mawson

Capacity:: 154 Guests
Crew:: 81 Staff
Style:: Immersive exploration in comfort with elegantly designedinteriors and the latest in sustainable technology.

The brand new expedition ship from AE Expeditions set sail in 2025 with the latest in cutting-edge nautical technology for immersive exploration in complete comfort.

What we love

The third ship to join AE Expeditions' fleet of revolutionary purpose-built expedition ships, Douglas Mawson features the newest X-BOW design and a whole host of enhancements, building on the success of Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle. Named after a legendary Australian explorer, the new ship's inaugural season immerses guests in the pristine landscapes of East Antarctica, marking AE Expeditions' return to this region for the first time in 15 years.

On board you can expect the largest choice of cabins in the fleet, including single berth cabins, plus beautiful open deck space for taking in the views, featuring a heated outdoor swimming pool, whirlpools and comfortable loungers, perfect for unwinding after a day's exploring.

Learn more about Douglas Mawson

inclusions

All meals, snacks, tea and coffee
Soft drinks throughout the day
Beer and house wine with dinner
Landings, Zodiac cruises and select excursions
Onboard lecture programme
3-in-1 polar jacket on polar voyages
WiFi

Tailor-make your trip

Ways to make it better

Our favourite hotel in Venice

The Metropole is an old favourite for its quieter location and lovely lagoon views.
See more of the Veneto

If you’ve time, take the train to Padova and visit the Scrovegni Chapel.

Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?

Absolutely. Expedition cruises often start and end in remote destinations, and we're able to arrange everything from flights and transfers to hotels and tours. If you're keen to make the most of your time away with bespoke arrangements, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and we offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24-hour emergency contact, to give you complete peace of mind.

Will I save by booking with Mundy Adventures?

You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line, as well as enjoying more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.

How much time is spent ashore?

Itineraries are planned to deliver an unforgettable experience of the destination, so days are filled with landings ashore via the ship's fleet of Zodiacs (sturdy rubber boats) or exploration along the coastline. It will vary depending on itinerary and operators, so it's best to contact us to discuss but rest assured an expedition cruise is focused on the time you spend off the ship.

Why Mundy?

Who we are

Mundy Adventures is the intrepid little brother of Mundy Cruising Ltd., the UK's very first cruise specialist, and one of the leading companies in its field.

We specialise in travel by ship and have been doing so for over 50 years. By providing expert, personal service, insightful ideas and fascinating add-ons we aim to make your adventure holiday truly unique and special.

More about Mundy

We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.