Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea: Venice to Athens - L'Austral
Join Smithsonian experts for an exploration of the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea – the Dalmatian Coast – rich in the culture and art of ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque worlds.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.0*
ECO SCORE
264
PASSENGERS
8
DAYS
2.5/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Europe: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
L'Austral
Your voyage begins in Venice, the city of canals, from where you will sail the Adriatic Sea south towards the Dalmatian Coast. Call first on the island of Hvar and tour the island’s charming principal town. The port of Ploče serves as your gateway to the Bosnian city of Mostar, a World Heritage site. Set on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities.
Sail into the deep, fjord-like Bay of Kotor to reach the port town of Tivat. From here, explore the town of Kotor. This delightful town is the pride of Montenegro, and you will have a day to explore its richly varied history. Continue down the coast to the Albanian port of Sarandë, and explore ruins that span 2,500 years and include the remains of a Greek acropolis, Roman theater, and 19th-century fortress. After cruising along the shores of the Ionian Sea, your next call is at the small port town of Itea, and finally you'll sail into Athens.
- • Discover six Mediterranean countries: Italy, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.
• Explore as many as six UNESCO World Heritage sites, spanning the millennia from the mythic past to the 20th century.
• Participate in engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian experts, and immerse yourself in each destination with included excursions at each port of call.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Carbon
Optimizes the daily speed in order to reduce fuel consumption by 30%
Water
Ships equipped with freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water
Waste
Has eliminated use of single-use plastic bottles and straws
Itinerary
Day 1: Venice
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.
Day 2: Hvar
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 north-west 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.
Day 3: Ploče
Ploče is a port that shares with nearby Makarska a reputation for great beaches, upscale seafront promenades, and a vibrant nightlife. Ploče's Rupe Ethnographic Museum and Markaska's intriguing Shell Museum are both worth a visit. Ploče also serves as a gateway to the Bosnian city of Mostar, which under the Ottoman Turks became a thriving administrative and cultural center. Severely damaged in the military conflict of the 1990s, the town was declared a World Heritage site and now showcases the graceful Stari Most (“Old Bridge”), originally built in 1566, and the early 17th-century Turkish Tabacica Mosque, both carefully restored with help from UNESCO.
Day 4: Dubrovnik
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.
Day 5: Tivat
Much of Tivat’s elegance comes from the beauty of its marina, Porto Montenegro, which attracts many influential personalities. The port’s promenade, emphasized by its line of palm trees facing the mountains of the Bay of Kotor, really is a setting with unique charm. Built in the 14th century, the town was successively governed by the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarians before the creation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia following the First World War. Today, Montenegro's most prosperous city welcomes visitors, in particular to visit its old town or take a walk along its magnificent beaches.
Day 6: Saranda
An historical harbor town on the south-west coast of Albania, Saranda is built on a lush green spur. Its streets lined with palms and maritime pines border the beaches of the Ionian sea at the mouth of Corfu Strait. This very ancient town has archaeological ruins dating from Antiquity, which you can visit as you walk along the waterfront.
Day 7: Itea & Crossing the Corinth Canal
Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, the little port of Itea is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometers from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.
The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometers long and enables merchant vessels and passengers to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty meters. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!
Day 8: Athens
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.
L'Austral
First introduced in 2011 and the second ship in the Sisterships series, L'Austral is the very embodiment of this generation of intimately sized cruise ships. Innovative design, sleek shape and profile, refined interior decoration, friendly, intimate atmosphere: French designers and decorators have managed to give this ship a unique style and veritable signature of its own. Combinations of fine materials, colors and tones harmoniously livened up with touches of bright color, elegant lines, discreet and subtle refinement… everything has been designed to create a unique atmosphere onboard, a veritable personality: the chic style and naturally relaxing ambiance of a veritable private yacht.
• Capacity: 264 Guests
• Cabins: 132 cabins
• Specialists: Historian, Geologist, Botanist and Marine Biologist, Highly Credentialed Naturalists & Experts, 1.1.3 Guest to Staff Ratio
ACHIEVEMENTS
Travel Weekly's "Best Tour Operator - Luxury" (17 Years)
Afar Magazine's "Best Cultural Trips" 2020
Travvy Awards "Best Escorted Tour Operator - Luxury" 2020
"L'Austral is one of the most luxurious expedition ships out there. If you’re looking to explore the world in comfort and style, this chic and relaxing vessel is a top choice. Her beautifully appointed cabins and warm, elegant public spaces offer the perfect retreat after a day of adventures. With its refined European-inspired service, enthusiastic staff, and fantastic educational program, L'Austral comes highly recommended."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
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Questions?
Rates
PRESTIGE SUITE DECK 5
398 sq. ft: Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival; assortment of canapés and fruit basket every day; bedroom and lounge with convertible sofa, armchairs, second TV, and sliding courtesy door; two bathrooms; private 8 m² balcony; two panoramic sliding bay windows.
From in USD:
$15,630pp
PRESTIGE SUITE DECK 6
398 sq. ft: Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival; assortment of canapés and fruit basket every day; bedroom and lounge with convertible sofa, armchairs, second TV, and sliding courtesy door; two bathrooms; private 8 m² balcony; two panoramic sliding bay windows.
From in USD:
$16,420pp
The Dalmation Coast sparkles with places out of legend: Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia. Explore these ancient cultures with Smithsonian-level guides and hear the stories behind the places from true experts. As this program ends in Athens, let us design a fantastic custom land program for Greece after.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts; Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Venice to the ship on the day of embarkation; Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe L’Austral; One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable); Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions; Transfer from the ship to the airport in Athens at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation.
Includes accommodation in stateroom; the full meal plan; the Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Charles Heidsieck champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day; free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day; activities offered during expedition cruises; outings and disembarkations; all port taxes; access to all the common areas: fitness room, lounges, boutique & leisure area.
NOT INCLUDED:
Independent meals and beverages ashore; Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
