In partnership with the Mucem and with featured guest Vincent Giovannoni.

Sail the waters of the Mediterranean and dive into centuries of history with the perspective of Vincent Giovannoni, art anthropologist and chief curator of the Mucem. During a 12-day cruise aboard L’Austral, you will be amazed by the Mediterranean and its civilisations, a crossroads of exchange and a territory of divisions, the cradle of a unique way of life weaved together from fascinating cultures.

You will board in Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.

You will cross the emblematic Corinth Canal to arrive in Itea. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, our on-board expert will recount the history of the legendary archaeological site of Delphi.

It will now be time to set sail towards Sicily and flamboyant Palermo. Historic sites such as the 12th-century cathedral or the Teatro Massimo opera house, one of the largest in Europe, blend with a uniquely bustling atmosphere.

Your exploration of the Mediterranean islands will continue as you discover Cagliari, capital of Sardinia and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean; its historic centre is full of charm, with shaded stairs, small squares inundated with light and remains conjuring up its medieval grandeur.

Your cruise will then stop in the Balearic Islands on the well-preserved island of Menorca. Mahon, the island’s capital, will charm you with its age-old history and its exceptional port, which, at 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) long, is the biggest in the Mediterranean! A little further on, Ibiza, the “White Island” will enchant you with its wild coves and villages of white fincas, a natural beauty that has earned the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Roman ruins and sumptuous scenery of Cartagena will welcome you before your departure for Malaga, the lively capital of the Costa del Sol. Next will be Cadiz, one of the country’s oldest towns, built on a rock, combining its Mediterranean influences with its opening onto the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean.

Your cruise will come to an end in Lisbon, sitting on the Tagus River, distilling its one-of-a-kind charm imbued with rich history.