Pampering reaches new heights aboard this fully AIV privatized PONANT’s exquisite expedition yacht, Le Dumont d’Urville, as she sails through the Mediterranean’s most captivating shores. All shore experiences are curated for a maximum of just 12–14 guests per group, ensuring they remain personal, immersive, and entirely personalized. With capacity intentionally capped onboard as well (140 instead of the ship's capacity of 184), guests enjoy more space, refined French dining, an underwater lounge positioned below the waterline, a beautifully curated library, and a quiet, elegant atmosphere that feels closer to a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship. Over seven unforgettable days, explore the magic of Malta, from the golden charm of Valletta to the tranquil island of Gozo, before journeying onward to Sicily, where Taormina, Noto, Mount Etna, Syracuse, and Modica await with baroque beauty, rich flavors, and a hint of volcanic drama. With a dedicated crew of 118 at your service, expect nothing less than a voyage where fine dining, laughter, and Mediterranean elegance come together in perfect harmony.
• Private transfer from Malta to your luxury vessel; settle into your stateroom.
• Deck cocktails with crew and hosts, then a chef-led & themed welcome dinner.
• As we stay overnight, Guests wishing to see more of Valletta at night can do so after dinner.
TIP: Arrive a day or two earlier, and pay a visit to Mdina
• Sail to laid-back Gozo; explore dramatic coasts and the ancient Ġgantija Temples.
• Choose your pace: guided cultural tour, swim at Ramla Bay, or stroll Victoria’s citadel.
• Return aboard for a relaxed evening—local flavors at dinner and live entertainment.
Arrives 8AM | Departs 9PM
• Food & Wine focused day with visits to wineries and farms in Noto.
• Modica & Ragusa: Baroque lanes, ornate churches, world-famous chocolate.
• Back onboard for Sicilian-inspired dinner and a toast to la dolce vita under Mediterranean skies.
Arrives 8AM | Departs 10PM
• Syracuse—gateway to the ancient Greek world.
• Enjoy a private tour of the Archaeological Park (amphitheater, quarries), Ortygia’s lanes, and the cathedral atop a Greek temple.
• Pantalica Necropolis hiking trails and its thousands of rock-cut tombs.
Arrives 6AM | Departs 10PM
• Catania at Etna’s foot—lava-black baroque on Via Etnea and markets bursting with Sicilian specialties.
• Choose your pace: ascend Mount Etna with volcanic-soil wine tasting, or enjoy a 4x4 experience to the top.
• Back onboard: Etna-inspired dinner (and Etna wines) complete with vibrant evening entertainment.
Arrives 6AM | Overnight in Catania
• Corso Umberto, lined with chic boutiques, gelaterias, and historic palaces.
• Greek Theater, the Odeon and Palazzo Corvaja, a serene stroll through Villa Comunale’s gardens and tiny archaeology nooks.
• Choose time at one of our Beach clubs, or al fresco Sicilian feasting—the quintessential Mediterranean day.
Departs 6AM | Overnight in Taormina
• Unwind at sea: lazy breakfast, spa time, and one last lap of deckside views en route to Malta.
• By evening, Valletta’s fortified skyline greets us again.
• Captain's cocktail and dinner reception—celebrating new friendships, standout moments, and the Mediterranean spirit.
Departs 6AM | Arrives 5PM
Your Mediterranean journey comes to a gentle close. After breakfast on board, say farewell to the crew and step ashore in Valletta, carrying memories of sun-soaked ports, charming towns, and unforgettable evenings at sea. Guests may continue onward with transfers to the airport, extend their stay in Malta, or begin the next chapter of their travels to any of the regions' jewels, prepared and executed by your specialists at Art In Voyage.
“This is our second trip with Art in Voyage and we couldn’t be happier with their level of service!”
“Where to begin? From the time we got on board to departure everything was perfect. Even the one rainy day. The attention to detail was noted. No need was unmet. And you must keep in mind that there were 60 +/- of us. From there perspective it must have been liking herding cats. Mikael was the champ supported by Wian, Crystal, Kevin (separate kudos as we knew him before), and others. I was asked if I would do it again. Book it Danno! (Hawaii 5 -O)!!! Lisa and John”
“We have been on two fabulous trips with AIV, and have another scheduled for the future. They really know what they are doing, they carefully plan ahead for contingencies, and seem to really care that all their guests have great experiences.”
“AIV has created three customized trip itineraries for me, and each adventure has been more memorable than the last. We have traveled to the Dolamites/Como, Sevilla/Madrid, and then Venice to hop on a megayacht and cruise through the Croatian islands. They make travel stress free, and know all of the best local people and places. Their team is truly the best for highly curated trips and I highly recommend!”
“Our last two adventures with the team in Rome/Venice/Pearls of the Adriatic were true memory makers! Mikael, Lauren, Nichole, Carly, Crystal, and Kevin crafted each and every minute of our trips with ease and expertise… In this age of “Can I speak to a Human?” AIV answered our calls and correspondence immediately: which is so important when traveling across the globe. We highly recommend traveling with Art In Voyage and also, want to thank each and every member of the Art In Voyage team for their incredible attention to every detail!”
“First time with AIV and it was an awesome trip/cruise!!
We were asked to join by Gary and Laura Sanborn and were glad we said yes. Loved the ship and the exclusiveness of it with only 80 or so passengers. The yacht was great and the crew excellent!!
Everything was very organized and details were covered. Kudos to everyone!!”
“This Croatia trip was on an amazing yacht. Enjoyed having a small group with private excursions. Enjoying yoga on the bow of the yacht in the morning was a great start of the day. Crew was amazing and food was great.”
“My trip to Croatia was probably my favorite! The customer service exceeded all expectations. The Super Yacht was beautiful and spacious. All the expeditions planned were flawless thanks to AIV.”
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Travel insurance, once purchased, goes into effect upon payment of the premium. You have 15 days from that date to cancel it (providing no claims have been filed or initiated during that period). Beyond 15 days, it becomes non-refundable/non-changeable/non-transferrable.
Commitment deposits are refundable deposits locking your space in. Should the voyage depart (decision made on November 1, 2025), it is retained and applied towards the initial deposit. Should the voyage not depart, it is refunded in full.
Our initial deposits (amounts vary based on cabin types) are partly refundable (50% when canceled 365 days or more before departure)
A second non-refundable deposit will be due 1 year before departure.
The final balance is due 120 days prior to departure, or January 3, 2027
