Ancient Treasures of the Mediterranean
* Subject to availability.
Special offer(s) :
Highlights
- A cruise to discover the finest ancient sites of Greece, with two ports of call in Turkey.
- Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis in Athens (embarkation port), the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurus theatre (from Napflio), Delos, the sacred island, the monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos, the historical sites of Ephesus from Kusadasi and Pergamum from Dikili.
- Possibility of visiting Athens before your cruise.
- A varied cruise, including lively cities, historic and cultural sites and beaches of unique charm.
- Staterooms & Suites
- LE BOUGAINVILLE
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Guest(s) Lecturer(s)
- Pre/Post & Overlands
Staterooms & Suites
Deluxe Stateroom AU$5,230 Not Available Prestige Deck 4 AU$5,550 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 AU$5,710 Not Available Prestige Deck 6 AU$5,880 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 5 AU$7,950 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 3 AU$7,950 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 4 AU$7,950 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 6 AU$7,950 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 Suite AU$11,430 Not Available Prestige Deck 6 Suite AU$11,770 Not Available Privilege Suite Deck 6 AU$12,120 Not Available Privilege Suite Deck 5 AU$12,120 Not Available Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6 AU$12,490 Not Available Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5 AU$12,490 Not Available Owner's Suite AU$12,870 Not Available
There are no staterooms available for booking. Please contact our cruise advisors.
Port of call & excursions

Athens
Embarkation 06/05/2019 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 06/05/2019 at 18H00 .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 colourful 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.

7 May 2019 – Nafplion
Arrival 07/05/2019 midday. Departure 07/05/2019 evening.The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. For instance, you’ll see the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

8 May 2019 – Paros
Arrival 08/05/2019 midday. Departure 08/05/2019 early evening.Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’ll see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa. This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove and offers more than one café to sit and unwind.

9 May 2019 – Delos
Arrival 09/05/2019 early morning. Departure 09/05/2019 midday.This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. The sheer size and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site which covers over half of the island is thrilling in itself. From the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues, you will make discovery after discovery, against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place from which to enjoy the expansive view.

9 May 2019 – Mykonos
Arrival 09/05/2019 early afternoon. Departure 09/05/2019 late evening.Nicknamed “little Venice”, Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district where houses are built right on the water’s edge. Their multi-coloured loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian centre, bougainvillea bedeck immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island’s beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

10 May 2019 – Patmos
Arrival 10/05/2019 early morning. Departure 10/05/2019 early evening.Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint-John-the-Theologian Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas. You’ll be drawn to the bustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fish soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with fresh Patmos cheese.

11 May 2019 – Kusadasi
Arrival 11/05/2019 early morning. Departure 11/05/2019 evening.The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf on the western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear waters or stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In the historical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streets and explore the colourful shops in the bazaar. Close by, the Ephesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides an opportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famous cities of Antiquity.

12 May 2019 – Dikili
Arrival 12/05/2019 early morning. Departure 12/05/2019 midday.The charming harbour city of Dikili is located on the west coast in the province of Izmir. It’s shoreline of turquoise waters is an invitation to come. In the shade of maritime pines, the streets in the town centre will win your favour with their fresh fruit juice stands and honey cakes. You can also go on a wander inland and visit the Pergamon acropolis.

Istanbul
Disembarkation 13/05/2019 at 09H00 .Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. On Sultanahmet hill, you’ll see the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics. In the Beyazit district, you can admire the elegant covered passages of the Grand Bazaar. A little further away, the delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw your attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Turkey: note that some nationalities are required to get a visa for Turkey. The visa can be obtained online at https://turkey-evisa.travisa-online.com/turkey.
Guest(s) Lecturer(s)

Luc Ferry
Professor of philosophy & political sciences with a PhD in political sciences, and former Minister of Youth, Education and Research, Luc Ferry has written numerous books including “Apprendre à vivre - Traité de philosophie à l’usage des jeunes générations et 7 façons d’être heureux ou les paradoxes du bonheur.”
Language spoken : French
Photo credit : Dominique Fillon
Possibility of withdrawal in case of force majeure.
Pre/Post & Overlands
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Before your cruise
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
Attention: the prices listed at the time of your reservation can be different from those listed in the brochure. These prices can evolve based on availability and the real time rates of the airline companies selected.
Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. Ponant advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations. Ponant specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure. CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behavior to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.
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