The Eternal Aegean

9 days / 8 nights

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The Eternal Aegean

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The Eternal Aegean

Cruise The Mediterranean

from 14 July 2019 to 22 July 2019
9 days / 8 nights

Departure Port : Valletta
Arrival Port : Istanbul

Ship : LE BOUGAINVILLE

Ref : G140719

From the island of Malta to Istanbul, PONANT invites you on a brand new voyage to discover Greece and its famous islands. Le Bougainville will leave Valletta, the capital of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, for an 9-day cruise on seas that are brimming with history.

You will head for Amorgos, in the Cyclades. On this mountainous island, where some scenes of the film “The Big Blue” were filmed, there is a mix of coves of clear water, villages with typical Cyclades streets and neo-classical buildings.

Then, you will discover Delos, a minuscule island in the Cyclades archipelago. According to mythology, Apollo was born here. Like an open-air museum, Delos offers unique testimony of the civilisations that followed one another in the Aegean world.

You will then arrive on nearby Mykonos, with its iconic windmills, beaches, countless churches and whitewashed houses.

You will head to Syros, a cosmopolitan island with a rich history. Today, Syros is the administrative centre of all the Cyclades.

Finally, you will head for Molyvos, on the north cost of the island of Lesbos. You will fall under the charm of this village, whose rich heritage dates back to the Ottoman Empire, with its paved narrow streets.

Fare From * AU$6,470

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* Subject to availability.

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Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Valletta, the monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos,
Before your cruise, the possibility of discovering Valletta, capital of Malta.
The stunning beaches of Elafonissos, to the south of the Peloponnese.
Discovering the pearls of the Cyclades: Amorgos, Delos, Mykonos, Syros and their ancient ruins, typical landscapes and beaches.
Exceptional sailing in the Santorini caldera.
Sailing in the Dardanelles Strait.

Staterooms & Suites
LE BOUGAINVILLE
Port of call & excursions
Formalities
Pre/Post & Overlands

Staterooms & Suites

Deluxe Stateroom
AU$11,460
AU$6,470
Not Available

Prestige Deck 4
AU$12,910
AU$7,250
Not Available

Prestige Deck 5
AU$13,610
AU$7,630
Not Available

Prestige Deck 6
AU$14,290
AU$8,000
Not Available

Deluxe Suite Deck 5
AU$20,230
AU$11,210
Not Available

Deluxe Suite Deck 3
AU$20,230
AU$11,210
Not Available

Deluxe Suite Deck 4
AU$20,230
AU$11,210
Not Available

Deluxe Suite Deck 6
AU$20,230
AU$11,210
Not Available

Prestige Deck 5 Suite
AU$27,710
AU$15,250
Not Available

Prestige Deck 6 Suite
AU$29,110
AU$16,010
Not Available

Privilege Suite Deck 6
AU$30,590
AU$16,810
Not Available

Privilege Suite Deck 5
AU$30,590
AU$16,810
Not Available

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
AU$33,720
AU$18,500
Not Available

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5
AU$33,720
AU$18,500
Not Available

Owner's Suite
AU$38,250
AU$19,420
Not Available

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There are no staterooms available for booking. Please contact our cruise advisors.

LE BOUGAINVILLE

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the third ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bougainville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

Virtual tour

Port of call & excursions

Valletta

Embarkation 14/07/2019 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 14/07/2019 at 18H00 .

The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you’ll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-John’s cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.

15 July 2019 – At sea

Arrival 15/07/2019. Departure 15/07/2019.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

16 July 2019 – Elafonissos, Laconia

Arrival 16/07/2019 late morning. Departure 16/07/2019 late afternoon.

Located in the south of the Peloponnese, Elafonisos is a small island at the entrance to the Laconian Gulf renowned for its emerald green waters and its white sand beaches edged by cedar forests. The idyllic twin beaches of Fragos (Simos) and Sarakinikos, or that of Kato Nissi even have a certain Caribbean atmosphere. As for the village, it is like a veritable Greek picture postcard, with its gently rocking wooden fishing boats painted in lively colours.

17 July 2019 – Sailing in the Santorini Caldera

Arrival 17/07/2019. Departure 17/07/2019.

Sailing in the waters of Santorini caldera is breathtaking. The gigantic scale of the unique setting, the majesty of the high cliffs surrounds this ancient crater that was flooded in 2000 years before Christ, is one of the highlights of the cruise. The colourful whites, greys, reds of the volcanic rocks, the blue of the Aegean Sea and the immaculate perched villages form a unique and marvellous spectacle.

17 July 2019 – Amorgos

Arrival 17/07/2019 midday. Departure 17/07/2019 evening.

It’s no accident that the island of Amorgos was chosen as a shooting location for Luc Besson’s film, The Big Blue. You too will fall under the charm of this island as your ship edges closer. Amorgos is the most easterly island in the Cyclades and stands out for its rocky inlets with crystal-clear water and its small, picturesque villages. This port of call will be your chance to visit one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades, Chora, and discover its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses overlooked by a castle. Byzantine churches, windmills and courtyards brimming with flowers complete this typical tableau of timeless Greece.

See available excursions

18 July 2019 – Patmos

Arrival 18/07/2019 early morning. Departure 18/07/2019 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 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.

See available excursions

19 July 2019 – Delos

Arrival 19/07/2019 early morning. Departure 19/07/2019 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.

See excursion

19 July 2019 – Mykonos

Arrival 19/07/2019 early afternoon. Departure 19/07/2019 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.

See excursion

20 July 2019 – Syros

Arrival 20/07/2019 early morning. Departure 20/07/2019 late afternoon.

Located to the west of Mykonos, Syros is an attractive island in the Cyclades. It has been inhabited since early antiquity, as you’ll discover by visiting the archaeological museum in Ermoupoli, its capital built in the shape of an amphitheatre and stretching out over two hills. Don’t miss the historical district, where the beautiful houses are evidence of the island’s strategic location for trade, between the East and the West. Admire the superb Agios Nikolaos Church or the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Further on, the medieval town of Ano Syros allows to admire charming stairways and arched passageways, as well as small, white houses decorated with bougainvilleas.

See excursion

21 July 2019 – Molyvos

Arrival 21/07/2019 early morning. Departure 21/07/2019 midday.

Lesbos, this mountainous island whose volcanic origins explain the presence of many warm springs, does not only attract visitors for its magnificent sandy beaches or the memory of the poet Sappho. For example, the preserved Byzantine fortress of Molyvos, the best preserved in the Western Mediterranean, offers sumptuous panoramas from its ramparts, while the petrified forest in the village of Sigri is a geological witness to the dense subtropical vegetation of giant conifers that covered the region 20 million years ago. Finally, the monasteries are active pilgrimage sites, particularly that of Taxiarchis (Archangel Michael), the patron saint of the island.

Istanbul

Disembarkation 22/07/2019 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. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ 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.

Pre/Post & Overlands

Before your cruise
13/07/2019 – Discover Malta (1 night)

710.00 AU$ ^**
More information

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – La Valletta
Check-in at the Phoenicia hotel. Official check-in time is 2 pm.
A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk from late afternoon to welcome and answer any questions you may have.
Dinner is at leisure.
Day 2 – La Valletta
Meet your fellow travelers for breakfast.
Depart the hotel accompanied by your local guide and start with a drive through the three cities.
The Three Cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every people who settled on the Islands.
Stop at Vittoriosa known by the locals as Birgu. Walk within the three-gate system to enter the city which first hosted the Order of St. John. Proceed through the collachio area towards the square of the city. Advance to the waterfront admiring the façade of the Church dedicated to St. Lawrence.
Continue to Tarxien for a visit of the three Megalithic temples of Tarxien which date back to 3000 BC.
Drive to Mdina. The 4000-year-old capital of Malta, Mdina is a medieval walled town on a hill in the centre of the island. It is commonly called the Silent City. Walk through the narrow streets of the town, past Mdina Cathedral to the bastions for breath taking views of the island.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Drive to Valletta – Malta’s Capital city which will be hosting the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018. A City built by gentlemen for gentlemen. Valletta is a fortified city located on a hilly peninsula between two of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Walk to the Magisterial Palace, one of the most imposing buildings in Valletta today serving as the offices of the President of Malta. Here we will visit the State Rooms and Tapestry Chamber. Walk past Auberge de Castille, built in the 1570s to house the knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Castile, León and Portugal. Today it houses the Offices of the Prime Minister. Your guide will lead you to the Upper Barracca Gardens to enjoy panoramic views of the Grand harbour and the Three Cities.
Take panoramic lift to Valletta Waterfront and walk to the pier to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
The Phoenicia Hotel dates back to 1935. Surrounded by seven acres of gardens, it is ideally located next to the Triton Fountain in Valletta's City Gate Square, just outside the ancient city walls. The Phoenicia have been recently restored and refurbished. Rooms are spacious and elegant with modern furniture. All air-conditioned, they also feature a minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities and international TV entertainment. You have a choice of three restaurants, serving a combination of Maltese and Mediterranean cooking. The pool bar and restaurant offers a resort oasis overlooking the Great Harbour. The hotel is also equipped with a gym and a Spa. Wi-Fi is available to all guests throughout the hotel.
Your programme includes:
1 night accommodation at the Phoenicia Hotel 5* (or similar) in Standard room, including breakfast.
Lunch of day 2 and beverage package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee or tea).
Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
Local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
Transfer from the airport to your hotel
Lunch and dinner of day 1.
Tips for the guide and the driver.
Personal expenses
Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
A private transfer from the airport to the hotel can be organized at a supplement. It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 15 days prior to the beginning of your cruise, in order to secure the proper meet and greet service at the airport.
Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement.
An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability.
Please, contact your travel agent for further detail.
Contact of your hotel:
Phoenicia Hotel
The Mall Floriana
FRN 1478, MALTA
Telephone number: +356 2122 5241
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
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