Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
19 m2
2
Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys
Athens - Athens
Dates:
1/9/2022
to
8/9/2022
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
With this exceptional itinerary, PONANT invites you to enjoy a wonderful interlude discovering the cultural and natural treasures of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. From Athens, set sail aboard Le Bougainville for an 8-day cruise to the most beautiful Greek islands of the Aegean Sea and delight not only in the rich cultural heritage but also in refreshing dips in the turquoise waters of the archipelago.
You will discover Patmos, known as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea”. This island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves.
After a stopover on the small island of Symi, which will not fail to dazzle you with its discreet beauty and Italian-style neoclassical houses, you will head for the Cyclades. Amorgos, or the island of the Big Blue as it is known, is a raw gem. You will admire its volcanic and mountainous landscapes that rush into the crystal clear waters that surround it.
Le Bougainville will then approach the Santorini archipelago in an incredible cruise along the foot of its caldera formed during an eruption in around 1600 BC. Sublime white villages such as Thera and Oia are built on top of the cliffs falling vertically into the sea.
You will then make a stopover on the authentic and picturesque Folégandros before reaching 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.
Next comes Mykonos, its beaches and windmills, with Alefkandra, a district that is typical of the island, with houses built right on the water’s edge. Le Bougainville will make a final stopover on the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light, before heading towards the Greek capital.
Your cruise will end 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.
Ref : AABB45US - G010922
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion or activity in each port of call. Engaging...
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Your trip in detail
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Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 to the 20/11/2022
- New
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 to the 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Nancy Harmon Jenkins is a widely recognized authority on Mediterranean cuisines, the Mediterranean diet and its consequences for good health, extra-virgin olive oil and its qualities, and (to her own surprise) on ancient Egyptian maritime technology. She is the author of many books, the latest of which is a collaboration with her daughter, Chef Sara Jenkins: The Four Seasons of Pasta (Avery Books, 2015). Also in 2015, she published Virgin Territory: Exploring the World of Olive Oil (Houghton Mifflin). Nancy has written countless newspaper and magazine articles on Italian cuisine for the likes of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, and Bon Appetit; and she is a frequent commentator on radio and television programs, including for NPR’s The Splendid Table, Good Food, and All Things Considered, and for the BBC’s The Food Programme. Nancy has lived, worked, cooked, traveled, gardened, and raised two children in many parts of the Mediterranean, from Madrid to Beirut and back, with a long stay in Italy where she spends as much time as possible on her family’s Tuscan farm and olive oil retreat. When she’s not in Italy or traveling the world, she lives in a small town on the coast of Maine.
Language spoken: English
Photo credit: Lily Piel
Albert Leonard
Albert Leonard is a Research Associate at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, and Professor Emeritus in both the departments of Classical Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona. He is an archaeologist who specializes in the social impact of interregional trade among the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean World. For more than four decades, Al has directed excavations at a number of sites in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, and Jordan. Throughout his career, he has been active in educational outreach, and the Archaeological Institute of America has awarded him its Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award by which it “acknowledged and applauded the invaluable service that [he] has given to the archaeological community as an educator.”
As his alter ego, the Time Traveling Gourmet, Al combines a command of archaeological, historical, and literary material with culinary skills acquired at Le Cordon Bleu as well as the Culinary Institute of America (partially supported by a Robert A. Parker Wine Advocate Scholarship) in order to reconstruct (in the classroom or the kitchen) dishes described by such ancient authors as Archestratus of Syracuse, a 4th-century BCE Sicilian cook who has often been called the “Father of Gastronomy.” Al presently divides his time between Boston and California’s Russian River Valley, where he is a member of The Society of Wine Educators and the Northern Sonoma County convivium of Slow Food International. His latest book, Mediterranean Wines of Place: A Celebration of Heritage Grapes was published by Lockwood Press in the Spring of 2020.
Language spoken: English
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion or activity in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Experts including archaeologist Albert Leonard and Mediterranean cuisine expert Nancy Harmon Jenkins.
- A cruise in the Aegean Sea to discover the Greek Islands.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis in Athens (embarkation port), Delos, the sacred island, the monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos.
- Discover the pearls of the Cyclades: Amorgos, the Santorini Caldera, Folegandros, Delos, Mykonos and their ancient ruins, typical landscapes and beaches.
- Exceptional sailing in the Santorini caldera.
- Swimming opportunity.
Ports of Call & Excursions
1 September 2022 - Athens
Embarkation 1/9/2022 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 1/9/2022 at 7:00 pm
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.
2 September 2022 - Patmos
Arrival 2/9/2022 midday
Departure 2/9/2022 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 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.
3 September 2022 - Symi
Arrival 3/9/2022 early morning
Departure 3/9/2022 mid afternoon
A simply ravishing gem in the Dodecanese, Symi is located north-west of Rhodes. This island of cypress forests, vineyards and olive orchards, possesses a capital city of the same name that is as colourful as the surrounding countryside. The charm of the port district of Gialos is not to be missed: its quaysides are lined with picturesque houses with multi-coloured facades. You can get to the upper town by car or climb the 500 steps up the Kali Strata ramp. The second option offers superb viewing points of the coast and gorgeous turquoise waters.
4 September 2022 - Amorgos
Arrival 4/9/2022 early morning
Departure 4/9/2022 late afternoon
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.
5 September 2022 - Sailing in the Santorini Caldera
Arrival 5/9/2022
Departure 5/9/2022
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.
5 September 2022 - Folegandros
Arrival 5/9/2022 midday
Departure 5/9/2022 evening
Folegandros is a treasure concealed in the Cyclades archipelago. You approach this mountainous island from the south-east side of continental Greece. The blue and white houses built on a steep plateau in its main town, Chora, is a feast for the eyes. Why not climb up to the belvederes and admire the view of the Aegean and the port of Karavostasi. The jetty in Karavostasi port leads to a lovely beach where you can have fun in the turquoise water. Higher up, Ano Meria, a village surrounded by terrace farms, offers a magnificient panorama over the sea.
6 September 2022 - Delos
Arrival 6/9/2022 early morning
Departure 6/9/2022 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.
6 September 2022 - Mykonos
Arrival 6/9/2022 early afternoon
Departure 6/9/2022 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.
7 September 2022 - Hydra
Arrival 7/9/2022 midday
Departure 7/9/2022 evening
This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbour town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-coloured caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.
8 September 2022 - Athens
Arrival 8/9/2022 early morning
Disembarkation 8/9/2022 at 7:00 am
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.
Monastery of St. John & Apocalypse Cave
It was to this rugged island of Patmos that St. John the Evangelist was banished during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, and it is here that he is said to have received the visions of the Apocalypse that later became the Book of Revelation.
Today, Patmos’s landscape is dominated by the fortress-like Monastery of St. John, built in the 11th century at the summit of a hill. As you explore this sacred place you will discover a veritable museum of Byzantine art — countless frescoes, precious icons, gold and silver liturgical objects, rare manuscripts and antiquities.
After the opulence of the monastery, a short drive takes you to the very different site of the Apocalypse Cave, which John made his home during his exile. Here you can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. Next to this bed of rock is the spot where John's disciple Prochoros sat as he transcribed the visions John dictated to him.
- This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. Access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. You will go up and down about 100 steps. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. Taking photos inside the chapel and the cave is prohibited.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walk Through Ano Symi
Named for the wife of Poseidon and said to be the birthplace of the three graces, Symi was an important part of the Roman and Byzantine empires. It was occupied by the Knights of St. John in 1373, and reached its greatest prominence under the Ottoman Empire, when shipbuilding and sponge-diving made the island quite prosperous. Enjoy an informal walk through town with your guide.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Traditional Villages of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on that simpler life by visiting two villages that continue local traditions in much the same way their families have done for generations
Arrive first at the village of Lagada, nestled among gently rolling hills on the northern end of the island. The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil has been the primary economic activity of this region from before history. On a guided walk through the olive groves, you will learn how local growers tend their crops as well as about the importance of the olive in many aspects of Mediterranean life. Your walk ends with a demonstration of a traditional village olive press.
Your visit to Lagada is followed by a short drive north to Tholaria, a small village overlooking Aegiali Bay. Here you are welcome to explore the layout and functioning of a traditional Cylcadic private home — its cellar and wooden oven as well as the main residence. Attached to the house is a distillery for essential oils produced from herbs grown in Amorgos. Herbal medicine has been a part of Greek life since the ancients, and a local herbalist will explain the properties of the various herbs and their oils and how they are distilled.
Before departing Tholaria to return to the ship, gather on the outdoor terrace, which offers unlimited views of the sea and surrounding mountains, to enjoy a sampling of treats including olives, local cheeses, olive pies, local wine, raki, and local sweets.
- Please note: Coaches on the island are few and are not recent models. The tour involves about an hour's total walking time over relatively flat, unpaved terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protection against the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The History and Traditions of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on the main attractions of the island — the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and Chora, the capital town.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Monastery was founded in 1088 and contains rare icons and manuscripts, which the monks who greet you will be delighted to explain while serving a sampling of the local sweet, loukoumi. But for most visitors it is the monastery itself, built into the side of a steep cliff and seemingly suspended some 900 feet above the sea below, that is the most vivid memory. The views both during your climb to the entrance and from within the monastery are spectacular.
Continuing your tour, you will reach Chora, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. A leisurely stroll among the whitewashed houses, small churches, and windmills that line the streets, perhaps pausing for a taste of ouzo and local sweets, leads to three small museums. The Ecclesiastical Museum contains relics and remembrances of prominent clergy, including Archbishop Christodoulos, for whom it is named. The nearby Cultural/Folklore Museum provides a glimpse into the daily life of earlier times. And the Archaeological Museum has a collection of finds from excavations of three ancient cities, some of which date to the Bronze Age.
- Please note: Coaches on the island are few and not recent models. Tour involves about 2 hours of walking. To visit the inside of the monastery, you need to negotiate 269 steps up and down. Guests who do not wish to climb to the monastery can enjoy a view from the parking lot where there are benches but no shade. We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate dress is required for entry to the monastery (long pants for men and knees and shoulders covered for women).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Shuttle to Chora for Time at Leisure
Call at the small volcanic island of Folegandros. Take a shuttle to Hora, the charming capital of the island, and enjoy relaxing in this quaint village, built upon a 650-foot cliff, with its smart cafes and delightful tavernas.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Archaeological Wonders of Delos
The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks — the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples. Today, it is a veritable open-air museum.
Your walking tour of this sprawling site begins directly from the pier, as you follow your guide through a maze of fallen columns, sections of the mosaics which once adorned the houses of the rich, a stadium, tiers of seats from a theater abandoned long ago and much more. Atop a small hill is the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens, dating from the 3rd century BC. From this vantage point, you overlook the entire site and get a sense of the grandeur of the city when it was the center of the Delian League.
Among the notable remains you will encounter is the Sanctuary of Apollo, also known as the “Temple of the Athenians," where you will see the altars and votive offerings presented by Athenians to the god so important to their civic life. You will also discover the Terrace of the Lions, among the best-preserved monuments on Delos, where five marble lions stand at the ready to protect the town as they gaze to the east, waiting for the sun to rise.
Finally, you will visit the Theater District, the most luxurious district of the ancient city with the mansions pretentiously named the homes “of Dionysus" and “of Cleopatra," among others. This is where the mosaics that adorned the floors of these great houses, as well as the streets and shops of ancient Delos will suggest the wealth of this once bustling city.
- This excursion is entirely on foot. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The guide is not allowed to do a guided visit of the museum.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Experience Mykonos
Its white cubic houses, characteristic windmills, and numerous chapels make Mykonos the quintessential Cycladic island. Formerly a quiet fishing town, Mykonos is now a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all this dazzling town has to offer.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
A Walk through the History of Hydra
Although it was 'discovered' in the 1950s and has been a retreat for Greek and international celebrities from Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis to Leonard Cohen, Hydra maintains its traditional character — in large part, because no motorized vehicles are allowed on the island.
Your guided tour of Hydra's landmarks begins with the Historical Archives Museum, housed in an elegant mansion and containing manuscripts, paintings, rare books and photographs that detail the long and distinguished maritime and military history of the island and its inhabitants.
As your walk continues, you will stop at the Church of the Dormitian, which serves as Hydra's cathedral. The church boasts a 3-story bell tower made entirely of marble and houses icons and other offerings from the wealthy seafarers of the island, including one chandelier that is said to have been stolen from Louis XIV.
A short uphill climb brings you to the Koundouriotis Mansion, a splendid example of the traditional architecture of Hydra. Built in 1780 by Lazaros Koundouriotis, it now houses various items from the National Historical Museum of Athens, such as traditional costumes, jewelry, fine embroideries, pottery and wood-carvings. The opulent interior also displays the heirlooms of this wealthy ship owner and his family.
Your exploration of this special island ends with a leisurely stroll back to the port. Be sure to pause along the way to enjoy a coffee and sample Hydra's local sweet amygdaloto at a cafe on the promenade.
- This tour is entirely on foot, walking over uneven ground, cobble stone streets and steps (70-80 steps). We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The refreshment is included on your tour.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Bougainville
Welcoming and spacious common areas, refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, a marina to make access to the ship's Zodiac® inflatables easier, hi-tech equipment, an outdoor pool, a multisensorial underwater lounge… Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys have organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – archaeologist Albert Leonard and Mediterranean cuisine expert Nancy Harmon Jenkins.
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Athens to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bougainville, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion or activity in most ports of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable – time at leisure in Mykonos)
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Athens at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme is subject to change without notice
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
THE HEART OF ATHENS (1 NIGHT)
Athens is the birthplace of democracy and philosophy and home to the most enduring symbol of classical civilisation—the Parthenon. Join this specially designed programme to explore the incomparably rich legacy of this amazing city.
Day 1 – Athens, Greece
Arrive at Athens International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Grande Bretagne. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. Join fellow travellers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 – Athens | Embark
After breakfast at the hotel, your first visit will be at the New Acropolis Museum, opened to the public in 2009 and designed to house and showcase all of the artifacts found on the Acropolis since archaeological work at the site began. The result is the exhibition of some 4,000 objects dating from the Greek Bronze Age through the Roman and Byzantine periods. Your tour of the Acropolis itself includes the Propylaea, which serves as the entrance to the complex, the Temple of Athena Nike, or Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum with its classical Porch of Maidens. And of course, there is the Parthenon, the most perfect example of classical architecture in the world, designed as a shrine to Athena and at one time housing a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess. At the end of this tour, enjoy time at leisure to stroll the pedestrian walkways of the Plaka, the ancient neighborhood at the base of the Acropolis, where you will find a variety of shops and cafés where you can browse and have an independent lunch before boarding your coach for the transfer to the pier to embark your ship.
Your hotel:
Located in historic Syntagma Square, the 5-star Hotel Grande Bretagne is the perfect venue for a visit to Athens. Within walking distance of exclusive shopping areas, museums, and the business district, the hotel boasts 320 rooms and suites, two restaurants, and a spa. Its views of the city centre, from the Parliament building to the Parthenon, are unrivaled.
Your programme includes:
- 1 night at the Hotel Grande Bretagne (or similar).
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled programme arrival day.
- Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day.
- Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1.
- Breakfast on Day 2.
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary.
- Local English-speaking guide.
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides.
Your programme does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled programme arrival day.
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- 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 reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- This pre-cruise programme is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Programme is offered on a space available basis.
- Programme is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
1 Vasileos Georgiou A' str.
Syntagma Square
Athens 105 64
Greece
Telephone: +30 210 333 0000
Total : AU$830
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Monastery of St. John & Apocalypse Cave
It was to this rugged island of Patmos that St. John the Evangelist was banished during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, and it is here that he is said to have received the visions of the Apocalypse that later became the Book of Revelation.
Today, Patmos’s landscape is dominated by the fortress-like Monastery of St. John, built in the 11th century at the summit of a hill. As you explore this sacred place you will discover a veritable museum of Byzantine art — countless frescoes, precious icons, gold and silver liturgical objects, rare manuscripts and antiquities.
After the opulence of the monastery, a short drive takes you to the very different site of the Apocalypse Cave, which John made his home during his exile. Here you can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. Next to this bed of rock is the spot where John's disciple Prochoros sat as he transcribed the visions John dictated to him.
- This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. Access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. You will go up and down about 100 steps. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. Taking photos inside the chapel and the cave is prohibited.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walk Through Ano Symi
Named for the wife of Poseidon and said to be the birthplace of the three graces, Symi was an important part of the Roman and Byzantine empires. It was occupied by the Knights of St. John in 1373, and reached its greatest prominence under the Ottoman Empire, when shipbuilding and sponge-diving made the island quite prosperous. Enjoy an informal walk through town with your guide.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Traditional Villages of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on that simpler life by visiting two villages that continue local traditions in much the same way their families have done for generations
Arrive first at the village of Lagada, nestled among gently rolling hills on the northern end of the island. The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil has been the primary economic activity of this region from before history. On a guided walk through the olive groves, you will learn how local growers tend their crops as well as about the importance of the olive in many aspects of Mediterranean life. Your walk ends with a demonstration of a traditional village olive press.
Your visit to Lagada is followed by a short drive north to Tholaria, a small village overlooking Aegiali Bay. Here you are welcome to explore the layout and functioning of a traditional Cylcadic private home — its cellar and wooden oven as well as the main residence. Attached to the house is a distillery for essential oils produced from herbs grown in Amorgos. Herbal medicine has been a part of Greek life since the ancients, and a local herbalist will explain the properties of the various herbs and their oils and how they are distilled.
Before departing Tholaria to return to the ship, gather on the outdoor terrace, which offers unlimited views of the sea and surrounding mountains, to enjoy a sampling of treats including olives, local cheeses, olive pies, local wine, raki, and local sweets.
- Please note: Coaches on the island are few and are not recent models. The tour involves about an hour's total walking time over relatively flat, unpaved terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protection against the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The History and Traditions of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on the main attractions of the island — the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and Chora, the capital town.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Monastery was founded in 1088 and contains rare icons and manuscripts, which the monks who greet you will be delighted to explain while serving a sampling of the local sweet, loukoumi. But for most visitors it is the monastery itself, built into the side of a steep cliff and seemingly suspended some 900 feet above the sea below, that is the most vivid memory. The views both during your climb to the entrance and from within the monastery are spectacular.
Continuing your tour, you will reach Chora, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. A leisurely stroll among the whitewashed houses, small churches, and windmills that line the streets, perhaps pausing for a taste of ouzo and local sweets, leads to three small museums. The Ecclesiastical Museum contains relics and remembrances of prominent clergy, including Archbishop Christodoulos, for whom it is named. The nearby Cultural/Folklore Museum provides a glimpse into the daily life of earlier times. And the Archaeological Museum has a collection of finds from excavations of three ancient cities, some of which date to the Bronze Age.
- Please note: Coaches on the island are few and not recent models. Tour involves about 2 hours of walking. To visit the inside of the monastery, you need to negotiate 269 steps up and down. Guests who do not wish to climb to the monastery can enjoy a view from the parking lot where there are benches but no shade. We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate dress is required for entry to the monastery (long pants for men and knees and shoulders covered for women).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Shuttle to Chora for Time at Leisure
Call at the small volcanic island of Folegandros. Take a shuttle to Hora, the charming capital of the island, and enjoy relaxing in this quaint village, built upon a 650-foot cliff, with its smart cafes and delightful tavernas.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Archaeological Wonders of Delos
The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks — the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples. Today, it is a veritable open-air museum.
Your walking tour of this sprawling site begins directly from the pier, as you follow your guide through a maze of fallen columns, sections of the mosaics which once adorned the houses of the rich, a stadium, tiers of seats from a theater abandoned long ago and much more. Atop a small hill is the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens, dating from the 3rd century BC. From this vantage point, you overlook the entire site and get a sense of the grandeur of the city when it was the center of the Delian League.
Among the notable remains you will encounter is the Sanctuary of Apollo, also known as the “Temple of the Athenians," where you will see the altars and votive offerings presented by Athenians to the god so important to their civic life. You will also discover the Terrace of the Lions, among the best-preserved monuments on Delos, where five marble lions stand at the ready to protect the town as they gaze to the east, waiting for the sun to rise.
Finally, you will visit the Theater District, the most luxurious district of the ancient city with the mansions pretentiously named the homes “of Dionysus" and “of Cleopatra," among others. This is where the mosaics that adorned the floors of these great houses, as well as the streets and shops of ancient Delos will suggest the wealth of this once bustling city.
- This excursion is entirely on foot. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The guide is not allowed to do a guided visit of the museum.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Experience Mykonos
Its white cubic houses, characteristic windmills, and numerous chapels make Mykonos the quintessential Cycladic island. Formerly a quiet fishing town, Mykonos is now a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all this dazzling town has to offer.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
A Walk through the History of Hydra
Although it was 'discovered' in the 1950s and has been a retreat for Greek and international celebrities from Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis to Leonard Cohen, Hydra maintains its traditional character — in large part, because no motorized vehicles are allowed on the island.
Your guided tour of Hydra's landmarks begins with the Historical Archives Museum, housed in an elegant mansion and containing manuscripts, paintings, rare books and photographs that detail the long and distinguished maritime and military history of the island and its inhabitants.
As your walk continues, you will stop at the Church of the Dormitian, which serves as Hydra's cathedral. The church boasts a 3-story bell tower made entirely of marble and houses icons and other offerings from the wealthy seafarers of the island, including one chandelier that is said to have been stolen from Louis XIV.
A short uphill climb brings you to the Koundouriotis Mansion, a splendid example of the traditional architecture of Hydra. Built in 1780 by Lazaros Koundouriotis, it now houses various items from the National Historical Museum of Athens, such as traditional costumes, jewelry, fine embroideries, pottery and wood-carvings. The opulent interior also displays the heirlooms of this wealthy ship owner and his family.
Your exploration of this special island ends with a leisurely stroll back to the port. Be sure to pause along the way to enjoy a coffee and sample Hydra's local sweet amygdaloto at a cafe on the promenade.
- This tour is entirely on foot, walking over uneven ground, cobble stone streets and steps (70-80 steps). We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The refreshment is included on your tour.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.