Guest of Honour 
Music 
Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
19 m²
2
Music in Autumnal Greece
Athens - Athens
Dates:
25/10/2023
to
1/11/2023
days
nights on board
In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE and with the exceptional presence of Nemanja Radulovic and Alain Duault.
Sail the Aegean Sea with PONANT and set off to discover Greece and its famous islands aboard Le Bougainville for an 8-day Mediterranean cruise.
From Athens you will set a course for Turkey, where you will call at Kusadasi, not far from the Ephesus site. An old fishing village with history going back 5,000 years, this town is now one of the country’s most famous seaside resorts.
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.
Next comes Mykonos, with beaches and windmills, and Alefkandra, a district that is typical of the island, with houses built right on the water’s edge.
Your ship will take you to Patmos, also known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea', this divine island where Saint John is said to have received his visions features unique landscapes that blend long white beaches with rocky coves.
In Rhodes, you will fall under the charm of the Gothic architecture in the medieval city, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Santorini, one of the pearls of the Cyclades Islands, then awaits, unfurling the grandiose crater of its caldera. Le Bougainville will finally set sail for the charming town of Nafplion, the departure point for the famous Epidaurus Theatre and the Mycenae site, listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
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 : EG251023
Your itinerary
A musical cruise in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE and with the exceptional presence of Nemanja Radulovic and Alain Duault. A cruise in the Aegean Sea to discover the Greek Islands. UNESCO World Heritage...
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Your trip in detail
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Complete your trip
Complete your trip
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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*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
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- 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
Nemanja Radulovic
Winner of the 2015 Echo Klassik Award for Newcomer of the Year, Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulović has taken the classical music world by storm with his thrilling virtuosity, depth of expression and adventurous programming, both in the recording studio and on the concert stage. An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, Nemanja’s most recent album, Baïka, features his evocative interpretations of Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto as well as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade arranged for solo violin and chamber orchestra.
Recent highlights include Nemanja’s critically acclaimed residency with the Bournemouth Symphony [“Radulović had his audience spellbound for the entire concert…” Andy Martin, Bournemouth Echo]; his orchestral debut at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic; the opening of the Jeunesse Musicale series at the Vienna Konzerthaus; a play/direct performance with the Munich Chamber Orchestra (resulting in an immediate re-invitation to work with the ensemble); and a special new collaboration with clarinettist Andreas Ottensamer, accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, and pianist Laure Favre-Kahn, performing to audiences at Schleswig-Holstein, Gstaad, Périgord Noir, and Impérial Annecy festivals. Additional highlights include a very successful return to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko conducting, and a European tour with the I, CULTURE Orchestra and Kirill Karabits, featuring visits to the Radio France Festival in Montpellier and the Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen.
Languages spoken: French, English
Photo credit: Bayram Tarakci
Karine Deshayes
After brilliant musical studies having been a pupil of Mireille Alcantara and receiving advice from Régine Crespin, Karine Deshayes first joined the troupe of the Lyon Opera, where she performed in the roles of Cherubino, Stephano, among others, and especially in her first Rossini role as Rosina.
His career quickly took off afterwards. She was invited to perform on all the major French stages: Avignon, Lyon Strasbourg, Marseille, Toulouse, Tours, Chorégies d’Orange, Bordeaux etc. She regularly performed at the Paris Opera where she won great acclaim in the Rossini roles of Angelina, Rosina, Elena, but also as Poppea in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Sesto (in Handel’s Giulio Cesare), Romeo (in Bellini’s I Capuleti e I Montecchi ) and in the Mozart roles of Cherubino and Dorabella. It was also at the Paris Opera that she took on the role of Carmen for the first time, as well as the role of Charlotte in Werther.
Karine Deshayes’s career has also extended into major international stages, including the Salzburg Festival (Die Zauberflöte under the baton of Riccardo Muti), the Teatro Real in Madrid, and the Liceu in Barcelona (the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon). At the invitation of the New York Metropolitan Opera, she debuted in the role of Siebel before returning there to play Isolier in the Le Comte Ory, and more recently, Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann directed by James Levine, where she drew particularly rave reviews from the New York music critiques. She followed this by performing in the role of Angelina in the Cenerentola at the San Francisco Opera, again to great success.
Subsequently, she has sung the role of Donna Elvira at the Opera of Paris for the first time, a role that she made own, as the public and the critics unanimously agreed. In concert, she beautifully played the role of Elisabetta in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda at the Avignon Opera.
She just has sung the roles of Adalgisa (Norma) at the Teatro Real in Madrid and Charlotte (Werther) at the Tchaikowsky Concert Hall in Moscow,.
Karine Deshayes’s vast repertoire has allowed her to perform regularly in concert and recital under the direction of such conductors as Emmanuel Krivine, David Stern, Kurt Masur, Emmanuelle Haïm, Louis Langrée and Myung-Whun Chung, and with such artists as Philippe Cassard, Renaud Capuçon, Nicolas Angelich, L’Ensemble Contraste, the Quatuor Ebène, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and many more.
At the Victoires de la Musique Awards in 2016, Karine Deshayes was named Lyric Artist of the Year for the second time in her career.
Her last recording, « Rossini », with the Ensemble Les Forces Majeures, has just been released (Label Aparté).
Future plans include Rossini's Armida at the Montpellier Opera House, Gluck's Alceste at the Lyon Opera House, Romeo (I Capuleti e I Montecchi) at the Marseille Opera House and many concerts and récitals.
Language spoken: French
Photo Credit : Aymeric Giraudel
Laure Favre-Kahn
After studying piano at the Avignon Conservatoire, at the age of 17 Laure Favre-Kahn was unanimously awarded a Premier Prix at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSM).
At 20, she recorded her first album dedicated to Schumann’s works, followed a year later by a Chopin CD.
Since then, she has regularly performed in France and abroad as a soloist and chamber musician, in particular with violinist Nemanja Radulovic. Laure has participated at major festivals and as a guest with numerous orchestras, while continuing to make recordings.
She can be heard regularly on France Musique, Radio Classique and France Inter. In 2001 she won first prize at the International Pro Piano Competition in New York, returning to the city the following year to make a recording and do a recital in Carnegie Hall.
In 2013, Laure Favre-Kahn created her own show at the Avignon Festival called ‘Chopin Confidences’ where she pays tribute to the composer, alone on stage, with the voice of Charles Berling.
Her 12th album, Vers la flamme was released by Naive in 2017 to unanimous praise by the press.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Emmanuel DONNY
Pierre Génisson
Born in 1986, Pierre Génisson is one of the leading French wind instrumentalists of his generation. Winner of the prestigious Carl Nielsen Competition, he also won first prize and the Audience Award at the Tokyo Competition in 2014. He went on to record his first CD ‘Made in France’ praised by the press and public alike, earning him a Diapason d’Or and ‘FFFF’ from the magazine Télérama.
After studying in his hometown of Marseille, then his first prize diplomas at the Paris Conservatoire, he moved to Los Angeles in 2012 to further his studies at the University of Southern California with renowned tutor Yehuda Gilad, where he obtained his Artist Diploma.
At the same time, he made his debut on stage with the Berlin Philharmonic in Debussy’s Rhapsodie and Bruch’s Double Concerto. Since then he has regularly performed as guest soloist for major European and international orchestras.
He has a passion for chamber music and regularly performs at European and international festivals with partners or ensembles such as the Ébène Quartet, Marielle Nordmann, Ophélie Gaillard and Geneviève Laurenceau. His latest CD "How I Met Mozart" (Aparté label) with the Quartet 212 (soloists from New York’s Met Opera Orchestra) was unanimously acclaimed by the media. Pierre Genisson has just recorded a programme dedicated to Benny Goodman, with the BBC Orchestra (works by Copland, Bernstein, Stravinsky and Goodman, due to be released in October 2019), as well as Tanguy’s Concerto for Clarinet dedicated to Pierre, with the Jyväskylä Orchestra in Finland.
Languages spoken: French, English
Photo credit: Vandoren
Astrig Siranossian
Winner of the First Prize and several times winner of the Special Prize of the Krzysztof Penderecki International Cello Competition, Astrig Siranossian performs as soloist with famous orchestras. A regular guest of Daniel Barenboim’s, her musical partners are no less than Martha Argerich, Simon Rattle, Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta, Emmanuel Pahud, Daniel Ottensamer…
She is regularly invited on international TV channels and radios and often receives the honor of the press and international medias.
In 2022, Astrig Siranossian celebrates cello and voice in her new album Duo Solo where two sound worlds and cultures meet.
For the Alpha Classics label, she recorded a Tribute to Nadia Boulanger, Dear Mademoiselle, with Nathanaël Gouin and Daniel Barenboïm at the piano, which received tributes from the international press.
Since 2016, Astrig Siranossian is leading the festival Les Musicades which takes place in her hometown in France. Les Musicades gather music, literature, and gastronomy.
In 2020 she created the charity project Spidak Sevane to bring education and material to children in Armenia.
Astrig Siranossian started music at the age of three. Five years later she was admitted to the CNR in Lyon, furthered her studies at the Lyon CNSM in Lyon, obtaining her diploma of higher studies with distinction. She completed her training in Switzerland at the Basel Conservatory in Ivan Monighetti’s class, passing her Concert Masters and Soloist Masters Degree with flying honors.
Astrig plays a 1676 Ruggieri cello, generously loaned by the Boubo Music Foundation in Binningen and the Sir Barbiroli Gagliano cello from 1756.
Language spoken : French
Photo credit : Bernard Martinez
Alain Duault
The novelist, poet, journalist, musicologist and radio and television presenter Alain Duault has been sharing his passion for and knowledge of classical music for more than 30 years. Considered to be one of the greatest opera specialists in France he is now President of the Prix Pelléas jury, and has been made an Officier de la Légion d’Honneur and Commandeur des Arts et Lettres.
Alain Duault studied literature, philosophy and psycho-analysis in Paris, then musicology and piano. His first TV appearance was as a guest of Bernard Pivot for his book of poems, Colorature. This led to a number of radio programmes dedicated to classical music, notably on RTL, the radio station where Alain Duault would be “Mr Classical Music” for 22 years, before joining Radio Classique with daily slots until 2018. A role that he also took on for the France 3 television channel, presenting a number of exceptional programmes (masterclasses with Ruggero Raimondi in the Salle Gaveau, Musiques en fête at the Chorégies d’Orange festival…).
In 1999, he conceived and presented Intégrale Chopin (225 works, 60 pianists), broadcast on France 3. Then in 2001, he wrote and performed an ambitious and very popular show, Verdi, une passion, un destin (with Jean Piat and 250 musicians). In the wake of this success, he wrote and performed two other shows: Victor Hugo, la légende d’un siècle in 2002 and Rencontre avec George Sand (with Marie-Christine Barrault) in 2004 and 2005.
Alain Duault also puts his writing skills to the service of classical music. The author of a number of books, including Dans la peau de Maria Callas, (Le Passeur Éditeur, 2014, pocket edition, 2017), Dictionnaire amoureux illustré de l’Opéra (Plon Gründ, 2016), Ce léger rien des choses qui ont fui, poetry (Gallimard, 2017), he also writes editorials for Classica.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Laurent Rouvrais @Radio Classique
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Nemanja Radulovic
Winner of the 2015 Echo Klassik Award for Newcomer of the Year, Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulović has taken the classical music world by storm with his thrilling virtuosity, depth of expression and adventurous programming, both in the recording studio and on the concert stage. An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, Nemanja’s most recent album, Baïka, features his evocative interpretations of Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto as well as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade arranged for solo violin and chamber orchestra.
Recent highlights include Nemanja’s critically acclaimed residency with the Bournemouth Symphony [“Radulović had his audience spellbound for the entire concert…” Andy Martin, Bournemouth Echo]; his orchestral debut at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic; the opening of the Jeunesse Musicale series at the Vienna Konzerthaus; a play/direct performance with the Munich Chamber Orchestra (resulting in an immediate re-invitation to work with the ensemble); and a special new collaboration with clarinettist Andreas Ottensamer, accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, and pianist Laure Favre-Kahn, performing to audiences at Schleswig-Holstein, Gstaad, Périgord Noir, and Impérial Annecy festivals. Additional highlights include a very successful return to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko conducting, and a European tour with the I, CULTURE Orchestra and Kirill Karabits, featuring visits to the Radio France Festival in Montpellier and the Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen.
Languages spoken: French, English
Photo credit: Bayram Tarakci
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:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, 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
Radio Classique
Every day RADIO CLASSIQUE attracts over a million listeners with a promise to celebrate the best works in the classical repertoire by top performers, and bring classical music into the hearts of the greatest number of people in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Radio Classique achieves this by employing well-known personalities with a passion for music, offering a varied play list from symphonies to film music, as well as interactive programmes and numerous live concert broadcasts.
It is these values which set Radio Classique apart, as an accessible, elegant radio station which is much appreciated by epicurean and discerning listeners ; values that are perfectly in tune with what PONANT’s musical cruises have to offer, under the artistic direction of Alain Duault. A truly unforgettable musical experience awaits passengers in the company of outstanding artists in an intimate and privileged setting.
As autumn arrives bringing its cargo of clouds, what a pleasure it is to prolong summer in these enchanting Greek islands whose names resonate in the imagination, Mykonos, Delos, Santorini… For this cruise, the pleasurable sights for the eyes will be matched by the sheer pleasure of music ricocheting from one island to the other thanks to the talent of five outstanding artists, flowers of the classic scene today. Requested by regular guests on these PONANT musical cruises, the exciting virtuoso violinist, Nemanja Radulovic, will lead us through all the worlds he has within him. An extraordinary artist who can set the stage alight or whisper with heartbreaking tenderness, he will of course be the centre of attention. He is surrounded by the best, first at the piano his favourite partner, the romantic Laure Favre-Kahn, who will be here following the Piano Festival at Sea; then cellist, Astrig Siranossian, whose radiant talent has enabled her, for example, to win the first prize and several special prizes at the Krzysztof Penderecki International Cello Competition; and then the clarinettist who has made his mark, not just in the United States but also in Europe, as the number one for the infinite palette of colours he extracts from his instrument and his expressive musicality, Pierre Génisson; finally the great French mezzo-soprano, Karine Deshayes, who excels both in French opera but above all in Italian bel canto, notably Rossini of whom she is considered one of the world’s best interpreters, after being lauded by the famous Rossini Festival in Pesaro, birthplace of this composer of Barber of Seville. It will therefore be champagne and the best in music that will make our heads spin during this cruise around these pleasure islands!
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A musical cruise in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE and with the exceptional presence of Nemanja Radulovic and Alain Duault.
- A cruise in the Aegean Sea to discover the Greek Islands.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis in Athens, the historical sites of Ephesus from Kusadasi, the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurus theatre (from Nafplion), the sacred island of Delos, the monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos, the medieval city of Rhodes.
- Discover the pearls of the Cyclades: Santorini, Delos, Mykonos and their ancient ruins, typical landscapes and beaches.
- A varied cruise, including lively cities, historic and cultural sites.
Ports of Call & Excursions
25 October 2023 - Athens
Embarkation 25/10/2023 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 25/10/2023 at 6:00 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.
26 October 2023 - Kusadasi
Arrival 26/10/2023 midday
Departure 26/10/2023 early 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.
27 October 2023 - Delos
Arrival 27/10/2023 early morning
Departure 27/10/2023 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.
27 October 2023 - Mykonos
Arrival 27/10/2023 early afternoon
Departure 27/10/2023 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.
28 October 2023 - Patmos
Arrival 28/10/2023 early morning
Departure 28/10/2023 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.
29 October 2023 - Rhodes
Arrival 29/10/2023 early morning
Departure 29/10/2023 late afternoon
With its particularly agreeable climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk its pathways and discover its immaculate villages and sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the centre of the island the mountains are covered in forest and on the western slopes we find vineyards and crops. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and its character to the Knights of St John who reigned over the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated with majestic gateways. Do not miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches and its large walkways, perpetuating the myth of the famous Colossus, the legendary statue that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
30 October 2023 - Santorini
Arrival 30/10/2023 early morning
Departure 30/10/2023 late afternoon
The spectacular volcanic island of Santorini stands out proud in the Cyclades. Its basalt cliffs offer particularly expansive views of the Aegean. To enjoy these views, you can head for the capital, Fira. Its floral belvederes of bougainvillea provide a bird’s-eye view of several thousand metres of coastline. Further away, the gorgeous village of Oia looks like a stairway of blue and white houses on the slopes of the volcano. In the south of the island, you will be able to visit the stunning ruins of Akrotiri, an ancient city destroyed by an eruption and covered with a thick layer of lava stone.
31 October 2023 - Nafplion
Arrival 31/10/2023 early morning
Departure 31/10/2023 late afternoon
The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are 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.
1 November 2023 - Athens
Arrival 1/11/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 1/11/2023 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.
Ephesus & Roman Villas
From the pier, you will embark your coach for a 30-minute drive to the Ephesus site, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean basin.
Originally dedicated to Cybele, the goddess of fertility, during the prehistoric times, the city was claimed by the Ionians for Artemis and later to Diana by the Romans. Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman sites of the ancient world in the whole Mediterranean. Excavated since 1869, most of the main streets and public buildings have been unearthed and opened for visitors. Everything is here: town hall, dwellings, shops and even public toilets. A town of white marble dazzling in the sunshine, Ephesus is like a stone history book recounting the story of what daily life must have been like in the time of the Greeks and Romans.
During your tour, you will discover the Roman Ephesus. Most of the monuments were built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Due to its location, the city was developed into two sections: the upper part of the city was the administrative sector with the town hall, a civil basilica and the Odeon aligned on the north side of the State Agora. The lower section facing the port houses religious, commercial and cultural buildings, such as the famous Celsius Library, Roman Villas, commercial agora and its theatre, which accommodated up to 24,000 spectators, and the stadium.
You will start your tour at the upper gate of Ephesus, which is also known as the Magnesium Gate. Your guide will lead you on a leisurely downhill walking tour through Ephesus’ marble streets, passing and pointing out all the historically important buildings on the way.
You will move on to the recently excavated Terrace Houses complex which are also known as the houses of the rich Ephesians. Located on the northern slope of Bulbul Mountain next to Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian, these houses were built in the peristyle form with a courtyard surrounded by Ionic colonnades. They are finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes. Built in the period of Augustus, they were inhabited until the 7th century AD according to evidence from excavations.
Then, you will visit one of the most impressive sites of Ephesus, the Library of Celsus. Built in 135 BC by a son in homage to his father, this library is finely decorated with columns and sculptures.
Finally, after just a short walk away, you will join the Grand theatre where St Paul preached to the Ephesians, imploring them to give up their worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith.
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This tour involves two and a half hours of walking on uneven ground with many steps. The surface can be slippery. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 40 participants.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Ephesus archaeological site
From the pier, embark your coach for a 30-minute drive to the Ephesus site, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean basin.
Originally dedicated to Cybele, the goddess of fertility, during the prehistoric times, the city was claimed by the Ionians for Artemis and later to Diana by the Romans.
Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman sites of the ancient world in the whole Mediterranean. Excavated since 1869, most of the main streets and public buildings have been unearthed and opened for visitors. Everything is here: town hall, dwellings, shops and even public toilets. A town of white marble dazzling in the sunshine, Ephesus is like a stone history book recounting the story of what daily life must have been like in the time of the Greeks and Romans.
During your tour, you will discover the Roman Ephesus. Most of the monuments were built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Due to its location, the city was developed into two sections: the upper part of the city was the administrative sector with the town hall, a civil basilica and the Odeon aligned on the north side of the State Agora. The lower section facing the port houses religious, commercial and cultural buildings, such as the famous Celsius Library, Roman Villas, commercial agora and its theatre, which accommodated up to 24,000 spectators, and the stadium.
Residences of the town’s nobility are grouped on the slopes of Mount Pion and Mount Coressos on either side of Couretes Street, which links the town’s two districts. The site is also famous for its Hercules Gate, the ancient Scholastikia baths, the Marble Street and Hadrian’s temple.
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This tour involves one hour and a half of walking on uneven ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
The archaeological site of Delos
Your tour will start directly from the pier where you will have disembarked by ship's tender. Follow your guide and go discover one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Greece.
Both the oldest and the largest open-air site in Europe, this antique site has many houses, temples and sacred shrines. Emerging from a burned grass carpet, the ruins are spread out below Mount Kynthos. At the top of this small hill and only relief of the island, the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens dating from the 3rd century BC. Overlooking the area, as on the hillside, you can see a range of cultural institutions dedicated to oriental divinities. Frozen by 2,000 years of abandonment, the city ruins draw an impressive maze of white stone in which one can get lost like the pilgrims and the merchants of yesteryear, when Delos was beaming on the Aegean.
You will reach the sanctuary of Apollo, known as the “Temple of the Athenians”, where you will admire the temples dedicated to this god, their altars, their votive offerings and other buildings.
Then, you will discover the Terrace of the Lions, with its famous marble lions that dominated and protected the town. You will continue until the Theatre District, the most luxurious district of the ancient city with the mansions known as the home “of Dionysus”, “of Cleopatra” and “of Dioscuri”. You will see the different mosaics that adorned the floors of Hellenistic houses, and the streets, the houses, the workshops and the shops that made Delos a bustling city.
- This excursion is entirely on foot. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The museum is closed for revonation.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walking tour of Mykonos
From the pier, follow your guide and start your walking tour through the narrow streets of Mykonos town.
Your first stop will be in front of Paraportiani Church dating back to 15th century. This unique church, is in fact an asymmetrical conglomeration of 4 churches and mixes 4 different architectural styles: Byzantine, vernacular, traditional and western style. It is the most important element of the “kastro” or the castle area, the oldest part of the town.
Continue towards Little Venice to discover the old houses situated on the edge of the sea.
After, you will get back to your ship.
- This is a walking tour and involves some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. All the visits are outside visits. Paraportiani church is closed to the public due to safety reasons.
Total : €35
According to availability, price per passenger.
Religious heritage
From the pier, board your coach for a drive to the Saint John Monastery. Overlooking Skala port and the island’s southern region this medieval monastery looks more like a fortress than a house of prayer. It was built to repel attacks by pirates.
In the year 95 AD, Saint John the Evangelist was banished from Ephesus and exiled to Patmos, which in the days of the Roman Empire was where those who were exiled were sent.
In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos authorised Saint Christodoulos, an abbot from Asia Minor, to erect a monastery in memory of Saint John. The whole island was yielded to the monastery. The adjoining Theotokos Chapel has frescoes dating back to the 12th century. Other Byzantine treasures are found in the monastery. Today this holy place is a veritable museum of Byzantine art thanks to the countless frescoes, icons, holy objects and manuscripts contained within its walls.
Then you will walk to Zoodochos Pigi Convent where you will visit the church and the museum. Built in 1607 the convent houses a wealth of Icons and frescoes. Here we will discover the history and symbolism of iconography and meet one of the resident nuns. Nowadays, 15 nuns live in this convent respecting strict rules. They occupy with the art of needlework and embroideries of clerical vestments.
Finally, a short drive away is the Apocalypse Cave where the final chapter of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle. The Book of Revelation prophecy came to him through a symbolic vision and was written in Greek. This cave was the house of the evangelist and now is surrounded by a monastery and school of theology. You can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. To the right the rock is shaped like a pulpit and is where the disciple, Prochoros, wrote the revelation as dictated by John.
Finally, you will re-board your coach and join your ship.
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This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. The coach will drop you near the old town, and access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. It is not permitted to take photos inside the chapel or the cave. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint John Monastery & Apocalypse Cave
From the pier, board your coach for a drive to the Saint John Monastery. Overlooking Skala port and the island’s southern region, this medieval monastery looks more like a fortress than a house of prayer. It was built to repel attacks by pirates.
In the year 95 AD, Saint John the Evangelist was banished from Ephesus and exiled to Patmos, which in the days of the Roman Empire was where those who were exiled were sent.
In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos authorised Saint Christodoulos, an abbot from Asia Minor, to erect a monastery in memory of Saint John. The whole island was yielded to the monastery. The adjoining Theotokos Chapel has frescoes dating back to the 12th century. Other Byzantine treasures are found in the monastery. Today this holy place is a veritable museum of Byzantine art thanks to the countless frescoes, icons, holy objects and manuscripts contained within its walls.
After visiting the monastery, a short drive away, will take you to the Apocalypse Cave where the final chapter of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle. The Book of Revelation prophecy came to him through a symbolic vision and was written in Greek. This cave was the house of the evangelist and now is surrounded by a monastery and school of theology. You can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. To the right the rock is shaped like a pulpit and is where the disciple, Prochoros, wrote the revelation as dictated by John.
Finally, you will re-board your coach for the drive back to the pier.
-
This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. The coach will drop you near the old town, and access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. Altogether you will have to go up and down about 100 steps. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. It is not permitted to take photos inside the chapel or the cave.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Capturing the images of Patmos
This tour, covering the south side of the island, not only gives you the opportunity of discovering hidden places but also an opportunity to photograph the most amazing land and seascapes along.
From the pier, board your minibus to the old village of Chora, the island’s capital and a photographer’s paradise! Your first experience is a panoramic view right over the island and over the 11th century monastery built like a fort, standing with proud dominance. You will be guided through Chora’s labyrinth of winding cobbled streets and maze of arched alleyways. The settlement of white-washed houses dating from 16th century, reflects the light casting shadows and creating geometric patterns. The alleys, arches and doorways display a harmonious balance revealing subtle architectural details which, through your lens, can become exciting atmospheric images trapped in time.
Continue to Diakofti stopping off to photograph the view of the mystical rock of Petra and then go to a boatyard. Here you will have the opportunity to photograph the local islanders at work and the streamline shapes of vessels in dry dock.
After a local refreshment, and your camera full of great images, you will return to Skala port.
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This tour involves approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) of walking over uneven surfaces, narrow and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. You will use your own camera on this tour. A supplement of €25 per person will be applied if there are less than 10 participants. This tour is conducted by an English-speaking photography oriented guide. The guide will not give any information regarding the use of your camera. The observation of the workers and vessels in dry dock is not guaranteed. This tour is limited to 15 participants.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walking tour of Rhodes
After disembarking, discover the City of Knights on a guided walking tour.
Follow your guide through the cobbled streets to the impressive Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, built in the 14th century and containing Greek and Roman mosaics originating from the island of Kos.
After visiting the palace, you will walk along the famous Avenue of the Knights, lined with the old Knights' inns, each dedicated to one of the Order's various nationalities. It is unusually straight for a medieval street, and its sombre buildings present a majestic and forbidding face to the world with their 15th-century Gothic walls and arcades worn smooth over the centuries. Retracing an ancient route, the straight line of this street cuts through the maze of winding alleyways surrounding it.
A refreshment stop will be offered after your guided tour.
You will then return directly to your ship with your guide or wander around the streets and shops at your leisure.
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This tour is only on foot and involves walking on cobblestone streets, so we advise you to wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
Total : €45
According to availability, price per passenger.
Lindos & medieval Rhodes
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Lindos. The scenic drive will take you through small villages with their white-washed houses scattered amongst orchards and olive groves.
Built between the 7th and 6th century BC, the Acropolis of Lindos is a sprawling complex of structures from various historical periods, perched dramatically above the town. A place of worship from the Mycenaean Age, it was expanded during the Hellenistic period, before the Knights of the Order of Hospitallers established a fortress here which they retained until the Ottoman era. As in ancient times, access is via a rough-hewn path with many stairs. The first medieval gate, with steps down to the Knights’ building, is cut into the rock face. To one side, you will observe an antic relief of a warship’s stern, sculpted into the same rock.
The acropolis’ most sacred building is the Athena Lindia sanctuary, sited on the highest terrace, offers panoramic views.
At the end of your visit, you will have some free time to stroll the streets of the lower city before boarding your coach to reach Rhodes where a typical Greek lunch will be served.
After lunch, discover the old city of Rhodes and visit the most imposing building of medieval Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. Built in the 14th century, it contains priceless mosaics from Kos island.
At the end of the walking tour, you may choose to stroll the colourful shopping streets and return to the ship on foot or join your coach and return directly to the ship.
- This tour involves 4 hours of walking on uneven and cobblestone streets. To reach the Lindos Acropolis, you need to walk up a steep road for about 20 minutes and then climb 250 steps. The climb to Lindos is quite steep you can ride part of the way on a donkey by paying a supplement. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €125
According to availability, price per passenger.
Akrotiri site & Oia
From your pier, board your coach for a 15-minute drive to Akrotiri.
The prehistorical site of Akrotiri, also called “the Pompeii of the Aegean” has reopened very recently after several years of closure. Akrotiri is known for the famous ruins dating back to the Neolithic, five thousand years before our era. In the Bronze Age, in the 17th century BC, the town was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and buried in volcanic ash. Archeological excavations have yielded urban remains in excellent state of preservation. This site was discovered in 1967 by Pr. Spyros Marinatos and his team. The archeological excavations are still in process nowadays.
Following your visit, reboard your coach for a drive to the village of Oia. En-route, you will pass through several small villages perched above the sea and see the different lava flows which have fashioned the island’s landscape for centuries. You will eventually arrive in Oia, a little jewel of a place on the side of a cliff overlooking the old crater (caldera) on the coast forming the north-west point of the island. The traditional Cyclades architecture has been scrupulously respected here and offers some stunning perspectives.
Then, you will join Fira town. You will walk a few hundred metres to the cable car station and take a cable car to the old port, where you will board your tender back to the ship.
- The return ticket for the cable car to the port is included in the price of this excursion. As the excursion involves around two and a half hours of walking over cobblestone streets and uneven ground, we advise you to wear non-slip and comfortable shoes and to protect yourself from the sun. In addition to the extensive amount of walking on this tour, there is a 5 to 10-minute walk from the bus parking area in Oia and a lengthy walk from the bus stop to the cable car station in Fira, all over cobblestones and with some steps.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
Oia & Fira
Among the most fascinating aspects of Santorini are the scoria clad cliffs which remind you that the island is perched on the rim of a dormant volcano. Every square metre is cultivated: tomatoes, pistachios and vines, notably the Assyrtiko grapes which produce one of Greece’s best wines.
From the pier, board your coach and drive to the village of Oia. En-route, you will pass through several small villages perched above the sea and see the different lava flows which for centuries have fashioned the island’s landscape. You will eventually arrive in Oia, a little jewel of a place on the side of a cliff overlooking the old crater (caldera) on the coast forming the north-west point of the island. The traditional Cyclades architecture has been scrupulously respected here and offers some stunning perspectives.
Your next stop is Fira where you will visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira. This museum houses finds from the excavations at Akrotiri of which a gold ibex as well as many frescoes.
At the end of your tour, take the cable car down to the port of Fira, form here you will rejoin the ship’s tender back to your ship.
- The excursion involves approximately 2h30 of walking with some steps. We recommend you wear non-slip and comfortable shoes and to protect yourself from the sun. The return ticket for the cable car to the port is included in the price of this excursion.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ancient Corinth & Canal crossing
From the pier, board your coach for a 1 ½-hour drive to the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years.
Back in the ancient times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge Agora (Market Place) and the Temple of Apollo (6th century BC). The systematic excavations of the area, initiated by the American School of Classical Studies in 1896, are still continuing today. They have brought to light the agora, temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths and various other monuments. The investigations extended also to the fortress on Acrocorinthos. But also, the prehistoric settlements, the Theatre, the Odeon, the Asklepeion, the cemeteries, the Quarter of the Potters, and other buildings outside the main archaeological site.
Then, you will discover is the famous Corinth Canal. The canal is 4 miles (6.3 km) long, 70 feet (21 m) wide and has sloping sides, which reach 170 feet (52 m). The depth is at 26 feet (8 m). Its construction commenced in 1881, although the idea of connecting the Ionian and Aegean Seas to provide a short cut seems to date back to at least Roman times.
To complete this experience, you will board a local boat from the village of Isthmia, to navigate along the canal. Refreshments will be served on board.
Following your crossing of the canal, you will enjoy a buffet lunch before boarding your coach and return to Nafplion.
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This tour involves approximately 1 ½ hours of extensive walking and standing on uneven surfaces with some steps which could be slippery. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The local boat is not private for PONANT guests. The refreshment and the lunch are included on your tour. Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour.
Total : €150
According to availability, price per passenger.
Epidaurus & Mycenae
From the pier, board your coach for a 45-minute ride to Epidaurus.
Lying 30 km (18.6 miles) east of Nafplion, Epidaurus is known for its ancient theatre. Considered one of the most important sanctuaries in the ancient world, Epidaurus was dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius. The world-famous Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, built in the 4th century BC, is a marvel of harmony and acoustics and the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece. Built in limestone, it can accommodate 12,000 spectators.
Next, re-board your coach for a ride to the archaeological site of Mycenae. The first in-depth excavations were carried out in 1876 by the German archaeologist Schliemann, who was obsessed with finding the grave of King Agamemnon. His diligent work exposed the famous Lion Gate, the entrance to the city which contains the shaft burial graves of some ancient nobles. A short distance away is the Beehive Tomb, so called due to its unusual shape.
Finally, you will board your coach for a 30-minute ride to Nafplion.
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This tour involves approximately 2 hours of walking over uneven surfaces with some steps which could be slippery. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Total : €85
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
Music
Set sail on a musical journey! If you have a passion for classical instrumental music or opera, if you love Celtic melodies or jazz, treat yourself to a different and exclusive experience aboard a PONANT ship. On board or ashore, our guests of honour, including renowned artists, talented musicians and brilliant virtuosos, share their knowledge and their passion in an intimate and accessible manner during concerts or talks.
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
25/10/2023 - PANORAMIC TOUR OF ATHENS BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE PORT OF PIRAEUS
AU$120
Find out more
PANORAMIC TOUR OF ATHENS BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE PORT OF PIRAEUS
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between the airport and your port of embarkation.
Athens
Meet at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos - Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will depart the airport by coach for a scenic tour of Athens en route to the port of Piraeus.
When you will reach Athens, you will make your first stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, a 19th-century reconstruction on Roman foundations, in which the first modern Olympic Games took place. This stadium is also known as the Kallimármaro which means “the beautiful marbled” because it is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. It was also restored to host some competitions during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
You will enjoy a photo stop at the bottom of the Acropolis Hill with its spectacular view of the Parthenon before being transferred to the port of Piraeus where you will embark on your ship.
Your programme includes:
- Transfer by air-conditioned coach.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Note:
- Optional photo stops depending on embarkation time and traffic conditions.
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$120
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
ATHENS CITY BREAK (2 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Athens
Meet at Athens Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the hotel Athens Capital Centre – Collection Mgallery 5*, perfectly located at Syntagma Square in the heart of Athens.
Official check-in at 15 :00.
Afternoon at leisure.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Athens
After breakfast, your walking guided visit will be first focus on Anafiotika district.
This picturesque old quarter is located under the Acropolis. This very typical architecture looks like to the Cycladic islands, with narrow streets and white-washed houses with colorful shutters.
You will learn more about its history with your guide. And you will have the perfect opportunity to take the most beautiful photos, through the lens of a professional photograph at your disposal to give you tips and help you..
Later, you will walk until a local tavern in the Plaka district and you will enjoy a traditional Greek lunch followed by a short time at leisure in Plaka.
During the afternoon, you will visit the Acropolis Museum, which is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built in order to house every artifact found on the rock and at its foot, covering a large period of time from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. Nearly 4,000 objects are exhibited over an area of 14,000 square metres.
After the Museum visit, time at leisure to strool around the Museum area (about 1 hour). Then short drive back to your hotel (about 15 minutes).
Evening and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 - Athens
Breakfast followed by hotel check-out procedures.
You will walk with your guide until Benaki Museum located in Kolonaki Square (about 10 minutes).
The Benaki Museum ranks among the great benefactions which have enriched the material assets of the Greek State. It is also the oldest museum in Greece. The Museum houses a set of collections comprising many distinct categories and totalling more than 30,000 items that illustrate the Greek world through a spectacular historical panorama: from Antiquity and the age of Roman domination to the medieval Byzantine period, from the fall of Constantinople (1453) and the centuries of Frankish and Ottoman occupation to the outbreak of the struggle for independence in 1821, and from the formation of the modern state of Greece (1830) to 1922, the year in which the Asia Minor disaster took place. Board your vehicle again for a short drive to your hotel.
Following your visit, board your vehicle for a short drive to the meeting point where your local chef will await for you.
Combine the best flavors of Athens has to offer, in a master class that involves putting together a menu, shopping for the ingredients in the vibrant central markets of Athens, and actually preparing it, all under the care of a professional chef and expert on Mediterranean cuisine.
After collecting everything, you will head to a venue with all the necessary equipment to turn the fresh ingredients into delicious delicacies. With the guidance of the chef, you will enjoy the best meal prepared by yourselves.
You will then be transferred to the pier of Athens to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
The Athens Capital Center Hotel - MGallery Collection is a boutique hotel ideally located in the heart of Athens, in the upscale Kolonaki neighbourhood, two minutes from Syntagma Square. Its contemporary interior houses works of art celebrating Greek culture. The fully-appointed Deluxe rooms offer a tranquil haven with an elegant atmosphere. From the rooftop terrace with swimming pool, the view of the Acropolis is uninterrupted and cloaked in magic at nightfall. Greek and Mediterranean specialities are served at MFlavours, the first of the hotel’s restaurants, while creative cuisine awaits guests at the second, Mappemonde.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 2-nights accommodation in Deluxe room at Athens Capital Centre – Collection Mgallery 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
- Welcome drink voucher of 20 € to enjoy a cocktail at the rooftop Mappemonde during open hours (non refundable)
- Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking escort on the day of arrival.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide during visits.
Your programme does not include:
- Dinner on days 1 & 2.
- Personal expenses.
- Visa if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Early check-in and late check-out.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
- Entry fees and guided visit of the Acropolis.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
- On day 2, the photo tour of the Anafiotika district requires about 2 hours of walking on flat and uneven ground with uneven level.
- The visit of the Acropolis Museum (day 2), the Benaki Museum and the walk at Central Market (day 3) require moderate walking on flat or uneven ground (paved terrain and a few steps).
- The Benaki Museum is closed on Tuesday.
- The Central Market is closed on Sunday.
- The official check-in in room at 15:00.
Contact of your hotel:
Athens Capital Centre – Collection Mgallery
4 Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue and 2 Kriezotou street Syntagma Square,
Athens 105 64,
Greece
Telephone number: +30 21 4444 2000
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$1,951
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Ephesus & Roman Villas
From the pier, you will embark your coach for a 30-minute drive to the Ephesus site, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean basin.
Originally dedicated to Cybele, the goddess of fertility, during the prehistoric times, the city was claimed by the Ionians for Artemis and later to Diana by the Romans. Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman sites of the ancient world in the whole Mediterranean. Excavated since 1869, most of the main streets and public buildings have been unearthed and opened for visitors. Everything is here: town hall, dwellings, shops and even public toilets. A town of white marble dazzling in the sunshine, Ephesus is like a stone history book recounting the story of what daily life must have been like in the time of the Greeks and Romans.
During your tour, you will discover the Roman Ephesus. Most of the monuments were built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Due to its location, the city was developed into two sections: the upper part of the city was the administrative sector with the town hall, a civil basilica and the Odeon aligned on the north side of the State Agora. The lower section facing the port houses religious, commercial and cultural buildings, such as the famous Celsius Library, Roman Villas, commercial agora and its theatre, which accommodated up to 24,000 spectators, and the stadium.
You will start your tour at the upper gate of Ephesus, which is also known as the Magnesium Gate. Your guide will lead you on a leisurely downhill walking tour through Ephesus’ marble streets, passing and pointing out all the historically important buildings on the way.
You will move on to the recently excavated Terrace Houses complex which are also known as the houses of the rich Ephesians. Located on the northern slope of Bulbul Mountain next to Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian, these houses were built in the peristyle form with a courtyard surrounded by Ionic colonnades. They are finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes. Built in the period of Augustus, they were inhabited until the 7th century AD according to evidence from excavations.
Then, you will visit one of the most impressive sites of Ephesus, the Library of Celsus. Built in 135 BC by a son in homage to his father, this library is finely decorated with columns and sculptures.
Finally, after just a short walk away, you will join the Grand theatre where St Paul preached to the Ephesians, imploring them to give up their worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith.
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This tour involves two and a half hours of walking on uneven ground with many steps. The surface can be slippery. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 40 participants.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Ephesus archaeological site
From the pier, embark your coach for a 30-minute drive to the Ephesus site, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean basin.
Originally dedicated to Cybele, the goddess of fertility, during the prehistoric times, the city was claimed by the Ionians for Artemis and later to Diana by the Romans.
Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman sites of the ancient world in the whole Mediterranean. Excavated since 1869, most of the main streets and public buildings have been unearthed and opened for visitors. Everything is here: town hall, dwellings, shops and even public toilets. A town of white marble dazzling in the sunshine, Ephesus is like a stone history book recounting the story of what daily life must have been like in the time of the Greeks and Romans.
During your tour, you will discover the Roman Ephesus. Most of the monuments were built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Due to its location, the city was developed into two sections: the upper part of the city was the administrative sector with the town hall, a civil basilica and the Odeon aligned on the north side of the State Agora. The lower section facing the port houses religious, commercial and cultural buildings, such as the famous Celsius Library, Roman Villas, commercial agora and its theatre, which accommodated up to 24,000 spectators, and the stadium.
Residences of the town’s nobility are grouped on the slopes of Mount Pion and Mount Coressos on either side of Couretes Street, which links the town’s two districts. The site is also famous for its Hercules Gate, the ancient Scholastikia baths, the Marble Street and Hadrian’s temple.
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This tour involves one hour and a half of walking on uneven ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
The archaeological site of Delos
Your tour will start directly from the pier where you will have disembarked by ship's tender. Follow your guide and go discover one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Greece.
Both the oldest and the largest open-air site in Europe, this antique site has many houses, temples and sacred shrines. Emerging from a burned grass carpet, the ruins are spread out below Mount Kynthos. At the top of this small hill and only relief of the island, the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens dating from the 3rd century BC. Overlooking the area, as on the hillside, you can see a range of cultural institutions dedicated to oriental divinities. Frozen by 2,000 years of abandonment, the city ruins draw an impressive maze of white stone in which one can get lost like the pilgrims and the merchants of yesteryear, when Delos was beaming on the Aegean.
You will reach the sanctuary of Apollo, known as the “Temple of the Athenians”, where you will admire the temples dedicated to this god, their altars, their votive offerings and other buildings.
Then, you will discover the Terrace of the Lions, with its famous marble lions that dominated and protected the town. You will continue until the Theatre District, the most luxurious district of the ancient city with the mansions known as the home “of Dionysus”, “of Cleopatra” and “of Dioscuri”. You will see the different mosaics that adorned the floors of Hellenistic houses, and the streets, the houses, the workshops and the shops that made Delos a bustling city.
- This excursion is entirely on foot. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The museum is closed for revonation.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walking tour of Mykonos
From the pier, follow your guide and start your walking tour through the narrow streets of Mykonos town.
Your first stop will be in front of Paraportiani Church dating back to 15th century. This unique church, is in fact an asymmetrical conglomeration of 4 churches and mixes 4 different architectural styles: Byzantine, vernacular, traditional and western style. It is the most important element of the “kastro” or the castle area, the oldest part of the town.
Continue towards Little Venice to discover the old houses situated on the edge of the sea.
After, you will get back to your ship.
- This is a walking tour and involves some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. All the visits are outside visits. Paraportiani church is closed to the public due to safety reasons.
Total : €35
According to availability, price per passenger.
Religious heritage
From the pier, board your coach for a drive to the Saint John Monastery. Overlooking Skala port and the island’s southern region this medieval monastery looks more like a fortress than a house of prayer. It was built to repel attacks by pirates.
In the year 95 AD, Saint John the Evangelist was banished from Ephesus and exiled to Patmos, which in the days of the Roman Empire was where those who were exiled were sent.
In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos authorised Saint Christodoulos, an abbot from Asia Minor, to erect a monastery in memory of Saint John. The whole island was yielded to the monastery. The adjoining Theotokos Chapel has frescoes dating back to the 12th century. Other Byzantine treasures are found in the monastery. Today this holy place is a veritable museum of Byzantine art thanks to the countless frescoes, icons, holy objects and manuscripts contained within its walls.
Then you will walk to Zoodochos Pigi Convent where you will visit the church and the museum. Built in 1607 the convent houses a wealth of Icons and frescoes. Here we will discover the history and symbolism of iconography and meet one of the resident nuns. Nowadays, 15 nuns live in this convent respecting strict rules. They occupy with the art of needlework and embroideries of clerical vestments.
Finally, a short drive away is the Apocalypse Cave where the final chapter of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle. The Book of Revelation prophecy came to him through a symbolic vision and was written in Greek. This cave was the house of the evangelist and now is surrounded by a monastery and school of theology. You can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. To the right the rock is shaped like a pulpit and is where the disciple, Prochoros, wrote the revelation as dictated by John.
Finally, you will re-board your coach and join your ship.
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This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. The coach will drop you near the old town, and access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. It is not permitted to take photos inside the chapel or the cave. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint John Monastery & Apocalypse Cave
From the pier, board your coach for a drive to the Saint John Monastery. Overlooking Skala port and the island’s southern region, this medieval monastery looks more like a fortress than a house of prayer. It was built to repel attacks by pirates.
In the year 95 AD, Saint John the Evangelist was banished from Ephesus and exiled to Patmos, which in the days of the Roman Empire was where those who were exiled were sent.
In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos authorised Saint Christodoulos, an abbot from Asia Minor, to erect a monastery in memory of Saint John. The whole island was yielded to the monastery. The adjoining Theotokos Chapel has frescoes dating back to the 12th century. Other Byzantine treasures are found in the monastery. Today this holy place is a veritable museum of Byzantine art thanks to the countless frescoes, icons, holy objects and manuscripts contained within its walls.
After visiting the monastery, a short drive away, will take you to the Apocalypse Cave where the final chapter of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle. The Book of Revelation prophecy came to him through a symbolic vision and was written in Greek. This cave was the house of the evangelist and now is surrounded by a monastery and school of theology. You can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. To the right the rock is shaped like a pulpit and is where the disciple, Prochoros, wrote the revelation as dictated by John.
Finally, you will re-board your coach for the drive back to the pier.
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This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. The coach will drop you near the old town, and access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. Altogether you will have to go up and down about 100 steps. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. It is not permitted to take photos inside the chapel or the cave.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Capturing the images of Patmos
This tour, covering the south side of the island, not only gives you the opportunity of discovering hidden places but also an opportunity to photograph the most amazing land and seascapes along.
From the pier, board your minibus to the old village of Chora, the island’s capital and a photographer’s paradise! Your first experience is a panoramic view right over the island and over the 11th century monastery built like a fort, standing with proud dominance. You will be guided through Chora’s labyrinth of winding cobbled streets and maze of arched alleyways. The settlement of white-washed houses dating from 16th century, reflects the light casting shadows and creating geometric patterns. The alleys, arches and doorways display a harmonious balance revealing subtle architectural details which, through your lens, can become exciting atmospheric images trapped in time.
Continue to Diakofti stopping off to photograph the view of the mystical rock of Petra and then go to a boatyard. Here you will have the opportunity to photograph the local islanders at work and the streamline shapes of vessels in dry dock.
After a local refreshment, and your camera full of great images, you will return to Skala port.
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This tour involves approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) of walking over uneven surfaces, narrow and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. You will use your own camera on this tour. A supplement of €25 per person will be applied if there are less than 10 participants. This tour is conducted by an English-speaking photography oriented guide. The guide will not give any information regarding the use of your camera. The observation of the workers and vessels in dry dock is not guaranteed. This tour is limited to 15 participants.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walking tour of Rhodes
After disembarking, discover the City of Knights on a guided walking tour.
Follow your guide through the cobbled streets to the impressive Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, built in the 14th century and containing Greek and Roman mosaics originating from the island of Kos.
After visiting the palace, you will walk along the famous Avenue of the Knights, lined with the old Knights' inns, each dedicated to one of the Order's various nationalities. It is unusually straight for a medieval street, and its sombre buildings present a majestic and forbidding face to the world with their 15th-century Gothic walls and arcades worn smooth over the centuries. Retracing an ancient route, the straight line of this street cuts through the maze of winding alleyways surrounding it.
A refreshment stop will be offered after your guided tour.
You will then return directly to your ship with your guide or wander around the streets and shops at your leisure.
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This tour is only on foot and involves walking on cobblestone streets, so we advise you to wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.
Total : €45
According to availability, price per passenger.
Lindos & medieval Rhodes
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Lindos. The scenic drive will take you through small villages with their white-washed houses scattered amongst orchards and olive groves.
Built between the 7th and 6th century BC, the Acropolis of Lindos is a sprawling complex of structures from various historical periods, perched dramatically above the town. A place of worship from the Mycenaean Age, it was expanded during the Hellenistic period, before the Knights of the Order of Hospitallers established a fortress here which they retained until the Ottoman era. As in ancient times, access is via a rough-hewn path with many stairs. The first medieval gate, with steps down to the Knights’ building, is cut into the rock face. To one side, you will observe an antic relief of a warship’s stern, sculpted into the same rock.
The acropolis’ most sacred building is the Athena Lindia sanctuary, sited on the highest terrace, offers panoramic views.
At the end of your visit, you will have some free time to stroll the streets of the lower city before boarding your coach to reach Rhodes where a typical Greek lunch will be served.
After lunch, discover the old city of Rhodes and visit the most imposing building of medieval Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. Built in the 14th century, it contains priceless mosaics from Kos island.
At the end of the walking tour, you may choose to stroll the colourful shopping streets and return to the ship on foot or join your coach and return directly to the ship.
- This tour involves 4 hours of walking on uneven and cobblestone streets. To reach the Lindos Acropolis, you need to walk up a steep road for about 20 minutes and then climb 250 steps. The climb to Lindos is quite steep you can ride part of the way on a donkey by paying a supplement. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €125
According to availability, price per passenger.
Akrotiri site & Oia
From your pier, board your coach for a 15-minute drive to Akrotiri.
The prehistorical site of Akrotiri, also called “the Pompeii of the Aegean” has reopened very recently after several years of closure. Akrotiri is known for the famous ruins dating back to the Neolithic, five thousand years before our era. In the Bronze Age, in the 17th century BC, the town was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and buried in volcanic ash. Archeological excavations have yielded urban remains in excellent state of preservation. This site was discovered in 1967 by Pr. Spyros Marinatos and his team. The archeological excavations are still in process nowadays.
Following your visit, reboard your coach for a drive to the village of Oia. En-route, you will pass through several small villages perched above the sea and see the different lava flows which have fashioned the island’s landscape for centuries. You will eventually arrive in Oia, a little jewel of a place on the side of a cliff overlooking the old crater (caldera) on the coast forming the north-west point of the island. The traditional Cyclades architecture has been scrupulously respected here and offers some stunning perspectives.
Then, you will join Fira town. You will walk a few hundred metres to the cable car station and take a cable car to the old port, where you will board your tender back to the ship.
- The return ticket for the cable car to the port is included in the price of this excursion. As the excursion involves around two and a half hours of walking over cobblestone streets and uneven ground, we advise you to wear non-slip and comfortable shoes and to protect yourself from the sun. In addition to the extensive amount of walking on this tour, there is a 5 to 10-minute walk from the bus parking area in Oia and a lengthy walk from the bus stop to the cable car station in Fira, all over cobblestones and with some steps.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
Oia & Fira
Among the most fascinating aspects of Santorini are the scoria clad cliffs which remind you that the island is perched on the rim of a dormant volcano. Every square metre is cultivated: tomatoes, pistachios and vines, notably the Assyrtiko grapes which produce one of Greece’s best wines.
From the pier, board your coach and drive to the village of Oia. En-route, you will pass through several small villages perched above the sea and see the different lava flows which for centuries have fashioned the island’s landscape. You will eventually arrive in Oia, a little jewel of a place on the side of a cliff overlooking the old crater (caldera) on the coast forming the north-west point of the island. The traditional Cyclades architecture has been scrupulously respected here and offers some stunning perspectives.
Your next stop is Fira where you will visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira. This museum houses finds from the excavations at Akrotiri of which a gold ibex as well as many frescoes.
At the end of your tour, take the cable car down to the port of Fira, form here you will rejoin the ship’s tender back to your ship.
- The excursion involves approximately 2h30 of walking with some steps. We recommend you wear non-slip and comfortable shoes and to protect yourself from the sun. The return ticket for the cable car to the port is included in the price of this excursion.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ancient Corinth & Canal crossing
From the pier, board your coach for a 1 ½-hour drive to the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years.
Back in the ancient times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge Agora (Market Place) and the Temple of Apollo (6th century BC). The systematic excavations of the area, initiated by the American School of Classical Studies in 1896, are still continuing today. They have brought to light the agora, temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths and various other monuments. The investigations extended also to the fortress on Acrocorinthos. But also, the prehistoric settlements, the Theatre, the Odeon, the Asklepeion, the cemeteries, the Quarter of the Potters, and other buildings outside the main archaeological site.
Then, you will discover is the famous Corinth Canal. The canal is 4 miles (6.3 km) long, 70 feet (21 m) wide and has sloping sides, which reach 170 feet (52 m). The depth is at 26 feet (8 m). Its construction commenced in 1881, although the idea of connecting the Ionian and Aegean Seas to provide a short cut seems to date back to at least Roman times.
To complete this experience, you will board a local boat from the village of Isthmia, to navigate along the canal. Refreshments will be served on board.
Following your crossing of the canal, you will enjoy a buffet lunch before boarding your coach and return to Nafplion.
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This tour involves approximately 1 ½ hours of extensive walking and standing on uneven surfaces with some steps which could be slippery. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The local boat is not private for PONANT guests. The refreshment and the lunch are included on your tour. Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour.
Total : €150
According to availability, price per passenger.
Epidaurus & Mycenae
From the pier, board your coach for a 45-minute ride to Epidaurus.
Lying 30 km (18.6 miles) east of Nafplion, Epidaurus is known for its ancient theatre. Considered one of the most important sanctuaries in the ancient world, Epidaurus was dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius. The world-famous Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, built in the 4th century BC, is a marvel of harmony and acoustics and the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece. Built in limestone, it can accommodate 12,000 spectators.
Next, re-board your coach for a ride to the archaeological site of Mycenae. The first in-depth excavations were carried out in 1876 by the German archaeologist Schliemann, who was obsessed with finding the grave of King Agamemnon. His diligent work exposed the famous Lion Gate, the entrance to the city which contains the shaft burial graves of some ancient nobles. A short distance away is the Beehive Tomb, so called due to its unusual shape.
Finally, you will board your coach for a 30-minute ride to Nafplion.
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This tour involves approximately 2 hours of walking over uneven surfaces with some steps which could be slippery. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
ATHENS, THE BYZANTINE & CHRISTIAN MUSEUM AND PLAKA
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your day time between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Athens
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative. Then, you will depart the port of Piraeus by coach for an exploration of one of the oldest city in Europe, Athens.
On your way to Athens centre, you will pass by the Zea and Microlimano marinas, two of the most attractive spots in Piraeus.
Your next visit will be at the Byzantine Museum & Christian Museum, one of Greece's national museums. Its areas of competences are centred on - but not limited to - religious artefacts of the Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, post-Byzantine and later periods which it exhibits, but also acquires, receives, preserves, conserves, records, documents, researches, studies, publishes and raises awareness of. The museum has over 25,000 artefacts in its possession. The artefacts date from between the 3rd and 20th century AD, and their provenance encompasses the entire Greek world, as well as regions in which Hellenism flourished. The size and range of the collections and value of the exhibits makes the museum a veritable treasury of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art and culture.
At the end of the morning, you will be taken to the Plaka Old District located at the bottom of the Acropolis, in the historic heart of Athens. You will have some free time (about 45 minutes) to explore on foot Plaka's pedestrian shopping streets where you will find jewellery stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
- Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Lunch.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel advisor; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
In the event of schedule changes of PONANT's selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : AU$120
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.