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1 Jun 26, from 5,520 €
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Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean

Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean

  • Itinerary
    Valletta to Athens
    Duration
    9 days
  • Dates
    1 Jun 26 to 9 Jun 26
    Prices from
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Come aboard Le Bougainville for an unforgettable voyage.

Between Greece and Italy, set off aboard Le Bougainville for a cruise discovering two civilisations that have left traces of their intertwined presence in the Mediterranean. During an extraordinary nine-day odyssey, you will hear accounts of the history and secrets of the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
 
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover Reggio Calabria and the famous Riace bronzes during a visit to its prestigious Museum of Magna Graecia; dive into Sicilian baroque architecture with a visit to the village of Noto from Syracuse;.or visit the ruins of Mycenae and Epidaurus from Nafplio. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
 
Italy, with its ancient archaeological sites, Renaissance palaces, citrus perfumes and internationally recognised cuisine, will welcome you for a few days of unforgettable visits. In the southernmost part of the Boot, you will sail towards Sicily, the Puglia region and Calabria, with three ports of call. Stroll the paved streets with their unique charm in Syracuse, walk on the lungomare, the sea front promenade, in Reggio di Calabria with the majestic Etna as a backdrop, and travel through time and history as you discover the former Greek city of Gallipoli.
 

It will now be time to set sail towards Greece. The legendary Peloponnese will plunge you into the country’s tumultuous and glorious past. Nafplio is an opportunity to discover the mythical sites of Epidaurus and Mycenae, respectively a ancient theatre and a pre-Hellenic city, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Monemvasia, a gem breathing poetry and revealing its Venetian and Byzantine architecture, commingles with the hustle and bustle and charm of Gythio, which was a former seaport of Sparta then a Roman naval base. In Epirus, you will be transported by your exploration of Parga, bathed by the Ionian Sea, with its fortress, built by the Normans in the 14th century, overlooking the pretty fishing port.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

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Destination

Destination

Mediterranean

Valletta to Athens

Duration

9 days, 8 nights on board

Timeless

Offers

PONANT Bonus 20%

Ref: EG010626

Journey

Your daily itinerary

  • An escapade between Greece and Italy, via the Peloponnese, Puglia and Sicily, to discover some of the most beautiful sites on the Mediterranean shores.
  • The gentle Mediterranean way of life experienced through picturesque ports of call like Parga, Monemvasia, Gallipoli or Reggio Calabria.
  • Among your included excursions: visit of the village of Noto (Syracuse); discovery of the ruins at Mycenae and Epidaurus, UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Nafplio).
Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean null

Customize your journey:

Staterooms and suites

Elegance and refinement

*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.

Details

More information

What's Included

Important travel details

In your luggage

Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean

Itinerary

Embarkation 01/06/26 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 01/06/26 at 18:00

1 Jun 26 - Valletta
1 Jun 26 - Valletta

Arrival 02/06/26 early morning Departure 02/06/26 evening

2 Jun 26 - Syracuse, Sicily
2 Jun 26 - Syracuse, Sicily

Arrival 03/06/26 early morning Departure 03/06/26 early afternoon

3 Jun 26 - Reggio di Calabria 
3 Jun 26 - Reggio di Calabria 

Arrival 04/06/26 early morning Departure 04/06/26 late afternoon

4 Jun 26 - Gallipoli
4 Jun 26 - Gallipoli

Arrival 05/06/26 early morning Departure 05/06/26 mid afternoon

5 Jun 26 - Parga
5 Jun 26 - Parga

Arrival 06/06/26 midday Departure 06/06/26 evening

6 Jun 26 - Gythio
6 Jun 26 - Gythio

Arrival 07/06/26 early morning Departure 07/06/26 evening

7 Jun 26 - Monemvasia
7 Jun 26 - Monemvasia

Arrival 08/06/26 early morning Departure 08/06/26 early evening

8 Jun 26 - Nafplion
8 Jun 26 - Nafplion

Arrival 09/06/26 early morning Disembarkation 09/06/26 at 8:00

9 Jun 26 - Athens
9 Jun 26 - Athens

Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean

Customize your journey

Athens, the acropolis museum and plaka

ATHENS, THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM AND PLAKA
Details

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer 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.

You will be taken by coach for an exploration of one of the oldest cities in Europe, Athens.

You will enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. 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 arrive at the Acropolis Museum, which was opened in June 2009. The architecture of the whole venue has been designed to emulate the cult of the Temple of Athena. At the foot of the sacred hill, the building’s rear facade of concrete and glass seems to billow out with the weight of its history, and it is from here that you will have your first view of the Parthenon. The museum provides a magnificent setting for the treasures discovered on the hill. The first gallery houses the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens and the glass floor provides a view of the archaeological excavations, giving you the impression of being in the very heart of these ancient ruins.

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 or more depending on your flight return) 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 guide and the driver.

·        Personal expenses

·        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 agent; it is also indicated 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

129 €/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Visit of malta's former capital, mdina

Visit of Malta's former capital, Mdina
Details

 Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your daytime between airport and embarkation port.

Valletta

Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.

Drive to Dingli Cliff for a photostop brefore Mdina visiting. Then, proceed to Mdina - Malta's Old Capital. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.

Continue with the visit of Palazzo Parisio, a unique 19th century palace in the heart of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Parisio is not only another palace of the legendary Knights of St. John, but the ultimate memorial of ambitions, aspirations and pretensions of a 19th century noble family. It houses two baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangery - a miniature Versailles.

Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.

You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on your ship.

 

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers, and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

 

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

 

Important Information: Depending on the day of embarkation, this program may be subject to change : the Cathedral is closed on Sundays, so you will visit the Mosta Basilica instead. Palazzo Parisio is closed on Mondays; so refreshments and snacks will be served at Casa Bernard instead.

 

Duration and price of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

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

216 €/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Flights from/to paris + panoramic visit of mdina and palazzo parisio (pre) + athens, the acropolis museum and plaka (post)

FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + PANORAMIC VISIT OF MDINA AND PALAZZO PARISIO (PRE) + ATHENS, THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM AND PLAKA (POST)
Details

Total

-.-/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.