Antique wonders of the Aegean

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.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 - Istanbul

Meet at Istanbul 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 Ciragan Palace Kempinski 5* (about 40-minutes’ drive).

Check-in.

End of the day and dinner at leisure.

Day 2 - Istanbul

After breakfast and check-out, you will depart the hotel to explore some of the beauties of Istanbul.

Created along the Bogazici (the Bosphorus), a 16.8-mile-long strip of water which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, Istanbul is a city with a European and an Asian side. Both have their own personalities, history, and charm. Inhabited since the 7th century BC, it is a city that has known many rulers and names including Byzantia, Constantinopolis and of course, Istanbul. Sultans and Emperors have called this city home – and it has been the capital of Roman, Ottoman and other empires.

Your day will start with the visit of Topkapi Palace. It was once the political centre of the Ottoman Empire and the royal residence of the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years.

Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, so when Topkapi Palace is closed, Dolmabahce Palace will be visited. Showing an impressive architecture, Dolmabahce Palace is the final residence of the Ottoman Sultans and their families.

After this morning tour, you will enjoy lunch at a nearby local restaurant.

Not far away, in the afternoon, you will also visit the Underground Cistern, built in the 6th century AD under Justinian I, as a secure water reservoir for the city. Even today, it is one of Istanbul’s most unusual tourist attractions!

Then you will taste the Turkish delicacies like baklava and coffee before being transferred to the pier of Istanbul to embark on board your ship.

Your hotel:

Formerly home to Ottoman sultans, The Ciragan Palace Kempinski is a luxury hotel sits right on the shore of the Bosphorus, the scenic strait that separates Europe from Asia Minor.
The property includes two grand buildings: a restored 19th century Ottoman palace reserved for special suites and banquet facilities, and a modern annex housing most of the rooms, suites and restaurants. Situated right on the water, the garden has the grandest open area, stretching along nearly a mile of seafront.

The Istanbul hotel’s old-style interior architecture blends the two structures. The grandeur of the historic palace continues into the modern building with antique furniture, abundant velvet and satin upholstery, wooden panelling, ornate rugs and textiles and marble detailing.
This 5-star hotel features a heated outdoor infinity pool with views of the Bosphorus. It has a spa and wellness centre.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation in Standard Park room at Ciragan Palace Kempinski 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (1 mineral water +1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 local glass of wine and 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Dinner on day 1.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

 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.

·        Turkey’s unit is the Turkish Lira.

·        Underground Cistern: this place is not suitable for people suffering from claustrophobia.

·        When Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahce Palace will be visited.

·        This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

·        During religious festivals and public holidays, the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar will be closed. Museum hours are also subject to change.

·        The Topkapi Palace visit does not include access to the Harem.

·        Women must cover their heads when visiting religious sites, we recommend to bring a scarf in particular to visit the relics room of Topkapi Palace.

·        This program is done mostly on foot and involves some stairs. We advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Contact of your hotel:

The Ciragan Palace Kempinski
Yildiz Mh., Ciragan Cd. No: 32
34349 Besiktas – Istanbul
Turkey
Telephone number: +90 212 326 46 46

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.