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Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

  • Itinerary
    Athens to Athens
    Duration
    8 days
  • Dates
    Prices from
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Come aboard Le Dumont d'Urville for an unforgettable voyage.

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This leisurely voyage through the heart of the Aegean is the perfect introduction to all that Homer’s 'wine-dark sea' has to offer. Ancient sites, resonating with a mythical past, compete for your attention with the whitewashed homes of present-day farmers and the waterfront cafés and trendy boutiques of stylish jet-set getaways.

Departing from Athens, your first encounter with the rich history of the Aegean is the monumental Byzantine monastery on Patmos that guards the cave where St. John the Evangelist received his visions of the Apocalypse. Next is the medieval town of Rhodes, whose labyrinthine streets and splendid plazas are the legacy of the Crusader Knights of St. John.

In the southern Aegean Sea, set off to discover Crete from the capital, Heraklion, built on a hillside overlooking the port and encircled by impressive Venetian walls. Explore the Bronze age archaeological site of the Palace of Knossos, a major center of Minoan civilization.

Amorgos represents a completely different aspect of life in the Aegean as it brings you face to face with age-old traditions of olive cultivation, herbal medicine, and religious devotion as they are still practiced in small villages in the mountains.

The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks—the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples—a veritable open-air museum. Mykonos, by contrast, is a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques, where you will enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all that this dazzling town has to offer.

From Nafplion travel to Mycenae, the legendary home of Agamemnon and an important center of the extraordinary civilization that flourished here in the 2nd millennium BC, before continuing to Epidaurus, the ancient shrine of Asklepios, whose ruins are dominated by a 4th-century BC theater that is one of the finest in Greece.

Your journey concludes upon return to Athens.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

Print
Destination

Destination

Mediterranean

Athens to Athens

Duration

8 days, 7 nights on board

Smithsonian Journeys, Timeless

Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Journeys

Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included

Offers

PONANT Bonus 15%

Ref: AAFG45US - EU081026

Journey

Your daily itinerary

  • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion or activity in each port of call.
  • Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
  • Delve into the Homeric age of heroes at Mycenae, and the even earlier Bronze Age civilization preserved on Crete.
  • See the cave on Patmos where John the Evangelist had visions of the Apocalypse.
  • Stroll the medieval streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rhodes Town.
  • Marvel at the sheer number and variety of temples and shrines on tiny Delos, another UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Discover an earlier, simpler way of life as it is still lived on Amorgos.
  • Relax and refresh in the cafés and shops for which Mykonos is famous.
Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys 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

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

Itinerary

Embarkation 08/10/26 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 08/10/26 at 19:00

8 Oct 26 - Athens
8 Oct 26 - Athens

Arrival 09/10/26 midday Departure 09/10/26 early evening

9 Oct 26 - Patmos
9 Oct 26 - Patmos

Arrival 10/10/26 early morning Departure 10/10/26 late afternoon

10 Oct 26 - Rhodes
10 Oct 26 - Rhodes

Arrival 11/10/26 early morning Departure 11/10/26 early evening

11 Oct 26 - Heraklion, Crete
11 Oct 26 - Heraklion, Crete

Arrival 12/10/26 early morning Departure 12/10/26 evening

12 Oct 26 - Amorgos
12 Oct 26 - Amorgos

Arrival 13/10/26 early morning Departure 13/10/26 midday

13 Oct 26 - Delos
13 Oct 26 - Delos

Arrival 13/10/26 early afternoon Departure 13/10/26 late evening

13 Oct 26 - Mykonos
13 Oct 26 - Mykonos

Arrival 14/10/26 midday Departure 14/10/26 early evening

14 Oct 26 - Nafplion
14 Oct 26 - Nafplion

Arrival 15/10/26 early morning Disembarkation 15/10/26 at 8:00

15 Oct 26 - Athens
15 Oct 26 - Athens

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

Included package

Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

Customize your journey

The heart of athens (2 nights)

THE HEART OF ATHENS (2 NIGHTS)
Details

Athens is the birthplace of democracy and philosophy and home to the most enduring symbol of classical civilization—the Parthenon. Join this specially designed program to explore the incomparably rich legacy of this amazing city.

Day 1 – Athens, Greece

Arrive at Athens International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Grande Bretagne. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. Join fellow travelers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner is on your own.

Day 2 – Athens

        

After breakfast at the hotel, your first visit will be to the Acropolis including the Propylaea, which serves as the entrance to the complex, the Temple of Athena Nike, or Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum with its classical Porch of Maidens. And of course, there is the Parthenon, the most perfect example of classical architecture in the world, designed as a shrine to Athena and at one time housing a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess. Continue to the New Acropolis Museum, opened to the public in 2009 and designed to house and showcase all of the artifacts found on the Acropolis since archaeological work at the site began. The result is the exhibition of some 4,000 objects dating from the Greek Bronze Age through the Roman and Byzantine periods. The balance of the day is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner.

Day 3 - Athens | Embark

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by an excursion to two of Athen's most important sites. First, explore the National Archaeological Museum, an incomparable treasure trove of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek art. A few of the museum's most important exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, the head of Hygeia (Goddess of Health), the bronze statue of the 'Jockey-boy' of Artemision, the Golden mask of 'Agamemnon,' and the brilliant Minoan-style frescoes from Santorini.

Next, a short drive brings you to the Ancient Agora, which once served as the political, cultural and religious center of the city. Athenians would gather to buy and sell goods, but also to learn the news, to debate issues, or simply to gossip. This is where Socrates could be found daily posing his questions to fellow citizens.

Following the excursion, enjoy time at leisure to stroll the pedestrian walkways of the Plaka, the ancient neighborhood at the base of the Acropolis. Here you will find a variety of shops and cafés where you can browse and have an independent lunch before boarding your coach for the transfer to the pier to embark your ship.

Your hotel:

Located in historic Syntagma Square, the 5-star Hotel Grande Bretagne is the perfect venue for a visit to Athens. Within walking distance of exclusive shopping areas, museums, and the business district, the hotel boasts 320 rooms and suites, two restaurants, and a spa. Its views of the city center, from the Parliament building to the Parthenon, are unrivaled.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the Hotel Grande Bretagne (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day

·        Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Hotel Grande Bretagne

1 Vasileos Georgiou A' str.

Syntagma Square

Athens 105 64, Greece

Telephone: +30 210 333 0000


Total

1,650 €/person*

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

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

Other available dates

08/10/2615/10/26

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PONANT Bonus 15%

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5,970 €

/person*

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7,480 €

/person*

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16/06/2623/06/26

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/person*

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