The Eternal Aegean

 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.

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

Day 1 - Istanbul

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.

You will head for the Asian side of Istanbul. To get there, you will cross the Bosphorus Bridge, connecting the European and Asian shores.
Built along the Bosphorus, a 32-km-long (30 miles) strip of sea connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, Istanbul is a megalopolis straddling both Europe and Asia. Each of the two shores has its own charm, personality and history. Inhabited since the 7th century BC, Istanbul has had many rulers and several names, including Byzantium and Constantinople. The sultans and emperors made this city their place of residence, and it served as the capital of the Roman and Ottoman empires, as well as a number of other kingdoms.

Your first stop will be Beylerbeyi Palace. This palace with a French Baroque architecture was built from white marble in 1865. Originally a summer palace, it became the residence of heads of state. It interior decor blends Eastern and Western influences.

Next, you will visit the charming Kuzguncuk neighbourhood, which has successfully preserved the traditional atmosphere of villages along the Bosphorus. You will be able to soak it in as you enjoy a coffee break in a local café. As you wander through its streets, you will see the typical architecture of the neighbourhood’s traditional wooden houses overlooking small gardens. As evidenced by the different places of worship (synagogues, Armenian and orthodox churches, mosques), a unique atmosphere of tolerance also reigns here, maintained over the years as different waves of people settled in this part of the city. At first, Jewish, Armenian, and Greek communities could be found in the neighbourhood. Then, in the 1960s, a small group of farmers from the Black Sea moved in, and more recently, in the past 20 years, it has been attracting artists and intellectuals.

Your next stop will be Kadikoy, where lunch will be served at a local restaurant popular with Istanbul locals. After your meal, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of this district founded in ancient times by the Chalcedonians. Its bustling, narrow streets and its markets are an opportunity to observe the frantic pace of local life.

After this immersion on the Asian side of the city, you will embark on a private cruise along the Bosphorus. This will be a chance to rest while enjoying a not-to-be-missed experience in Istanbul.
The boat will drop you off at your hotel for check-in in your room.

The rest of the day, including dinner, will be free time to spend at your leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Istanbul

After the breakfast, you will leave your hotel to explore the European side of Istanbul.

You will start your discovery by visiting Topkapi Palace, the political centre of the Ottoman Empire and the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years (from 1465 to 1853). The visit also includes the separate entrance to the palace harem, where the sultan lived with his family and concubines. (When Topkapi Palace is closed, on Tuesdays, this visit is replaced by Dolmabahçe Palace. Boasting a monumental architecture, Dolmabahçe Palace, also called the “Ottoman Versailles”, was the final residence of the Ottoman sultans and their families, from 1853 to 1922).

You will stroll along a few of the streets in the historical centre to reach the local restaurant where you will be having lunch.

Not far from there, the afternoon’s activities will continue with a paper marbling workshop, a traditional Turkish art called “Ebru”. This book art was introduced to Turkey via the Silk Road in the 15th century and is now on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It consists in creating colourful patterns by applying coloured pigments and then transferring them to paper. You will learn more about the different techniques used and the importance of this tradition.

You will then be transferred to the hotel.

End of the day and dinner are at leisure.

Day 3 - Istanbul

After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

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:

·        2-night 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 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:

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

·        Early check-in and late check-out.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

 

 

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Istanbul

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight and you will enjoy fast track assistance services  from the airport entrance until the aircraft gate.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfer as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

·        Services of a fast track assistance (meet and greet by personal assistant at airport entrance, buggy service, fast-track security, luggage porterage, lounge use, accompagny until the aircraft gate).

Your programme does not include:

·        Visa fees if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

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

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.