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Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean with Ponant

Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean with Ponant

From AUD $5,980

Description

Succumb to the pleasure of an 8-day Mediterranean brand new cruise between Greece and Turkey. PONANT invites you aboard Le Jacques-Cartier for an unforgettable journey to discover exceptional islands and cities.

From Athens, you will discover the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light and the calm of its small streets on which all motorised traffic is banned.

Le Jacques-Cartier will then set sail to the charming town of Nafplion, the departure point for visiting the famous Epidaurus Theatre and the Mycenae site, listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The island of Syros is the next port of call on your cruise: the Cyclades capital will surprise you with its authenticity and neo-classical architecture.

Next, you will sail to the island of Patmos. Known as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea”, this island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves.

You will leave the Greek Islands for Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and the magnificent Bodrum. Offering historical visits to the remains of the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus or the famous Castle of St Peter or the Museum Of Underwater Archaeology, and the chance for a relaxing break on its stunning beaches, Bodrum is sure to win your heart.

You will end your exploration of the Turkish coast with a call at Fethiye, a bustling city where miles of azure shoreline rest against the foothills of wooded mountains. From here, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Xanthos site, the old sanctuary of Leto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before making your way to Antalya, your final destination.

Trip Name
Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean with Ponant
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2018/2019 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS  Le Jacques Cartier has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides:   Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 ATHENS
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.
Day 2 - Day 2 HYDRA
This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbour town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-coloured caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.
Day 3 - Day 3 NAFPLION
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.
Day 4 - Day 4 SYROS
Located to the west of Mykonos, Syros is an attractive island in the Cyclades. It has been inhabited since early antiquity, as you’ll discover by visiting the archaeological museum in Ermoupoli, its capital built in the shape of an amphitheatre and stretching out over two hills. Don’t miss the historical district, where the beautiful houses are evidence of the island’s strategic location for trade, between the East and the West. Admire the superb Agios Nikolaos Church or the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Further on, the medieval town of Ano Syros allows to admire charming stairways and arched passageways, as well as small, white houses decorated with bougainvilleas.
Day 5 - Day 5 PATMOS
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.
Day 6 - Day 6 BODRUM
Bodrum is located one of the bays of Mugla on the west coast of Turkey. At the harbour entrance, you’ll can’t miss The Bodrum Castle of The Knights of St. John, the town’s emblem. Here you will be able to visit the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology housed within the castle precincts. In the centre, the passages shaded by arbours abound with diverse craft shops and ice-cream cafés where you can sit out and enjoy refreshing citrus fruit sorbets. A few streets away, the archaeological site of the Halicarnasse mausoleum invites you to experience the old town’s past, just as the old theatre does, built on the slopes of the hillside looking out over the bay of Bodrum.
Day 7 - Day 7 FETHIYE
In the south-west of Turkey, Fethiye is a small seaside paradise nestled along the Turquoise Coast. Its natural harbour is one of the most beautiful in the region, revealing a magnificent bay dotted with adorable small islands, while the hinterland exposes the Taurus mountain chain, stretching on to Asia. At the end of the bay, a pleasant atmosphere pervades the narrow streets, small shops and street stalls in the old town. The history of Fethiye can be discovered through the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos, including the ancient amphitheatre and the Lycian tombs sculpted into the cliff face. Among these is the Tomb of Amyntas, dating back to the 4th century before the current era. The ruins also make a magnificent scenic lookout offering panoramic views of the bay below. The town is also the gateway to the exceptional Xanthos-Letoon site, sanctuary of the goddess Leto, mother of the gods Artemis and Apollo. The vestiges of the three Lycian temples where the gods were worshipped for eight centuries are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 8 - Day 8 ANTALYA
On the Turkish Mediterranean coast, discover the seaside resort of Antalya. While the city sports magnificent fine sandy beaches, it is also known for its significant historical heritage. Many vestiges bear witness to the importance of this former Roman port, such as Hadrian's Gate, built in the year 130 in honour of the visiting emperor. In the old town, it is possible to admire magnificent Ottoman houses with flowery gardens, as well as the broken minaret, built on the ruins of a former Byzantine church. The city’s surroundings also provide an opportunity to discover major archaeological sites, such as that of the ancient city of Aspendos, renowned for its impressive Roman theatre.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $5,980DELUXE STATEROOM
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $6,700PRESTIGE STATEROOM DECK 4
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $7,070PRESTIGE STATEROOM DECK 5
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $7,500PRESTIGE STATEROOM DECK 6
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $10,700DELUXE SUITE
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $14,690PRESTIGE SUITE DECK 5
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $15,490PRESTIGE SUITE DECK 6
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $16,290PRIVILEGE SUITE
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $17,970GRAND DELUXE SUITE
06-11-202113-11-2021AUD $18,910OWNER'S SUITE

Inclusions

    • A brand new cruise combining historical remains and moments of relaxation in an idyllic setting between Greece and Turkey.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis in Athens (embarkation port), the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurus theatre from Napflio, the monastery of Saint John, le Xanthos-Létoon from Fethiye and the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos.
    • In the heart of the Aegean Sea, discovering the Greeks Islands: Hydra, Syros, Patmos.
    • Exploring the Turkish Riviera with visits to Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya (disembarkation port).
    • Calling for the first time at Fethiye, a charming village on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, between crystal waters and lush mountains.

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