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An Exploration of World Affairs: Sailing the Aegean Sea

An Exploration of World Affairs: Sailing the Aegean Sea

From AUD $7,650

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Description

Created specially for like-minded travelers.

Featuring lectures and discussions with contributing writer to The New Yorker, Robin Wright, and former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John McLaughlin, this voyage on the Aegean Sea offers an extraordinary opportunity to talk with these leading thinkers and actors on the world stage about the current state of U.S. relations with the wider world.

This voyage is a journey to the intellectual home of the western world, where each day brings new vistas of royal blue sea, bleached cliffs, whitewashed houses, and the exquisite remains of Classical civilization. You will call first in Turkey: first at Pergamon, once the very heart of scholarship in the Hellenistic world; and then at Ephesus, one of the most awe-inspiring survivals of Roman architecture in the Mediterranean. At Ephesus, you will enjoy an included guided tour of the ruins with an exclusive after-hours cocktail reception and concert by the Aegean Chamber Orchestra at the ruins in front of the Library of Celsus. Your day in Patmos brings us face-to-face with the stunning 11th-century Monastery of St. John, while Delos, Mykonos, and Paros embody the most iconic images of the Greek isles: spectacular Cycladic architecture, breathtaking vistas, and temples and ruins that reveal millennia of history. Your final call is in Nafplion for an excursion to Mycenae, the center of power from which Agamemnon launched his attack on Troy.

Our World Affairs cruises provide expert insight into contemporary issues that affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. As you travel into the past and engage with its legacy, you will also attend to the present, engaging with your guest experts on the current state of international relations and on the prospects for the future.

Trip Name
An Exploration of World Affairs: Sailing the Aegean Sea
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bougainville 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. Through its two restaurants, Le Bougainville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. 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. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Bougainville 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 ISTANBUL
Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
Day 2 - Day 2 DIKILI
The charming harbour city of Dikili is located on the west coast in the province of Izmir. It’s shoreline of turquoise waters is an invitation to come. In the shade of maritime pines, the streets in the town centre will win your favour with their fresh fruit juice stands and honey cakes. You can also go on a wander inland and visit the Pergamon acropolis.
Day 3 - Day 3 KUSADASI
The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf on the western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear waters or stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In the historical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streets and explore the colourful shops in the bazaar. Close by, the Ephesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides an opportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famous cities of Antiquity.
Day 4 - Day 4 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. You’ll be drawn to the bustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fish soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with fresh Patmos cheese.
Day 5 - Day 5 DELOS & MYKONOS
This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. The sheer size and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site which covers over half of the island is thrilling in itself. From the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues, you will make discovery after discovery, against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place from which to enjoy the expansive view.Nicknamed “little Venice”, Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district where houses are built right on the water’s edge. Their multi-coloured loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian centre, bougainvillea bedeck immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island’s beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.
Day 6 - Day 6 PAROS
Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’ll see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa. This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove and offers more than one café to sit and unwind.
Day 7 - Day 7 NAFPLION
The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t 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 8 - Day 8 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 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $7,650Deluxe Stateroom
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $8,550Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $8,980Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $9,410Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $13,110Deluxe Suite
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $17,760Prestige Suite Deck 5
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $18,640Prestige Suite Deck 6
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $19,570Privilege Suite
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $21,510Grand Deluxe Suite
10-08-202117-08-2021AUD $22,580Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • On board discussions on World Affairs with contributing writer to The New Yorker, Robin Wright, and former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John McLaughlin.
    • An included guided tour of Ephesus with an exclusive after-hours cocktail reception and concert by the
    • Aegean Chamber Orchestra at the ruins in front of the Library of Celsus.
    • Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites en route: Historic Areas of Istanbul, Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape, Ephesus, The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos, Delos, Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns, and Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus.
    • An evening at leisure to experience the captivating nightlife of Mykonos.
    • Optional pre-program featuring the highlights of Istanbul and a stay at the fabled Pera Palace Hotel.
    • Optional excursions in Dikili, Patmos, Delos, Mykonos, Paros, and Nafplion.

Map

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