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Peregrine Travel Centre

Jewels of Peloponnese

Jewels of Peloponnese

From $4,710 AUD

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Description

With Athens as the departure point, set sail aboard Le Bougainville for an 8-day cruise around the Peloponnese. An exceptional circuit that will give you access to historic and cultural sites that are among the most celebrated in Greece.

Your ship will first head west in order to cross the Corinth Canal, a narrow waterway that separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland.

You will then head to the Delphi sanctuary of Greek gods which you will reach via Itea, your first port of call. Delphi is located on a grandiose site that is one of Greece’s most beautiful natural landscapes. You will walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims of old, who came here to consult the famous oracle.

In Pylos, discover the Palace of Nestor, one of the heroes of the Trojan War, then, during the port of call at Gythio, the Byzantine city of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your ship will then drop anchor further south, in Crete. This island is notably home to the famous Minoan Palace of Knossos, birthplace of the Minotaur.

From Napflio, do not miss out on the visit of the renowned Epidaurus theatre and the Mycenae archaeological site, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Before your return to Athens, Le Bougainville will make a detour via Hydra, a small island of old-worldly charm where all motorised traffic is banned.

Trip Name
Jewels of Peloponnese
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 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. Don’t miss anything of the city’s cultural past. Pay a visit to the National Archaeological museum, or the Cycladic Art Museum.
Day 2 - Day 2 CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL & ITEA
The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience !Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains, and their Archaeological Museum is chock-full of cultural delights.
Day 3 - Day 3 PYLOS
The picturesque port of Pylos is located in the south west of the Peloponnese. Backed against the lush green hills of Messenia, it looks out onto the Navarino Bay. You can admire the gorgeous view as you walk uptown amid pink oleanders that cascade over the jetty. A stone’s throw away, the historical centre’s winding streets will plunge you into a maze of houses with whitewashed facades and terracotta roof-tiles. On the attractive main beach, you will be able to relax in the shade of the age-old plane trees and taste the delicious local biscuits made of sesame and honey.
Day 4 - Day 4 GYTHIO
Located in the south of the Peloponnese, on the Mani Peninsula, Gytheio was the main port and naval base of ancient Sparta, located around fifty kilometres inland. In Roman times, the port experienced significant expansion thanks to trading in imperial dye; in fact, the region had an abundance of murex, the rock snails from which this dye, loved by the Romans, was extracted. The town is nestled against Mount Koumaros and dominated by a citadel. Take a stroll and fall under the charm of the calm that reigns over the stairways bordered by small neoclassic houses with steps overrun with wild flowers.
Day 5 - Day 5 RETHYMNO, CRETE
Between the Sea of Crete and Libya, appears the island of Crete with its unimaginable beauty. Discover Rethymnon, home of Zeus, king of the Gods. With a huge fine sandy beach to the east and a rocky coastline to the west, this small town enchants visitors with its natural beauty and its fascinating history. The cradle of the Cretan Renaissance, a town of letters and intellectuals, from its rich past it has retained Venetian buildings from the 16th century, which cohabit harmoniously with the many minarets, testimony of the Turkish presence. Do not fail to admire its old Venetian port as well as its historical district offering a maze of narrow streets, before you head to the famous site of Cnossos, birthplace of the Minotaur.
Day 6 - Day 6 NAFPLION
The engaging town of Nafplio 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. For instance, you’ll see 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 7 - Day 7 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 caïquesalong the quays. Further along the shore, within the walls of the “Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary” is a museum of Byzantine art. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.
Day 8 - Day 8 ATHENS
Disembarkation.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$12,350Owner's Suite
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$11,600Privilege Suite
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$11,250Prestige Suite Deck 6
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$5,360Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$5,190Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$11,970Grand Deluxe Suite
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$5,030Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$7,430Deluxe Suite
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$10,910Prestige Suite Deck 5
08-11-201915-11-2019AUD$4,710Deluxe Stateroom

Inclusions

    • A cruise to discover the finest ancient sites of the Peloponnese, with a port of call in Crete.
    • Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis of Athens (embarkation and disembarkation port), the sanctuary of Delphi (from Itea), the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurus theatre (from Napflio), the medieval ruins of Mystras.
    • New port of call: Gythio, the main port of ancient Sparta, not far from the Byzantine city of Mystras.
    • The possibility of visiting Athens, cradle of the gods, before or after your cruise.
    • Crossing the Corinth Canal.

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