Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
204 ft²
2
- Last staterooms
Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys
Athens - Athens
Dates:
12/10/2025
to
19/10/2025
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
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.
Santorini offers a choice between browsing the sundrenched shops and restaurants of Thira and Oia, perched on cliffs overlooking the caldera of an ancient volcano, or exploring the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri, destroyed by a massive eruption of that volcano in the 2nd millennium BC, but preserved in ash and pumice just like Pompeii.
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.
Ref : AAEB45US - EU121025
Your 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...
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Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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L'AUSTRAL
LE LAPÉROUSE
02/04/2026 to the 12/04/2026
LE CHAMPLAIN
03/12/2025 to the 13/12/2025
LE BORÉAL
14/05/2026 to the 24/05/2026
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
14/05/2026 to the 28/05/2026
*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.
Discover all destinations
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- 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 lectures and discussions on board with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including art historian Elizabeth Molacek and Stephanie Larson, an associate professor of classics.
- Delve into the Homeric age of heroes at Mycenae, and the even earlier Bronze Age civilization preserved on Santorini.
- 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.
Ports of Call & Excursions
12 October 2025 - Athens
Embarkation 12/10/2025 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 12/10/2025 at 19:00
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.
13 October 2025 - Patmos
Arrival 13/10/2025 midday
Departure 13/10/2025 early evening
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.
14 October 2025 - Rhodes
Arrival 14/10/2025 early morning
Departure 14/10/2025 late afternoon
With its particularly agreeable climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk its pathways and discover its immaculate villages and sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the centre of the island the mountains are covered in forest and on the western slopes we find vineyards and crops. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and its character to the Knights of St John who reigned over the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated with majestic gateways. Do not miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches and its large walkways, perpetuating the myth of the famous Colossus, the legendary statue that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
15 October 2025 - Santorini
Arrival 15/10/2025 early morning
Departure 15/10/2025 late evening
The spectacular volcanic island of Santorini stands out proud in the Cyclades. Its basalt cliffs offer particularly expansive views of the Aegean. To enjoy these views, you can head for the capital, Fira. Its floral belvederes of bougainvillea provide a bird’s-eye view of several thousand metres of coastline. Further away, the gorgeous village of Oia looks like a stairway of blue and white houses on the slopes of the volcano. In the south of the island, you will be able to visit the stunning ruins of Akrotiri, an ancient city destroyed by an eruption and covered with a thick layer of lava stone.
16 October 2025 - Amorgos
Arrival 16/10/2025 early morning
Departure 16/10/2025 evening
It’s no accident that the island of Amorgos was chosen as a shooting location for Luc Besson’s film, The Big Blue. You too will fall under the charm of this island as your ship edges closer. Amorgos is the most easterly island in the Cyclades and stands out for its rocky inlets with crystal-clear water and its small, picturesque villages. This port of call will be your chance to visit one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades, Chora, and discover its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses overlooked by a castle. Byzantine churches, windmills and courtyards brimming with flowers complete this typical tableau of timeless Greece.
17 October 2025 - Delos
Arrival 17/10/2025 early morning
Departure 17/10/2025 midday
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.
17 October 2025 - Mykonos
Arrival 17/10/2025 early afternoon
Departure 17/10/2025 late evening
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.
18 October 2025 - Nafplion
Arrival 18/10/2025 midday
Departure 18/10/2025 early evening
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.
19 October 2025 - Athens
Arrival 19/10/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 19/10/2025 at 08:00
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.
Monastery of St. John & Apocalypse Cave
It was to this rugged island of Patmos that St. John the Evangelist was banished during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, and it is here that he is said to have received the visions of the Apocalypse that later became the Book of Revelation.
Today, Patmos’s landscape is dominated by the fortress-like Monastery of St. John, built in the 11th century at the summit of a hill. As you explore this sacred place you will discover a veritable museum of Byzantine art — countless frescoes, precious icons, gold and silver liturgical objects, rare manuscripts and antiquities.
After the opulence of the monastery, a short drive takes you to the very different site of the Apocalypse Cave, which John made his home during his exile. Here you can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. Next to this bed of rock is the spot where John's disciple Prochoros sat as he transcribed the visions John dictated to him.
· This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. Access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. You will go up and down about 100 steps at the Monastery and 40 steps at the cave. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: long pants for men; skirts for women and shoulders and knees must be covered. Taking photos inside the chapel and the cave is prohibited.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Photographing Patmos
In addition to being the site of St. John the Evangelist's visions of the Apocalypse, Patmos is an incredibly photogenic island, and this excursion is designed to allow serious photographers to make the most of it.
Your pursuit of images begins in Patmos's ancient Chora, where you will find panoramic views of the 11th-century monastery overlooking the entire island. Your guide will then lead you through a labyrinth of cobbled streets and arched alleyways, where whitewashed walls produce fascinating patterns of light and shadow, and where small architectural details of doorways and windows invite you to try to capture the exact atmosphere of a fleeting moment.
A short drive brings you to the highest point of the island, where the Church of the Prophet Elijah affords stunning views over the island and the Aegean Sea—a myriad of opportunities for landscapes and seascapes. Leaving this promontory, stop next at Petra beach to discover the prehistoric carved rock that once served as a place of worship for Aphrodite, before ending your photographic survey of Patmos at the seaside village of Diakofti. Here there will be opportunities to capture images of local residents working on their boats and to enjoy refreshments at a local cafe before returning to the ship.
· This tour involves approximately 1.2 miles of walking over uneven surfaces and narrow and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. You must have your own camera for this tour, and capacity is limited. Your guide is not a professional photographer and cannot provide advice on the use of your camera.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Acropolis of Lindos
The Acropolis of Lindos, a rocky promontory that towers over the town, has been used since the 6th century B.C. as a citadel and place of worship successively by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Knights of St. John, and the Ottomans. It is one of the most important archaeological sites on the island of Rhodes, and it is also one of the most picturesque locations, attracting artists from around the world.
Your excursion begins with a one-hour scenic drive south from Rhodes town, through orange and lemon groves, prosperous vineyards, and gnarled olive trees. As your motorcoach rounds the last bend of the road, your first views of Lindos are of the rocky cliffs of the acropolis surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Spread out below you is Lindos village, clustered with pretty whitewashed houses, its streets paved with intricately patterned black and white pebbles collected from the sea.
As you begin your climb up the footpath to the summit, the first ruins you encounter are walls built atop ancient fortifications by crusaders in the early 14th century, and when you reach the top, you pass through battlements constructed by the Knights of St. John to defend against the Ottomans and enter the acropolis complex. Here, with absolutely stunning views in all directions, you discover the ancient remains of the 4th-century B.C. Doric Temple of Athena Lindia and the imposing columns of the Hellenistic Stoa, as well as a Byzantine church and additional remnants of the Knights' citadel.
After making your way back down to the modern town, you will have some time at leisure to browse the shops brimming with attractive souvenirs before returning to Rhodes.
· This excursion involves as much as two hours of walking including a 20 minute climb through the narrow streets of the town on stones that may be slippery, and another 250 steps up to the acropolis and back down and there is no shade at the top. You should be in good physical condition to participate and take extra precautions against the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Walking Tour of Medieval Rhodes
The island of Rhodes was known in the ancient world for its schools of philosophy and rhetoric. Today, it boasts one of the largest medieval towns in Europe. Discover its winding, labyrinthine streets and splendid open plazas on this guided walking tour through Rhodes Town.
Departing from the pier on foot with your guide, walk the short distance to the city walls and pass through to the narrow, cobblestone streets within. The most imposing building of medieval Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Masters, dominates the end of the Street of the Knights. Built in the 14th century, the Palace will charm you with its unique architecture and an unrivalled patina of time. Walking down the Street of the Knights and passing by numerous colorful shops, you arrive at the 15th-century Hospital of the Knights, which now houses the Archaeological Museum. The Museum contains collections of artifacts from various parts of Rhodes and the neighboring islands. Mycenaean jewelry, vases and small objects from burial ensembles, sculptures from the Classical and Hellenistic periods, and Rhodian coins from Hellenistic times are the main exhibits. One highlight is the Statue of the Crouching Aphrodite (1st century B.C.), which was inspired by a famous work of the 3rd-century B.C. sculptor Doidalsas.
At the conclusion of the guided tour, you may choose to linger a little longer to explore more of this charming town on your own before returning to the ship on foot.
· This is a moderate excursion involving 2.5 hours of walking over cobblestone surfaces. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or needing wheelchairs.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A Panoramic View of Rhodes
This outing provides an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the east coast of Rhodes from the comfort of a modern motorcoach.
Begin by driving to Monte Smith at the northern tip of Rhodes for panoramic views over the town and nearby islands, as well as the Turkish coast, a mere 12 miles away. Continue with a scenic drive south from Rhodes, through orange and lemon groves, prosperous vineyards, and gnarled olive trees, to reach the ancient town of Lindos. As your motorcoach rounds the last bend of the road, your first views of Lindos are of the rocky cliffs of its acropolis surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Spread out below you is Lindos village, clustered with pretty whitewashed houses. The view is extraordinary and has attracted artists from around the world.
Stop in a traditional seaside village, where you will enjoy a snack of Greek mezze and ouzo at a local seafront restaurant, before returning to Rhodes town via the trendy resort towns of Faliraki and Kalithea.
· This is an easy excursion, involving very little walking. As always, you should bring protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Akrotiri & the Prehistoric Museum of Fira
In the 2nd millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded Santorini in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many buildings, much as Vesuvius preserved buildings at Pompeii and Herculaneum. At the time of the eruptions, Santorini was inhabited by a Bronze Age civilization sophisticated enough to support the large and prosperous town of Akrotiri.
Your excursion begins with a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, discovered in 1967 and the subject of nearly continuous excavation since. The two- and three-story houses you will see as you stroll through the site were decorated with marvelous wall paintings and furnished with bronze vessels for cooking and storing foodstuffs, as well as tools and weapons and the other accoutrements one would expect from a well-organized and flourishing society.
From Akrotiri, you travel to Santorini's capital, Fira, to explore the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which houses pieces from various excavations around the island, but concentrates on artifacts recovered from Akrotiri, including splendid examples of the wall paintings and household items that were a regular feature of life in the city before the eruption. The exhibits strive to sketch the story of Thira in prehistoric times, by displaying illustrative selections of items from the thousands of artifacts in the museum's storerooms.
Following the visit to the Museum, you will have time at leisure to stroll around the picturesque streets of modern Fira, lined with numerous shops and cafes, before you take the cable car down to the old port, and from there tender back to the ship.
· This is a moderate excursion with a total of perhaps a mile of walking. The tour of Akrotiri involves walking on wooden platforms above the work floor of the site, and the streets in Fira are mostly cobblestone. As always be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hiking the Volcano & Cruising the Caldera
In the 2nd millennium B.C., a massive volcanic eruption devastated the island of Santorini and buried its main town, now called Akrotiri, in a thick layer of ash and pumice. The cataclysmic eruption blew out the entire center of the island, creating a large crater, where the sea rushed in and formed a beautiful bay. The eastern shore of this bay, the Caldera of Santorini, is where your ship is docked.
Board a local boat for a short cruise across the bay to Nea Kameni, an island formed by later eruptions, and the site of a still active volcano. Disembark on Nea Kameni and hike the trail that rises about 500 feet to the edge of the crater, where you will enjoy superb views of the archipelago of islands that populate the caldera, as well as the jagged cliffs of Fira. Take time to walk among the oddly formed fragments of lava and smell the sulfur in the air as you explore the area around the rim before descending to shore.
Reboard your boat and sail to the thermal springs of neighboring Palea Kameni. Here, the green, vent-warmed waters reach temperatures near 100 degrees, creating a natural hot tub. Passing through the springs, your boat cruises around the tiny island and returns you to the pier.
· This is an active excursion. Participants need to be in good physical condition for the hike up to the summit of Nea Kameni and back, which is uphill on uneven dirt and sandy terrain. Sun protection is also crucial since the island is bare of any shade.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Picturesque Oia & Wine Tasting
The village of Oia, on the northernmost tip of Santorini, is one of the most beautiful—and therefore most photographed—spots in the Cyclades. Lovingly restored following a devastating earthquake in 1956, it offers breathtaking views of the Aegean from its perch high atop a ridge of red rock.
Arriving in Oia after a short journey by boat and coach, you will enjoy a walking tour through this once important center of Eastern Mediterranean trade. Notice two very different sorts of dwellings: cave houses, dug into the volcanic rock of the cliffsides, where ships' crew and their families lived, and the neo-classical mansions of the ship captains and owners on the terraces above. Both are intriguing, and many of both types have been converted into charming guest houses.
Your tour continues with a visit and tasting at the Venetsanos Winery. Built in 1947, it was the first winery on Santorini to export internationally and remains among the largest producers on the island. A brief introduction to the history of the buildings and the surrounding vineyards is followed by a sampling of three award-winning wines—the white Santorini Asyrtiko, the red Mandilaria, and the sweet dessert wine, Vinsanto.
At the end of the tour, disembark your coach in Fira, where you may take the cable car down to the port, or spend some time browsing the shops in town and take a later cable car.
· This is a moderate excursion involving about an hour and a half of walking over cobblestone streets, some uphill and downhill and some steps. Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Akrotiri & Picturesque Oia
In the 2nd millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded Santorini in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many buildings, much as Vesuvius preserved buildings at Pompeii and Herculaneum. At the time of the eruptions, Santorini was inhabited by a Bronze Age civilization sophisticated enough to support the large and prosperous town of Akrotiri.
Your excursion begins with a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, discovered in 1967 and the subject of nearly continuous excavation since. The two- and three-story houses you will see as you stroll through the site were decorated with marvelous wall paintings and furnished with bronze vessels for cooking and storing foodstuffs, as well as tools and weapons and the other accoutrements one would expect from a well-organized and flourishing society.
From Akrotiri, travel to the village of Oia, on the northernmost tip of Santorini, one of the most beautiful—and therefore most photographed—spots in the Cyclades. Lovingly restored following a devastating earthquake in 1956, it offers breathtaking views of the Aegean from its perch high atop a ridge of red rock.
You will enjoy a walking tour through this once important center of Eastern Mediterranean trade. Notice two very different sorts of dwellings: cave houses, dug into the volcanic rock of the cliffsides, where ships' crew and their families lived, and the neo-classical mansions of the ship captains and owners on the terraces above. Both are intriguing, and many of both types have been converted into charming guest houses.
At the end of the tour, disembark your coach in Fira, where you may take the cable car down to the port, or spend some time browsing the shops in town and take a later cable car.
· This is a moderate excursion with a total of perhaps two hours of walking. The tour of Akrotiri involves walking on wooden platforms above the work floor of the site, and the streets in Oia and Fira are mostly cobblestone with some incline. Wear comfortable shoes and as always be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The History and Traditions of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on the main attractions of the island — the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and Chora, the capital town.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Monastery was founded in 1088 and contains rare icons and manuscripts, which the monks who greet you will be delighted to explain while serving a sampling of the local sweet, loukoumi. But for most visitors it is the monastery itself, built into the side of a steep cliff and seemingly suspended some 900 feet above the sea below, that is the most vivid memory. The views both during your climb to the entrance and from within the monastery are spectacular.
Continuing your tour, you will reach Chora, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. A leisurely stroll among the whitewashed houses, small churches, and windmills that line the streets, perhaps pausing for a taste of ouzo and local sweets, leads to three small museums. The Ecclesiastical Museum contains relics and remembrances of prominent clergy, including Archbishop Christodoulos, for whom it is named. The nearby Cultural/Folklore Museum provides a glimpse into the daily life of earlier times. And the Archaeological Museum has a collection of finds from excavations of three ancient cities, some of which date to the Bronze Age.
· Please note: Coaches on the island are few and not recent models. Tour involves about 2 hours of walking. To visit the inside of the monastery, you need to negotiate 269 steps up and down. Guests who do not wish to climb to the monastery can enjoy a view from the parking lot where there are benches but no shade. We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate dress is required for entry to the monastery (long pants for men and skirts with knees and shoulders covered for women; a large scarf over slacks and tied at the waist can be worn in place of a skirt for women).
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Traditional Villages of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on that simpler life by visiting two villages that continue local traditions in much the same way their families have done for generations
Arrive first at the village of Lagada, nestled among gently rolling hills on the northern end of the island. The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil has been the primary economic activity of this region from before history. On a guided walk through the olive groves, you will learn how local growers tend their crops as well as about the importance of the olive in many aspects of Mediterranean life. Your walk ends with a demonstration of a traditional village olive press.
Your visit to Lagada is followed by a short drive north to Tholaria, a small village overlooking Aegiali Bay. Here you are welcome to explore the layout and functioning of a traditional Cylcadic private home — its cellar and wooden oven as well as the main residence. Attached to the house is a distillery for essential oils produced from herbs grown in Amorgos. Herbal medicine has been a part of Greek life since the ancients, and a local herbalist will explain the properties of the various herbs and their oils and how they are distilled.
Before departing Tholaria to return to the ship, gather on the outdoor terrace, which offers unlimited views of the sea and surrounding mountains, to enjoy a sampling of treats including olives, local cheeses, olive pies, local wine, raki, and local sweets.
· Please note: Coaches on the island are few and are not recent models. The drive to the villages is on winding roads with switchbacks. The tour involves about an hour's total walking time over relatively flat, unpaved terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protection against the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Archaeological Wonders of Delos
The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks — the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples. Today, it is a veritable open-air museum.
Your walking tour of this sprawling site begins directly from the pier, as you follow your guide through a maze of fallen columns, sections of the mosaics which once adorned the houses of the rich, a stadium, tiers of seats from a theater abandoned long ago and much more. Atop a small hill is the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens, dating from the 3rd century BC. From this vantage point, you overlook the entire site and get a sense of the grandeur of the city when it was the center of the Delian League.
Among the notable remains you will encounter is the Sanctuary of Apollo, also known as the “Temple of the Athenians," where you will see the altars and votive offerings presented by Athenians to the god so important to their civic life. You will also discover the Terrace of the Lions, among the best-preserved monuments on Delos, where five marble lions stand at the ready to protect the town as they gaze to the east, waiting for the sun to rise.
You will visit the Theater District, the most luxurious district of the ancient city with the mansions pretentiously named the homes “of Dionysus" and “of Cleopatra," among others. This is where the mosaics that adorned the floors of these great houses, as well as the streets and shops of ancient Delos will suggest the wealth of this once bustling city.
Finally, visit the recently re-opened Archaeological Museum, and tour its expanded exhibits of finds from the island.
· This excursion is entirely on foot on uneven surfaces and some steps without handrails. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Experience Mykonos
Its white cubic houses, characteristic windmills, and numerous chapels make Mykonos the quintessential Cycladic island. Formerly a quiet fishing town, Mykonos is now a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all this dazzling town has to offer.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Epidaurus & Mycenae
About 25 miles east of Nafplion, Epidaurus is home to the ancient Sanctuary of Asklepios. In addition to being a place of worship, the Sanctuary is the earliest known organized sanatorium and is often said to mark the beginnings of a movement away from reliance on divine healing toward a science of medicine. The magnificent 12,000-seat 4th-century B.C. Theater, renowned for its architectural beauty and perfect acoustics, dominates the site and hosts productions of Classical Greek tragedies and comedies each summer. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, and test the theater's acoustics for yourself, before rejoining your coach for the drive to Mycenae.
The ancient city of Mycenae, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the center of the civilization that bears its name, an extraordinary culture that flourished in the late Bronze Age and is our source for the earliest Greek language, preserved on Linear B tablets. Homer describes the city, the legendary home of Agamemnon, as “rich in gold,” and your tour of the site will give you a sense of the wealth he is referring to. Beginning at the imposing Lion Gate, explore the acropolis of the walled citadel and the shaft burial graves of a wealthy nobility, whose mythical rulers include familiar names from Greek literature—Clytemnestra, Iphigeneia, Elektra, and Orestes. A short distance from the main complex is a remarkable tholos (beehive shaped) tomb that German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann thought was Agamemnon's, an identification that later excavations have called into question.
· This moderate excursion involves about two hours of walking over occasionally uneven surfaces. You will need extra protection from the sun at Mycenae, which has few sources of shade.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Walking Tour of Nafplion
Although Nafplion has been inhabited since ancient times, the town began to play an important role in Mediterranean history only under Byzantine rule, and then through its periods of domination by the Venetian and Ottoman Empires, eventually emerging in the early 19th century as the first capital of independent Greece.
During this walking tour through the streets of Nafplion, you will visit several monuments of the relatively recent past, beginning with the sculpted relief of the Lion of Bavaria at the entrance the town, erected in honor of King Otto when he made Nafplion the capital of the Kingdom of Greece before moving it to Athens in 1834. You pass a number of churches of historic interest including the church of Agios Georgios, built in 1619 by Venetians, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and becoming an Orthodox church after independence; the Catholic church of The Transfiguration of the Savior, previously a mosque built on the site of a Venetian convent; and the church of Aghios Spyridon, where John Kapodistrias, hero of the War of Independence and the first governor of independent Greece, was assassinated. The bullet hole on the outer wall near the door is still visible.
Visit the small Museum of Komboloi, displaying a collection of worry beads from around the world, and stroll through popular Syntagma Square on your way to the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, housing a delightful display of folk costumes and exhibits on traditional techniques of textile production. Your tour concludes with a snack of various Greek mezzes and ouzo at the Karonis Wine Shop.
· This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately one mile of walking over flat surfaces. We recommend good shoes and sun protection.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Le Dumont d'Urville
Le Dumont-d’Urville belongs to a new generation of ships fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, and which come equipped with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, an underwater lounge. Everything is in place for an extraordinary cruise experience. It's now possible to depart for adventure to the most remote places on the planet onboard a ship offering luxury services.
Decks
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including art historian Elizabeth Molacek and Stephanie Larson, an associate professor of classics
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Athens to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Dumont-d’Urville, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion or activity in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Athens at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Program is subject to change without notice
Special Guest Speaker
On our departures in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, we are joined by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts who will provide an insightful English-language lecture series that enhances your experience with valuable context and new perspectives. From enriching talks to casual conversations on board, their in-depth knowledge will bring you deeper into the history, culture, and natural world of your destination.
Timeless
With one included excursion per day and per guest*, and the presence of expert lecturers on board, Timeless Explorations blend cultural curiosity, immersive experiences, and serene relaxation. A refined way to journey far from the everyday, both in mind and in spirit.
- Activities: One included excursion per day and per guest. Optional paid excursions are also available depending on the port of call.
- Landings (depending on the destination): By dock, tender boat, or aboard local vessels.
- Your experts on board: The dedicated excursion team and one or more guest lecturers.
- Children: Children from one year of age are welcome on board (from 8 years old on board Le Commandant Charcot).
*Excluding Paul Gauguin
The full program of all excursions, both included and optional, is available eight months prior to departure. Reservations open approximately two months before departure.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
THE HEART OF ATHENS (2 NIGHTS)
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 : £1,320
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Monastery of St. John & Apocalypse Cave
It was to this rugged island of Patmos that St. John the Evangelist was banished during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, and it is here that he is said to have received the visions of the Apocalypse that later became the Book of Revelation.
Today, Patmos’s landscape is dominated by the fortress-like Monastery of St. John, built in the 11th century at the summit of a hill. As you explore this sacred place you will discover a veritable museum of Byzantine art — countless frescoes, precious icons, gold and silver liturgical objects, rare manuscripts and antiquities.
After the opulence of the monastery, a short drive takes you to the very different site of the Apocalypse Cave, which John made his home during his exile. Here you can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St John laid his head every night. Next to this bed of rock is the spot where John's disciple Prochoros sat as he transcribed the visions John dictated to him.
· This excursion is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking. Access to the monastery is on foot via cobblestone streets. You will go up and down about 100 steps at the Monastery and 40 steps at the cave. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: long pants for men; skirts for women and shoulders and knees must be covered. Taking photos inside the chapel and the cave is prohibited.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Photographing Patmos
In addition to being the site of St. John the Evangelist's visions of the Apocalypse, Patmos is an incredibly photogenic island, and this excursion is designed to allow serious photographers to make the most of it.
Your pursuit of images begins in Patmos's ancient Chora, where you will find panoramic views of the 11th-century monastery overlooking the entire island. Your guide will then lead you through a labyrinth of cobbled streets and arched alleyways, where whitewashed walls produce fascinating patterns of light and shadow, and where small architectural details of doorways and windows invite you to try to capture the exact atmosphere of a fleeting moment.
A short drive brings you to the highest point of the island, where the Church of the Prophet Elijah affords stunning views over the island and the Aegean Sea—a myriad of opportunities for landscapes and seascapes. Leaving this promontory, stop next at Petra beach to discover the prehistoric carved rock that once served as a place of worship for Aphrodite, before ending your photographic survey of Patmos at the seaside village of Diakofti. Here there will be opportunities to capture images of local residents working on their boats and to enjoy refreshments at a local cafe before returning to the ship.
· This tour involves approximately 1.2 miles of walking over uneven surfaces and narrow and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. You must have your own camera for this tour, and capacity is limited. Your guide is not a professional photographer and cannot provide advice on the use of your camera.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Acropolis of Lindos
The Acropolis of Lindos, a rocky promontory that towers over the town, has been used since the 6th century B.C. as a citadel and place of worship successively by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Knights of St. John, and the Ottomans. It is one of the most important archaeological sites on the island of Rhodes, and it is also one of the most picturesque locations, attracting artists from around the world.
Your excursion begins with a one-hour scenic drive south from Rhodes town, through orange and lemon groves, prosperous vineyards, and gnarled olive trees. As your motorcoach rounds the last bend of the road, your first views of Lindos are of the rocky cliffs of the acropolis surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Spread out below you is Lindos village, clustered with pretty whitewashed houses, its streets paved with intricately patterned black and white pebbles collected from the sea.
As you begin your climb up the footpath to the summit, the first ruins you encounter are walls built atop ancient fortifications by crusaders in the early 14th century, and when you reach the top, you pass through battlements constructed by the Knights of St. John to defend against the Ottomans and enter the acropolis complex. Here, with absolutely stunning views in all directions, you discover the ancient remains of the 4th-century B.C. Doric Temple of Athena Lindia and the imposing columns of the Hellenistic Stoa, as well as a Byzantine church and additional remnants of the Knights' citadel.
After making your way back down to the modern town, you will have some time at leisure to browse the shops brimming with attractive souvenirs before returning to Rhodes.
· This excursion involves as much as two hours of walking including a 20 minute climb through the narrow streets of the town on stones that may be slippery, and another 250 steps up to the acropolis and back down and there is no shade at the top. You should be in good physical condition to participate and take extra precautions against the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Walking Tour of Medieval Rhodes
The island of Rhodes was known in the ancient world for its schools of philosophy and rhetoric. Today, it boasts one of the largest medieval towns in Europe. Discover its winding, labyrinthine streets and splendid open plazas on this guided walking tour through Rhodes Town.
Departing from the pier on foot with your guide, walk the short distance to the city walls and pass through to the narrow, cobblestone streets within. The most imposing building of medieval Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Masters, dominates the end of the Street of the Knights. Built in the 14th century, the Palace will charm you with its unique architecture and an unrivalled patina of time. Walking down the Street of the Knights and passing by numerous colorful shops, you arrive at the 15th-century Hospital of the Knights, which now houses the Archaeological Museum. The Museum contains collections of artifacts from various parts of Rhodes and the neighboring islands. Mycenaean jewelry, vases and small objects from burial ensembles, sculptures from the Classical and Hellenistic periods, and Rhodian coins from Hellenistic times are the main exhibits. One highlight is the Statue of the Crouching Aphrodite (1st century B.C.), which was inspired by a famous work of the 3rd-century B.C. sculptor Doidalsas.
At the conclusion of the guided tour, you may choose to linger a little longer to explore more of this charming town on your own before returning to the ship on foot.
· This is a moderate excursion involving 2.5 hours of walking over cobblestone surfaces. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or needing wheelchairs.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A Panoramic View of Rhodes
This outing provides an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the east coast of Rhodes from the comfort of a modern motorcoach.
Begin by driving to Monte Smith at the northern tip of Rhodes for panoramic views over the town and nearby islands, as well as the Turkish coast, a mere 12 miles away. Continue with a scenic drive south from Rhodes, through orange and lemon groves, prosperous vineyards, and gnarled olive trees, to reach the ancient town of Lindos. As your motorcoach rounds the last bend of the road, your first views of Lindos are of the rocky cliffs of its acropolis surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Spread out below you is Lindos village, clustered with pretty whitewashed houses. The view is extraordinary and has attracted artists from around the world.
Stop in a traditional seaside village, where you will enjoy a snack of Greek mezze and ouzo at a local seafront restaurant, before returning to Rhodes town via the trendy resort towns of Faliraki and Kalithea.
· This is an easy excursion, involving very little walking. As always, you should bring protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Akrotiri & the Prehistoric Museum of Fira
In the 2nd millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded Santorini in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many buildings, much as Vesuvius preserved buildings at Pompeii and Herculaneum. At the time of the eruptions, Santorini was inhabited by a Bronze Age civilization sophisticated enough to support the large and prosperous town of Akrotiri.
Your excursion begins with a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, discovered in 1967 and the subject of nearly continuous excavation since. The two- and three-story houses you will see as you stroll through the site were decorated with marvelous wall paintings and furnished with bronze vessels for cooking and storing foodstuffs, as well as tools and weapons and the other accoutrements one would expect from a well-organized and flourishing society.
From Akrotiri, you travel to Santorini's capital, Fira, to explore the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which houses pieces from various excavations around the island, but concentrates on artifacts recovered from Akrotiri, including splendid examples of the wall paintings and household items that were a regular feature of life in the city before the eruption. The exhibits strive to sketch the story of Thira in prehistoric times, by displaying illustrative selections of items from the thousands of artifacts in the museum's storerooms.
Following the visit to the Museum, you will have time at leisure to stroll around the picturesque streets of modern Fira, lined with numerous shops and cafes, before you take the cable car down to the old port, and from there tender back to the ship.
· This is a moderate excursion with a total of perhaps a mile of walking. The tour of Akrotiri involves walking on wooden platforms above the work floor of the site, and the streets in Fira are mostly cobblestone. As always be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hiking the Volcano & Cruising the Caldera
In the 2nd millennium B.C., a massive volcanic eruption devastated the island of Santorini and buried its main town, now called Akrotiri, in a thick layer of ash and pumice. The cataclysmic eruption blew out the entire center of the island, creating a large crater, where the sea rushed in and formed a beautiful bay. The eastern shore of this bay, the Caldera of Santorini, is where your ship is docked.
Board a local boat for a short cruise across the bay to Nea Kameni, an island formed by later eruptions, and the site of a still active volcano. Disembark on Nea Kameni and hike the trail that rises about 500 feet to the edge of the crater, where you will enjoy superb views of the archipelago of islands that populate the caldera, as well as the jagged cliffs of Fira. Take time to walk among the oddly formed fragments of lava and smell the sulfur in the air as you explore the area around the rim before descending to shore.
Reboard your boat and sail to the thermal springs of neighboring Palea Kameni. Here, the green, vent-warmed waters reach temperatures near 100 degrees, creating a natural hot tub. Passing through the springs, your boat cruises around the tiny island and returns you to the pier.
· This is an active excursion. Participants need to be in good physical condition for the hike up to the summit of Nea Kameni and back, which is uphill on uneven dirt and sandy terrain. Sun protection is also crucial since the island is bare of any shade.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Picturesque Oia & Wine Tasting
The village of Oia, on the northernmost tip of Santorini, is one of the most beautiful—and therefore most photographed—spots in the Cyclades. Lovingly restored following a devastating earthquake in 1956, it offers breathtaking views of the Aegean from its perch high atop a ridge of red rock.
Arriving in Oia after a short journey by boat and coach, you will enjoy a walking tour through this once important center of Eastern Mediterranean trade. Notice two very different sorts of dwellings: cave houses, dug into the volcanic rock of the cliffsides, where ships' crew and their families lived, and the neo-classical mansions of the ship captains and owners on the terraces above. Both are intriguing, and many of both types have been converted into charming guest houses.
Your tour continues with a visit and tasting at the Venetsanos Winery. Built in 1947, it was the first winery on Santorini to export internationally and remains among the largest producers on the island. A brief introduction to the history of the buildings and the surrounding vineyards is followed by a sampling of three award-winning wines—the white Santorini Asyrtiko, the red Mandilaria, and the sweet dessert wine, Vinsanto.
At the end of the tour, disembark your coach in Fira, where you may take the cable car down to the port, or spend some time browsing the shops in town and take a later cable car.
· This is a moderate excursion involving about an hour and a half of walking over cobblestone streets, some uphill and downhill and some steps. Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Akrotiri & Picturesque Oia
In the 2nd millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded Santorini in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many buildings, much as Vesuvius preserved buildings at Pompeii and Herculaneum. At the time of the eruptions, Santorini was inhabited by a Bronze Age civilization sophisticated enough to support the large and prosperous town of Akrotiri.
Your excursion begins with a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, discovered in 1967 and the subject of nearly continuous excavation since. The two- and three-story houses you will see as you stroll through the site were decorated with marvelous wall paintings and furnished with bronze vessels for cooking and storing foodstuffs, as well as tools and weapons and the other accoutrements one would expect from a well-organized and flourishing society.
From Akrotiri, travel to the village of Oia, on the northernmost tip of Santorini, one of the most beautiful—and therefore most photographed—spots in the Cyclades. Lovingly restored following a devastating earthquake in 1956, it offers breathtaking views of the Aegean from its perch high atop a ridge of red rock.
You will enjoy a walking tour through this once important center of Eastern Mediterranean trade. Notice two very different sorts of dwellings: cave houses, dug into the volcanic rock of the cliffsides, where ships' crew and their families lived, and the neo-classical mansions of the ship captains and owners on the terraces above. Both are intriguing, and many of both types have been converted into charming guest houses.
At the end of the tour, disembark your coach in Fira, where you may take the cable car down to the port, or spend some time browsing the shops in town and take a later cable car.
· This is a moderate excursion with a total of perhaps two hours of walking. The tour of Akrotiri involves walking on wooden platforms above the work floor of the site, and the streets in Oia and Fira are mostly cobblestone with some incline. Wear comfortable shoes and as always be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The History and Traditions of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on the main attractions of the island — the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and Chora, the capital town.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Monastery was founded in 1088 and contains rare icons and manuscripts, which the monks who greet you will be delighted to explain while serving a sampling of the local sweet, loukoumi. But for most visitors it is the monastery itself, built into the side of a steep cliff and seemingly suspended some 900 feet above the sea below, that is the most vivid memory. The views both during your climb to the entrance and from within the monastery are spectacular.
Continuing your tour, you will reach Chora, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. A leisurely stroll among the whitewashed houses, small churches, and windmills that line the streets, perhaps pausing for a taste of ouzo and local sweets, leads to three small museums. The Ecclesiastical Museum contains relics and remembrances of prominent clergy, including Archbishop Christodoulos, for whom it is named. The nearby Cultural/Folklore Museum provides a glimpse into the daily life of earlier times. And the Archaeological Museum has a collection of finds from excavations of three ancient cities, some of which date to the Bronze Age.
· Please note: Coaches on the island are few and not recent models. Tour involves about 2 hours of walking. To visit the inside of the monastery, you need to negotiate 269 steps up and down. Guests who do not wish to climb to the monastery can enjoy a view from the parking lot where there are benches but no shade. We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate dress is required for entry to the monastery (long pants for men and skirts with knees and shoulders covered for women; a large scarf over slacks and tied at the waist can be worn in place of a skirt for women).
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Traditional Villages of Amorgos
Relatively untouched by tourism, Amorgos evokes an earlier, simpler world. This excursion focuses on that simpler life by visiting two villages that continue local traditions in much the same way their families have done for generations
Arrive first at the village of Lagada, nestled among gently rolling hills on the northern end of the island. The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil has been the primary economic activity of this region from before history. On a guided walk through the olive groves, you will learn how local growers tend their crops as well as about the importance of the olive in many aspects of Mediterranean life. Your walk ends with a demonstration of a traditional village olive press.
Your visit to Lagada is followed by a short drive north to Tholaria, a small village overlooking Aegiali Bay. Here you are welcome to explore the layout and functioning of a traditional Cylcadic private home — its cellar and wooden oven as well as the main residence. Attached to the house is a distillery for essential oils produced from herbs grown in Amorgos. Herbal medicine has been a part of Greek life since the ancients, and a local herbalist will explain the properties of the various herbs and their oils and how they are distilled.
Before departing Tholaria to return to the ship, gather on the outdoor terrace, which offers unlimited views of the sea and surrounding mountains, to enjoy a sampling of treats including olives, local cheeses, olive pies, local wine, raki, and local sweets.
· Please note: Coaches on the island are few and are not recent models. The drive to the villages is on winding roads with switchbacks. The tour involves about an hour's total walking time over relatively flat, unpaved terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protection against the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Archaeological Wonders of Delos
The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks — the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples. Today, it is a veritable open-air museum.
Your walking tour of this sprawling site begins directly from the pier, as you follow your guide through a maze of fallen columns, sections of the mosaics which once adorned the houses of the rich, a stadium, tiers of seats from a theater abandoned long ago and much more. Atop a small hill is the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens, dating from the 3rd century BC. From this vantage point, you overlook the entire site and get a sense of the grandeur of the city when it was the center of the Delian League.
Among the notable remains you will encounter is the Sanctuary of Apollo, also known as the “Temple of the Athenians," where you will see the altars and votive offerings presented by Athenians to the god so important to their civic life. You will also discover the Terrace of the Lions, among the best-preserved monuments on Delos, where five marble lions stand at the ready to protect the town as they gaze to the east, waiting for the sun to rise.
You will visit the Theater District, the most luxurious district of the ancient city with the mansions pretentiously named the homes “of Dionysus" and “of Cleopatra," among others. This is where the mosaics that adorned the floors of these great houses, as well as the streets and shops of ancient Delos will suggest the wealth of this once bustling city.
Finally, visit the recently re-opened Archaeological Museum, and tour its expanded exhibits of finds from the island.
· This excursion is entirely on foot on uneven surfaces and some steps without handrails. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Experience Mykonos
Its white cubic houses, characteristic windmills, and numerous chapels make Mykonos the quintessential Cycladic island. Formerly a quiet fishing town, Mykonos is now a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all this dazzling town has to offer.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Epidaurus & Mycenae
About 25 miles east of Nafplion, Epidaurus is home to the ancient Sanctuary of Asklepios. In addition to being a place of worship, the Sanctuary is the earliest known organized sanatorium and is often said to mark the beginnings of a movement away from reliance on divine healing toward a science of medicine. The magnificent 12,000-seat 4th-century B.C. Theater, renowned for its architectural beauty and perfect acoustics, dominates the site and hosts productions of Classical Greek tragedies and comedies each summer. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, and test the theater's acoustics for yourself, before rejoining your coach for the drive to Mycenae.
The ancient city of Mycenae, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the center of the civilization that bears its name, an extraordinary culture that flourished in the late Bronze Age and is our source for the earliest Greek language, preserved on Linear B tablets. Homer describes the city, the legendary home of Agamemnon, as “rich in gold,” and your tour of the site will give you a sense of the wealth he is referring to. Beginning at the imposing Lion Gate, explore the acropolis of the walled citadel and the shaft burial graves of a wealthy nobility, whose mythical rulers include familiar names from Greek literature—Clytemnestra, Iphigeneia, Elektra, and Orestes. A short distance from the main complex is a remarkable tholos (beehive shaped) tomb that German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann thought was Agamemnon's, an identification that later excavations have called into question.
· This moderate excursion involves about two hours of walking over occasionally uneven surfaces. You will need extra protection from the sun at Mycenae, which has few sources of shade.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Walking Tour of Nafplion
Although Nafplion has been inhabited since ancient times, the town began to play an important role in Mediterranean history only under Byzantine rule, and then through its periods of domination by the Venetian and Ottoman Empires, eventually emerging in the early 19th century as the first capital of independent Greece.
During this walking tour through the streets of Nafplion, you will visit several monuments of the relatively recent past, beginning with the sculpted relief of the Lion of Bavaria at the entrance the town, erected in honor of King Otto when he made Nafplion the capital of the Kingdom of Greece before moving it to Athens in 1834. You pass a number of churches of historic interest including the church of Agios Georgios, built in 1619 by Venetians, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and becoming an Orthodox church after independence; the Catholic church of The Transfiguration of the Savior, previously a mosque built on the site of a Venetian convent; and the church of Aghios Spyridon, where John Kapodistrias, hero of the War of Independence and the first governor of independent Greece, was assassinated. The bullet hole on the outer wall near the door is still visible.
Visit the small Museum of Komboloi, displaying a collection of worry beads from around the world, and stroll through popular Syntagma Square on your way to the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, housing a delightful display of folk costumes and exhibits on traditional techniques of textile production. Your tour concludes with a snack of various Greek mezzes and ouzo at the Karonis Wine Shop.
· This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately one mile of walking over flat surfaces. We recommend good shoes and sun protection.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.