Kommen sie an Bord zu einer Reise, auf der sich Wellness und Kultur im sanften Licht des Frühlings entlang der bezaubernden Küsten der Türkei, Griechenlands und Italiens die Hand reichen. Entdecken Sie im ruhigen Monat April im Rhythmus von Yoga-, Pilates- und Entspannungskursen, die von Wellness-Experten geleitet werden, die spannende Geschichte des Mittelmeers, der Kreuzung der Zivilisationen. An Bord versetzen Sie diese ganzheitlichen Disziplinen in tiefe Entspannung, während an Land antike Stätten, spektakuläre Klöster und majestätische Paläste ein außergewöhnliches mediterranes Erbe offenbaren. Eine einzigartige Reise, die Ihnen Momente der Ruhe und Unbeschwertheit verspricht.
Yoga- und Pilates-Kurse für alle Niveaus mit Yogalehrerin Elodie Garamond und Pilates-Lehrerin Helen Haynes
Genießen Sie entspannende Momente dank der alten Techniken und modernen Behandlungen von Alexandre...
Zusatzleistungen
Für mehr Sicherheit wählt PONANT Flüge aus und kümmert sich um Ihre Transfers für Ihre Reise sowie um Landbesuche vor und nach dem Ausschiffen.
Elodie Garamond, Yogalehrerin, wird täglich sanfte und dynamische Yogakurse anbieten. Private Sitzungen können ebenfalls an Bord gebucht werden.
Élodie lädt Sie ein, Yin Flow Yoga zu entdecken, eine sanfte und fließende Praxis für alle Niveaus.
Im Wechsel von Tanzbewegungen, dynamischer Choreografie und ruhigen Haltungen öffnet diese Sitzung sanft die Körperräume, lässt Energie zirkulieren und dehnt sich allmählich.
Diese Yoga-Praxis kann als angenehme, organische Ganzkörper-Selbstmassage erlebt werden, die alle Muskeln und Gewebe entspannt und alle angesammelten Spannungen in Körper und Geist löst.
Helen Haynes Pilates-Lehrerin bietet täglich Pilates-Kurse für alle Niveaus an. Privatstunden können auch an Bord gebucht werden.
Alexandre Thang wird individuelle Entdeckungssitzungen der Gesichtsbehandlung anbieten (nach Reservierung und gegen Aufpreis an Bord) und während der Kreuzfahrt 3 offene Vorträge für alle halten:
Revitalisierende Selbstmassage für Gesicht und Körper
Gönnen Sie sich einen Moment energetischer Entspannung und Regeneration durch sanfte und revitalisierende Selbstmassagetechniken, um die Durchblutung zu stimulieren und Vitalität und Ausstrahlung Ihres Teints wiederherzustellen. Lernen Sie einfache Bewegungen, um Ihr Gesicht zu straffen, Anzeichen von Müdigkeit zu reduzieren und Ihr allgemeines Wohlbefinden zu steigern. Ideal, um sich sanft aufzuladen, Stress abzubauen und Spannungen im Gesicht und Körper zu lösen.
Achtsamkeitsmeditation: Inneres Gleichgewicht
Entdecken Sie eine beruhigende Praxis, um Präsenz, Gelassenheit und ein besseres Stressmanagement zu kultivieren. Ideal, um den Geist zu klären, mentale Spannungen zu lindern und emotionale Harmonie zu stärken, lädt Sie diese Meditation ein, den gegenwärtigen Moment mit Freundlichkeit zu begrüßen. Für alle zugänglich, ohne Vorkenntnisse, kombiniert sie bewusstes Atmen, Körperverankerung und Sinneswahrnehmung, verstärkt durch das einzigartige Ambiente der Kreuzfahrt. Gönnen Sie sich eine erfrischende Auszeit, um Körper und Geist im Rhythmus der Wellen wieder zu verbinden.
Vipassana-Meditation: Die Kunst des achtsamen Genießens
Verwandeln Sie jede Mahlzeit in ein sensorisches und spirituelles Erlebnis im Herzen Ihrer Kreuzfahrt. Geleitet von den alten Prinzipien der Vipassana, entdecken Sie den Akt des Essens neu: einen Tanz der Aromen, Texturen und Empfindungen, die ohne Urteil beobachtet werden. Lernen Sie, langsamer zu werden, auf Ihren Körper zu hören und Dankbarkeit zu kultivieren, begleitet vom beruhigenden Rhythmus des Ozeans. Für alle zugänglich, bietet Ihnen diese stille Praxis eine tiefgreifende Rückverbindung zu sich selbst und dem gegenwärtigen Moment.
*Preis pro Person auf Basis einer Doppelkabine. Dieser Preis gilt vorbehaltlich Verfügbarkeit und basiert auf der Auslastung des jeweiligen Schiffes. Die Kabinenkategorie, für die dieser Preis gilt, ist möglichweise nicht mehr verfügbar
Creator of the Tigre Yoga Club, Elodie has dedicated the last fifteen years to sharing the art of yoga with numerous communities: at Tigres, festivals, retreats, and also for NGOs and associations.
Her tireless desire to share her knowledge is reflected in her books, interviews, and yoga classes. Now based in Normandy, where she has opened a guesthouse, she is expanding her teaching to include many areas of positive psychology, nutrition, and sports and wellness.
Her purpose: to share the Art of Yoga every day so that everyone can live a better version of themselves.
Seit seiner Kindheit wurde Alexandre in die ganzheitliche Tuina-Therapiemethode eingeführt, die ihm von seinem Großvater, einem Experten der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin (TCM), überliefert wurde. Nach vertieften Studien in TCM entwickelte er innovative Methoden wie Guasha-Kobido und MTC Facelift, die alte Techniken mit modernen Behandlungen kombinieren, um sichtbare, langanhaltende und tief revitalisierende Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Als Spezialist für ganzheitliche Anti-Aging-Massagen gleicht er Energien aus, entspannt den Körper und befreit den Geist. Als Pionier des ästhetischen Guasha in Frankreich und Russland integriert er traditionelle Praktiken wie Chi Nei Tsang, energetisches Tuina, Schröpfen, dynamische Akupressur und Qi-Arbeit mit den biomechanischen Beweg.
Gesprochene Sprachen: Französisch und Englisch
Fotocredit: Cris Noé
Formalitäten
Bedingungen für die Einschiffung und Gesundheitszustand des Gastes
Bitte lesen Sie aufmerksam die Bedingungen für die Einschiffung und Gesundheitszustand des Gastes indem du hier klickst.
Jede neue Reservierung setzt die Annahme dieser Bedingungen voraus.
Um Ihre Einreise in ein oder mehrere Länder zu gewährleisten, müssen Sie zuvor die spezifischen Formalitäten und Gesundheitsbedingungen für jedes Reiseziel erfüllen. Mit der Online-Suchmaschine finden Sie hier mit wenigen Klicks alle Formalitäten, die Sie vor Ihrer Reise erledigen müssen (Visum, Einreisegenehmigungen nach Ländern, Impfungen usw.).
Da sich die internationale Lage schnell ändern kann, sollten Sie diese Informationen vor Ihrer Abreise regelmäßig überprüfen. Nichtsdestotrotz wird unseren Gästen immer empfohlen, sich direkt bei den zuständigen nationalen Einwanderungs-, Zoll- und Grenzkontrollbehörden über die für ihren speziellen Fall geltenden Vorschriften zu informieren. PONANT ist nicht verantwortlich für Entscheidungen, die der Gast auf der Grundlage der von der Online-Suchmaschine bereitgestellten Informationen trifft.
Die unten stehenden Informationen sind derzeit gültig. Änderungen können jedoch jederzeit ohne vorherige Informationen der jeweiligen Regierungseinrichtungen auftreten. Bitte kontaktieren Sie Ihre zuständigen Behörden für Informationen zu Visa- und Gesundheitsbestimmungen.
Türkei: Einige Nationalitäten benötigen ein Visum für die Türkei. Das Visum kann vorab online unter https://www.evisa.gov.tr/de/.
Ihr Reisepass muss bis mindestens sechs Monate nach Reiseende gültig sein und mindestens zwei leere Seiten für jedes benötigte Visum enthalten. Befleckte Seiten oder Seiten mit Stempelabdrücken von schon genutzten Seiten sind nicht verwendbar. Reisende, die von geplanten Einschiffungs- und Ausschiffungshäfen abweichen, sollten sich über die Einreisebestimmungen des jeweiligen Landes informieren. Sollten Sie nicht im Besitz der nötigen Ausweispapiere sein, ist PONANT von Gesetzeswegen verpflichtet, Ihnen zu verweigern an Bord zu gehen und Ihnen steht keine Erstattung des Kreuzfahrtpreises zu.
Liste der verbotenen Gegenstände an Bord
Um die Sicherheit und das Wohlbefinden der Gäste zu gewährleisten, sind bestimmte Gegenstände an Bord streng verboten. Wenn Sie eines dieser Produkte oder Gegenstände in Ihrem Besitz haben, werden diese sofort konfisziert und dürfen nicht auf dem Schiff transportiert werden. Wenn ein an Bord mitgeführter Gegenstand als illegal eingestuft wird, werden die zuständigen Behörden systematisch benachrichtigt.
Hier finden Sie eine Liste aller Gegenstände, die an Bord verboten sind.
Wichtiger Hinweis zur Benutzung von Drohnen: Die Benutzung von Drohnen ist an Bord der PONANT-Schiffe strengstens untersagt, sowohl während der Fahrt als auch im Hafen oder an Anlegestellen. In der Arktis und Antarktis ist die Benutzung von Drohnen durch die internationalen Polar-Regelungen auch an Land strengstens untersagt. In den anderen Regionen unterliegt eine eventuelle Nutzung von Drohnen dem Erhalt einer Genehmigung bei den zuständigen Behörden der einzelnen Länder und der durchquerten Gebiete sowie dem Vorliegen eines Drohnenführerscheins, den der Benutzer in seinem Herkunftsland erwerben muss. Der Erhalt dieser Genehmigungen geht zu Lasten der Passagiere. Die Genehmigungen müssen jederzeit vorgezeigt werden können. Passagiere, die gegen diese Genehmigungspflicht verstoßen, machen sich strafbar.
Packliste
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.
Empfehlungen
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 Aktivitäten
Highlights
Yoga- und Pilates-Kurse für alle Niveaus mit Yogalehrerin Elodie Garamond und Pilates-Lehrerin Helen Haynes
Genießen Sie entspannende Momente dank der alten Techniken und modernen Behandlungen von Alexandre Tang.
Unter den inbegriffenen Ausflügen: Besuche der Dörfer Lefkes und Naoussa (Syrakus) sowie der UNESCO-Stätten der Meteora-Klöster (Volos) und von Ephesus (Kusadasi) usw.
Einschiffung 01.04.2026 von 16:00 bis 17:00
Abfahrt 01.04.2026 um 20:00
An der türkischen Mittelmeerküste entdecken Sie den Badeort Antalya. Die Stadt besitzt herrliche feine Sandstrände und ist auch für ihr bedeutendes historisches Erbe bekannt. Zahlreiche Überreste zeugen von der Bedeutung dieses antiken römischen Hafens, wie beispielsweise das Hadrianstor, das 130 n. Chr. anlässlich des Besuchs des Kaisers errichtet wurde. In der Altstadt sind wunderschöne osmanische Häuser mit blühenden Gärten sowie das Minarett zu bewundern, das auf den Ruinen einer alten byzantinischen Kirche errichtet wurde. Die Umgebung der Stadt bietet Gelegenheit zur Entdeckung bedeutender archäologischer Stätten wie die antike Stadt Aspendos, die für ihr beeindruckendes römisches Theater bekannt ist.
Ankunft 02.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 02.04.2026 am späten Nachmittag
Lernen Sie Alanya an der türkischen Riviera kennen. Die vom Taurusgebirge eingerahmte Halbinsel profitiert von einer privilegierte Lage im Mittelmeer und war einst ein strategischer Ort für die Mächte in der Region. Das Schloss aus der seldschukischen Epoche, das sich in die Felsenklippen schmiegt, ist heute ein Freilichtmuseum über den Stränden am türkisblauen Meer. Prächtige Villen mit roten Ziegeldächern und der oktogonale Rote Turm aus dem Jahr 1226, das Symbol der Stadt, sind Zeugen der osmanischen Zeit. Heute ist Alanya ein beliebter Badeort. Genießen Sie den herrlichen Strand, an dem einst sogar Kleopatra, die berühmteste der ägyptischen Königinnen, gebadet haben soll …
Genießen Sie während der Überfahrt auf See die zahlreichen Freizeitangebote an Bord. Gönnen Sie sich Entspannung im Spa oder halten Sie sich im Fitnessraum in Form. Lassen Sie sich je nach Jahreszeit zu einem Sprung in den Pool oder zu einem Sonnenbad verlocken. Dieser Reise ohne Zwischenstopp bietet auch Gelegenheit, einer Konferenz oder einer der an Bord angebotenen Vorstellungen beizuwohnen, abhängig von den angebotenen Aktivitäten, oder in der Boutique ein wenig zu shoppen oder die PONANT-Fotografen in ihrem eigenen Bereich aufzusuchen. Wer das offene Meer liebt, bewundert auf dem Oberdeck das Schauspiel der Wogen und kann mit etwas Glück Meerestiere beobachten. Eine zauberhafte kleine Auszeit mit Komfort, Entspannung und Unterhaltung.
Ankunft 04.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 04.04.2026 mittags
Der reizvolle Badeort Kusadasi liegt an einem Golf an der türkischen Westküste. Sie können in einem glasklaren Wasser baden oder entlang der Küstenpromenade unter Palmen flanieren. Im historischen Viertel gehen Sie durch schmale Gassen, um in Ruhe die bunten Läden des Basars zu erkunden. Da die Ausgrabungsstätte von Ephesos nicht weit entfernt in den Hügeln liegt, haben Sie die Gelegenheit die bedeutenden Überreste dieser Stadt, eine der berühmtesten der Antike, zu entdecken.
Ankunft 05.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 05.04.2026 am späten Nachmittag
Volos, eine der größten Hafenstädte Griechenlands, liegt am Fuße des Gebirges Pilio. In der Mythologie galt Pilio als der Ort, an dem die Götter und Helden feierten, und als Heimat der Kentauren. In der Tat können die Schönheit des Ortes und seine zauberhafte Atmosphäre nur von den Göttern inspiriert worden sein: klares Quellwasser tränkt Platanen, Apfelbäume, Eichen, Buchen, Gardenien, Kamelien und Hortensien, die in der fruchtbaren Erde Thessaliens gedeihen. Besuchen Sie das malerische Dorf Milies und entdecken Sie seine traditionnelle Architektur.
Ankunft 06.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 06.04.2026 am späten Abend
Lavrio ist ein ruhiger Yachthafen in der Nähe von Athen, in dem Schiffe aus der ganzen Welt anlegen. Die Stadt ist seit der Antike berühmt für die Silberminen von Laurion, die einen bedeutenden Beitrag zum Aufschwung Athens und der griechischen Wirtschaft im 20. Jahrhundert leisteten. Bummeln Sie bei schönem Wetter durch die Stadt und entdecken Sie die vielen Überreste dieser bis in die 1980er-Jahre blühenden Industrie: alte, neoklassizistische Gebäude, Industriebauten und Arbeiterhäuser. Nutzen Sie diesen Stopp auch, um Athen und seine Akropolis oder das Kap Sounion zu entdecken, auf dem sich der wunderschöne Poseidontempel erhebt.
Der Kanal von Korinth trennt die griechische Region Peloponnes vom Kontinent und lässt sie so zur Insel werden. Er wurde 1893 eröffnet, hat eine Länge von etwas mehr als sechs Kilometern und ermöglicht Handels- und Tourismusschiffen einen 400 Kilometer langen Umweg um die Halbinsel zu vermeiden. Die beiden Seiten des Kanals erreichen eine Höhe von etwa fünfzig Metern. Das Verfolgen von den Außendecken aus der Fahrt des Schiffes über diese schmale, von hohen, ockerfarbenen Felsen umgebene Wasserstraße stellt ein einzigartiges Erlebnis dar, das Sie nicht verpassen sollten.
Ankunft 07.04.2026 mittags
Abfahrt 07.04.2026 am späten Nachmittag
Die in eine Bucht des Golfs von Korinth eingebettete kleine Hafenstadt liegt in Kontinentalgriechenland nordwestlich von Athen. Während Sie sich dem Vergnügen eines Spaziergangs entlang der nach alter Art gepflasterten Kais hingeben, können Sie den Blick auf die umliegenden Gipfel der Bucht von Itea genießen. Auch eine Besichtigung des Heiligtums von Delphi lassen Sie sich sicherlich nicht entgehen. Es befindet sich an den Hängen des Parnass in nur etwa zehn Kilometern Entfernung von Itea. Diese UNESCO-Welterbestätte strahlt einen unbestreitbaren Reiz aus.
Ankunft 08.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 08.04.2026 abends
Korfu - von gleichen Namen wie die Insel - ist die berühmteste Stadt der Ionischen Inseln. Die von den Mauern der Zitadelle geschützte Altstadt gehört zum UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe und besticht durch eine ungewöhnliche griechisch-byzantinische und venezianische Architektur. Sie können oberhalb der Küste die Sankt-Georgs-Kirche sehen, die einem antiken Tempel erstaunlich ähnlich ist. Die malerische kleine Insel Pontikonisi, wo der legendäre Odysseus einst Zwischenstation machte, befindet sich ganz in der Nähe der Südspitze der Stadt.
Ankunft 09.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 09.04.2026 am späten Nachmittag
Gallipoli, das von dem griechischen Wort kalle polis – schöne Stadt – abstammen soll, macht seinem Namen alle Ehre. Die am Absatz des Stiefels gelegene Stadt, die auch als „die Perle Apuliens“ bezeichnet wird, hat viele Attraktionen zu bieten. Das Weiß ihrer Fassaden erinnert an ihre griechischen Wurzeln, während ihre Architektur ihre vielfältigen Einflüsse widerspiegelt. In der Altstadt, die auf einer Kalksteininsel liegt, konzentriert sich das kulturelle Erbe dieser Stadt mit tausend Gesichtern, die mal römische Kolonie, dann byzantinisch, im Besitz der Päpste, normannisch oder unter der Herrschaft von Tarent war. Sie allein erzählt die ganze Geschichte der Zivilisationen des Mittelmeers.
2 verfügbare Landausflüge
bei diesem Stopp
Walking tour of Gallipoli, pearl of the Ionian Sea
Ankunft 10.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 10.04.2026 abends
Mit den zerklüfteten Felsküsten, den endlosen Stränden, dem Ätna, der bedrohlich wie ein Patriarch über seiner Insel thront, und den blühenden Gärten auf den Hügeln präsentiert Sizilien seine Landschaften wie ein Ladenbesitzer, der seine Schätze feilbietet. Cicero beschrieb sie als die „schönste Stadt der Welt“, einst war Syrakus eine der bedeutendsten Städte Siziliens, die es in ihrer Glanzzeit sogar mit Athen aufnehmen konnte. In der zentralen Stadt des antiken Griechenlands lebten zahlreiche Zivilisationen, von denen jede ihre Spuren hinterließ. Dank der Einflüsse der arabischen, römischen, normannischen, byzantinischen und spanischen Kulturen zeichnet sich Syrakus heute durch eine außergewöhnliche Palette an Düften, Farben und Aromen aus.
Ankunft 11.04.2026 am frühen Vormittag
Ausschiffung 11.04.2026 um 08:00
Die vollständig zum UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe erklärte Hauptstadt Valletta erstreckt sich über eine Halbinsel im Nordwesten von Malta. Vom Tritonbrunnen bis zum Fort St. Elmo biete die Stadt ebenso vielen majestätischen Straßen wie treppenförmig angelegten Gassen. Die farbigen Loggien und die verzierten Erker der hohen Wohngebäude begleiten Sie bei Ihrer Entdeckungstour, die selten von Autos gestört wird. Besichtigen Sie den mit Wappen und Fresken geschmückten Großmeisterpalast. Die St.-Johannes-Kathedrale sowie die seit dem 16. Jh. die Stadt schützenden Wehrmauern gehören auch zu den bedeutendsten Bauwerken der Stadt. Die in Terrassen angelegten Gärten von Barraca verleihen Ihrem Rundgang eine grüne und blühende Note.
The resort city of Alanya, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, offers much more than pleasant fine-sand beaches. Its archaeological museum, its castle and its red tower will take you back to the times of ancient heroes and rebel pirates.
Opened in 1967, the Alanya Archaeological Museum houses a beautiful collection of objects, including some from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Amidst these antiques made of bronze, marble, china, glass and mosaics, between the ostotek (funerary urns) and the coins from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, one piece captures all the attention: the bronze statue of Hercules, whose dramatic story dates back to the 2nd century CE.
Next, head for Alanya Castle. Perched 250 metres (820 ft) above sea level and surrounded by a perimeter wall six kilometres (3.7 miles) long, this site offers a breathtaking view. But its history is also worth the detour, because even though the origins of its creation are still unknown - it is first mentioned in the writings of the geographer Scylax in the 4th century BC -, we do know that it provided an ideal den for pirates and rebels in the 2nd century BC, then witnessed the succession of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations.
Finally, discover the Red Tower, one of the most beautiful examples of 13th-century Mediterranean medieval defence structures. By order of Alaeddin Keyqubad I, the Seljuk sovereign, it was built by Ebu Ali Reha el Kettani, an architect from Aleppo, to protect Alanya's harbour, shipyard and castle against attacks by sea.
· This excursion involves approximately 1.5 hours of walking on uneven surfaces, including cobblestones, and numerous steps at the castle and the Red Tower. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Side theatre and Damlatas cave
4h15
Stroll around Side, a charming ancient city on the southern coast of Turkey which once provided the backdrop for some of Mark Antony and Cleopatra's love story, then admire the emblematic Damlatas Cave, a geological gem on the west coast of the peninsula.
On the turquoise coast of Turkey, where the Mediterranean Sea caresses the ruins of ancient civilisations, the historic Side will appear before you. Prosperous between the 2nd and 4th centuries due to its close ties with the Roman Empire, this city is now home to a number of ancient ruins providing evidence of the Roman, Arab and Ottoman civilisations that succeeded one another here.
At the heart of the city, between the cobbled streets and historical landmarks, Side's colossal and emblematic ancient theatre from the 2nd century rises majestically, a testament to the greatness of the Roman Empire. Built in a semi-circle and hewn directly out of the hillside, this theatre could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. After being converted into a huge open-air church in the 5th century, it now houses three temples - one dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine, and the two others to Apollo and Artemis respectively. If you stand along the stone cavea, you can almost hear the murmurs of the spectators of old and their deafening claps.
Next, you will head to the Damlatas Cave, on the west coast of the peninsula. Discovered in 1948 during the construction of the new port, the enormous cavity is covered in stalactites and stalagmites that continue to grow. Due to its constant high temperatures and high humidity, the cave is said to have beneficial properties for treating certain respiratory ailments, including asthma.
·This excursion includes 1.5 hours of walking on uneven ground and a large number of steps inside the theatre and the Damlatas Cave. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. The visit to the Damlatas Cave is not recommended for anyone with a heart condition.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Ephesus, an ancient wonder
2h45
Listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, the incredible site of Ephesus holds a concentration of some of the most beautiful and most impressive Roman vestiges at the heart of its abundant natural environment. Here, temples, villas and streets paved in sparkling marble immerse you into the daily life of those who once lived in this ancient city.
Also known as the Turkish Pompeii, Ephesus is a veritable open-air museum whose excavation, begun in 1869, brought to light some of the richest Roman vestiges in the Mediterranean. Built in two parts due to the geography of the land, the city boasts an administrative quarter on its heights, with the very beautiful ruins of the city hall, the civil basilica and the Odeon all lined up on the north side of the Agora.
Facing the harbour, the lower town is home to the religious and cultural buildings: the famous Celsus Library, the Roman villas, the Commercial Agora, the stadium, and the largest amphitheatre of the ancient world, able to hold some 24,000 spectators.
Between the two, discover the dwellings of the notables, grouped along the slopes of Mount Pion and Mount Coressos, along with Hercules Gate, the ancient Scholastica Baths, the stunning Marble Road, and the Temple of Hadrian.
·This excursion involves 1.5 hours of walking over uneven ground with some stairs. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Ephesus & Roman Villas
3h45
The incredible site of Ephesus holds a concentration of some of the most beautiful and most impressive Roman vestiges. During a guided visit, this ancient city, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, will reveal its temples and its sparkling streets of marble, as well as the terrace houses where lived the rich inhabitants of this place also known as the Turkish Pompeii.
A veritable open-air museum whose excavation, begun in 1869, brought to light some of the richest Roman vestiges in the Mediterranean, Ephesus is spread over two parts, the upper and the lower, to adapt to the relief of the neighbouring mountains.
On the heights, discover the administrative quarter, with the very beautiful ruins of the city hall, the civil basilica and the Odeon, all lined up on the north side of the Agora.
As for the lower city, it houses the religious and cultural buildings that stood facing the ancient port. There, you will discover the famous Celsus Library – which you will have the opportunity to visit –, the Commercial Agora, the stadium, and the largest amphitheatre of the ancient world, able to hold some 24,000 spectators.
Next, head for the Terrace Houses, where recent excavations unearthed the houses of rich Ephesians. Built during the reign of Augustus, and located on the northern slope of Bülbüldag next to Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian, these houses were constructed with a peristyle, a courtyard surrounded by Ionic columns, and they are finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes.
Finally, after a short walk, you will arrive at the Great Theatre, where Saint Paul preached to the Ephesians, imploring them to abandon the worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith.
·This excursion involves walking for approximately 2.5 hours on uneven ground with steps. The ground may be slippery. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Spectacular Meteora monasteries
8h30
Meteora is one of the most imposing sights in mainland Greece: giant rocks in bizarre shapes, ranging in height from 100 to 150 metres.
After disembarking, you will board your coach for a two hours and a half drive, leaving the port of Volos to head Northwest crossing the agricultural plains of Thessaly. You will pass provincial towns such as Larissa and Trikala before reaching Kalambaka, a small town nestled at the footsteps of the Meteora rocks.A short restroom stop with refreshments will take place there before continuing to the "monasteries in the sky" of the Meteora.
Once a monastic community with 24 monasteries, Meteora now consists of only five active ones. They were first built in the 14th century by monks who searched for a place where they could stay isolated and pray undisturbed from the rest of the world. Until 1920 most of the Meteora monasteries could only be reached by getting into a net and hauled up by a rope. Fortunately, steps were cut afterwards to all of the monasteries.
You will visit two of the most beautiful and representative Monasteries of the valley, where you will admire icons, mosaics and frescoes, old manuscripts, domed roofs as well as breathtaking views of nearby monasteries and of the surrounding area.
After your visit to the monasteries, proceed to a local restaurant in Kalambaka for a Greek lunch.Then, via the same road passing Trikala and Larrisa, you will return to the port of Volos to join your ship, a 2h30 drive.
·This excursion involves two hours of walking and standing with many steps. We recommend you to wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing must be worn when visiting the religious buildings: trousers for men and skirts covering the knees for the ladies. The lunch and refreshment are included in your tour. This tour is limited to 150 participants.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
The Acropolis and its museum
7h30
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to the city centre of Athens. Your first stop will be the Acropolis, a symbol of the glory of ancient Greece, where you will climb its smooth marble steps as visitors have for centuries. History opens before you as you reach one of the masterpieces of classical architecture, the Propylaea, which serves as the entrance to the complex. See the Temple of Athena Nike, or Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum with its classical Porch of Maidens, the Caryatids. Stand in awe of what is considered to be the most perfect example of classical architecture in the world, the Parthenon, designed as a shrine to Athena that, at one time, housed a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess.
Looking down from the Acropolis, see the two ancient theatres in its shadow - the Greek theatre of Dionysus, where the masterpieces of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes debuted to delighted audiences, and the grand Roman theatre of Herod Atticus, restored and used for concerts and classical plays during the summer Athens Festival.
You will then visit the splendid Acropolis Museum, which is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built in order to house every artifact found on the rock and nearby, covering a large period of time, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. The museum was founded in 2003, while the Organisation of the Museum was established in 2000. Finally, it opened to public on June 21, 2009. Nearly 4,000 objects are on exhibit, and the museum spans an impressive 14,000 square metres.
After the visit of the Museum, you will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the Thesseion area.
You will then you board your coach again for the return drive to Lavrio port.
·This tour involves extensive walk on uneven terrain with steps. This tour is not recommended for guests with mobility challenges. We recommend you wear light clothing, comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Vravrona Archaeological Site & Cape Sounion
5h00
Sheltered from the indigo waves of the Bay of Brauron, the ancient village of Vravrona is nestled like an age-old pearl, a witness of times gone by. Its winding little streets, cobbled with sea pebbles polished by the tides, exude the bewitching fragrances of a mythical past. Discover a remarkable archaeological site, the Temple of Artemis Brauroni, the honoured goddess of vegetation and hunting, and veritable protector of women giving birth and infants.
As of your departure from the port of Lavrio, you will head north-east, to discover the coastal city of Brauron, where a rich human settlement prospered as far back as the Neolithic period. Among the site’s lost remarkable vestiges, you will be able to admire the majestic large Doric Stoa with a ? - shaped ground plan, built between 425 and 415 BC, and the Temple of Artemis, a Doric prostyle temple with a tripartite cella and a deep adyton, built on the ruins of an archaic temple dating back to the first half of the 5th century BC.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the modest yet no less remarkable museum attached to the site, which houses objects coming not only from Vravrona but also from other regions of Attica. Nonetheless, the main part of the exhibition is dedicated to the discoveries made at the Temple of Artemis in Vravrona, among which the sculptures of “sheep”, representing the young girls devoted to Artemis, stand out.
Leaving Vravrona, you will arrive on Cape Sounion where you will visit the Temple of Poseidon, dating back to the 5th century BC. Perched 60 metres above the waves, on the edge of a cliff, it is one of the most breathtaking and moving sites in all of Greece. This is the place where the ancient Greeks worshipped their mighty god of the seas, Poseidon. The 15 Doric columns still standing (out of 34 originally) belong to the temple constructed here during Pericles’ Golden Age of Athens, on the vestiges of an older building. The architect is unknown, but it is believed to be the same one who built the Theseion in Athens.
After your visit, you will have a little free time to immortalise the site with some superb photos or even enjoy a drink at the neighbouring café, before heading back to the port of Lavrio.
·This excursion includes climbing some steps and walking on uneven terrain. We recommend you wear suitable shoes and clothes.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Sacred site of Delphi
4h15
On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the Delphi site opens the doors to a sacred world, where each stone summons up the glorious past of Ancient Greece.
Take the Sacred Way, the route walked in the past by pilgrims and kings of Antiquity, and go on a timeless journey. Here, the history of Greece and its legends overflow from everything: the ruins and ancient monuments, but also from the surrounding nature, which is still stunning.
This will jump out at you as you stand before the Temple of Apollo. It was constructed around the 7th century BC by two legendary architects, Trophonios and Agamedes; today, only a few vestiges remain of this Doric monument, decorated at the time with shields captured from the Persians. However, the foundations and columns that are still present seem to find an echo of their grandeur in the surrounding mountains.
The same goes for the ruins of the Senate of Delphi, as well as the vestiges of the Oracle of Delphi, where thousands of pilgrims gathered to receive the oracle of Pythia, high priestess of Apollo. The ancient theatre is also worth visiting.
A stone’s throw away from the sanctuary of Apollo, you will also be able to discover the Delphi Museum’s exhibitions, which present objects found at the archaeological site over the past century or more. Vases, bronzes, sculptures, precious offerings made to Apollo by pilgrims, objects of gold and ivory found under the slabs of the Sacred Way... they all recount the history of one of the most emblematic sites in Antiquity.
·This excursion involves walking around 1.7 kilometres (around a mile) on uneven ground, with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Hosios Loukas and charming Arachova
4h15
Marvel at the beauty of the Byzantine monastery of Hosios Loukas and take to the heights in the streets of Arachova, a small town perched 1,000 metres (3,000 feet) up on the illustrious Mount Parnassus.
The fortified monastery of Hosios Loukas, near Delphi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most characteristic monuments of the second golden age of Byzantine art. Founded at the start of the 10th century by the hermit Saint Luke, it includes a central-plan church decorated with superb marble decor and admirable mosaics on a gold background. The main shrine is none other than the tomb of Saint Luke, originally situated in the crypt.
Your excursion will continue with a visit of Arachova. Built on the side of the mountain, this small town of 3,300 inhabitants is famous for its traditional stone houses spread out over the northern slopes of Mount Parnassus, between 800 and 1,100 metres up. As you explore its small streets on your own, allow yourself to be charmed by the hospitality of the inhabitants, the local handicrafts and the gastronomy. Indeed, the town is well-known for its wine and cheese, as well as for its homemade carpets and blankets.
·This excursion involves walking an hour on uneven surfaces and cobblestone streets with many staircases (approximately 50 steps to the Monastery). We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Corfu's local delicacies
3h00
The Old Town of Corfu belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list; it is a unique site, a maze of historical buildings and winding paved pedestrian streets dating back to the 18th century. During this walking tour, follow your guide to discover and taste traditional Corfiot delicacies while visiting local family-owned shops.
Your first stop will be the traditional 'Tyria Paramythias' store, whose owner still makes the original 'nouboulo' (olive wood smoked ham) and salami. Your second stop is at the traditional taverna of Sakis, where you will have the chance to try some traditional Corfiot recipes, like the spicy 'bourdetto', a casserole dish cooked with fresh fish and sweet paprika, served with fresh baked bread and local wine.
Continue your tour through the old town, past the Orthodox Church of Saint Sophia to the delicatessen shop run by Mr Papagiorgis, where you get to taste his fresh-made ice cream with kumquat or ginger-beer flavours.
Your walking tour continues in the serpentine-like streets to the Town Hall Square, past the historical town hall San Giacomo building and the Catholic Cathedral 'Duomo' of St. Jacob and St. Patrick. Visit the 16th century Church of Saint Spyridon dedicated to the patron saint of the island, renowned for its frescoes and the silver and gold gilded coffin that treasures the holy remains of the Saint.
Further down the street, at the local products shop 'Afthonia' in the neighbourhood, you will have the occasion to taste a unique locally produced kumquat liquor, made from a peculiar citrus fruit that only grows in a few parts of the world.
After this culinary experience, you can either continue your visit of the town and return on your own to your ship (time permitting), or follow your guide and return directly to the pier. The order of the various stops may vary.
·This tour involves two and a half hours of walking and standing on cobble stone streets covering approximately 2 km (1.4 mi). Wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Der Preis für den Landausflug ist etwa zwei Monate vor Reiseantritt verfügbar.
Das vollständige Ausflugsprogramm, einschließlich der aktuellen Preise, erhalten Sie mit Ihren Reiseunterlagen vor dem Beginn Ihrer Kreuzfahrt.
Sie können Ihre PONANT Landausflüge ab ca. zwei Monate vor Abfahrt Ihrer Kreuzfahrt* vorab reservieren. Die Abrechnung erfolgt über das Bordkonto.
*Expeditionskreuzfahrten ausgeschlossen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Corfu Town & Mon Repos Palace
4h00
From the pier, you will board your coach to Mon Repos Palace.
The Palace was built by the British Commissioner Sir Adam Maitland in 1828, as a gift to his beautiful Corfiot wife. It was used as the Summer Residence of the High Commissioners, while their official residence was the Palace of St. Michael and St. George located in the town of Corfu. Today Mon Repos belongs to the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Corfu. It houses a museum with mainly local finds from ancient Corfu.
Then, re-board your coach for a short transfer to Corfu city centre. Upon arrival, follow your guide through the narrow cobbled-stoned serpentine streets of the Old Town known as "kandounia" and charming little "piazzas" (squares) built by the Venetians in the 14th century. During your walking tour, you will pass by the arcades of "liston", the replica of the "Rue de Rivoli" of Paris and the Old Town Hall. You will also visit the Church of St. Spyridon, patron saint of Corfu.
At the end of the visit, you will return to the pier.
·This tour involves two hours of walking and standing. There are some steps at the Mon Repos Palace. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered).
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Discover the island of Corfu
3h30
Set off for a unique experience in the heart of Corfu, exploring some of the island's gems. Between heavenly beaches with turquoise water and breathtaking panoramas, fall in love with the natural beauty of Paleokastritsa and the authenticity of the village of Lakones.
The region of Paleokastritsa, to the north-west of Corfu Town, will enchant you with its exceptional natural beauty. Known as “the Greek Capri”, it features small coves bathed in turquoise waters and dominated by rocky outcrops covered with pine and cypress trees. It is said that Odysseus met Nausica in one of these coves after being washed ashore. You will visit the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and its small museum.
On the heights of Corfu, the charming village of Lakones will appear before you. Its narrow streets wind between golden stone houses covered in vibrant bougainvillea. From the Bella Vista viewpoint, you will be enchanted by the beautiful scenery of fishing boats gently drifting by below, their white sails contrasting with the blue immensity of the Ionian Sea.
Finally, explore the Old Town of Corfu and admire the architecture of the fine residences, the ancient fortress, the Palace of St Michael and St George, and the lively Spianada Square, before returning to the pier.
· This excursion includes some walking on flat ground. We recommend wearing comfortable casual shoes. Appropriate clothing is required for the Paleokastritsa monastery visit.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Walking tour of Gallipoli, pearl of the Ionian Sea
3h00
Fall under the spell of one of Puglia’s jewels, Gallipoli, listen to its history in the old town’s maze of narrow lanes and admire its historic and architectural heritage.
A visit through its enigmatic lanes is like a journey back in time, a living exploration of the cultural strata that make Gallipoli such a rare pearl. Time here sometimes seems to stand still. Near the port, where your guided tour will begin, the fisherman are hard at work. Off in the distance, the gates of the old town open onto a maze of narrow lanes edged withbright- and warm-coloured dwellings, where the shade of the buildings draws a mystical labyrinth. Each street corner tells its own story of this medieval city, with its multiple heritages and cultural influences. Take the time to listen to the stories told by your local guide, as you admire the surprising St. Agatha’s Cathedral, its columns and its stunning baroque frescoes.
The sun-drenched hills of Gallipoli, bathed by the blue waters of the Mediterranean, made it a regional stronghold in olive-oil production as of the 15th century. The exports of this “liquid gold” were so significant that its production was stored in the four corners of the city in underground cisterns dug out of the local limestone, called carparo. You will have the opportunity to discover the production techniques that were used in the past, as you visit one of the 35 recently renovated underground oil mills.
· This excursion includes three hours of walking on uneven surfaces. This visit is not accessible for persons with reduced mobility or in a wheelchair. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting places of worship: trousers for men, and skirts covering the knees for women.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Lecce, a Baroque jewel
4h00
Stroll around Lecce, the "Baroque Florence", and discover the countless churches, palaces and monuments carved out of this soft and almost golden limestone that gives the city a glowing look, like the chubby cherubins that decorate its façades.
A veritable open-air museum, Lecce is a microcosm of Baroque splendours, located only one hour's drive from Gallipoli. The cherubins, gargoyles, plant patterns, columns and capitals, each more extravagant than the last, are legion here - to the extent that the city lays claim to its own style, the "Barocco Leccese"- since the sculptors and architects of the 16th and 17th centuries had a field day with the regional stone, a marvel of malleability and delicacy.
The Centro Storico historic centre is proof of this, with its cobbled streets and shady squares teeming with incredible rococo treasures, including the Basilica of Santa Croce - with a constellation of sublime ornaments - and the Governor's Palace.
Not far from there, on the Piazza Santa Oronzo, the palazzos, church and Roman amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century try to outdo each other with their beauty.
A few metres away, the Piazza del Duomo, in spectacular golden monochrome, proudly displays a cathedral, its bell tower and the archbishop's palace, making it one of Italy's most beautiful squares. Some free time will allow you to wander at leisure along the narrow and beautiful streets of Lecce's town centre before rejoining the bus to go back to the pier.
· This excursion involves a coach journey to Lecce as well as walking 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) on uneven surfaces, with some steps to negotiate. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting places of worship: trousers for men, and skirts covering the knees for women.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Archaeological site & Ortygia
4h00
Depart the pier by coach and drive to the archaeological area, which you will reach after a short drive.
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre of Augustus, used for fights between gladiators and wild beasts, the Altar of Hieron, constructed in the 2ndcentury BC to celebrate the "Eleutherian Feast", the Latomie of Paradise, huge caverns once used as prisons, the Ear of Dionysius, an enormous grotto with extraordinary echo and the Greek Theatre, one of the largest in the Hellenic World, constructed in the 5thcentury BC and successively enlarged.
Upon completion of the visit, re-board your coach for the short drive to Ortygia, which you will visit on foot. On Ortygia Island discover the Piazza Pancali (the ruins of the Temple of Apollo of the 6thcentury BC), Corso Matteotti, Archimede's Place, Piazza Duomo. Visit the Cathedral in Baroque style, erected over the remains of the Doric Temple of Minerva: in the interiors, see the undamaged twelve Doric columns. Then visit the fountain of Arethusa, the nymph praised by Pindar and Virgilio in one of the most touching and fine myths. Several nobility palaces - majority of them originating in the 15th and 16th centuries - will be seen from outside during the walking tour.
Then, return to the port and your ship.
·This excursion involves approximately 3.1 miles (5 km) of walking over uneven terrain and cobble stones as well as steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). This tour is not recommended for passengers with reduced mobility.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Noto, Baroque town
4h00
Depart by coach from the port through the countryside, passing through villages and almond groves as you make your way to Noto, the second largest town in Syracuse province and the best example of Sicilian Baroque architecture on the island.
You will cross on foot the Public Gardens, where it is possible to admire the busts of the artists who contributed to Noto’s urban culture and style.
Besides the 18th century Cathedral, restored after damage suffered during 1990 earthquake, other impressive buildings are the Churches of St Domenico and of St Charles (del Colleggio), the “Ducezio” Palace and “Villadorata” Palace.
Noto has been declared a Heritage site by UNESCO, who also provides financial support for the reconstruction of monuments destroyed during 1990 earthquake.
A refreshment will be offered at a local bar and then you will enjoy some free time to browse around before commencing the return drive to Syracuse.
·This excursion involves approximately 1.2 mile (2 km) of walking mostly over easy terrain, except for steps to enter churches. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). The palace visits are only outside visits. This tour is not recommended for guest with limited mobility.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Le Dumont d'Urville
Le Dumont-d'Urville gehört zu einer neuen Schiffsgeneration, die innovativ und umweltfreundlich ausgestattet ist. Das Schiff verfügt über nach außen weit offene Salons, einen Außenpool und ein Blue Eye, eine Unterwasserlounge. All dies für ein außergewöhnliches Kreuzfahrterlebnis. Nunmehr ist es möglich, an Bord eines Schiffes mit luxuriösen Annehmlichkeiten zu Abenteuern an den entlegensten Orten der Welt aufzubrechen.
Französische Lebenskunst (oder eine entspannte, internationale Atmosphäre an Bord der Paul Gauguin), aufmerksamer Service, feinste Gourmetküche, Freizeitangebote, Spa: Unsere Kreuzfahrten schenken wertvolle Momente voller Ruhe und Entspannung, Abenteuer und Entdeckung. Und mit unserer Vielzahl an bereits inkludierten Leistungen wird aus Ihrer Zeit an Bord eine richtige Auszeit vom Alltag.
INKLUDIERTE LEISTUNGEN BEI ALLEN KREUZFAHRTEN
Vollpension, von der Anreise bis zum Tag der Abreise
Hochwertige Gourmetküche in allen Restaurants
Sämtliche Getränke in Markenqualität(1) in den Restaurants, Bars und der Minibar (darunter u.a. Haus-Champagner, ausgewählte Weine und Marken-Spirituosen, Bier, Mixgetränke, Wasser, Softdrinks, Säfte, Kaffee und Tee)
24-Stunden-Roomservice (ausgewählte Speisen)
Butler-Service in ausgewählten Suitenkategorien(2)
Kostenfreier und unbegrenzter Internetzugang an Bord(3)
Abendprogramm, Shows und sonstiges Entertainment
Zugang zu Fitnessbereich und Hamam/Sauna (je nach Schiff)
Alle Hafen-/Sicherheitsgebühren
ZUSÄTZLICHE LEISTUNGEN JE NACH ART DER KREUZFAHRT BZW. ABHÄNGIG VOM SCHIFF
Vorträge durch Naturführer oder Lektoren (außer bei Ozean-Kreuzfahrten)
Nicht-motorisierte Wassersportaktivitäten (außer Tauchen), wie Kajak oder Stand-up-Paddling, je nach Schiff, abhängig von Wetter- und Sicherheitsbedingungen und nach örtlicher Genehmigung und Zustimmung des Kapitäns
Alle Nationalparkgebühren für geschützte Zonen
Nur bei Expeditionskreuzfahrten und ausgewählten Reisen: Begleitung durch ein Team von Naturführern, Ausfahrten und Anlandungen mit Zodiacs, Landgänge, Vorträge und Informationsveranstaltungen mit Naturführern, bei Polarexpeditionen: Parka geschenkt und Verleih von Gummistiefeln
(1) Ausgenommen Premium-Getränke.
(2) Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal und Le Lyrial: alle Suiten auf Deck 6; PONANT Explorers: Owner Suite, Grand Deluxe Suite, Privilege Suite sowie Prestige Suiten auf Deck 6; Le Commandant Charcot: Owner Suite, Duplex Suite, Privilege Suite und Grand Prestige Suite; Paul Gauguin: Owner Suite, Grand Suite, Veranda Suite A und Veranda-Kabine B.
(3) Je nach Fahrtgebiet kann es sein, dass die WLAN-Verbindung aus Gründen, die außerhalb unserer Kontrolle liegen, nicht verfügbar ist.
Lektor
An Bord Ihres Schiffes bieten Ihnen ausgewählte Lektoren kulturelle und historische Einblicke, damit Sie noch mehr über Ihr Reiseziel erfahren können: den Ursprung der lokalen Traditionen, die Geschichte symbolischer Orte, berühmte Persönlichkeiten und historische Helden... Die Experten begleiten Sie während der gesamten Kreuzfahrt, an Bord und bei den Ausflügen an Land, um ihr Know-how und ihre Einsichten mit Ihnen zu teilen.
Timeless
Bekannt als unsere klassischen Yachtkreuzfahrten vereinen die Reisen der Kategorie „Timeless“ eine wahre Auszeit vom Alltag mit kultureller Neugier, spannenden Erlebnissen und Erholung gleichermaßen. Auf dem Programm stehen bereits im Reisepreis inkludierte Landausflüge (ein Ausflug pro Tag und Person) sowie ergänzend optionale Landausflüge.
Aktivitäten: Ein Landausflug pro Tag und Person ist im Reisepreis inkludiert. Je nach Anlaufhafen werden ergänzend auch optionale, kostenpflichtige Landausflüge angeboten.
Anlegen/Landgang (je nach Reiseziel): an der Pier, mit dem Tenderboot oder lokalen Booten
Experten an Bord: Ausflugsteam sowie ein oder mehrere Gastlektoren
Kinder: ab 1 Jahr (ab 8 Jahren an Bord der Le Commandant Charcot)
Das vollständige Ausflugsprogramm (inkludierte und kostenpflichtige Landausflüge) ist ab acht Monate vor Beginn der Kreuzfahrt verfügbar. Landausflüge können ab zwei Monate vor Reisebeginn reserviert werden.
Einzelkabinenzuschlag geschenkt
EINZELKABINENZUSCHLAG GESCHENKT*
*Einzelkabinenzuschlag entfällt. Begrenztes Kontingent, abhängig von Verfügbarkeit.
Wellness und Sport
Auf einer Kreuzfahrt, die ganz im Zeichen von Wellness und Entspannung steht, werden Sie Momente der absoluten Entspannung erleben. Behandlungen, Aufenthalte in den prächtigsten Spas und Besuche in Thermalbädern stehen auf dem Programm Ihrer Reise, bei der Erholung und Regeneration im Vordergrund stehen.
Unsere Zusatzleistungen
Vor der Kreuzfahrt
31.03.2026 - DISCOVER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN ANTALYA PROVINCE (1 NIGHT)
DISCOVER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN ANTALYA PROVINCE (1 NIGHT)
(1 nuit)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Antalya
Meet at Antalya Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the Akra Hotel 5*.
Check-in.
Rest of the day and dinner are at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Antalya
After breakfast and check-out, you will reach the Aspendos, located at about 1-hour at drive from Antalya. It was a major port city in the Roman period. Its Roman theatre is the best-preserved of any on the Mediterranean coast.
The theatre was built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and dedicated to "the gods of country and the imperial house" and holds over 20,000 souls. Today, an international Opera and Ballet Festival is organised in the theatre.
After a 30-minute drive, you will continue with the visit of Perge, capital of ancient Pamphylia. Its fantastic ruins date back to around 1000 BC. Walk around a stadium that once housed performances and gladiatorial bouts in front of a roaring crowd of 12,000 spectators, one of the best-preserved stadiums in Anatolia. Walk through the Roman Gate, which was the entrance to the city, into the Baths Complex, and around the Hellenistic Gateway and walls, which are the only pre-Roman structures as yet unearthed.
Then, you will reach Antalya Old City where the lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will enjoy a short walking guided in Antalya's old city.
You will then be transferred to the pier of Antalya to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and Bey Mountains, the Akra hotel 5* is within three km from Hadrian's gate, in a modern district of Antalya. Displaying a contemporary architecture, the resort offers a peaceful and elegant atmosphere inspired by the Mediterranean Sea. Each room features complete and modern amenities. It's the perfect place to enjoy pleasant break relaxing by the swimming pool or the beach and testing one of the four restaurants and two lounges.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further details.
Your programme includes:
·1-night accommodation in Deluxe Sea View room at Akra hotel 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
·Meals as mentioned in the programme.
·Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
·Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
·The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
·Dinner on day 1.
·Personal expenses.
·Visa if necessary.
·Tips for the driver and local guide.
·Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
·It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
·Turkey's unit is the Turkish Lira.
·This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Preis inkl. MwSt. pro Person : 390 €
Preis pro Person auf Basis einer Doppelkabine. Dieser Preis gilt vorbehaltlich Verfügbarkeit.
Alanya, a mix of archaeology and architecture
2h30
The resort city of Alanya, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, offers much more than pleasant fine-sand beaches. Its archaeological museum, its castle and its red tower will take you back to the times of ancient heroes and rebel pirates.
Opened in 1967, the Alanya Archaeological Museum houses a beautiful collection of objects, including some from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Amidst these antiques made of bronze, marble, china, glass and mosaics, between the ostotek (funerary urns) and the coins from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, one piece captures all the attention: the bronze statue of Hercules, whose dramatic story dates back to the 2nd century CE.
Next, head for Alanya Castle. Perched 250 metres (820 ft) above sea level and surrounded by a perimeter wall six kilometres (3.7 miles) long, this site offers a breathtaking view. But its history is also worth the detour, because even though the origins of its creation are still unknown - it is first mentioned in the writings of the geographer Scylax in the 4th century BC -, we do know that it provided an ideal den for pirates and rebels in the 2nd century BC, then witnessed the succession of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations.
Finally, discover the Red Tower, one of the most beautiful examples of 13th-century Mediterranean medieval defence structures. By order of Alaeddin Keyqubad I, the Seljuk sovereign, it was built by Ebu Ali Reha el Kettani, an architect from Aleppo, to protect Alanya's harbour, shipyard and castle against attacks by sea.
· This excursion involves approximately 1.5 hours of walking on uneven surfaces, including cobblestones, and numerous steps at the castle and the Red Tower. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Side theatre and Damlatas cave
4h15
Stroll around Side, a charming ancient city on the southern coast of Turkey which once provided the backdrop for some of Mark Antony and Cleopatra's love story, then admire the emblematic Damlatas Cave, a geological gem on the west coast of the peninsula.
On the turquoise coast of Turkey, where the Mediterranean Sea caresses the ruins of ancient civilisations, the historic Side will appear before you. Prosperous between the 2nd and 4th centuries due to its close ties with the Roman Empire, this city is now home to a number of ancient ruins providing evidence of the Roman, Arab and Ottoman civilisations that succeeded one another here.
At the heart of the city, between the cobbled streets and historical landmarks, Side's colossal and emblematic ancient theatre from the 2nd century rises majestically, a testament to the greatness of the Roman Empire. Built in a semi-circle and hewn directly out of the hillside, this theatre could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. After being converted into a huge open-air church in the 5th century, it now houses three temples - one dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine, and the two others to Apollo and Artemis respectively. If you stand along the stone cavea, you can almost hear the murmurs of the spectators of old and their deafening claps.
Next, you will head to the Damlatas Cave, on the west coast of the peninsula. Discovered in 1948 during the construction of the new port, the enormous cavity is covered in stalactites and stalagmites that continue to grow. Due to its constant high temperatures and high humidity, the cave is said to have beneficial properties for treating certain respiratory ailments, including asthma.
·This excursion includes 1.5 hours of walking on uneven ground and a large number of steps inside the theatre and the Damlatas Cave. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. The visit to the Damlatas Cave is not recommended for anyone with a heart condition.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Ephesus, an ancient wonder
2h45
Listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, the incredible site of Ephesus holds a concentration of some of the most beautiful and most impressive Roman vestiges at the heart of its abundant natural environment. Here, temples, villas and streets paved in sparkling marble immerse you into the daily life of those who once lived in this ancient city.
Also known as the Turkish Pompeii, Ephesus is a veritable open-air museum whose excavation, begun in 1869, brought to light some of the richest Roman vestiges in the Mediterranean. Built in two parts due to the geography of the land, the city boasts an administrative quarter on its heights, with the very beautiful ruins of the city hall, the civil basilica and the Odeon all lined up on the north side of the Agora.
Facing the harbour, the lower town is home to the religious and cultural buildings: the famous Celsus Library, the Roman villas, the Commercial Agora, the stadium, and the largest amphitheatre of the ancient world, able to hold some 24,000 spectators.
Between the two, discover the dwellings of the notables, grouped along the slopes of Mount Pion and Mount Coressos, along with Hercules Gate, the ancient Scholastica Baths, the stunning Marble Road, and the Temple of Hadrian.
·This excursion involves 1.5 hours of walking over uneven ground with some stairs. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Ephesus & Roman Villas
3h45
The incredible site of Ephesus holds a concentration of some of the most beautiful and most impressive Roman vestiges. During a guided visit, this ancient city, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, will reveal its temples and its sparkling streets of marble, as well as the terrace houses where lived the rich inhabitants of this place also known as the Turkish Pompeii.
A veritable open-air museum whose excavation, begun in 1869, brought to light some of the richest Roman vestiges in the Mediterranean, Ephesus is spread over two parts, the upper and the lower, to adapt to the relief of the neighbouring mountains.
On the heights, discover the administrative quarter, with the very beautiful ruins of the city hall, the civil basilica and the Odeon, all lined up on the north side of the Agora.
As for the lower city, it houses the religious and cultural buildings that stood facing the ancient port. There, you will discover the famous Celsus Library – which you will have the opportunity to visit –, the Commercial Agora, the stadium, and the largest amphitheatre of the ancient world, able to hold some 24,000 spectators.
Next, head for the Terrace Houses, where recent excavations unearthed the houses of rich Ephesians. Built during the reign of Augustus, and located on the northern slope of Bülbüldag next to Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian, these houses were constructed with a peristyle, a courtyard surrounded by Ionic columns, and they are finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes.
Finally, after a short walk, you will arrive at the Great Theatre, where Saint Paul preached to the Ephesians, imploring them to abandon the worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith.
·This excursion involves walking for approximately 2.5 hours on uneven ground with steps. The ground may be slippery. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Spectacular Meteora monasteries
8h30
Meteora is one of the most imposing sights in mainland Greece: giant rocks in bizarre shapes, ranging in height from 100 to 150 metres.
After disembarking, you will board your coach for a two hours and a half drive, leaving the port of Volos to head Northwest crossing the agricultural plains of Thessaly. You will pass provincial towns such as Larissa and Trikala before reaching Kalambaka, a small town nestled at the footsteps of the Meteora rocks.A short restroom stop with refreshments will take place there before continuing to the "monasteries in the sky" of the Meteora.
Once a monastic community with 24 monasteries, Meteora now consists of only five active ones. They were first built in the 14th century by monks who searched for a place where they could stay isolated and pray undisturbed from the rest of the world. Until 1920 most of the Meteora monasteries could only be reached by getting into a net and hauled up by a rope. Fortunately, steps were cut afterwards to all of the monasteries.
You will visit two of the most beautiful and representative Monasteries of the valley, where you will admire icons, mosaics and frescoes, old manuscripts, domed roofs as well as breathtaking views of nearby monasteries and of the surrounding area.
After your visit to the monasteries, proceed to a local restaurant in Kalambaka for a Greek lunch.Then, via the same road passing Trikala and Larrisa, you will return to the port of Volos to join your ship, a 2h30 drive.
·This excursion involves two hours of walking and standing with many steps. We recommend you to wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing must be worn when visiting the religious buildings: trousers for men and skirts covering the knees for the ladies. The lunch and refreshment are included in your tour. This tour is limited to 150 participants.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
The Acropolis and its museum
7h30
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to the city centre of Athens. Your first stop will be the Acropolis, a symbol of the glory of ancient Greece, where you will climb its smooth marble steps as visitors have for centuries. History opens before you as you reach one of the masterpieces of classical architecture, the Propylaea, which serves as the entrance to the complex. See the Temple of Athena Nike, or Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum with its classical Porch of Maidens, the Caryatids. Stand in awe of what is considered to be the most perfect example of classical architecture in the world, the Parthenon, designed as a shrine to Athena that, at one time, housed a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess.
Looking down from the Acropolis, see the two ancient theatres in its shadow - the Greek theatre of Dionysus, where the masterpieces of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes debuted to delighted audiences, and the grand Roman theatre of Herod Atticus, restored and used for concerts and classical plays during the summer Athens Festival.
You will then visit the splendid Acropolis Museum, which is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built in order to house every artifact found on the rock and nearby, covering a large period of time, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. The museum was founded in 2003, while the Organisation of the Museum was established in 2000. Finally, it opened to public on June 21, 2009. Nearly 4,000 objects are on exhibit, and the museum spans an impressive 14,000 square metres.
After the visit of the Museum, you will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the Thesseion area.
You will then you board your coach again for the return drive to Lavrio port.
·This tour involves extensive walk on uneven terrain with steps. This tour is not recommended for guests with mobility challenges. We recommend you wear light clothing, comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Vravrona Archaeological Site & Cape Sounion
5h00
Sheltered from the indigo waves of the Bay of Brauron, the ancient village of Vravrona is nestled like an age-old pearl, a witness of times gone by. Its winding little streets, cobbled with sea pebbles polished by the tides, exude the bewitching fragrances of a mythical past. Discover a remarkable archaeological site, the Temple of Artemis Brauroni, the honoured goddess of vegetation and hunting, and veritable protector of women giving birth and infants.
As of your departure from the port of Lavrio, you will head north-east, to discover the coastal city of Brauron, where a rich human settlement prospered as far back as the Neolithic period. Among the site’s lost remarkable vestiges, you will be able to admire the majestic large Doric Stoa with a ? - shaped ground plan, built between 425 and 415 BC, and the Temple of Artemis, a Doric prostyle temple with a tripartite cella and a deep adyton, built on the ruins of an archaic temple dating back to the first half of the 5th century BC.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the modest yet no less remarkable museum attached to the site, which houses objects coming not only from Vravrona but also from other regions of Attica. Nonetheless, the main part of the exhibition is dedicated to the discoveries made at the Temple of Artemis in Vravrona, among which the sculptures of “sheep”, representing the young girls devoted to Artemis, stand out.
Leaving Vravrona, you will arrive on Cape Sounion where you will visit the Temple of Poseidon, dating back to the 5th century BC. Perched 60 metres above the waves, on the edge of a cliff, it is one of the most breathtaking and moving sites in all of Greece. This is the place where the ancient Greeks worshipped their mighty god of the seas, Poseidon. The 15 Doric columns still standing (out of 34 originally) belong to the temple constructed here during Pericles’ Golden Age of Athens, on the vestiges of an older building. The architect is unknown, but it is believed to be the same one who built the Theseion in Athens.
After your visit, you will have a little free time to immortalise the site with some superb photos or even enjoy a drink at the neighbouring café, before heading back to the port of Lavrio.
·This excursion includes climbing some steps and walking on uneven terrain. We recommend you wear suitable shoes and clothes.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Sacred site of Delphi
4h15
On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the Delphi site opens the doors to a sacred world, where each stone summons up the glorious past of Ancient Greece.
Take the Sacred Way, the route walked in the past by pilgrims and kings of Antiquity, and go on a timeless journey. Here, the history of Greece and its legends overflow from everything: the ruins and ancient monuments, but also from the surrounding nature, which is still stunning.
This will jump out at you as you stand before the Temple of Apollo. It was constructed around the 7th century BC by two legendary architects, Trophonios and Agamedes; today, only a few vestiges remain of this Doric monument, decorated at the time with shields captured from the Persians. However, the foundations and columns that are still present seem to find an echo of their grandeur in the surrounding mountains.
The same goes for the ruins of the Senate of Delphi, as well as the vestiges of the Oracle of Delphi, where thousands of pilgrims gathered to receive the oracle of Pythia, high priestess of Apollo. The ancient theatre is also worth visiting.
A stone’s throw away from the sanctuary of Apollo, you will also be able to discover the Delphi Museum’s exhibitions, which present objects found at the archaeological site over the past century or more. Vases, bronzes, sculptures, precious offerings made to Apollo by pilgrims, objects of gold and ivory found under the slabs of the Sacred Way... they all recount the history of one of the most emblematic sites in Antiquity.
·This excursion involves walking around 1.7 kilometres (around a mile) on uneven ground, with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Hosios Loukas and charming Arachova
4h15
Marvel at the beauty of the Byzantine monastery of Hosios Loukas and take to the heights in the streets of Arachova, a small town perched 1,000 metres (3,000 feet) up on the illustrious Mount Parnassus.
The fortified monastery of Hosios Loukas, near Delphi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most characteristic monuments of the second golden age of Byzantine art. Founded at the start of the 10th century by the hermit Saint Luke, it includes a central-plan church decorated with superb marble decor and admirable mosaics on a gold background. The main shrine is none other than the tomb of Saint Luke, originally situated in the crypt.
Your excursion will continue with a visit of Arachova. Built on the side of the mountain, this small town of 3,300 inhabitants is famous for its traditional stone houses spread out over the northern slopes of Mount Parnassus, between 800 and 1,100 metres up. As you explore its small streets on your own, allow yourself to be charmed by the hospitality of the inhabitants, the local handicrafts and the gastronomy. Indeed, the town is well-known for its wine and cheese, as well as for its homemade carpets and blankets.
·This excursion involves walking an hour on uneven surfaces and cobblestone streets with many staircases (approximately 50 steps to the Monastery). We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Corfu's local delicacies
3h00
The Old Town of Corfu belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list; it is a unique site, a maze of historical buildings and winding paved pedestrian streets dating back to the 18th century. During this walking tour, follow your guide to discover and taste traditional Corfiot delicacies while visiting local family-owned shops.
Your first stop will be the traditional 'Tyria Paramythias' store, whose owner still makes the original 'nouboulo' (olive wood smoked ham) and salami. Your second stop is at the traditional taverna of Sakis, where you will have the chance to try some traditional Corfiot recipes, like the spicy 'bourdetto', a casserole dish cooked with fresh fish and sweet paprika, served with fresh baked bread and local wine.
Continue your tour through the old town, past the Orthodox Church of Saint Sophia to the delicatessen shop run by Mr Papagiorgis, where you get to taste his fresh-made ice cream with kumquat or ginger-beer flavours.
Your walking tour continues in the serpentine-like streets to the Town Hall Square, past the historical town hall San Giacomo building and the Catholic Cathedral 'Duomo' of St. Jacob and St. Patrick. Visit the 16th century Church of Saint Spyridon dedicated to the patron saint of the island, renowned for its frescoes and the silver and gold gilded coffin that treasures the holy remains of the Saint.
Further down the street, at the local products shop 'Afthonia' in the neighbourhood, you will have the occasion to taste a unique locally produced kumquat liquor, made from a peculiar citrus fruit that only grows in a few parts of the world.
After this culinary experience, you can either continue your visit of the town and return on your own to your ship (time permitting), or follow your guide and return directly to the pier. The order of the various stops may vary.
·This tour involves two and a half hours of walking and standing on cobble stone streets covering approximately 2 km (1.4 mi). Wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Der Preis für den Landausflug ist etwa zwei Monate vor Reiseantritt verfügbar.
Das vollständige Ausflugsprogramm, einschließlich der aktuellen Preise, erhalten Sie mit Ihren Reiseunterlagen vor dem Beginn Ihrer Kreuzfahrt.
Sie können Ihre PONANT Landausflüge ab ca. zwei Monate vor Abfahrt Ihrer Kreuzfahrt* vorab reservieren. Die Abrechnung erfolgt über das Bordkonto.
*Expeditionskreuzfahrten ausgeschlossen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Corfu Town & Mon Repos Palace
4h00
From the pier, you will board your coach to Mon Repos Palace.
The Palace was built by the British Commissioner Sir Adam Maitland in 1828, as a gift to his beautiful Corfiot wife. It was used as the Summer Residence of the High Commissioners, while their official residence was the Palace of St. Michael and St. George located in the town of Corfu. Today Mon Repos belongs to the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Corfu. It houses a museum with mainly local finds from ancient Corfu.
Then, re-board your coach for a short transfer to Corfu city centre. Upon arrival, follow your guide through the narrow cobbled-stoned serpentine streets of the Old Town known as "kandounia" and charming little "piazzas" (squares) built by the Venetians in the 14th century. During your walking tour, you will pass by the arcades of "liston", the replica of the "Rue de Rivoli" of Paris and the Old Town Hall. You will also visit the Church of St. Spyridon, patron saint of Corfu.
At the end of the visit, you will return to the pier.
·This tour involves two hours of walking and standing. There are some steps at the Mon Repos Palace. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered).
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Discover the island of Corfu
3h30
Set off for a unique experience in the heart of Corfu, exploring some of the island's gems. Between heavenly beaches with turquoise water and breathtaking panoramas, fall in love with the natural beauty of Paleokastritsa and the authenticity of the village of Lakones.
The region of Paleokastritsa, to the north-west of Corfu Town, will enchant you with its exceptional natural beauty. Known as “the Greek Capri”, it features small coves bathed in turquoise waters and dominated by rocky outcrops covered with pine and cypress trees. It is said that Odysseus met Nausica in one of these coves after being washed ashore. You will visit the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and its small museum.
On the heights of Corfu, the charming village of Lakones will appear before you. Its narrow streets wind between golden stone houses covered in vibrant bougainvillea. From the Bella Vista viewpoint, you will be enchanted by the beautiful scenery of fishing boats gently drifting by below, their white sails contrasting with the blue immensity of the Ionian Sea.
Finally, explore the Old Town of Corfu and admire the architecture of the fine residences, the ancient fortress, the Palace of St Michael and St George, and the lively Spianada Square, before returning to the pier.
· This excursion includes some walking on flat ground. We recommend wearing comfortable casual shoes. Appropriate clothing is required for the Paleokastritsa monastery visit.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Walking tour of Gallipoli, pearl of the Ionian Sea
3h00
Fall under the spell of one of Puglia’s jewels, Gallipoli, listen to its history in the old town’s maze of narrow lanes and admire its historic and architectural heritage.
A visit through its enigmatic lanes is like a journey back in time, a living exploration of the cultural strata that make Gallipoli such a rare pearl. Time here sometimes seems to stand still. Near the port, where your guided tour will begin, the fisherman are hard at work. Off in the distance, the gates of the old town open onto a maze of narrow lanes edged withbright- and warm-coloured dwellings, where the shade of the buildings draws a mystical labyrinth. Each street corner tells its own story of this medieval city, with its multiple heritages and cultural influences. Take the time to listen to the stories told by your local guide, as you admire the surprising St. Agatha’s Cathedral, its columns and its stunning baroque frescoes.
The sun-drenched hills of Gallipoli, bathed by the blue waters of the Mediterranean, made it a regional stronghold in olive-oil production as of the 15th century. The exports of this “liquid gold” were so significant that its production was stored in the four corners of the city in underground cisterns dug out of the local limestone, called carparo. You will have the opportunity to discover the production techniques that were used in the past, as you visit one of the 35 recently renovated underground oil mills.
· This excursion includes three hours of walking on uneven surfaces. This visit is not accessible for persons with reduced mobility or in a wheelchair. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting places of worship: trousers for men, and skirts covering the knees for women.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Lecce, a Baroque jewel
4h00
Stroll around Lecce, the "Baroque Florence", and discover the countless churches, palaces and monuments carved out of this soft and almost golden limestone that gives the city a glowing look, like the chubby cherubins that decorate its façades.
A veritable open-air museum, Lecce is a microcosm of Baroque splendours, located only one hour's drive from Gallipoli. The cherubins, gargoyles, plant patterns, columns and capitals, each more extravagant than the last, are legion here - to the extent that the city lays claim to its own style, the "Barocco Leccese"- since the sculptors and architects of the 16th and 17th centuries had a field day with the regional stone, a marvel of malleability and delicacy.
The Centro Storico historic centre is proof of this, with its cobbled streets and shady squares teeming with incredible rococo treasures, including the Basilica of Santa Croce - with a constellation of sublime ornaments - and the Governor's Palace.
Not far from there, on the Piazza Santa Oronzo, the palazzos, church and Roman amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century try to outdo each other with their beauty.
A few metres away, the Piazza del Duomo, in spectacular golden monochrome, proudly displays a cathedral, its bell tower and the archbishop's palace, making it one of Italy's most beautiful squares. Some free time will allow you to wander at leisure along the narrow and beautiful streets of Lecce's town centre before rejoining the bus to go back to the pier.
· This excursion involves a coach journey to Lecce as well as walking 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) on uneven surfaces, with some steps to negotiate. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting places of worship: trousers for men, and skirts covering the knees for women.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Archaeological site & Ortygia
4h00
Depart the pier by coach and drive to the archaeological area, which you will reach after a short drive.
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre of Augustus, used for fights between gladiators and wild beasts, the Altar of Hieron, constructed in the 2ndcentury BC to celebrate the "Eleutherian Feast", the Latomie of Paradise, huge caverns once used as prisons, the Ear of Dionysius, an enormous grotto with extraordinary echo and the Greek Theatre, one of the largest in the Hellenic World, constructed in the 5thcentury BC and successively enlarged.
Upon completion of the visit, re-board your coach for the short drive to Ortygia, which you will visit on foot. On Ortygia Island discover the Piazza Pancali (the ruins of the Temple of Apollo of the 6thcentury BC), Corso Matteotti, Archimede's Place, Piazza Duomo. Visit the Cathedral in Baroque style, erected over the remains of the Doric Temple of Minerva: in the interiors, see the undamaged twelve Doric columns. Then visit the fountain of Arethusa, the nymph praised by Pindar and Virgilio in one of the most touching and fine myths. Several nobility palaces - majority of them originating in the 15th and 16th centuries - will be seen from outside during the walking tour.
Then, return to the port and your ship.
·This excursion involves approximately 3.1 miles (5 km) of walking over uneven terrain and cobble stones as well as steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). This tour is not recommended for passengers with reduced mobility.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Noto, Baroque town
4h00
Depart by coach from the port through the countryside, passing through villages and almond groves as you make your way to Noto, the second largest town in Syracuse province and the best example of Sicilian Baroque architecture on the island.
You will cross on foot the Public Gardens, where it is possible to admire the busts of the artists who contributed to Noto’s urban culture and style.
Besides the 18th century Cathedral, restored after damage suffered during 1990 earthquake, other impressive buildings are the Churches of St Domenico and of St Charles (del Colleggio), the “Ducezio” Palace and “Villadorata” Palace.
Noto has been declared a Heritage site by UNESCO, who also provides financial support for the reconstruction of monuments destroyed during 1990 earthquake.
A refreshment will be offered at a local bar and then you will enjoy some free time to browse around before commencing the return drive to Syracuse.
·This excursion involves approximately 1.2 mile (2 km) of walking mostly over easy terrain, except for steps to enter churches. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). The palace visits are only outside visits. This tour is not recommended for guest with limited mobility.
Inbegriffen
The final programme is confirmed approximately four months before departure. Excursions can be pre-booked up to seven days before boarding, subject to availability. We recommend regularly checking our website or contacting your travel agent for the latest updates. The excursion programme is available for pre-booking to help you plan your onshore discoveries. It may be subject to change due to local or operational constraints (site closures, weather conditions, availability, etc.).
Visit of Malta's former capital, Mdina
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your daytime between airport and embarkation port.
Valletta
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at pier by our local representative.
Drive to Dingli Cliff for a photostop brefore Mdina visiting. Then, proceed to Mdina - Malta's Old Capital. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with its extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.
Then, Mosta discovery, famous for its church and its spectacular dome inspired by the Pantheon, in Rome.
Continue with the visit of Palazzo Parisio, a unique 19th century palace in the heart of the Mediterranean. Palazzo Parisio is not only another palace of the legendary Knights of St. John, but the ultimate memorial of ambitions, aspirations and pretensions of a 19th century noble family. It houses two baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangery - a miniature Versailles.
Enjoy a small snack in the Palace.
Transfer to Malta Airport on time for the flight selected by PONANT.
Your programme includes:
·Transfers, and visits as mentioned in the programme.
·Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
·Tips for the driver and local guide.
·Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
Important Information: This program may be subject to change depending on the day of disembarkation and the Ponant flight schedules. The Cathedral is closed on Sundays, and the visit will include Mosta Basilica instead. Palazzo Parisio is closed on Mondays; refreshments will be served at Casa Bernard.
Duration and price of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
In the event of schedule changes of PONANT's selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Preis inkl. MwSt. pro Person : 189 €
Preis pro Person auf Basis einer Doppelkabine. Dieser Preis gilt vorbehaltlich Verfügbarkeit.
