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Antique Wonders of the Aegean – Turkey & Greece Luxury Cruise

Antique Wonders of the Aegean – Turkey & Greece Luxury Cruise

From AUD $7,520

Description

Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
Departing from Istanbul, PONANT brings you an itinerary along the coastlines in the Aegean Sea, to discover outstanding natural and historical sites. During this 9-day cruise, L’Austral invites you to a sensorial and cultural journey to the heart of the ancient treasures of Turkey and Greece.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover the typical villages of Lefkes and Naoussa on the island of Paros, discover the Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the last book of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle, from Patmos, or visit the southern part of charming Symi. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
After a unique sailing experience in the Dardanelles Strait, L’Austral will head towards Bozcaada, a tranquil haven renowned since ancient times for the fruit of its vines. With its charming, cobbled streets, the island reveals a fine combination of Greek and Turkish influences and offers many opportunities to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.
Head for the Dodecanese islands, at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident. You will also fall under the spell of charming Patmos. Known as the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea’. This island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves. The beautiful neoclassical houses surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cypresses make Symi one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago.
In the south-eastern Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago invites you to enjoy the wild and appealing beauty of its islands. Amorgos, the easternmost Cyclades Island, is sure to win your heart. Wild and mountainous, Amorgos is a stunning, protected island which has been used for many things including filming Le Grand Bleu. Following an unforgettable sailing experience opposite the Santorini caldera, Paros, renowned for its stunning white marble, offers a real concentration of Greek beauty, with its whitewashed houses, olive groves and ancient monuments. The serene atmosphere of this spiritual centre infuses its sumptuous scenery. The landscapes of Milos, between limestone cliffs and small confidential coves can be discovered in a soothing atmosphere. You will then make a detour via the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light and the calm of its small streets on which all motorised traffic is banned.
Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments, which form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic ensemble bequeathed to the world by Ancient Greece, will mark the end of this exceptional odyssey.

Trip Name
Antique Wonders of the Aegean - Turkey & Greece Luxury Cruise
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 This superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral has a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being. A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. Precious materials in smoothing neutral tones are brought to life with splashes of cheerful reds. So many personal touches create the spirit of a “private yacht”. Cuisine Loyal to the great French tradition, the haute cuisine on board is worthy of the finest restaurants, where discreet, attentive service is the hallmark. Our two restaurants welcome you for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. The Gastronomic Restaurant, with a capacity of 268 persons, is situated on Le Liberté Deck and serves you French and international cuisine accompagnied by fine wine. On the Grill Restaurant, you will have the opportuniny to eat outside and enjoy buffet lunch and themed dinner. Life On Board Whether you want to join other guests in the theatre or games area (Wii™ consoles, etc), or relax on your own in a quiet corner of the library, L'Austral has been designed to meet the needs of every guest. Everything has been done to preserve the independence of each guest to suit their personal tastes: lounges for lectures and shows, a spa in partnership with Sothys™, but also more intimate spaces such as the library and internet corner. Comfortable cabins, nearly all with private balcony, are available for families either as triples or as communicating cabins. There is also a games area with Wii™ consoles, children’s menus, and a baby-sitting service. Just as if you were on a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please. Fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine) and in partnership with the famous Sothys™ brand, the Beauty Centre on L'Austral welcomes you for some unforgettable moments of relaxation and pampering (beauty treatments, hairdresser).

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 ISTANBUL
 Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
Day 2 - Day 2 SAILING IN THE DARDANELLES & BOZCAADA
 The Dardanelles Strait is an emblematic, 61 km-long waterway connecting the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. It is strategic for controlling passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Like the Bosporus, or Strait of Istanbul, it separates Europe from Asia. A surface current flows along it, while a more saline undercurrent flows in the opposite direction. Along the strait, you will be able to admire hilly landscapes and arid lowlands brightened by fields and groves of olive trees. Anchored off the coast of the legendary ancient city of Troy, in crystal-clear waters dotted with Greek islands Bozcaada is truly exceptional. And with good reason, since Bozcaada and its neighbour, Gökçeada, are the only Turkish islands in the Aegean Sea. Ceded to Turkey in 1923, it still bears traces of its past as a Greek island, as evidenced by its maze of cobbled streets and the traditional white houses with blue windows that dot the island. Renowned since antiquity for its vines, Bozcaada also stands out for its exceptional setting combining sheer cliffs, ribbons of golden sand, and tiny coves with translucent water.
Day 3 - Day 3 PATMOS
 Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint John Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas.
Day 4 - Day 4 SYMI
 A simply ravishing gem in the Dodecanese, Symi is located north-west of Rhodes. This island of cypress forests, vineyards and olive orchards, possesses a capital city of the same name that is as colourful as the surrounding countryside. The charm of the port district of Gialos is not to be missed: its quaysides are lined with picturesque houses with multi-coloured facades. You can get to the upper town by car or climb the 500 steps up the Kali Strata ramp. The second option offers superb viewing points of the coast and gorgeous turquoise waters.
Day 5 - Day 5 AMORGOS & SAILING IN THE SANTORINI CALDERA
 It’s no accident that the island of Amorgos was chosen as a shooting location for Luc Besson’s film, The Big Blue. You too will fall under the charm of this island as your ship edges closer. Amorgos is the most easterly island in the Cyclades and stands out for its rocky inlets with crystal-clear water and its small, picturesque villages. This port of call will be your chance to visit one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades, Chora, and discover its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses overlooked by a castle. Byzantine churches, windmills and courtyards brimming with flowers complete this typical tableau of timeless Greece. Sailing in the waters of Santorini caldera is breathtaking. The gigantic scale of the unique setting, the majesty of the high cliffs surrounds this ancient crater that was flooded in 2000 years before Christ, is one of the highlights of the cruise. From your ship, the colourful whites, greys, reds of the volcanic rocks, the blue of the Aegean Sea and the immaculate perched villages form a unique and marvellous spectacle.
Day 6 - Day 6 PAROS
 Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’ll see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa. This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove.
Day 7 - Day 7 ADAMAS, MILOS
 Although Milos is especially renowned for the famous statue of Venus found in a field there and now displayed in the Louvre in Paris, this mineral island is also a geological treasure. Its volcanic origin is evident in its breathtaking landscapes and the colours of its cliffs, ranging from pure white to deep red. You’ll discover the wild beauty of the shorelines lined with the most beautiful beaches in Greece from a ship deck, and you’ll enjoy privileged access to emerald-green coves. Tiny fishing ports like Adamas hide there, with brightly-painted doors and terraces. Milos is a charming port of call in the heart of the Cyclades.
Day 8 - Day 8 HYDRA
 This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbour town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-coloured caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.
Day 9 - Day 9 ATHENS
 The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $7,600Superior Stateroom
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $8,030Deluxe Stateroom
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $8,440Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $8,860Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $9,370Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $15,140Deluxe Suite
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $16,800Prestige Suite Deck 5
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $17,230Prestige Suite Deck 6
17-07-202525-07-2025AUD $26,030Owner's Suite
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $7,930Deluxe Stateroom
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $8,350Prestige Deck 4
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $8,760Prestige Deck 5
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $9,250Prestige Deck 6
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $14,940Deluxe Suite
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $16,580Prestige Deck 5 Suite
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $17,000Prestige Deck 6 Suite
02-07-202610-07-2026AUD $7,520Superior Stateroom

Inclusions

    • Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
    • A cruise to discover the treasures of the Aegean Sea, from the renowned coasts of Turkey to the sublime Greek archipelagos.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Istanbul (port of embarkation), the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Patmos, the Acropolis in Athens (disembarkation port).
    • Make the most of an excursion included per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
    • A call in Bozcaada, an island in the Aegean Sea prised by Stamboulians for its picturesque atmosphere and idyllic beaches.
    • Unique sailing experiences in the Dardanelles Strait and opposite the Santorini caldera.
    • Discover the Dodecanese islands, at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident.
    • An immersive journey to the heart of the Cyclades and the discovery of Adamos, Milos, Paros, Hydra.

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