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Peregrine Travel Centre

A Musical Odyssey in the Mediterranean

A Musical Odyssey in the Mediterranean

From AUD $6,630

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Description

An experience that combines some of the loveliest destinations in the Mediterranean with a series of private recitals by classical musicians: that is what we offer on this voyage from Athens to Rome. From Classical Greece to Imperial Rome, we have the opportunity to discover important sites everywhere along our way – sacred Patmos, where John the Evangelist recorded his visions of the apocalypse; the Apollo’s Oracle at Delphi, where men came to learn their fate; Olympia’s Sanctuary of Zeus, home to the Panhellenic Games; the Greek theater in Taormina overlooking Mount Etna; Pompeii, the Roman resort and spa both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

To witness these iconic sites is in itself an extraordinary experience. To do so in the company of world-class performing artists is an irresistible proposition. The artists—violinist Kristin Lee, cellist Nicholas Canellakis, pianist Michael Brown, and flutist Jasmine Choi—were personally invited by the artistic director of this special voyage, Michael Parloff, who chose these four not just for their superb talent, but also for their affable personalities.

QUINTESSENTIAL MUSIC THEME
A combination of extraordinary sightseeing with private recitals by classical musicians: that is what we offer on this Quintessential Music Themed voyage. A signature of these voyages is that the artists do not simply perform and then retreat to their staterooms; they participate fully in excursions and in life aboard ship. Travelers can expect to share their company over drinks or dinner and in informal conversation. The intimacy of concerts aboard ship and ashore—designed especially for this voyage—and the quality of the performing artists provide a truly unparalleled experience.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy a series of exclusively-designed, private concerts aboard ship by a collection of world-class chamber musicians.
Explore Athens’ Acropolis during a pre-cruise sightseeing tour.
A private concert in the Duomo, Cathedral of Taormina, featuring our accompanying musicians.
Optional excursions to iconic sites in the Mediterranean including: The Monastery of St. John on Patmos; The Oracle of Apollo at Delphi; The Greek Temple at Taormina; Olympia; and Pompeii.

Thursday, September 19

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your 5-star hotel (Grand Bretagne, Royal Olympic, or similar) located in central Athens.
The afternoon is free to rest or to explore Athens on your own. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a Welcome Cocktail Reception, where Michael Parloff, our musicians, and your Tour Manager will introduce the program ahead.

Friday, September 20

Begins with included breakfast at the hotel. After check out, join an excursion to the Acropolis, where we explore the stunning architectural marvel of the Parthenon, built in the 5th-century b.c. as a temple to the city’s protector, the goddess Athena. Tour the Acropolis Museum, an award winning collection of artifacts from excavations of the Acropolis, housed in a modern state-of-the-art building specially designed for the purpose. In the afternoon, transfer to the pier in Piraeus to embark Le Bougainville.

Wednesday, September 25

Our call in Taormina begins with a tour of the Greek theatre – offering dramatic views of Mt. Etna and of the Bay of Naxos – and time to amble among Taormina’s quaint streets and gardens. The highlight of our visit, however, will be a private concert at Taormina’s medieval Cathedral, featuring a selection of Sicilianos from composers including Bach and Fauré.

Your Hotel:
You will be staying in one of Athens’ centrally located, premiere hotels – Grand Bretagne, King George, Royal Olympic, or similar.

Included features:

All accommodations, meals, and excursion described above
Transfers and luggage handling from the Athens airport to the hotel and from hotel to the ship
Gratuities to guides and drivers on included excursions
Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bougainville with all the amenities for which Ponant ships are famous.
Transfer from the ship to airport in Rome at the end of the cruise.

Not included:
Meals and beverages other than those specified above
Optional excursions
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, Internet, etc.)

Trip Name
A Musical Odyssey in the Mediterranean
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bougainville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Bougainville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Bougainville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 ATHENS
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. Don’t miss anything of the city’s cultural past. Pay a visit to the National Archaeological museum, or the Cycladic Art Museum.
Day 2 - Day 2 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-the-Theologian Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas. You’ll be drawn to the bustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fish soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with fresh Patmos cheese.
Day 3 - Day 3 KAMARES, SIFNOS
Nestling in the Cyclades, the harmonious and much less crowded island of Sifnos is home to many treasures. Exploited since antiquity for its gold and silver mines, this little-known pearl boasts gentle landscapes and is a botanical paradise. The rich endemic flora can be admired along the island’s mountain paths that have been trodden for thousands of years. From the main port of Kamares, set off to discover the nearby sandy beach which runs along a lagoon and whose dunes are covered in sea daffodils. The picturesque fortified village of Kastro is another of the island’s wonders. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, this spot, where people have lived since prehistoric times, is very much an open-air museum.
Day 4 - Day 4 CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL & ITEA
The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience !Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains, and their Archaeological Museum is chock-full of cultural delights.
Day 5 - Day 5 KATAKOLON
This picturesque village stretches along the Ionian sea in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbour offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, the church of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons to feast your eyes on. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.
Day 6 - Day 6 TAORMINA, SICILY
Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicily’s Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval centre, suspended 300 metres above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theatre. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area which overlooks a turquoise bay.
Day 7 - Day 7 NAPLES
More Italian than Italy itself, Naples is the capital of the beautiful region of Campania, and is an unusual city to say the least. Its gulf, dominated by Vesuvius, is one of the world’s marvels. Built by the Greeks and then occupied by the Romans, the city has retained the memory of antiquity, as Castell dell’Ovo illustrates. But Naples has another side to it with its hustle and bustle, narrow streets, clothes hung out to dry at windows, Caravaggio paintings on the walls of a church, and incessant rumour in an sleepless city. This is a head-spinning city to visit and savour: don’t forget to eat a slice of pizza Margherita.
Day 8 - Day 8 CIVITAVECCHIA (ROMA)
Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometres from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $6,630Deluxe Stateroom
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $7,380Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $7,720Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $8,080Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $11,140Deluxe Suite
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $15,000Prestige Suite Deck 5
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $15,730Prestige Suite Deck 6
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $16,500Privilege Suite
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $18,100Grand Deluxe Suite
20-09-201927-09-2019AUD $18,970Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A combination of extraordinary sightseeing with private recitals by classical musicians: that is what we offer on our Ponant Quintessential Music Theme voyages. A signature of these voyages is that the artists do not simply perform and then retreat to their staterooms; they participate fully in excursions and in life aboard ship.
    • Enjoy a series of exclusively-designed, private concerts aboard ship by our collection of world-class chamber musicians.
    • Explore Athens’ Acropolis during a pre-cruise sightseeing tour.
    • A private concert in the Duomo, Cathedral of Taormina, freaturing our accompanying musicians.
    • Optional excursions to iconic sites in the Mediterranean including: The Monastery of St. John on Patmos;
    • The Oracle of Apollo at Delphi; The Greek Temple at Taormina; Olympia; and Pompeii.

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