ANCIENT TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

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ANCIENT TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

Fall under the spell of the Mediterranean’s key sites during an8-day cruise. With Athens as the departure point, board LeBougainville for an unforgettable sailing experience discoveringexceptional islands and cities.

Your cruise will begin with the exploration of two of Greece’smajor sites, from Napflio: the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurustheatre, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Le Bougainville will then head towards Paros. Nestling in theheart of the Cyclades archipelago, this island reputed for itssublime white marble offers a real concentration of Greekbeauty, from whitewashed houses to olive groves to ancientmonuments.

A little further north, you will arrive on Mykonos, with its iconicwindmills, beaches, countless churches and whitewashedhouses.

Following this port of call, Le Bougainville will leave Greece toreach Kusadasi, in Turkey. An old fishing village with historygoing back 5,000

years, not far from the Ephesus site, the town is now one of thecountry’s most famous seaside resorts.

Your trip continues with a stop at the small and picturesque portof Dikili, a gateway to the archaeological site of Pergamumrenowned for its ancient ruins.

ITINERARY

Day 1 ATHENS

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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 tothe first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will beenchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monumentslisted as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you canvisit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its mazeof colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the driftingaroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your tastebuds. Don’t miss anything of the city’s cultural past. Pay a visitto the National Archaeological museum, or the Cycladic ArtMuseum.

Day 2 NAFPLION

The engaging town of Nafplio is staggered up green hillsides ofthe Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t besurprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. For instance,you’ll see the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia,Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroquefortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the topof the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains aresimply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge,walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in theshade of cedars and cypresses.

Day 3 PAROS

Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located inthe Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’llsee Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make themost of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa.This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove andoffers more than one café to sit and unwind.

Day 4 DELOS

This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few milessouthwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancientholy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. The sheer size andimportance of this UNESCO World Heritage site which coversover half of the island is thrilling in itself. From the Stoa ofAntigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animalstatues, you will make discovery after discovery, against abackdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatresteps on the hillside are a particularly good place from which toenjoy the expansive view.

Day 5 MYKONOS

Nicknamed “little Venice”, Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandradistrict where houses are built right on the water’s edge. Theirmulti-coloured loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island,as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to thebirds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, youcan see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of thepedestrian centre, bougainvillea bedeck immaculate facades.As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches ofcoastline will undoubtedly call you to the island’s beaches, thequietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

Day 6 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

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soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with freshPatmos cheese.

Day 7 KUSADASI

The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf onthe western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear watersor stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In thehistorical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streetsand explore the colourful shops in the bazaar. Close by, theEphesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides anopportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famouscities of Antiquity.

Day 8 DIKILI

The charming harbour city of Dikili is located on the west coastin the province of Izmir. It’s shoreline of turquoise waters is aninvitation to come. In the shade of maritime pines, the streets inthe town centre will win your favour with their fresh fruit juicestands and honey cakes. You can also go on a wander inlandand visit the Pergamon acropolis.

Day 9 ISTANBUL

Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautifulof all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by theGreeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, thiscity is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listedUNESCO World Heritage site. On Sultanahmet hill, you’ll see thegreat Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vastTopkapi palace and its countless mosaics. In the Beyazitdistrict, you can admire the elegant covered passages of theGrand Bazaar. A little further away, the delicate aroma ofloukoum and spices will draw your attention at the EgyptianBazaar.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

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YOUR SHIP: LE BOUGAINVILLE

YOUR SHIP: Le Bougainville

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Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment,elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows,and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this newlimited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites willoffer you a truly unique cruising experience.As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponantspirit, Le Bougainville will embody the unique atmosphere thatis the cruise line's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement,intimacy and comfort.Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experiencethe incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with thepossibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinationsin an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is onauthenticity and passion for travel.RESTAURANTSAs it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy willnaturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through itstwo

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 Boreal 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

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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: Easierboarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiacembarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier accessto the sea for swimming and practising various water sportssuch as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equippedwith 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 ourpassengers to share convivial moments and to host activitiesorganised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latestsound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stagebackdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images andvideos. Please click the following links to read more about Ponant andthe other Ponant cruise ships.

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INSIDE YOUR SHIP

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PRICING

ADDITIONAL CHARGES: Port Taxes 520 AUD pp

ANCIENT TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

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