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Explore the beautiful walkways of Santorini

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

Roundtrip Athens - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Le Bougainville
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Embark on an 8-day cruise to and from Athens aboard the Le Bougainville. Begin in Athens and sail to Patmos, home to the Byzantine monastery guarding the cave where St. John envisioned the Apocalypse. Next, Symi enchants with cypress forests, olive groves, and its serene, colorful harbor. In Amorgos, immerse yourself in age-old traditions of olive cultivation, herbal medicine, and mountain village life. Witness the unforgettable sunset over Santorini’s caldera, surrounded by towering cliffs. In Milos, limestone cliffs and hidden coves invite exploration at a relaxed pace. Delos, the sacred birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, captivates as an open-air museum, while Mykonos dazzles with its sophisticated cafes, boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. From Nafplion, visit Mycenae, the legendary home of Agamemnon, and Epidaurus, renowned for its ancient theater. Conclude your journey back in Athens carrying memories of the Aegean’s timeless allure.
Colorful local boats in GreeceIconic AthensMykonos windmills at sunsetDiscover beautiful Symi islandAdmire the Terrace of the Lions on DelosExplore the beautiful walkways of Santorini
Highlights
  • Explore Athens' vibrant Acropolis, a UNESCO-listed cultural and historical landmark
  • Visit Patmos' sacred monastery, perched above vineyards and orchards
  • Discover Symi's colorful harbor, surrounded by lush cypress and olive groves
  • Sail Amorgos' pristine coastlines, lined with picturesque villages and bays
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Athens | Embark

Athens, the vibrant Greek capital, sits along the Saronic Gulf in the country's eastern region. Its name reflects the cluster of ancient villages surrounding the iconic Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore lively neighborhoods like Plaka, with its colorful streets and enticing evening aromas of moussaka and garlic prawns. Key cultural highlights include the National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum, offering fascinating insights into Athens' rich history and heritage.

Day 2: Patmos

Patmos, a jewel of the Dodecanese, is a legendary must-visit island steeped in history and spirituality. Known as the sanctuary of Saint John, the presumed author of the Bible's final book, it is home to the UNESCO-listed Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of Saint John, perched atop a hillside adorned with vineyards and orchards. Along the coast, the pristine coves of Kambos and Lampi beckon with their crystal-clear waters, offering idyllic spots for a refreshing swim.

Day 3: Symi

A simply ravishing gem in the Dodecanese, Symi is located northwest of Rhodes. This island of cypress forests, vineyards, and olive orchards possesses a capital city of the same name that is as colorful 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-colored facades. You can drive to the upper town 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 4: 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 and the majesty of the high cliffs surrounding this ancient crater that was flooded in 2000 years before Christ are some of the highlights of the cruise. From your ship, the colorful whites, greys, and reds of the volcanic rocks, the blue of the Aegean Sea, and the immaculate perched villages form a unique and marvelous spectacle.

Day 5: 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 colors of its cliffs, ranging from pure white to deep red. Discover the wild beauty of the shorelines lined with the most beautiful beaches in Greece from a ship deck, and 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 6: Delos | Mykonos

This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. This UNESCO World Heritage site's sheer size and importance, which covers over half of the island, is thrilling from the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues,  discovery after discovery, against a backdrop of Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a perfect place to enjoy the expansive view.

Nicknamed "little Venice," Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district, where houses are built on the water's edge. Their multi-colored loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian center, bougainvillea bedecks immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island's beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

Day 7: Nafplion

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma Square, and the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are fantastic. If you want to chill out by the water's edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Day 8: Athens | Disembark

Your cruise concludes in Athens, a bustling modern city full of the myths and history of the ancient world. Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent travels, or begin your journey home. 

Ship/Hotel

Le Bougainville

Le Bougainville Ship
Le Bougainville
Le Bouganville Restaurant

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$6,150 2-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Cabin
Deluxe Stateroom
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² Private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area: 19 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Deluxe Suite
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 6m² private balcony
Cabin
Prestige Suite Deck 5
Area: 38 m² 8m² private balcony King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Prestige Suite Deck 6
Area: 38 m² 8m² private balcony King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Privilege Suite
Area: 32 m² Capacity: up to 4 passengers per cabin 8m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Grand Deluxe Suite
Area: 45 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Cabin
Owner's Suite
Area: 45 m² Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin 30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds

Notes

Please note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and are subject to change without notice.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Gratuities to Onboard Crew
  • “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
  • 24h Room Service (special selection)
  • English-Speaking Lecturer 
  • Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
  • Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
  • Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
  • A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
  • Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Athens to the ship on the day of embarkation
  • One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
  • Transfer from the ship to the airport in Athens at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Visa Fees
  • Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
  • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
  • Luggage Handling 
  • Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
  • Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
  • CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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