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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,1502-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Deluxe Stateroom
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² Private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Deluxe Suite
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
6m² private balcony
Prestige Suite Deck 5
Area: 38 m²
8m² private balcony
King-size bed or twin beds
Prestige Suite Deck 6
Area: 38 m²
8m² private balcony
King-size bed or twin beds
Privilege Suite
Area: 32 m²
Capacity: up to 4 passengers per cabin
8m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Grand Deluxe Suite
Area: 45 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
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
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!