Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea: Venice to Athens – with Smithsonian Journeys
Venice - Athens
Dates:
28/6/2022
to
5/7/2022
days
nights on board
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Set sail to discover the cultural and artistic jewels of the Ionian, Adriatic and the Aegean Seas with PONANT. During this 8-day cruise, Le Jacques-Cartier will take you to Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece.
Your voyage will begin in Italy with an embarkation in Venice. An opportunity to discover or rediscover the sublime city of the Doges, with its many canals, its vaporetti and its mythical gondolas before heading to Croatia and the city of Rovinj.
Following a port of call in the picturesque port of Hvar, you will continue to sail along the Dalmatian coastlines to Dubrovnik. Sitting high on a rocky outcrop, its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, watches the world go by.
Le Jacques-Cartier will reach Montenegro after sailing in the Bay of Kotor, which is strangely reminiscent of Norwegian fjords. The city of Kotor nestles in a bay surrounded by wooded mountains. Its old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its medieval architecture.
Next Corfu, the most famous Ionian island, will reveal the hidden treasures of its Greco-Byzantine and Venetian architectural heritage. Do not miss the chance to visit the beautiful Mon Repos Palace, built in 1828 and the birthplace of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Your final call will be at Pylos, situated on a magnificent natural harbor from which you may visit the Palace of Nestor, dating from the 13th century B.C. and recognized as the best-preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece.
Your cruise will end in Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.
Ref : VA4445US - X280622
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
View detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
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Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects flights and takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 to the 20/11/2022
- New
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 to the 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Aneta Georgievska-Shine
Aneta Georgievska-Shine is a scholar of the Renaissance and the baroque eras, yet as an art historian, her interests range from ancient to contemporary art. In addition to her affiliation with the University of Maryland, she frequently presents lectures for museums and art institutions in the Washington D.C. area, including the Walters Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, and the Smithsonian. Her publications include scholarly books and numerous articles in U.S. and international journals, as well as essays in exhibition catalogs.
A popular Smithsonian Journeys Expert, Aneta has led numerous journeys to France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, as well as Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to her art historical expertise, she brings a deep knowledge of the history, politics, and languages of Central and Eastern Europe. Aneta is a native speaker of Macedonian and has working knowledge of several other European languages.
Languages spoken: English, Macedonian
Dennis Romano
Dennis Romano is the Walter Montgomery and Marian Gruber Professor of History emeritus at Syracuse University where he also had an appointment in the Department of Art and Music Histories. A specialist in the history of Renaissance Italy and the Mediterranean, he is the author of dozens of articles and five books including The Likeness of Venice: A Life of Doge Francesco Foscari published by Yale University Press. He has been a Guggenheim Fellow and a senior fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. He is currently writing for Oxford University Press a history of Venice from its origins as a Byzantine military outpost to its current status as a World Heritage site. He places special emphasis on Venice’s Dalmatian and Ionian colonies and its efforts to control the Adriatic Sea.
Language spoken: English
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Experts including art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine and Mediterranean historian Dennis Romano.
- A cruise between the Adriatic, the Ionian and the Aegean Seas, discovering four Mediterranean countries: Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece.
- Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Venice and its lagoon (your embarkation port), the plain of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, the old towns of Dubrovnik, Kotor and Corfu, the Acropolis of Athens (your port of disembarkation).
- Panorama of the Croatian islands: Rovinj and Hvar.
- Sailing in the Bay of Kotor.
Ports of Call & Excursions
28 June 2022 - Venice
Embarkation 28/6/2022 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 28/6/2022 at 6:00 pm
Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.
29 June 2022 - Rovinj
Arrival 29/6/2022 early morning
Departure 29/6/2022 early afternoon
Rovinj is located in Istria, a region bordering Slovenia. This becomes apparent as you walk through its old cobblestoned town. There are many monuments of Venetian influence here. If you study the Balbi arch, you will see the winged lion, symbol of Venice. The bell-tower erected beside Saint Euphemia Cathedral was designed like the bell of Saint Mark in Venice. From the top of the tower, you can scan the entire historical district. To absorb its quaint atmosphere, take a walk in the ochre and sepia-coloured streets leading to bustling squares and terraces shaded by canvas awnings.
30 June 2022 - Hvar
Arrival 30/6/2022 early morning
Departure 30/6/2022 late afternoon
Off the coast of Split, Hvar will surprise you by its traditions that have not changed since Antiquity. The country’s oldest town, Stari Grad, is here on this Dalmatian Island. The town nestles by a cove on the north-west coast, surrounded by dry stone wall structures on the Stari Grad plains. These have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because they were built in the time of the Ancient Greeks. From these parcels of land come wines and olive oil manufactured manually. In the upper part of town, it is possible to discover hams and cheeses made by local producers.
1 July 2022 - Dubrovnik
Arrival 1/7/2022 early morning
Departure 1/7/2022 late evening
Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.
2 July 2022 - Kotor
Arrival 2/7/2022 early morning
Departure 2/7/2022 midday
Situated in one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays, the medieval city of Kotor is a small town full of charm, truly imbued with the traditions and stories of another time. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, this village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has preserved many historical monuments from this epoch. During your stop, be sure to admire the impressive castle that dominates the town, and let yourself fall under the charm of its maze of small streets and intimate squares on which folk festivals featuring magnificent colourful costumes are often organised.
3 July 2022 - Corfu
Arrival 3/7/2022 early morning
Departure 3/7/2022 early afternoon
Named after the island, Corfu is the most famous city in the Ionian islands. Protected by citadel fortifications, its old city, designated UNESCO World Heritage, displays unusual Greco-Byzantine and Venetian architecture. Above the water stands Saint George’s church, looking uncannily like a classical temple. The picturesque Pontikonisi, a stone’s throw from the southern point of the town, is the legendary island where Odysseus landed.
4 July 2022 - Pylos
Arrival 4/7/2022 early morning
Departure 4/7/2022 midday
The picturesque port of Pylos is located in the south west of the Peloponnese. Backed against the lush green hills of Messenia, it looks out onto the Navarino Bay. You can admire the gorgeous view as you walk uptown amid pink oleanders that cascade over the jetty. A stone’s throw away, the historical centre’s winding streets will plunge you into a maze of houses with whitewashed facades and terracotta roof-tiles. On the attractive main beach, you will be able to relax in the shade of the age-old plane trees and taste the delicious local biscuits made of sesame and honey.
5 July 2022 - Athens
Arrival 5/7/2022 early morning
Disembarkation 5/7/2022 at 7:00 am
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.
Rovinj Walking Tour
From the 14th through the 18th century, Rovinj was the center of Venetian government on the Istrian peninsula. On your guided walking tour of the old center of the town, built on what was a rocky island (now connected to the mainland), you will realize how Venice dominated not just the politics of the peninsula, but also the architecture — tall houses with red tiled roofs and narrow streets intersected by covered passageways and archways, all decorated with ancient frescoes.
Making your way through a maze of closely built structures that seem to lean on one another for support, you will arrive at the Basilica of Saint Euphemia, a Baroque church in the Venetian style, built atop a hill over the ruins of earlier churches. It is home to a marble sarcophagus containing the relics of the Saint, brought here from Constantinople for safe keeping in the 9th century, when Rovinj was part of the Byzantine Empire.
Continuing your tour, you stop next at the Batana Eco-Museum, an international award-winning museum that makes use of state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits and interactive presentations to celebrate both the rich fishing tradition of Rovinj and the related cultural heritage of peoples who for centuries have lived in Rovinj in harmony with the sea and its resources. The museum places particular emphasis, as its name implies, on the batana boat, Rovinj's emblematic flat bottom fishing vessel.
- This excursion involves approximately 1.5 hours of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is requested to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hidden Villages of Hvar
The island of Hvar enjoys a mild climate and lush subtropical vegetation. It is particularly known for its rosemary, lavender, and laurel. This excursion takes you away from the busy coastal towns to places rarely visited by tourists, where you will enjoy fresh air, moderate exercise, and some of the most beautiful views available along the Croatian coast.
Your tour begins at the pier, where your guide will lead through the town to the bus station and a 20-minute scenic drive to the village of Velo Grablje. On arrival in the village, which is surrounded by lavender fields, you will be met by a local grower, who will say a few words about the village and about the importance of lavender to Hvar's economy and way of life. Your hike from Velo ("upper") Grablje to Malo ("lower") Grablje, begins on part of the medieval trail that once connected Hvar to Stari Grad. The entire walk is downhill, starting with several long steps and continuing as a narrow path for approximately 1 mile, before the trail widens for the remainder of the hike to Malo Grablje. It takes about an hour to cover this distance. In the lower village, you will enjoy a snack at a traditional local tavern, before continuing for another 45 minutes or so on a wide gravel path to Milna, where you can spend some time on the beach before your transfer back to Hvar.
- This excursion involves approximately 2.5 miles walking over uneven surfaces, gravel with large rocks, and steps. We recommend you wear sturdy walking shoes, wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and protect yourself from the sun. You can change clothes at the nearby village, if you want to swim at Milna.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hvar Walking Tour
Hvar is a fertile island of pale stone houses surrounded by rosemary, lavender, and laurel. Its architecture is unmistakably Venetian, and there are fine fortifications. Our tour of the island’s principal town includes the 17th-century Municipal Theater, the Franciscan Monastery, the city’s Loggia, and St. Stephen’s Square.
Your guide will meet you at the pier and lead you through narrow streets and along the waterfront to the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery. This handsome Renaissance structure is situated on the coast amid a garden of cypress, one of which is 300 years old. The monastery's spacious refectory has been turned into a museum, exhibiting collections of rare books and coins, ancient amphora, paintings, and various curiosities. Its prize possession is a magnificent painting of the Last Supper that measures 7 feet by 30 feet and is thought to belong to the Venetian School of Palma the Younger, from the end of the 16th century.
From the monastery, your guide will lead you into the center of town and to the main square, where you will pass by the Cathedral of St. Stephan and the Venetian Loggia before visiting the Benedictine Cloister, where a community of nuns have perfected the art of making lace from the fibers of dried agave leaves. A small museum here displays their handiwork.
Your final visit, on the way back to the pier, is at the 17th-century Arsenal, which houses Europe's oldest Municipal Theater, established in 1612. It is still in use.
Your guide will lead you back to the pier. Or you may choose to stay on in town to explore on your own.
- This excursion involves 2 hours of walking, covering approximately 1 mile over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is requested to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Medieval Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, despite a devastating earthquake in 1667 and the ravages of many wars, is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Begin your walk with a stroll along Dubrovnik's Stradun, a wide pedestrian way lined with shops and cafés and a remarkable number of historic buildings and monuments. At its western end, you arrive at the Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most inspiring sites of the city. The Monastery houses the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and third oldest pharmacy in the world, founded in 1317. It is still active and still offers salves manufactured according to recipes passed from generation to generation.
A short walk from the monastery brings you to the Cathedral of the Assumption. Built in the 18th century on the ruins of a church destroyed in the 1667 earthquake, its design is surprisingly simple. But it is a treasure trove of gold and silver reliquaries and several priceless paintings, including a polyptych over the main altar of the Assumption of the Virgin by Titian.
As you make your way back to the pier, your guide will point out some of Dubrovnik's most important cultural monuments — Sponza Palace, identifiable by its gallery of arcades, the Church of Saint Blaise, built in 1715 in Baroque style, and the richly detailed Onofrio Fountain, fed by an aqueduct built in the 15th century that brings potable water to the city from a spring 7 miles away.
The final visit of your tour is at the Rector's Palace. This Gothic-Renaissance structure overlooking the harbor is now a cultural history museum that tells the story of Dubrovnik when it was the capital of the proud Republic of Ragusa, a maritime power that rivalled Venice through much of the later Middle Ages.
- Because this excursion is entirely on foot, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing must be worn when visiting religious sites: trousers for men and skirts/slacks covering the knees for women. Photography is not permitted in the Cathedral. The order of visits may change.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Historic Kotor
Kotor, located at the head of a bay of the same name, is a delightful port town in the middle of some of the most dramatic coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Your walking tour reveals its magnificent walls, palaces, and churches.
A 10-minute walk from the pier brings you to the heart of the Old Town, where you will visit the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. Originally constructed in the 12th century, the Cathedral suffered extensive damage in the earthquake of 1667, was rebuilt, and then was badly damaged again in the earthquake of 1979. It has only recently been fully restored. Older than many cathedrals in Europe, St. Tryphon's houses treasures of immense value —frescoes from the 14th century, an ornate stone ornament above the main altar depicting the life of St. Tryphon, and a gilded-silver altar screen portraying the many saints associated with Kotor.
Your tour continues with a visit to the Maritime Museum, with exhibits chronicling the development of the naval and merchant marine traditions of Kotor, and memorializing the town's pride in their seamen's contributions to trade and to the defense of Montenegro against foes from pirates to the Ottoman Turks.
You will also have an opportunity to explore Kotor's Lapidarium, a collection of stone sculpture, monuments and architectural embellishments rescued from the debris of earthquakes and wars and ranging from Roman times to the 18th century.
- This excursion is entirely on foot and involves a total of approximately 1 mile of walking on paved surfaces, with some steps. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Corfu Old Town & Mon Repos Palace
From the earliest times, Corfu has been prized for its natural beauty and resources and for its strategic position at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. It has come under the rule of a succession of empires — Greek, Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic, British — but has remained throughout a favorite retreat for European elites.
Your discovery of this romantic island begins with a walking tour of Corfu's historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow streets and vaulted passageways known as 'kantounia' that lead to charming little piazzas crammed with cafés and shops. You will pass by the New Venetian Fortress (16th-century) and the Old Venetian Fortress (14th-century) on your way to the middle of city, where you can stroll along the iconic arcades of Liston, built by the French in the 19th-century to replicate the Rue de Rivoli of Paris; admire the British Palace of St. George and St. Michael; and visit the Church of Saint Spyridon, dedicated to the patron saint of the island. You will also have time to browse in Corfu's shopping quarter, famous for its galleries, jewelry, and high fashion.
Following your visit to Old Town, drive to the outskirts of the city and Mon Repos Palace, a small but beautiful mansion atop a hill overlooking the sea. Built in 1828 by the British Commissioner as a gift to his Corfiot wife, it was gifted to the royal family of Greece in 1864 and was used as a summer residence by them until the mid-20th century. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, late husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was born here. As you tour the palace and its exotic gardens—consisting in part of plants brought by visiting monarchs and diplomats from around world—your guide will regale you with stories of the gala parties and state receptions that were held on these grounds.
- This tour involves approximately two hours of walking and standing, with a few steps at Mon Repos Palace. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress (shoulders and knees covered) is required to enter the church.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Nestor's Palace and Methoni Castle
From Pylos, a short drive brings you to the Palace of Nestor, which dates from the 13th century B.C. Named for King Nestor, who Homer tells us led the men of Pylos in the Trojan war, the palace and its surrounding buildings have long been prized as one of the best-preserved Mycenaean palaces in Greece. Reopened in 2016 after three years of restoration and new construction, the site now presents a fascinating overview of daily life in the Bronze Age—from the grand public Throne Room with its huge hearth to the intimate Queen's Bath.
Leaving Nestor's Palace, travel to a small, narrow cape that juts into the Ionian Sea at the extreme southwestern point of the Peloponnese, where you discover the village of Methoni and Methoni Castle. The first fortifications here date to the 4th century B.C., when the region broke away from Sparta. The castle was enhanced and enlarged by the Byzantines and then expanded again by the Venetians after they took control in the 12th century. The impressive complex of fort and town occupies the entire area of the narrow peninsula and overlooks the east-west shipping routes that were the source of the town's wealth. For much of the Middle Ages, Methoni was also a routine port of call for Christian pilgrims traveling to and from the Holy Land.
- This tour involves a total of approximately two hours of walking at the sites, mostly on flat surfaces. The terrain is a bit uneven at Methoni, but still requiring no more than moderate fitness. Comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun are recommended.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The New Castle of Pylos & Nestor's Palace
Set in a magnificent natural harbor, the port of Pylos stands guard at the entrance to the Bay of Navarino, which has been a gateway to the western Peloponnese since ancient times. Your exploration of the area begins with a visit to the castle of Niokastro, the newer of the two castles in the port. Built by the Turks in 1573, it was an important outpost and naval base for the Ottoman Empire for two and a half centuries, until it was liberated by the French in 1828 toward the end of the Greek War of Independence. Severely damaged during WWII, the castle has recently been restored and houses a museum and an Underwater Archaeological Research Center.
From Pylos, a short drive brings you to the Palace of Nestor, dating from the 13th century B.C. It is universally recognized as the best-preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece. Named for King Nestor, who Homer tells us led the men of Pylos in the Trojan war, the palace and its surrounding buildings give a vivid picture of the grandeur of Mycenaean civilization. Reopened in 2016 after three years of restoration and new construction, the site now presents a fascinating overview of daily life in the Bronze Age—from the grand public Throne Room with its huge hearth to the intimate Queen's Bath.
- This tour involves approximately two hours of walking at the sites, mostly on flat, even surfaces, but with some uphill climbing at the Niokastro. Comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun are recommended.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Jacques-cartier
In keeping with the philosophy of PONANT and the PONANT EXPLORERS, Le Jacques-Cartier combines the desire for adventure with five-star travel. A modern ship with slender, tapered lines, it is environmentally friendly and equipped with innovative technology.
Tastefully decorated, Le Jacques-Cartier reflects the universe so dear to PONANT, with its light tones and open-to-the-sea design providing soft light and luminosity at every instant of the day. Its ethnic chic ambiance pays homage to the destinations we visit.
Located below the waterline, the Blue Eye, the first ever multisensorial lounge, offers a unique experience: the opportunity to enjoy undersea views and the sounds of the marine world whilst sharing a glass together.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys have organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine and Mediterranean historian Dennis Romano.
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport in Venice to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Jacques-Cartier, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- 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
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme is subject to change without notice
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
FABLED VENICE (2 NIGHTS)
At the height of its imperial power, Venice justly referred to itself as La Serenissima, the most serene republic. Today, Venice still lays claim to the title, as the city basks in the enduring splendor of its history.
Day 1 – Venice, Italy
Arrive at Venice's International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to The Splendid Venice via water taxi. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. Join fellow travellers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 – Venice
After breakfast at the hotel, a walking tour explores nearby St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. The Basilica, originally a private chapel, became the focus of the religious life of the city in 829, when the remains of St. Mark were brought from Alexandria and interred here. The interior is covered with 14,000 square feet of gold mosaics, mostly from the 12th and 13th centuries. Of particular note is the altarpiece known as Pala d'Oro, universally considered the most refined expression of Byzantine sensibility in the world. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Doge’s Palace is an impressive structure comprising layers of construction and ornamentation, from its 14th and 15th century original foundations to its Renaissance and Mannerist additions. It was the working centre of Venetian government when Venice dominated the entire eastern half of the Mediterranean, and the grandeur of its chambers befits its role. When your tour concludes, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore Venice on your own. Lunch and dinner are at your leisure.
Day 3 – Venice | Embark
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the hotel and a morning at leisure. After an independent lunch, join a walking tour that visits two more of Venice's impressively adorned buildings. Begin at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, whose walls and ceilings are covered with murals by Tintoretto, depicting stories from the Old Testament and episodes in the life of the Virgin as well as the Passion of Christ, including the artist's massive painting of the Crucifixion, which covers an entire wall of one of the galleries. Continue to the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, which, despite its rather plain exterior, contains a treasure trove of paintings and sculptures by artists including Titian, Canova, Sansovino, Donatello, and Bellini. After taking in the wonders of this special church, your tour ends at the pier for embarkation in late afternoon.
Your hotel:
The Splendid Venice is a 5-star property in the centre of the city, near St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. It features 165 rooms, a restaurant, two lounge bars, 24-hour room service, marvelous views of the surrounding area, and all of the services you would expect from a luxury hotel in a major European city.
Your programme includes:
- 2 nights at The Splendid Venice (or similar).
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled programme arrival day.
- Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day.
- Welcome Reception on Day 1.
- Breakfast on Days 2 and 3.
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary.
- Local English-speaking guide.
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides.
Your programme does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled programme arrival day.
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Programme is offered on a space available basis.
- Programme is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
The Splendid Venice
S. Marco Mercerie, 760
30124 Venice
Italy
Telephone: +39 041 5200755
Total : €940
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Rovinj Walking Tour
From the 14th through the 18th century, Rovinj was the center of Venetian government on the Istrian peninsula. On your guided walking tour of the old center of the town, built on what was a rocky island (now connected to the mainland), you will realize how Venice dominated not just the politics of the peninsula, but also the architecture — tall houses with red tiled roofs and narrow streets intersected by covered passageways and archways, all decorated with ancient frescoes.
Making your way through a maze of closely built structures that seem to lean on one another for support, you will arrive at the Basilica of Saint Euphemia, a Baroque church in the Venetian style, built atop a hill over the ruins of earlier churches. It is home to a marble sarcophagus containing the relics of the Saint, brought here from Constantinople for safe keeping in the 9th century, when Rovinj was part of the Byzantine Empire.
Continuing your tour, you stop next at the Batana Eco-Museum, an international award-winning museum that makes use of state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits and interactive presentations to celebrate both the rich fishing tradition of Rovinj and the related cultural heritage of peoples who for centuries have lived in Rovinj in harmony with the sea and its resources. The museum places particular emphasis, as its name implies, on the batana boat, Rovinj's emblematic flat bottom fishing vessel.
- This excursion involves approximately 1.5 hours of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is requested to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hidden Villages of Hvar
The island of Hvar enjoys a mild climate and lush subtropical vegetation. It is particularly known for its rosemary, lavender, and laurel. This excursion takes you away from the busy coastal towns to places rarely visited by tourists, where you will enjoy fresh air, moderate exercise, and some of the most beautiful views available along the Croatian coast.
Your tour begins at the pier, where your guide will lead through the town to the bus station and a 20-minute scenic drive to the village of Velo Grablje. On arrival in the village, which is surrounded by lavender fields, you will be met by a local grower, who will say a few words about the village and about the importance of lavender to Hvar's economy and way of life. Your hike from Velo ("upper") Grablje to Malo ("lower") Grablje, begins on part of the medieval trail that once connected Hvar to Stari Grad. The entire walk is downhill, starting with several long steps and continuing as a narrow path for approximately 1 mile, before the trail widens for the remainder of the hike to Malo Grablje. It takes about an hour to cover this distance. In the lower village, you will enjoy a snack at a traditional local tavern, before continuing for another 45 minutes or so on a wide gravel path to Milna, where you can spend some time on the beach before your transfer back to Hvar.
- This excursion involves approximately 2.5 miles walking over uneven surfaces, gravel with large rocks, and steps. We recommend you wear sturdy walking shoes, wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and protect yourself from the sun. You can change clothes at the nearby village, if you want to swim at Milna.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hvar Walking Tour
Hvar is a fertile island of pale stone houses surrounded by rosemary, lavender, and laurel. Its architecture is unmistakably Venetian, and there are fine fortifications. Our tour of the island’s principal town includes the 17th-century Municipal Theater, the Franciscan Monastery, the city’s Loggia, and St. Stephen’s Square.
Your guide will meet you at the pier and lead you through narrow streets and along the waterfront to the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery. This handsome Renaissance structure is situated on the coast amid a garden of cypress, one of which is 300 years old. The monastery's spacious refectory has been turned into a museum, exhibiting collections of rare books and coins, ancient amphora, paintings, and various curiosities. Its prize possession is a magnificent painting of the Last Supper that measures 7 feet by 30 feet and is thought to belong to the Venetian School of Palma the Younger, from the end of the 16th century.
From the monastery, your guide will lead you into the center of town and to the main square, where you will pass by the Cathedral of St. Stephan and the Venetian Loggia before visiting the Benedictine Cloister, where a community of nuns have perfected the art of making lace from the fibers of dried agave leaves. A small museum here displays their handiwork.
Your final visit, on the way back to the pier, is at the 17th-century Arsenal, which houses Europe's oldest Municipal Theater, established in 1612. It is still in use.
Your guide will lead you back to the pier. Or you may choose to stay on in town to explore on your own.
- This excursion involves 2 hours of walking, covering approximately 1 mile over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is requested to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Medieval Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, despite a devastating earthquake in 1667 and the ravages of many wars, is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Begin your walk with a stroll along Dubrovnik's Stradun, a wide pedestrian way lined with shops and cafés and a remarkable number of historic buildings and monuments. At its western end, you arrive at the Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most inspiring sites of the city. The Monastery houses the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and third oldest pharmacy in the world, founded in 1317. It is still active and still offers salves manufactured according to recipes passed from generation to generation.
A short walk from the monastery brings you to the Cathedral of the Assumption. Built in the 18th century on the ruins of a church destroyed in the 1667 earthquake, its design is surprisingly simple. But it is a treasure trove of gold and silver reliquaries and several priceless paintings, including a polyptych over the main altar of the Assumption of the Virgin by Titian.
As you make your way back to the pier, your guide will point out some of Dubrovnik's most important cultural monuments — Sponza Palace, identifiable by its gallery of arcades, the Church of Saint Blaise, built in 1715 in Baroque style, and the richly detailed Onofrio Fountain, fed by an aqueduct built in the 15th century that brings potable water to the city from a spring 7 miles away.
The final visit of your tour is at the Rector's Palace. This Gothic-Renaissance structure overlooking the harbor is now a cultural history museum that tells the story of Dubrovnik when it was the capital of the proud Republic of Ragusa, a maritime power that rivalled Venice through much of the later Middle Ages.
- Because this excursion is entirely on foot, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing must be worn when visiting religious sites: trousers for men and skirts/slacks covering the knees for women. Photography is not permitted in the Cathedral. The order of visits may change.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Historic Kotor
Kotor, located at the head of a bay of the same name, is a delightful port town in the middle of some of the most dramatic coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Your walking tour reveals its magnificent walls, palaces, and churches.
A 10-minute walk from the pier brings you to the heart of the Old Town, where you will visit the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. Originally constructed in the 12th century, the Cathedral suffered extensive damage in the earthquake of 1667, was rebuilt, and then was badly damaged again in the earthquake of 1979. It has only recently been fully restored. Older than many cathedrals in Europe, St. Tryphon's houses treasures of immense value —frescoes from the 14th century, an ornate stone ornament above the main altar depicting the life of St. Tryphon, and a gilded-silver altar screen portraying the many saints associated with Kotor.
Your tour continues with a visit to the Maritime Museum, with exhibits chronicling the development of the naval and merchant marine traditions of Kotor, and memorializing the town's pride in their seamen's contributions to trade and to the defense of Montenegro against foes from pirates to the Ottoman Turks.
You will also have an opportunity to explore Kotor's Lapidarium, a collection of stone sculpture, monuments and architectural embellishments rescued from the debris of earthquakes and wars and ranging from Roman times to the 18th century.
- This excursion is entirely on foot and involves a total of approximately 1 mile of walking on paved surfaces, with some steps. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Corfu Old Town & Mon Repos Palace
From the earliest times, Corfu has been prized for its natural beauty and resources and for its strategic position at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. It has come under the rule of a succession of empires — Greek, Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic, British — but has remained throughout a favorite retreat for European elites.
Your discovery of this romantic island begins with a walking tour of Corfu's historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow streets and vaulted passageways known as 'kantounia' that lead to charming little piazzas crammed with cafés and shops. You will pass by the New Venetian Fortress (16th-century) and the Old Venetian Fortress (14th-century) on your way to the middle of city, where you can stroll along the iconic arcades of Liston, built by the French in the 19th-century to replicate the Rue de Rivoli of Paris; admire the British Palace of St. George and St. Michael; and visit the Church of Saint Spyridon, dedicated to the patron saint of the island. You will also have time to browse in Corfu's shopping quarter, famous for its galleries, jewelry, and high fashion.
Following your visit to Old Town, drive to the outskirts of the city and Mon Repos Palace, a small but beautiful mansion atop a hill overlooking the sea. Built in 1828 by the British Commissioner as a gift to his Corfiot wife, it was gifted to the royal family of Greece in 1864 and was used as a summer residence by them until the mid-20th century. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, late husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was born here. As you tour the palace and its exotic gardens—consisting in part of plants brought by visiting monarchs and diplomats from around world—your guide will regale you with stories of the gala parties and state receptions that were held on these grounds.
- This tour involves approximately two hours of walking and standing, with a few steps at Mon Repos Palace. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress (shoulders and knees covered) is required to enter the church.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Nestor's Palace and Methoni Castle
From Pylos, a short drive brings you to the Palace of Nestor, which dates from the 13th century B.C. Named for King Nestor, who Homer tells us led the men of Pylos in the Trojan war, the palace and its surrounding buildings have long been prized as one of the best-preserved Mycenaean palaces in Greece. Reopened in 2016 after three years of restoration and new construction, the site now presents a fascinating overview of daily life in the Bronze Age—from the grand public Throne Room with its huge hearth to the intimate Queen's Bath.
Leaving Nestor's Palace, travel to a small, narrow cape that juts into the Ionian Sea at the extreme southwestern point of the Peloponnese, where you discover the village of Methoni and Methoni Castle. The first fortifications here date to the 4th century B.C., when the region broke away from Sparta. The castle was enhanced and enlarged by the Byzantines and then expanded again by the Venetians after they took control in the 12th century. The impressive complex of fort and town occupies the entire area of the narrow peninsula and overlooks the east-west shipping routes that were the source of the town's wealth. For much of the Middle Ages, Methoni was also a routine port of call for Christian pilgrims traveling to and from the Holy Land.
- This tour involves a total of approximately two hours of walking at the sites, mostly on flat surfaces. The terrain is a bit uneven at Methoni, but still requiring no more than moderate fitness. Comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun are recommended.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
The New Castle of Pylos & Nestor's Palace
Set in a magnificent natural harbor, the port of Pylos stands guard at the entrance to the Bay of Navarino, which has been a gateway to the western Peloponnese since ancient times. Your exploration of the area begins with a visit to the castle of Niokastro, the newer of the two castles in the port. Built by the Turks in 1573, it was an important outpost and naval base for the Ottoman Empire for two and a half centuries, until it was liberated by the French in 1828 toward the end of the Greek War of Independence. Severely damaged during WWII, the castle has recently been restored and houses a museum and an Underwater Archaeological Research Center.
From Pylos, a short drive brings you to the Palace of Nestor, dating from the 13th century B.C. It is universally recognized as the best-preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece. Named for King Nestor, who Homer tells us led the men of Pylos in the Trojan war, the palace and its surrounding buildings give a vivid picture of the grandeur of Mycenaean civilization. Reopened in 2016 after three years of restoration and new construction, the site now presents a fascinating overview of daily life in the Bronze Age—from the grand public Throne Room with its huge hearth to the intimate Queen's Bath.
- This tour involves approximately two hours of walking at the sites, mostly on flat, even surfaces, but with some uphill climbing at the Niokastro. Comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun are recommended.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.