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This cruise, in partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, will cultivate the art of peaceful travel as well as a family spirit, thanks to its customised activities on board and on shore for youngsters*, with the Kid Explorers Club.
The warmth of the summer on the waters of the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic Seas promises you an unforgettable 9-day journey between Greece and Croatia. Aboard Le Dumont d’Urville, fall under the spell of the Mediterranean landscapes and the ancient vestiges that will tell you a fascinating story.Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover the ancient town of Corinth and its mythical canal from Nafplio, explore the charming city of Stari Grad and give your senses free rein during a tasting of local wines or fall under the charm of the city of Arta and visit its Archaeological Museum from Parga. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).From Athens, you will sail to Nafplio from where you will have the chance to discover the mythical sites of Epidaurus and Mycenae, respectively an ancient theatre and a pre-Hellenic city, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.At the crossroads of the Agean and Ionian seas and Crete, a lost paradise called Kythira will transport you into a universe whose watchwords are wonderment and tranquillity. The island, the birthplace of Aphrodite in mythology, has inspired poets like Baudelaire and painters like Watteau with its enchanting landscapes.Further north, in the mythical Peloponnese region, you will go to Pylos, from where you will be able to explore the ruins of the Palace of Nestor, one of the heroes of the Trojan War.Le Dumont d’Urville will continue its odyssey towards the Ionian island of Zakynthos, which is teeming with other riches, such as its capital Zante and its famous beach Navagio, one the most beautiful in Greece. In Epirus, you will admire Parga and its fortress, built by the Normans in the 14th century, overlooking the pretty fishing port.The country’s oldest city, Stari Grad, also carries echoes of the past. Founded by the Greeks 2,400 years ago, its plain is now listed with UNESCO for having retained its original agricultural landscape of vineyards and olive groves.The stunning city of Dubrovnik is the last leg of your journey. In the old town where you drop anchor, you can read its history in the cobbled streets; meanwhile, you can discover Dalmatia’s traditions on a tour of the Konavle valley with its famous vineyards.Kids Explorer team for 4-13 year-olds, organising customised activities on board and on shore (outings, swimming sessions, workshops, paper chases, etc.
Cruise between three Mediterranean seas (the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic) to discover ancient sites and enchanting landscapes.
Here are just some of the included excursions: Stari Grad visit and wine tasting; the city of Arta and its archaeological museum (Parga).
Oraia (beautiful) is the word Greeks use to describe Nafplion. The town's old section, on a peninsula jutting into the gulf of Argos, mixes Greek, Venetian, and Turkish architecture; narrow streets, often just broad flights of stone stairs, climb the slopes beneath the walls of Acronafplia. Tree-shaded plazas surround neoclassic buildings. The Palamidi fortress—an elegant display of Venetian might from the early 1700s—guards the town. Nafplion deserves at least a leisurely day of your undivided attention, and you may want to spend several days or a week here and use the city as the base from which to explore the many surrounding ancient sights.
The Croatian island of Hvar bills itself as the "sunniest island in the Adriatic." Not only does it have the figures to back up this claim—an annual average of 2,724 hours of sunshine—but it also makes visitors a sporting proposition, offering them a money-back guarantee if there are seven consecutive days of snow (snow has been known to fall here; the last time being February 2012).
Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea.In the 7th century AD, residents of the Roman city Epidaurum (now Cavtat) fled the Avars and Slavs of the north and founded a new settlement on a small rocky island, which they named Laus, and later Ragusa. On the mainland hillside opposite the island, the Slav settlement called Dubrovnik grew up. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the two settlements was filled in (now the main street through the Old Town, called Stradun), and Ragusa and Dubrovnik became one. The city was surrounded by defensive walls during the 13th century, and these were reinforced with towers and bastions in the late 15th century.From 1358 to 1808 the city thrived as a powerful and remarkably sophisticated independent republic, reaching its golden age during the 16th century. In 1667 many of its splendid Gothic and Renaissance buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. The defensive walls survived the disaster, and the city was rebuilt in baroque style.Dubrovnik lost its independence to Napoléon in 1808, and in 1815 passed to Austria-Hungary. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost
INCLUDED SERVICES ON ALL OUR CRUISES
Full board from arrival to departure day
High-end gastronomy in all restaurants
All beverages in restaurants, bars, and minibars. All drinks are included² (a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits, beers, cocktails, water, soft drinks, hot beverages)
24-hour room service
Butler service for certain suites³
Unlimited internet access onboard
Evening events, shows, and other entertainment
Access to the fitness area and hammam or sauna, depending on the ship
All port and security charges
²Excluding premium à la carte beverages.
³Butler service is available for the following suites:
Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial: All suites on Deck 6;
PONANT Explorers: Owner’s Suites, Grand Deluxe Suites, Privilege Suites, and Prestige Suites on Deck 6;
DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time
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