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L'Austral - 199 Guests

Along The Mediterranean Sea With The Mucem

Athens - Lisbon

Sail the waters of the Mediterranean and dive into centuries of history with the perspective of Vincent Giovannoni, art anthropologist and chief curator of the Mucem. During a 12-day cruise aboard L’Austral, you will be amazed by the Mediterranean and its civilisations, a crossroads of exchange and a territory of divisions, the cradle of a unique way of life weaved together from fascinating cultures.

You will board 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.

You will cross the emblematic Corinth Canal to arrive in Itea. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, our on-board expert will recount the history of the legendary archaeological site of Delphi.

It will now be time to set sail towards Sicily and flamboyant Palermo. Historic sites such as the 12th-century cathedral or the Teatro Massimo opera house, one of the largest in Europe, blend with a uniquely bustling atmosphere.

Your exploration of the Mediterranean islands will continue as you discover Cagliari, capital of Sardinia and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean; its historic centre is full of charm, with shaded stairs, small squares inundated with light and remains conjuring up its medieval grandeur.

Your cruise will then stop in the Balearic Islands on the well-preserved island of Menorca. Mahon, the island’s capital, will charm you with its age-old history and its exceptional port, which, at 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) long, is the biggest in the Mediterranean! A little further on, Ibiza, the “White Island” will enchant you with its wild coves and villages of white fincas, a natural beauty that has earned the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Roman ruins and sumptuous scenery of Cartagena will welcome you before your departure for Malaga, the lively capital of the Costa del Sol. Next will be Cadiz, one of the country’s oldest towns, built on a rock, combining its Mediterranean influences with its opening onto the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean.

Your cruise will come to an end in Lisbon, sitting on the Tagus River, distilling its one-of-a-kind charm imbued with rich history.



 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A cruise in partnership with the Mucem, featuring the exceptional presence of Vincent Giovannoni, art anthropologist and chief curator of the museum.
  • An exceptional cruise between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to discover four countries: Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites:  the Acropolis of Athens (your embarkation port), the sanctuary of Delphi (from Itea), Arab-Norman Palermo, Ibiza, the Alhambra of Granada from Málaga, the tower of Belem and the monastery of Jeronimos in Lisbon (disembarkation port).
  • Crossing the Corinth Canal.
  • Discover the Balearic Islands including Mahon and Ibiza.
  • The Andalusian city of Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in the Western Mediterranean.

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Oct 10, 2024Oct 21, 20245,990 6,476
Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Oct 10, 2024Oct 21, 20245,990 6,476

ITINERARY


10 OCTOBER 2024 - ATHENS

Embarkation 10/10/2024 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 10/10/2024 at 18:00

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.

11 OCTOBER 2024 - CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL

Arrival 11/10/2024
Departure 11/10/2024

The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

11 OCTOBER 2024 - ITEA

Arrival 11/10/2024 midday
Departure 11/10/2024 late afternoon

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.

12 OCTOBER 2024 - AT SEA

Arrival 12/10/2024
Departure 12/10/2024

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

13 OCTOBER 2024 - PALERMO, SICILY

Arrival 13/10/2024 early morning
Departure 13/10/2024 early afternoon

Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour, and headily picturesque.

14 OCTOBER 2024 - CAGLIARI, SARDINIA

Arrival 14/10/2024 early morning
Departure 14/10/2024 early afternoon

The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, like Rome, is built on seven hills. Its Sardinian name means “castle”, in reference to the citadel, its historic centre, which dominates the city. The old ramparts are now pleasant panoramic terraces bordering picturesque streets. The city hosted the Nuragic, Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine civilisations before the rein of the Spanish Hapsburgs and the House of Savoy. The monuments of Cagliari bear the traces of these successive dominations, such as the Bastion of Saint-Rémy or the Sainte-Marie Cathedral. On the sea front, Art Nouveau-style public monuments give way to the Poetto beach, a magnificent stretch of sand that is 8 kilometres long.

15 OCTOBER 2024 - MAHON, BALEARIC ISLANDS

Arrival 15/10/2024 midday
Departure 15/10/2024 late afternoon

You will be welcomed by the colourful houses of Mahon, its narrow streets and pretty squares that appear as you stroll around this richly contrasting city. Mahon reveals its different neighbourhoods, alternating between monuments, villas and white buildings. Discover the Santa Maria church, a building of neo-gothic inspiration, rebuilt in the 18th Century. It is worth a visit to see its monumental organ with more than 3,000 pipes and four keyboards. Around the Carmen church you will find a local market, full of stands selling avarcas, typical Menorcan sandals originally made by peasants. Let yourself fall under the spell of this Mediterranean treasure.

16 OCTOBER 2024 - IBIZA, BALEARIC ISLANDS

Arrival 16/10/2024 early morning
Departure 16/10/2024 late afternoon

The emblematic island of the Balearics, “the white island” was a haven for European artistic bohemians from the 1930s and a paradise for hippies in search of authenticity in the 1960s. It has been a giant nightclub for gilded youth since the 1990s. Behind this fiesta economy, Ibiza has managed to preserve the charms of its wild coves and its villages of white fincas with flat roofs that inspired Le Corbusier. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its exemplary marine and coastal ecosystems but also thanks to the architectural vestiges of this former stronghold of the Mediterranean economy, from the Phoenicians up to the Renaissance.

17 OCTOBER 2024 - CARTAGENA

Arrival 17/10/2024 early morning
Departure 17/10/2024 early afternoon

Surrounded by hills, the natural site of the Bay of Carthagena presided over the fate of this former fortress which has been home to the greatest European civilisations. Today, these Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Moorish and Christian influences form a rich architectural heritage. Its Roman theatre is one of the most significant and best conserved in Spain. You will also be able to cross the landscapes of vines and citrus groves stretching endlessly towards Murcia, to visit this dynamic regional capital.

18 OCTOBER 2024 - MÁLAGA

Arrival 18/10/2024 early morning
Departure 18/10/2024 late evening

A historical and festive town, Malaga is located in Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. Between the marina and the beaches, the seaside promenade of La Farola offers an ideal setting for strolling and relaxing. Set slightly further back, the Malagueta bullring is one of the emblematic sites of the city. From the hill overlooking the old town, one can see Gibralfaro castle and the Alcazaba, two fortified ensembles rising out from the cypresses and maritime pines. To visit Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, you will go first to the courtly plaza de la Merced. A few streets back from here, you can explore the museum dedicated to the artist, in the Buenavista palace.

19 OCTOBER 2024 - CADIZ

Arrival 19/10/2024 early afternoon
Departure 19/10/2024 evening

Andalusia’s Cadiz is located on the Costa de la Luz, in the south-west of Spain. From the beaches of Cortadura, to the flamenco bars of Santa Maria, through the colourful streets of la Viña, you will be amazed by this city, which is both steeped in history and extremely festive. In the medieval El Pópulo district, you will stroll along covered passages in the narrow gaps between houses. You will also be able to mosey around the lush Mina square. The star of the show is the magnificent cathedral and its dome crowned with yellow porcelain, presiding above the Ocean.

20 OCTOBER 2024 - AT SEA

Arrival 20/10/2024
Departure 20/10/2024

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

21 OCTOBER 2024 - LISBON

Arrival 21/10/2024 early morning
Disembarkation 21/10/2024 at 08:00

Portugal’s capital city located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbour, impose two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery and Belem tower. The Alfama hillside is also worth visiting: known for its fado bars and its Moorish streets, this district is the oldest one of the city and one of the most typical. Not far from there, Chiado’s elegant streets are home to big fashion labels and are an invitation to a bit of of luxury shopping.

L'Austral (Luxury Expedition, 199-guests)

This superb mega-yacht with 132 staterooms is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral remains faithful to our philosophy - to create a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED


 

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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time