an exploration of world affairs: sailing the aegean sea

01432 507 280 (within UK)

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AN EXPLORATION OF WORLD AFFAIRS: SAILING THE AEGEAN SEA

Created specially for like-minded travelers.

Featuring lectures and discussions with contributing writer toThe New Yorker, Robin Wright, and former Deputy Director of theCentral Intelligence Agency, John McLaughlin, this voyage onthe Aegean Sea offers an extraordinary opportunity to talk withthese leading thinkers and actors on the world stage about thecurrent state of U.S. relations with the wider world.

This voyage is a journey to the intellectual home of the westernworld, where each day brings new vistas of royal blue sea,bleached cliffs, whitewashed houses, and the exquisite remainsof Classical civilization. You will call first in Turkey: first atPergamon, once the very heart of scholarship in the Hellenisticworld; and then at Ephesus, one of the most awe-inspiringsurvivals of Roman architecture in the Mediterranean. AtEphesus, you will enjoy an included guided tour of the ruinswith an exclusive after-hours cocktail reception and concert bythe Aegean Chamber Orchestra at the ruins in front of theLibrary of Celsus. Your day in Patmos brings us face-to-face withthe stunning 11th-century Monastery of St. John, while Delos,Mykonos, and Paros embody the most iconic images of theGreek isles: spectacular Cycladic architecture, breathtakingvistas, and temples and ruins that

reveal millennia of history. Your final call is in Nafplion for anexcursion to Mycenae, the center of power from whichAgamemnon launched his attack on Troy.

Our World Affairs cruises provide expert insight intocontemporary issues that affect our lives and the lives of ourchildren and grandchildren. As you travel into the past andengage with its legacy, you will also attend to the present,engaging with your guest experts on the current state ofinternational relations and on the prospects for the future.

ITINERARY

Day 1 ISTANBUL

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Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautifulof all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by theGreeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, thiscity is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listedUNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Sultanahmet hill, thegreat Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vastTopkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate theMarmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows todiscover elegant covered passages. A little further away,delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.

Day 2 DIKILI

The charming harbour city of Dikili is located on the west coastin the province of Izmir. It’s shoreline of turquoise waters is aninvitation to come. In the shade of maritime pines, the streets inthe town centre will win your favour with their fresh fruit juicestands and honey cakes. You can also go on a wander inlandand visit the Pergamon acropolis.

Day 3 KUSADASI

The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf onthe western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear watersor stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In thehistorical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streetsand explore the colourful shops in the bazaar. Close by, theEphesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides anopportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famouscities of Antiquity.

Day 4 PATMOS

Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author

of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse andthe Saint John Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites,which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located atthe top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On theshore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offerabsolutely gorgeous swimming areas. You’ll be drawn to thebustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fishsoup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with freshPatmos cheese.

Day 5 DELOS & MYKONOS

This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few milessouthwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancientholy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. The sheer size andimportance of this UNESCO World Heritage site which coversover half of the island is thrilling in itself. From the Stoa ofAntigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animalstatues, you will make discovery after discovery, against abackdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatresteps on the hillside are a particularly good place from which toenjoy the expansive view. Nicknamed “little Venice”, Mykonos isfamous for its Alefkandra district where houses are built right onthe water’s edge. Their multi-coloured loggias are emblematic ofthis Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You canget close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up onthe hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In thecobbled streets of the pedestrian centre, bougainvillea bedeckimmaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the littlestreets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to theisland’s beaches, the quietest of which can be found on thenorthern coast.

Day 6 PAROS

01432 507 280 (within UK)


Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located inthe Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’llsee Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make themost of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa.This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove andoffers more than one café to sit and unwind.

Day 7 NAFPLION

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides ofthe Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t besurprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of themust-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau ofAkronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well asthe baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the samename. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and thesurrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chillout by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade toa beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Day 8 ATHENS

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 tothe first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will beenchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monumentslisted as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you canvisit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its mazeof colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the driftingaroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your tastebuds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic ArtMuseum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allowvisitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

01432 507 280 (within UK)


YOUR SHIP: LE BOUGAINVILLE

YOUR SHIP: Le Bougainville

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Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment,elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows,and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this newlimited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites willoffer you a truly unique cruising experience.As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponantspirit, Le Bougainville will embody the unique atmosphere thatis the cruise line's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement,intimacy and comfort.Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experiencethe incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with thepossibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinationsin an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is onauthenticity and passion for travel.RESTAURANTSAs it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy willnaturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through itstwo

restaurants, Le Bougainville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boreal and its sisterships, Le Bougainville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship's administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest

01432 507 280 (within UK)


Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing,jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories,Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easierboarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiacembarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier accessto the sea for swimming and practising various water sportssuch as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equippedwith a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium,An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of ourpassengers to share convivial moments and to host activitiesorganised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latestsound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stagebackdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images andvideos. Please click the following links to read more about Ponant andthe other Ponant cruise ships.

01432 507 280 (within UK)


INSIDE YOUR SHIP

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PRICING

ADDITIONAL CHARGES: Port Charges 520 AUD pp

an exploration of world affairs: sailing the aegean sea

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