Ocean cruises

Each evening, Alain Duault will curate performances alongside Nemanja Radulovic and an outstanding musical ensemble in which the celebrated violinist’s friends will showcase their virtuosity. The driving force behind these concerts will be pure pleasure, as sounds and melodies bounce from violin to cello, from piano to clarinet, punctuated by delicate interludes offered by the harp, before Nemanja Radulovic’s violin sets the stage ablaze once again!

Set sail from Athens on an 8-day musical cruise, in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, through the heart of Greece. This musical voyage aboard the Boréal, with the exceptional presence of Alain Duault and a host of artists, will take you from Thessaly to the Peloponnese via Macedonia, where you will discover ports nestling at the bottom of gulfs, unspoilt islands and thousand-year-old monasteries suspended from the sky. From the sheer coastlines bordered by paradisiacal turquoise waters to the archaeological sites that are as emblematic as they are monumental, let yourself fall under the spell of these jewels of the Aegean Sea. As this cruise was designed for a French-speaking audience, the theme-based talks will be given in French only*.  

Discover the charming and verdant island of Skiathos, its beaches, its hiking trails, and its lovely port where some of the scenes in Mamma Mia! were filmed. You will then sail to the port of Volos, nestling in the curve of the Pagasetic Gulf. From there, access Meteora, home to a complex of Orthodox Christian monasteries that blend into the rock and are seemingly suspended in the sky.

Your ship will set a course for Thessaloniki, a big city that is pleasant to wander through and bears the traces of several peoples and civilisations. Your ship will then sail along Mount Athos, a rocky peninsula to which cling twenty imposing monasteries surrounded by superb forests of chestnut trees.

Your ship will then take you to the capital of Limnos, Myrina, whose Venetian castle, built on a rocky outcrop, overlooks the sandy shore. From the port, follow the long shopping street lined with houses and shops with small gardens characteristic of the Thracian style.

Discover Kusadasi, a charming seaside resort on Turkey's west coast, where narrow old streets lead to a palm-lined waterfront promenade.

Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments, which form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic ensemble bequeathed to the world by Ancient Greece, will mark the end of this exceptional odyssey.

?*The land-based activities and excursions can be conducted in English with a translator if required.?

Explore France from the picturesque waterfront promenades of Cannes and Toulon to the countryside around Sète that inspired artists like Vincent van Gogh. Then enjoy three days in Spain’s Balearic Islands, including an overnight stay in Palma de Mallorca to visit the city’s famous cathedral, relax on idyllic beaches, tour the stunning underground seascape of the Drach Caves, and try the island’s esteemed wines. 

 

View Sample Shore Experiences in the Mediterranean

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 aboard Le Boréal on an exceptional 8-day itinerary that will take you along the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, from Barcelona to Lisbon.  

Your voyage begins in Barcelona, a city in perpetual movement, where you may choose to arrive early and fall under the spell of the famous architectural works of Antoni Gaudí, including the UNESCO World Heritage Basílica de la Sagrada Família.

Your ship will head first to Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. Stop at the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that create the island landscape.

Your call in captivating Valencia offers the opportunity to view the city’s architectural wonders, from the UNESCO World Heritage La Lonja de la Seda, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture originally used for trading silk, to the City of Arts and Sciences, a complex designed by native architect Santiago Calatrava.

You will then sail to the rich cultural landscape of Andalusia, where you will discover enchanting Málaga. This call will allow for a visit to the magnificent Alhambra of Grenada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next discover Cádiz, one of the country’s oldest cities. This call will allow for a visit to the superb palace of the Alcázar in Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or stay in town to attend a performance of flamenco at a local tavern.

Portimão, in southern Portugal, is your gateway to the natural beauty, history, and culture of the Algarve. Tour the Old Town of Lagos, visit the stunning rock formations and caves of Ponta da Piedade, and enjoy a tasting of Algarve tapas. Or travel the short distance to Sagres on Cape St. Vincent, from where Prince Henry the Navigator directed the expeditions that led to the discovery of Madeira and the Azores.

Your voyage will end in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. Lisbon boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. Choose to extend your stay and enjoy strolling through the streets of this city of seven hills, soaking up the local zest for life.