7 nights onboard Le Bougainville

Islands and cities of the Mediterranean

Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION and with featured guest Maud Fontenoy, sailor and ambassador to the Ministry of National Education and Youth for education at sea and sea classes.

Starting in Athens, step aboard Le Bougainville for an 8-day cruise between Greece and the majestic Maltese coast.

Le Bougainville will then head towards Paros. Nestling in the heart of the Cyclades archipelago, this island reputed for its sublime white marble offers a real concentration of Greek beauty, from whitewashed houses to olive groves to ancient monuments.

This cruise will also enable you to discover Hydra, a small island of old-worldly charm where motorised traffic is banned.

You will then sail south for the charming Monemvasia. A romantic haven for the Athenians, this magnificent peninsula conserves treasures of Venetian and Byzantine architecture in the small vaulted streets of its fortified medieval village, which feature thousands of shades of ochre.

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.

When the ship calls at Pylos, you will explore the ruins of the Palace of Nestor, one of the heroes of the Trojan War.

You will take the sea to discover Taormina, overlooking Etna’s blanket of snow. Its streets will lead you to its famed ancient Greek theatre, where the quality of the acoustics is exceptional.

Your cruise will come to an end in Valletta, capital of the island of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta.

Leaving from: Athens
Cruise ship: Le Bougainville
Visiting: Athens Páros Monemvasía Hydra
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Ponant

When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.

From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.

184
Passengers
110
Crew
2019
Launched
128m
Length
18m
Width
18kts
Speed
6
Decks
EUR
Currency
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1
Athens, Greece
Day 2
Páros, Greece
Day 3
Monemvasía, Greece
Day 3
Hydra, Greece
Day 4
Kythira, Greece
Day 5
Pýlos, Greece
Day 7
Taormina, Italy
Day 8
Valletta, Malta
Athens, Greece image
Day 1
Athens, Greece
Páros, Greece image
Day 2
Páros, Greece
Monemvasía, Greece image
Day 3
Monemvasía, Greece
Monemvasia boasts a varied and colorful history that can be traced to the 8th-century when Greeks fleeing the Slav invasion of Lakonia found refuge here. In its heyday it controlled sea travel between the Levant and European shores. The wall-encircled Lower Town extends along the slopes of a 985-foot-high crag that projects into the sea on the east side of the Peloponnese. For centuries an impressive stronghold, population dwindled as the inhabitants moved to the mainland. But with the beginning of a restoration program aimed to preserve Monemvasia's heritage, the Lower Town experienced a new lease on life, and people have begun to return. The Upper Town is situated on top of the Rock of Monemvasia. It is reached via a zigzagging, paved lane. An almost impregnable bastion in earlier days, it has been uninhabited for centuries, but still manages to preserve its magnificent appearance. Visitors today can explore the remains of the ancient citadel-castle and visit the church of Hagia Sofia. From the summit there is also a fantastic view of the surrounding area.
Hydra, Greece image
Day 3
Hydra, Greece
Rising from the turquoise expanse of the sunny Mediterranean, Hydra is the counterpoint of choice for Athenians - who can swap the city chaos for blissful relaxation with an hour’s boat journey. Known for its inspiring celebrity appeal - Leonard Cohen bought a house here in the 60s - Hydra is a pretty island of rising streets, whitewash mansions, and carefree clamour. Located a stone's throw from the Greek mainland, the authorities have resisted the temptation to cash in, meaning Hydra remains an endearing time-warp, which revels in life in the slow lane. With cars and new building developments banned – discover an island of donkeys plodding cobbled streets, and fishing boats undulating gently on the harbour’s waves. 
Kythira, Greece image
Day 4
Kythira, Greece
Pýlos, Greece image
Day 5
Pýlos, Greece
Taormina, Italy image
Day 7
Taormina, Italy
The medieval cliff-hanging town of Taormina is overrun with tourists, yet its natural beauty is still hard to dispute. The view of the sea and Mt. Etna from its jagged cactus-covered cliffs is as close to perfection as a panorama can get—especially on clear days, when the snowcapped volcano's white puffs of smoke rise against the blue sky. Writers have extolled Taormina's beauty almost since it was founded in the 6th century BC by Greeks from nearby Naxos; Goethe and D. H. Lawrence were among its well-known enthusiasts. The town's boutique-lined main streets get old pretty quickly, but the many hiking paths that wind through the beautiful hills surrounding Taormina promise a timeless alternative. A trip up to stunning Castelmola (whether on foot or by car) should also be on your itinerary.
Valletta, Malta image
Day 8
Valletta, Malta

Malta: the country that God built. Well, kind of. Malta is well-known for being the once-stronghold of the famous religious military order, The Knights Hospitaller, who were granted the land in 1530 from the King of Spain in exchange for an annual fee of one Maltese falcon (which eventually inspired the name of Dashiell Hammett’s famous novel). And these marauding knights certainly did a great job putting the place together. Valletta, the nation’s capital, remains the highlight and exploring this fascinating walled city (which kept the Hospitallers secure until they came across Napoleon in 1798) is akin to walking back in time. It’s small size (just 0.3 square miles) makes it the perfect cruise stopover and is the ideal base for exploring the rest of the country on excursions.

Ship Details
Ponant
Le Bougainville

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

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