Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between the airport and your port of embarkation.

Athens

Meet at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos - Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.

You will depart the airport by coach for a scenic tour of Athens en route to the port of Piraeus.

When you will reach Athens, you will make your first stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, a 19th-century reconstruction on Roman foundations, in which the first modern Olympic Games took place. This stadium is also known as the Kallimármaro which means “the beautiful marbled” because it is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. It was also restored to host some competitions during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

You will enjoy a photo stop at the bottom of the Acropolis Hill with its spectacular view of the Parthenon before being transferred to the port of Piraeus where you will embark on your ship.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfer by air-conditioned coach.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Note:

·        Optional photo stops depending on embarkation time and traffic conditions.

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enjoy a few days in Athens before your cruise with this carefully designed program.

Day 1 - Athens

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport, you will be greeted by our local representative in the arrivals hall (sign PONANT). This service is provided whether you are arriving on the PONANT-selected flight or another flight (provided your travel agent has shared your flight details with us in advance).

Transfer to the Athens Capital Centre - MGallery Collection 5*, ideally located on Syntagma Square, in the very heart of Athens.

Check-in available from 3:00 pm.

Afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Athens

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Athens, passing by the city’s most emblematic landmarks such as Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Hadrian’s Arch, and the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium.

Continue with a guided visit of the Acropolis, the iconic hill overlooking the city and symbolizing the achievements of Ancient Greece. Follow your guide to the summit to admire the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion.

Your morning ends with a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Plaka district, the historic center of Athens with its lively shops, tavernas, and cafés. Return to your hotel by vehicle.

 

Day 3 - Athens        

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

The morning is yours to enjoy at leisure, take time to unwind, stroll through the picturesque streets of Athens, or indulge in a spot of shopping.

Your Hotel

The Athens Capital Centre - MGallery Collection is a 5-star boutique hotel located in the elegant Kolonaki district, just steps away from Syntagma Square. Its contemporary design highlights Greek art, while its panoramic rooftop terrace with pool offers stunning views of the Acropolis, especially enchanting at sunset. Guests can savor Greek and Mediterranean cuisine at the MFlavours restaurant, or enjoy creative gastronomy at Mappemonde.

Superior room categories are available upon request and at an additional cost. Please contact your travel advisor for more details.

Your program includes:

• 2 nights in a Deluxe Room at Athens Capital Centre - MGallery Collection 5* (or similar), with breakfast included
• Meals as mentioned in the program
• Transfers, guided visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the program
• Services of a local English-speaking and/or French-speaking representative on Day 1 and Day 2
• Services of a local English-speaking and/or French-speaking guide during visits

Your program does not include:

• Meals not mentioned in the program
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
• Visa fees if applicable
• Gratuities for driver and local guide
• Early check-in and late check-out at the hotel
• Any service not mentioned in the program

Practical information:

• Your flight details must be communicated to your travel agent no later than 30 days prior to departure in order to arrange your transfer.
•  This program includes extensive walking and is not recommended for guests with limited mobility
• The order of visits may vary. A minimum number of participants is required; if not reached, the program may be modified or an alternative offered.

Hotel contact information:

Athens Capital Centre - MGallery Collection

4 Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue & 2 Kriezotou Street, Syntagma Square

Athens 105 64, Greece

Tel: +30 21 4444 2000

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

 

 

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Athens

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

You will be taken by coach for an exploration of one of the oldest cities in Europe, Athens.

You will enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. You will make your first stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, a 19th-century reconstruction on Roman foundations, in which the first modern Olympic Games took place. This stadium is also known as the Kallimármaro which means “the beautiful marbled”, because it is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. It was also restored to host some competitions during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

You will arrive at the Acropolis Museum, which was opened in June 2009. The architecture of the whole venue has been designed to emulate the cult of the Temple of Athena. At the foot of the sacred hill, the building’s rear facade of concrete and glass seems to billow out with the weight of its history, and it is from here that you will have your first view of the Parthenon. The museum provides a magnificent setting for the treasures discovered on the hill. The first gallery houses the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens and the glass floor provides a view of the archaeological excavations, giving you the impression of being in the very heart of these ancient ruins.

At the end of the morning, you will be taken to the Plaka Old District located at the bottom of the Acropolis, in the historic heart of Athens. You will have some free time (about 45 minutes or more depending on your flight return) to explore on foot Plaka’s pedestrian shopping streets where you will find jewellery stores, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Lunch.

·        Tips for the guide and the driver.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.