Porec and its Basilica

INCLUDED

4h00

Enjoy a guided tour of the old town of Porec to discover the episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica. An experience combining history, architecture and breathtaking views.

Nestling at the heart of Porec town centre, the basilica has grouped together a number of Christian places of worship since the 4th century; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This architectural marvel blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles. The sparkle of the mosaics in the choir constitutes a real splendour.

After the visit, you will have some free time to discover the town, before heading to Rovinj.

This excursion involves walking around 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) on uneven ground, with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is necessary to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Rovinj & its cathedral

INCLUDED

2h00

From the pier, follow your guide and start your walking tour of the historical centre of Rovinj. The historical centre is almost entirely built on a rocky island and connected to the mainland since the 13th century. During your tour, you will discover the Venetian influence and its rich cultural legacy, omnipresent in the architecture of the tall houses with warm red tiled roofs and the narrow streets intersected by covered passageways and archways, decorated with ancient frescoes.

The highlight of your visit will most certainly be the Church of Saint Euphemia, a prestigious building dating from the 8th century. Its 63-metre high bell tower rises out of the city centre, and is the most remarked symbol in the Istria region.

Built on the ancient ruins of a Roman church, it was altered in the 17th century in the Baroque style, and houses the relics of Saint Euphemia. They were brought from Constantinople in the 9th century for their safekeeping in a marble sarcophagus. There is also a mural depicting the life and the martyrdom of the saint. Every year on 16 September, the faithful gather around her tomb.

The church contains several treasures and works of art like Gothic statues from the 15th century and paintings from the 16th and the 17th centuries (The Last Supper and Christ in the Gethsemane).

At the end of your visit, you will enjoy a local snack before returning to your ship.

This excursion involves approximately 1.5 hour of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Walking tour and maraschino tasting

INCLUDED

2h15

Zadar, the jewel of Dalmatia, stands majestically on the shores of the Adriatic, attesting to more than three millennia of history and culture, where the echoes of past civilisations resonate through its paved little streets and its emblematic monuments.

Make the most of your time in the city of Zadar to explore the Roman Forum, the veritable emblem of the city, as well as the Church of St. Donatus and the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, not to mention the monuments and palaces dotted around this history-laden site. This wander around will plunge you into the rich and fascinating history of this beautiful old city. You will also have the opportunity to contemplate the People's Square and, of course, the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun. Then, walk along the coast, enveloped by the unique sounds of the Organ. Finally, taste the famous Maraschino liqueur, obtained from the distillation of Marasca cherries, which stands out as one of Croatia’s most prestigious liqueurs, embodying the pride of North Dalmatia where its production dates back to 1768.

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Krka waterfalls & lunch (return Split)

INCLUDED

6h00

On this tour, discover nature's wonders: the Krka National Park and its famous waterfalls. A natural frontier between northern and central Dalmatia, the Krka River joins the Adriatic Sea at Sibenik.

From the pier, board your coach for a 45-minute scenic drive to Lozovac entrance. Skradinski Buk, the largest waterfall of the national park, located on river banks, houses mills and wash houses. Upon your arrival, you will have the opportunity to discover the ethnological museum.

Located in the park, the museum provides a great deal of knowledge and history explaining how the park became a wildlife sanctuary for many different species of animals and plant life.

You will then discover the old water-mill where cereals are still ground by water-spun grindstones.

After enjoying some free time, you will re-board your coach and continue to the Village of Stankovci.

In the House of Dalmatian prosciutto Roca, you will be able to learn about the production method of Dalmatian prosciutto and taste different products prepared here.

After visiting the house of Dalmatian Prosciutto and having your lunch, you will join your coach and return to your ship harboured at Split, 1 hour 15 minute drive.

The level of this visit is low, The walking distance is around 2 km, on paved grounds, flat grounds, cobblestone, wooden bridgesand steps. We suggest you to wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses and bring with you bug & mosquito repellent.

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Split & the Diocletian Palace

INCLUDED

2h00

After the short walk (15 minutes) from the port to the Old Town you will start with the walking portion of the tour.

The Old Town of Split is built on and around the spectacular Roman Palace erected by the Roman Emperor Diocletian (born in Salona - todays Solin) in the 4thcentury. The walking tour starts with a visit of the Palace on the ground gallery that is still very well preserved. It offers a good view at how the life in the Palace was organised.

You will also visit the very interesting Cathedral of St. Duje (patron saint of the city). According to medieval sources, Archbishop John of Ravenna purified in 650 the mausoleum of Diocletian by getting rid of its idols and founded the Cathedral whose bell tower is now the symbol of Split.

The Cathedral is built on the remains of an ancient shrine and is supposed to be the oldest in the world. A visit will also be made to the charming Temple of Jupiter, turned into the baptistery by Christians. Observe the front panel or the ceiling with grotesque faces. Cross the Palace of the southern gate to the North door and discover the ramparts and the immense "statue of Gregory of Nin" by the Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

After the walking tour you will head back to the ship. If you wish to spend some time on your own, you can visit the colourful open market (largest on the coast) or spend some time in the town before returning to the ship.

This tour involves 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). You have to walk 900 yards (800 m) between the ship and the palace entrance. The order of sites visits may vary.

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hvar & its religious heritage

INCLUDED

2h00

This small and charming town is located around a natural port and it is undoubtedly one of the most famous seaside resorts of Dalmatian coast.

A lot of splendid monuments as the Cathedral, the ancient Arsenal and different palaces are bearing witness to a rich history of Gothic and Renaissance arts.

From the pier, follow your guide through narrow tiny streets to the 15thcentury Franciscan Monastery. The cloister with its rounded arches and a well in the middle dominates the Renaissance monastery. The former spacious refectory and a small, adjacent room have been turned into the monastery museum. Along with a collection of old books and coins, the famous "Last Supper", a work belonging to the Venetian School of Palma the Younger from the end of the 16th century, has the strongest claims on the attention of the numerous visitors.

After crossing the main square, you will pass by the Cathedral of Saint Stephan (outside visit). It was built in stages during the 16th and 17th centuries, while the interior was not wholly completed until the 18th century. From outside, it has the characteristics of the Renaissance style and inside the baroque style.

Then, you will visit the Benedictine Monastery, which holds a rich collection of lace made of agave leaves.

After this walking tour you may follow your guide back to the pier or stay in town for some time at leisure.

This excursion involves 2 hours of walking, covering approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The history of Korcula

INCLUDED

2h00

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Perched on a peninsula overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic, Korcula is one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved cities and offers those who explore its streets a veritable dive into history.

Built to a "fishbone” plan in the 13th century, the Old Town of Korcula seems to want to touch the sky. The cobbled streets, small squares and narrow dwellings all rise towards the azure blue, since they can’t push back the fortifications that surround the city. Amidst this picture-postcard decor sit several emblematic sites that you will have the chance to visit.

Your first visit will be the Bishop’s Palace and its Icon Museum. The museum contains a unique collection of Byzantine Icons dating from the 13th to the 15th century, brought back by sailors, as well as ceremonial pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries.

You will then explore the Cathedral of St Mark. Constructed in the 15th century and erected in the heart of the Old Town - on the former site of a 13th-century church – by local masters, in a style blending Gothic and Renaissance, it is undoubtedly Korcula’s most emblematic moment and, above all, an ode to Croatian expertise in Dalmatian stonework.

Opposite the cathedral, you will discover Gabrielis Palace and its Town Museum. With its collections of archaeological, ethnographic and artistic objects, you will be able to go back in time and discover the various influences on the city over the centuries.

Then admire the huge staircase that leads to Tower Revelin, guardian of the city erected in the 15th century, as well as its large gate, decorated with a sculpture of the lion of St Mark.

· This excursion involves approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) of walking through narrow streets, with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The order of the visits may be reversed.

Included

Subject to availability, rate per passenger.

Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.

Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.

PANORAMIC TRANSFER AND TIME AT LEISURE FROM AIRPORT TO THE PIER OF VENICE

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Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer day time between Venice airport to Venice port.

Venice

Meet at Venice airport in the Arrival hall. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT. Your luggage will be taken directly to the ship by coach.

You will depart the airport for a short distance to the airport dock where you will embark on a private water taxi for a one-hour panoramic transfer to the pier. You will appreciate the beauty and the charm of the ride passing by the islands of Murano and San Michele, and along the Fondamente Nuove via the Canale della Giudecca.

Upon arrival at at Cornoldi pier on Riva degli Schiavoni (10 min of walking from St. Mark's Square), you will enjoy time at leisure.

Then your transfer will continue until the pier to embark on your ship.

Your programme includes:

Transfer by a private water taxi as mentioned in the programme.
Services of a local English-speaking guide during the transfer.
Separate transfer by coach for the luggage.

Your programme does not include:

The lunch.
Tips for the driver and local guide.
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 advisor; 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.

Total : $160

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

SECRETS OF VENICE (2 NIGHTS)

(2 nuits)

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 -Venice

Meet at Venice Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to the hotel Palazzo Giovanelli 4*.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Venice

After breakfast, you will leave your hotel by boat to explore some of the hidden gardens of the city, learn their history and find out what prompted the locals to create gardens in such a challenging environment. Gardens in Venice come as a surprise: although many of the palaces have their own small, private garden, when wandering around it is easy to get the impression that Venice is a city of stone.

The first stop is Nani Bernardo Palace, opened especially for a private visit. Designed by the architect Vittoria and commissioned the Bernardo family, the palace was built in the mid-16th century with a beautiful Italian garden. On the other side of the Grand Canal, you will then enjoy a private visit of Palazzo Malipiero.
Initially built in a Byzantine style, it has undergone some modifications over the centuries. The adjacent Italian-style garden with a view of the Grand Canal, a rarity in Venice, makes it even more distinctive.
Like many others, this garden was created in the late 18th century, when the large palace gardens situated on the outskirts of the city disappeared because of residential and industrial development.

You will then be transferred by boat to Sant’Erasmo. While this is the largest island in the Venetian lagoon, it is only sparsely populated. For years this has been Venice’s countryside, the agricultural zone which produces the fruit and vegetables consumed by the city-dwellers. Its artichokes are particularly renowned. You will take a walk through the vineyards of the Cantina Orto di Venezia estate, before tasting three vintages of locally produced Orto, a white wine full of this special island’s unique character. This wine is made from ancient Italian grape varieties; the vines are cultivated using traditional and eco-friendly methods.

Driven by their passion and tenacity, the Thoulouze family have managed to recreate the ancestral methods of drainage using the natural tides of the lagoon.
Orto is a white wine with a high mineral content and a flavour that reflects its terroir. It can be drunk on any occasion but goes especially well with the products of the Venetian lagoon: fish, artichokes, and asparagus. It was recently named the best Italian Malvasia vintage.

After the visit, you will take a boat ride to Mazzorbo, a rural island connected to Burano by a wooden pedestrian bridge. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. During afternoon, you will enjoy leisure time in Burano.

You will return to your hotel by boat, to enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure.

Day 3 - Venice

Breakfast at your hotel, morning at leisure and check-out.

You will then visit a tavern to enjoy a cooking lesson and learn the secrets of Venetian cuisine. With the chef’s guidance and supervision, you will create typical local dishes as you learn more about the culture and cuisine of the region. At the end of the lesson, you will eat what you prepared and toast to this memorable experience.

You will then be transferred by boat to the pier of Venice to embark on board your ship.

Your hotel:

Palazzo Giovanelli 4* is a hotel in the heart of the historic centre of the city, near Saint Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. Its location by the canals, its intimate atmosphere, and its refined style, will immediately immerge yourself into the Venetian spirit. Its carefully equipped rooms offer a cosy cocoon combining contemporary design and Italian touch.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

2-night accommodation in Superior room at Palazzo Giovanelli 4* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
Meals as mentioned in the programme.
Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 beer and 1 coffee or tea).
Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

Dinners.
Personal expenses.
Visa if necessary.
Tips for the driver and local guide.
Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or guests on wheelchair.
Early check-in and late check-out can be requested depending on availability and at a supplement.

Contact of your hotel:

The Palazzo Giovanelli

Campo San Stae, 2070, 30135 Venezia VE, Italie

+39 041 525 6040

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.

Total : $3,420

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.