At the Heart of the Greek Islands

With the exceptional presence of Jean-Louis Debré, former Minister of the Interior and President of the National Assembly, and Valérie Bochenek, stage director and author of several books. With this exceptional itinerary, Ponant invites you to enjoy a wonderful interlude discovering the cultural and natural treasures of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. From Athens, set sail aboard Le Lyrial for an 8-day cruise to the most beautiful Greek islands of the Aegean Sea and delight not only in the rich cultural heritage but also in refreshing dips in the turquoise waters of the archipelago. You will...read more discover Patmos, known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea'.

This island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves. After a stopover on the small island of Symi, which will not fail to dazzle you with its discreet beauty and Italian-style neoclassical houses, you will head for the Cyclades. Amorgos, or the island of the Big Blue as it is known, is a raw gem. You will admire its volcanic and mountainous landscapes that rush into the crystal clear waters that surround it. After an unforgettable cruise in Santorini's captivating caldera, where high cliffs surround the majestic ancient crater engulfed by water in the 2nd millennium BC, you will set sail north west. On Milos, the limestone cliffs and small hidden coves are yours to discover in a soothing atmosphere.

The birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, Delos is rich in archaeological ruins, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, illustrating its prestigious history. The Terrace of the Lions, the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena, the Temple of the Athenians... journey back in time almost 2,000 years, between millennia-old heritage and sumptuous panoramas. Next comes Mykonos, its beaches and windmills, and Alefkandra, a district that is typical of the island, with houses built right on the water's edge. Le Lyrial will make a final stopover on the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light, before heading towards the Greek capital. Your cruise will end in Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.