Search ResultPonant 検索結果

The best of Japan

Ponant invites you on a timeless journey around the fascinating and surprising Empire of the Rising Sun, where unbridled modernism and ancestral traditions form a delightful blend, where the history of the samurai rubs shoulders with the delicateness of the geisha, and where the aromas of the tea plantations intermingle with the fragrances of cherry blossom. From bustling Osaka, set sail aboard Le Soléal for 9 days to explore the heart of this country with a thousand traditions.

Following the currents, clinging to the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Le Soléal will sail west. At the foot of a tropical forest burgeoning with life, Tamano stands proudly in the middle of this enchanting environment. A significant commercial centre during the Edo era, it still bears the traces of traditional Japanese life in the 18th century, as the particular architecture of the town demonstrates.

Hiroshima does not seek to elicit strong emotions. Opposite the Inland Sea, only the Hiroshima Peace Memorial bears witness to past events in the city known as a "City of Peace". It is resolutely future looking and you will be able to appreciate its modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere, the hustle and bustle of its lively streets and the tranquillity of its natural settings, such as the splendid Shukkei-en, the city's historic gardens.

The jagged coastlines of the captivating Miyajima Island, also known as Itsukushima, come into view, and the vermillion Torii of the emblematic Shinto Shrine of Itsukushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unfolds before you in a lush forest setting. Time here seems stuck in the feudal era: the frenetic energy and modernity of the large Japanese metropolises make way for striking serenity and tranquillity, and hundreds of deer wander between its spiritual and architectural treasures.

Following a port of call filled with history on the island of Uwajima, Le Soléal will set sail for one of Japan's most singular places, Kagoshima. Facing the captivating Mount Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in Asia, and bordered by the majestic Kinko Bay, where the rays of sun bathe the surface of the ocean in colour, the former feudal city shelters the remains of this opulent era, as evidenced by the ruins of the castle of the Shimazu clan and its samurai.

Further north, Nagasaki remains in the world's imagination as the symbol of nuclear horror. Fortunately, in the same way as Hiroshima, the city has become one the archipelago's most peaceful towns as well as one of its most attractive. The warm and cosmopolitan city unveils its many riches throughout its narrow streets: the Oura Catholic Church and its gardens, the Suwa Shrine, the sumptuous Buddhist temples...

Then you will sail to South Korea, a small peninsula that juts out into the Sea of Japan, and discover Busan, South Korea's second city. A place of great contrasts, Busan offers a spectacular view over its port, as well as over the ancient district of Chalgachi.

At the whim of the trade winds in the Sea of Japan, Le Soléal will sail eastbound for the charming feudal city of Sakaiminato. Here you will get a real glimpse into medieval Japan and allow yourself to fall under the spell of the samurai residences edging the picturesque little streets of the old city.

For the last stage of this enchanted Japanese interlude, you will disembark in Maizuru, a captivating city nestled deep in a sound scattered with wild and lush islets.

Australia's Iconic Kimberley

This cruise is intended for English-speaking passengers. All lectures, comments by naturalists during the outings and visits as well as the announcements and services on board will be in English.

Set sail for the wild and grandiose landscapes of Kimberley, following an exceptional PONANT itinerary.  

From Darwin to Broome, embark for an 11-day expedition cruise to one of the last unspoiled regions on the planet.

In one of the most picturesque parts of the region, the Hunter River, you will see wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds.

The highpoint of this cruise will undoubtedly be the discovery of the King George River and the majestic Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia.

During your cruise, the magnificent bays of Vansittart and Swift will offer you exceptional panoramas, between islands, secret inlets, caves and rocky overhangs.

At Ashmore Reef, gaze out over the shades of blue of the Timor Sea off the mainland. The corals are home to extraordinary marine life in this incredibly beautiful paradise.

You will also visit Collier Bay, where you will be able to admire the Montgomery Reef, home to vast expanses of lagoons and immense coral reefs.

On the Lacepede Islands, take the time to admire the abundance of nesting birds as well as the large population of turtles residing in the lagoon.

Your ship will take you along the most spectacular coasts in the entire region.

With their falls, abrupt gorges, savannah, calm waters and desolate mountain chains, the wild lands of Kimberley are the promise of an exceptional adventure.

This itinerary is given as an indication only. Based on tide times and weather conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader may need to switch the order of certain ports of call around to ensure guests have the best possible experience.

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba - with Smithsonian Journeys

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.

This voyage in the heart of the Mediterranean explores four islands that, despite their differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations that have washed over them from prehistoric times to the present. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, French, and Italians-all have left their mark on the language, art, architecture, and cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba.

From Valletta, Malta, your discovery of these very special islands begins with three days on the largest of them, Sicily, as you visit the cities of Syracuse, Taormina, and Palermo. In Syracuse, which rivalled Athens as one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world, you may choose to explore the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus and the 15,000 seat Greek theater, or join a walking tour of Ortygia, Syracuse's old town. Or you may choose to travel to nearby Noto, a Baroque World Heritage site, now rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1990.

The beautiful resort town of Taormina, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, is home to a stunning Greek theater, an Odeon from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, and villas built by European aristocracy in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. It is also a gateway to Mt. Etna and the vineyards that thrive in the rich volcanic soils of its slopes.

Palermo, Sicily's capital and your final port of call on the island, was founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and became one of Europe's greatest cities in the 12^th century, when the Normans took control. Here you may combine Roger II's Cappella Palatina, featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls, with a drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Or you may choose to focus on Palermo's famous markets and street food, or decide to travel along the coast to the resort town of Cefalù.

Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is your gateway to the archaeological site of Nora. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8^th century BC, it was subsequently taken over by Carthaginians, then by Romans. Explore the  remains of Carthaginian warehouses, buildings from the time of the Roman Republic, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large baths with splendid mosaics,  and a theater, almost intact, dating to the time of the Empire.

You will want to be on deck as your ship navigates the narrow waterway that leads to Bonifacio, perched high on cliffs on Corsica's southern coast. Board a mini-train to transport you to the oldest part of the city, where you can stroll through winding medieval lanes of brightly colored houses and admire their fine Gothic architecture. Or you may prefer to explore the small archipelago of the Lavezzi Islands, a nature reserve famous for the Grotte du Sdragonatu (Dragon's Cave) accessible only by sea.

Portoferraio is the main harbor of the island of Elba, the last of the four islands on your journey. Most famous as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile in 1814-15, Portoferraio was founded by the Medicis in the 16^th century. A tour includes a visit to Villa dei San Martino, Napoleon's summer home during exile, and is followed by a wine tasting and sampling of Tuscan mezze at a local vineyard.

Your voyage ends in Nice, France.

Inuit spring at the edge of Scoresby Sound

Through PONANT's alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature two Explorer Club members. Ann Andreasen the principal of Uummannaq Children's Home and director of Uummannaq Polar Institute, will be accompanied by graduates of her school who specialize in traditional Inuit drumming and storytelling. Mike Magidson a filmmaker has worked closely with Ann and her organizations to create compelling documentaries about Inuit communities. He will also join this voyage and provide enrichment in French through his films and experiences in Greenland. 

With the presence of Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.

A fine layer of mist seems to float above the enormous frozen expanse. A rosy glow points to the horizon, illuminating the immaculate surface. Welcome to the East coast of Greenland, a wild region that is one of the most isolated in the world. At the end of the long winter night, spring is accompanied by the midnight sun, while the coastal ice flow still protects the shores. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a reassuring cocoon capable of sailing through ice-covered waters, explore this coast, which is inaccessible to traditional ships during this precocious season. Here, the powerful yet fragile nature lays down the law. As is taught by Inuit wisdom, only the present moment matters. In the heart of this extreme and majestic universe, encounters with the landscapes and living things are experienced in the here and now.

Following the edge of the ice or in the heart of the ice floe, explore Blosseville Coast and then the region of Ittoqqortoormiit, at the entrance to Scoresby Sound, the world's largest network of fjords. At the entrance to the fjord, the East coast of Greenland's northernmost village enhances the snow-covered panorama with its colourful houses. The Inuit (men in Inuktitut) follow the rhythm of the changing seasons and the ice here, as they perpetuate their traditions, such as hunting on dog sled. An outing alongside the last hunters of the polar region will have you overwhelmed by various sensations aboard this ancient means of transport. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.

From the exterior decks, in a kayak or zodiac, or via a polar hike, you will have diverse opportunities to contemplate these hypnotic panoramas in their infinite variety: sumptuous glaciers, icebergs caught in the ice, hummocks, jagged peaks of dark strata. You will be struck by the grandeur and the splendour of the region. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to glimpse the magnificent silhouette of a humpback whale coming to the surface to breathe through its blowhole, or the impressive nanuk - the polar bear - lord of the manor, roaming this white desert in search of the perfect spot for hunting or fishing.

In the splendour of the ice before it breaks up, the East coast of Greenland will reveal itself to the patient explorer, one who is conscious of their privilege and remains humble before its immensity.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions.?Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice?must?be?preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries.?The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure.?The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO. 

Cook Islands & Society Islands

From Papeete, PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises invites you to embark on a 12-day cruise to discover the Society Islands and Cook Islands. Set sail on board Le Paul Gauguin, for an unforgettable journey to discover idyllic islands and atolls.

Between pearl farms and white sandy beaches, French Polynesia will reveal its many mysteries to you. Surrounded by superb lagoons of crystal-clear waters edged by exceptional coral reefs, the islands of Polynesia are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in the world and are home to an astonishing and rich wildlife. 

You will be dazzled by the incomparable beauty of Huahine, by the turquoise waters of the motu Mahana, our private vanilla-scented little paradise, by the sumptuous lagoon of Bora Bora, with its distinctly recognisable volcanic silhouette, and by Moorea, with its hillside pineapple plantations and its verdant peaks overlooking the island.

You will also sail further south towards the Cook Islands, to discover the incredibly clear waters of the Aitutaki lagoon and the magnificent silhouette of Rarotonga. You will be enchanted by the wild beauty and abundant nature of this island and its marine environment.

Discover our excursions without further delay - click here!

The Sirba Octet on the North Sea

In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with featured guests Alain Duault and an exceptional musical line-up.

Set sail on an unforgettable 8-day cruise aboard Le Champlain, between Celtic lands and Viking territory. Historical discoveries and stunning scenery will punctuate this trip taking you from Scotland to Norway.

Departing from Glasgow, Scotland's warm cultural capital with a rich artistic and architectural heritage, you will first sail towards Fort William. This harbour town on the shores of Loch Linnhe is steeped in Scottish history and tradition, close to the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Glencoe.

From?Kyle of Lochalsh, spend a day including the unparalleled Isle of Skye. Not to be missed on the mainland is Eilean Donan, one of the most recognisable castles in the world and an iconic symbol of Scotland.

Le Champlain will sail towards Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands, where numerous seabirds, such as gannets and European shags, have taken up residence.

You will then call at the port of Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. This port is well known because just a few kilometres inland lie the remarkable ruins of Scalloway Castle, built in 1600.

Le Champlain will then set a course for Norway, its stunning scenery and its incredible cities and towns. From?Olden, a charming village, located a few kilometres from Jostedalsbreen National Park and home to one of the last ice caps in Europe, you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent Briksdal glacier. 

Your ship will first sail to Flåm where you will board the Flåm Railway to take a beautiful train journey high into the mountains of western Norway. 

Your cruise will end in Bergen, famous for its Hanseatic wharf that still carries a few traces of the rich historic past of the city founded by the Vikings.

Scottish archipelagos and the Faroe Islands: Nordic heritage and island identities

PONANT proposes a 10-day expedition cruise aboard Le Boréal  exploring the captivating landscapes and extraordinary historical heritage of the archipelagos of Scotlandand the Faroe Islands, lands with Celtic and Viking influences. 

Leaving from Glasgow, you will reach Oban, capital of the county of Argyll, considered the cradle of Scotland, and its spectacular coastlines to the west of the Highlands.

You will then sail towards Loch Ewe in the Northwest Highlands, a sea loch that is home to a remarkable subtropical Eden; next, you will reach the Shiant Isles for an unforgettable experience sailing at the foot of their cliffs, where many colonies of seabirds come to nest.

You will then head for the Orkney archipelago and its windswept moorland landscape. Stromness, a small fishing port with stone houses, reveals a rich history of Vikings, merchants and sailors. 

In the middle of the North Sea, the Scottish archipelago of the Shetlands is rich in unsuspected treasures on its raw territories with jagged coastlines. From Scalloway, the stone structures at Jarlshof are a vibrant testimony to the first settlements while the cliff at Sumburgh Head offers fantastic views of the seabirds. On the more remote island of Foula, man has had to deal with the elements.

Your ship will then sail north towards the the Faroe Islands, Denmark's northernmost autonomous territory. In this isolated archipelago, you will immerse yourself in a wild and spectacular natural environment. In Suduroy, the rolling plains populated by sheep shape the scenery punctuated by sheer summits, mountain lakes and jagged cliffs looking out to the islands, offering outstanding terrestrial and maritime panoramas. Eysturoy reveals itself through the life of the archipelago's inhabitants, between remote villages, green roofs, a traditional black wooden church, and local customs. You will also enjoy sailing around cliffs that are home to bird colonies. Here, Viking legends and Nordic cosmogony are never far away.

In the Hebrides, St Kilda is a small volcanic archipelago with incredibly beautiful scenery, where the sheer cliffs rub shoulders with vast and verdant relief. The main island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; uninhabited since 1930, it has remnants of very old dwellings.

The last stage of your journey will take you to Tobermory, a charming fishing port with multicoloured houses and with a distillery that produces a renowned single malt, before you arrive in Glasgow, your disembarkation port.

The Mediterranean: in the Footsteps of Great Civilizations

In partnership with Connaissance des Arts and with the exceptional presence of Guy Boyer, editorial director of Connaissance des Arts.

New this year: Connaissance des Arts has selected one of its favourite artists: Marine Wallon, painter, will be taking part in a PONANT artist-in-residence project during the cruise and will be sharing her art with you.

In springtime, as the flowers pepper the landscapes with their bright colours and the sun illuminates the decor with its soft light, PONANT invites you on an exquisite interlude in the Mediterranean, between Antalya and Valletta. During a unique 11-day journey, set off aboard L'Austral to discover the riches of the Mediterranean Sea, a link between peoples, a crossroads of civilisations.

From Alanya, you will explore two majestic ancient sites, Perga and Aspendos, before arriving in Kusadasi. The Ephesus archaeological site will tell you the great history of the Mediterranean, through this ancient city, among the oldest in the Magna Graecia of Asia Minor.

In the tranquillity of May, you will discover Greece as you have never seen it. From Volos, in Thessaly, the formation known as the Meteora hosts Eastern Orthodox monasteries that rub shoulders with the sky and are at one with the rock. You will then reach Athens and its famous acropolis, and the remains of the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, before entering the Corinth Canal. On your route, the port of call in the small port of Itea will let you discover the mythical site of Delphi or even the Hosios Loukas monastery, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites before reaching the mountainous island of Corfu.

Southern Italy promises suspended moments where the beauty of the shores combines with the beauty of its historical remnants, which remain fascinating. In Puglia, Gallipoli, meaning "beautiful town" in Greek, reveals its Hellenic origins and offers up its singular atmosphere, where life is good. In Syracuse, the Sicilian soul unfolds across the island of Ortygia - the oldest part of the city -, a maze of small streets dotted with churches, palaces, ancient remnants, sheltering a majestic cathedral in its very heart.

Norway, between the Scandinavian peninsula and the High Arctic

Set off to discover an unknown and majestic, wild and preserved world between the northerly part of continental Norway and its northernmost archipelago, Svalbard. You will spend nine days travelling aboard Le Lyrial and will be amazed by the landscapes and fauna of the Northern high latitudes.

From Tromso, Le Lyrial will head for the majestic Porsangerfjorden. As you sail, you will fall under the spell of raw and wild nature. The deep blue water contrasts with the land and the season's verdant vegetation. On Reinoya Island, you will criss-cross the nature reserve of the same name and attempt to identify the many species of birds that hide in this rich ecosystem. Common eiders, greater white-fronted geese, velvet scoters, red-breasted mergansers, to name but a few, inhabit these lands of prairie, marshes and peat bogs, maritime scents and forests of birch trees. You will enter the fjord and sail to its end, and to Lakselv. This small village, whose name means "salmon river", is the main town in this territory; for you, it is an opportunity to discover local life and customs.

You will head north again to Skarsvag, near the mouth of the fjord. The craggy and rocky landscapes form, with the sea, a dreamlike and exceptional setting.

It is now time to leave continental Europe to reach the Svalbard archipelago and the High Arctic. Midway between Norway's North Cape and the southern tip of Spitsbergen, you will sail past Bjornoya (Bear Island). Hundreds of seabirds have found refuge in the island's huge rocky cliffs. It is a fascinating sight to observe.

When you reach the island of Spitsbergen, which is the archipelago's main island, the landscape will transform. The vegetation has had to adapt to survive in this land, one of the world's northernmost. A territory at the end of the world, millennial glaciers, spectacular fjords and the pointed mountains that gave it is name, Spitsbergen is also a land of Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses and whales.

Itinerary is subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO. 

Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys

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.

Join us for this 9-day cruise aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville exploring the rich history and culture that thrives on either side of the Irish Sea.

Begin with a night aboard ship docked near London Bridge, then set sail in the early morning down the Thames to discover historic Dover Castle, perched high on the emblematic White Cliffs, and perhaps visit the nearby UNESCO Heritage site of Canterbury Cathedral.

Enjoy a morning on the Isle of Wight visiting Osborne House, Queen Victoria's favorite residence, before a relaxing afternoon cruising along the shores of the English Channel. Arrive the following day some 30 miles off the southwest coast of Cornwall in the Isles of Scilly, where you visit the world-famous Tresco Gardens.

Crossing the Irish Sea, you call in Kinsale, Ireland, your gateway to proudly Irish Cork and its iconic Jameson Distillery. Holyhead, Wales, on the Isle of Anglesey, is where you may visit medieval Caernarfon Castle, built in the late 13^th century by Edward I as the architectural capstone to the English conquest of Wales, or you may choose to explore the National Trust's Bodnant Garden.

Belfast, Northern Ireland's dynamic capital, is home to Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art museum on the site of the yard where the ill-fated ship was built. It is also your opportunity to experience the spectacular unspoiled scenery of the Antrim Coast and the famed Giant's Causeway of over 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal columns, formed by the cooling of molten lava some six million years ago.

Your final full day is spent exploring the fabled Hebrides, beginning with the mystical abbey of the Isle of Iona, home to the first Christian settlement in Scotland, proceeding to Duart Castle, ancestral home of Clan Maclean on the Isle of Mull, and ending in the charming fishing port of Tobermory, whose distillery produces a renowned single malt scotch whisky.

Your voyage comes to an end in Glasgow, Scotland's modern cultural capital.