Ancient Greece & Ionian Islands Cruise

Begin your journey with arrival at Athens International Airport where our driver will welcome you and provide a private transfer to your elegant vessel waiting in the port of Lavrio. Enjoy a welcome drink at check-in, available from 2 to 3 pm, as you get familiar with the facilities, settle into your cabin and get to know the friendly crew. We’ll depart for the serene island of Hydra soon so you might want to head to the deck to soak up the scenery before we reach our destination that feels like stepping back in time. Enjoy dinner on board the ship this evening.

Continuing our cruise toward the Peloponnese this morning, the captain will stop in a protected bay with enticing clear blue waters for your first swim stop. Back on board, enjoy lunch as we sail to today’s destination: Monemvasia. The walled castle town was carved out of a huge rock rising from the sea along the peninsula’s southeast coast. You’ll have time to explore its maze of cobbled alleyways lined with grand historic mansions now home to shops, eateries, and boutique hotels. An optional tour to Hagia Sofia, one of the country’s oldest Byzantine churches, is available today and will enjoy an awe-inspiring sea view.

Sailing early this morning to the southern Laconia coast, you’ll enjoy one of the highlights of the cruise: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pavlopetri. It dates back some 5,000 years as the world’s oldest sunken city and you may have the opportunity to dive or snorkel here, discovering the prehistoric town complete with buildings, streets, and squares. Just across from the site is the tiny island of Elafonisos, renowned for its sand dunes that are stunningly contrasted by surreal aquamarine water. You can reach it by swimming right from the ship or hopping into a tender for a ride. After exploring the NATURA-protected we’ll continue sailing as you enjoy lunch and dinner on board.

Having sailed overnight, we’ll arrive at the Katakolon port early this morning. The ideal gateway, to ancient Olympia, you’ll visit the site where the Olympic Games began, including the Temple of Hera where the Olympic flame is still lit by the rays of the sun. An optional tour is available for exploring the museums and archaeological site. Afterward, we’ll continue cruising to Zakynthos Island with a swim stop along the way. Horseback riding or a visit to some of the area’s authentic villages may be possible on route. You’ll have time to explore Zante Town on your own before returning to the ship for dinner.

Another cruise highlight, we’ll head to Navagio Beach, most famously known as Shipwreck Beach with a rusty ship skeleton sitting on the strikingly white sands edged by electric blue water while high cliffs frame it on both sides. If you’d like, we can bring you closer to the beach for a better look or you can leap into the water right from the ship’s swimming platform. Next, we continue toward the mythical island of Odysseus, Ithaca, while you enjoy lunch. Upon arrival, there will be time to explore independently, perhaps enjoying a drink and a bite at one of the seaside bars or eateries.

Continue your explorations of Ithaca with two optional excursions to choose from. You might journey to the tranquil Kathara Monastery which sits in an elevated position on a mountain providing a magnificent view. Or, discover the intriguing findings from northern Ithaca and its surrounds at the Archaeological Collection of Stavros. This afternoon we’ll move on to gorgeous Gidaki beach. It boasts dazzling emerald waters as one of the most stunning stretches in all of the Ionian islands. Back on board the ship, enjoy dinner, with our cruise continuing overnight toward Itea, an incredible vision surrounded by high mountains, as you sleep.

Today you’ll enjoy a visit to Itea having cruised overnight. It’s the perfect base for exploring the sanctuary of Delphi which sits at the base of Mount Parnassus as one of the most important oracles in ancient Greece. An optional excursion will reveal more of the history of this site revered by the Greeks as the center of the Earth. Next, we sail to the picturesque port of Galaxidi, known for its long maritime history as one of the wealthiest in the country. Enjoying sipping a refreshing cocktail while crossing the Corinth Canal, an incredible feat of engineering, followed by our farewell dinner.

Your trip nears its end as we sail back into the port of Lavrio this morning. Take time for one final breakfast on the ship along with goodbyes to the captain, crew, and new friends made. Disembarkation is by 10 am with your private driver meeting you here for a private transfer to Athens International Airport or your onward hotel in Athens if you’d like to spend more time here. If we can help with your travel plans, please reach out, otherwise, we wish you a safe journey and hope to see you again on another memorable trip.