Cyclades Small Ship Greece Cruise-Tour

Welcome to Athens! Our driver will meet you at Athens International Airport for a transfer to your 4-star hotel in the capital city. You’ll have the remainder of the day to enjoy it at your leisure, perhaps taking advantage of the facilities at your accommodation or heading out for a preview on your own. One of the best ways to get a perspective of your surroundings is to take a ride up Mount Lycabettus in the funicular where you’ll be able to gaze over the city from nearly 750 feet above. You’ll find plenty of rooftop eateries for dining with a breathtaking view as well.

Start your day by joining our local guide for an Athens Walking Tour. You’ll get expert insight into the stories behind the iconic landmarks on the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike. The two-hour tour will be followed by a walk through the Plaka district, one of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods. Located beneath the Acropolis, it hosts multiple historic monuments. Afterward, you’ll transfer to Marina Zeas where your ship awaits, with check-in between 2 and 3 pm. We’ll depart for Poros where you’ll have several hours to explore on your own and then we’ll continue cruising toward Poliegos.

We’ll arrive at the uninhabited island of Poliegos in the morning. Its name means “many goats” as only the four-legged creatures reside here. Known for its unspoiled beaches, you can look forward to a memorable swim stop in crystal-clear emerald waters before digging into a delicious BBQ feast on deck. Cruising on to Folegandros, this island offers an especially tranquil atmosphere with no motor vehicles allowed. Enjoy leisure time to explore the Upper City of Folegandros Town with its bohemian squares and imposing medieval fortress before sitting down for an authentic dinner in one of the many traditional Greek tavernas.

Reaching Santorini in the morning, you’ll be able to explore Fira, the island’s unique capital with its cluster of whitewashed homes tucked into the cliffs. And outstanding museums like the Museum of Prehistoric Thera with items excavated from the Akrotiri archaeological settlement. The archaeological museum is another highlight with findings from an ancient cemetery. You’ll also have the opportunity to join an optional excursion to Akrotiri. Like Pompeii, the ash from the massive volcanic eruption in 1600 BC kept it well preserved, providing a glimpse at life in a time long past. Afterward tour villages like gorgeous Oia with its stunning caldera views.

Continuing to Antiparos, here you’ll enjoy a swim stop in one of the enchanting, secluded bays. We’ll arrive at Paros, your overnight destination, around noon. The island boasts picturesque sandy beaches framed by blue-green water while the charming main port of Parikia hosts a wonderful maze of atmospheric marble streets lined with quintessential Cycladic homes. You’ll want to have a camera in hand while enjoying a stroll through. Visit Naoussa village as well, known for its vineyards, before returning to the ship. This evening our famous Greek Night is the perfect opportunity to show off your dancing skills.

An exciting optional excursion will be available this morning after reaching the sacred island of Delos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with ancient ruins, most of which date back to the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Our local guide can bring the temples, theater, mosaics, and more to life through intriguing tales before we continue to our next overnight destination, Mykonos. Just a short sail away, there will be a swim stop before we anchor for the night. Once on the cosmopolitan island famous for its world-class eateries and nightlife, you’ll have the remainder of the day to enjoy it at your leisure.

As we make our way to Syros, you’ll enjoy another swim stop. Once in the capital of the Cyclades, enjoy exploring on your own. You might spend time on one of the beaches, with both pebbly and sandy stretches, or take a walk through town. It’s a joy to just get “lost” among the winding streets with lots of impressive architecture. Miaouli Square is a historic square with many architectural treasures, including magnificent neoclassical buildings. The Town Hall is well worth a visit as one of the largest and most impressive in the country. You’ll find many local tavernas for sampling traditional dishes too.

On the last full day of your cruise, enjoy a final swim stop in the cobalt waters of Kolones bay at Kythnos Island, the nature lover’s isle. Afterward, it will be time to start cruising toward where it all began, Marina Keas, but we’ll visit Cape Sounion along the way. It’s renowned for the Temple of Poseidon which sits atop a headland surrounded by the sea on three sides. Be sure to take advantage of the fantastic photo-op before we continue to Marina Keas, anchoring there overnight. The evening is ideal for exchanging contact information and photos with some of your new friends.

With the ninth day here, it’s time to get your bags packed and ready as you’ll be transferred to Athens International Airport or your local hotel in Athens after breakfast. If you need any assistance with further travel plans, our staff is always happy to help. Otherwise, we wish you a safe journey, with memories of a lifetime made to take with you.