Greek Isles & Amalfi Coast Small Ship Cruise-Tour

Your adventure through Greece and Italy begins with your arrival at Athens International Airport. Our driver will be there to welcome you and provide a transfer to your 5-star hotel in the heart of the city. Take time to rest, refresh, and settle in, with the rest of the day enjoyed at your leisure. If you’d like to immerse yourself in the world of Athens, head to one of the sidewalk cafes and unwind with a glass of wine or fuel up with strong Greek coffee while people-watching. A glorious sunset and a delicious meal can be enjoyed at one of the many rooftop eateries afterward.

This morning you’ll embark on a private walking tour to discover many of Athens’ highlights, including Acropolis hill and its remarkable landmarks like the Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike which have stood here overlooking the city since the 5th century BC. After exploring, you’ll follow your guide to the Plaka neighborhood, one of the oldest in the capital. It’s home to many historic sites like Hadrian’s Library and the Ancient Agora. Afterward, transfer to the port of Lavriou where your ship awaits with departure for Cape Sounion at 4 pm. Enjoy your first swim stop and marvel at the Temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea.

• Included Excursion Private Highlights of Athens Walking Tour

Having sailed overnight, you’ll wake up on the island of Delos this morning. Here you’ll have the opportunity to join an optional excursion that explores the well-preserved ruins in one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece. Dating to the 5th and 4th centuries BC, these are the remains of a sanctuary to the god’s Apollo and Artemis, and the city that grew around it. On route to nearby Mykonos, enjoy a swim stop and upon arrival, the rest of the day is yours. Perhaps visit a beautiful beach, the Little Venice windmills, or shop upscale boutiques before enjoying dinner on your own.

• Optional Excursion Guided Tour of Delos

Arriving at Naxos early, enjoy a full day on this island known for its white sandy beaches, soaring mountains, and farm- and sea-to-table cuisine. The optional Traditional Naxos Villages Tour is the perfect way to explore the mountain villages that have retained long-held traditions. The “marble village” of Apeiranthos has a fabulous medieval feel and as its nickname belies, lots of marble, including marble homes, buildings, and marble-paved streets, all built amphitheatrically into a foothill of Mount Fanari. After your explorations, you’ll return to Naxos Town with time on your own for dinner. Be sure to sample some of the Naxian cheeses and fresh seafood.

• Optional Excursion Traditional Naxos Villages & Apiranthos

Cruising toward Koufonisia, we’ll make a swim stop just south of Naxos this morning at tranquil Schinoussa Island with just a small population and little development while the water is clear, calm, and a striking turquoise hue. Continuing to Koufonisia, we’ll arrive in the mid-afternoon. This peaceful place is ideal for nature lovers with picturesque beaches, friendly locals, and an enticing maze of streets lined with whitewashed architecture in Chora. Spend time on the sand and in the sea, browse the little shops, and then sample the island’s delicious authentic flavors in one of the many seaside eateries with a magnificent view.

We’ll stop at Ios Island on our way to Santorini for a swim from beautiful Magganari Beach with its shallow, clear blue waters. Enjoy lunch on board, arriving at Santorini at 2 pm. An optional excursion brings you to two of the most popular attractions, starting with the over 3,600-year-old Akrotiri settlement. It was preserved under 200 feet of volcanic ash similar to Pompeii, providing a fascinating look at life in 1600 BC. You’ll visit Oia village with its blue-domed churches and whitewashed homes, with time to dine while taking in a magnificent sunset view. Reboard the ship by 11 pm, as we’ll cruise overnight.

• Optional Excursion Guided Tour of Akrotiri & Oia

Arriving at Milos, the place where the Venus de Milo statue was discovered, the “island of colors” boasts many brilliant shades of blue and green. Here you can choose to take an optional excursion to Sarakiniko Beach, the island’s most famous attraction white volcanic rock that contrasts stunningly against the surreal blue of the sea, giving it an otherworldly look. Afterward, visit the Geological Mining Museum which displays exhibits and artifacts that reveal Milos’ mining history. Enjoy lunch on your own before returning to your ship with dinner on board this evening as we continue to Kimolos, where you’ll have time to explore.

• Optional Excursion Guided Tour of Milos

On the final full day of the cruise, we’ll visit Serifos and Kythnos while making our return to the port of Lavriou. Serifos is a gorgeous unspoiled isle with a whitewashed hilltop center and some of the country’s most picturesque beaches, yet few tourists manage to make it here. You can join an optional tour of Chora with its enticing, romantic alleyways and meandering streets overlooked by a Venetian castle/fortress. From its elevated position enjoy an awe-inspiring view over the island followed by lunch on your own. There will be one last swim stop before we anchor at Kythnos and host the Farewell Dinner.

• Optional Excursion Visit the Island of Serifos

While it’s rarely easy to say goodbye, the good news is that despite your cruise ending, with disembarkation by 10 am, there’s still much to look forward to. After breakfast and farewells, you’ll join your driver for a private tour of Mycenae and Nafplio. Upon arrival at the archaeological site of Mycenae, a local guide will take you through the remarkable ruins of the Mycenean civilization’s two greatest cities. Next, enjoy the natural and manmade beauty of Nafplio by strolling the atmospheric cobbled streets lined with grand architecture as your guide reveals its interesting past before heading to your Athens hotel for the night.

• Included Excursion Private Full-Day Tour of Mycenae & Nafplio

It’s time to say goodbye to Greece and hello to Italy. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Athens for a private transfer to the airport. You’ll hop on a flight to Naples and upon arrival, another driver will welcome you to Italy and transfer you to Sorrento. You’ll check into your 5-star accommodation here on the world-renowned Amalfi Coast. Set atop a cliff that overlooks the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance, you might want to spend the rest of the day right here. In addition to the view, you’ll find a spa and an outdoor heated pool.

Today you’ll get to explore one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. Your private/driver guide will bring you on a full-day tour of some of the most alluring villages on the Amalfi Coast, starting with colorful Positano. The pedestrianized streets are enjoyable to stroll and you’ll find coffee shops and eateries for enjoying lunch independently, along with lush gardens, olive, lemon, and orange groves. Enjoy the sights and aromas before continuing to Ravello with its 13th-century Villa Rufolo that overlooks Piazza Vescovado, the hub of town. Finally, visit Amalfi and its symbol, St. Andrew Cathedral, before returning to your hotel.

• Included Excursion Full-Day Private Tour of Amalfi, Positano & Ravello

A full day in Sorrento is all yours to do what you’d like but we suggested a self-guided trip to visit Capri. Easily accessed by a 25-minute hydrofoil boat ride from Sorrento’s port, the island famous for its rugged landscape and upscale shopping as a popular retreat since the Roman era. Upon arrival, wander through the maze of streets with stores selling big-name designer fashions, to Piazza Umberto, the main square, and Villa San Michele, renowned for its lush gardens. After enjoying a dazzling view over the harbor and town, hop onto the hydrofoil once again to return to Sorrento.

While it’s never easy to end a trip of a lifetime like this, with 13 memorable days behind you and likely hundreds of photos captured, it’s time to get your bags packed and ready. This morning your driver will pick you up at your hotel, providing a private transfer to the airport in Naples. You can choose to catch a flight home or head out on another adventure – contact our travel experts if you need assistance with your plans as bespoke additions to the itinerary are always possible. No matter what you decide, we hope to see you again in the future on another unforgettable trip.