Duration: 10 Days / 9 nights | Valid from: May to September
Places visited: Athens, Poros, Poliegos, Folegandros, Santorini, Antiparos, Paros, Mykonos, Delos, Syros and Kythnos
Experience the captivating mythological and modern cities of Greece on a thrilling cruise to Athens, Poros, Poliegos, Folegandros. Visit the famous islands including Santorini’s volcanic adventure land; Antiparos’ idyllic coves and Paro’s beautiful beaches! Explore Mykonno’s traditional architecture before travelling back in time at Delso & Syrosy Kythnos for an unforgettable journey through history.
Day 1 Wednesday: Athens
Arrival in Athens. Our assistant will be waiting you for the transfer from the airport to the Hotel. Take advantage of your assistant local tips and start a stroll through the center of Athens for a first taste of the city.
Day 2 Thursday: Athens – City tour
The Athens city tour will be passing through the main highlights of the city. We start from Hadrian’s Arch and continue visiting the Panathinaiko Stadium (also known as Kalimarmaro), which was originally built in 329 BC, and where the first Olympics of the modern era were held in 1896. We continue to the main square of the city named “Syntagma ” square (Constitution), where the presidential guard is located. With its typical costumes, the so called” Evzonos ” make the change of guard in front of the Greek parliament and the Tomb of the unknown soldier. After we continue the panoramic tour visiting the Neoclassical buildings of Athens such as the College, the library and the Academy, and finally we will visit Acropolis and Parthenon, this magnificent monument built in 447 BC during the golden age of Pericles dedicated to Goddess Athena. We will appreciate the Propylaea, temple of Athens Nike, Erechtheum and all its magnificent constructions. After Acropolis we will visit the Acropolis Museum, a building of a modern architecture, hosting the unique antiquities from the Acropolis.
Day 3 Friday: Cruise – Poros
Around noon departure from hotel and transfer to Marina Zeas port to board the Mega Yacht for the cruise. In the yacht enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. The ship sails to the island of Poros. The afternoon departure for the island of Poliegos.
Day 4 Saturday: Poliegos and Folegandros
In the morning arrive on the island of Poliegos, a small island known for its incredible beaches. Stop for a swim in the sea and then a barbecue on the deck of the yacht. The afternoon arrival on the island of Folegandros. The small island of Folegandros in the Aegean Sea, along with the islands of Ios, Santorini, Anafi Sikinos form the southern part of the Cyclades islands complex. She has three small villages, Hora that is the center, Karavostasi the harbor and Ano Meria. The capital Hora is built literally on the edge of the cliff, with a church called Mary “Panagia”, which was formerly a nunnery, built on a hill overlooking the village. Take a walk on the narrow center of the “hora” and you will have the opportunity to taste the distinct cuisine of homemade food in restaurants and bars, mainly family run, and see the cultural richness of this small village.
Day 5 Sunday: Santorini
Noon arrival in Santorini (anchorage at Fira). Experience the stunning natural drama of the volcanic caldera. The island of Santorini is famous for its spectacular views of the Caldera, the typical whitewashed houses with stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Around 1600 BC the island was the site of the Minoan eruption, which left a large crater named Caldera and was possibly the cause of the extinction of the Minoan civilization of Crete with a giant tsunami caused by the eruption. Another theory says that this was the origin of the legend of Atlantis.
Optional tour to archaeological sites and typical villages with unique views over the Aegean Sea. Overnight sailing to Crete.
Day 6 Monday: Antiparos and Paros
Arrive in the morning in Antiparos. Enjoy a quick stop for a swim in the sea in the bay of the island. We continue to Paros. The island has a wide range of beaches to suit all tastes, for families and young couples or singles, and is known for water sports, especially the “wind surfing”. The capital called “Parikia” is a traditional village with Cycladic architecture with whitewashed houses and blue doors and windows that create a cheerful atmosphere on the island. In many typical restaurants called taverns, you can enjoy traditional cuisine and also the vibrant nightlife that the island offers in the bars around the center. A visit to the main Byzantine church in town called “Panagia Ekatontapiliani” (Our Lady church of 100 doors), which is said to have been founded by Sta. Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and the medieval castle built almost entirely marble from the wreckage of an ancient temple, will leave them delighted.
Day 7 Tuesday: Mykonos – Tour to Delos
Optional Tour – Morning tour to the unique archaeological site of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island that is part of history and Greek mythology. Delos was considered in Greek mythology as a holy sanctuary, which is the birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis. We continue after to the port of Mykonos, with a swim stop on the way. Free afternoon and evening to enjoy the island’s cosmopolitan lifestyle. Take a walk through the narrow alleys of the center will unveil the charm and uniqueness of the island where you can see the famous windmills formerly used by the inhabitants, typical of the Cycladic architecture. In the evening enjoy a co*cktail in one of the numerous bars scattered around the sidewalks of the center “hora” and enjoy the famous night out in the island. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 8 Wednesday: Syros
In the morning arrival in Syros, a Greek island of Cyclades in the Aegean sea. Syra, or Syros, appears in ancient times to have been inhabited by the Phoenicians. In the Odyssey, Syros was the country of the swineherd Eumaeus who described it at length (Odyssey, XV, 403 sq.). The island was also the home of the philosopher Pherecydes, the teacher of Pythagoras.In the Byzantine years Syros constituted part of the Aegean Dominion, along with the rest of the Cycladic islands. After the fall of the Byzantium Empire in the Fourth Crusade by the Venetians and Franks in 1204, Syra came and would remain under Venetian rule until 1522.With the foundation of the Greek state, the Catholic population of the island was Hellenized. There were no problems of integration between the old residents of Syros, mostly Roman Catholics and the newly arrived refugees, mostly Greek Orthodox. Because of the Venetian domination from the Middle Ages and onwards, the islanders had been exclusively Roman Catholic. However, due to immigration from other islands, Catholics now constitute some 47% of the population. The majority of the population are Greek Orthodox. They live peacefully side by side. Intermarriage between Churches is very common in Syros.
Day 9 Thursday: Kythnos – Marina Zeas
In the morning we will reach Kythnos, where you can swim in Kolones bay. Then we will sail to Marina Zea in Athens, where we will arrive later in the afternoon passing by Cape Sounion, the temple of Poseidon. Overnight at Marina Zea.
Day 10 Friday: Return
In the morning, check out from the cruise ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Included:
- 2 nights in Athens at your chosen Hotel category
- 7 nights in the Variety Cruises yacht at your chosen cabin category
- Daily breakfast
- Half board in the Cruise
- Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
- Use of fishing and snorkeling equipment (subject to availability).
- Arrival, intermediate and departure private transfers in Athens
- Orientation meeting with representative on arrival in Athens for a local guidance and assistance in the transfer.
- City tour in Athens, Acropolis and the museum with official English speaking guide, including entrances.
Excluded:
- Hotel taxes from € 0,5 up to € 4,0 per room per night, payable directly at the Hotel.
- Port taxes and cruise tips
- Drinks on board the cruise (except those mentioned as included)
- Porterage fees
- Tips
- Optional tours on the cruise and Athens
- Everything that is not specifically stated on the itinerary and inclusions
Notes:
- Supplement available for private City Tour in Athens
- Itineraries can be changed at the discretion ofVariety Cruises and of the Vessel’s Captain in case of adverseweather conditions – winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel- on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave portorin case of other extraordinary conditions.Such itinerary changes do not entitle automatically passengers to any refundsbut Variety Cruises guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port ofdisembarkation on time for their flights.
