About This Cruise
Itinerary Highlights
Marina Zea (Piraeus), Greece - Kea; Delos (anchorage) - Mykonos; Santorini; Rethymnon/Crete; Kythira; Monemvassia - Nafplion; Nafplion - Hydra or Spetses; Marina Zea (Athens)
Included:
- Seven nights accommodation in double or twin cabins with private bathroom with shower and air conditioning
- 2 meals per day
- Regular (filter) coffee, tea and still mineral water free all day
- Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability)
- Multilingual Cruise Escort
- Take an additional $50 per person off the prices below when you book with Ventures.
Air Options
While we have no specific air deals on this cruise, please call 1-888-868-6871 if you would like us to assist with your airfare.
Not included:
- Drinks other than coffee, tea, mineral water (Cash bar on board. All onboard charges are in Euros.)
- Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements
- Gratuities
- Laundry
- Passenger personal expenses
- Wi-Fi (available at charge)
- Port charges ($320.00/pp)
- Airfare
- Transfers to and from the embarkation/disembarkation port
- Single supplement add an additional 30%
- Travel Insurance
Itinerary
Day 1 (Friday): Marina Zea (Piraeus) - Kea
14:00-15:00 embarkation from Marina Zea. Depart via Cape Sounion to Kea. Leisure time to explore Kea's tiny port, Korrisia after dinner. Departure in the early hours for Delos. Overnight at sea.
Day 2 (Saturday): Delos (anchorage) - Mykonos
Optional morning tour of the unique archaeological site of Delos, antiquity's most sacred island. On to the port of Tourlos in Mykonos, with a swim stop on the way. Free afternoon and evening to enjoy the island's cosmopolitan lifestyle. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 3 (Sunday): Santorini
Noon arrival in Santorini (anchorage at Fira). Experience the stunning natural drama of the volcanic caldera. Optional tour to archaeological sites and typical villages with unique views over the Aegean Sea. Overnight sailing to Crete.
Day 4 (Monday): Rethymnon/Crete
Morning arrival at Crete's famous and lively port of Rethymnon. Optional tour to the ancient city of Knossos near Heraklion. Late departure for Kythira. Overnight at sea.
Day 5 (Tuesday): Kythira
Late morning swim stop and afternoon arrival to Kythira, a lesser known island gem now fast becoming a favourite among visitors to Greece. Evening at leisure to visit the picturesque main town of Chora and experience the subdued charms of this peaceful island. Overnight in Kythira.
Day 6 (Wednesday): Monemvassia - Nafplio
Early morning sailing to Monemvassia. Discover a remarkable medieval fortified town, with time at leisure to explore the uniquely preserved Byzantine and Venetian architecture, and experience the beauty of the natural setting. Depart for Nafplio in the early afternoon, with a swim stop on the way. Evening arrival at Nafplio. The old quarter is charming, with narrow streets, and characteristic period architecture. Also, impressive medieval fortifications can be seen in the port and crowning the hills above. Overnight in Nafplio.
Day 7 (Thursday): Nafplio - Hydra or Spetses
Optional tour to Mycenae, the powerful walled palace of Agamemnon, the Homeric Achaean king. Early afternoon departure for the islands of Hydra. Time at leisure to explore this picturesque port town. Late this evening, we will sail for Athens.
Day 8 (Friday): Marina Zea (Athens)
Disembarkation after breakfast this morning in Marian Zea, Piraeus
Excursions for Classical Greece
Shore excursions are sold on board in Euros. Prices are subject to change.
Our exclusive tours may change due to site restorations, weather, or seasonal conditions. A minimum of 12-14 participants per tour is required. Most sites and museums are closed on Mondays and alternative visits shall be offered. Due to slippery sites we recommend comfortable shoes, hats, and water.
DELOS- TRIUMPH & TURMOIL, BIRTHPLACE OF GODS- €65pp
Visit the tiny uninhabited island, one of the most famous archaeological sites of Greece and a
UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage site. (3-4 hrs duration including our expert local guide, transportation, entry fees and taxes).
In antiquity, Delos was considered to be the spiritual and commercial centre of the Aegean.
After a short ferry/ tender ride disembark on the island and gather for an introduction before
proceeding with your lecturer guide on a unique walk through the original streets of the site’s
best preserved quarters. There you will see Hellenistic houses with beautiful mosaics in
amazingly good condition, further along you will come to the Sanctuary, where you can see the
ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo – Delos being Apollo’s mythological birthplace - while over
the Sacred Way you will see the famous five 7th century B.C. marble lions, guardians of the
Sacred Lake. On to the Theatre and the Roman quarter, where you will find ancient statues
dedicated to Dionysus and optionally visit the museum with its interesting exhibits.
SANTORINI- ISLAND TOUR, VILLAGES, LEGENDS OF ATLANTIS- €77plus cable car one way €6pp
Visit Fira, the prehistoric Akrotiri Archeoligical Site and Oia. (Duration: approx. 4.5 hours, including one-way cable-car, A/C bus, local professional guide, all entrance fees).
Disembark by tender and board the cable car to reach the island’s capital Fira for a guided walk
through the narrow pedestrian streets. Board the bus for a pleasant drive through the
countryside passing the village of Pyrgos to the famous archaeological site of Akrotiri. If
Santorini is known as the Greek Pompeii it is because of ancient Akrotiri. Excavations uncovered
an ancient town frozen in time by ash from an eruption some 3.600 years ago. Remains of
sophisticated buildings with great frescoes and other constructions are evidence of an elaborate
lifestyle.
Continue by bus to the northern coast admiring views of land, sea and skies to reach Oia, the
most picturesque village of Santorini with its magical views over the Caldera. Our local guide
will take you to the most photographed blue domes, to insight spots and will give you hints for
your time at leisure. A short drive will bring you back to Fira.
CRETE/RETHYMNO: LEGENDARY MINOANS & CRETAN FOOD SECRETS-€98pp
A guided tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos and Heraklion district with a special tasting of
famous Cretan specialties. (Duration: approx: 6.5 hours including an expert local guide at the site of Knossos, transportation, entry fees, a specialty food tasting and taxes).
After about an hour’s drive eastwards along the coast and areas where Cretan wines grow we
arrive at the Prehistoric (2000BC) Minoan Palace of Knossos to visit the archaeological site,
located in a uniquely quaint scenery. The palace is a monumental symbol of Minoan Civilization
due to its impressive size and construction and has been excavated and partially restored in the
early 20 th century by the great English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. Was it the palace of
mythical King Minos bearing the labyrinth, where the fearsome Minotaur was said to have
lurked.
After our detailed visit we will proceed by bus to Heraklion to sample healthy local delicacies
and have some free time before returning to Rethymnon.
NAFPLION: Agamemnon and the Cyclopean Walls-€60pp
Mycenae a major center of Greek civilization between 1600BC and 1100BC and a UNESCO World
Heritage site (Duration about 3 hours, including a professional local guide, transportation entry fees and taxes).
A short drive through the fertile countryside of Argolis takes us to the ancient city of Mycenae,
home to the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon.
The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases
around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the
glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace and the tomb of Agamemnon.
Mycenae in legend was the royal seat of the ill-fated House of Atreus, and from Mycenae
Agamemnon, “king of men”, went off as the leader of the Achaean expedition to war against
Troy.
Pre/Post-Cruise Options
The Classical Greece Cruise links well with our
Greece - Nafplio Untour
There may be a few gap days between cruise and Untour. Inquire for details.