8 Day Greece & Turkey Small-Ship Cruise

Your cruise through the Southern Greek Islands starts from Piraeus Port in Athens. Passengers are welcomed to embark between 2pm and 3pm, with a welcome cocktail served and time to get settled into your spacious cabin. We’ll set sail for Ios, a postcard-perfect island, renowned its beautiful beaches often named among the very best in Europe. Enjoy a welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow passengers and the crew.

Before we depart for Santorini, you’ll get to enjoy a swim off the shores of one of the most stunning beaches on Ios, Manganari. About noon we’ll anchor on Santorini, famous for its volcanic landscape with colorful black and red sand beaches due to the massive eruptions that took place centuries ago, with its caldera one of the most dramatic ports in the world. You’ll disembark to visit the capital, Fira with its striking white cluster of homes along the cliff via cable car. If you’ll like, join an optional tour that will bring you to Akrotiri, a world-renowned archaeological site similar to Pompeii that was buried in ash during the volcanic eruption in 1600 BC. Your tour ends in the spectacular village of Oia, famous for its stunning sunsets.

After a night at sea, you’ll wake up in wonderful Rhodes, the main island in the Dodecanese.  Rhodes dates back thousands of years, famous around the world for its Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The medieval town of Rhodes is a World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most-visited destinations. An optional walking tour of this iconic and fascinating old town with its medieval castle, has been planned for today. Sail on to the charming and artisan island of Symi, one of the most colorful in the Mediterranean.

After a night at sea, you’ll wake up in Patmos, a seahorse-shaped island in the Dodecanese nestled between the islands of Ikaria, Fourni and Leros near Turkey. Join an optional excursion that includes the Grotto and Monastery of St. John, with Patmos famous as the sacred island that inspired St. John to write the Book of Revelation. The 11^th-century fortress-like monastery was dedicated to the saint and overlooks the whitewashed homes in the hilltop capital. You’ll be able to explore the medieval Chora and then enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Once we’ve anchored at the small island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Apollo, you’ll have the option to join a guided sightseeing tour to visit its remarkable archaeological ruins, some of the most extensive dating from the golden age of classical Greece, including a theater, temples and more. Along the way to Mykonos we’ll stop so you can enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the magnificent bays. We’ll reach the harbor on Mykonos in the afternoon, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Visit the island’s famous windmills or wander through town, exploring one of the museums and sampling fresh-baked goods from the bakery that’s been baking in its wood-fired ovens for 500 years. Afterward, try some of the traditional appetizers, known as meze, with a glass of ouzo, or sample the lively nightlife in one of the clubs.

Our final full day brings us to the picturesque island of Syros, with its resplendent pastel-hued villas cascading down the Ermoupoli hill and glistening in the Aegean sun. With a rich history and culture influenced by past rulers and boasting two towns – one Orthodox, the other Catholic – the sophisticated landscape of Syros offers many surprises. Explore Ermpoupoli port with its gracious main square and imposing town hall. An optional walking tour  of this delightful island is on offer today. Syros is the perfect spot for farewell cocktails and the Captain’s farewell dinner. At night, we’ll make our way back to Marina Zeas at the Port of Piraeus.

Unfortunately this is where we will part our ways. You’ll need to get your bags packed this morning before enjoying breakfast with your shipmates, many of whom are likely to now be friends. Disembarkation is in the morning, with a private transfer bringing you to Athens Airport or your onward hotel for the next leg of your adventure.