Cyclades Cruise with Dalmatian Highlights

Welcome to one of the world’s oldest cities. Upon arrival at Athens International Airport, you’ll be met by our driver, with a private transfer provided to your 4-star hotel. The rest of the day is yours. You might want to rest after a long journey or head out to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. There are many sidewalk cafes to fuel up with strong Greek coffee, shops selling gifts and souvenirs, and some fabulous rooftop eateries. One of the best ways to spend your first evening is to dine on local fare while watching the sun go down, followed by a view of the illuminated Acropolis.

A private transfer will bring you to the port of Lavriou where your ship awaits with check-in from 2 to 3 p.m. Enjoy a warm welcome from the crew before our departure to Cape Sounion, the promontory at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. It’s a sharp contrast from the city with the show-stopping Temple of Poseidon its star attraction. Overlooking the sea from atop the headland, you’ll enjoy a swim stop here with a magnificent view. Back on board the ship, it’s time to prepare for the Welcome Dinner. Take time to refresh before enjoying the multicourse feast, introductions, and a trip overview.

• On Board Dining: Welcome Dinner

You’ll have the opportunity to take the first tour of your trip early this morning as we’ll visit the UNESCO-listed island of Delos. The optional tour is led by an expert, providing insight into the remarkable ancient ruins here, many dating back to the 5th and 4th centuries BC, including mosaics, a theater, temples, and much more. The island bears traces of succeeding civilizations starting from the 3rd millennium BC. Enjoy a swim stop on the way to Mykonos. Upon arrival in Mykonos, join our Cruise Director and a local guide for a fascinating guided tour of Mykonos Town. Discover the history of this picture perfect town visiting one of the oldest bakeries in Greece, its iconic windmills, Little Venice and several other hidden gems which make up this charming town. In the evening, you are free to enjoy dinner at a fabulous selection of restaurants in Mykonos.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Optional Excursion AM: Delos archaeological site
• Excursion Included PM: Guided Tour of Mykonos Town with a Local Expert

Continuing our cruise to Naxos, we’ll stop for a swim in the enchanting sapphire waters en route to the island known for its powdery sand beaches and outstanding farm- and sea-to-table dining scene. You’ll see the Temple of Apollo that stands at the harbor’s entrance as the island’s symbol and upon arrival, you can join a tour of the traditional mountain villages. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in their medieval feel while strolling marble-paved streets in villages like Aprianthos where not much has changed over the centuries. After returning to Naxos Town, you’ll have the evening at leisure to sample the food scene.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Excursion Included: Traditional Naxos Villages Tour

Sailing on to the island of Koufonisia, we’ll stop for a swim just south of Naxos off the shores of unspoiled Schinoussa Island. Reaching Koufonisia in the mid-afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy it. Get to know the friendly locals while exploring the fishing village or perhaps relax on one of the exotic white sandy beaches. Koufonisia is renowned for its delectable cuisine – this evening, sit down at one of the many fantastic eateries with menus typically featuring fresh seafood or fish, often featured as the catch of the day and paired with local ingredients.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch

Santorini is our next destination, but we’ll stop at Ios Island en route for a swim stop at Magganari Beach known for its shallow, calm translucent waters. Once we reach Santorini you’ll be able to marvel at a dramatic view of the caldera as the ship pulls into port. We highly recommend taking our optional excursion which includes a visit to a fabulous family winery where you will learn the unique way in which wine producers on the island cultivate their grapes and produce their wines. You will get an opportunity to sample their wines and snacks. Afterward, enjoy one of the famously stunning sunsets from Oia village.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Optional Excursion: Santorini Wine & Oia Tour EUR70pp

Enchanting Milos offers striking natural beauty that you’ll get to enjoy today, with a tour that can take you to the famous Sarakinko Beach where the smooth white volcanic rock looks like a lunar landscape and is magnificently contrasted against the brilliant blue water of the sea. It includes a visit to the Geological Mining Museum as well, focused on the mining history of the island with interesting artifacts. Enjoy lunch independently, returning to the ship in time for our 4 p.m. departure to Kimolos, a tiny yet beautiful island nearby. You’ll have time to explore and dine here this evening.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Dinner
• Excursion Included: Guided Tour of Milos

After cruising overnight you’ll reach Sifnos by mid-morning. You will have time at leisure to explore the island of Sifnos, known for its traditional white washed architecture, food scene and hiking trails. You might wish to hike one of the many “Sifnos Trails”, explore Apollonia, the Island’s capital, or take an optional excursion to the island’s medieval castle and one of its most photographed locations, the church of Seven Martyrs. Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the enticing traditional tavernas here. As the sun sets, enjoy an entertaining and tasty farewell dinner hosted onboard this evening.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

This morning we’ll make our way back to the port of Lavriou, with the end of our cruise near. You’ll have time for breakfast and farewells to the captain, crew, and your new friends before disembarking at 10 a.m. It’s not over yet as you’ll join your guide for the Private Taste of Athens Tour visiting special food shops, and food artisans for samples of delicious Greek bites. You’ll learn all about Greek cooking methods and Greek culinary traditions in the process.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast
• Excursion Included: Private Taste of Athens Tour

Before saying goodbye to Greece, you’ll enjoy the Private Panoramic Tour of Athens which features many of the city’s highlights, including the Parthenon and other 5th-century BC monuments on Acropolis Hill. You’ll get to visit the New Acropolis Museum which holds numerous artifacts from the hill followed by the panoramic drive portion of the tour, viewing sites like the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Once the tour concludes, a private transfer brings you back to Athens International Airport to catch a flight to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our driver for a private transfer to your four-star hotel. Relax and enjoy the scenic drive, including gorgeous sea views along the way.

• Dining: Breakfast
• Excursion Included: Private Panoramic Tour of Athens

A private guided tour will bring you inside the medieval stone walls that envelop Dubrovnik’s historic center and its limestone-paved streets. You’ll get to marvel at many impressive centuries-old buildings, including the baroque and Renaissance Sponza and Rector’s palaces as well as the 15th-century Onofrio’s Fountain, the city’s water source for many years. After touring, enjoy leisure time to explore. One of the top things to do is to walk atop the walls that stretch for 1.2 miles, enjoying a view of the terracotta rooftops, palaces, and churches on one side, with the sparkling sea and neighboring islands on the other.

• Dining: Breakfast
• Excursion Included: Private Old City Dubrovnik Tour

A small group tour will allow you to get to know some of Croatia’s favorite flavors. You’ll head to the Peljesac Peninsula, renowned for its oysters and wine. Stop at two wineries for tastings and then visit the fortified village of Ston. Its walls once spanned more than four miles, leading to its nickname, the “Great Walls of Croatia.” A boat will bring you out into the bay where you can sample oysters right out of the water alongside Croatian wine while learning more about the delicacies, oyster harvesting in the region, and why they’re some of the world’s tastiest.

• Dining: Breakfast
• Excursion Included: Small Group Half-day Oyster and Wine Tasting tour

Having experienced numerous destinations in both Greece and Croatia, it’s time for your trip to come to an end. It’s never easy to say goodbye – if you don’t have to, our staff will be happy to help extend your time here or create a bespoke itinerary for exploring elsewhere. Otherwise, our private driver will meet you upon checkout at your hotel to provide a private transfer back to Dubrovnik’s airport to catch your flight home.

• Dining: Breakfast