Best of Greece 8 Day Small Ship Cruise

Your cruise through the Southern Greek Islands begins at Marina Zeas in Athens’ Piraeus Port, with a private transfer from your hotel or the airport to the port for embarkation between 2 and 3pm. Take time to get settled into your comfortable cabin, checking out the state-of-the-art amenities and then get ready to meet your fellow passengers, captain and crew. You’ll be introduced to everyone at a welcome party before we dock in the port of Kea for some leisurely free time to explore Korrisia. We recommend heading to one of the tavernas at seafront to relax with a drink while gazing out at the gorgeous scenery. After returning to ship we’ll cruise to Delos, overnighting on the Aegean.

Enjoy breakfast, freshly prepared on the ship before joining an optional tour of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Apollo. The uninhabited island is a sacred place home to some of the most extensive ruins that date from the golden age of classical Greece, including a theater, temples and more. We’ll sail to Mykonos next, just a few miles away, making a stop for a refreshing swim along the route. The rest of the day can be enjoyed at your leisure, visiting the island’s famous windmills and sampling the famous nightlife in one of the clubs.

Sip your coffee while taking in the magnificent scenery that surrounds you with a relaxing morning onboard before we continue to one of the most famous Greek Isles, Santorini. Renowned for its volcanic landscape, created by a massive volcanic eruptions centuries ago, you’ll have time to visit the island capital, Fira, the magnificent caldera and the idyllic village of Oia where the whitewashed homes and blue-domed churches cling to rugged cliffs while providing one of the world’s most jaw-dropping views. An optional tour will take you through captivating traditional villages and archaeological sites for a trip back through time.

Our next stop is on the north coast of Crete, pulling into the city port of Rethymno with its picturesque Venetian harbor filled with traditional fishing boats and lined with vibrant-colored tavernas. We recommend joining the optional excursion to the ancient city of Knossos, the oldest in Europe, settled as early as the Neolithic period. You’ll be guided through the island’s largest Bronze Age archaeological site and famous palace, along with an outstanding archaeological museum before heading back to the ship for a late departure to Kythira.

Look forward to more time on and in the sea with a swim stop before we arrive to picturesque Kythira along the southern side of the Peloponnese. A remote unspoiled island, here you can discover magnificent waterfalls, hidden gorges and pristine sandy beaches. You’ll enjoy the evening wandering through the lovely Chora, an ancient settlement dominated by a Venetian castle. The 13^th-century fort boasts well-preserved ruins and boasts incredible views you’ll want to capture with your camera before popping into the shops in enticing alleys and dining in one of the waterfront eateries.

Continue your cruising journey with a visit to the medieval fortified town of Monemvasia. Carved into the side of a massive rock that rises out of the sea, you’ll be able to gaze up at the impeccably preserved Byzantine and Venetian buildings in an especially enchanting natural setting before we venture to the seaport town of Nafplion with a swim stop along the way. Step back into the medieval past as you walk the narrow streets of the Old Town with its impressive fortifications and distinctive architecture, then feed your appetite with an authentic meal at one of the family-run eateries popular with the locals.

While the ultimate destination for the last full day of your cruise will bring us back to Athens, your morning starts with an option excursion to Mycenae, an archaeological site in the north-eastern Peloponnese home to the imposing ruins of two of the greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization. From the walled palace, one of the most important historic sites in Greece, one can see across the Argolid to the Saronic Gulf.

Our final stop before returning to Marina Zeas will be either the island of Hydra or Spetses. You’ll enjoy an evening exploring this vehicle-free port town at your leisure, perhaps spending time on one of the beaches or in a romantic, secluded cove.

While your cruising adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning, you’re always welcome to come back and join us for another memorable cruise.

Bid farewell to the crew and your fellow passengers with a private onward transfer to Athens airport or your hotel in Athens.