Ionian Dreams Small Ship Cruise

You’ll be welcomed by your driver at Corfu’s airport or your Corfu town hotel for your transfer to the ship that awaits in port with embarkation from 2 to 3 p.m. You’ll be given a welcome drink before getting settled into your cabin with departure soon underway. Your first swim stop will be enjoyed at Blue Lagoon Bay with its stunning Easter egg blue waters in the serene village of Syvota. Swimming around the whitewashed caves is the perfect way to kick off the excitement. This evening we’ll cruise to Parga, overnighting here. You’ll enjoy a welcome dinner onboard with introductions to your captain and crew.

This morning you’ll have the chance to get to know picturesque Parga, a charming Venetian port with a medieval hilltop citadel. An optional tour will bring you to one of the five rivers leading to the Underworld according to Greek mythology. Acheron River is filled with spectacular natural beauty and offers a variety of outdoor adventures, including horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, and treks along its banks. This afternoon we’ll continue our journey to Paxos where you’ll have time to wander around the port of Gaios while soaking up its enchanting atmosphere. You’ll find many enticing spots for dinner and we’ll be spending the night here too.

Much of the day will be spent enjoying the exotic islands of Antipaxos and Paxos and the breathtaking turquoise waters that lie between. If you want a little inspiration, check out “Maestro in Blue,” a Greek Netflix series filmed on Paxos. You can snorkel and swim while immersed in the beauty of the islands with gorgeous coves, pristine white sandy beaches, chalk-white cliffs, and olive groves. There will also be a visit to the famous Blue Caves on the west coast of Antipaxos that’s sure to be unforgettable. You’ll enjoy lunch and dinner alfresco on the ship, traveling to Lefkada overnight.

Beautiful Lefakada with its sheer cliffs and lush landscapes is where you’ll wake up. Take advantage of the crystal-clear turquoise sea by using the complimentary glass-bottom kayaks or snorkeling gear onboard. This afternoon, we’ll cruise on to the mythical island of Odysseus, Ithaca, sailing into Vathy Port, the capital and main harbor of the island with the village built amphitheatrically around the deep, sheltered bay. You’ll have time to explore the narrow winding streets independently or you might join a tour to the serene mountaintop Kathara monastery which boasts jaw-dropping views, or the Archaeological Collection of Stavros. Dinner will be onboard this evening.

Today we’ll head to Kefalonia where you’ll get to see another one of the country’s most famous beaches, Antisamos. This is where many scenes in the epic 2001 film “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” were shot. You might spend time swimming in the surreal waters or visit the Drogarati Cave, complete with limestone formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. It even has an area for hosting concerts. Afterward, we’ll depart for Fiskardo Bay, a sailor’s paradise with azure waters that frame a picturesque scene of pastel-painted neoclassical homes. This is where we’ll anchor overnight – we recommend enjoying dinner at one of the many outstanding fish tavernas.

One of the highlights of our trip is on the agenda – an early morning visit to one of the most iconic images in the Greek Islands, Navagio Beach. It’s most often referred to as Shipwreck Beach with a rusted skeleton of a shipwreck rising from chalk-white sands tucked between two towering limestone cliffs and framed by electric blue water. You can jump into the sea from the ship or allow us to take you onshore to get a close look at the shipwreck. We’ll continue to Zante port where you’ll have time to explore and enjoy dinner, overnighting at sea on our way to Itea.

Reaching Itea early this morning, from here we visit sacred Delphi, one of the most important sites in Greece and a UNESCO-listed site thanks to its many significant ruins and spectacular setting with distant views of the Gulf of Corinth. Revered as the center of the Earth by ancient Greeks, marvel at everything from the hippodrome and theater that once played host to the ancient Pythian Games, to the Temple of Apollo and the Athenian Treasury. You’ll have time to relax onboard too, perhaps a soothing massage before enjoying the view as we cross the Corinth Canal. Our Farewell Greek Dinner will be hosted this evening.

Having sailed overnight, we’ll soon be in Lavrio Port at the tip of the Attica peninsula. There will be one final breakfast enjoyed on board with time for farewells and perhaps exchanging contact information with new friends made. Disembarkation will be by 10 am and you’ll be greeted by your driver for a private transfer to Athens International Airport or your hotel if you’ve decided to spend some time exploring the capital city. Should you need any assistance with your plans, our travel experts are always happy to help.