Signature Cyclades & Crete Cruise-Tour

Start your land/cruise tour in the Greek capital that gave birth to western civilization. You’ll be greeted by our driver upon arrival at Athens International Airport for a private transfer to your hotel in the city center. As you’ll enjoy an in-depth look at the famous Acropolis hill tomorrow, you might want to spend the day soaking up the atmosphere in the city and doing some people-watching. There are trendy sidewalk cafes that are ideal or head to one of the rooftop bars to sip Greek wine or a cocktail while watching a magnificent sunset over one of the world’s most iconic sights.

A half-day private tour brings you to Acropolis hill, home to some of the world’s most iconic monuments. With expert insight from your guide, you’ll step into the footsteps of ancient greats like Plato while marveling at the Parthenon and other landmarks dating back to the 5th century BC. After two hours on the hill, take a stroll through one of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods, Plaka, home to historic monuments like Hadrian’s Library and the Ancient Agora. Afterward, you’ll transfer to your ship in Lavrio and enjoy the first swim stop of the trip beneath the shadow of the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion.

• Dining: Breakfast & Welcome Dinner
• Included Excursion: Private Highlights of Athens Walking Tour

After cruising overnight you’ll wake up at Delos Island, a UNESCO-listed site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. An optional excursion reveals its extensive ruins dating back to around the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Discover everything from a theater and temples to well-preserved Venetian and Byzantine architecture while your guide provides an intriguing insight into their history and the myths behind the island. Afterward, continue to Mykonos. Just a few miles away, you’ll enjoy a swim stop en route. The rest of the day is yours to explore the sites and enjoy dinner in one of the outstanding restaurants.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Optional Excursion: Guided Tour of Delos

Having departed at 2 am, we’ll reach Naxos early in the morning. Upon arrival, you can join the optional Traditional Naxos Villages Tour that will bring you to beautiful mountain villages that have held onto time-honored traditions. Hilltop Aperanthos with its medieval character is a favorite. Sometimes referred to as the marble village, its marble-paved streets are lined with marble buildings and marble homes, built into one of Mount Fanari’s foothills. After touring, return to Naxos with the evening yours to enjoy dinner in one of the eateries along the waterfront or nestled amongst the narrow streets and alleyways of Chora.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Optional Excursion: Traditional Naxos Villages & Apiranthos

As we make our way toward Koufonisia, enjoy a swim stop just south of Naxos off the shores of Schinoussa Island. Known as the “Island of the Sun” it boasts sandy beaches and remarkable clear, calm blue-green waters ideal for a dip. Upon arrival in Koufonisia, you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure. The island is most popular for swimming and walking, with a myriad of beautiful beaches with soft, golden sands edged by pale turquoise water. Picturesque Chora is ideal for a stroll with its historic windmill, Cycladic architecture, and cobbled alleyways filled with traditional tavernas and independent shops.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Optional Excursion: N/A

Cruising toward Santorini, enjoy a swim stop at Magganari Beach on Ios Island, an alluring stretch with shallow, clear, brilliant blue waters. As we sail into Santorini’s port, marvel at the dramatic view of the caldera precipitously looming above. Upon our arrival, you can join an optional tour to Akrotiri, a prehistoric settlement covered under 200 feet of ash during the massive 1600 BC volcanic eruption. Similar to Pompeii, it remained frozen in time providing a fascinating look at life centuries ago. Afterward, head to pretty Oia for a legendary sunset and dinner on your own, boarding the ship by 11 pm.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Lunch
• Optional Excursion: Guided Tour of Akrotiri & Oia

Having departed late last night, you’ll wake up at the “island of the colors,” Milos, this morning. Here on this island where the famous Venus de Milo statue was discovered, you can take an optional excursion to visit two highlights. Famous Sarakiniko Beach is one of the most popular attractions in the Cyclades with its smooth white volcanic rock ideal for sunbathing while the brilliant blue of the sea provides a stunning contrast for photos. You’ll explore the Geological Mining Museum which focuses on Milos’ mining history followed by time for lunch on your own. This evening dinner will be served on board and you’ll be able to explore our next destination, Kimolos, too.

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

We’ll start to make our way back to where your cruise began but there are still two more islands to visit, including hilltop Serifos with Chora one of the most charming in the Cyclades. An optional tour will bring you through its atmospheric streets and alleyways with traditional tavernas and romantic whitewashed architecture all overlooked by a Venetian castle/fortress. Look forward to a sublime view of the island before enjoying time for lunch on your own. Once back on board, we’ll sail to Kythnos with one last swim stop en route. The Farewell Dinner with live entertainment will be hosted on the ship this evening.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
• Optional Excursion: Visit the Island of Serifos

Disembarkation will be by 10 am after enjoying breakfast on board and time for farewells to the captain, crew, and new friends made with your cruise coming to an end. There’s lots more to come making goodbyes a bit easier. You’ll take a private transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Crete. A late afternoon walking tour will provide an intro to the city’s highlights, including the Venetian harbor, a Venetian fountain, and a castle that overlooks it all. Your guide will be happy to provide recommendations as to where to eat and drink during your leisurely time this evening.

• On Board Dining: Breakfast
• Included Excursion: Private Walking Tour of Rethymnon

A highlight of the trip, this morning head to Knossos Palace with your own private guide for a fascinating tour of the settlement that was home to the ancient Minoans, the first organized civilization. The center for life here during the bronze age, your guide will point out the remarkable and extensive sewerage and drainage systems that reveal how advanced the Minoans were. Discover the Palace of Knossos, Little Palace, the Royal Villa, house of the Frescoes, Temple Tomb, and more. After your visit, head into the Heraklion archaeological museum to view artifacts from the site followed by time for shopping and dining independently.

• Dining: Breakfast
• Included Excursion: Private Tour of Knossos Minoan Palace

A day trip filled with magnificent sights, you’ll visit one of the country’s most stunning and famous beaches, Elafonisi, with its pink sand the result of the white sand mixing with little pieces of red coral. Against the bright blue waters of the sea, it’s incredibly photogenic. You’ll start by visiting Agia Sofia cave which has a chapel at its entrance, filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Afterward, enjoy three hours of Elafonisi to swim and sunbathe. On the return to your hotel, you can choose to stop in Elos village to dine on authentic Cretan cuisine in a traditional taverna.

• Dining: Breakfast
• Included Excursion: Private Day Trip to Elafonisi Beach

While it’s never easy to say goodbye, after 12 days of exploring some of the best Greece has to offer, it’s time for your memorable journey to end. You can choose to transfer to your onward local hotel in Rethymnon if you want to extend your trip here or travel to either Heraklion or Chania airport to catch your flight home. Your driver will meet you at your hotel for a seamless transition. It may be all said and done now, but we hope to see you again with so many fantastic destinations across the globe to consider for a future trip.

• Dining: Breakfast