Sail on a small ship, full circle around the Peloponnese, from Athens to ancient Epidaurus, old-world Nafplion, medieval Monemvasia, Olympian relics of Gods and games, and the Delphic Oracle
(limited dates/availability)
Days 1 & 2 - Athens
Day 3 - Epidaurus
Day 4 - Nafplion
Day 5 - Mycenae/Monemvassia
Day 6 - Gythion (Mani Peninsula)
Day 7 - Pylos
Day 8 - Katakolon/Olympia
Day 9 - Itea/Delphi/Corinth Canal
Day 10 - Return Flight
Embark on a voyage of discovery aboard the elegant, intimate, and spacious, yacht MS Galileo, sailing from the magnificent monuments of Athens. Accompanied on the cruise by a knowledgeable lecturer, this is a journey through myths, legends and history; set across a landscape of coasts and mountains; and played out in the astonishing acoustics of Epidaurus amphitheatre, Nafplion’s trio of fortresses, the castle-crowned town of Monemvasia, and the caves and beguiling villages of the Mani Peninsula.
Cruise and Cultural Tour
Small Ship Sailing
5 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Excursions Included
On Board Lecturer
Historic Vessel
Eugenia Alexiou was born in Athens. She studied Archaeology and Art History in the National University of Athens and hold a Master on Byzantine Art. Her real ‘passion’ is Prehistoric Aegean civilization since she participated in the excavations on Santorini island, one of the most important sites of Bronze Age and amongst the greatest excavations in Greece.
Day 1 Fly to Athens for two nights at the 4-star Amalia Hotel Athens.
Day 2 Visit the Acropolis, viewing the Parthenon, Erectheum, theatre of Herod Atticus and the new Acropolis Museum. (B)
Day 3 Morning free, perhaps visit the National Archaeological Museum. Transfer to the MS Galileo for seven nights. Cruise to Epidaurus. (B, D)
Day 4 Visit ancient (Palaia) Epidaurus, reputedly the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius, famed for its ancient theatre. Sail to Nafplion, a treasure of Venetian charm and Ottoman seductiveness. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Walking tour through the narrow network of streets of Nafplion. Travel to Mycenae, which Homer called ‘rich in gold,’ visit the Lion’s Gate, Palace, Agamemnon Tomb and museum. Sail to Monemvassia and on to Gythion. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Visit the Mani Peninsula, a region of underground lakes and rivers. Explore Cape Tenaro, the Diros caves with its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and Areopolis. Overnight sailing to Pylos. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Visit Pylos, a large bay on the west coast. Occupied since the Bronze Age, the site is dominated by Nestor’s palace, the best preserved existing Mycenaean palace from the Bronze Age. Visit the superb archaeological museum in Hora. Overnight sailing to Katakolon. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Travel to Olympia. Revered as the birthplace of the Olympic games, the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Visit the ancient stadium, temples of Zeus and Hera and museum of History of the Olympic Games. Sail for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Visit of Delphi, the premier site for the worship of the god Apollo and its museum. Cross the Corinth Canal and sail to Marina Zea, Athens, for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Return flight. (B)
Notes
Excursions are on foot and partly over uneven ground with some inclines.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
A centrally located 4-star hotel in Syntagma Square right across from the National Garden and within walking distance to the charming Plaka, Acropolis and other major monuments and museums in the city. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 97 air-conditioned rooms with safe, minibar and satellite TV. A hotel tax is payable locally, currently per room per night: €3.
Operated by Variety Cruises, the classic 157 ft., 3-masted motor sailing yacht, MS Galileo, was launched in 1992, rebuilt in 2007 and refurbished in 2020. The MS Galileo is motor driven and the sails are used only occasionally.
The vessel has a spacious and comfortable lounge and bar, an elegant single seating dining room, outdoor bar and a sun deck with sunbeds, deckchairs and shaded areas.
Meals are a combination of buffet and served dining, using fresh local produce, with the opportunity to eat ashore and experience the ‘filoxenia’ (hospitality) of the region.
All 24 outside cabins are air-conditioned with private facilities, portholes, safe, hairdryer, TV and mini-fridge. WiFi (chargeable/limited.
Three Cat. C cabins (102.6-119 sq. ft.) and twelve Cat. B cabins (119-151 sq. ft.) on the Lower Deck. Nine Cat. A cabins (130-140.4 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck.
2023
Click here for 2023 departures
2024
Wednesdays
per person in a twin room/Category C cabin
British Airways from Heathrow
Wednesdays
per person in a twin room/Category C cabin
British Airways from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
(limited availability)
Mar 27, Apr 10 & Oct 30
Single supplement £1045
Cabin Upgrades
Cat. B cabin (twin/double) £595
Cat. B (double for sole use) £1395
Cat. A cabin (twin/double) £1295
Cat. A (double for sole use) £1890
Flight Options
British Airways Club Europe - On request
Tour Only
Save £210
Arrival or departure transfer add £45
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, 2 nights’ hotel and 7-night cruise, transfers, breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, cruise director, local expert guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Notes
A hotel tax is payable locally upon check-in, currently €3 per room per night.
© 2023 Jules Verne - 96 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BE
VAT No. 805146159
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