Antiquity to Byzantium | 8 Days

Day 1 – Friday:                 ATHENS (MARINA ZEA) – PALAIA EPIDAURUS (AT PORT)

Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board. Overnight in Port. (D)

Day 2 – Saturday:            PALAIA EPIDAURUS – NAFPLION (AT PORT)

We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for our optional excursion. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla, by pirates, and later by Goths in 395 AD and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge theatre (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight in port. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Sunday:               NAFPLION – MYCENAE – MONEMVASSIA (AT SEA)

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colourful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so-called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia. Overnight sailing to Gythion. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Monday:              GYTHION – DIROS – AREOPOLIS (AT SEA)

Early morning arrival to Gythion. Optional Excursion to Mani peninsula, Cape Tenaro and the spectacular Dirou Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and later the Spartans used as a port, enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base. Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave, we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any other area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers. Overnight at sea to Pylos. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Tuesday:              PYLOS – HORA (AT SEA)

Pylos is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. During our optional excursion, after stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artefacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Wednesday:      KATAKOLON – OLYMPIA – PATRA – ITEA

Early morning arrival in port of Katakolon. We will disembark around 7:00 a.m. and an optional excursion takes us by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. From 1875 onward excavation work revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion. We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we will visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. Time at leisure and travel overland to Patra. Re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight in port at Itea. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Thursday:            ITEA – DELPHI – ATHENS (MARINA ZEA)

Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. Indeed, because everything in Greece is connected to mythology, Delphi became the premier site for the worship of the god Apollo. The oracle had the ability to prophecy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world travelled here to consult with the oracle and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and transit the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening Captain’s Farewell Dinner and sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Friday:                  ATHENS (MARINA ZEA)

Disembarkation at 09:00am after breakfast. End of services. (B)

Inclusions:

• Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
• Full-board onboard M/S GALILEO: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a Greek night Evening, and Captain’s Dinner
• Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
• Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
• English-Speaking Cruise Escort.

Exclusions:

• Beverages (except those mentioned above)
• Shore excursions on the islands (except those mentioned above) or other land arrangements
• Crew tips
• Passenger personal expenses
• Wi-Fi (available at charge)

Things to Note:

·         PLEASE CONTACT VARIETY CRUISES A DAY BEFORE OR MORNING OF EMBARKATION TO RECONFIRM YOUR SERVICE

• Swim stops and port stops are weather permitting.
• Itinerary is subject to weather conditions and sailing is not permitted in force 6-7 Beaufort winds.
• The Company reserves the right to substitute the vessel