Jewels of the Cyclades – M/S Galileo | 8 Days

Morning arrival into Poliegos, an uninhabited island known for its amazing beaches & turquoise waters. Morning swim stop followed by a BBQ on deck. Afternoon sailing to Folegandros, one of the most amazing and less known islands in the Aegean Sea. Walk the amazing Upper city and dine at one of the traditional Greek tavernas. Overnight Folegandros.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

Early in the morning, depart for Santorini. Morning arrival at Santorini (occasionally at anchor) to explore its unique capital Fira. Optional excursion to Akrotiri excavations and a tour of the villages including the small beautiful village of Oia, known for its breathtaking view over the caldera. Overnight Santorini.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning you will enjoy a swim stop in an enchanting bay of Antiparos. Early noon arrival in Paros. Visit Parikia and the quaint village of Naoussa. Time to have a fun night and show us your dancing skills during our famous Greek Night. Overnight Paros.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Optional morning tour to the unique archaeological site of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island. Later on we stop at one of Mykonos’ beautiful bays for swimming off the ship before sailing into the port of Mykonos. The island of the jet setters is yours to explore and the night is young. Overnight Mykonos.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

After a morning swim we will arrive in Syros, the capital of the Cycladic islands where you can enjoy one of its beautiful sandy beaches or embark on an optional tour through town and enjoy the unique architecture of the buildings before having the chance for a culinary experience to taste authentic recipes of the Cycladic cuisine at our small family taverna. Overnight in Syros.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning we will arrive in Kythnos where you will enjoy a swim in Kolones bay and will then set sail for Marina Zeas where we will arrive in the late afternoon via Cape Sounion, the temple of Poseidon. Captain’s Farewell Dinner and overnight Marina Zeas, Athens.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Disembarkation at 09.00am after breakfast. End of services.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Professional English speaking cruise escort

Tours as per itinerary

7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners

Cruise by M/S Galileo

Optional Santorini: Island tour, villages, legends of Atlantis on day 3

Duration: 4.5 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entrance fee

Price: 80 euro per person

Disembark by tender and board the cable car to reach the island’s capital Fira for a guided walk through the narrow pedestrian streets. Board the bus for a pleasant drive through the countryside passing the village of Pyrgos to the famous archaeological site of Akrotiri. If Santorini is known as the Greek Pompeii it is because of ancient Akrotiri. Excavations uncovered an ancient town frozen in time by ash from an eruption some 3.600 years ago. Remains of sophisticated buildings with great frescoes and other constructions are evidence of an elaborate lifestyle.

Continue by bus to the northern coast admiring views of land, sea and skies to reach Oia, the most picturesque village of Santorini with its magical views over the Caldera. Our local guide will take you to the most photographed blue domes, to insight spots and will give you hints for your time at leisure. A short drive will bring you back to Fira.

Optional Paros: Marble & Olive, Authentic Greece tour on day 4 

Duration: 4.5 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entrance fee

Price: 66 euro per person

Next to the port of Parikia, stands gracefully the church of Ekatontapiliani (the church with the hundred gates), one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the whole Greece. The Church, built in the 4th century AD, is dedicated to Virgin Mary. The visitors entering the cathedral can admire its dome and the old byzantine icons. Hiding up in the mountains unspoilt, authentic villages like Lefkes and Marpissa are full of little traditional whitewashed houses, mixed with Venetian architecture, wonderful churches, whitewashed windmills and beautiful dovecotes. At Marpissa, we visit the folklore museum, which is a representation of a typical house of Paros, with traditional old furniture, a loom, utensils and various other objects. The cosmopolitan Naoussa on the other side, has preserved the feeling of the pristine fishing village it truly is, beautifully mingling with the elegant atmosphere of the modern venue that it has become. Full of shops, taverns and bars, is one of the most famous nightlife destinations in the Aegean. After our stroll we will have some free time and will then return to the ship.

Optional Delos: Triumph & Turmoil, Birthplace of Gods tour on day 5

Duration: 3-4.5 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entrance fee

Price: 55 euro per person

In antiquity, Delos was considered to be the spiritual and commercial centre of the Aegean. After a short ferry/ tender ride disembark on the island and gather for an introduction before proceeding with your lecturer guide on a unique walk through the original streets of the site’s best-preserved quarters. There you will see Hellenistic houses with beautiful mosaics in amazingly good condition, further along you will come to the Sanctuary, where you can see the ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo – Delos being Apollo’s mythological birthplace – while over the Sacred Way you will see the famous five 7th century B.C. marble lions, guardians of the Sacred Lake. On to the Theatre and the Roman quarter, where you will find ancient statues dedicated to Dionysus and optionally visit the museum with its interesting exhibits.

* Above tour price is only valid when our vessel will be permitted to arrive directly to Delos (subject to authority and weather conditions). Alternatively, the tour will be operated from Mykonos by a small ferry with a supplement of € 22 per person.

Optional Syros: Aristocracy, Elegance and Concorde tour on day 6 

Duration: 4 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entrance fee and local meze treat

Price: 66 euro per person

Syros has been continuously inhabited for 7000 years, and together we will explore why its path through history has been completely different than the rest of Greece. Admire the European influence which created a distinctive blend of Neoclassic, Byzantine, Venetian and Greek culture, present everywhere.

Our tour begins at Ano Syros, the center of Greek Catholicism in the Aegean region. This traditional neighbourhood is built high up on a hill above the port – we will enjoy stunning views as we stroll through its picturesque narrow alleyways, passing by the Catholic Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Jesuit and Capuchin monasteries, the churches of San Sebastian and Virgin Mary di Karmilo.

We then head down to the glorious, aristocratic merchant town of Ermoupolis, a neoclassical wonder of rich houses, iconic public edifices, and marble-paved streets. Admire the impressive Town Hall, the Apollo Theater (a miniature version of Scala di Milano) and the elegant Captain’s Quarter overlooking the sea. Last, but not least, we visit the local grocery, fish, fruit and pastry market, a chance for a culinary experience. Taste authentic recipes of the Cycladic cuisine at our small family taverna.

An ever-changing tour where the locals are always ready to surprise us with something new, every time!

Regular filter coffee, tea and drinking water

Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability)

Port taxes

Beverages (except those mentioned above)

Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements

Crew tips

Passenger personal expenses

Wi-Fi (available at an additional charge)

Any items of personal nature