Unexplored Greek Islands | 8 Days

In the morning, we stop for a refreshing swim at Seychelles beach, accessible best by yacht. Enjoy the translucent blue waters and bright white pebbles covering the sea bottom. BBQ lunch on board and our ship docks in Ikaria’s quaint port. Ikaria is an island-phenomenon unlike anywhere else in Greece or in the world. People here live much longer than the population on other islands and mainland. In fact, people here live on average 10 years longer than those in the rest of Europe and the Americas. Join our tour discovering authentic villages that march to a different drummer, enjoy a hike in wild landscapes followed by a dip in one of the eight natural thermal springs or join a cooking class in a family’s country home kitchen, and garden in an ancient village for a personalized experience cooking and learning about life and the secret to the inhabitants’ famed longevity, the Blue Zone Greek island. Afternoon at leisure, or at one of the village traditional fairs. Overnight in Ikaria.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning sailing and arrival in Patmos, an island revelation with a touch of divine. Surrender yourself to the mysticism and tranquility of the island of the Apocalypse. Morning discovery of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Grotto and Monastery of St. John and the historic centre of the medieval town of Chora, filled with grandeur and serenity. Small and secluded yet spectacular all the same, Patmos is the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. Afternoon sailing to Lipsi island, a time capsule of authenticity in the Dodecanese. Lunch al fresco and swim stop in one of the glittering necklaces of 24 islets await, protected by the Natura 2000 network making an ideal refugee for the shy Mediterranean Monk seal. While in Lipsi we invite you to taste the famous Aposperitis red Lipsi wine (on board treat). Evening at leisure to enjoy the setting of the local harbour at sunset, and a seaside dinner with home-cooked traditional recipes made of local produce. Overnight in Lipsi.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning sailing to Kalymnos with a swim stop on the way. Kalymnos is a hidden gem island for those who crave simplicity and authenticity. Home of the famous sponge divers, this island in the Dodecanese is ideal for modern day adventurers with 1,300 market hiking routes to be explored. Join our tour to engage with the locals harvesting sponges and producing about 30,000 sponges annually, witness the numerous species of sponge and the various stages they go through before reaching the market. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy a hike or marvel the Esperidon fjord, perhaps the most beautiful fjord in Greece. Overnight in Kalymnos quaint port.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

The ship sails towards the white and blue Cyclades. Enjoy a stop at Levitha island, inhabited by a family of four, raising animals. In the summer, the family also runs a small but spotless restaurant for the visiting yachts. They grill to perfection fresh fish and meat. Enjoy a hike on one of the island’s goat paths. On top of the island there is an abandoned World War II Italian outpost. Midday sailing to Amorgos, the island of Luc Besson’s “Big Blue”. Mellowed with traditions, firewater and laid-back villages, Amorgos will make you forget the 20th century, never mind the 21st. Enjoy an afternoon with locals learning how to make the island’s famous “Psimeni Raki”, a local homemade liquor with the flavor of honey and clove made since ancient times on Amorgos. Evening at leisure to enjoy the breathtaking medieval capital, 400m above sea level. Overnight in Amorgo’s quaint port of Katapola.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

Our early morning discovery will take us to the impressive monastery of Chozoviotissa built in 1088 inside the rocky cliffs of the mountain. We will visit monks’ cells which are open to visitors and contain important heirlooms and artifacts. We are offered a glass of Psimeni Raki and a local sweet while we enjoy magnificent views of the Aegean. Return on board for a short sail to the Small Cyclades: enjoy a swim in Koufonisia, take out the ship’s Kayaks and Paddle boards to explore sea caves only accessible by yachts. Afternoon scenic cruise around the nearby island of Schinoussa before we reach Iraklia, a tiny hidden island gem in the midst of the Aegean. Part of the Natura 2000 network of natural habitats, it enchants with the superb views offered by its mountainous footpaths, the variety of its coastline and its own, unique sights. There is no supermarket on the island, and deliveries come by ferry from the nearby island of Naxos. Evening at leisure to enjoy the true laid-back Greek island life. Overnight in port.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning we reach Serifos, a quintessentially Cycladic island of brilliant light, clear water, and steadfast traditions. Enjoy a swim at one the island’s remote beaches accessible best by small ship. Barbecue lunch on board, followed by an afternoon stroll to explore the island’s picture-perfect “Hora” castle-village. Join our tour to a local winery offering unobstructed views to the Aegean or get creative in the island’s ceramic studio where you can master the basics of pottery and bring as gifts back home. Farewell dinner reminiscing all the hidden gems of Greece. Midnight sailing back to Athens.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembarkation at 9:00 am after breakfast.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Professional English speaking cruise escort

Tours as per itinerary

7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Cruise by M/S Panorama

Optional Ikaria: Ikarian way of life – Blue Zone’ Longevity – Wild Nature on day 2

Duration: 6 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, winery visit with Ikarian wine & food tasting

Price: 86 euro per person

Our tour will start from Agios Kirikos port with its old tw0-story Captain’s mansions, flower filled neighbourhoods and the endlessly ascending stone steps combining picturesque local architecture with the bustle of a modern town. Leaving this small port town behind we will discover Ikaria’s landscapes being stunningly beautiful and full of contrasts. Green slopes with rugged rocks, high mountain streams, gorges, caves and lush valleys support a rare combination of terrains and ecosystems. Hidden mountainous villages where one can still find an abundance of traditional village elements such as public fountains, an olive press or where some villagers –proud of their longevity secrets are riding on their patient donkeys.

After our scenic drive towards NW, we will arrive at a beautiful family winery in the mountains; here we will be learning about all the hidden secrets of the blue zone’s culture, the lifestyle health benefits, the Ikarian wine and food directly from the expert owners. We will visit the vineyard, the organic gardens while tasting traditional and authentic Ikarian mezedes cooked and presented by the owner’s wife (appetizers) with a glass of organic wine from their limited production. Those who like to stroll around (secret suggestion) have the chance to enjoy an easy (600m each way) hike to the Chapel of Theoskepasti (17th century old Monastery) through the wonderful nearby for forest.

Optional Patmos: St. John’s Monastery and Patmos Chora on day 3 

Duration: 3 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entry fees and taxes

Depart the picturesque harbour of Skala for a short drive to the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the imposing Monastery of St. John, built 900 years ago, exceptional in its architecture. Its thick, high walls are crowned all around with battlements and eight chapels. Visit the Treasury Museum in the Monastery with its jewelled chalices, crowns, vestments and old manuscripts dating back to 1073. We will then continue for an insight exploration in Chora (Patmos main town) lead by our local expert. Chora is of unique charm not only because of the dominating Castle and Monastery but for the Byzantine residences said to be the strongest ones built in the Aegean. Whitewashed houses, mansions with antique furniture and embroideries, captain’s residences, narrow streets and alleyways all of which date back to the 15th century. Enjoy some time at leisure before returning to our ship.

Optional Kalymnos: Impressive Rocky Mountains, fertile valleys and heritage discoveries by the locals on day 4

Duration: 4.5 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entry fee, local treat

Price: 75 euro per person

Leaving the port town behind we will be heading east on the pleasant trip to Vathy, known as the Greek island fjord. Pass through its fertile valley filled with orange and tangerine trees to reach an impressive viewpoint of Rina port for our photo stop: a beautiful, protected bay reminding of a small Norwegian fjord. On to the west coast passing Panormos green valley to reach Myrties and Massouri resorts’ driving along the fantastic landscape of Telendos isle. Impressive Rocky Mountains and magical sea fjords are standing opposite to each other. Have a short stop before heading towards the area of Vothoni to visit a private family museum and perhaps meet Mrs Faneromeni. A woman who is passionate about Kalymnos long traditional life and customs, showing through her house how Kalymnians lived in the past. Listen to lots of sponge diving tales and stories. As a treat we might taste Anama the local wine and bread.

Not far from here we find the monastery of Agios Savvas, (patron saint of the island) perched on a hill above Chora with excellent views over the Capital. Have a short stroll in Pothia which boasts remarkable architectural features in its narrow streets, elegant captain houses, modest one-storey sponge harvesters’ houses or outstanding buildings as the Town Hall. Our pleasant stroll will end at the old sponge factory near the port to get informed of the process of collecting and elaborating natural Mediterranean sponges and why not, to buy some.

Optional Amorgos: Endless blue Aegean, Hozoviotissa Monastery and the whitewashed Chora Capital on day 6

Duration: 4 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, entry fee

Price: 72 euro per person

Starting from Katapola bustling port we will arrive after a short drive at the imposing – 1000- year- old landmark of the island, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa. It is literally hanging on the cliff side about 100 m above the sea with breath-taking views. It was built around 1017, renovated in 1080 built by Alexius Comnenus I as an ode (poem) to the Grace of Panagia, known as the Virgin Mary, which is the patron saint of the island. Every year the holy icon is carried around to all villages. We will be climbing uphill in an easy pace to marvel a perfect blend of nature and the beauty of man’s creation which is with no doubt, the pride of Amorgos.

Our next stop is Amorgos Capital, Chora: A medieval mountain village surrounded by windmills, dominated by a 13th century Venetian castle. Taking our easy walk here with our expert guide is like stepping in the dream of the perfect Greek village with its narrow winding alleys, whitewashed houses with friendly locals, charming squares and tiny churches holding centuries of stories. Have some time at leisure or a coffee break at a traditional kafenio before boarding our vehicle towards Katapola port.

Optional Amorgos: Afternoon Walking Tour in Katapola day 6

Duration: 1.5 hours

Includes: Guide, baked raki, 1 small bottle of water (per person)

We will start from the port of Katapola, which is the ancient port of Amorgos and remains a main port, but also a tourist resort. We will walk on the coastal road to the settlement of Xylokeratidi, which still retains its naval and island element, as it was the centre of shipbuilding and mooring of the sailing ships of the island. Then, we will walk to the settlement of Rahidi, where we will see the old church of Agios Georgios.

Finally, in the settlement of Katapola we will visit the church of Panagia Katapoliani, which is one of the renovated Christian monuments of the island. Then we can visit the Botanical Park of Katapola.

It is a manicured garden full of aromatic Amorgian herbs and a small cistern with water from the ancient aqueduct of Minoa.

Our walk will end at the traditional cafe of Prekas, where we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the traditional drink of Amorgos, baked raki.

Optional Serifos: Organic Serifiotiko wines and vistas, hidden villages and a hike in the Chora on day 7 

Duration: 4.5 hours

Includes: Bus, guide, winery visit and tasting

Price: 106 euro per person

Not far from Livadi port by bus on the northern part we will meet Panagia, a tiny village built on the hill around the homonymous byzantine church, one of the oldest of the island (end of 10th century). Further up en-route lies the small church of Zoodochos Pigi (life giving Holy Virgin) with a small cemetery and opposite to it stands the male Castle-like Monastery of Taxiarches (Archangels, patrons of Serifos) constructed around the end of the 16h century. Nearby-on foot- is a small modern local winery built on the slopes between rocks and vineyards with an impressive view of the Aegean. Chrisoloras biological vineyards grow here and the whole holding is exclusively organic and waterless. Spend some rewarding time with a visit and a wine tasting and learn about the Serifiotiko grape variety which is cultivated on the island since ancient times. Boarding our bus, we will reach after a short drive the picturesque Capital At the highest point we see ruins of a medieval Castle offering unique uninterrupted views of nearby islands. Walk through labyrinthine alleys descending between the whitewashed houses to meet the upper Piazza along the way, the neoclassical building of the Town Hall (built in 1908) and the Cathedral. The Windmills square with three traditional windmills overshadowing the ruins of the rest. See the beautiful Evangelistria Church (1907) standing imposingly in the central square of Kato Chora, adding vivid color to the whitewashed landscape. Wider streets lead to the central path with big steps which goes down to the base of Chora. Its route passes in front of small chapels, the Memorial of the Fallen and a tiny folklore museum. Should this be open depending on day and time we won’t miss visiting its small collections coming mainly from Serifians’ donations, and to learn about the great commercial and mining activity of the past centuries, used to attract hundreds of people for work.

Beach towels

Port taxes

Regular filter coffee, tea and drinking water

Local delicacies treat on board

Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (Masks, Fins and Snorkels)

Kayaks, Water Toys and Stand-Up Paddle Boards (subject to availability)

Complimentary Wine, Beer and Soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board

Shore Excursions included:

• Amorgos half-day walking tour
• Patmos half-day tour

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 an additional charge)

Any items of personal nature