Wines of Greece | 8 Days

DAY 1: MARINA ZEAS, ATHENS TO POROS

Welcome drink, tasting Ionian Sea’s wines.

Begin as you mean to go on with a welcome glass of sparkling wine while you meet your crew and fellow passengers. Evening sail to Poros and dinner served with wines from the Ionian Sea. Overnight at Poros. (D)

DAY 2: NAFPLIO AND NEMEA

Gaia winery, GOFAS winery with lunch.

After a morning arrival into Nafplio, we’ll visit the ancient site of Mycenae. Then on to Nemea – the leading red wine appellation in Southern Greece – to visit the pioneering, top-quality estate, Gaia. Our next visit is also our lunch stop; at Gofas winey where we’ll taste their range of fine wines from Nemea and Mantineia. Enjoy some free time in Nafplio, one of the most attractive towns in mainland Greece, before we sail south along the coast of Arcadia, letting the anchor down for a swim stop as soon as possible. Dinner on board, paired with select wines from the Peloponnese. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: MONEMVASIA

Monemvasia winery, TSIMBIDI

Monemvasia’s wealth came from its Malvasia (also known as Malmsey), so it’s safe to say wine meant a lot to the mediaeval town. Visit the vineyards with Monemvasia Winery who are re-establishing the island’s wine fame. Lunch ashore with free time in the afternoon to explore the old town and take a dip in the cooling waters. Tonight’s dinner is on board. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: SERIFOS

Chrysoloras Winery, wine tasting.

This beautiful, out of the way island, was one a major wine producer. Two interesting estates are leading a revival here using the island’s rare indigenous grape varieties. Serifos promises to be the next big thing in the Cyclades after Santorini and Tinos. Morning swim stop and lunch on board before we reach Serifos. In the afternoon, we will visit the Chrysoloras Winery, in the northern part of the island. Return to Serifos port for dinner at a local restaurant / tavern. Midnight sailing to Santorini. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: SANTORINI

Argyros winery, tasting some of Santorini’s wines.

Santorini is rightfully known as one of the top spots for white wine in Greece and has local grape varieties of extraordinary quality. We’ll visit the top winery, Argyros, with century-old vines. Return on board for late lunch and depart early in the afternoon for Samos with a swimstop on the way, weather permitted. We ‘ll enjoy dinner on board with wines from the Santorini grapes. (B,L,D)

DAY 6: SAMOS AND FOURNI ISLES

Vakakis winery, Platanos winery lunch, Chios-Ikaria wines.

This morning we’ll moor in the sleepy fishing village of Ormos before heading inland to visit the inspiring Vakakis Winery. Then on to Platanos, for lunch over an idyllic lunch we’ll taste a range of Samian wines. Our afternoon sail takes us to the Fourni Isles, rarely visited by tourists and an ideal spot for swimming thanks to its largely untouched beaches. Dinner tonight is paired with wines from Chios and Ikaria, both prized wines in ancient times. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: TINOS

Volacus winery.

Tinos is a holy island, said to be home to more than 700 churches. It’s also another wine hotspot, known for its Assyrtiko grape; one with extraordinary quality when grown in soils rich with volcanic ash, such as those on Tinos. In the morning we’ll visit emerging star winery, Volacus, before we set sail and moor in a nearby bay for lunch, swimming, and a tasting of Greek wines from international grape varieties. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: ATHENS

Wine tasting at Kokotos Estate.

Breakfast and disembarkation. For those not arranging their own onward transport this morning, we offer an optional tour of Athens including wine tasting at Kokotos Estate and lunch, followed by a transfer to Athens Airport. (B)

The Optional Excursion on the final day arrives at Athens Airport in time for flights after 6pm

Inclusions:

– Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning

– Tim Clarke as your Wine Guide and Expert Host on board

– Daily Wine & History Tours on shore

– 12 Meals paired with Wines handpicked from our Wine Ambassador including 9 served dinners or buffet lunches on board paired with selected fine wines from the regions we are sailing in and 3 lunches ashore at wine estates or local tavernas including wines, traditional Greek food and coach transfers

– Buffet breakfast each morning

– On board tastings as per the itinerary

– Special Activities on board: Welcome Sail-away Reception on Day 1 with sparkline wine, dinners with local wines and guests, and Captain’s Dinner

– All excursions to the wineries (except the optional excursion to Kokotos or other winery on day 8)

– Use of snorkelling equipment (Masks, Fins and Snorkels), and Beach Towels

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

Exclusions:

– Beverages (except those mentioned above)

– Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements

– Crew tips

– Passenger personal expenses

– Wi-Fi

– Optional excursion to Kokotos winery in Athens on Day 8

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.