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Antiquity to Byzantium

Athens Roundtrip - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard M/Y Callisto
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Experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, along with an exciting voyage of discovery, unraveling the wonders of Antiquity and Byzantium around the coast of the Peloponnese. Each day discovers a new port of call, a leap back into ancient history to amaze you and rich cultural diversity to intrigue you. With the guidance and knowledge of an experienced lecturer and guide get to know the famous ancient theater of Epidaurus, the Tomb of Agamemnon, and the Mycenae burial complex, as well as Ancient Olympia and the famous Delphi. Visit historic and picturesque cities, such as Nafplio and Monemvasia, Gytheio and Pylos, all waiting to be discovered the best way: by small ship.
Donkeys are a traditional form of transportation in GreeceAthens AcropolisTraditional architecture in Greece.The ruins of AthensDoor to beach in Santorini
Highlights
  • See important ancient ruin sites in Olympia and Delphi
  • Tour the prehistoric palace of Nestor in Pylos
  • Visit Gythion and explore the Dirou Caves
  • Tour Ancient Epidaurus, known for its theater
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Athens | Embark

Embark at Marina Zea 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.

Day 2: Palaia Epidaurus

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Leave your ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus on your optional excursion. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius and for its theater, which is once again in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. 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 theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Enjoy lunch on the ship and an afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.

Day 3: Nafplion | Mycenae

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful 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 its name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so-called Agamemnon Tomb, and the museum. Enjoy lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.

Day 4: Gythion

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early morning arrival at Gythion. Explore Mani Peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular DirouCaves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and was used later by the Spartans as a port since by enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base.

Leaving Gythion cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60's, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave 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 and beautiful region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes, and towers. Overnight at sea to Pylos.

Day 5: Pylos

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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. After stopping to admire the scenery, 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 your visit to the remains of the palace, make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.

Day 6: Katakolon | Olympia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early morning arrival in Katakolon. Disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo. The optional excursion takes you 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. In the ancient Greek world, it was also the greatest panhellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward excavation work, spearheaded primarily by the German government, 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. Also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus, the Philippeion, lodging place for the athletes who participated in the games.

Later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic games. After having time at leisure travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where you re-board your ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.

Day 7: Itea | Delphi

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning's optional excursion is to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. 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 surrounds 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 prophesy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. Have a half-day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea (Athens).

Day 8: Marina Zea | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembarkation after breakfast.

*Please note all shore excursions listed in this itinerary are an additional cost to allow flexibility to explore on your own.*

Ship/Hotel

M/Y Callisto

M/Y Callisto
M/Y Callisto
M/Y Callisto

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
M/Y Callisto, Category C cabin
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Cat C (Twin)
Located on the lower deck featuring port holes.
M/Y Callisto, Category B cabin
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Cat B (Twin)
Located on the lower deck featuring port holes.
M/Y Callisto, Category A cabin
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Cat A
Located on the Main deck featuring large windows. Category A cabins at the bow section of the Main deck have Double beds, while all other Category A cabins have Twin beds.
M/Y Callisto, Category P cabin
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Cat P
Located on the Main deck featuring large windows. Category P cabins located at the bow section of the Main deck are equipped with Double beds, while all other Category P cabins at the Main Deck are equipped with Twin beds.

Notes

Child Discount:
Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount on the cruise fare per person in twin cabin. Children between the ages of 10-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount. 
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Regular (filter) coffee, tea and still mineral water free all day
  • Use of fishing and snorkeling equipment (subject to availability)
  • English-Speaking Cruise Escort.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Port Fees
  • Wifi
  • Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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