Sailing the Greek Isles

Arrive in Athens and make your way to the Electra Metropolis Hotel for a buffet lunch. Explore the new Acropolis Museum, which displays some of the finest sculptures and other art of Ancient Greece, including many items brought in from the Acropolis to protect them from the elements. Then transfer to Piraeus and embark the majestic Sea Cloud. Cast off this afternoon, and take in your first Greek sunset at sea. 

Find a spot on deck to watch as the Sea Cloud’s sails are hoisted up their impressive masts by hand as you set sail for the Cyclades. Our first morning on board is spent at sea, experiencing the pleasure of sailing aboard this unique ship. Relax on deck with a book, observe the crew as they climb the rigging and trim the sails, and attend presentations by a team of experts on the area’s history and ecology.

Drop anchor at beautiful Tinos, dotted with villages steeped in Venetian history. The island’s Venetian-era dovecotes, terraced hillsides, and green marble quarries have long made this a haven for artists. Explore the picturesque village of Pyrgos, adorned with carved marble facades, and visit the church of Panagia Evangelistria, where thousands of pilgrims come every year to pray at Greece’s holiest shrine. 

The tiny archaeological gem of Delos is the birthplace of the twin gods Artemis, goddess of animals and the hunt; and Apollo, god of healing, music, and light. Spend the morning discovering the island’s incredible ruins, including the Terrace of the Lions and the exquisite Temple of Apollo. This afternoon, make an impromptu stop at one of the many interesting islands in the area.

Drop anchor at Amórgos, the easternmost isle of the Cyclades. Visit the main city, perched in the mountains, and see its beautiful domed churches and windmills. Explore the dazzling white monastery of Panagia Hozoviótissa, clinging to a cliff face above the sea. Later, return to the Sea Cloud and enjoy a relaxing afternoon beneath its splendid sails. 

Incomparable Santorini is an island archipelago formed from a single volcanic cone that erupted in the second millennium B.C., burying the island's Minoan culture in ash. Sail into the caldera, and drive through windswept vineyards to the beautiful town of Oía, which affords unrivaled views of the caldera below. The whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches of this iconic place cling to the steep slopes of the caldera rim. After lunch,  visit the excavations at Akrotiri. This important Minoan town had well-built houses, streets, waterworks, pottery and art. It owes its state of preservation to the ash that covered it at the time of the eruption. After exploring Akrotiri, return to Sea Cloud to continue your adventures.

In the morning, visit the island of Sífnos. Distinguished for its pottery and its Venetian dovecotes, Sífnos is a rugged island with a harbor village and a beautiful upper chora (village), waterfront tavernas and convenient beaches. It’s a great island for walkers or loungers alike. 

Disembark Sea Cloud this morning and transfer to the airport for your return flight.