Treasures of the Peloponnese

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surrounded the Acropolis. Explore this enchanting city, presided over by the ancient Acropolis high on the rocky plateau. In the city below, visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, where in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic shrimp will tempt your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.

Nestled in the Cyclades, the harmonious and much less crowded island of Sifnos is home to many treasures. Exploited since antiquity for its gold and silver mines, this little-known pearl boasts gentle landscapes and is a botanical paradise. The rich endemic flora can be admired along the island’s mountain paths that have been walked for thousands of years. From the main port of Kamares, set off to discover the nearby sandy beach which runs along a lagoon and whose dunes are covered in sea daffodils. The picturesque fortified village of Kastro is another of the island’s wonders. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, this spot, where people have lived since prehistoric times, is very much an open-air museum.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Kastro & Artemonas.

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Epidaurus, Mycenae & Palamidi, Ancient Corinth & Corinth Canal, and Epidaurus & Mycenae.

Located in the south of the Peloponnese, on the Mani Peninsula, Gytheio was the main port and naval base of ancient Sparta, located around fifty kilometers inland. In Roman times, the port experienced significant expansion thanks to trading in imperial purple dye; in fact, the region had an abundance of murex, the rock snails from which this dye, loved by the Romans, was extracted. The town is nestled against Mount Koumaros and dominated by a citadel. Take a stroll and fall under the charm of the calm that reigns over the stairways bordered by small neoclassic houses with steps overrun with wild flowers.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: The Byzantine City Of Mystras and Taste Of Lakonia Region.

The picturesque port of Pylos is located in the southwest of the Peloponnese. Backed against the lush green hills of Messenia, it looks out onto the Navarino Bay. Admire the gorgeous view as you walk uptown amid pink oleanders that cascade over the jetty. A stone’s throw away, the historical center’s winding streets form a maze of houses with whitewashed facades and terracotta roof-tiles. On the attractive main beach, relax in the shade of the age-old plane trees and taste the delicious local biscuits made of sesame and honey.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Nestor's Palace & Methoni Fortress, The Hidden Treasures Of Peloponnese, and Nestor's Palace & Niokastro Castle.

Paxi Island is one of the Ionian islands’ best kept secrets, only reachable by boat. Be lured in by the port of Gaios and the colorful houses surrounding the orthodox church of Analipsi. On the northern tip of the island, dive straight into the translucent waters of the Lakka bay. After that, climb into a caïque and head for the little island of Agios Nikolaus, where the Venetian fort awaits your visit.

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometers from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains, and their Archaeological Museum is chock-full of cultural delights.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Sacred Site Of Delphi, Monastery Of Saint Lucas & Arachova.

The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometers long and enables merchant vessels and passengers to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty meters. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surrounded the Acropolis. Explore this enchanting city, presided over by the ancient Acropolis high on the rocky plateau. In the city below, visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, where in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic shrimp will tempt your taste buds. The National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.

After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark at beautiful Athens.