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Hidden Greece: Unexplored Greek Islands

Athens to Athens - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Galileo
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Board the M/S Galileo for this 8-day Mediterranean cruise to the legendary Greek Isles. Explore stunning island destinations that offer a taste of true Greek culture. These are places where people take pride in offering hospitality, and where things are done with love and soul. Discover hidden gems with rich history, incomparable light, translucent water, and heavenly beaches. Whether Greece has always been on the top of your bucket list or you are returning for yet another visit, these legendary islands offer an endless supply of stories, beauty, and history. 
kalymnosPatmos townThe ruins of AthensPiraeus (Athens), GreeceThe Acropolis Theater - Athens, Greece
Highlights
  • Discover the hidden gem island of Kalymnos
  • Enjoy magnificent views of the Aegean Sea
  • Learn about the mysticism and history of the island of Patmos
  • Explore the authentic villages at Ikaria
Places Visited
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 | Cape Sounion

Board your ship in Athens in the afternoon and set sail for nearby Cape Sounion. Enjoy sunset cocktails and a welcome dinner al fresco under the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon. Overnight at sea en route to the island of Ikaria.

Day 2: Ikaria

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, stop for a refreshing swim at Ikaria island, and enjoy the translucent blue waters and bright white pebbles covering the sea bottom. Enjoy a barbecue lunch on board. This afternoon, the ship docks in Ikaria's quaint port. Join a tour visiting authentic villages that march to a different drummer, or enjoy a hike in wild landscapes followed by a dip in one of the natural thermal springs. Or join a cooking class in a family’s country home in an ancient village for a personalized experience cooking and learning about life and the secret to the inhabitants' famed longevity. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, or at one of the village traditional fairs.

Day 3: Patmos | Lipsi

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy early morning sailing before arriving in Patmos, an island with a touch of the divine. This morning, tour two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Grotto and Monastery of St. John and the historic center of the medieval town of Chora, filled with grandeur and serenity. Patmos has been frequented by intellectuals, artists, royalty, and discerning visitors from all over the world. This afternoon, sail to Lipsi island, a time capsule of authenticity in the Dodecanese. Enjoy lunch al fresco and a swim stop in one of the glittering islets. Take an evening at leisure to enjoy the setting of the local harbor at sunset and a seaside dinner with home-cooked traditional recipes made of local produce. 

Day 4: Kalymnos

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early this morning, sail 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 countless hiking routes to be explored. Join a tour to engage with the locals harvesting sponges, and learn about the numerous species of sponges and the various stages they go through before reaching the market. This afternoon, enjoy a hike or marvel at the Esperidon fjord, one of the most beautiful fjords in Greece. 

Day 5: Levitha | Amorgos

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today the ship sails towards the white and the blue Cyclades. Enjoy a stop at Levitha island, inhabited by a family who work raising animals and, in the summer, also run a small but spotless restaurant for the visiting yachts: here, get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine with perfectly grilled fresh fish and meat. Enjoy a hike on one of the island's goat paths for spectacular views, or make your way to the top of the island, where there is an abandoned World War II Italian outpost. This afternoon, sail to Amorgos, the island of Luc Besson's "Big Blue." Mellow 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. Enjoy an evening at leisure to enjoy the breathtaking medieval capital. 

Day 6: Koufonisia | Iraklia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, explore the impressive monastery of Hozoviotissa, built in 1088 inside the rocky cliffs of the mountain. Visit monks’ cells which are open to visitors and contain important heirlooms and artifacts. Enjoy a glass of Psimeni Raki and a local sweet with magnificent views of the Aegean. Return on board for a short sail to the Small Cyclades: enjoy a swim in Koufonisia, or take out the ship's kayaks and paddleboards to explore sea caves only accessible by small yachts. Take an afternoon scenic cruise around the nearby island of Schinoussa before reaching 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. Take an evening at leisure to enjoy the true laid-back Greek island life. 

Day 7: Serifos

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning reach Serifos, a quintessentially Cycladic island of brilliant light, clear water, and steadfast traditions. Enjoy a swim in one of the island's remote beaches accessible best by a small ship. Enjoy a barbecue lunch on board, followed by an afternoon stroll to explore the island's picture-perfect "Hora" castle-village. Join a tour to a local winery offering unobstructed views of the Aegean, or get creative in the island's ceramic studio where you can master the basics of pottery, and bring them as gifts back home.  Tonight, savor a farewell dinner reminiscing with your travel companions about your magical experiences.

Day 8: Athens | Disembark

Morning arrival in Marina Zeas, Piraeus. Disembarkation after breakfast at 9 am.

Ship/Hotel

Galileo

Galileo
Public area on the Galileo
Outside deck on the Galileo

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,790
Category A cabin on the Galileo
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Category C
Lower deck, 1 double or 2 lower beds. Portholes, A/C, central music, internal telephone, safe deposit boxes and en suite bathrooms with shower.
Category B cabin on the Galileo
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Category B
Lower deck, with double or twin bed options. Portholes, A/C, central music, internal telephone, safe deposit boxes and en suite bathrooms with shower.
Category A cabin on the Galileo
Select a Date
Category A
Upper deck, 1 double or 2 lower beds. Portholes, A/C, central music, internal telephone, safe deposit boxes and en suite bathrooms with shower.

Notes

- Please note that fares do not include port charges and possible fuel surcharges. Contact us for details.
- Please note that shore excursions are offered at additional costs.
- Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount in Category A. Children between the ages of 10-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount in Category A.
- Third person reduction in Category A only is 30%.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 8 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 (except those mentioned in inclusions)
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions

Map

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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