Embark on an 8-day cruise to and from Lavrion aboard the Elysium. Discover a mesmerizing journey through ancient civilizations, history, and natural beauty encompassing the Peloponnese, Ithaca, and beyond. Rich in myths and passions, this route unveils the mythical land of gods and heroes, adorned with stunning landscapes of cypress trees, olive groves, and azure waters. Explore Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities, and iconic landmarks like the Navagio Cove in Zakynthos. Visit Ithaki, the legendary home of Odysseus, and witness the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal. Immerse yourself in a legendary experience in Greece that promises unforgettable memories.
Highlights
Explore Gytheio, the site where Paris and Helen spent their first night together
Visit the stunning Navagio beach, voted the most beautiful beach in the world
Experience the magical beach of Elafonisos with its turquoise waters
Discover the fairytale-like beauty of Monemvasia's medieval town
Explore the architectural reserve of Hydra, free of motor vehicles
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Embarkation is at Lavrion between 14:00 and 15:00. Welcome aboard the Elysium and savor the signature cocktail during a smooth check-in—evening arrival on the Saronic island of Hydra. Enjoy a leisurely walk at one of Greece's most cosmopolitan and equally romantic destinations. Hydra is an architectural reserve free of motor vehicles and a summer home to many international celebrities—dinner on board the Elysium and overnight at Hydra.
In the morning, set sail for the Peloponnese, where you can enjoy a swim stop at the stunningly beautiful, sheltered bay of Fokianos, with its white pebble beach and crystal-clear waters. Lunch on board the Elysium. Late afternoon, arrive in Monemvasia's uniquely preserved medieval town, meaning "the only entrance." Explore its fairytale-like beauty and walk its narrow, pebbled alleys. Enjoy a romantic dinner of local cuisine and wine while exploring the town independently. Overnight in Monemvasia.
In the morning, enjoy a swim stop (weather permitting) at the tiny and magical beach of Elafonisos, a Natura-protected habitat with sand hills and turquoise tropical waters. Lunch on board the Elysium. In the afternoon, arrive at the land of the gods, Gytheio. Gytheio is the site of ancient Cranae, a tiny island where, according to legend, Paris of Troy and Helen from Sparta spent their first night together before departing for Troy, thus igniting the Trojan War. Explore this relaxing and romantic place. Late at night, set sail for Pylos.
Wake up in the beautiful town of Pylos, surrounded by hills, olive groves, and beautiful beaches. According to ancient history, Homer’s Pylos, King Nestor’s city, was built. There are several things to do in this town: enjoy the sun while swimming on the beach, reach Palaiokastro Castle and Nestor’s cave with their mesmerizing views, or take an optional tour of the castle of Methoni. Dinner on board the Elysium. Late-night departure to Navagio Bay.
Arrive at the stunning, world-famous “Navagio” beach. Also known as Smuggler’s Cove, it has repeatedly been voted the most beautiful beach in the world. Jump off the Elysium platform into the milky blue waters, or let the team take you onshore to enjoy the soft white sand beach and closely look at the shipwreck. Lunch is on board. Late in the afternoon, sail to Zakynthos Island. Enjoy your free time visiting the authentic villages, discovering the vibrant town, and exploring Zante at night, which is famous for its wild nightlife. Overnight at port.
Early in the morning, depart for Ithaca, the mythical island of Odysseus. Visit the Archaeological Collection of Stavros, which houses findings from excavations in the broader region of Stavros and northern Ithaca, or the small and peaceful Kathara Monastery high up on a mountain. The views on the way back to Vathy Port are staggering. In the afternoon, sail to Gidaki, a stunning beach with emerald green waters, one of the most beautiful in the Ionian Sea. Enjoy your dinner on board with a chilled glass of wine. Late in the evening, depart for Itea.
Early morning arrival in Itea, the perfect base for exploring Delphi and the beautiful Galaxidi with your optional historical tours. The ancient sanctuary of Delphi, dedicated to the god Apollo, was considered the “navel of the world,” from there, the Oracle and high priestess Pythia gave her prophecies. The romantic and tranquil town of Galaxidi has a rich maritime history and was once one of Greece’s wealthiest ports and shipyards. Beautiful neoclassical architecture and pebble-covered courtyards are immaculately preserved to this day. Return to the Elysium and enjoy a cocktail as you experience the unforgettable crossing of the narrow Corinth Canal. Farewell dinner on board.
Day 8: Lavrion | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembarkation at Lavrion port after breakfast until 10:00am.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,0302-3 travelers
Rates displayed are based on the current exchange rate from the Euro, and therefore may fluctuate.
Cat C
Portholes, 12-14 sq m. Lower deck twin/double beds with plush mattresses, all-season duvets, pillows & flat-screen TV w/ movie channels.
Cat B
Portholes, 14 sq m. Lower deck twin/double beds with plush mattresses, all-season duvets, pillows & flat-screen TV w/ movie channels.
Cat B+
Portholes, 15-17 sq m. Lower deck twin/double beds with plush mattresses, all-season duvets, pillows & flat-screen TV w/ movie channels.
Cat A
Windows, 15-17 sq m. Upper deck twin/double beds with plush mattresses, all-season duvets, pillows & flat-screen TV w/ movie channels.
Cat A+
Windows, 17-20 sq m. Upper deck twin/double beds with plush mattresses, all-season duvets, pillows & flat-screen TV w/ movie channels.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
2 days ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.