European Autumn in the Aegean Sea

Located on the edge of the Saronic Gulf, Athens, Greece's capital, boasts a plural name derived from its surrounding villages. Enchanting with its UNESCO-listed monuments atop the rocky plateau, it invites exploration of vibrant districts like Plaka, rich in cultural treasures like the National Archaeological Museum.

Discover Skiathos, a gem of the Aegean Sea known for its stunning beaches and as a filming location for Mamma Mia! Fall in love with its charming main town, adorned with white houses and quaint streets. Explore cultural landmarks like the Alexandros Papadiamantis Museum and the post-Byzantine Evangelistria Monastery, nestled amid picturesque hiking trails through shady forests and coastal coves.

Included Excursion

WALKING TOUR OF SKIATHOS TOWN
Duration : 2h30
With its insular tempo, its white sandy beaches, its crystal-clear waters and its hills topped with fragrant pine trees, the peaceful island of Skiathos is like a picture postcard. During a walk through the little streets of the eponymous town, discover emblematic sites such as the Panagia Limnia (Holy Mary) Church and the House-Museum dedicated to the writer Alexandros Papadiamantis.

The beautiful bell tower of the Panagia Limnia Church overlooks the entire town and will act as your guide as you walk through Skiathos’s charming little streets. In the cool of the old stones, the church conserves precious icons: the “Christos sto Kastro” (Christ in the Castle) as well as Papadiamantis’ head. The parish of Panagia, the island’s second-largest, continues to maintain fine traditions and local costume, described with subtlety by the famous authors Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitidis.

Then, off one of the streets, visit the Alexandros Papadiamantis House-Museum, the house in which one of the greatest Greek writers was born, lived and died. Constructed by his great-grandfather between 1850 and 1860, with its walls in stone or in “tsatma”, it retains elements of traditional architecture and, on the first floor, displays the furniture and objects that were part of the author’s life. On the ground floor, an exhibition space presents traditional objects from the island. In 1954, the State acquired the building, which is now a protected historic monument.
You will also visit the “Skiathitiko Spiti”, a private initiative aiming to preserve and promote the traditional way of life of the last century in Skiathos, where you will admire the relics of four past generations.

This excursion will last around 2 hours and involves walking on at times cobbled surfaces. We recommend you wear walking shoes, comfortable clothing and sun screen. 

Volos, one of the biggest port cities in Greece, is located at the foot of Mount Pelion. According to mythology, Mount Pelion was a place of celebration for gods and heroes and the home of the centaurs. The beauty of the place and the magical atmosphere that reigns here can indeed only have been inspired by the gods: the clear water that flows from a multitude of sources bathes the plane trees, apple trees, oaks, beech trees, gardenias, camellias, and hydrangeas that thrive in the fertile soil of Thessaly. Do not miss your chance to visit the picturesque village of Milies in the hills, and to discover its traditional architecture. 

Included Excursion

SPECTACULAR METEORA MONASTERIES
Duration : 8h30

Meteora is one of the most imposing sights in mainland Greece: giant rocks in bizarre shapes, ranging in height from 100 to 150 metres.

After disembarking, you will board your coach for a two hours and a half drive, leaving the port of Volos to head Northwest crossing the agricultural plains of Thessaly. You will pass provincial towns such as Larissa and Trikala before reaching Kalambaka, a small town nestled at the footsteps of the Meteora rocks.A short restroom stop with refreshments will take place there before continuing to the "monasteries in the sky" of the Meteora.

Once a monastic community with 24 monasteries, Meteora now consists of only five active ones. They were first built in the 14th century by monks who searched for a place where they could stay isolated and pray undisturbed from the rest of the world. Until 1920 most of the Meteora monasteries could only be reached by getting into a net and hauled up by a rope. Fortunately, steps were cut afterwards to all of the monasteries.
You will visit two of the most beautiful and representative Monasteries of the valley, where you will admire icons, mosaics and frescoes, old manuscripts, domed roofs as well as breathtaking views of nearby monasteries and of the surrounding area.

After your visit to the monasteries, proceed to a local restaurant in Kalambaka for a Greek lunch.Then, via the same road passing Trikala and Larrisa, you will return to the port of Volos to join your ship, a 2h30 drive.

This excursion involves two hours of walking and standing with many steps. We recommend you to wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate clothing must be worn when visiting the religious buildings: trousers for men and skirts covering the knees for the ladies. The lunch and refreshment are included in your tour. This tour is limited to 150 participants.

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city after Athens, is in the Macedonia region, on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Visiting its historic centre means exploring the entire history of ancient civilizations and peoples: Roman, Greek, Ottoman, Jewish, Byzantine, and so on. Cultures have come together and left their mark on many monuments in the city and in its architecture. No fewer than 15 monuments are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, such as the magnificent Byzantine church, and the Hagia Sophia, with its splendid 8th-12-century mosaics. Thessaloniki is also a modern and lively city, animated during the day as well as night, with its many seafront bars and markets.

Included Excursion

THE ROYAL TOMBS OF VERGINA
Duration : 4h00

THESSALONIKI, A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME
Duration : 4h00

Mount Athos, a peninsula measuring 50 km (31 miles) long and 12 km (7 miles) wide and which rises to an altitude of 2,030 meters (6,660 feet), is also called “Holy Mountain” because of the twenty or so orthodox monasteries and the 2,000 monks that it shelters. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988 thanks to its long religious history, the well-maintained agrarian architecture of the monasteries, and the preservation of the flora and fauna around the mountain. Sailing around the peninsula, you will admire the majestic monasteries clinging to the rock face and overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Lying in north-east Greece, between East and West, Kavala has many treasures to offer, starting with a majestic fortress overlooking the Aegean Sea, while historical and architectural wonders lie hidden everywhere in the old town. You will have a chance to explore the archaeological site of Philippi, a fortified city founded in the 4th century BC, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site A real journey back in time, where Greeks, Romans, and early Christians have all left visible marks.  Known as the "Blue City", Chania is also one of Macedonia's most important ports, with delicious seafood restaurants all along its marina.

Included Excursions

WALKING TOUR OF KAVALA TOWN
Duration : 3h00

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF PHILIPPI
Duration : 2h30
On the archaeological site of Philippi, one of the most important in Greece, the great strata of the history of the country – and the West – emerge on remarkable vestiges. The ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the great Hellenistic stories, Roman dramas and glories, and the first church constructed in Europe and it also bears traces of its Byzantine past.

Founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and enjoying a strategic position between Europe and Asia, the ancient city of Philippi has played a major role in Western history. The walls and their gates, the theatre and the funerary temple recount the Hellenistic period, whereas the forum, the temples and other public Roman buildings are a reminder of how the colony known as “small Rome” was established following the historic battle of Philippi, in 42 BC.

The year 49 or 50 AD saw a turning point in the city‘s history, when the Apostle Paul founded Europe’s first Christian church there, transforming Philippi into an important centre for Christian faith, as evidenced by the vestiges of basilicas and the octagonal church. During the Byzantine period (963-969), the city’s walls were reconstructed, as were the towers and the wall of the acropolis.

These remarkable traces of the past were discovered in 1914, thanks to the excavations undertaken by the French School at Athens archaeological institute. Following the Second World War, excavations were resumed by the Greek Archaeological Service and the Archaeological Society of Athens. Today, the site’s archaeological operation is run by the Greek Archaeological Service, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the French School at Athens.

This excursion involves walking for around 90 minutes on earth and sometimes cobbled surfaces. We recommend you wear walking shoes, comfortable clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sun protection.
 

A volcanic island located near the Dardanelles Strait, Limnos was venerated during Antiquity. Legend has it that Hephaestus, the god of fire, had his forge here. Now one of Greece’s major seaside resorts, Lemnos offers its visitors many superb sandy beaches. It is also home to several archaeological sites, such as the towers of Kastro, an ancient acropolis fortified by the Venetians, or the neolithic site of Poliochni and the city of Hephaestia. Renowned for its olives, fruits, wheat, and honey, and for the authenticity of its inhabitants, Lemnos is also known for the quality of its restaurants, ideal for tasting typical Greek dishes.

Included Excursion

POLIOCHNI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE & WINERY
Duration : 3h15
From the pier, board your coach and start your 50-minute drive to the east coast of Limnos, where you will find the archaeological site of Poliochni.
Here, in 1930, Italian archaeologists discovered seven different layers of civilisations, one on the top of the other. The Neolithic town predates Egyptian dynasties, the Minoan Kingdoms of Crete and even Troy, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 2100 BC and was never rebuilt. Poliochni is considered one of the largest early urban centres of the Early Bronze Age and the first city in Europe with a basic social and civic structure. It is believed to have welcomed a number of craftsmen as many gold jewels were discovered during the excavations.Following your visit to Poliochni, you will proceed to a Limnos winery for a wine tasting accompanied with local snacks.

Finally, you will board your coach and return to the pier, a 30-minute drive.

This tour involves approximately 1 hour of walking on uneven terrain with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended for guests in a wheelchair or with mobility difficulties. The wine tasting is included on your tour. This tour is limited to 60 participants. If your ship calls at Limnos on the weekly closing day of the archaeological site, it will specially open for PONANT guests only.

MYRINA'S CASTLE AND PREHISTORIC SITE
Duration : 2h00
Myrina, the capital and main port of the island of Lemnos, has undeniable charm. Also known as Kastro due to its majestic Venetian castle, it stands proudly on a rocky outcrop overlooking a shoreline of fine sand.

From the pier, a short walk will take you to the imposing castle walls. This walk offers an amazing panoramic view of the island and the Aegean Sea, right up to the shores of Mount Athos. The foundations of this fortress date back to the classical period, when it was home to a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The ramparts, originally built in the 12th century, were largely reconstructed by the Venetians in the 13th century, then reinforced by the Turks in the late 15th century. The castle divides the sea front into two distinct parts: to the south, the commercial port; to the north, the long fine-sand beach of Romaikos Gialos, where tavernas and nightlife are concentrated.

After your guided visit, you will discover Myrina’s prehistoric site in Romaikos Yialos. This ancient colony, whose first human traces date back to the end of the Neolithic period, developed into an important urban centre between the 3rd and 4th millennia BC. At its peak, between 2600 and 2000 BC, Myrina was home to around 3,500 inhabitants across an area of more than 80,000 acres. Archaeological excavations revealed a sophisticated urban plan, with masonry pipework and cobbled streets, demonstrating the urban advances of the time.

This excursion involves walking approximately 1h45, or over 1.8 miles (3 km), with a steady climb of around 15 minutes up to the castle. We recommend you wear suitable walking shoes, comfortable clothing and sun protection.

This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic Islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbor town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-colored caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from the Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.

Included Excursion

A DIVE INTO HYDRA’S HISTORY
Duration : 3h00
A gem of the Aegean Sea, Hydra’s great appeal lies in its wealth of history, the beauty of its port and its seafront as well as the arty atmosphere found there. This island without cars, possessing rustic charm, is home to many sites worth discovering.

Discover the island’s main historic monuments during a walk. First, you will stop at the Historical Archives Museum, where you will be able to admire 19th-century paintings of considerable artistic value as well as an impressive collection of documents and photos connected to the island’s long maritime tradition.
As you continue your walk around the port, you will visit the Church of the Dormition, which houses icons, chandeliers and other offerings from the island’s rich sailors. It is even said that one of the chandeliers was stolen from Louis XIV to be given to the church.

During your visit, you will have a break to enjoy an amygdaloto – local confectionery - accompanied by a coffee or other refreshment.
You will then go to the Koundouriotis Mansion, which is one of the finest examples of traditional 18th- and 19th-century architecture on Hydra. Constructed in 1780 by the shipowner Lazaros Koundouriotis, it now houses various articles from the National Historical Museum, Athens, such as traditional costumes, jewellery, fine embroidery, pottery and wooden sculptures.

Finally, you will enjoy a pleasant walk exploring Hydra’s little streets and its stone houses.

This excursion is mainly on foot on uneven ground with paved streets and staircases (70-80 steps). You must be in good physical condition to participate. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate dress is necessary to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). The church may be closed for religious ceremonies and visits are subject to opening times.

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic Gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name about the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle 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.