Antiquity to Byzantium

Embark between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Enjoy a welcome drink while meeting the crew and fellow passengers. Set sail for Nafplion, arriving in the late evening. Dine on board and remain docked in the port overnight.

Depart the ship early in the morning for a drive to Ancient Epidaurus for your optional excursion. Explore this site, once renowned throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. Although raids by the Roman general Sulla, pirates, and the Goths in 395 AD left few remains of the sanctuary itself, the prosperity generated by the Asclepieion allowed residents to construct impressive civic monuments. Admire the massive theater, dating to approximately 300 B.C. and famous for its symmetry and beauty. Return to the vessel for lunch and spend the night in port.

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold,” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives its name. Visit the remains of the glorious ancient city, including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so-called Agamemnon Tomb, and the museum. Lunch on the ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia. Overnight at sea.

Early morning arrival in Gythion. Optional excursion to Mani peninsula, Cape Tenaro, and the spectacular Dirou Caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times, and later, the Spartans enlarged the port and used it as their naval base. Leaving Gythion, cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves discovered around the 60s, perhaps among Greece's most important natural sites. After visiting the cave, drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any other in Greece. It is a desolate region of underground lakes, rivers, windswept landscapes, and strangely beautiful towers. Overnight at sea.

Pylos is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827, Venetians and other city-states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of history's most important naval battles. This defeat led to Greece's independence in 1829. During your optional excursion and after stopping to admire the scenery, continue up the road to Nestor's Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop north of Pylos. The Palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The Palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following your visit to the remains of the Palace, make a short trip to the town of Hora, where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site—overnight at sea.

Arrived in the port of Katakolon early in the morning. Disembark around 7:00 a.m., and an optional excursion takes you by bus to Olympia, one of the ancient world's most famous and important sites. Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. From 1875 onward, excavation work revealed the fantastic antiquated treasures that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did over 2,000 years ago. Explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion. Visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. After lunch in Olympia, visit the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and artifacts related to the ancient Olympic Games—time at leisure and travel overland to Patra. Re-board your ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth, overnight in port.

Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. Disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. Stay awed as much for the stunning natural beauty surrounding the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, which grew from its location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. The oracle could prophesy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. Have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening, the Captain’s Farewell Dinner and sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.

Disembarkation at 8:30 - 9 am after breakfast.