Cruising the Greek Isles

Day 1

Arrive Athens, Greece – Cradle Of Western Civilization

The seed of Western civilization is a chaotic tangle of busy streets and bougainvillea-fringed squares, a romantic litany of ruins and relics. It is no stranger to reinvention: factories are now chic hotels, historic sites a showcase for high-end fashion. But Athens is always poised to offer an education in the classics: turn the corner and you might just stumble across a time-worn temple or amphi

Day 2

Monemvasia – Fortified Hideaway in the Unspoiled Peloponnese

Your first port of call is Monemvasia, a walled medieval bastion perched on the cliffside of a small Peloponnese island. Coming ashore, you might opt for a closer look inside the fortified city itself, walking its narrow lanes to reveal the ruins of former Byzantine dwellings and churches, as well as the intact Church of Elkomenos Christos and its dazzling collection of iconography. Linger within

Day 3

Crete – Greece’s Great, Storied Island

Greece’s largest and most southerly island, where mountains and terraced fruit groves drop down to sapphire-blue seas, is the birthplace of Zeus and the seat of Minoan civilization. Explore the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Minoan Palace of Knossos, get hands-on with a culinary experience at a local hilltop farm, or visit the Historical Museum of Crete and walk amid Heraklion’s

Day 4

Santorini – Charming Villages and Volcanic Sunsets

The Greek flag might have drawn its colors from Santorini, so synonymous with the country are the island’s whitewashed houses and deep blue seas. Indeed, this moon-shaped isle, the remains of a volcanic caldera, has become a poster child for Greek-island bliss, and its legendary sunsets the backdrop to a million honeymoons. Visit the Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri — its houses, streets, squares

Day 5

Rhodes – Civilized Pursuits: History, Pottery and Cookery

The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes enchants with stunning sandy beaches, forested hills, and ancient sites. Walk the cobblestoned Old Town’s medieval fortifications, the Grand Master’s Palace, the Avenue of the Knights and the Archaeological Museum. For a more active experience, head toward the ancient Doric town of Lindos for a hike to its acropolis, taking in the temple of Athena Lind

Day 6

Mykonos – The Most Glamorous Island in the Cyclades

A stone maze of boutiques and flower-filled alleys, of harbor towns and paradise beaches, the turning sails of old windmills – in many ways, Mykonos is the quintessence of the Greek Islands, the fair queen of the Cyclades. Linger here to walk its narrow streets, take in its sun-drenched beaches and explore the quaint village of Ano Mera’s Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Or, head to Delos, a small

Day 7

Patmos – A Spiritual Refuge with Star Quality

Crowned by a historic monastery, the tiny Dodecanese Island of Patmos has long inspired writers and artists, musicians and poets, and today its sleepy shores draw the kind of stars who prefer to travel on the down-low. Explore the hilltop village of Chora, visiting the House of Simandris, the historical Nikolaidis mansion or the Monastery of St. John. For a more active experience, opt for a hike t

Day 8

Athens - The Magnificent Acropolis

After disembarking in Piraeus, join a guided visit to the to the Acropolis, discovering Hellenistic ruins such as The Winged Victory of Samothrace and the majestic Parthenon. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit the world-renowned Acropolis Museum. Admire its antiquities that span the Bronze Age to the Roman and Byzantine eras.

Day 9

Athens – Ancient Wonders and Contemporary Culture

Dive into Athens’ ancient history at the Parthenon and other Hellenistic ruins of the Acropolis. Or, set out on a scenic drive through the Peloponnese to the Argolis region, pausing at the Corinth Canal, Cyclopean Walls, Lion’s Gate, Royal Tombs, Treasury of Atreus and Epidaurus’ ancient theater. Alternately, visit a gallery showcasing local contemporary artists and tour the Benaki Museum’s Bronze

Day 10

Depart Athens

Today you are transferred to the Athens airport and board your departure flight home.