Highlights of Greece & the Aegean

On arrival in Athens, you are met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you time to relax after the journey or explore the city at your own pace.

Athens - Delphi - Kalambaka. This morning, we leave Athens and travel north into central Greece, heading towards Delphi, dramatically positioned on the slopes of Mount Parnassos above the fertile plain of olive groves stretching to the Corinthian Gulf. In antiquity, Delphi was considered the spiritual heart of the ancient world and attracted pilgrims seeking guidance from the gods.

We explore the archaeological site, walking along the Sacred Way and passing the remains of treasuries dedicated by powerful city-states. Our visit includes the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle once delivered her prophecies through the priestess Pythia.

After our visit, we continue through the Greek countryside to Kalambaka, a small town set beneath the towering rock formations of Meteora, where we stay overnight.

Kalambaka - Meteora - Athens. After breakfast, we set out to explore Meteora, one of mainland Greece’s most remarkable regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vast rock pillars rise abruptly from the plain, shaped by nature over millions of years, and later chosen by monks as places of solitude and worship.

We visit selected monasteries, learning about their history and the challenges faced by the communities who built and inhabited them. From the monastery courtyards, we take in expansive views across the Thessalian landscape below.

In the afternoon, we begin our journey back to Athens. Along the way, we stop at Thermopylae, where we see the statue of King Leonidas, commemorating the famous stand of the Spartans against the Persian army at this narrow mountain pass.

This morning, we set out on a guided tour of Athens, beginning with a panoramic drive past many of the city’s most important landmarks. We pass the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held, as well as Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.

We continue through Syntagma Square to see the Hellenic Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, before driving past Schliemann’s House, the Academy, the University and the National Library, followed by the Old Parliament building.

Our sightseeing then focuses on the Acropolis, where we walk through the Propylaea and see the Temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, one of the most architecturally distinctive structures on the sacred hill. We also visit the Acropolis Museum, which displays key artefacts discovered on the Acropolis, including the original Caryatides.

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the Plaka district and Athens’ historic centre at your own pace.

You will have the day free to enjoy Athens at your own pace. This is an ideal opportunity to revisit areas you may wish to explore further, browse local shops, relax at a café, or discover neighbourhoods beyond the main sights.

If you prefer a guided experience, you may choose to join an optional excursion, such as a visit to Cape Sounion with its clifftop Temple of Poseidon, or a longer day trip into the Peloponnese region.

Athens - Mykonos. This morning, we depart for Lavrion port to embark on our Aegean cruise. Once on board, we settle into our cabins and enjoy lunch as we set sail.

Later in the day, we arrive on the island of Mykonos. Known for its whitewashed streets, windmills and lively harbour area, the island blends traditional Cycladic character with a vibrant atmosphere. You have free time to explore Mykonos Town, stroll along the waterfront or relax at a café before returning to the ship later in the evening.

Mykonos (Greece) - Kusadasi (Turkey) - Patmos (Greece). We arrive early in Kusadasi, on the western coast of Turkey. From here, you may choose to join an optional excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical sites in the eastern Mediterranean, offering insight into daily life during Greek and Roman times.

Around midday, we continue our journey across the Aegean to the island of Patmos. This small and peaceful island holds deep religious significance and is traditionally associated with Saint John the Evangelist. You may wish to join an optional visit to the Monastery of Saint John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse, both closely linked to the writing of the Book of Revelation.

We return to the ship later in the day as we prepare to sail onwards.

Patmos - Rhodes. Today, we arrive on the island of Rhodes early in the morning and remain here for the full day. With a history shaped by ancient civilisations, medieval knights and successive empires, Rhodes offers a rich and varied cultural backdrop.

You may choose to spend time exploring the medieval Old Town independently, walking along its stone streets and fortified walls, or join an optional excursion to Lindos. There, you can see the remains of the ancient acropolis rising above the village, along with landmarks linked to the Knights of Saint John.

We return to the ship in the evening and continue our cruise through the Aegean.

Rhodes - Heraklion - Santorini. This morning, we arrive in Heraklion, the main port of Crete. You may choose to spend time exploring the city independently or join an optional excursion to the Palace of Knossos, the political and ceremonial centre of the Minoan civilisation and the setting of the legend of the Minotaur.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey across the Aegean to Santorini. The island’s dramatic volcanic landscape and clifftop towns create a striking setting as we approach. You may take the cable car up to Fira on your own or join an optional excursion to Oia, a village known for its whitewashed houses and views across the caldera.

We return to the ship later in the evening.

Itinerary Alteration - please note:During winter departures, the cruise will not stop in the port of Heraklion. Instead, the ship will arrive in Santorini in the morning and spend the whole day in Santorini.

Santorini - Athens. After our final breakfast, we arrive at the port of Lavrion early in the morning. We say goodbye to our fellow travellers and crew before disembarking. You will then be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.