Greek Island Cruise from Athens - Blue Danube Holidays

Starting price

$1490

Availability

April - October

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Greek Island Cruise from Athens - BD904

Antiquity to Byzantium

The Greek Island Cruise from Athens is a voyage through history dedicated to the Golden Age of Greek civilization and beyond.

This cruise comes complete with a guest lecturer, Eugenia Alexiou. Eugenia has a Master’s degree in Byzantine Art, is an expert historian and, as a graduate of the Athens’ Tour Guide Academy, is the perfect tutor through all the classical sites and sights we visit. This journey to off-the-beaten track locales in the Peloponnese peninsula is a masterclass on the journey through classical antiquity and the Roman conquest, ending with the transition to the Christian empire of Byzantium. Transit the amazing engineering feat that is the Corinth Canal, cut though solid rock in the 1880’s to join the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea.

Countries:

Greece

Waterways:

Aegean Sea

7 NIGHT CRUISE

Itinerary ~ Greek island Cruise from Athens

Day 1 (Friday)

Marina Zeas (Athens)

Begin your Greek island Cruise from Athens with embarkation 2 to 3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.

Day 2 (Saturday)

Palaia Epidaurus

We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for our optional excursion. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius and for its theater, which is once again in use today.

The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.

Day 3 (Sunday)

Nafplion - Mycenae

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae. 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 name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.

Day 4 (Monday)

Gythion

Early morning arrival to Gythion. Optional excursion to Mani peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular Dirou Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and later the Spartans used as a port, enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base.

Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave we will 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 area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers which are strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.

Day 5 (Tuesday)

Pylos

Pylos is a picture perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. After stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. 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 our optional excursion to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.

Day 6 (Wednesday)

Katakolon for Olympia

Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and travel by bus for our optional excursion to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion, lodging place for the athletes who participated in the games.

We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After having time at leisure we will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.

Day 7 (Thursday)

Itea for Delphi - Corinth Canal Crossing - Marina Zeas (Athens)

Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will 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. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. We will 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 we sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.

Day 8 (Friday)

Marina Zeas (Piraeus)

Disembarkation after breakfast at 9 am.

Pricing & Dates ~ Greek island Cruise from Athens

2020

2021

Date	Ship	C - Main Deck Window	B - Main Deck Window	A - Upper Deck Window	Port Charges	Discounts
20-Mar-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
27-Mar-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
3-Apr-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
10-Apr-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
23-Oct-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
30-Oct-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
6-Nov-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off
13-Nov-20	Galileo	1.161	1521	1971	290	10 % off

Price per person in USD

Single Supplement: 60% for Category C & B Cabins and 75% for Category A Cabins
Third Person (Adult) Reduction In Category A (M/S Galileo) Or In Category B (M/S Panorama): 30%

Date	Ship	C - Main Deck Window	B - Main Deck Window	A - Upper Deck Window	Port Charges
Mar-19	Galileo	1,490	1890	2490	330
Mar-26	Galileo	1,490	1890	2490	330
Apr-02	Galileo	2,190	2590	3490	330
Apr-09	Galileo	2,190	2590	3490	330
Oct-29	Galileo	2,190	2590	3490	330
Nov-05	Galileo	1,490	1890	2490	330

Features of your Greek island Cruise from Athens

Included

Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning
Half-board: Buffet breakfast and one meal daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a Greek night Evening, fun BBQ, weather permitting) and Captain’s Dinner.
Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
English-Speaking Cruise Escort.

Excluded

Beverages (except those mentioned above)
Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements
Crew tips
Wi-Fi (available at charge)

See The Greek Island Cruise From Athens Ships

Panorma

Imagine your floating home on board the sleek, classic design Mega Yacht as she spreads her white sails through the seas under the name PANORAMA, waving her Greek flag through the wind.

Galileo

Imagine your floating home on board the sleek, classic design Mega Yacht as she spreads her white sails through the seas under the name GALILEO, waving her Greek flag through the wind.

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Starting Price $1490

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