Cyclades Cruise with Dalmatian Highlights

Your adventure begins upon arrival at the birthplace of western civilization. You’ll be welcomed by your private driver at Athens International Airport, taking a transfer to your 4-star hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is yours to rest, relax, or explore. Just a short walk will bring you to many enticing cafes where you can unwind with a glass of wine or fuel up with strong Greek coffee. As your hotel has a rooftop restaurant, you might want to return for dinner with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis. If you time it right, a glorious sunset can be part of the backdrop.

Your cruise departs today so you’ll want to be ready to meet your private driver who will pick you up at your hotel in Athens and bring you to your ship in the port of Lavrio. Check-in is between 2 and 3 pm, with departure to Cape Sounion at 4 pm. Enjoy your first swim stop near its iconic Temple of Poseidon which sits atop the headland overlooking the sapphire waters of the sea. Afterward, you’ll have time to refresh before joining us at the welcome dinner on board. We’ll sail toward the island of Mykonos as you sleep.

• Optional Excursions N/A
• Meals Included Welcome Dinner

After cruising overnight, we’ll arrive early at our next destination, UNESCO-listed Delos Island, one of the country’s most significant archaeological sites. You can choose to join an optional excursion to learn about the remarkable ruins that it includes, such as temples, a theater, statues, mosaics, and well-preserved Venetian and Byzantine architecture. We’ll continue toward Mykonos from there, enjoying a swim stop in the sapphire waters en route. Upon arrival, enjoy time on your own to explore, perhaps browsing the upscale shops or spending time on a beautiful beach before sitting down to dinner in one of Mykonos Town’s many outstanding restaurants.

• Optional Excursions Guided Tour of Delos
• Meals Included Breakfast & Lunch

As Mykonos fades away, we make our way to Naxos with a swim stop followed by lunch on the ship. Upon arrival in the mid-afternoon to the island known for its gorgeous white sandy beaches and farm-to-table cuisine, you can take an optional excursion that visits traditional mountain villages. Filled with charm, Apiranthos is a favorite, built amphitheatrically into a mountain, providing a journey back to medieval times while boasting spectacular surrounding scenery. Stroll the narrow streets paved with marble and lined with unique architecture that’s retained much of its Venetian elements. Back in Naxos Town, dinner is at your leisure.

• Optional Excursions Traditional Naxos Villages & Apiranthos
• Meals Included Breakfast & Lunch

Sailing on to Koufonisia, a morning swim stop will be enjoyed at Schinoussa, which lies just south of Naxos. It boasts calm and clear, strikingly blue waters and unspoiled landscapes with its population including just a few hundred inhabitants. Arriving at Koufonisia in the mid-afternoon, the island is renowned for its friendly, hospitable locals, exotic beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine. You’ll have the evening at your leisure, perhaps spending time on one of the glorious stretches of beach before dining in one of the many outstanding eateries. Here the dishes often feature fresh fish or seafood alongside local ingredients.

• Optional Excursions N/A
• Meals Included Breakfast & Lunch

As we make our way to Santorini, we’ll stop at Magganari Beach. Located on the south coast of Ios Island, it’s known for its calm shallow water, ideal for your next refreshing dip. Back on board, enjoy lunch before our arrival in Santorini at 2 pm. An optional tour is available that features two popular destinations, the Akrotiri archaeological site which is similar to Pompeii, an ancient settlement that was left well-preserved by volcanic ash. Look forward to an excellent glimpse of life in 1600 BC before continuing to Oia village to enjoy dinner with a view independently – departure for Milos is at 11 pm.

• Optional Excursions Guided Tour of Akrotiri & Oia
• Meals Included Breakfast & Lunch

While the island of Milos is known as the place where the Venus de Milo sculpture was discovered, the highlight here is Sarakiniko Beach. It has an otherworldly appearance, made up of smooth, white volcanic rock that’s edged by surreal blue waters that provide a jaw-dropping contrast. Take an optional tour to visit it and the Geological Mining Museum where you can learn about Milos’ mining history via exhibits and artifacts. You’ll have time for an independent lunch before reboarding by 4 pm for our departure to Kimolos. Dinner will be served on board, followed by a free evening to explore the tranquil island.

• Optional Excursions Guided Tour of Milos
• Meals Included Breakfast & Dinner

After sailing overnight, we’ll reach Sifnos mid-morning where you will have the rest of the day to spend as you wish. Explore the island’s Capital, Apollonia with its enticing streets and alleyways lined with picturesque whitewashed buildings, hike one of the many “Sifnos Trails”, or take an optional excursion to the Island’s medieval castle and the church of the Seven Martyrs. Lunch will be enjoyed on your own, at one of the traditional taverns in the town center, or perhaps you’ll opt for a cooking experience with the Island’s locals. One of the highlights of your cruise will be enjoyed this evening, so you’ll want to prepare for the Captain’s Dinner which includes a multicourse feast, live entertainment, and plenty of fun.

• Meals Included Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

This morning we arrive early to where your cruise began, back to the port of Lavrio. One last breakfast will be served on board and once your bags are packed and ready with disembarkation at 10 am. Enjoy a private Taste of Athens Tour this afternoon that brings the opportunity to learn about daily life in the city while delving into its many culinary delights, including tastings along the way. Your guide will provide insight into the time-honored cooking methods and culinary traditions while you visit skilled artisans who’ve been perfecting their recipes for decades. You’ll visit specialty food stores that course the highest quality products from throughout Greece.

• Included Excursions Private Taste of Athens Tour
• Meals Included Breakfast

Start the day with the six-hour Pprivate Panoramic Tour of Athens will take you to see the highlights of the city with a focus on Acropolis hill, including remarkable monuments like the Parthenon. Enter the New Acropolis Museum to view treasures uncovered from the hill and then take the panoramic drive portion of your tour, viewing sites like the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Presidential Palace. Later on transfer to Athens International Airport to catch your flight to Dubrovnik, taking a private transfer to your four-star hotel.

• Included Excursions Private Panoramic Tour of Athens
• Meals Included Breakfast

This morning, discover the secrets behind Old City Dubrovnik from your professional guide who can offer all sorts of intriguing insight and historical anecdotes while walking the streets that are paved with marble. You’ll see the 1438 Onofrio’s Fountain that supplied drinking water to the city for nearly six centuries, the magnificent Rector’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery that houses one of the oldest still active pharmacies in Europe, and more. Afterward, perhaps stroll atop the walls that encircle the historic center, enjoying views of the sea and nearby islands on one side and red-tiled roofs on the other. Then, find an enticing spot to dine.

• Included Excursions Private Dubrovnik City Tour
• Meals Included Breakfast

On your final full day, you’ll enjoy more tasty local flavors on a small group tour. The excursion will take you to the Peljesac Peninsula renowned for its oysters and wine. Head to medieval Ston, known for its long, 14th-century defensive walls, second in length only to the Great Wall of China. Next, a short drive brings you a boat where you’ll hop in for a ride to an oyster farm for a tasting of the delicacy fresh from the sea. It will be complemented by Dalmatian wine that you can sip while learning about the history of oyster harvesting here.

• Included Excursions Small Group Half-Day Oyster & Wine Tour
• Meals Included Breakfast

After nearly two weeks of exploring the best of Greece and enjoying a visit to magnificent Dubrovnik, it’s time for your adventure to come to an end. You’ll be met by your private driver for a transfer from your hotel to Dubrovnik’s Airport where you can catch your flight home or head out on further travels. While goodbyes are never easy, we wish you a safe journey with memories of a lifetime made and hope to see you on another unforgettable trip.