ITINERARY
GREEK ISLAND MAGIC
TUE 24 – THU 26 MAY ATHENS – 2 NIGHTS PRE-CRUISE
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your lovely hotel in the bustling Plaka District.
FREE TOUR: Walking Wine Tour
THU 26 MAY – PIRAEUS (ATHENS), GREECE
Start your journey in Piraeus with an archaeological walk past landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, and of course, the Acropolis. Afterwards, head to the Central Market for a feast of fresh fruit and veggies, nuts, olives, and Grecian cheese. Finally, check out a local taverna where you can rub elbows with the locals well into the wee hours of the night.
FRI 27 MAY – MYKONOS, GREECE
Picture perfect is the best way to describe Mykonos. Idyllic in every way, from the brilliant blue water in its harbor to the rows of 16th-century Venetian windmills, Mykonos is a postcard come to life! Spend your days strolling delightful cobblestone streets and visiting artisan craft shops. And when the sun goes down, discover why locals refer to this hedonistic city as the Ibiza of Greece!
SAT 28 MAY – PAROS, GREECE TENDERED
Paros’ town of Parikia welcomes you with its landmark windmill, whitewashed homes, and gardens of oranges and pomegranates. Paros is one of the oldest wine-making regions in the Mediterranean, so sip on a glass of Retsina, a traditional white wine infused with pine resin. Beach hopping is also a popular pursuit here and with nearly 100 kilometres of coastline to explore, you’ve got quite a choice.
SUN 29 MAY – VOLOS (METEORA), GREECE
Dating back to the Neolithic age and famed as the mythical “City of the Argonauts”, Volos is a modern city in the heart of Greece, and is a place of immense natural beauty and numerous archaeological sites.
MON 30 MAY – THESSAIONIKI, GREECE
As Greece’s second-biggest city and the Byzantine Empire’s second-most important city, the word “second” is often used to describe this port, but we’re here to tell you: Thessaloniki is anything but second-rate!
TUE 31 MAY – KAVALA (PHILIPPI), GREECE
Clinging to the foothills of Mt. Symvolo, the city of Kavala (“the heart of Eastern Macedonia”) rises like an amphitheatre out of the sea, with historical monuments and buildings almost too plentiful to list.
WED 1 JUNE – AT SEA CRUISING
Spend the day sailing in style aboard your boutique hotel at sea. Indulge in a treatment at Sanctum Spa, stay ship shape with a class at our fitness centre, or lounge the day away on our sunny pool deck.
In the evening, savour inspired Italian cuisine at Aqualina, or relish in a classic steakhouse experience at Prime C. Plus, you’ll find plenty of exciting evening entertainment, from thrilling shows at Cabaret Lounge to intimate performances in the Living Room.
THU 2 JUNE – KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY
Kusadasi has many charms, but let’s talk Turkey: The star attraction is Ephesus. Once the second largest city in the Roman Empire, its marble-made Arcadian Street stretches from the 24,000-capacity Great Theatre (where St. Paul used to preach) to the harbour. Nearby sites include the Temple of Artemis, Basilica of St. John, and House of Virgin Mary, where Mary is supposed to have spent her last days.
FRI 3 JUNE – SANTORINI, GREECE
The capital, Fira, clings to the rim of the caldera 900 feet above the sea. Take the cable car, or giddy up on a donkey to climb the 588 steps to the top. Hike to nearby Oia, a quintessential Greek village. Head south to the 3,500-year-old Minoan town Akrotiri. Often called Greece’s answer to Pompeii, the well-preserved ruins provide a glimpse into Santorini’s storied (and explosive) past.
SAT 4 JUNE – PATMOS, GREECE
The tiny island of Patmos is where the last book of the New Testament was allegedly written. Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Apostle stayed in AD 95. Fast-forward 993 in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian which still stands guard over Patmos town. Then, make the pilgrimage back to Skala for a picnic of local delicacies like fresh octopus and savory cheese pie.
SUN 5 – TUE 7 JUNE – PIRAEUS (ATHENS), GREECE – 2 NIGHTS POST-CRUISE
Enjoy 2 nights post-cruise exploring the winding alleyways and fascinating state-of-the-art museums of Athens.
TUE 7 – THU 9 JUNE – EITHER EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY IN EUROPE, OR FLY HOME TO NZ
