Day
1
FRI I ATHENS I PALAIA EPIDAURUS
Embarkation at Marina Zea in Athens between 2:00 and 3:00pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board. (D)
Day
2
SAT I PALAIA EPIDAURUS I NAFPLION
Leave the ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for an 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 the ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port. (B,L,D)
Day
3
SUN I NAFPLION I MONEMVASIA
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer called “rich in gold”, began in 1650 B.C and ceased 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 the ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia. Time at leisure to explore. Overnight sailing to Gythion. (B,L,D)
Day
4
MON I 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 it as a port. Leaving Gythion, cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, and perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave, 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. Overnight at sea to Pylos. (B,L,D)
Day
5
TUE I 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. During an optional excursion and after stopping to admire the scenery, continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. Highlights include the wellpreserved 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, 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. (B,L,D)
Day
6
WED I KATAKOLON I ITEA
Early morning arrival in Katakolon. Disembark the ship around 7:00am in the port town of Katakolon. Take an optional excursion by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, it was also the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the ancient site in ruins. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. 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. Following lunch, visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity to view statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After time at leisure, travel over land to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula to re-board the ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight in Itea. (B,L,D)
Day
7
THU I ITEA I ATHENS
Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. Disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. 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. The oracle had the ability to prophesize the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle, and responded by offering thanks in the form of treasure. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Dinner then sail to Marina Zea for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day
8
