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Sailing around the Peloponnese

Sailing around the Peloponnese

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Description

The Peloponnese is home to an extraordinary collection of great archaeological sites with tangible traces of the many civilisations which have at one point over the course of history called this region home including classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities and Ottoman and Venetian fortresses. The islands are of course also the setting for numerous myths and legends which will be brought to life by our local guides. It was here that Hercules fought the Nemean lion, the legendary Spartan warriors battled and from where Paris of Troy eloped with Helen. Beyond these fascinating sites, there is also beautiful mountainous scenery, mysterious caves, vast gorges, charming villages and superb beaches.

With such an abundance of historical and natural wonders, we have planned our most comprehensive exploration of the islands yet. Over the course of eleven nights, our voyage will introduce you to the picturesque ports of Nafplion and Pylos, the Byzantine city of Mystras, the stunning coastal scenery of Mani, the sporting history of Olympia and Nemea and the quirky Odontotos railway. Upon leaving the Peloponnese we ensure we stay a little off the beaten track with our visit to Kythira Island and make the essential visit to Delphi. Finally, ensure you are on deck when we transit the Corinth Canal, which whilst only built in the 19th century was conceived as long ago as the 7th century BC, a wonderful end to our cruise and only possible on a small ship such as the Panorama II.

Trip Name
Sailing around the Peloponnese
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Sail Cruiser Length: 54 metres Passenger Capacity: 49 Built / refurbished: 1993 / 2008 / 2012 / 2015 Launched in 2004, fully renovated in 2012 and upgraded again in 2015,  the two-masted Panorama II is a 164 foot motor sailer accommodating just 49 guests. If you find large resort style vessels accommodating many thousands of passengers attractive then of course this isn’t the vessel for you. However, if you prefer an informal and warm atmosphere more akin to a private yacht combined with an itinerary dedicated to both discovery and relaxation then you need look no further.  All the cabins on board Panorama II are designed for comfort and have a nautical feel with light fabrics and wood trimmings. Cabins range in size from 97 to 173 square feet and those located on the Upper and Main Decks are equipped with windows, while those on the Lower Deck have portholes. Cabins either have twin beds or fixed double beds. (Cabins  A1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 17). Facilities include en suite bathrooms with showers, cabin TV (for DVD only), mini-fridge, safety deposit box and hairdryer. The public areas include a main lounge and bar with comfortable sofas, a restaurant located on the Lower Deck and the Upper Deck al fresco dining area where meals can be enjoyed when weather permits. There is also a swimming platform enabling guests to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit and the Upper Deck provides a generous semi covered or sun exposed space with sun loungers and chairs, ideal for relaxation and fantastic views.  Located on the Lower Deck, the indoor dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and offers generous buffet space. The aft area on the Upper Deck provides a generous semicovered area where guests can enjoy meals al fresco with wonderful views, weather permitting. Food is served at the table or displayed on the hot and cold buffets stands. The menu is Greek and international, with a focus on local specialties. On each itinerary, we have included the opportunity for you to dine ashore independently allowing you to experience the local flavours.  During the day, life on board focuses around the indoor lounge area, and the indoor dining room, as well as the open and inviting deck areas. These are natural gathering places and perfect for enjoying your meals al fresco, settling into a comfortable chair with a good book or socialising with your fellow passengers and enjoying the views. The swimming platform on Panorama II’s stern enables you to swim off the yacht when weather and anchorage conditions permit. (only applicable for voyages around Greece).  Deck plans vary depending on cruise operator, please check for details.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London to Athens, Greece.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the Panorama II in Pireaus and enjoy Welcome Dinner and Drinks on board as we sail this evening.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Nafplion & Epidaurus.
Enjoy a morning cruising arriving into Nafplion at lunchtime. Looking out across the translucent water of the bay towards the Arcadian Mountains, Nafplion’s sheltered location below a rocky headland and large natural fortress crowned by a Venetian castle is perhaps unrivalled in Greece. This afternoon we will visit one of the most renowned of Greece’s ancient sites. Situated on the slopes of a beautiful and wooded valley, Epidaurus was known throughout the Hellenic world for its unique medical facilities and healing treatments. Dedicated to Aesclepius, the god of healing, the city was filled with curative spas and baths and only priests had access to certain secret rites. Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, with the exception of the astonishing theatre. Still used for special performances, the theatre is in an admirable state of preservation. Built into the ground, rather than above it, it is known for its fantastic acoustics, which we will observe during our visit. Return to Nafplion and enjoy time wandering the twisting labyrinthine streets, view the Venetian and Turkish architecture before finding a restaurant for dinner ashore. Moor overnight.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Nafplion, Mycenae & Nemea.
After breakfast we will enjoy a scenic drive through the Argos Plain to Nemea, the site of a religious sanctuary which hosted the pan-Hellenic athletic games every two years from 573 BC until 271 BC. The mythical origin of the Games is sometimes ascribed to Hercules who, after his first labour in which he had to kill the Nemean lion living in the caves of Mount Tritos above the site, established the athletic games in honour of his father, Zeus. Nemea was not a town or settlement but a venue where festivities were held during the games and our tour will include the Temple of Zeus, the bath house and the stadium before spending time in the small but excellent on site museum. Nemea is also famous for its red wines and we will enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard before we continue to the famous citadel of Mycenae which is located high above the confluence of two boulderstrewn ravines and accessed by way of the Lion Gate. Once inside the gate, we will explore the Royal Palace, the shaft graves and the remains of the city walls. An archaeological briefing within the Treasury of Artreus (also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon) will add to our understanding and appreciation of the sights. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Nafplion this afternoon and sailing late this evening.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Monemvasia.
This is a magical place. A massive rock rises dramatically out of the sea and on top there is a fortress. However, the real attraction is the Medieval town with its narrow, cobbled streets and winding stairways which lead to a warren of stone houses with walled gardens and courtyards, and the main square dominated by an old cannon and the cathedral. On a morning walking tour we will visit the town and the afternoon will be free to relax on board or explore independently. Return to the ship in the early evening as we sail towards the island of Kythira for an overnight mooring.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Kythira.
Situated between the Peloponnese and Crete, the island of Kythira was, according to mythology, the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. We have a day to spend on this picturesque mountainous island and a morning drive will take us to the Medieval village of Mylopotamo where we will visit the little church, the abandoned castle and enjoy some local delicacies in the town square. In Katolivadi we will visit the Byzantine museum which houses a collection of Byzantine and Post Byzantine art including murals from the Early Christianic years to the Post Byzantine, works of religious painting and objects of religious rituals. In Livadi we will see the Great English stone bridge built during English rule before ending in the capital of Chora where we explore the Venetian castle, old mansions and enjoy the traditional architecture. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further independently.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Gythio & Mystras.
We arrive in picturesque Gythio this morning and head north towards Sparta, the capital of Laconia and a prominent city-state in ancient Greece. However, our destination today is Mystras, a remarkably intact Byzantine town that once housed a population of 20,000 people. Here we visit the Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios, where the two- headed eagle which is the symbol of the Palaeologos Dynasty is carved into a plaque on the floor. According to tradition, this is where Constantine XII stepped when he was crowned king. Strolling through the narrow lanes of the dead city, we will also visit the Church of Agia Sophia, the Palace of the Despots and the Monastery of Pantanassa, with its brilliant frescoes. Before returning to the vessel, refreshments will be served at the picturesque tavern located just beneath the site offering sweeping views over the local terrain. Return to the ship for dinner on board as we moor overnight.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Diros Caves & Mani Peninsula.
After breakfast this morning we will head south from Gythio towards the beautiful Mani peninsula. Our day will start at the impressive Diros Caves an area of 16,700 square metres where over 2,800 water passages have been discovered. We will board small boats in the cave and enjoy a 2.5 kilometre long, winding passageway through an intricate network of passages and galleries, decorated with gleaming stalagmites and stalactites, whose reflection in the water accentuates their natural beauty. The remainder of the morning will be spent on the Mani peninsula visiting the villages and enjoying the wonderful views along the coast. Visit Aeropoli named after Ares, the God of War, for its role in the War of Independence. Here we find tower houses, constructed with field stones, which are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterise many Greek villages. Meanwhile in Kardamyli we find a seaside village with unique architecture and beautiful views. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch with great views before a scenic drive back to the Panorama II.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Pylos.
This morning we will call into the home of Nestor, the wise king of Pylos who fought for the Greeks at Troy and advised Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, on how best to deal with the evil suitors chasing his mother, Penelope. From our berth in Navarino Bay, we will drive through the enchanting countryside to Methoni, one of the most impressive Medieval fortresses in Greece. The Venetians built Methoni on the Ionian Sea and Koroni on the Gulf of Messenia in the 13th century to safeguard their newly acquired Greek Empire. Also visit the castle of Neokastro which today houses the Centre for Underwater Archaeological Studies. Enjoy lunch on board and a free afternoon to explore Pylos independently. For those interested in learning more about King Nestor we will arrange an afternoon tour to his palace, situated a short distance from Pylos it is considered one of the best preserved of the Mycenean Palaces in Greece.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Olympia.
The port of Katakolon will be our base today for our excursion to Olympia. Pastoral and lush, Olympia’s plentiful ruins are shaded by Aleppo pines and olive trees. The fame of Olympia rests upon the Olympic Games. During the celebrations that accompanied the Games, competitors, while not forgetting that they were Athenians, Spartans or from other city states, remembered that they were Greeks and regarded an Olympic victory as the highest honour. We will see the gymnasium, the stadium and the palestra or wrestling school. We will also explore the Altis, or sacred precinct of Zeus, which houses structures including the Temple of Zeus, one of the largest temples on the Greek mainland and the Archaeological Museum which houses some fine sculptures and artefacts from the site. After our visit you may choose to return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure in Katakolon or stay in Olympia to explore further independently.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Itea.
Leaving the Peloponnese for a day we arrive during breakfast in Itea from where there will be a choice of excursions. This morning we will visit the sacred site of Delphi, one of Greece’s most important sites of antiquity. The ruins here are exceptional and we will explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, site of the sacred Delphic Oracle and walk along Delphi’s Sacred Way, visiting the Treasury of the Athenians and the 5000-seat theatre dating from the 4th century BC. After our visit you can choose to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and drive through breathtaking mountain scenery to the Ossios Loukas Monastery, one of the finest examples of a 12th century Byzantine Church. Alternatively, return to the ship for lunch and either enjoy a free afternoon in Itea or join a visit to the nearby picturesque seaside village of Galaxidi where a guided walk will pass the Agios Nikolaos Church and historical buildings.
Day 11 - Day 11 - Corinth & Corinth Canal.
The port of Corinth flourished under both Greek and Roman rule due to its significant location on the Isthmus of Corinth which controlled trade routes as well as being home to the naval power which took colonies in Syracuse and Corfu. It has also been closely linked to St Paul who lived here for a number of years and through his letters to the Christian community. This morning you may choose to explore the site of Ancient Corinth seeing the Temple of Aphrodite, the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo, built on a hill overlooking the market place and the Roman Forum. Be on deck this afternoon as we transit the Corinth Canal. Completed in 1893 and only 6.4 kilometres long and 21.5 metres wide, it is only small ships like ours which can now make this journey. This evening we continue sailing to Pireaus where we moor overnight.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Athens to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-10-201831-10-2018£4,895Main Deck Cabin Sole
20-10-201831-10-2018£4,295Lower Deck Cabin
20-10-201831-10-2018£4,395Lower Deck Forward Cabin Sole
20-10-201831-10-2018£4,895Upper Deck Cabin
20-10-201831-10-2018£4,495Main Deck Cabin
20-10-201831-10-2018£3,995Lower Deck Forward Cabin

Inclusions

    • Enjoy a scenic drive through the Argos Plain to Nemea, the site of a religious sanctuary which hosted the pan-Hellenic athletic games every two years from 573 BC until 271 BC
    • Visit Kythira. Situated between the Peloponnese and Crete, the island of Kythira was, according to mythology, the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite
    • Head towards Sparta, the capital of Laconia and a prominent city-state in ancient Greece
    • Call into Pylos
    • home of Nestor, the wise king of Pylos who fought for the Greeks at Troy and advised Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, on how best to deal with the evil suitors chasing his mother, Penelope

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