Cruising the Islands of Greece & Turkey

Description

Adventure through the Aegean’s sunny beaches, ancient ruins and spectacular sunsets.

Santorini and Mykonos lure sun-seeking crowds to their idyllic shores for good reason, but the collection of islands that make up the Cyclades are ripe with less-travelled gems. Cruise the Aegean Sea on a small ship and take in these perennial favourites as well as charming hill villages, secluded beaches and an unusual rock hewn monastery. Delve into the country’s rich history exploring ancient archaeological sites like Delos. Spend a day in Turkey touring the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Add a healthy helping of delicious Greek cuisine for an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Is this trip right for you?

This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with up to 47 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge.

Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part.

If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on-board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

Trip Name

Cruising the Islands of Greece & Turkey

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 54 m Passenger Capacity: 44 Built/Refurbished: 2001 / 2013 Imagine a place far from home that feels just like home, where the borders are delineated by the golden shores of the sea; and home is wherever the anchors drop. Imagine 177 feet of comfort, beauty, and safety classiﬁed by the latest International “Safety of Life at Sea” (SOLAS) standards. Imagine your ﬂoating home on board the sleek, contemporary state of the art Mega Yacht that sails the seas under the name HARMONY G, waving her Greek ﬂag through the wind. Discover the world by sea at 10 knots per hour, in her un-rushed pace, one island or seashore at a time. Harmony G loves to seduce her select 44 guests with her sleek lines and ample deck space redeﬁning what yachting was meant to be. A spacious lounge with ample space, dining areas decorated with warm colors, large windows offering pristine views of all destinations, shaded areas and outdoor bar and loungers are just some of the elements that deﬁne her essence. 360º views of unobstructed ocean are your eyes’ canvas painted with ocean blue and deep green mountains. Mingle with likeminded travelers in` our public areas, enjoy a moment to yourself in our ample deck space, or retreat to your upper or main deck cabin-sanctuary all offering windows or portholes connecting you with mother nature’s wonders. Harmony G’s experienced crew of 18 is trained with hospitality at heart to pamper her guests and guarantee the ultimate home away from home experience. Home at Sea Single seating dining Indoor & Outdoor Lounge - Bar, Indoor & Outdoor Restaurant, Audiovisual in Lounge, Mini library, Beach Towels, Snorkeling equipment, Kayak, Board Games, Swimming Platform, Wi-Fi Comfort Zone Windows: upper & main deck cabins, Portholes: lower deck cabins, Triple Occupancy cabins: Category C, Flat-Screen TV, Mini Safe, Mini Fridge, CD & DVD player, En suite bathroom with shower, Individually controlled A/C, Hairdryers, Telephone for internal use, Central music

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Athens

Welcome to Athens, Greece’s historic capital city. You will be met on arrival at Athens airport and transferred to your hotel. There is a lot to do and see here in one of the world's oldest cities, so you may wish to arrive a few days early to explore. The Archaeological Museum of Athens is highly recommended. There are no activities planned for today, other than an important welcome meeting which will take place at your hotel this evening.Special InformationIt’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 2 - Day 2: Athens

This morning check-out of the hotel and enjoy a guided city tour. This afternoon transfer to the port where you will board the M/Y Harmony G at about 3 pm and set sail at around 4 pm. The first stop of your journey is Sounion, where a memorable sunset dinner awaits. Get to know your fellow travellers as you dine under the magnificent temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Towering 65 metres (213 feet) above the Aegean Sea, its marble columns have inspired many who came before, including poet Lord Byron. Sail overnight to Poliegos.

Day 3 - Day 3: Poliegos and Folegandros

Arrive in Poliegos. Meaning ‘many goats’ in Greek, the aptly named island is uninhabited apart from its large goat population, and is known for its untouched beaches, gorgeous rock formations and sea caves. Enjoy a swim in the clear Aegean Sea and a lunch barbecue on the beach before setting sail for Folegandros. Stretch your legs in the clifftop town of Hora, one of the oldest and most picturesque traditional towns in the Cyclades. Enjoy free time for dinner. Stay overnight in port.

Day 4 - Day 4: Ios to Santorini

Sail to los in the morning for a stop at Manganari Beach. Its remote location makes it a private paradise and an ideal spot for a relaxing morning swim. Enjoy a delicious onboard barbecue as you continue on to Santorini. In the afternoon, take a cable car from Thira Old Port up to town for a leader led orientation walk. Later transfer to Santos winery and enjoy some tastings taking in the amazing views. Next stop is Oia for some free time and then head back to the boat for a sunset dinner toasting the day with sparkling wine. Relax and unwind with free time in the evening.

Day 5 - Day 5: Amorgos

Depart early for Amorgos, where you will spend half a day touring the island. This tour includes a visit to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa (Monastery of the Virgin Mary). Built precariously into the face of a cliff, the 11th-century monastery offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Follow this with a stop at Aegiali Beach where there’s time to swim and enjoy a barbecue on the beach. Sail overnight to Samos.

Day 6 - Day 6: Kusadasi, Turkey - Samos, Greece

After an early morning customs clearance in Samos, continue to Kusadasi, a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast and the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. Tour this incredible archaeological site and learn about its varied history with a local guide. After a traditional Turkish lunch, indulge in some shopping and learn a thing or two about Turkish carpets. Spend the evening at port in Samos, then depart at midnight for Mykonos.

Day 7 - Day 7: Delos to Mykonos

In the morning, sail to the ancient World Heritage-listed site of Delos. The mythological birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis, this tiny island is considered one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Explore these awesome ruins with the help of a local guide, who will explain some history and point out key attractions. Head back to the ship for a late lunch and a swim stop, before continuing to Mykonos for a leader lead orientation walk followed by a free evening.

Day 8 - Day 8: Mykonos

Today is a free day to acquaint yourself with the glitz and glamour of Mykonos. Its charming Old Town is a delightful maze of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. Perhaps explore the chic boutiques that line the town’s photogenic walkways. Or you may opt to soak up the sun on one of the main beaches. Return to the ship for a captain’s dinner, then sail overnight to Athens.

Day 9 - Day 9: Athens

Enjoy a final breakfast with fellow travellers before disembarking in Athens between 8 and 9am.

Day 10 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Explore the historical city of Athens on a walking tour with your local leader and let them take the hassle out of navigating this bustling capital.
Witness the spectacular colours of Santorini’s famous sunset bathe the caldera as you enjoy a picnic and glass of bubbles from onboard your state-of-the-art yacht.
Venture off the tourist trail with a stop in Amorgos, where a striking 11th-century monastery built into a cliff offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.
Discover the mythology behind one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, Delos, and let a local guide give you a fascinating insight into its history.
Tour the Turkish ruins of Ephesus and discover the fascinating relics that remain of this vibrant ancient city including the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.