fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Ionian Small Ship Sailing Cruise. The Odyssey

Ionian Small Ship Sailing Cruise. The Odyssey

From EUR €2,837

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Travel through the Ionian Sea aboard Running on Waves on an eight-day circular voyage beginning and ending in Corfu.
The route connects Paxi, Antipaxi, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaki and Atokos, bringing together the larger Ionian Islands with secluded beaches, small harbour towns and anchorages accessible only from the sea. Each day reveals a different landscape: olive-covered hills, high limestone cliffs, underground lakes, sea caves, white-pebble beaches and sheltered turquoise bays.
The title of the cruise reflects its connection with Homer’s Odyssey. Ithaki is traditionally associated with the kingdom of Odysseus, while the wider route follows waters shaped by Greek mythology, centuries of maritime travel and the distinctive culture of the Ionian Islands.
Life on board follows the rhythm of the sea. Guests can swim directly from the ship, snorkel, kayak or windsurf, join sailing practices and yoga sessions, relax in the Jacuzzi or spend time on the open decks as Running on Waves moves between the islands. The exact onboard programme is adapted to the weather, itinerary and preferences of the guests.
Full-board dining, spacious outdoor areas and a limited number of guests create a relaxed base throughout the journey. The cruise is designed for travellers who want to combine island-hopping, swimming, cultural discovery and time aboard a tall ship, with a new coastline or island atmosphere appearing each day.

Trip Name
Ionian Small Ship Sailing Cruise. The Odyssey
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Three-Mast Sailing Vessel, Barquentine Length: 64 metres Passenger Capacity: 42 Running on Waves is a majestic three-mast barquentine and one of the world’s largest sailing yachts, offering a rare blend of authentic sailing adventure and five-star luxury. At 64 metres in length and carrying just 42 guests, she delivers a truly exclusive yachting experience. With her sleek silhouette and full sail performance reaching up to 17 knots, she brings the romance of the sea to life while maintaining ultra-low emissions. Guests are treated to personalised service from a dedicated crew of 21, ensuring every detail is handled with care and elegance. Her small size allows access to hidden harbours and intimate marinas that larger vessels simply cannot reach. Life on board is designed for indulgence and discovery. From sunbathing on the spacious Sun Deck to sipping cocktails at the Ocean Bar or relaxing in the Jacuzzi Pool at the bow, every space invites relaxation. Cabins feature refined nautical interiors, marble-finished bathrooms, and modern comforts such as air conditioning, satellite TV, and underwater camera feeds. Whether you’re dining on Mediterranean cuisine, unwinding in the massage lounge, or watching the horizon from the observation point above the bowsprit, Running on Waves is more than a voyage—it’s a celebration of freedom, beauty, and the art of slow travel.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Corfu
AfternoonArrive in Corfu and make your way to the port to board Running on Waves. After settling into your cabin, meet the crew and the other guests joining the voyage.Take time to explore the ship’s open decks, lounge areas and onboard facilities. Depending on your arrival time, walk through Corfu Old Town before embarkation, discovering its narrow streets, shaded squares and Venetian fortifications.EveningThe journey begins with a welcome and safety briefing, followed by the first dinner on board.The crew introduces the route and explains how shore visits, swimming stops and onboard activities will be organised during the week. Running on Waves then leaves Corfu and begins the voyage south towards Paxi.
Day 2 - Day 2 Antipaxos & Paxos
Morning After breakfast, spend the first half of the day surrounded by the island’s vineyards, green hills and exceptionally clear turquoise water.Swim, snorkel or explore the coast by kayak. Depending on the anchorage and sea conditions, guests can enter the water directly from the ship, use the water slide or relax on deck beside the island’s pale shores.DayGo ashore to explore one of the island’s harbour settlements. Gaios, the main town, lies behind two green islets and offers a compact waterfront lined with cafés, tavernas and traditional houses.Spend time walking through the narrow streets, browsing local shops or relaxing beside the harbour.EveningReturn to Running on Waves for the dinner and a relaxed evening on board.
Day 3 - Day 3 Kefalonia
MorningWake as Running on Waves approaches Lefkas, an island of green mountains, traditional settlements and a dramatic western coastline.Breakfast is served on board before a day of island exploration and time beside the water.DayGo ashore independently or remain near one of the island’s coastal anchorages.Lefkas is particularly known for beaches such as Porto Katsiki, Egremni and Kathisma, where high pale cliffs descend towards deep-blue Ionian water. Depending on the final programme, guests may also explore Lefkas Town, visit the waterfront settlement of Nydri or discover one of the island’s quieter bays.Swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing are available when the anchorage and weather conditions allow.EveningReturn to Running on Waves for dinner and time on deck.
Day 4 - Day 4 Zakynthos
MorningBreakfast is served on board as Running on Waves approaches one of the island’s coastal anchorages.DayWeather permitting, explore the northern coastline around the Blue Caves, where natural arches and chambers have been carved into the white limestone.Sunlight reflecting through the clear water creates changing shades of blue along the rock walls and beneath the surface. Swim, snorkel or take a kayak closer to the coastline, or go ashore to explore the island’s villages and viewpoints.EveningReturn to Running on Waves for dinner and a relaxed evening on deck.
Day 5 - Day 5 Atokos & Ithaki
MorningThis small, privately owned and uninhabited island is known for its dramatic white cliffs, pebble beaches and exceptionally clear turquoise water.Spend the morning swimming, snorkelling or relaxing beside the island’s undeveloped coastline. Atokos is also home to a small family of wild black boars, which are sometimes seen walking along the beach or cooling off in the shallow water.DayTraditionally associated with Odysseus, Ithaki became a lasting symbol of homecoming and the end of a long journey. Go ashore to explore Vathy, a peaceful harbour town surrounded by green hills and protected water.The island’s archaeological heritage can be explored independently or as part of an optional excursion. Possible highlights include the Monastery of Kathara, set around 500 metres above sea level, with panoramic views across Ithaki, Kefalonia and the surrounding islands.EveningSpend the evening walking along Vathy’s waterfront, exploring its quiet streets or relaxing at a local café or taverna.
Day 6 - Day 6 Lefkas
MorningAlthough the island is connected to mainland Greece by a narrow causeway, it retains a distinctive island atmosphere. After breakfast, go ashore to explore independently or join an optional excursion.DayWalk through Lefkas Town, where narrow streets, traditional houses and small squares reflect the island’s Venetian heritage.The western coastline is known for its rugged cliffs and beaches washed by deep-blue Ionian water, while the eastern side offers calmer bays, waterfront villages and sheltered inlets. Depending on the programme and anchorage, there may also be time for swimming, kayaking, windsurfing or relaxing beside the coast.EveningReturn to Running on Waves for dinner and time on deck.
Day 7 - Day 7 Sivota
MorningThe area is surrounded by small green islands, rugged cliffs, hidden caves and sheltered bays. After breakfast, prepare for a day centred on the clear water and coastal landscapes around the village.DayExplore the area around the Blue Lagoon, one of Sivota’s best-known natural settings. Swim or snorkel in turquoise water, take out a kayak or paddleboard, or explore the nearby islets and caves when conditions allow.Guests who prefer time ashore can walk along Sivota’s waterfront, visit the marina or follow one of the surrounding paths for elevated views of the coastline.EveningRunning on Waves remains in Sivota until approximately 23:59, allowing guests to spend the evening ashore or return to the ship for the farewell dinner.After departure, the ship begins its final passage towards Corfu.
Day 8 - Day 8 Corfu
MorningRunning on Waves arrives back in Corfu.Enjoy a final breakfast on board before saying goodbye to the crew and the guests who have shared the journey.Disembarkation marks the end of the cruise. Guests staying longer can continue exploring Corfu Old Town, visit the island’s fortresses or spend another day beside the Ionian Sea.
Day 9 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 10 - Day 8 Corfu
Still recognisable as the idyllic refuge where the shipwrecked Odysseus was soothed and sent on his way home, Corfu continues to welcome weary travellers with its lush scenery, bountiful produce and pristine beaches.Since the 8th century BC the island the Greeks call Kerkyra has been prized for its untamed beauty and strategic location. Ancient armies fought to possess it, while in the early days of modern Greece it was a beacon of learning. Corfiots remain proud of their intellectual and artistic roots, with vestiges of the past ranging from Corfu Town's Venetian architecture to British legacies such as cricket and ginger beer.
Day 11 - Day 9 Ithaki
Ithaki is known worldwide as the motherland of Homeric hero Odysseus. The island became a symbol of returning home, as was here that his beloved wife, P enelope, has been waiting for him for 20 years. Ithaki attracts with its rich archeological heritage. Katharon – the most significant monastery on the island is located north from the capital at the elevation of 500 meters above sea level in Anogi. This is the monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A unique view of the island opens up from its bell tower - Arcadia mountains, Arkhinades islands, eastern coast of Kefalonia and even the entrance to Patra Bay can be seen on the horizon. The coastlines of Peloponnesus and Zakynthos are visible in good weather. Ithaki is a refuge of romantics. Lonely bays, stately calmness, quietness and silence and conciliatory atmosphere attract them here. It is an ideal place to restore spiritual balance.
Day 12 - Day 10 Itea
Located in the Fokida region of Central Greece, Itea is a small waterfront town located in close proximity to the archeological site of Delphi. Featuring a relatively new port that hosts a number of vessels, Itea’s view of waters and imposing mountains in the horizon make for a pleasant stroll or coffee by the sea. 
Day 13 - Day 11.1 Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal is a canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former an island. The canal is 6.3 kilometers (3.9 miles) in length and was built between 1881 and 1893.The Corinth Canal, though only completed in the late 19th century, was an idea and dream that’s dates back over 2000 thousand years. It saves the 700-kilometers (430 mi) journey around the Peloponnese! The strip of land that connects the Peloponnese and mainland Greece is called the “Isthmus”. At its narrowest point, it is only 4 miles wide, and in ancient times, one could see from one side to the other.
Day 14 - Day 11.2 Aegina
Aegina offers finest pistachios in the world, olive groves and some of the most significant monasteries and temples of GreeceGlorious historical past left Aegina with many ancient monuments open for sightseeing. The most impressive archaeological site of the island is the Ancient Temple of Athena Aphaia, dating back to the 6th century BC. It forms in fact an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of the antiquity. Other important sites are the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Ellanios Zeus.Aegina is a food lover’s paradise- from pistachios being ubiquitous to the freshest seafood.
Day 15 - Day 12 Piraeus
Ten kilometres southwest of central Athens, Piraeus is dazzling in its scale, its seemingly endless quays filled with ferries, ships and hydrofoils. While technically its own city, it melds into the Athens sprawl, with close to half a million people living in the greater area.The most attractive quarter lies east around Zea Marina and Mikrolimano harbours. The latter is lined with cafes, restaurants and bars often filled with people who've disembarked from their yachts for the day.
Day 16 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-08-202721-08-2027EUR €2,837Tween Deck Cabin. From
14-08-202721-08-2027EUR €6,025Main Deck Suite. From
15-07-202822-07-2028EUR €2,837Tween Deck Cabin. From
15-07-202822-07-2028EUR €6,025Main Deck Suite. From

Inclusions

    • Discover the Ionian Islands aboard a tall ship – Sail on an eight-day circular voyage from Corfu, visiting Paxi, Antipaxi, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaki and Atokos, with opportunities to explore secluded beaches, charming harbour towns and turquoise bays.
    • Follow the waters of Homer’s Odyssey – Discover Ithaki, traditionally associated with Odysseus, alongside the Ionian Islands’ rich Greek mythology, maritime heritage and distinctive island culture.
    • Enjoy an active sailing holiday in Greece – Swim, snorkel, kayak and windsurf between destinations, join sailing practices and yoga sessions, or relax in the Jacuzzi and on deck, with full-board dining and spacious outdoor areas aboard Running on Waves.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Greece
More of activity:
Mediterranean Cruises