Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Monet and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.

Awake in the Cyclades and the island of Paros, famed for the marble that is drawn from the island’s interior and used in the Venus de Milo statue. We moor at Parikia, a beautiful village of whitewashed houses and labyrinthine streets. Explore the 4th century Panagia Ekatondapyliani, one of the finest churches in the Cyclades and the fine Byzantine Museum, housing icons from the churches and monasteries of the island. We sail over lunch to Syros which was the largest cultural and trade centre of the Aegean in the 19th century and the capital Ermoupolis was Greece’s principal port. Arriving in the late afternoon, we take a walk in the town of Ermoupolis, the capital of the Cyclades. The prosperity of the island in the 19th and early 20th century created through commerce and shipping is reflected in the architecture with a beautiful square, town hall and theatre. We will sail late this evening for those who wish to take a post-dinner stroll.

According to Greek myth, Icaria was created when Icarus crashed into the sea after flying too close to the sun. Today it is one of the least developed but visually dramatic of Greek islands with beautiful coves, deep valleys and hidden beaches. On a scenic drive we will explore the villages and discover why the islanders here have a longer life expectancy than anywhere else in Europe. The island is also revered as the birthplace of Dionysus, the God of wine and we plan to visit one of the local vineyards. Enjoy lunch on board as we sail to one of the best kept secret islands in the Aegean, Fourni. Once a haven for pirates who enjoyed the island’s remote setting and little changed for centuries, it has a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to walk up from the harbour to the charming main square and enjoy a drink whilst observing island life.

Today we can use our small ship to visit two of the less visited islands of the Dodecanese. Spend the morning on Lipsi. At just eight kilometres long, this tiny island is popular with yachts and has avoided the development of many surrounding islands. It is a wonderful place to spend a few hours walking amongst the whitewashed houses or to take the opportunity to visit a local beach for a swim. Over lunch we sail to Leros, the island of Artemis the God of hunting. We will drive to the capital, Platanos to see the Pandeli Castle which overlooks Agia Marina and offers wonderful views from the ramparts to the harbour below and islands beyond.

Spend the morning in timeless Tilos; this lovely island has still to find its way onto the pages of tour operator’s brochures and so retains its traditional atmosphere. See Livadia, a lively little town and Megalo Chorio, its tiny capital rich in Crusader castles. There is a beach nearby for those that prefer to take a swim. We sail over lunch to Symi, a small, mountainous and much indented pretty island. The harbour of Gialos is particularly attractive and we have time to stroll through the colourful cobbled streets. The Simians were famous boat builders and are mentioned in the Illiad as sending boats to assist the siege of Troy but are better known today for their sponge diving. We will moor overnight for those wishing to take an after-dinner stroll.

Enjoy a few hours of free time in Gialos before we sail to the little-known island of Halki arriving in the port of Nimporio in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace through the maze of alleyways, see the picturesque houses, the church of Agios Nikolaos and the clock tower. Those feeling active may wish to walk to a local beach or climb to the old capital of Horio perched on a hill and where you can see the Castle of the Knights of St John and enjoy the wonderful views. Return to the ship for dinner and sail late this evening.

The southernmost island in the Dodecanese, the tiny island of Kasos is only accessible by a small ship such as ours. Known for the friendliness of the local people, we will spend the morning in the pretty harbour, see the Church of Aghios Spyridonas with its ornate bell tower and maybe try the local delicacies in one of the tavernas. There will also be the chance to swim at one of the picturesque beaches before we sail in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day at sea.

Today we return to the Cyclades and the island of Folegandros. Visit the clifftop capital of Chora, a wonderfully picturesque village with alleys lined with bougainvillea and hibiscus and a dramatic seascape over an edge which drops some 700 feet directly into the Aegean. Return to the ship for lunch and a relaxing few hours at sea as we sail to Sifnos arriving in the early evening. This corner of the Cyclades is far from the well-trodden tracks of the big ships and you will be greeted by traditional white houses, picturesque churches and narrow lanes and alleys. Maybe take the opportunity to enjoy a pre or post-dinner drink ashore as we will moor overnight.

A morning tour of Sifnos will include Apollonia, the island’s tiny capital, the Virysianni Monastery and the villages of Kastro and Artemos, both delightful places to wander and admire the traditional architecture. This afternoon we sail to Milos. Trade drove the early development of civilisation in the Aegean and Milos was a valuable source of quality obsidian used in ancient tools, knives and weapons. Created from volcanic activity, this super hard glass was excavated and one of the Mediterranean’s most ancient mines is found on this island. The harbour of Adamas is found on a natural caldera and the volcanic activity that shaped the island is evident with lunar landscapes and white cliffs, contrasting with the turquoise waters of the Aegean.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the return scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.