2022-07-18
2023-01-15
from$ 2440 AUD
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Ship
Galileo
Galileo
City
Athens to Athens
Athens to Athens
Save 10%
2022-07-18
2023-01-15
Overview
A voyage through history dedicated to the Golden Age of Greek civilization and beyond, this cruise comes complete with a guest lecturer, Eugenia Alexiou. Eugenia has a Master’s degree in Byzantine Art, is an expert historian and, as a graduate of the Athens’ Tour Guide Academy, is the perfect tutor through all the classical sites and sights we visit. This journey to off-the-beaten track locales in the Peloponnese peninsula is a masterclass on the journey through classical antiquity and the Roman conquest, ending with the transition to the Christian empire of Byzantium. Transit the amazing engineering feat that is the Corinth Canal, cut though solid rock in the 1880’s to join the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea.
Departures
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Cruise Itinerary
Embarkation 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board. Or from cruises starting from Corinth Bus transfer from Marina Zeas / Athens to Corinth port. The bus departs Marina Zeas at 16:00 pm sharp for embarkation between 17:30-18:00 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Dinner on board and sailing to Itea. Overnight at sea.
We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for our 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 ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases 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 ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia. Overnight sailing to 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 as a port, enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base. Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave we will 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. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers which are strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to 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. After stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. Highlights include the well preserved 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 our optional excursion to the remains of the palace, we will 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.
Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and travel by bus for our optional excursion to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. 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. We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After having time at leisure we will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.
Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. 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. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.
Disembarkation at 7:00 am after breakfast. Bus transfer to Athens airport (for guests flying up to 12:00 noon) and to the center of Athens -exact place t.b.a. (for guests with cruise port arrangements). [Bus transfer service is included in the cruise fares] Or for cruises starting in Corinth
Itineraries are subject to change.
Galileo
Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 47 metres Passenger Capacity: 49 (in 24 cabins) Built / Renovated: 1992 / 2016 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 157 feet of comfort, old style beauty, and safety classified by the latest International “Safety of Life at Sea” (SOLAS) standards. Imagine your floating home on board the sleek, classic design Mega Yacht as she spreads her white sails through the seas under the name GALILEO, waving her Greek flag through the wind. Discover the world by sea at 11 knots per hour, in her un-rushed pace, one island or seashore at a time. Galileo loves to seduce her select 49 guests with her classic lines and wood paneled lounges redefining what yachting was meant to be. A spacious lounge with ample space, dining areas decorated with warm colors, rich library and two decks for sunbathing, shaded areas and outdoor bar and loungers are just some of the elements that define her essence. 360° views of unobstructed ocean are your eyes’ canvas painted with ocean blue and deep green mountains. Embrace freedom as the Galileo sets her white sails seduced by the clear winds of the sea. Mingle with likeminded travelers in` our public areas, enjoy a moment to yourself in our ample deck space, or retreat to one of our 25 ocean view cabin-sanctuaries all offering windows or portholes connecting you with mother nature’s wonders. Galileo’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 Restaurant, Audiovisual in Lounge, Mini library, Beach Towels, Snorkeling equipment, Kayak, Board Games, Wi-Fi Comfort Zone Large portholes: upper deck cabins, Portholes: lower deck cabins, Triple Occupancy cabins: Category A, Flat-Screen TV, Mini Safe, Mini Fridge, Individually controlled A/C, En suite bathroom with shower, Hairdryers, Telephone for internal use, Central music
Highlights
• Corinth Canal Crossing. A crossroads in time and space. Transit the amazing engineering feat that is the Corinth Canal, cut though solid rock in the 1880’s to join the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. Under Periander in the 6th century BC, the ancients cut out a slipway that allowed ships to be dragged overland, but it took a lot of muscle power. The canal finally opened in 1893 after 11 years of digging. Six kilometers long, it slices through cliffs 90 m high and is a perennial favorite with sightseers. • 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites Await. Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Epidaurus... Enjoy guest lectures aboard and be part of small-group excursions to crowd-free sites, whilst in the company of like-minded travelers. Spring and Fall in Greece is the perfect time to unravel the wonders of Antiquity and the Byzantine Empire around the fascinating Peloponnese coast. • Guest Review. “Our trip around the Peloponnese was filled with sights we had only read about in history books. The crowds at the temples and ruins were very minimal, in fact we often were the only visitors which made for a much more pleasant visit. I would highly recommend going on the off season trips for this reason. What made our visits even better were the very knowledgeable cruise director and even more knowledgeable tour guide...”
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