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Galileo
Athens to Athens
Overview
Our Hiking Collection Cruise offers you the best of two worlds. Hiking of course, but also insider insight into the history and stories from Ancient Greece. To guide the hikes we have outdoor specialists, George and Iro on board, and to explore the history of the Peloponnese we have our resident archaeologist, Evgenia.
Departures
Cruise Itinerary
Meet at Marina Zeas in Athens, ready to join a bus transfer to Corinth. The bus leaves at 4PM sharp, for ship embarkation between 5.30PM - 6PM. This afternoon and evening is all about getting to know your fellow passengers and crew over a welcome dinner and drinks. Be sure to say hello to your hiking and archaeology experts for the week: George, Iro, and Evgenia. Their expertise will make this week one to remember. Overnight at sea, sailing to Itea.
Early morning arrival in Itea, ready for a day of exploration. Our hike today is rich in history and - along with our optional excursion to Delphi, revered for hosting the most important oracle in the classical world - will help you understand the historical significance of the area. Indeed our hike traverses the same path ancient pilgrims did in their quest for the oracle. The views as we walk are as rewarding as the beach cookout we’ll divulge in at the end.
Keen hikers (oh, that’s all of you!), listen up. Today’s optional excursion is to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and a special place for anyone interested in sports, health, and fitness. Here you’ll visit the site of the Temple of Zeus - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world - but also get the chance to run in the very spot the first Olympic athletes did, over 2000 years ago. Today’s hike is in the oak forest of Foloi. It’s an easy walk that we’ll take slowly, allowing us to take in the stunning flora and fauna of the area.
Morning arrival into Pylos port - the site of many famous naval battles, the last of which led to Greek independence. Hiking options today include a round trip of Polilimnio, or through the Gorge of Stenosia. Whichever we take (final route to be decided on the day), a few things are certain: lush paths, cascading waterfalls, and lots of swim breaks at natural lakes. Yes, go ahead and jump right in. Our optional excursion for the day is to the Palace of King Nestor, and the nearby archaeological museum holding thousands of ancient artefacts. Tonight we sail to Gythion with dinner on board.
Gythion was the ancient naval base of the Spartans and our hiking trail today explores an area said to be home to modern descendants of them - the Mani Peninsula. We’ll hike one of the most beautiful areas of it, Cape Tainaron, beginning in Kokkinogia and ending at the Tenaro lighthouse. The latter is the southernmost point of continental Europe. Our route will take about an hour and, despite several rocky sections, is a relatively easy trek with many fascinating pathways. We’ll highlight the areas of historical significance as we walk but expect to see a stunning Roman mosaic floor, a 19th century stone-built lighthouse, and a cave with the necromancy of Poseidon. Our optional excursion today is a visit to the Diros Caves, the entrance of which was concealed for around 4500 years until its discovery in the 1960s.
Monemvasia, a mediaeval Byzantine town, is a sight to behold from the sea. Yet the special vantage point from sea is met with an equal measure of character when explored on foot. Nicknamed the Gibraltar of the East, explore the preserved Byzantine and Venetian architecture of the town that was the birthplace of one of the most important Greek poets, Giannis Ritsos. We’ll take a guided walk inside - delving into its winding paths and traditional churches, as well as around its castle. Lunch on board with an afternoon sail to Nafplion, arriving just in time for dinner. Overnight in Nafplion.
Nafplion is the first capital of modern Greece, and the main port of the Eastern Peloponnese. As such, it’s well-connected and a great location to begin our optional tours from. In the morning we’ll visit Ancient Epidaurus, a healing centre and theatre - the latter marvelled for its exceptional acoustics from any of its 15,000 seats. After lunch on board we’ll drive through the stunning Argolis countryside to another major centre of Greek civilization: Mycenae. This ancient city is home to the Lion’s Gate, Cyclopean Walls, the Agamemnon Tomb, and more. We’ll also take a gentle hike across the surrounding mountain paths which offer wow moments a-plenty. This is where our team will set up a barbecue lunch like no other. Cameras at the ready, you’ll need them for this special moment.
We arrive back to Athens to enjoy one last breakfast together before swapping contact details with new friends, disembarking, and setting off on onward journeys.
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
• A guided cruise. George Vavoudakis and Iro Valavani will be your hiking guides, while Evgenia Alexiou, with a degree in archeology and art history from the School of Philosophy in Athens, experience excavating historical sites, and a licence for guided tours in Greece, Evgenia is the perfect - incredibly knowledgeable - complement to our cruise. • 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. • Galileo: Your home away from home. 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. You have arrived on board the Galileo!
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