Greek Cruise Packages Greece, Cruise Sailing Holidays Package Cruises Athens Greece
SAILING BOATS
Cruises
| AEGEAN COCKTAIL SAILING CRUISE TO GREEK ISLANDS - PROGRAM |
Yacht: M/S H&B I or H&B II or similar
Length: 44 meters
Cabins: 20
Berths: 40
Private Facilities
A/C throughout
Dates 2008 (May 2 – October 17)
Embarkation: Every Friday afternoon in Piraeus
Disembarkation: Every Friday morning (9:00) in Piraeus
Day 1: Friday
Embarkation 13.00 - 15.00.
Departure from Piraeus and sail to Santorini. Welcome drink on board. Arrival in Santorini.
It has been said that the sunset view in Santorini is the best in the world. From the Caldera, there are breathtaking views of the volcano & neighbouring islands. Thanks to its extraordinary beauty, Santorini is one of the major tourist attractions of Europe. With its marvellous climate and perfect observation conditions, its famous caldera has also become an El Dorado for volcanologists. Santorini, a natural phenomenon of amazing wild beauty, was created from a volcanic eruption in the middle of the bay.
Optional excursion.
Day 2: Saturday
Departure from Santorini and sail to Ios. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Ios.
Ios Island in Greece is a famous tourist destination, attracting visitors with its golden beaches and the characteristic Aegean architecture. Ios is well known as the party island of Greece, with a lively atmosphere and opportunities for endless fun. The capital of Ios is built on the island’s ancient city. Ios’ white houses unfold to the top of the hill, and its windmills and narrow small roads provide very picturesque scenery.
Optional excursion
Day 3: Sunday
Departure from Ios and sail to Paros. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Paros.
The first thing you notice when you arrive in Paros is a transparent blue sky floating and the dazzling white sunlight, which is combination with the white Cycladic houses that contrast against the deep blue Aegean Sea, create the image that so many people find fascinating in the Aegean islands. Paros maintains many of its old, two-storey houses with their charming balconies crowded with potted carnations, basil and geraniums.
The two large natural bays of the island - Parikia and Naoussa - have beautiful, sheltered sandy beaches. Whether you looking for a cosmopolitan sandy beach with bars, music, and water sports, or a quite little harbour where you can swim alone in crystal waters and enjoy the beauty of the landscape, Paros is the island for you.
Life continues with the same intensity long after sun sets into the blue sea.
While in Paros, you will make a promise that one day you will return.
Optional excursion
Day 4: Monday
Departure from Paros and sail to Mykonos. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Mykonos.
Mykonos Island is world famous. It is no coincidence that Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan of all Greek islands, attracts so many visitors from around the globe, including large numbers of celebrities and VIPs.
Low, rocky hills combined with superb beaches, make up the landscape of the island. The capital Chora, with its colourful harbour where quaint fishing boats are nestled side by side with luxury yachts, presents quite a different picture from the majority of Aegean island towns. While it is usual for island villages to be built in an amphitheatric manner, Mykonos is spread out over a flat area, giving the impression architectural cohesion. Along the whitewashed streets stand brilliant white, cubic houses with stepped walls so people can sit on their wooden doors, windows and brightly coloured balconies
Optional excursion
Day 5: Tuesday
Departure from Mykonos and sail to Syros. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Syros.
Syros is the administrative center of the Cyclades Islands. Despite the fact that is the capital of Cyclades, its architectural style is has nothing to do with the rest of the Cyclades! Its noble character along with its superb landscapes and beaches and proximity to Athens, have transformed the island into a very popular tourist destination.
Optional excursion
Day 6: Wednesday
Departure from Syros and sail to Kea. Breakfast on board. Arrival at Kea.
Kea Island, which is set lofty in front of the large sea current Cavo Doro, is considered the natural bridge of communication between Mainland Greece with the Cyclades, bringing Archipelago closer to the Southern Euboan Gulf. Its capital, Ioulis, is inland at a high altitude (like most ancient Cycladic settlements, for protection from pirates) and is considered quite picturesque. Other major villages of Kea are Korissia (the port) and Vourkari (a fishing village). Kea has had unique presence in the history of Greece and constitutes a crossroad of cultures in the Aegean region. Visitors are impressed by its traditional architecture and natural landscape, as well as its priceless monuments and its combination of the mountainous terrain – with lush vegetation and running waters – and pristine coasts.
Captain’s Dinner: The last dinner on board, with the presence of our Captain. After dinner, enjoy Greek dancing.
Day 7: Thursday
Departure from Kea and sail to Piraeus. Breakfast on board. Stop at Sounion.
The Sounion Sanctuary is one of the most important sanctuaries in Attica. Archaeological finds reveal that the site was inhabited in the Prehistoric Era, but there is no evidence of religious practices at such an early date.
"Sounion Hiron" (Sounion Sanctuary) was first mentioned in the Odyssey, as the place where Menelaos stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman. Findings from the 7th century BC prove the existence of an organized cult on two points of the promontory: at the southern edge where the Temple of Poseidon was situated, and about 500 meters NE, where the Temple of Athena was established.
Departure from Sounio and arrival in Piraeus.
In the Medieval Era, Piraeus was known as ‘Porto Leone’, a name earned from the enormous stone lion that guarded the entrance of the port.
Piraeus is not only a harbor. It is a city full of surprises and unexpected sights worth exploring.
Day 8: Friday
Breakfast on board. Disembarkation.
| Alternative Sailing Cruise to Greek Islands |
(This Greek sailing cruise will depart according to the following program (in place of the "Aegean Cocktail Cruise"), in case of bad weather conditions)
Day 1: Friday
Embarkation. Departure from Piraeus and sail to Poros. Welcome drink on board.
Arrival in Poros, the island of peace, romance and relaxation.
It is overgrown with pine trees which reach its rugged shores and sandy beaches. The residents of Poros are like the island: spontaneous, kind and hospitable.
Day 2: Saturday
Departure from Poros and sail to Hydra. Breakfast on board. Stop at Dokos. Opportunity for swimming for 1 hr.
Arrival in Hydra, a cosmopolitan, glorious and magnificent island,
combined with tranquillity and relaxation, offers daytime entertainment and intensive night life.
Day 3: Sunday
Departure from Hydra and sail to Monemvasia. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Monemvasia.
The name Monemvasia means ‘Solitary Entrance’ in Greek. This name was given to the fortress because there was only one way to enter by land. The rock of Monemvasia and it's castle are an island in the middle of the sea and it is accessible through a solitary entrance which used to be a portable, wooden bridge many years ago. Today, Monemvasia consists of two different towns; the Byzantine settlement built on the rock and the port built on the neighbouring coast.
Day 4: Monday
Departure from Monemvasia and sail to Leonidion. Breakfast on board. Free time for swimming. Arrival in Leonidion.
In the southeast of the Peloponnese, on the coast of Arcadia almost on the border of Lakonia, is Leonidio, a town renowned for its natural beauty and its agricultural products.
Day 5: Tuesday
Departure from Leonidion and sail to Nafplion. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Nafplion.
This contemporary town resembles a simple, but very beautiful painting. Nafplion was the first capital town of modern Greece and remains the capital of the Argolida Prefecture.
The most ancient town in Greece, founded by Theseus, the first person who thought to organize a town for people to live in together, building the prehistoric town of Nafplia.
Nafplion is built in the shadow of the impressive Rocks of Palamidi, the most astounding Venetian Castle in the Eastern Mediterranean. Other town jewels include the ancient castle of Akronafplia and the Bourtzi Fortress.
Day 6: Wednesday
Departure from Nafplion and sail to Ermioni. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Ermioni.
Ermioni is built across a peninsula that is embraced by the sea on both its sides, giving it the atmosphere of an island town, as well as the benefits of being on the mainland. The old town is located on the hillside, offering splendid views of the nearby islands and fertile plains rich with pomegranate and citrus trees, and olive groves.
Captain’s Dinner. The last dinner on board, with the presence of our Captain. After dinner, enjoy Greek dancing.
