Peloponnese Cruise - From Corfu to Athens

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.

Kefalonia is the island of sailors and mountain climbers, Greeks and Venetians, winemakers and travelers. Here stands Enom – the tallest mountain of Ionic islands (1628 m), covered with unique pine trees. Those willing to make a pilgrim tour may get into the Saint Gerasim monastery. There you will find an ancient sycamore tree still standing, said to have been planted by the saint himself. His cave-cell is located under the building of the monastery. Then we shall go for Andrew the First-Called Apostle monastery, the museum with miracle-making icons of Stephano Tsagarol, the Monastery of Saint Crucifixion in Pessado and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with benches. It is also possible to pop into the local winery, where six kinds of Kefalonian wine are being made out of Robola grape.

Another excursion will go to the famous Drogarati cave with stalactites, stalagmites and unusual acoustics, due to which Maria Kallas and Luchano Povarotti took the floor there once. Then the observation ground above the famous beach Mirtos awaits us, followed by a lunch in the picturesque nearby village of Agia Efimia. Our trip will end with the visit to the underground lake Melissani; the cave that once stood over it was destroyed during an earthquake. Now the lake is exposed to the sun, which creates beautiful light show on the water with colors ranging from sky-blue to intense dark-blue.

Zakynthos is the only Greek island having international status of the natural wildlife preserve. The island has been called “The flower of Mediterranean East” for its beauty and balmy gardens. Mirror-like waters of Zakynthos may be seen on almost every postcard of Greece.

Yachts floating on the water surface appear to be suspended in the air. It would be a crime to visit and not to swim in this magical place! Once in Zakynthos town, one may go to the National Sea Wildlife Preserve or visit the temple of Saint Dionysus, the local winery and the olive oil pressing factory or walk along the coastal avenue – Strata Marina – the liveliest street in the town, filled with coffee shops, bars and restaurants.

Katakolo is a gateway for the archaeological site of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Adjacent to the port is the sunken ancient city and port of Pheia. 

The small city itself is picturesque and offers a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and shops. And the view to the traditional lighthouse. Try kreokakavos, oktapodi or musaka in Olympia taverns. 

More gastronomy awaits you at the Magna Grecia farm. The property has an olive press museum and offers tastings and full lunches. 

Be sure to visit reconstructed interactive exhibits-replicas of the ancient greek inventions in Museum of Ancient Greek Technology in Olympia. Katakolon also features a similar museum. 

A short distance from the port of Katakolo, there are many diverse beaches, mostly sandy.

Pylos is built amphitheatrically in the bay of Navarino, where the historic battle took place, and is defined by the Isle Sfaktiria. In Pylos there are many historical and natural attractions. Among them, Paleokastro, Niokastro,the cave of Nestor, the lagoon of Gialova, the bay of ​​Voidokilia - one of the most spectacular beaches and bays of Greece. The impressive ancient trees that dominate the Square of Trion Navarchon, downtown, combined with the breathtaking views of Sfaktiria Island create a separate idyllic atmosphere. Alternatively, you can visit Methoni castle to the south of Pylos. 

Very few towns in Greece gather this many myths.  Hercules, Odyssey, Jason. Trojan War, Argonauts, and Odyssey. Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and Hades. According to Homer, Pylos was the kingdom of Nestor.

Gytheio is a quiet charming fishing town with authentic architecture and very few tourists. Gytheio is also a base for excursions to legendary Sparta and Mistras. 

Fish taverns and beautiful mansions line up the port. Laconia region is famous for its citrus trees, figs, and tomatoes, as well as wine, ouzo, and tsipouro. Try ham in Mani peninsula villages and xoriatiko loukaniko in Sparta, which is a type of sausage. The former is also known for Mani Tower Houses, unique manors which look like fortresses. This place is surrounded by nice beaches. Mavrovouni is the most beautiful and longest beach close to Gytheio, where the sea turtles Caretta-caretta go to lay their eggs in summer.

Nafplion is famous for numerous fortresses, monasteries and the Medieval Old Town. It is a perfect start point to explore ancient Mycenae, Argos and Epidaurus.

Try delicious seafood in restaurants at the sea promenade, or taste trachanas soup and artichokes salad from famous Nafplion artichokes at the seaside taverns. Also you can try tsupuro and other drinks at Karonis distillery in downtown Nafplion. 

Enjoy an abundance of beaches to the south of Nafplio. 

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.

Itineraries are subject to change.