Unexplored Greece: Aegean Islands Small Ship Cruise
Let us show you our home, off-the-beaten path. These 10 stunning island destinations offer a more nourishing side of Greece, a taste of true Greek culture. These are places where people take pride in offering hospitality – in line with the ancient custom of filoxenia, love of strangers – and where things are done with meraki, love and soul. A cruise voyage unraveling the most authentic Cycladic and Dodecanese islands of Greece. Discover unknown gems with rich history, incomparable light, translucent water, and heavenly beaches.
Highlights
• Patmos: A touch of the Divine - The Cave of the Apocalypse, this sacred, candlelit grotto is believed to be the spot where St John the Divine received his visions from Christ and transcribed the Book of Revelation, the last chapter of the Christian Bible. Exiled on Patmos in 95 AD, he preached to, baptised and prayed with the island’s inhabitants. Eventually, Patmos came to be considered sacred and the cave became the focal point of a significant religious pilgrimage.
• Kalymnos, the island of the sea-sponge harvesters - The fourth largest island of the Dodecanese Group is widely known as an international sponge-harvesting trade center. After WW II, Kalymnos remained the only Greek island engaged in the sea sponge-harvesting activity, supplying Syros, Nafplio and Constantinople and travelled as far as Odessa, St Petersburg, Moscow, Trieste and the Middle East.
• Longevity Secrets of Ikaria - Ikaria is an island-phenomenon unlike anywhere else in Greece or in the world. People here live much longer than the population on other islands and mainland. Enjoy a cooking class with fresh local produce and discover the Ikarian diet: Vegetables from the garden, legumes and greens, and plenty of olive oil. On the Greek island of Ikaria, life is sweet… and very, very long.
Athens (2pm - 3pm) - Cape Sounion All aboard! Our exploration begins as we head from Athens to Cape Sounion. As the sun sets on our first day of adventure, enjoy an al fresco, get-to-know-each-other dinner under the ancient Greek Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion. As night falls, we start our sail to Ikaria. Overnight at sea.
Wake up in paradise: aka Seychelles Beach, Ikaria. Surrounded by craggy rocks, the beach is best accessed by boat (luckily you’ve chosen to cruise with Variety!) Enjoy your first of many swim stops before we sail onwards to Ikaria’s quaint port. Join our optional tour of Hiking in the wildlife, take a dip in thermal spas, or visit an ancient village. You’ll soon realize this is an island like no other! Fun fact: locals here live an average of 10 years longer than elsewhere in Greece. Overnight in Ikaria.
Today we’ll voyage from Ikaria to Patmos to Lipsi. Patmos is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is often considered divine. As we sail onwards to Lipsi, enjoy lunch al fresco before diving into the glittering sea. We also invite you to join our on board tasting of Lipsi’s famous wine, Aposperiti. This elusive bottle is produced only on the island. You can thank your lucky grapes - and us! - later. Evening at leisure, overnight in Lipsi.
Early morning sail to Kalymnos, but not without a swim stop on our way. Simple, authentic and packed to the shores with hiking routes, Kalymnos is a utopia for modern adventurers. It’s also home to the famous Greek sponge divers. Join us to our optional tour and meet the locals who harvest them, and learn all about the process from reef to market. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure; relax with a coffee, hike one of the famous island trails or - and we recommend this one - visit the stunning Esperidon fjord. Overnight in Kalymnos.
From the Dodacanese to the Cyclades. Destination Amorgos, with a stop at Levitha island. The grand total of people living on Levitha is four. Yes, you read that right. The dedicated family raise animals and run a restaurant for visiting yachts - dine on their freshly-grilled fish. Trust us, you won’t regret it. In the afternoon, we sail onwards to Amorgo where Luc Besson’s movie, Big Blue, was shot. The island will transport you to the past with its authentic, laid-back villages. Evening at leisure in the mediaeval capital, overnight in Amorgos.
Before we set sail today, we’ll stop for an optional tour at Panagia Chozoviotissa - a monastery carved into the dramatic sea-facing cliffs and bursting with significant ancient heirlooms. Then on to Koufonisia, a playground for water-lovers packed with caves and rock pools accessible only by boat. Jump off deck and snorkel, kayak or paddle board to explore them. Our afternoon cruise passes scenic Schinoussa to reach the tiny island of Iraklia, protected by Natura 2000 and offering incredible mountainous footpaths. Take a walk along them for awe-inspiring views. Enjoy laid-back Greek island life at leisure this evening. Overnight in port.
It’s the penultimate day, but it’s one to remember. We sail to the captivating island of Serifos, a hidden gem in the Cyclades. Take part in our optional tour, guided by our expert local guide, to explore the charming Chora, the island’s castle-village, which offers stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Enjoy some free time to wander its picturesque streets and savor a leisurely lunch ashore. This evening, we’ll enjoy our farewell dinner, a perfect opportunity to reflect on and reminisce about the hidden gems of Greece. In the early afternoon, we set sail back to Athens.
Athens, Greece (8.30-9am) Breakfast, disembarkation, and a chance to swap contact details with your fellow explorers, who we’re sure have become friends. With new islands explored, where to next?
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Vessel Type: Luxury Yacht
Length: 53 metres
Passenger Capacity: 49
Built / refurbished: 1993 / 2009
Panorama is a 54-metre, three-masted motor sailer built to SOLAS standards, carrying 49 guests at an unhurried 11-knot pace through the Greek islands. Her profile is defined by classic lines, varnished wood interiors, and wide deck areas split across multiple levels. Public spaces include a single-seating dining room with panoramic windows, a wood-panelled lounge with library, an outdoor bar, and two open decks for sunbathing and shaded retreat. A swimming platform, snorkelling gear, kayaks, and beach towels support water-based stops, while the vessel’s sail plan adds a traditional character seldom found in small-ship cruising. A crew of 16–18 manages service and navigation, keeping operations steady and unobtrusive.
The ship offers 24 ocean-view cabins across three categories. Lower Deck cabins in Categories B and C use portholes and provide en-suite bathrooms finished in marble or Corian, along with TV, telephone, hairdryer, mini-fridge, safe, central music, and individual air-conditioning. Category A cabins are positioned on the Main and Upper Decks, replacing portholes with large windows and adding more natural light and outward visibility. Movement between decks is simple, with direct access from lounges to outdoor seating and the Sun Deck above. The scale, layout, and sail-assisted cruising style create a contained, traditional environment suited to slow exploration of the Aegean.
Special Offers
Special offers and exclusive discounted fares may be available, even if they are not displayed on our website. Contact our expedition experts to receive the best available price for your chosen cruise.
Inclusions
• Voyage on board in selected cabin category with private bathroom and air conditioning
• Tea, Filter coffee and drinking water available on board
• Half-board OR Full Board: including a Welcome Cocktail and Captain’s Dinner (destinational & ship dependant )
• English speaking cruise escort
• Use of fishing and snorkeling equipment (Masks, Fins and Snorkels), and Beach Towels
• Kayaks, Water Toys and Stand-Up Paddle Boards (subject to availability)
Exclusions
• Such personal expenses as drinks (other than included in the rate)
• Laundry
• Spa
• Boutique items
• Gratuities (gratuities are optional but as a rule, satisfied clients are expected to give to the captain, at the end of the cruise, approximately Euro 13-15 per person per day for distribution among all crew members)
• Medical expenses
• Port taxes
• Shore excursions (shore excursions are proposed and arranged on board by the tour leaders)
• Use of the on board Wi-Fi (available at a charge)
• Expenditures incurred ashore
• Anything not mentioned in cruise program.
Yacht
Our Associates Include
