Cruising the Islands of Greece & Turkey
Cruising the Islands of Greece & Turkey
9 Days Starting and ending in Athens
Visiting: Greece, Turkey
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZSGT
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 47
Physical rating:
Low, Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Secluded beaches, ancient ruins, local flavours and spectacular sunsets – this nine-day Adventure Cruise offers a hearty dose of Greek island life with a splash of Turkish delights. Tick off the idyllic Santorini and Mykonos and stray from the pack to the lesser-visited Cyclades, sail through sparkling waters on a small ship and soak up the salty sea breezes as you explore charming hill villages and hidden coves. Visit ancient archaeological sites and spend time learning about Delos, the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Add a healthy helping of delicious Greek cuisine and the endless opportunities to swim and snorkel off the back of your boat, and you’ve got yourself and unforgettable overwater odyssey through the Aegean Sea.
Highlights
Itinerary
Welcome to Athens, Greece’s historic capital city. You will be met on arrival at Athens International Airport and transferred to your hotel. There is a lot to do and see here in one of the world's oldest cities, so you may wish to arrive a few days early to explore. The Archaeological Museum of Athens is highly recommended. There are no activities planned for today, other than an important welcome meeting which will take place at your hotel this evening at 6pm.
Day 2 Athens
This morning, check-out of the hotel and enjoy a guided city tour. This afternoon transfer to the port where you will board the M/S Panorama at about 3 pm and set sail at around 4 pm. The first stop of your journey is Sounion, where a memorable sunset dinner awaits. Get to know your fellow travellers as you dine under the magnificent temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Towering 65 metres (213 feet) above the Aegean Sea, its marble columns have inspired many who came before, including poet Lord Byron. Sail overnight to Poliegos.
Day 3 Poliegos and Folegandros
Arrive in Poliegos. Meaning ‘many goats’ in Greek, the aptly named island is uninhabited apart from its large goat population, and is known for its untouched beaches, gorgeous rock formations and sea caves. Enjoy a swim in the clear Aegean Sea and a lunch barbecue on the beach before setting sail for Folegandros. Stretch your legs in the clifftop town of Hora, one of the oldest and most picturesque traditional towns in the Cyclades. Enjoy free time in port for dinner, perhaps gathering a few of your travel friends together for a seafood meal. Stay overnight in port.
Day 4 Ios to Santorini
Sail to los in the morning for a stop at Manganari Beach. Its remote location makes it a private paradise and an ideal spot for a relaxing morning swim. Enjoy a delicious onboard barbecue as you continue on to Santorini. In the afternoon, take a cable car from Thira Old Port up to town for a leader led orientation walk. Later transfer to Venetsanos Winery and enjoy some local tastings. Next stop is Oia for that picture- perfect view before having free time back in Thira to check out one of the many the local restaurants. Head back to the boat to relax and unwind perhaps under the stars on the deck.
Day 5 Amorgos
Depart early for Amorgos, where you will spend half a day touring the island. This tour includes a visit to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa (Monastery of the Virgin Mary). Built precariously into the face of a cliff, the 11th-century monastery offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Follow this with a stop at Aegiali Beach where there’s time to swim and enjoy a barbecue on the beach. Sail overnight to Samos.
Day 6 Kusadasi, Turkey - Samos, Greece
After an early morning customs clearance in Samos, continue to Kusadasi, a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast and the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. Tour this incredible archaeological site and learn about its varied history with a local guide. After a traditional Turkish lunch, indulge in some shopping and learn a thing or two about Turkish carpets. Spend the evening at port in Samos, then depart at midnight for Mykonos.
Day 7 Delos to Mykonos
In the morning, sail to the ancient World Heritage-listed site of Delos. The mythological birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis, this tiny island is considered one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Explore these awesome ruins with the help of a local guide, who will explain some history and point out key attractions. Head back to the ship for a late lunch and a swim stop, before continuing to Mykonos for a leader-led orientation walk followed by a free evening.
Day 8 Mykonos
Today is a free day to acquaint yourself with the glitz and glamour of Mykonos. Its charming Old Town is a delightful maze of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. Perhaps explore the chic boutiques that line the town’s photogenic walkways. Or you may opt to soak up the sun on one of the main beaches. Return to the ship for a captain’s dinner, then sail overnight to Athens.
Day 9 Athens
Enjoy breakfast with your fellow travellers before disembarking in Athens between 8 and 9 am. With no other activities planned for today, you are free to leave the marina at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend a couple more days exploring Athens at your own pace, we’ll be happy to organise additional land-based accommodation (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Captain's Dinner
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Sunset Dinner
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Beach BBQ
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Thira Cable Car and Orientation Walk
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Venetsanos Winery wine tasting
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Local bus on Foliegandros
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Ephesus with local guide
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Monastery of Hozoviotissa visit
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Delos Archaeological Site
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Mykonos Orientation Walk
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Small cruise ship , bus
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night), Small cruise ship (7 nights)
Included Activities
- Sunset Dinner
- Beach BBQ
- Local bus on Foliegandros
- Thira Cable Car and Orientation Walk
- Venetsanos Winery wine tasting
- Monastery of Hozoviotissa visit
- Ephesus with local guide
- Delos Archaeological Site
- Mykonos Orientation Walk
- Captain's Dinner
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is this trip right for you
This is small ship Adventure Cruising, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with up to 46 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but the itinerary focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about and wi-fi is available for a small charge.
Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part.
Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. There will be seasickness tablets on board and your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort.
There are no lifts (elevators) on board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs (fitted with handrails) to access all the decks.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
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