4 Day Cruise Ιdyllic Aegean

We depart from Lavrion and return to Piraeus, the two major ports of Athens. 60 kilometers from Athens, Lavrion is an ancient silver mining center and a bustling port. From here you can tour the Temple of Poseidon, with its incredible view of the Saronic Gulf, and Cape Sounion – the giant columns at the Temple of Poseidon were “excavated” in Lavrion, which is also home to the oldest and largest ancient amphitheater in Greece. The city’s silver mines date to prehistory. Lavrion is also home to the oldest and largest ancient amphitheater in Greece.We depart Lavrion for Syros, the Cycladic Princess. The port of Ermoupoli is the capital of the Cyclades – you’ll want to tour the Vaporia district to see the mansions built by the island’s bankers, merchants and ship owners, which climb the hills above the port. Expect the warmest of welcomes as you wander the cobbled streets of Ermoupoli and its magnificent central square. We’ll show you the island’s neoclassical side and give you a real taste of its cosmopolitan culture and local color, which includes picturesque villages and secluded pebble coves.We depart in the evening for hospitable Cesme, one of the most popular resorts on the Turkish coast. The sugar-sand beaches of Cesme will dazzle you, as will its myriad Ottoman fountains. Don’t miss Cesme Castle, built in the 1500s and home to the Archeological Museum. From Cesme we can take you to ancient Ephesus, one of the region’s archaeological marvels, to the posh seaside resort of Alacati, and to Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest metropolis.We leave effervescent Cesme for further medieval marvels in Kos, the island of Hippocrates, where we sail into the harbor beneath a 14th century fortress. Just beyond bustling Kos Town lies the Asklepion, a curative center and temple to Asklepios which dates to the 2nd century B.C. Enjoy an afternoon at Bravo Beach or in Zia, one of the island’s most beautiful mountain villages and a haven for lovers of folk art. We can also take you to Nisyros, a tiny volcanic island off the coast.From Kos we sail to immaculateIos, home to the pre-historic settlement of Skarkos and 365 churches – you’ll find many of them on the sun-soaked hillsides of Hora. Surrender to the sun and the sea at beautiful Manganari Beach on the south coast, or join us for the trek north to the Tomb of Homer. The loveliness of Ios will linger in your memory long after we sail on.Our final stop is Santorini. Its mighty cliffs rise from the blue waters of the Aegean toward the azure sky. Take a jeep safari into the interior or a cruise to Santorini’s smaller islands and volcanoes, explore the Akrotiri Village excavations, wander about the beautiful hilltop village of Fira, the island’s unique capital, or just relax in a café in stunning Oia Village and watch the sunset from 300 meters above the sparklingsea. Enjoy a glass of wine with a view from the sky…From Santorini we sail overnight, arriving in Piraeus just after sunrise. The bustling port of Piraeus, made famous by classic films like Never On Sunday and Stella, is a brief Metro or taxi ride from Athens, one of the world’s great cities. This vibrant, cosmopolitan, historically rich city, one of the world’s oldest, is dense with ancient monuments, chic cafés and unique shops. Wander through Plaka to the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum, one of the world’s great museums. If you love art, history, bustling pedestrian thoroughfares and great food, the city of Athena will make you swoon. It’s the perfect place to finish four perfect days.End of 4 Greek Islands – Idyllic Aegean 4-Day Cruise. How to ease the pain of disembarkation? Promise yourself you’ll join us again. We’ve got plenty of “once-in-a-lifetime” days planned for you, replete with the finest service on the high seas, fresh, sumptuous meals and fantastic entertainment. Believe it!