From the Parthenon and the temple of Zeus to the treasures of the National Archaeological Museum, Athens is rich with the relics of ancient Greece. And for thousands of travelers each year it’s also the point of departure for a modern-day odyssey. The Panorama II takes you and 48 other passengers in luxurious comfort from Athens to six ports of call to unravel the wonders of antiquity and the Byzantine Empire around the fascinating Peloponnese coast. The vessel is one of seven cruise ships owned by Variety Cruises, a Greek-owned small ship cruise line with a large American client base.
One of the joys of small ship cruising is that you can get to places the large cruise vessels have to pass by.
And so it is with this itinerary, which takes you to the ancient cities of Nafplion, with its Venetian and Turkish buildings and twisting labyrinthine streets, and Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.
The other benefit of small ships is that with so few people on board — Panorama II, your on-water home during this itinerary, is actually more a yacht than a ship and holds just 49 passengers — you soon get to know everyone, whether over a drink on deck or in the lounge, or at dinner.
There are some fascinating excursions on this cruise, visiting everything from an ancient healing sanctuary to the spectacular Dirou Caves, to the tip of the Peloponnese, a desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers.
Over the eight days you’ll uncover Greece's rich history. But this cruise is also all about relaxing. The itinerary is unhurried, and with a full day at most ports, there’s time to relax and check out the local cafés and restaurants at your leisure.
Itinerary: Antiquity to Byzantium Aboard the Panorama II
Duration: eight days, seven nights
Embark between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m and enjoy a welcome drink onboard as you meet your crew and fellow passengers. The ship will set sail for Palaia Epidaurus in the evening as you tuck into dinner at sea.
Overnight at sea; dinner included
After an early breakfast you can join an optional excursion to ancient Epidaurus, known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. Reputedly the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius, the town is home to several civic monuments and an impressive theater, despite being looted by the Roman general Sulla and later by pirates and Goths in 395 AD. You'll enjoy lunch on the ship and sail to Nafplion in the afternoon.
Overnight at port; breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today's excursion is a walking tour of Nafplion, a beautiful city that is home to Venetian and Turkish buildings and twisting, labyrinthine streets. You'll then drive through the countryside of Argolis toward Mycenae, where you'll visit the remains of the ancient city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch will be back onboard the ship as you sail to Monemvassia in the afternoon and on to Gythion in the evening.
Overnight at sea; breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After an early morning arrival in Gythion you can join an optional excursion to the Mani Peninsula to explore Cape Tenaro and the spectacular Dirou Caves, with their stalactites and stalagmites. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers. In the evening the ship will set sail for Pylos.
Overnight at sea; breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Pylos is a cute seaside town in the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. The bay was the scene of a notable naval battle between European and Turkish fleets in 1827, which consolidated the independence of Greece. On the optional excursion you'll continue to Nestor’s Palace to examine the prehistoric remains discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. You'll then make a short trip to the town of Hora to see the a superb archaeological museum, which holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. In the evening you'll sail to Katakolon.
Overnight at sea; breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After disembarking at 7 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo, there's an optional excursion to Olympia, one of the ancient world's most famous and important sites, revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It was also the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia existed well into Roman times, until its demise in the 3rd century AD, when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward excavation work, spearheaded primarily by the German government, revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling sight is the stadium, which looks much as it did 2,000 years ago. In the afternoon you'll travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula to board the ship and depart for Itea on the Gulf of Corinth.
Overnight at port; breakfast, lunch and dinner included
This morning's excursion departs for Delphi to explore the ancient ruins complex, built on the side of a mountain. In its prime, Delphi was famous for being the site of the most important oracle in the classical world. Visitors would travel across Greece to consult the oracle for advice and give thanks by offering treasure to the god Apollo. You'll visit the adjoining museum before returning to the ship to cross the Corinth Canal. In the evening you'll return to the port of Marina Zea in Athens.
Overnight at port; breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 8: Athens
The Panormama II arrives in Athens in the early morning. Disembark after breakfast for your flight home.
Breakfast included