Archaeological
Adventure Cruise
-Greece-
Detailed 14 Day Itinerary of Greece
The adventure begins in Athens where we
recommend you spend a few days seeing the historic sites of
this dynamic city. We offer 3 to 5 star hotels near the famed
Acropolis. Arrangements can also bemade
for 1 to 8 day land tours to sites in the interior of Greece
(Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Sparta, Meteora and more). While
in Athens, visit the Plaka, a charming and safe tourist district
in the heart of the city full of traditional tavernas (Greek
restaurants), unique souvenir & clothing shops and friendly
Athenians. Two good tavernas in the Plaka are the Garden of
Eden (Vegetarian) and the central Byzantino Taverna. It is
generally worth staying a few days in the city to shake off
jet lag and to see the major sites: the Acropolis, Parthenon
& Odeon, the Agora (ancient marketplace) and the National
Archaeological Museum among other attractions. We can arrange
transfers, however taxies are the most convenient way to get
from the airport to hotels or directly to the yachts.
Day
1
We have a 'sleep over' in Athens the first night. We recommend
that 'by the cabin' guests arrive at the marina around 17:00
so as not to waste time that could be better spent in Athens
seeing the sites. A briefing is given at Il Fungho Restaurant
which includes important general information on the 'day to
day' life on the tours and emphasizes safety.
Day
2
The next morning we have an early sail
to Aegina Marina Bay on Aegina island (17 miles, 3 hours).
Aegina
was the home of the first Greek government after the war of
independence. The island was the first place to mint coins
in Greece and boasts the best pistachio nuts in the world!
Arriving at Aegina Marina Bay, guests can take a 30 - 45 minute
uphill hike (bus or taxi also possible) to see the famous
Temple of Aphaia. Dedicated to the daughter of Leto (-the
goddess Aphaia), the temple was built in the Doric order and
dates from the early 5th century B.C. It is the best-preserved
temple in the Greek islands with several monolithic columns
(one piece columns) and it is the only Doric temple with double
standing columns (on top of each other). After the excursion
up to the temple, crewmates then enjoy a wonderful swim in
the crystal clear waters of the bay and a healthy lunch aboard
before sailing on to Poros island (18 miles, 3 hours). Poros
is one of the most beautiful views from seaward of any Greek
island -get the camera ready! At Poros guests can practice
Med. mooring the yacht/s to the sea wall if there is not too
much boat traffic. Enjoy a late afternoon cocktail aboard
and/or explore the harbor by foot. At around 20:00, sailors
assemble for a walk up to the clock tower and view the sunset
while identifying Fig trees, Cactus, Bougainvillea, Jasmine
bushes and Cyprus on the way. We enjoy a splendid meal under
a roof of grape vines at the Garden Taverna. Crews are always
given a warm welcome at this friendly, family run taverna.
After dinner, the Malibu Bar awaits the real sea salts for
a nightcap and the captain may suggest the pool hall / foosball
room for the young at heart!
Day
3
We are underway early as we motor through
the narrow channel between Poros and the majestic Peleponnese
coast -another great photo opportunity! We motor past fortified
Bourtzi Island (20 minutes away), which protected this narrow
channel when the Venetians were in power. After raising sail,
we race
other yachts to the tranquil splendor of Spathi Island and
bay (11 miles 1.5 hours) for lunch and excellent snorkeling
over a clear sandy bottom! After lunch, we set sail for the
famous island of Hydra (11 miles 1.5 hours) arriving before
15:00 in order to get a good spot along the small and crowded
wharfs. Hydra's harbor has become very busy and in the summer
months, yachts can raft four deep bow to stern - expect to
be boarded! Before exploring this enchanting town, a cool
swim can be enjoyed at Hydra's swimming oasis, which features
a buoyed/protected swimming area and flat sun bathing levels
cut out of the cliff -there is also a cocktail bar! One of
the most famous towns in Greece, Hydra offers visitors art
expositions, fine dining, fabulous local handicrafts, exquisite
clothing and jewelry shops all set in the winding cobble stone
streets surrounded by 18th Century architecture. Stop by Mai
Tai for a chat over some Greek coffee with owners Ruth and
Kosta. They offer the most exquisite Byzantine and ancient
Greek jewelry designs and give excellent discounts to sailing
clients, as well as gifts to all newlyweds! Excellent value
is found at many shops in Hydra for silver, gold and precious
stones. Haggling is the word of the day and Skippers/Program
Directors often know the best shops. Fashionable Hydra has
been a refuge for artists since the sixties and has many well-known
visitors including royalty, film celebrities and music stars
such as part-time resident Leonard Cohen. The real beauty
of Hydra is the historic architecture and the fact that there
are no motorized vehicles on the island - only donkey power!
Take the donkey tour of the town! Scuba diving can be enjoyed
with Hydra Divers, who offer personable, qualified instruction
and guidance for all levels of diving. Arrangements can be
made for a morning dive on the second day at Hydra. In the
last century, Hydra figured prominently as its population
was fifteen thousand compared with Athens at only six thousand.
During the Greek War of Independence with the Turks, Hydra
provided a powerful fleet of naval vessels. The leader of
the Greek navy, Admiral Miaoulis, was a Hydriot. The most
famous boats were the 'fire ships' which were small fishing
boats loaded with gun powder that sailed out, in the cover
of night, and tied up alongside much larger Turkish gun ships.
The fire ships were ignited and the end result was devastating
for the Turkish navy. Greece won its independence from Turkey
in 1821. Every June, Hydra has the Miaoulis (Fire Ships) Festival
where the locals ignite fireworks and burn a ship in the harbor.
We spend the better part of two days at Hydra allowing ample
time to explore. A dinner excursion begins by watching the
sunset from the outer wharf or up at the fortified sunset
lookout followed by a walk through Hydra's labyrinth of streets
all the way to Kristina & Manolis Taverna's roof garden.
This is one of the best tavernas on our carefully researched
gastronomic circuit! Favorite dishes are all the starters
including: deep fried Saganaki cheese, Fava (giant bean) dip,
beetroots served with Skordalia (garlic sauce), grilled peppers
stuffed with feta cheese and of course Greek salad! After
dinner, Hydra offers starry nightlife at Hydranetta, a beautiful
cocktail bar built into the cliffs, Disco Heaven for those
who want to dance and Pirates Bar the best watering hole around
the harbor!
Day
4
Program Directors and flotilla boat crews
spend the morning provisioning the yachts for the next two
days.
The plan is to moor under the stars for two nights - if the
weather allows. Guests have a free morning and afternoon as
the yachts usually leave Hydra town between 14:00--15:00.
We suggest a leisurely 30 minute hike south along the coastal
stone pathway leading sailors to picturesque Kamini harbor.
The view looking out over the tiny fishing cove, the Saronic
Gulf and Peloponnese mountains is breathtaking. In exchange
for a restaurant lunch ashore, guests aboard Archaeological
lead boats are treated to a Beach barbecue for dinner. A great
lunch spot in Kamini harbors is Kodylenia's taverna or in
Hydra town eat lunch at the Vigla Restaurant, which is situated
in the southeast corner of busy Hydra harbor. After a nice
lunch and last minute shopping guests sail the yacht/s (12
miles, 2 hours) to the
beautiful, secluded shingle beach of Aghios Nicholaus Bay.
This is a very popular spot amongst our guests as the half-mile
pebble beach is gorgeous and the crystal clear waters offer
interesting snorkeling. Program Directors assemble a stone
barbecue pit with help from the crew and then marinated chicken,
baked potatoes and coleslaw is cooked and enjoyed back aboard
the yachts - followed by star gazing! If the wind is from
the Southeast then another alluring private bay option is
the uninhabited island of Dokos for the barbecue. Little known
and deserted Dokos harbors Early Hellenic II ruins and the
resting place of the oldest known shipwreck (1500 B.C.), explored
by Jacques Cousteau. Pottery shards are abundant which make
for great snorkeling!
Day 5
The yacht departs Hydra at 06:00 for the
long haul out into the Cycladic (circular) islands (80 miles,
9-12hours-
off the beaten course!) and arrives before sunset at the volcanic
island of Milos. The destination is Kleftiko - a set of bays
surrounded by 150-300 foot cliffs riddled with swim-through
sea caves. Upon our arrival, guests help moor the yachts securely
for the night, and then snorkel or dinghy through the sea
caves. A delicious Italian meal is included and prepared aboard
by the crew and Program Director of each boat. The most dramatic
night of the tour follows - eating topside under the bright
Aegean night sky. The fantastic cliff setting makes this stop
one of the highlights of the tour. See the Poseidon Charters
color brochure cover.
Day
6
Most of the day is spent at Kleftiko,
swimming/snorkeling or motoring in the dinghy around the cliffs,
through
grottos and up to the beaches. Of interest are the ancient
man made bollards carved into the rock that are scattered
throughout these secret caves. Kleftiko's caves were used
for shelter and the cliffs as a lookout by pirates and perhaps
even the Knights of Saint Johns during the Crusades. At 14:00
or 15:00 the yachts make their way around the island into
the volcanic crater to Adamas port (18 miles, 3 hours). Cruising
around the island, it is fascinating to observe the volcanic
composition of this, the most geologically interesting island
on the tour. Guests help moor the yachts to the sea wall and
have time to explore the harbor and have a shower. At 18:00-19:00
we jump on the bus up to the town of Tripiti where we visit
the ancient Greek amphitheater that the famous and enigmatic
Venus of Milos used to adorn. A magical evening meal is enjoyed
at Erginas Ouzeri - a restaurant overlooking the huge volcanic
crater. Ergina's Ouzeri is one of the best restaurants on
the tour featuring over sixty local Milos delicacies. Ergina
and her husband Lukianos boast that all delicacies served
are homemade and enticingly fresh - they make their own pasta,
mayonnaise and even sun dry the tomatoes on the roof! Taxis
are used to return to the port. In May, Ergina's is not open
so we eat at nearby Glaros Taverna which also serves delicious
unique Milos specialties.
Day
7
After an early provisioning and exploration
of the port of Adamas, including the Geological Museum, we
sail over the north coast of Milos and make way for the island
of Ios (50 miles 8-10 hours). Ios is the resting place of
Homer and our halfway stop on the tour. The yachts are moored
in the main harbor for two or three nights (depending on the
ferry schedule to Santorini). Upon arrival, guests can swim
at a wonderful fresh water pool at Ios Camping near the harbor
- a great way to freshen up, as the sail can be salty! If
you prefer the sea, Ios offers the nicest beaches in the central
Aegean - Milopotas and Manganari (Ios' crystal clear water
provided the shooting location for the award winning underwater
film The Big Blue). If there is a Friday afternoon/evening
ferry to Santorini, guests can travel to Santorini and spend
two nights in a pre-arranged villa/apartment. Usually the
ferry schedule calls for a Saturday ferry to Santorini on
the next day, so guests remain in Ios for the night. For dinner,
guests take a bus up to the Chora (hilltop town) and enjoy
an exquisite meal at Lord Byron's Taverna (Greek with a Californian
Twist). Many guests agree that Lord Byron's Taverna is the
best restaurant on the 2-week tour - the self-taught chef,
Vasilli, is a creative genius. Ios is best known however,
for the notorious nightlife at a multitude of discos and clubs
(300+) up on the chora. Ask your Skipper/Program Director
for a pub-crawl!
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