Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival to Piraeus you will receive a warm welcome from our Officers and Hostesses who will assist you with boarding one of our luxurious cruise ships and invite you to proceed either to the Main Lounge, where our live orchestra has already started putting you in the right mood with its international music repertoire, or to one of the spacious open decks where you can enjoy the fascinating view as the ship leaves the port.
Our Showman Jeannot will entertain you throughout the day with his imaginative surprises!!

At 8h15 the ship sails for the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf.

The order in which we shall visit the islands is either Poros, Hydra, Aegina or Aegina, Poros, Hydra which does not change the duration of stay on any of the islands.

Shortly after departure, our guides and hostesses will invite you to assemble in one of the Lounges, in order to give you all necessary information concerning the ship, the cruise program as well as the islands. This will also be an opportunity for you to get answers to any questions you might have, as our trained staff is there to ensure that you will have a most wonderful day.
Within 2 hours, we will arrive to the island of Poros, the smallest of the three islands, separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait and offering a most enchanting view of Poros Town. Your time at leisure in Poros will be about 50 minutes.

Immediately upon the ships departure from Poros, lunch will be served for passengers who have the first sitting. As we sail towards Hydra the remaining guests relax in the Ship's Lounge or enjoy the sun and beautiful panoramic view from one of our spacious decks.
An hour and 15 minutes later, we enter the port of Hydra, whose amphitheater shape once served as a safe shelter for Saronic Pirates. From the decks, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history.

As soon as you disembark, it's all there.the small narrow stone-paved streets waiting to be explored on foot or by the island's traditional vehicle which is the saddled donkey. captivating walks along the old seaside promenade. crystal clear waters, radiant traditional fine-craft shops.. the beauty of Hydra will conquer you forever!

You will have about 1 hour and 30 minutes at leisure to enjoy the unique charms of Hydra and while returning back on board you will receive a homecoming welcome. The tables will be set for the second sitting giving you an opportunity to taste the gastronomic creations of our Chef.

After your meal relax with our orchestra and singer GARO, and have a good laugh with our entertainer Jeannot!

As you sail on Apostolos and his dancers will make you dance to Greek rhythms.
Time will fly quickly and after a two hour trip we shall arrive to our last port of call, the island of Aegina.

AEGINA is the largest of the three islands. Apart from its harbor there are numerous interesting sites to discover on the island and therefore we propose 3 optional tours.
The first possibility is a Guided Bus Tour of the island, starting with a visit to the Temple of Aphaia which is the best preserved temple in Greece and one of the 3 temples forming the famous Sacred Triangle of Greek antiquity. Built on top of a wooded hill, it offers the most magnificent view over the island, the Saronic Gulf, Piraeus and Salamina Island.

Our guide will tell you the fascinating story of the intriguing history of this beautiful site and then from there take you for a short visit to the Church of Saint Nectarios, where you can enjoy quiet moments contemplation and admiration of its beautiful Byzantine architecture.
The drive back to Aegina Port will give you time relax and appreciate the exquisite peaceful nature of the island.

The second possibility is a Panoramic Bus Tour, giving you the opportunity to drive across the entire island (without visiting the archeological site) admiring the beauty of its nature, the islands medieval capital of Paleohora, the Church of Saint Nectarios, the pistachio groves.

The tour ends with a stop by the seaside where you can relax and enjoy a glass of Ouzo along with a choice of irresistible Greek ?Mezedes? (appetizers)!

The tickets for the above highly recommended optional excursions can be purchased on board.
Finally, the third choice is to stay in Aegina and enjoy a walk or horse-carriage ride around the town or relax in one of the harbor?s charming waterfront coffee shops.

And if you think that the day ends here then you are mistaken!

The highlight of your cruise still awaits!

A ?Traditional Greek Folk Show with singers and dancers in original costumes form all of Greece who, together with our Officers, Hostesses and the ever amusing Jeannot will entertain and animate you up to the final moment as the ship docks in Piraeus.

Finally we will wish you a warm farewell and while looking forward to seeing you again on one of our cruises.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Transfer from and to your Hotel, lunch on board

Exclusions -

Drinks and sightseeing tour in Aegina

Extras -

Archaeological site of Aphaia on Aigina: It is situated on the top of a hill covered with pines, in the NE part of the island, and is distinguished by the very good preservation of the Late Archaic temple. The sanctuary was initially dedicated to the cult of Aphaia, a local deity later assimilated by Athena. Finds dating from the prehistoric period - including figurines of breeding women - point to the conclusion that the cult was established very early, possibly in the beginning of the 2nd millenium B.C. Judging from votive offerings and, mostly, from building activity, the sanctuary flourished mainly in the Archaic period. At the end of the period, around 500 B.C. and a little later, the sanctuary assumed the monumental form it preserves today. The area was evened off by the construction of isodomic walls which retained the earth on which the temple was erected, along with the altar, the propylon and various lesser buildings. A second period of prosperity came in the mid-4th century, leaving its traces on the remodelling of the altar and the construction of new buildings to the SE of the temenos. Pottery evidence of the following periods suggests restricted activity on the site until the beginning of the 1st century B.C., when the sanctuary definitely declined. It is mentioned by Pausanias in the 2nd century A.D. Later on, probably in the 3rd century A.D., the metal clamps bonding the architectural members of the temple, were removed and, as a result, parts of the superstructure collapsed. Its position, though, was not forgotten in the following centuries.In 1811, the English Cockerell and the German von Hallerstein, stole the sculptures of the pediments and transferred them abroad, to sell them later to king Ludwig I of Bavaria. Today they are on display in the Alte Glyptothek of Munich.The first systematic archaeological investigation was begun in 1901 by the German Ad. Furtwaengler. Work was resumed in 1966 by the German D. Ohly, who excavated on the site until 1979 and was continued by his collaborators until 1988. TheTemple: The imposing temple was built in ca. 500 B.C. An earlier building existed on the same position, built in the 6th century B.C. but it was burnt down in around 510 B.C. It was Doric, peripteral, with 6 x 12 columns, made of poros stone. Its destroyed architectural members were buried during the construction of the artificial terrace on which the new temple was erected. The new temple is also Doric, peripteral, with 6 x 12 columns.The pronaos and the opisthodomos are flanked by two columns in antis. The cella is divided into three aisles by two two-storied colonnades, of five Doric columns each. The temple measures 13.77 x 28.81 m. on the stylobate and is made of local poros. All the porous surfaces of the temple were covered with stucco except for the crepis. Inside the temple, the chryselephantine statue of the goddess was kept, protected by railings in the pronaos and opisthodomos.The Altar At the middle of the facade of the temple, a ramp, 2.90 m. wide, was constructed, connecting the temple with the altar. The latter, was located to the east of the temple and was 12m. wide. Propylon It was situated in the south part of the temenos and gave access to the sanctuary. Both its facades - north and south - ended in two columns between antae (in antis). The inner transverse wall had an opening at the middle. The northern room ended at three stairways leading to the interior of the sanctuary.Apart from these main structures, a house for the priests was built to the SE of the sanctuary, while outside the enclosed area, near the propylon, religious activity connected with Pan, was attested. Votive offerings were erected around the temple.