fbpx

Ionian Cruise – Discover the Greek Islands in 8 Days

Ionian Cruise – Discover the Greek Islands in 8 Days

From EUR €3,300

Description

Embark on a captivating 12-day Ionian cruise starting and ending in Corfu, an island famed for its lush scenery and rich history. Journey through idyllic Greek islands like Lefkada with its untouched beaches and historic towns, Zakynthos known for its pristine waters, and Kefalonia, celebrated for its rugged landscapes and Venetian influences. Experience the Caribbean-esque waters of Antipaxi, explore the unspoiled nature of Paxi, dive into the vibrant marine life of Sivota, and briefly venture to Saranda, Albania’s lively coastal city. Each destination promises a unique blend of natural beauty, historical treasures, and local culture, making this cruise a perfect getaway into the heart of the Ionian Sea.

Trip Name
Ionian Cruise - Discover the Greek Islands in 8 Days
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Three-Mast Sailing Vessel, Barquentine Length: 64 metres Passenger Capacity: 42 Running On Waves is one of the biggest sailing yachts in the world. According to SOLAS convention, the highest safety standards are maintained on board a vessel of this class, the same as would apply to a cruise liner carrying thousands of passengers. “Running on Waves” operates under the flag of Malta. The ship was conceived to combine maneuverability of a sport yacht, the highest standards of comfort and decor, and a shallow draft that allows calling at small marinas inaccessible even to many a big yacht, let alone cruise liners. The unmatched draft of 3.2 metres was made possible owing to a brilliant idea to use lead ballast. The uniqueness of a number of technological solutions confirmed by the US Patent Department. Every guest of ours enjoys 15,5 square metres of available open teakwood deck space, that is three times more than aboard most expensive cruise ships and would befit a most prestigious private mega-yacht. The policy of the Company is to always keep the boat in a mint condition. That is why, despite her tender age, we do profound refitting every winter, so that in Spring she welcomes you in full glamour of perfection. Sails are our main driving power, thus we boast unbeatably low level of fuel consumption, on average 75 l per hour only, which is about 10 times lower than on a motor boat of a comparable size. Premium comfort notwithstanding, RUNNING ON WAVES is nothing close to a floating hotel or a museum on water, she is a supercharged windship, and with favourable wind can run at 16 – 17 knots under sail. The ship’s superbly efficient ratio of sailing surface to displacement 2 sw.m/t makes her one of the fastest sailboats of old and new times. To make sailing comfortable at any sea conditions, cutting-edge technologies were used, such as pitch-killing stabilizers, while sophisticatedly calculated mass distribution prevents the hull oscillation frequency from resonating with the frequency, which affects human vestibular system. There are desalinators on board which account for the unlimited supply of fresh water. Air–conditioning throughout the vessel makes you feel a sheikh even in hottest days of Mediterranean summer. Our state-of-the-art hydraulic ramp at the stern of the vessel allows for a direct access to water for swimming and water sports. Sun Deck Primary feature — a spacious deck for sunbathing with 16 chaise lounge chairs, which are accessible at any time absolutely free of charge. Additionally, the ship has a large area of covered surfaces, creating vast shaded zones on open decks, which allow for an enjoyable cruise while being protected from the sun. A fresh water Jacuzzi-swimming pool, accommodating six people, is located in the fore of the ship. In the aft of the ship, navigation equipment is behind the command bridge, followed by the massage center and the lounge area. A tour of the command bridge can be arranged at passenger’s request. One may enjoy professional massage services in the massage parlor, followed by some downtime on a small sofa in the lounge area. Main Deck The restaurant located on the Main deck is ready to please the ship’s guests with delicacies of Mediterranean cuisine. A fantastic Ocean Bar, located in front of the restaurant in the central part of the deck, offers refreshing drinks and exotic cocktails. You can enjoy your breakfast seated on comfortable sofas located in the cockpit, aft of the ship. Smoking is not prohibited in this zone. An observation deck in the fore of the ship is above the bowsprit, creating the feeling of flying over the water! Mini-suites and Premium cabins are located on the main deck. Size of the cabins vary from 16m2 to 20m2 (172ft2 – 215ft2). Tween Deck Passenger cabins occupy most of the tween deck. Crew cabins, companion cabins for the crew and the galley are also located on the tween deck. Fully equipped Water sports center with access to a hydraulic ramp is located in the stern. The stern can be opened up and lowered onto the water, transforming into a diving deck for water sports and recreation. Standard cabins and economy class cabins are located on the tween deck. Cabin sizes vary from 11m2 to 12m2 (118ft2 – 129ft2).

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Corfu
Still recognisable as the idyllic refuge where the shipwrecked Odysseus was soothed and sent on his way home, Corfu continues to welcome weary travellers with its lush scenery, bountiful produce and pristine beaches.Since the 8th century BC the island the Greeks call Kerkyra has been prized for its untamed beauty and strategic location. Ancient armies fought to possess it, while in the early days of modern Greece it was a beacon of learning. Corfiots remain proud of their intellectual and artistic roots, with vestiges of the past ranging from Corfu Town's Venetian architecture to British legacies such as cricket and ginger beer.
Day 2 - Day 2 Lefkas
Despite being connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, making it one of the few Greek islands that you can drive to, Lefkada remains surprisingly unaffected by tourism.Laid-back Lefkada Town is a charming place to spend a day or two, while the hills of the interior still conceal timeless villages and wild olive groves, and the rugged west coast holds some amazing beaches, albeit in some cases badly damaged by recent earthquakes. Only along the east coast are there some overdeveloped enclaves; if you continue all the way south you’ll find stunning little bays and inlets, as well as windy conditions that attract kitesurfers and windsurfers from all over the world.Lefkada was originally a peninsula, not a true island. Corinthian colonisers cut a canal through the narrow isthmus that joined it to the rest of Greece in the 8th century BC.
Day 3 - Day 3 Zakynthos
Zakynthos, the most reserved island of GreeceZakynthos is the only Greek island having international status of the natural wildlife preserve. The island has been called “The flower of Mediterranean East” for its beauty and balmy gardens. Mirror-like waters of Zakynthos may be seen on almost every postcard of Greece.Yachts floating on the water surface appear to be suspended in the air. It would be a crime to visit and not to swim in this magical place! Once in town, one may go to the National Sea Wildlife Preserve or visit the temple of Saint Dionysus, the local winery and the olive oil pressing factory or walk along the coastal avenue – Strata Marina – the liveliest street in the town, filled with coffee shops, bars and restaurants.
Day 4 - Day 4 Kefalonia
Kefalonia, the largest Ionian islandKefalonia is the island of sailors and mountain climbers, Greeks and Venetians, winemakers and travelers. Here stands Enom – the tallest mountain of Ionic islands (1628 m), covered with unique pine trees. Those willing to make a pilgrim tour may get into the Saint Gerasim monastery. There you will find an ancient sycamore tree still standing, said to have been planted by the saint himself. His cave-cell is located under the building of the monastery. Then we shall go for Andrew the First-Called Apostle monastery, the museum with miracle-making icons of Stephano Tsagarol, the Monastery of Saint Crucifixion in Pessado and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with benches. It is also possible to pop into the local winery, where six kinds of Kefalonian wine are being made out of Robola grape.Another excursion will go to the famous Drogarati cave with stalactites, stalagmites and unusual acoustics, due to which Maria Kallas and Luchano Povarotti took the floor there once. Then the observation ground above the famous beach Mirtos awaits us, followed by a lunch in the picturesque nearby village of Agia Efimia. Our trip will end with the visit to the underground lake Melissani; the cave that once stood over it was destroyed during an earthquake. Now the lake is exposed to the sun, which creates beautiful light show on the water with colors ranging from sky-blue to intense dark-blue.
Day 5 - Day 5.1 Antipaxi
Enjoy Caribbean-esque beaches and translucent blue brightest waters – the landmark of Antipaxos. Vountoumi and Vrika are main beaches. Do not miss the chance to get to a secluded beach with a tender. Get adventures and cross the whole island through thickets of vineyards and olives. Sit and watch the world go by, the boats coming in and out of the bay at a few nice taverns. Regale yourself with famous Black wine, made of special sort of grapes that grows only here.
Day 6 - Day 5.2 Paxi
Unspoiled sceneryMeasuring a mere 13km from tip to toe, and spared overdevelopment by its lack of an airport, Paxi packs a lot of punch into its tiny frame. Facilities are concentrated in three delightful harbour villages tucked into its eastern shores – Lakka, Loggos and the ferry port of Gaïos. Each has its own crop of tasteful little hotels, rental apartments and seafront tavernas, and its own devoted fans.All make wonderful bases for exploring the rolling hills and centuries-old olive groves of the interior, and the wilder scenery of the west coast. Unspoiled coves can be reached by motorboat, while former mule trails lead to sheer limestone cliffs that plunge into the azure sea. Great hikes lead out to majestic Tripitos Arch in the south, and down to Erimitis Beach in the west, beneath a vast wall of crumbling rock, with a potential pause at Erimitis Bar & Restaurant en route.
Day 7 - Day 6 Sivota
Sivota, often dubbed the "Blue Lagoon" is a mesmerizing gem nestled along the western coastline of Greece. Snorkelers and divers revel in the opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life beneath the surface, encountering colorful fish darting among swaying sea grass. The rugged cliffs that frame Sivota add an element of drama to the landscape, providing breathtaking vistas for hikers and photographers alike. For those seeking adventure, Sivota offers a range of water sports activities, from kayaking and paddleboarding to sailing and jet skiing. Excursions to nearby islets and caves provide opportunities for exploration and discovery, with each outing revealing new facets of Sivota's enchanting beauty.
Day 8 - Day 7.1 Corfu
Technical stop
Day 9 - Day 7.2 Saranda
Saranda is the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, and come the summer months it seems like half of Tirana relocates here to enjoy the busy beach and busier nightlife along its crowd-filled seaside promenade. What was once a sleepy fishing village is now a thriving city, and while Saranda has lost much of its quaintness in the past two decades, it has retained much of its charisma.
Day 10 - Day 8 Corfu
Still recognisable as the idyllic refuge where the shipwrecked Odysseus was soothed and sent on his way home, Corfu continues to welcome weary travellers with its lush scenery, bountiful produce and pristine beaches.Since the 8th century BC the island the Greeks call Kerkyra has been prized for its untamed beauty and strategic location. Ancient armies fought to possess it, while in the early days of modern Greece it was a beacon of learning. Corfiots remain proud of their intellectual and artistic roots, with vestiges of the past ranging from Corfu Town's Venetian architecture to British legacies such as cricket and ginger beer.
Day 11 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-08-202418-08-2024EUR €3,300Tween Deck Standard. From
11-08-202418-08-2024EUR €3,300Tween Deck Economy. From
11-08-202418-08-2024EUR €3,926Main Deck Premium. From
11-08-202418-08-2024EUR €5,909Main Deck Mini Suite

Inclusions

    • Corfu: Discover the verdant landscapes and Venetian architecture of Corfu, a historic island that blends natural beauty with cultural richness.
    • Kefalonia: Explore Kefalonia's dramatic cliffs, ancient monasteries, and the mesmerizing underground Lake Melissani, showcasing the island's diverse attractions.
    • Zakynthos: Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Zakynthos, a natural wildlife preserve renowned for its vibrant marine life and lush, garden-like scenery.

Map