fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Treasures of the Peloponnese

Treasures of the Peloponnese

OPPPN
Call for Price

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Succumb to the charms of Eternal Greece during a new 8-day cruise offered by PONANT. With Athens as the departure point, set sail aboard Le Lyrial for an exceptional tour of Peloponnese that will give you access to historic and cultural sites that are among the most celebrated in Greece.

During your stop at Sifnos in the Cyclades, discover this harmonious island exploited since Antiquity for its gold and silver mines, offering gentle landscapes, mountains paths and a rich endemic flora. From the main port of Kamares, set off to the picturesque fortified village of Kastro, sitting atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Le Lyrial will then move towards Milos, especially renowned for the famous statue of Venus found in a field there and now displayed in the Louvre in Paris. This mineral island is also a geological treasure.

In Gythio, the main port of ancient Sparta, discover the Byzantine city of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then, when the ship calls at Pylos, the Palace of Nestor, one of the heroes of the Trojan War, and of course the wonderful archaeological site of Delphi clinging to the slopes of Mount Parnassus, which you will reach from Itea.

Le Lyrial will finally cross the Corinth Canal, thus sailing through the Peloponnese isthmus to arrive in Athens, the City of the Gods, the end of your Mediterranean odyssey.

Trip Name
Treasures of the Peloponnese
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Launched: 2015 A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the  luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in  Mediterranean coves A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 ATHENS
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. Don’t miss anything of the city’s cultural past. Pay a visit to the National Archaeological museum, or the Cycladic Art Museum.
Day 2 - Day 2 KAMARES, SIFNOS
Nestling in the Cyclades, the harmonious and much less crowded island of Sifnos is home to many treasures. Exploited since antiquity for its gold and silver mines, this little-known pearl boasts gentle landscapes and is a botanical paradise. The rich endemic flora can be admired along the island’s mountain paths that have been trodden for thousands of years. From the main port of Kamares, set off to discover the nearby sandy beach which runs along a lagoon and whose dunes are covered in sea daffodils. The picturesque fortified village of Kastro is another of the island’s wonders. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, this spot, where people have lived since prehistoric times, is very much an open-air museum.
Day 3 - Day 3 ADAMAS, MILOS
Although Milos is especially renowned for the famous statue of Venus found in a field there and now displayed in the Louvre in Paris, this mineral island is also a geological treasure. Its volcanic origin is evident in its breathtaking landscapes and the colours of its cliffs, ranging from pure white to deep red. You’ll discover the wild beauty of the shorelines lined with the most beautiful beaches in Greece from a ship deck, and you’ll enjoy privileged access to emerald-green coves. Tiny fishing ports like Adamas hide there, with brightly-painted doors and terraces. Milos is a charming port of call in the heart of the Cyclades.
Day 4 - Day 4 GYTHIO
Located in the south of the Peloponnese, on the Mani Peninsula, Gytheio was the main port and naval base of ancient Sparta, located around fifty kilometres inland. In Roman times, the port experienced significant expansion thanks to trading in imperial dye; in fact, the region had an abundance of murex, the rock snails from which this dye, loved by the Romans, was extracted. The town is nestled against Mount Koumaros and dominated by a citadel. Take a stroll and fall under the charm of the calm that reigns over the stairways bordered by small neoclassic houses with steps overrun with wild flowers.
Day 5 - Day 5 PYLOS
The picturesque port of Pylos is located in the south west of the Peloponnese. Backed against the lush green hills of Messenia, it looks out onto the Navarino Bay. You can admire the gorgeous view as you walk uptown amid pink oleanders that cascade over the jetty. A stone’s throw away, the historical centre’s winding streets will plunge you into a maze of houses with whitewashed facades and terracotta roof-tiles. On the attractive main beach, you will be able to relax in the shade of the age-old plane trees and taste the delicious local biscuits made of sesame and honey.
Day 6 - Day 6 PAXI
Paxi Island is one of the Ionian islands’ best kept secrets, only reachable by boat. You will be lured in by the port of Gaios and the colourful houses surrounding the orthodox church of Analipsi. On the northern tip of the island, you’ll want to dive straight into the translucent waters of the Lakka bay. After that, you can climb into a caïque and head for the little island of Agios Nikolaus, where the Venetian fort awaits your visit.
Day 7 - Day 7 ITEA & CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL
Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains, and their Archaeological Museum is chock-full of cultural delights.The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!
Day 8 - Day 8 ATHENS
Disembarkation.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • A kid-friendly, family cruise, with specific entertainment.
    • A circumnavigation of the Peloponnese with the discovery of numerous ancient Greek sites.
    • Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis of Athens (embarkation and disembarkation port), the medieval ruins of Mystras (from Gythio), the sanctuary of Delphi (from Itea).
    • Crossing the Corinth Canal.
    • The possibility of visiting Athens, cradle of the gods, before or after your cruise.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Greece
More of activity:
Mediterranean Cruises