Peloponnese Treasures: From Antiquity to Byzantium Cruise
Overview
AN ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORY-THEMED CRUISE WITH AN EXPERT GUEST LECTURER THROUGH CORINTH CANAL A voyage through history dedicated to the Golden Age of Greek civilization and beyond, this cruise comes complete with a guest lecturer, Eugenia Alexiou. Eugenia has a Master’s degree in Byzantine Art, is an expert historian and, as a graduate of the Athens’ Tour Guide Academy, is the perfect tutor through all the classical sites and sights we visit. This journey to off-the-beaten track locales in the Peloponnese peninsula is a masterclass on the journey through classical antiquity and the Roman conquest, ending with the transition to the Christian empire of Byzantium. FRIDAY DEPARTURES | 7-NIGHTS/8-DAYS FROM ATHENS TO ATHENS, GREECE.Small Ship Cruising
- Guaranteed Departures
- Small Ship Cruise
- Unique Itineraries
Itinerary
Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Nafplion. Late evening arrival and dinner on board. Overnight in port..
Meal Plan: Only Dinner
We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for our optional excursion. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla, by pirates, and later by Goths in 395 AD and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight in port.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the glorious ancient city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia. Overnight at sea.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Early morning arrival in Gythion. Optional excursion to Mani peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular Dirou Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and later the Spartans enlarged the port and used it as their naval base. Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave, we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any other area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers who is strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Pylos is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. During our optional excursion and after stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight at sea.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Early morning arrival in port of Katakolon. We will disembark around 7:00 a.m. and an optional excursion takes us by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. From 1875 onward excavation work revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion. We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we will visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. Time at leisure and travel overland to Patra. Re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight in port.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. Stay awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. The oracle had the ability to prophecy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening Captain’s Farewell Dinner and sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Disembarkation at 8:30 - 9am after breakfast.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Inclusions
• Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
• Full-board onboard M/S GALILEO: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a Greek night Evening, and Captain’s Dinner.
• Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
• Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
• English-Speaking Cruise Escort.
Exclusions
• Beverages (except those mentioned above)
• Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements
• Crew tips
• Passenger personal expenses
• Wi-Fi (available at charge)
Notes
CABIN CATEGORIES
M/S GALILEO CABIN CATEGORIES
Cat C Lower Deck, Twin or double beds
Cat B Lower Deck, Flexible beds
Cat A Upper Deck, Twin or double beds (Triple cabins available)
Port Charges: AUD 837.
M/S GALILEO
Motor Sailor
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 48 m (157 ft)
Launched: 1992 | Rebuilt: 2007 | Renovated: 2025
Cabins: 24
Capacity: 49 passengers
Crew: 16-18
The M/S Galileo, built with the most stringent safety regulations, was launched in 1992 and was fully rebuilt in 2007. The latest renovation works of the M/S Galileo took place in 2025 and included significant upgrading of the indoor & outdoor public areas. The elegant Galileo has operated cruises in the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Galileo is always sailing under motors. Sails are occasionally used when weather and route allow. Service on board is provided by your Captain, the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced Marine and Hotel crew members.
The 48 meter M/S Galileo is a classic steel hull motor sailer, with spacious and well-appointed interiors renovated in 2025.
CABIN SPECIFICATIONS
The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes. Elegantly decorated, they have either twin or double sized beds and bathrooms with showers ensuite. Category B cabins have flexible bedding arrangement. All cabins are comfortably arranged and beautifully furnished with wooden furniture and light fabrics. Cabins have individually controlled A/C, offer storage space, and are fitted with flat-screen TVs, mini fridge, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, central music, public address system and safe boxes.
LIFE ON BOARD
During the day, life on board centers around the indoor lounge area and dining room, as well as the outdoor areas at the Main, Upper and Sun decks. The Captain will drop anchor at secluded bays and beautiful uninhabited islands where, weather permitting, guests enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking.
Main deck lounge & dining room
Renovated in 2020, the main deck lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and carpet flooring, and beautiful soft fabrics. The spacious dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and allows for spectacular views around you, while dining in an elegant environment. Food is served at the table or displayed on the state of the art hot & cold buffet which also includes an “a la minute cooking” section.
Upper deck lounge area & dining room
Guests on Galileo very much enjoy the shaded outdoor area with an outdoor bar where they can relax enjoying the most breathtaking sea views.
Sun deck
The vessel features a Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views and with ample Sun loungers’ space to sunbathe under the Mediterranean sun. In the evening you can watch the sunset, enjoy a drink overlooking the stars. Guests on the Galileo enjoy the shaded outdoor Bar area at the Upper Deck as well as the Sun Deck.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - (-10% on all bookings made until January 31, 2026).
* Early Bird Discount Conditions & Restrictions
• Bookings must be secured by paying upon confirmation 25% deposit on cruise fares per passenger
• Balance - max 60 days before departure
• All reservations are on request and on first-come-first-served basis
• THEY DO NOT APPLY FOR ANY EXISTING BOOKINGS!!
• The offers do not apply for group bookings
• Port charges are excluded from these discounts
• Please mention “EBD SUMMER 2026” at the moment of your booking. Otherwise, Full Rates will apply
• Offers cannot be combined with any existing or future offers
• EBD is subject to occupancy levels and maybe withdrawn at any time
• For FIT bookings the regular cancellation policy will apply.
* FAMILY OFFER
• SINGLE parent with 1 or max 2 children in same cabin: The parent pays Single cruise fare & children cruise for FREE
• COUPLE with 1 child sharing the same cabin: No charge for the child up to 10 years old 50% reduction for the child 11-17 years old.
• COUPLE with 2 or 3 (regardless of age) children: Both cabins will be charged at Single rate (single adult rate)
• Children (5-17 years old) having pre-booked the Family offer: 25% reduction on all optional excursion
*The offer needs to be requested at the time of reservation, it is subject to availability and occupancy levels. Port taxes are excluded.
Conditions & Restrictions for the Family offers:
• They apply for children 5-17 years old
• They are valid for new bookings only
• They are on request and on first come-first served basis
• “Special Family offer” to be mentioned at the time of booking so that the discounted rates will apply for the reservation. Otherwise, Full rates will apply.
• No reduction offered on port taxes which are additional for all participants
• They cannot be combined with any existing or future early bird discounts or special offers including Club exclusive offers.
NOT INCLUDED IN CRUISE FARE
Such personal expenses as drinks (other than included in the rate), laundry, spa-where applicable-, boutique items and gratuities, (gratuities are optional but as a rule, satisfied clients are expected to give to the captain, at the end of the cruise) medical expenses, port taxes, shore excursions (shore excursions are proposed and arranged on board by the tour leaders), use of the on board Wi-Fi (available at a charge), expenditures incurred ashore, and anything not mentioned in cruise program.
AMENDMENTS
There may be a charge for amendments of cruise date or decreasing pax number received less than 60 days prior to sailing.
Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of Cruises Company and of the Vessel's Captain in case of adverse weather conditions - winds of 6/7 Beaufort or more depending on the vessel- on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not automatically entitle passengers to any refunds, but Cruises company guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.
