GREECE FAMILY ADVENTURE ITINERARY:
DAY 1 — Fly overnight from the U.S. to Athens, Greece
DAY 2 — Athens/Piraeus/Embark/Cape Sounion
We arrive in Athens, and make our way to the Electra Palace
Hotel located in the shadow of the Acropolis. In the afternoon
in Piraeus, we embark Panorama and sail toward Cape Sounion
where we anchor under the headland. Take a late afternoon swim
before dinner, and don’t miss the sunset on the unparalleled
Temple of Poseidon above! (D)
DAY 3 — At Sea/Sifnos
Our first morning on board is spent at sea, cruising through
the Cyclades with hopes for some northerly winds to fill the
sails. We’ll stop for a late morning swim before coming in to
dock at the delightful island of Sifnos. Distinguished for its
pottery and its Venetian dovecotes, Sifnos is a rugged island
with a genuine Cycladian harbor village and upper chora
(village), waterfront tavernas and convenient beaches. It’s a
great island for walkers or loungers alike, and perfect to set
the island mood for the week. (B,L,D)
Family Focus: We’ll stop at a pottery factory to cast our own
pottery. In the early evening we’ll have a demonstration and
lesson in traditional Greek dance.
DAY 4 — Santoríni
Incomparable Santoríni is an island archipelago that was
once a single volcanic cone. It erupted in the second millennium
BC and buried what some say might have been the civilization of
Atlantis. Stand on deck as we sail into the caldera (the center
of the old volcano) to observe the cliffs from the sea. On shore
we drive through some of the windswept vineyards characteristic
of Santoríni to the archaeological museum on the road to Thira,
where we visit the Nomikos Foundation. After an introduction to
some of the artwork at the Foundation, we’ll have lunch in a
restaurant with unrivaled views of the caldera below. It’s a
short walk to the cable car or donkey path down to the dock.
We’ll sail out of the crater in mid-afternoon to find an
afternoon swim stop. (B,L,D)
Family Focus: Volcano activity and tracking of depth sounder as
we sail into the caldera.
DAY 5 — Kos
This morning we dock under the Castle of the Knights of St.
John in the busy harbor of Kos. Kos is a relatively flat island
with fragrant vegetation, and is the perfect place for a morning
bicycle ride to the impressive Hellenic and Roman ruins,
featuring a superb Odeon and impressive mosaics. Afterward, we
visit the Castle of the Knights to learn about the Crusaders. In
the afternoon we’ll gauge the wind and search for a sheltered
swim stop and a lively evening ashore. (B,L,D)
Family Focus: Crusaders and Knights of St. John. At visit to the
Odeon will introduce Greek drama and theater.
DAY 6 — Morning exploring/Patmos
We’ll take the morning to explore the northern reaches of
the Dodecanese Islands, looking for a morning sail and an
isolated swim. The rest of the day is devoted to one of the most
important Christian sites in the world Patmos. It is here that
St. John had his vision and wrote the Bible’s Book of
Revelation. We’ll take the afternoon to visit Monastery of St.
John, the adjacent Holy Cave of the Apocalypse and the
catacombs, with some free time to explore the attractive town
itself. (B,L,D)
Family Focus: Continue our examination of Knights and Crusaders.
Also, “Why were the early Christian sites all in caves?”
DAY 7 — Morning sail and swim/Naxos
Fertile Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades, and renowned
in mythology as the island where Theseus abandoned Ariadne after
she told him the secrets of the Kretan labyrinth. Naxos was one
of the centers of the alluring Cycladic art style of 5000 years
ago. Anchoring during lunch, we’ll drive into the heart of the
island up to the oldest village of Apeiranthos. This is a
village that has retained its traditional appearance with narrow
streets of paved marble, two-story houses built of local stone,
sloping alleys and charming cafes. We will also explore an
intriguing Venetian Castle with narrow, twisting alleyways and
secret passages. We’ll re main in port this evening, where you
can have dinner on board or in town. (B,L,D)
Family Focus: Medieval castles, and review for theater visit at
Delos.
DAY 8 — Delos/At Sea
This morning we land at the tiny archaeological highlight of
Delos, where the twin gods Artemis, goddess of animals and the
hunt, and Apollo, god of healing, reason, and light were born.
Today it is a magnificent archaeological site, where we explore,
among other places, the Street of the Lions and the marble
temple of Apollo. We also visit the dramatic theater, setting
the stage for our afternoon onboard presentation by
participating kids on our voyage. There will also be time for a
midday swim on Delos before we set sail for our final afternoon
at sea, leaving the Cyclades behind us and bound for Cape
Sounion. (B,L,D)
Family Focus: Final “theater” presentation of Greek gods and
mythology, which kids have been developing all week.
DAY 9 — Piraeus/Disembark/Athens
Disembark Panorama this morning for transfers to Athens airport,
or take the optional 3-night extension to Crete.
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