Luxury Sailing and Archaeology adventure (Aegina - Corinth - Nafplio - Mycenae - Hydra)

A unique sailing adventure that will travel you through Greece’s extensive history and major UNESCO Worldwide Heritage sites!

Join us on board and let us sail you through the Mediterranean's crystal clear waters to some of Greece’s most significant archaeological sites. Our professional guides will travel you back in time and give you a deep insight into Ancient Greek history. You will have the chance to visit some major UNESCO Heritage sites, such as the Acropolis with the Parthenon, Ancient Mycenae with its cyclopean walls, and the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus. At the same time you will enjoy a fantastic weekly sailing holiday, visit some of the renowned Greek islands, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, even hiking or cycling on the islands and of course, taste the delicious local cuisine and meet the locals!

If you are a history aficionado, but you can’t stay away from the sea, this is the perfect trip for you! It perfectly combines leisure at sea and water activities with a profound journey throughout Greece’s history and civilization. Take your friends or family and come aboard for an unforgettable experience!

Tour Highlights

• Sail to Aegina Island, famous for its pistachios
• Visit the temple of Aphaea, built in 500 BC, and the monastery of Agios Nektrarios, one of the biggest in the Balkans
• Swim in the crystal–clear waters of Agkistri island
• Cross the striking Corinth Canal and explore Ancient Corinth, one of the major trade centers of the antiquity
• Listen to a stage whisper at the ancient Epidaurus theater and visit the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the most famous healing center of the Greek and Roman world
• Walk up the hill of Ancient Mycenae with its impressive cyclopean walls and the famous Lions’ gate
• Visit Nafplio, one of the most romantic cities in Greece, and the imposing Venetian castle of Palamidi
• Take a Donkey-riding  tour on car-free Hydra or follow one of its numerous hiking paths
• Take a guided tour in Athens, the city where democracy was born, climb up the sacred hill of Acropolis with the Parthenon, and feel the unique aura of this UNESCO Heritage site 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Athens city & Acropolis guided tour – Agkistri island

On the first morning of this unique sailing and archaeology adventure, you will enjoy a fantastic guided walking tour in the city of Athens and explore some of its major highlights, such as the Greek Parliament, the National Gardens, the Temple of Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch and of course the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site of the Acropolis with the Parthenon. Once your tour is over (duration 3.5 – 4 hrs), you can enjoy lunch in one of the nearby restaurants, before heading to the marina to embark on our yacht (check-in is around 15:30 – 17:00).

Our crew will be there to welcome you on board! In the afternoon you will check in at the sailing yacht, which will be your vacation home for the next week. You will take a boat tour with all the necessary instructions you need to know and you can settle in your cabins. We will then sail to our first destination, Agkistri Island, a small verdant paradise with beautiful turquoise waters (approx. 3.5hrs sailing journey, 21 nm). Depending on the weather conditions, we will either anchor at the main port or throw anchor at a nearby beach, so you can go out and enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Meals: Welcome snacks
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 2: Agkistri – Korfos (Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth castle & Ancient Mycenae)

After enjoying breakfast on board, we will set sails to the small port of Korfos (max. 2 hrs sailing, 12 nm), located in the southeastern part of Corinthia (Peloponnese peninsula). This will be our yacht’s base, so we can explore today the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, one of the major cities in antiquity and an important trade center. On a high monolithic rock, overlooking the ancient city of Corinth, lies the impressive Acrocorinth castle, which we’ll visit next. It was the Acropolis of the ancient cities and one of the most important fortification works in Greece. The views from the castle over the Corinthian Gulf are captivating! Undoubtedly, we cannot leave Corinth, without visiting the striking Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece and connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea.

Only 40 minutes away lies the archaeological site of Mycenae, also protected as a UNESCO Heritage site. It was the kingdom of the mythical Agamemnon and the most important and richest palatial center of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. First sung by Homer in his epics, the fortified citadel with its cyclopean walls is nested over the fertile plain of Argolis, offering also wonderful panoramic views!

Later in the afternoon, we’ll return back to Korfos and you will have the rest of the day free to relax, enjoy a swim if the weather is good and have dinner in one of the seaside restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast 
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 3: Korfos – Epidaurus (Ancient Epidaurus, Olive Oil tasting & Nafplio)

Today, after breakfast on board, we will sail towards the port of Epidaurus (approx. 1.5 hrs sailing, 9 nm). Upon arrival in Palaia (=old) Epidaurus, you will be transferred to the archaeological site of Epidaurus, lying just 20 min away. This is where peacefully lies the Sanctuary of the god-physician Asclepius, the most famous healing center of the Greek and Roman world and a UNESCO Worldwide Heritage site. Besides the sanctuary of Asclepius, we’ll also visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the greatest monuments of Ancient Greece, the finest and most renowned of its kind, perfectly combining acoustics with elegance and symmetrical proportions.

Just 10min away from the Sanctuary of Asclepius, among old olive groves, is located a family-run Organic Olive Oil Farm, which we’ll visit next. You will take a tour and learn more about extra virgin olive oil making in Greece and you will additionally have the chance to taste some high-quality olive oil!

In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of the most picturesque and romantic towns all around Greece, Nafplio (3omin away), where we will spend the afternoon. Nafplio was the first capital of the newly born Greek state, after Aegina island, but the history of the city traces back to the prehistoric era. Ancient walls, medieval castles, monuments and statues, Ottoman springs and Venetian or neoclassical buildings captivate the visitor with their unique architecture and beauty. A walk around the narrow paved streets of the Old Town is like a trip to the past. But what is even more impressive is the Venetian castle of Palamidi, overlooking the town of Nafplio and the 913 steps connecting it with the town.

You will have free time to walk around the city, visit the chic boutique shops, and admire the unique “Bourtzi” island castle and the spectacular views over Akronafplia castle.

We will later return to Epidaurus port and you will have the evening free for dinner and relaxation.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 4: Epidaurus - Methana - Poros island

Today it will be a more relaxing day, free of archaeological sites, yet very interesting! After breakfast, we’ll set sail for the island of Poros (approx. 3.5 hrs sailing, 23 nm). On our way there, we can make a stop at the volcanic peninsula of Methana. The more than thirty volcanoes that rise into the sky in peculiar formations give Methana its distinctive and unique appearance.

Our crew will prepare lunch for you, while you enjoy your swim. We will then continue towards Poros Island. Once we enter Poros harbor, you cannot help but sigh at the scenic view of the little town that rises amphitheatrically over two hills and admires the historic Clock Tower and the pastel-colored buildings lining the harbor front. Free evening to explore the town, walk alongside the port, and have dinner at one of the seaside fish restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 5: Poros – Hydra island

In the morning, after we enjoy breakfast on board, we will sail to Hydra Island (approx. 1.5 hrs sailing, 12 nm). Once we get there, you are free to explore the car-free island of Hydra,  whose only transport is mules, foot, or boat. It is an elegant artist’s colony and gives a sense of magic and romantic touch. You can wander in the art shops, handmade jewelry stores, and clothing boutiques or take a gentle hike inland and upward, ascending to the Prophet Elias monastery. The island is a paradise for hiking lovers and naturalists and its diverse natural environment and rich history and tradition make Hydra a unique destination you will love. The sailing boat is at your entire disposal if you simply want to relax on board or enjoy swimming in one of the island’s rocky beaches!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 6: Hydra - Aegina island (Temple of Aphaea & Ag. Nektarios monastery

Today we will set sail to Aegina Island, famous for its pistachios (approx. 3.5hrs sailing, 25 nm). Aegina was the first (temporary) capital of the newly founded Greek state in 1827, this is why you will find many neoclassical buildings while you walk around its narrow streets.

Upon arrival in Aegina, we’ll take an exciting inland tour and explore some of its hidden gems! We will drive inland and visit the temple of Aphaea (dating back to 500 BC), located on a pine–clad hill on the northeast side of the island. What is of great interest is the fact that the temple forms an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of antiquity.

The next stop is the island’s Mystras and also the former capital of the island, Paleachora. We will follow the hiking trails to explore this abandoned “ghost town” with its numerous Byzantine churches and enjoy the panoramic views over the Saronic Gulf. Our last visit for today includes the impressive Monastery of Saint Nektarios, one of the biggest in the Balkans.

In the evening, we will return back to Aegina town and you will have free time to walk through its narrow streets or alongside the picturesque port and enjoy dinner at one of the seaside restaurants.

Tip: do not forget to buy some fresh fruits and vegetables from the floating groceries (traditional boats in the port selling fruits & vegetables).

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 7: Aegina (Archaeological site of Kolona) - Athens

Before we leave Aegina Island, we will visit the Temple of Apollo at the archaeological site of Kolona, which lies within a walking distance from the port. Here was the island’s ancient capital and this is where you will also find the Archaeological Museum, the first one to have ever been built in Greece (in 1829).

We will afterward start our sailing trip back to Athens. Stop en route for lunch on board, prepared by our crew, and a last opportunity for a swim!

We will reach the marina in Athens in the afternoon, around 17:00pm. This is when this wonderful sailing & archaeology adventure comes to an end. You can however stay tonight on board and check out the next morning.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Cabin on board the sailing yacht

Day 8: Departures

In the morning, by 9:00 am, you will have to check out from the boat. We can arrange your transfer to the airport if you are flying back home or you can continue your holidays in Greece!

• Meals: On your own 
• Accommodation: On your own

*Our skipper & crew reserve the right to modify the itinerary, based on the weather & wind conditions, at their own discretion.

Prices for private groups 2023: