AT A GLANCE

Hidden Greece: Discover the Authentic Side of Paradise

Let us guide you to our home, far from the usual tourist trails. Explore these 10 breathtaking island destinations that reveal a more enriching side of Greece—a true taste of Greek culture. Here, hospitality thrives, rooted in the ancient tradition of filoxenia (love for strangers), and every detail is crafted with meraki (love and soul).
Embark on a cruise voyage through the authentic Cycladic and Dodecanese islands. Uncover hidden gems rich in history, illuminated by Greece's iconic light, with crystal-clear waters and heavenly beaches. Experience the essence of Greece, where culture, nature, and hospitality intertwine to create unforgettable memories.

Highlights include: Cape Sounion - Ikaria - Patmos - Lipsi - Kalymnos - Amorgos - Koufonisia - Iraklia - Serifos

Day 1: Friday:  Athens, Marina Zeas (Piraeus) - Cape Sounion

Athens (2pm - 3pm) - Cape Sounion
All aboard! Our exploration begins as we head from Athens to Cape Sounion. As the sun sets on our first day of adventure, enjoy an al fresco, get-to-know-each-other dinner under the ancient Greek Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion. As night falls, we start our sail to Ikaria. Overnight at sea.

Day 2: Saturday: Ikaria 

Wake up in paradise: aka Seychelles Beach, Ikaria. Surrounded by craggy rocks, the beach is best accessed by boat (luckily you’ve chosen to cruise with Variety!) Enjoy your first of many swim stops before we sail onwards to Ikaria’s quaint port. Join our optional tour of Hiking in the wildlife, take a dip in thermal spas, join a family cooking class, or visit an ancient village. You’ll soon realize this is an island like no other! Fun fact: locals here live an average of 10 years longer than elsewhere in Greece. Overnight in Ikaria.

Day 3 Sunday: Patmos - Lipsi

Today we’ll voyage from Ikaria to Patmos to Lipsi. Patmos is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is often considered divine. As we sail onwards to Lipsi, enjoy lunch al fresco before diving into the glittering sea. We also invite you to join our on board tasting of Lipsi’s famous wine, Aposperiti. This elusive bottle is produced only on the island. You can thank your lucky grapes - and us! - later. Evening at leisure, overnight in Lipsi.
 

Day 4 | Monday : Kalymnos

Early morning sail to Kalymnos, but not without a swim stop on our way. Simple, authentic and packed to the shores with hiking routes, Kalymnos is a utopia for modern adventurers. It’s also home to the famous Greek sponge divers. Join us to our optional tour and meet the locals who harvest them, and learn all about the process from reef to market. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure; relax with a coffee, hike one of the famous island trails or - and we recommend this one - visit the stunning Esperidon fjord. Overnight in Kalymnos.
 

Day 5 | Tuesday: Levitha - Amorgos

From the Dodacanese to the Cyclades. Destination Amorgos, with a stop at Levitha island. The grand total of people living on Levitha is four. Yes, you read that right. The dedicated family raise animals and run a restaurant for visiting yachts - dine on their freshly-grilled fish. Trust us, you won’t regret it. In the afternoon, we sail onwards to Amorgo where Luc Besson’s movie, Big Blue, was shot. The island will transport you to the past with its authentic, laid-back villages. Evening at leisure in the mediaeval capital, overnight in Amorgos

Day 6 | Wednesday:  Amorgos - Koufonissia - Iraklia

Before we set sail today, we’ll stop for an optional tour at Panagia Chozoviotissa - a monastery carved into the dramatic sea-facing cliffs and bursting with significant ancient heirlooms. Then on to Koufonisia, a playground for water-lovers packed with caves and rock pools accessible only by boat. Jump off deck and snorkel, kayak or paddle board to explore them. Our afternoon cruise passes scenic Schinoussa to reach the tiny island of Iraklia, protected by Natura 2000 and offering incredible mountainous footpaths. Take a walk along them for awe-inspiring views. Enjoy laid-back Greek island life at leisure this evening. Overnight in port.

Day 7 | Thursday: Serifos

It’s the penultimate day, but it’s one to remember. We’ll sail to Serifos and start with a swim at a remote beach. Refuel with a barbecue on board then on to Chora, the island’s castle-village. Sit back at a cafe, indulge in souvenir shopping at the boutique stores, join us at our optional tour to a winery, or show off your creative side at the island’s pottery studio. We’ll enjoy a special dinner this evening: a chance to remember and reminisce about the hidden gems of Greece. Midnight sail back to Athens.

Day 8 | Friday: Athens - Marina Zeas (Piraeus)

Athens, Greece (8.30-9am)
Breakfast, disembarkation, and a chance to swap contact details with your fellow explorers, who we’re sure have become friends. With new islands explored, where to next? Find all our cruise itineraries here, and we hope to sea you on board again soon.
 

Included in this cruise:

Food & Drink

Half board (7 Breakfasts – 6 Lunches – 2 Dinners: Buffet breakfast and 1 or 2 meals daily)
Filter coffee, tea and mineral water all day
Complimentary House Wine, Beer and Soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
Local delicacies treats on board
Welcome Sail-away Reception on Day 1, a Greek Night Theme Evening with traditional music and/or dancers onboard, fun BBQ Lunches (weather permitting), and Captain’s Dinner
 

Highlights & Excursions during cruise 

PATMOS: The Historic Chorá with the Monastery of Saint-John and the Cave of the Apocalypse

 Duration approx. 3 hours • Transportation/Guide/Entry fees

 Included tour Depart the picturesque harbor of Skala for a short drive to the Cave of the Apocalypse and the imposing Monastery of St. John, built 900 years ago, exceptional in its architecture. Its thick, high walls are crowned all around with battlements and eight chapels. Visit the Treasury Museum in the Monastery with its jewelled chalices, crowns, vestments, and old manuscripts dating back to 1073. We will then continue for an insight exploration in Chora (Patmos main town) led by our local expert. Chara is of unique charm not only because of the dominating Castle and Monastery but for the Byzantine residences said to be the strongest ones built in the Aegean. Whitewashed houses, mansions with antique furniture and embroideries, captain's residences, narrow streets and alleyways all of which date back to the 15th century. Enjoy some time at leisure before returning to our ship.

LIPSI: An authentic Winery visit, a wine tasting with a view
Duration approximately 2 hours • Shuttle transfer, a winery visit, and tasting with 4 local wines and nibbles.

 We offer an exclusive experience for our guests on a Sunday: After a brief drive to escape the bustle of the town port, we arrive at a quaint Winery. Here, our guests have the opportunity to meet the owners and producers, engage in an informative talk and tour the premises. This is followed by a tasting session featuring four different local wines, paired with a selection of cheeses and olives, served at the outdoor bar with a superb view. This enjoyable and sociable event is an excellent way to discover more about these distinctive wines and the indigenous grape variety, Fokiano.

AMORGOS Endless blue Aegean, Hozoviotissa Monastery, and the whitewashed Chora Capital • Duration approx. 4 hours • Incl. Bus/Guide/Entry fee • Starting from Katapola bustling port we will arrive after a short drive at the imposing- 1000- year-old landmark of the island, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa. It is literally hanging on the cliff side about 100 m above the sea with breathtaking views. It was built around 1017, renovated in 1080 built by Alexius Comnenus I as an ode (poem) to the Grace of Panagia, known as the Virgin Mary, which is the patron saint of the island. Every year the holy icon is carried around to all villages. We will be climbing uphill at an easy pace to marvel at a perfect blend of nature and the beauty of man's creation which is, without doubt, the pride of Amorgos. Our next stop is Amorgos Capital, Chora: A medieval mountain village surrounded by windmills, dominated by a 13th century Venetian castle. Taking our easy walk here with our expert guide is like stepping in the dream of the perfect Greek village with its narrow winding alleys, whitewashed houses with friendly locals, charming squares and tiny churches holding centuries of stories. Have some time at leisure or a coffee break at a traditional kafenio before boarding our vehicle towards Katapola port.

Departure Dates 2025

May 16, 23, 30
June 06, 13, 20
July 04, 11, 26
Aug 29
 

Departure Dates 2026 

May: 15, 22, 29
Jun: 5, 19, 26
Jul:  3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Sep: 4