Antiquity to Byzantium Cruise - M/S Galileo - CAT C Lower Deck

Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board. Overnight in port. (D)

Leave the 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. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius - and for its theatre, which is in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a large theatre renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on the ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port. (B, L)

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colourful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia. Overnight at sea.

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 crossing 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, 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 (B)

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. Options excursion available for the day. Overnight at sea.

Early morning arrival in port of Katakolon. We will disembark around 7:00 a.m. and an optional excursion by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight in port.

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. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Marina Zea.

Disembarkation after breakfast at 9:00 am. End of Services. (B)