Greek Cruise and Island Walking

Our Grecian adventure begins today at 6pm at Athens International Airport (ATH). The latest your flight can arrive is 5.30pm, giving you time to clear the airport. We'll meet and travel as a group by bus to the port of Rafina or Marathon where we'll catch a ferry to the island of Evia. On arrival, it's a short taxi or minibus ride to Karystos where our caique will be waiting for us. Before settling into our cabins, we'll meet our friendly boat crew and enjoy a welcome drink. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you have time to spare, Athens is easily accessible by metro from the airport. The airport is well signposted (in English) and it's a direct train. There are also luggage storage facilities at the airport. Our home for the week is the MV Isidoros II, a traditional wooden caique, owned by our captain and tour leader, Thanos and his family. Thanos has been a part of the Explore family for 20 years - there's nobody better to give you a warm welcome both aboard and to Evia. The vessel is exclusively chartered by Explore and has just eight cabins. Listed as a historic caique, there are fewer than 80 of the iconic Greek-designed boats left in existence, so being able to stay aboard is a real treat. Ours was built in 1962 and was originally used as a cargo ferry before being converted in 1974 to the comfortable passenger cruiser it is today. It's owned and captained by Thanos, our tour leader, who's been a part of the Explore family for 20 years. There's nobody better to give you a warm welcome to the caique and Evia, too. The boat has a large sundeck and a comfortable galley for meals. There is a bar where you can purchase a range of local wine and beer, spirits, and soft drinks. There's also a boat ladder and snorkelling equipment available on board to make the most of the many swimming opportunities. All of the cosy cabins are en-suite with windows and large fans and there is complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Our boat has a real home-from-home feel and you're free to move around as you please. If you'd like to enjoy the clear night sky and cool breeze, you can even choose to sleep on deck. Evia is one of the largest Greek islands but remains off the main tourist trail. In summer and on the weekends, you'll find the main visitors are the Greeks leaving the city of Athens to enjoy the waterfront tavernas and uncrowded beaches. This makes visiting Evia an authentic local experience. The rugged coastline is dotted with market towns, fishing villages, secluded coves, and wide sandy beaches. The sea is clear and warm, making it a wonderful spot to swim and snorkel, while the pine-covered hills provide the perfect backdrop and help to keep the evening temperatures cooler. Please note, the order of the itinerary and inclusions may vary due to weather and cruising conditions.

Today we'll travel towards the Archipelagos of Petali, where seven private and exclusive islands offer the best of the 'Jet Set' lifestyle in the Aegean. Once the summer residence of the Greek Royal family, today it's the playground of the Picasso family, the Embiricos family and other shipping tycoons. Maria Calas spent many summers here. There'll be the opportunity to swim from the boat before we arrive in Marmari which retains its traditional charm, with a small fishing port, family-run tavernas, and shops selling local products like honey, olives, and handmade crafts. Food and drink is a major part of our journey and you certainly won't go hungry. Our boat crew will go out to local markets to buy fresh ingredients for our breakfasts and lunches on board the boat, so what we eat will depend on what's in season. Our hearty breakfast will normally include fresh bread, cheese, ham, eggs, cereals, Greek yogurt, honey, marmalade, and fruit. Washed down with orange juice, coffee, or tea. Our crew will also serve complimentary tea and coffee with tasty biscuits and cake every day at around 11am and 5pm. Lunch is usually a freshly prepared hot meal such as oven-baked fish accompanied by seasonal salads and traditional appetisers and followed by a platter of fresh fruit. Each night of our trip, our tour leader, Thanos, is keen to show us Greek hospitality and great food in one of the waterfront tavernas. This gives you the opportunity to try authentic Greek grub such as barbecued seafood and various meats alongside traditional vegetable dishes. In short, this trip is perfect for foodies!

Today we'll take a transfer to the starting point of our walk in the village of Kampos, where the vineyards of the island grow. From here, we'll walk around the headland of Lycorema to Marmari on local paths through agricultural land. Marmari is a small port and fishing village with traditional tavernas, and cafes dotted along the waterfront. In the afternoon, we'll sail around the headland to Karystos. Today's leisurely50 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take around 3 hours with no noticeable ascent or descent.

Today, we'll take some time to explore enchanting Panagia, a tiny, traditional fishing village, on foot. From the harbour, we'll drive up country lanes and tracks to the village of Zarakes before moving on to Argyro (400 metres/1,312 feet), where the red-roofed houses are dwarfed by the mountains above. From here, we'll descend to the coastal hamlet of Agios Dimitrios and walk back along the coastal road to Panagia. This afternoon, we'll cruise to Eretria, one of the most well-known cities of ancient Greece and the birthplace of our alphabet. Please note that during times of adverse weather, usually when there are high winds, it might not be possible to sail to Eretria. Our captain will monitor the weather daily and make a final decision on the planned route. Today's leisurely walk covers 4 kilometres/3.7 miles and is expected to take around 4 hours, with 400 metres/1,312 feet of ascent and descent.

This morning, we'll take a transfer to the start of our walk in the rolling hills above the small summer resort by the prehistoric Dragon Houses (400 metres/1,312 feet). From here, we'll walk down ancient paths and through olive groves to the Valley of Styra and back to the harbour. As the sun sets, we'll cruise to Marmari. Today's moderate 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take around 4 hours with 400 metres/1,312 feet of ascent and descent.

Today our journey begins with a one-hour taxi ride to the secluded village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ohi, the starting point for our gorge walk. Our walk is on one of the island's oldest paths, an ancient trail winding through a gorge that leads to a isolated and untamed beach on the east coast. The trail initially meanders alongside a river before gradually ascending, offering breathtaking views of limestone cliffs and the endless blue expanse of the Aegean Sea. The striking canyon is a flourishing haven for diverse life, abundant with aromatic thyme, oregano, and sage; colorful peonies and delicate orchids and towering plane and chestnut trees. After exploring this stunning landscape, we take a one-hour drive back to our boat. Today's moderate grade 9 kilometre/5.6 mile walk is expected to take around 5 hours with 200metres/656 feet of ascent and 400 metres and 1,312 feet of descent.

After breakfast this morning, we'll take taxis to Mili where we'll begin our walk up to the villages of Gourna. These traditional villages sit beneath the imposing peak of the mythical Mount Ohi. Continuing along paved paths and dirt tracks, we'll arrive at the old Ventian castle 'Castello Rosso' (400 metres/1,312 feet) and enjoy the views back across to Gourna and Mount Ohi, and down to the coast, returning to the boat. Tonight, we'll stay at a small hotel in Karystos. Today's moderate 10 kilometre/6.2 feet walk is expected to take around 5 hours with 400 meters/1,312 feet ascent and descent.

Departing Karystos this morning, we'll take a short taxi or minibus ride back to Marmari or Styra to board the ferry for the journey back to Rafina or Marathon on the mainland. Our ferry will depart at approximately 9.50am. From Rafina, we'll transfer to Athens International Airport, where we'll arrive at around 11.30am. The earliest your flight can depart is 1.30pm.