River Cruises Direct

M/S Galileo - The Ship

The 48 meter "Galileo" is a classic steel Motor Sailer, with spacious and well appointed interiors, renovated in 2016. The Galileo always sails under motor, sails are occasionally used when weather and route allow.

On the main deck, a lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and leather. Guests enjoy a shaded outdoor deck area and bar whilst the ship’s sun deck is equipped with sunbeds and deckchairs.

Jewels of the Cyclades on the M/S Galileo

Day 1: Marina Zeas (Athens) - Poros

Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Poros for a short 3 hours visit, before set sail to Poliegos. Overnight at sea.

Day 2: Poliegos - Folegandros

Morning arrival in Poliegos, a very small island known for its amazing beaches. Morning swim stop followed by a BBQ on deck. Afternoon sailing to Folegandros, one of the most amazing and less known islands in the Aegean Sea. Walk the amazing Upper city and dine at one of the traditional Greek tavernas.

Day 3: Santorini

Morning arrival at Santorini (occasionally at anchor) to explore its unique capital Fira. Optional excursion to Akrotiti excavations and a tour of the villages, including the small beautiful village of Oia know for its breathtaking view over the caldera. Overnight in Santorini.

Day 4: Antiparos - Paros

In the morning you will enjoy a swim stop in an enchanting bay of Antiparos. Early noon arrival in Paros. Visit Parikia and the quaint village of Naoussa. Time to have a fun night and show us your dancing skills during our famous Greek night. Overnight in Paros.

Day 5: Delos- Mykonos

Optional morning tour to the unique archaeological site of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island. Later on, we stop at one of Mykonos beautiful bays for swimming off the ship before sailing into the port of Mykonos. The island of the jet setters is yours to explore and the night is young. Overnight in Mykonos.

Day 6: Syros

After a morning swim we will arrive in Syros, the capital of the Cycladic islands where you can enjoy one of its beautiful sandy beaches or walk through town and enjoy the unique architecture of the buildings. Overnight in Syros.

Day 7: Kythnos - Marina Zeas (Athens)

In the morning we will arrive in Kythnos where you will enjoy a swim in Kolones bay and will then set sail for Marina Zea where we will arrive in the late afternoon via Cape Sounion, the temple of Poseidon. Overnight in Marina Zea.

Day 8: Marina Zeas (Athens) - Disembarkation

Disembarkation after breakfast.

M/S Galileo - Cabins

Category C: Lower Deck- 1 Double or 2 Single Beds

The Category C cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with flat-screen TVs, mini fridge, central music, internal telephone, safe deposit boxes, hair dryer & ensuite bathroom with shower.  

Category B: Lower Deck - Flexible Bedding Configuration

The Category B cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with flat-screen TV, mini fridge, central music, internal telephone, safe deposit boxes, hair dryer & ensuite bathroom with shower.  

Category A: Upper Deck - 1 Double or 2 Single Beds

The Category A cabins are located on the Upper Deck and have large Portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with flat-screen TV, mini fridge, central music, internal telephone, safe deposit boxes, hair dryer & ensuite bathroom with shower.   

M/S Galileo - Deck Plan

Antiquity to Byzantium on the M/S Galileo

Day 1 (Friday): Marina Zeas (Athens)

Embarkation 2 to 3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.

Day 2 (Saturday): Palaia Epidaurus (Optional excursion)

We leave our 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 once again 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 huge theatre (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.

Day 3 (Sunday): Nafplion - Mycenae (Optional excursion)

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colourful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.

Day 4 (Monday): Gythion (Optional excursion)

Early morning arrival to 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 used as a port, enlarging the natural harbour they made Gythion their naval base. Leaving Gythion we will cross 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 caves we will 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 which are strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Pylos (Optional excursion)

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. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. After stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our optional excursion to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Katakolon - Olympia (Optional excursion)

Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and travel by bus for our optional excursion to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion, lodging place for the athletes who participated in the games. We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artefacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After having time at leisure we will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.

Day 7 (Thursday): Itea - Delphi (Optional excursion)

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. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we sail to Marina Zeas. Overnight in Marina Zeas.

Day 8 (Friday): Marina Zeas (Disembarkation)

Disembarkation after breakfast.