ENCHANTING GREECE AND THE AMALFI COAST
Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast
Athens - Monemvasia – Gythion - Giardini Naxos - Lipari – Capri - Rome
Idyllic islands, charming cobbled villages, spectacular scenery, intriguing history. Capture the heart of the Mediterranean in a single voyage. Each small harbour is especially suited for small ship exploration. Enjoy the best of the region — from the ancient ruins of Sparta and Mystras to the pure indulgence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1 ATHENS, GREECE
With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.
DAY 2 MONEMVASIA, GREECE
This beautiful hamlet might have been forgotten by time. Accessible only by a narrow causeway from the mainland, the city is a myriad of streets wide enough only for pedestrians, lined with picturesque shops and ancient, still lived in, houses. It’s easy to lose yourself in leisurely wandering here — after all, this region, Laconia, gives meaning to our English word laconic.
DAY 3 GYTHION, GREECE
This exuberant little port is the very essence of all that we celebrate as Greek. Cheerful pastel houses are littered among intriguing whitewashed lanes and staircases. Playful sculptures welcome you to the harbour’s cheerful shops, coffee houses, and waterfront cafés. This is a perfect place to enjoy a cup of rich coffee or a glass of ouzo while you watch the world go by. To explore further, consider an excursion to the Dyros Caves, often cited as the most beautiful in the world.
DAY 5 GIARDINI NAXOS, ITALY
Today you’ll discover one of Sicily’s jewels, the charming village of Giardini Naxos, nestled in one of the world’s most beautiful bays. An excursion to the popular hillside town of Taormina will be a highlight of your voyage — from the stunning setting of the iconic Greek Theatre to the sparkling beaches along the Ionian Sea. Take a more adventurous tack and explore Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.
DAY 6 LIPARI, ITALY
Today is a good day to live the yachting life to its fullest. As our small ship rests alongside the glamorous yachts of the world’s elite, you’ll fit right in. Take time on shore to explore the beautiful village and enjoy the exclusive access that only a small ship can provide in a port large cruise ships cannot reach. Special excursions allow you to experience the island’s dramatic natural beauty, from a hike to the rim of an active volcano to a wonderfully indulgent geothermal mud bath.
DAY 7 CAPRI, ITALY
In English, it’s ka-PREE . In Italian, KAH-pree. In person, it’s simply spectacular. Whether you seek the stunning splendour of the famous Blue Grotto, or simply decide to meander among lemon-scented lanes festooned with bougainvillea and oleander, this island will captivate you. The dramatic blue of the sea coupled with the striking cliffs of the Faraglioni Rocks remind you why this legendary island of the Sirens is hard to leave.
DAY 8 ROME, ITALY
When in Rome … you cannot miss the opportunity to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, not to mention the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon and so much more.
