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Island Life in Ancient Greece

Program Overview

Call on the islands of Volos; Delos; Mykonos; Pátmos; Rhodes; and Santorini on this epic, one-of-a-kind voyage. Enjoy excursions to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora; Delos’ classical ruins, including the Sanctuary of Apollo and the theater quarter; the archaeological site and ancient ruins of Ephesus; and Santorini, believed to be the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Discuss life on the islands with local residents during the Island Life®  forum. Extend your journey with the Athens Pre-Program and/or Delphi Post-Program Options.

Program Details

October 3 to 11, 2023 (Le Bougainville) October 10 to 18, 2023 (Le Bougainville)
From $4,995 plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Uniquely created seven-night cruise itinerary following Gohagan & Company’s tradition of innovative, small ship programming and educational travel.
  • Visit up to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites showcasing the culture and architecture of Ancient Greece and Turkey.
  • Call on islands steeped in myth and history—Delos; Mykonos; Pátmos; Santorini; and Rhodes.
  • Walk through the fabled Lion Gate of the legendary city of Mycenae.
  • Walk through legendary ruins of Ephesus, Turkey, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora.
  • Exclusive Island Life® Forum with local residents who will discuss contemporary life.
  • Athens Pre-Program Option and Delphi and Thebes Post-Program Option.

Day 1 - Depart the U.S. or Canada

Day 2 - Athens, Greece / Embark Le Bougainville

Day 3 - Volos for Meteora

Day 4 - Delos / Mykonos

Day 5 - Kusadasi, Turkey / Ephesus

Day 6 - Patmes, Greece

Day 7 - Rhodes / Lindos

Day 8 - Santorini

Day 9 - Athens / Disembark ship / Return to the U.S. or Canada

View detailed program itinerary >

Le Bougainville

Exclusively Chartered, Five-Star Luxury Small Ship

Le Bougainville, launched in 2019, ushers in a new generation of five-star small ships, combining revolutionary design and a new standard of luxury for unparalleled cruising. Dock in smaller ports inaccessible to larger ships, where authentic cultural experiences and majestic scenery await you.

Learn more about the Le Bougainville >

Classical Athens Pre-Program Option

Begin your tour with two nights in the ancient city of Athens to explore the monumental Acropolis; the Parthenon; the Acropolis Museum; the Temple of Poseidon; and Plaka, the city’s oldest neighborhood. Enjoy accommodations in the deluxe Hotel Grande Bretagne.

Oracle of Delphi and Antiquities of Thebes Post-Program Option

Extend your journey with a two-night itinerary that features a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Thebes and a tour of Delphi with a visit to the Delphi Archeological Museum. Also view the Treasury of Athens, the Temple of Apollo, and the impressive Stadium along the Sacred Way. Spend one night in the Amalia Hotel Delphi and one night in the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel.

Pre-Program and Post-Program Options are available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

Program Rates

Gohagan & Company reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees, promotions and surcharges at any time.

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Program Itinerary

Day 1 Departure

Your trip will begin by departing the U.S. or Canada.

Day 2 Athens, Greece

Arrive in Athens, the birthplace of democracy and home to many of history’s greatest philosophers and poets from Socrates to Herodotus. Embark Le Bougainville and enjoy dinner on board this evening.

Day 3 Volos / Meteora

Arrive in Volos and enjoy an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora. One of the most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries, Meteora’s monasteries are built on natural sandstone massifs and date to the 14th and 15th centuries. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception on board the ship this evening. 

Day 4 Delos / Mykonos

This morning, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos, legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Walk along the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo, a spectacularly rich archaeological site with remains of three separate temples from the fifth and sixth centuries B.C. See the legendary Terrace of the Lions, dedicated to Apollo, where hand-carved marble statues guarded the island for nearly 2,600 years. After lunch on board the ship, explore the island of Mykonos, where according to ancient legend, its craggy hills and clefts were formed from the petrified bodies of giants defeated by Hercules.

Day 5 Kusadasi, Turkey / Ephesus

Arrive in Kusadasi and drive to Ephesus, a vast archaeological site of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins including the restored and reconstructed Celsus Library and the Grand Theater. Visit the Terrace Houses and the Ephesus Museum, which contains findings from this ancient city.

Day 6 Patmos, Greece

On the island of Pátmos, tour the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John the Apostle most likely wrote the Book of Revelation in A.D. 95. This afternoon, meet and engage with local residents who will discuss daily life on the islands during the Island Life® forum.  

Day 7 Rhodes / Lindos

Dock in Rhodes at the wall of Rhodes Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. Enjoy an optional excursion this afternoon to the ancient village of Lindos. See the Church of Panagia and its clifftop acropolis or indulge in an afternoon at leisure in Rhodes. Enjoy a performance of traditional Greek music and dance this evening on board the ship.

Day 8, Afternoon Santorini

Be on deck as the ship cruises into the port of Santorini, beneath which some believe to be the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Tour the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri, held intact by layers of pumice and ash for over 3,500 years. Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which houses finds excavated from Akrotiri. Continue to the town of Fira, then take a cable car to the pier and reboard the ship for lunch. Enjoy time at leisure in Santorini.

Day 9 Athens / U.S. or Canada

Disembark in Athens and continue to the Oracle of Delphi and Antiquities of Thebes Post-Program Option or transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. or Canada.