Join us for this nine-day journey cruising round trip Athens, Greece, aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star small ship Le Bougainville. Call on the islands of Delos, Mykonos, Pátmos, Rhodes, and Santorini, including the Peloponnese Peninsula. Visit Meteora, where 14th- and 15th-century monasteries stand high atop soaring natural sandstone pinnacles; walk through the fabled Lion Gate of legendary Mycenae; and explore the monumental ruins of the Sanctuary of Asklepios of Epidaurus. Engage with local residents who will discuss contemporary life on the islands during the specially arranged Island Life® Forum. Athens Pre-Program and Delphi and Thebes Post-Program Options.
Program Details
- 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.
- 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.
- Explore the monumental ruins of the Sanctuary of Asklepios in historic Epidaurus.
- 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 - Pátmos
Day 6 - Rhodes / Lindos
Day 7 - Santorini / Akrotiri
Day 8 - Nafplion for Mycenae and Epidaurus
Day 9 - Athens / Disembark ship / Return to the U.S. or Canada
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.
Classical Athens Pre-Program Option
Experience the ancient city of Athens unmatched in its contributions to the foundation of the Western world. Explore the monumental Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the perfectly proportioned Parthenon. Tour the archaeological treasures of the Acropolis Museum and enjoy the colorful neighborhood of Plaka, the oldest section of Athens. Discover the idyllic coves and sparkling Aegean waters of Cape Sounion and follow the ancient route of Pericles to the Temple of Poseidon, where, remarkably, 15 of the original 34 Doric columns are still standing. Accommodations are for two nights in the deluxe Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens.
Oracle of Delphi and Antiquities of Thebes Post-Program Option
One of the most spectacular of all ancient Greek sites, UNESCO-inscribed Delphi formed the center of the Greek world in the sixth century B.C. Tour the magnificent Archaeological Museum, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including the life-size, fifth-century B.C. bronze statue of the Charioteer of Delphi. Walk the Sacred Way to the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi, second only to the Athens Acropolis in importance. Stand at the marble Altar of the Chians, where the common and the mighty awaited the oracle’s pronouncements. Discover the importance of ancient Thebes to Greek civilization—from the Bronze Age and Mycenaean eras until its destruction by Alexander the Great in 335 B.C.—at the superb Archaeological Museum of Thebes. Accommodations are for one night in the Hotel Amalia 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.