Mykonos at dusk
Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean Aboard the 184-guest Le Jacques Cartier, Le Bougainville, or Le Champlain 8 days from $4,880* / July 5–12, Sept. 1–8, 2022 & July 12–19, Oct. 22–29, 2023† Set sail on the Aegean Sea, exploring World Heritage sites from Pátmos to Delos and visiting gem-like isles in three different island groups: the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, and the Saronics. Itinerary
Day 1 — Athens, Greece: Arrive in Athens and board the ship. Enjoy dinner as you set sail on the Aegean Sea. Day 2 — Patmos: The Dodecanese island of Patmos looms large in the history of Christianity: it was to this rugged island that St. John the Evangelist was banished. Set out on a tour of the Monastery of St. John, still an active place of religious study and a pilgrimage site, and discover its incredible collection of Byzantine art. Continue to the Cave of the Apocalypse and its whitewashed chapel, and see the grotto where St. John is said to have received the visions of the Apocalypse. Day 3 — Symi: Symi is a gem of an island, with picture-perfect seaside villages stacked up the hillsides and cypress forests, vineyards, and olive orchards blanketing the interior. Spend today exploring the island and its charming port of Gialos. Stroll along the quays, lined with brightly painted houses, and take in superb views of the coast from the upper town. 12
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Day 4 — Amorgos: Experience rugged and beautiful Amorgos, the easternmost island in the Cyclades. Meet monks at the 11thcentury Monastery of Hozoviotissa and take a guided tour of picturesque Chora. Or walk through olive groves in Lagada and see a demonstration of a traditional olive press. Visit a typical Cycladic home to learn the age-old practice of distilling essential oils. Day 5 — Santorini and Folegandros: Make sure you’re on deck as the ship sails into the breathtaking Santorini caldera. Encountering the gigantic scale and majesty of the high cliffs surrounding this ancient crater is one of the highlights of the cruise. Anchor off the mountainous island of Folegandros, and spend the afternoon exploring its blue-and-white main town, Chora. Admire a view of the port of Karavostasi and go for a swim at a lovely beach nearby. Day 6 — Delos and Mykonos: The mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos is one of the most sacred places in the Greek world. Your guided visit to this World Heritage site begins at the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena, where sweeping views of the site give a sense of its former grandeur. Continue to the Sanctuary of Apollo and the magnificent Terrace of the Lions, and walk through a once-wealthy district to the amphitheater. Spend the afternoon on
