Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean

Mykonos at dusk

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. 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

Mykonos, where windmills, sugar-cube houses, and azure bays epitomize the beauty of the Greek Isles. During your free time, meander through the Little Venice neighborhood or stop in an ouzeri to nibble mezethes and sip ouzo, the quintessentially Greek aperitif. Day 7 — Hydra: Soak up the timeless character of Hydra, a tranquil Saronic Isle where cars are forbidden. Begin your tour learning about the maritime and military history of the island at the Historical Archives Museum. At the Church of the Dormitian, see offerings from wealthy seafarers; then visit Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion, a splendid example of Hydra’s traditional stone architecture. Enjoy a leisurely stroll back to the port, stopping for a coffee or a taste of a traditional amygdaloto sweet on the promenade. Day 8 — Athens: Disembark in Athens and transfer to the airport for your fl ight home. Add a one-night extension in Athens. *Pricing refl ects a savings bonus ranging from 5% to 30%, based on the number of staterooms available at the time of printing. See our website for current pricing. Book early for higher savings. †The 2023 departures will visit Rhodes, Santorini, and Nafplion instead of Symi, Folegandros, and Hydra. Visit our website for details.

Highlights

• Explore the World Heritage site of Patmos, the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John, and the Cave of the Apocalypse. • Stroll through colorful villages on gem-like Symi, visit the cliff -side Monastery of Hozoviotissa or an olive oil producer on Amorgos, and admire the stone architecture of tranquil Hydra. • Enter the spectacular caldera of Santorini, and spend the afternoon exploring the secluded beaches and whitewashed villages of Folegandros. • Meander among the ruins of Delos, the mystical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and enjoy an afternoon at leisure on Mykonos.

GREECE

ATHENS Aegean Sea

Hydra Delos Mykonos Patmos

Amorgos

Folegandros Santorini Caldera Symi

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Our experts on the July 2022 departure are Diane Harris Cline, an expert in the classics, archaeology, and, history; and Peter Bobrowsky, a highly respected geologist. See our website for the experts on the September 2022 and both 2023 departures.