Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean

Santorini

Highlights

• Explore the World Heritage site of Patmos and the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John.

• Uncover layers of history on Rhodes,

discovering the legacy of ancient Greeks, Romans, and the knights of the Crusades.

• Cruise into the spectacular natural caldera

of Santorini and opt to sail a catamaran or visit the village of Oia. • Meander among the ruins of Delos, the mystical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and enjoy an afternoon at leisure on Mykonos.

GREECE

Nafplion ATHENS

Mykonos Patmos

Delos

Amorgos Santorini

Aegean Sea Rhodes

Aboard the 184-guest Le Jacques Cartier or the 264-guest L’Austral 8 days from $5,360* / July 12–19, 2023 & Oct. 3–10, 2024

Set sail on the Aegean Sea, exploring World Heritage sites from Patmos to Delos and visiting gem-like isles in three different island groups: the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, and the Peloponnese.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Athens, Greece: Arrive in Athens, board the ship, and set sail on the Aegean Sea. Day 2 — Patmos: In Patmos, set out on a tour of the Monastery of St. John, and discover its incredible collection of Byzantine art. Continue to the Cave of the apocalypse and see the grotto where St. John is said to have received the visions of the apocalypse. Day 3 — Rhodes: Rhodes bears evidence of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans, and Venetians who occupied the island over the centuries. Take a walking tour that includes the Street of the Knights, or travel to Lindos to visit the hilltop Acropolis and its Temple of Athena. Day 4 — Santorini: Make sure you’re on deck as the ship sails into the breathtaking Santorini caldera. Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri; sail a catamaran and go for a hike; or explore the whitewashed, cliff-top village of Oia. Day 5 — Amorgos: On rugged and beautiful Amorgos, meet monks at an 11thcentury monastery and take a guided tour of picturesque Chora. Or walk through olive groves 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 6 — Delos and Mykonos: Your guided visit to the World Heritage site of Delos includes the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions, and the amphitheater. Spend the afternoon on Mykonos, where windmills, sugar-cube houses, and azure bays epitomize the beauty of the Greek Isles. You may wish to stop in an ouzeri to nibble mezethes and sip ouzo. Day 7 — Nafplio or Mycenae and Epidaurus: Dock in Nafplio and visit the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, home to the legendary Lion Gate and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then explore Epidaurus and visit its renowned theater. Or choose to stay in Nafplio and take a walking before visiting a wine shop for a sampling of local specialties and ouzo. 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 0% to 30% based on availability at the time this catalog was printed. See our website for current pricing. Book early for the highest savings.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Our experts on the July 2023 departure include John Dobbins, an expert in the classics, archaeology, and history. Visit our website for additional experts.