Crystal Esprit, Greek Isles Divinity ex Athens Return – 25 Apr 2021

7 Night cruise departing roundtrip from Athens onboard Crystal Esprit.

The “Holy Island” of Patmos and the birthplace of Apollo on Delos set a heavenly tone for this Greek Isle immersion. Discover the breathtaking vistas of Santorini’s Oia, indulge in Mykonos’ eternal soiree and revel in the quaint holiday retreat of Hydra.

Highlights of this Cruise:

ATHENS
Venture through Greece’s largest port city, Piraeus, as you make your way to the cradle of Western culture. Athens has long since been the location of myth and muse, and its ancient heritage is still an incredible source of inspiration.
DELOS ISLAND
One of the most significant archaeological and mythological sites in all of Greece, Delos earns its UNESCO-celebrated status in spades. It is a tiny island in the heart of the Cyclades Archipelago in the Aegean Sea, is believed by Greek Mythology to have been the birthplace of Apollo, and considered to be “the most sacred of all islands in ancient Greek culture. The rocky island was first settled in the third millennium B.C., and was attacked and claimed many times over the centuries by the Byzantines, Slavs, Saracens, Venetians, the Knights of St. John and the Ottomans. Excavations begun in 1872 have subsequently unearthed tremendous monuments, sanctuaries and other facets of the Hellenistic town and its many occupants throughout history. Due to its remote location and the fact that it was largely uninhabited since the 7th century AD, the island’s history has been extremely well preserved, and is on display for visitors to explore today. Its ruins are fascinating journey through time and culture, situated in the heart of one of the most breathtaking stretches of sea in the world.

MYKONOS
Mykonos, a former 18th-century pirates’ bastion, is now a sophisticated and cosmopolitan island resort.

PAROS ISLAND
Located in the heart of the Aegean Sea, picture-perfect Paros is exactly what you would imagine a Greek island to be – a maze of narrow alleyways and classic Cycladic architecture with its white, cube-shaped homes accented by blue doors and windows. Make your way up to the 13th-century Venetian castle that sits at the top of the hill and be rewarded with a view that rivals that of Mount Olympus. A lack of modern buildings enhances the island’s unique, genuine character.

PATMOS
The Greek isle of Patmos has a rich Christian heritage – the Monastery of Saint John was founded in 1088 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as is the Cave of the Apocalypse, the grotto where John the Apostle received the visions he recorded in the Book of Revelation. The island’s white-sand beaches, secluded coves and beautiful marina make it a popular destination for worshippers of the sun.

SANTORINI
Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic with its dark landscape and iconic whitewashed buildings. The rich soil is ideal for grapes and local vines produce a cherished crop known for its special volcanic taste. Picturesque “Thíra,” or Fira Town, laid out along the edge of a cliff at the rim of the now extinct caldera, exudes an easy charm.

CRETE/CHANIA
Grecian? Venetian? Turkish? The answer is all three, as the Cretan city of Chania has been ruled and influenced by both the Venetians and the Turks. Current-day Chania (pronounced Hahn-yah and sometimes spelled without the C is home to the Municipal Agora, a marketplace built in 1913 on the site of the old southern Venetian walls, and features a waterfront that would look right at home on the Venetian Lagoon. A maze of narrow alleyways opening onto squares edged by Byzantine and neo-classical buildings are quintessential Greece: quaint, friendly and gracefully aged. In classic Greek style, the Venetian structures that lack rooftops due to the bombings of World War II have beautifully evolved into open-air shops and restaurants, inviting locals to stop to appreciate the mild Mediterranean weather and warm companionship of friends.

HYDRA
If there is a holiday retreat where rustic meets chic, it is Hydra, one of Greece’s Saronic Islands. Put on the map in the 1950s and by artists, celebrities and musicians and a perennial favorite for locals, the island is a place to see and be seen, with the harbor putting on a veritable show of taste and fashion with each catamaran’s arrival from Piraeus. People-watching has become an unofficial pastime, along with sipping cappuccino at the cafes centered on the crescent-shaped port. Energized by your brew and ready to explore, head out by foot and in fact, by foot is the only way to conduct your discovery. Other than a few city-operated vehicles, no cars, scooters or motorcycles are allowed on the island. Walking along the steep, stone streets, some of the best-preserved anywhere, you will surely appreciate a sense of stepping back in time and an intimate look at the 18th- and 19th-century mansions, or archontika. Be sure to yield to the primary mode of transportation, the donkey, and any temptation you may have to wander into a gallery or quiet back lane.

ATHENS
Venture through Greece’s largest port city, Piraeus, as you make your way to the cradle of Western culture. Athens has long since been the location of myth and muse, and its ancient heritage is still an incredible source of inspiration.