Cruises & Cabin Charter/Boutique cruises

Hiking Cruise in Greece - Limited Collection

8 day cruise: March 31 & October 27 2023
Aboard the 24-Cabin Motor Sailer GALILEO
Hosted by Eugenia Alexious (archeologist)
& George Vavoudakis & Iro Valavaki (hikers)
Friday, Athens - Athens (Marina Zea) 


Highlights

  • Easy Hiking routes
  • Guided tours
  • Full-board cruise
  • Visits to the most famous ancient Greek sites

George Vavoudakis and Iro Valavani will be your hiking guides, while Evgenia Alexiou, with a degree in archeology and art history from the School of Philosophy in Athens, experience excavating historical sites, and a licence for guided tours in Greece, Evgenia is the perfect - incredibly knowledgeable - complement to our cruise.


Day by day itinerary, Athens - Athens, Greece

Day 1 ~ Friday

Athens, marina Zeas - Ancient Epidaurus
Embarkation between 2 and 3 pm. 

Day 2 ~ Saturday

ITEA - DELPHI
Early morning arrival in Itea, ready for a day of exploration. Our hike today is rich in history and - along with our optional excursion to Delphi, revered for hosting the most important oracle in the classical world - will help you understand the historical significance of the area. The Kirra trail starts inside the town of Delphi, passes numerous small churches, the village of Chrisso with its Virgin Mary church and the fabulous Focis olive groves, to end at the port of Itea.

Day 3 ~ Sunday

KATAKOLON FOR OLYMPIA
Keen hikers (oh, that’s all of you!), listen up. Today’s optional excursion is to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and a special place for anyone interested in sports, health, and fitness. Here you’ll visit the site of the Temple of Zeus - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world - but also get the chance to run in the very spot the first Olympic athletes did, over 2000 years ago. Today’s hike is in the oak forest of Foloi. It’s an easy walk that we’ll take slowly, allowing us to take in the stunning flora and fauna of the area.

Day 4 ~ Monday

PYLOS
Morning arrival into Pylos port - the site of many famous naval battles, the last of which led to Greek independence. Our today’s trail begins at the Cazarma village and ends at the beautiful Polylimnio area with its fairyland waterfalls (if you wish, you can go ahead and jump right in). Tonight we sail to Gythion with dinner on board.

Day 5 ~ Tuesday

GYTHION
Gythion was the ancient naval base of the Spartans and our hiking trail today explores an area said to be home to modern descendants of them - the Mani Peninsula. We’ll hike one of the most beautiful areas of it, Cape Tenaron, beginning in Kokkinogia and ending at the Tenaro lighthouse. The latter is the southernmost point of continental Europe. Our route will take about two hours and, despite several rocky sections, is a relatively easy trek with many fascinating pathways. We’ll highlight the areas of historical significance as we walk but expect to see a stunning a Roman floor mosaic, the necromancy grotto of Poseidon which ancient Greeks believed led to the Gate of Hades and stunning views of the open sea.

Day 6 ~ Wednesday

MONEMVASIA - NAFPLION
Monemvasia, a mediaeval Byzantine town, is a sight to behold from the sea. Yet the special vantage point from sea is met with an equal measure of character when explored on foot. Nicknamed the Gibraltar of the East, explore the preserved Byzantine and Venetian architecture of the town that was the birthplace of one of the most important Greek poets, Giannis Ritsos. We’ll take a guided walk inside - delving into its winding paths and traditional churches, as well as around its castle. Lunch on board with an afternoon sail to Nafplion, arriving just in time for dinner. Overnight in Nafplion.

Day 7 ~ Thursday

NAFPLION - ANCIENT EPIDAURUS
Nafplion is the first capital of modern Greece, and the main port of the Eastern Peloponnese. As such, it’s well-connected and a great location to begin our optional tours from. In the morning we’ll visit Ancient Epidaurus and start along the trail of the Asclepius Temple. We climb circling the Temple of Apollo, passing the St. Anne church, the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite and the ancient cistern. Passing through eons-old olive tree groves we end up walking down to the famous ancient theater. A picnic in the countryside close to the Epidaurus area will follow after our hiking tour. Lunch on board and optional tour to the stunning Argolis countryside to another major centre of Greek civilization: Mycenae. This ancient city is home to the Lion’s Gate, Cyclopean Walls, the Agamemnon Tomb, and more.

Day 8 ~ Friday

ATHENS - MARINA ZEAS (PIRAEUS)
We arrive back to Athens to enjoy one last breakfast together before swapping contact details with new friends, disembarking, and setting off on onward journeys.

  


 

motorsailor Galileo

The 48 meter "Galileo" is a classic steel Motor Sailer, with spacious and well appointed interiors renovated in 2020. At the main deck, a lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and leather. Guests on the Galileo enjoy the most a shaded outdoor deck area with an outdoor bar and the ship`s sun deck. The M/S Galileo, built with the most stringent safety regulations, was launched in 1992.

Imagine your floating home on board the sleek, classic design Mega Yacht as she spreads her white sails through the seas under the name GALILEO, waving her Greek flag through the wind. Discover the world by sea at 11 knots per hour, in her un-rushed pace, one island or seashore at a time. Galileo loves to seduce her select 49 guests with her classic lines and wood paneled lounges redefining what yachting was meant to be. A spacious lounge with ample space, dining areas decorated with warm colors, rich library and two decks for sunbathing, shaded areas and outdoor bar and loungers are just some of the elements that define her essence. 360° views of unobstructed ocean are your eyes’ canvas painted with ocean blue and deep green mountains. 

Discover Galileo


2023 Sailing Dates from Marina Zeas on m/s Galileo

 

March 31, 2023
October 27, 2023


2023 Cruise fares per person, per double occupancy 

CABIN CATEGORIES

Cabin

Euro rates

USD rates

CAT C Lower deck

Twin or Double bed cabins

€2150.00 $2550.00

CAT B Lower deck

Flexible bed cabins

€2790.00 $3290.00

CAT A Upper deck

Double, Twin or Triple bed cabins

€3300.00 $3890.00

Single supplement

 

+ 50%

3rd person discount

Valid for CAT A

- 30%

Port charges

per person

€310.00 $370.00

USD prices for USA, JAPAN AND MEXICO countries. Euro prices for rest of the world.

Children policy/Family offer

  • SINGLE parent with 1 or max. 2 children in same cabin: The parent pays Single cruise fare & children cruise for FREE
  • COUPLE with 1 child sharing the same cabin: No charge for the child up to 10 years old, 50% reduction for the child 11-17 years old
  • COUPLE with 2 or 3 (regardless of age) children: Both cabins will be charged at Single rate (single adult rate)
  • Discounts which only apply for the children (5-17 years old): 25% reduction on all optional excursions

Conditions & Restrictions for the Family offers:

  • They apply for children 5-17 years old
  • They are valid for new bookings only
  • They are on request and on first come-first served basis
  • “Special Family offer” to be mentioned at the time of booking so that the discounted rates will apply for the reservation. Otherwise, Full rates will apply
  • No reduction offered on port taxes which are additional for all participant.
  • They cannot be combined with any existing or future early bird discounts or special offers including Club exclusive offers
  • Standard payment and cancellation policies apply

Cruise fares are per person and week and include

  • Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning
  • Full-board: buffet breakfast and two main meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a Local Themed Night, fun BBQ (weather permitting) and Captain`s Dinner.
  • Regular (filter) coffee, tea and still mineral water free all day.
  • Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
  • English-speaking Cruise Escort.

Not included:

  • Beverages (except those mentioned above)
  • Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements
  • Crew tips
  • Passenger personal expenses
  • Wi-Fi (available at charge)

Notes:

  • Swim Stops & Beach Barbeques are weather permitting.
  • Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of the cruise operator and of the Vessel`s Captain in case of adverse weather conditions - winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel- or port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle automatically passengers to any refunds but the cruise company guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.
  • The Company reserves the right to substitute the vessel due to breakdown or mechanical failure.

 

The Variety Cruises passion remains unchanged since 1968: an alchemy that blends enriching oneself educationally and exploring the true identity of a destination, while enjoying the comforts and unique benefits of a small ship sailing the seas.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our ships soon and discover the world the Variety Cruises way.

OVERVIEW

Variety Cruises is one of the leading yacht cruise lines worldwide, operating a fleet of 11 fully owned vessels offering travelers the ultimate Boutique Yacht Cruise experience. With capacities ranging from 5 to 36 cabins, Variety Cruises’ upscale yachts and experiential cruise itineraries embrace each destination by visiting much-loved and unfrequented ports of call in a private, intimate and relaxed environment.

THE VARIETY CRUISES DIFFERENCE

  • Private Yacht Cruise Experience, with up to 72 fellow passengers
  • Boutique-size yachts that dock right in the heart of destinations that large ships cannot reach
  • Carefully crafted itineraries focused on the destination
  • Ample leisure time in each port including overnights
  • Mediterranean fusion cuisine with a strong local influence depending on the destination
  • Personalized service on board provided by experienced and finely trained crew
  • Small group shore excursions – Immersion in the destination
  • Swim platforms allowing guests to enter the crystal clear waters on spot and swim or experience snorkeling, kayaking, SUP and more
  • Yacht Deck Barbecues & Private Events on board and ashore

AWARDS & ACCOLADES:

Some of Variety Cruises’ industry nomination highlights:

  • Tourism Awards 2019: Gold Award for “Responsible and Sustainable Tourism”
  • Cruise Critic Cruisers’ choice 2018: “Best Cruise Line in Eastern Mediterranean
  • Tourism Awards 2017: Gold Award in “Small Ship Cruising in Greece
  • USA TODAY Reader’s Choice Awards 2016: “World’s Best Boutique Cruise Line
  • CruiseCritic.Com 2015: In the top 15 Small Ship Cruise Lines and “Best in Yacht Cruises
  • CruiseCritic.Com: “Best Small Ship Cruise Line in the Scenic Nature

With more than 400 bed capacity on board 11 vessels, Variety Cruises is the largest Mega Yachts operator in the Mediterranean and one of the top 3 worldwide in the Small Ship market.

Hiking-Cruise-brochure

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