A spectacular Circumnavigation of the historic Peloponnese & continental Greece on board the 49 passenger Sail Cruiser PANORAMA II

Variety Cruises

Experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, along with an exciting voyage of discovery, unravelling the wonders of Antiquity and Byzantium around the coast of the Peloponnese. Each day you will discover a new port of call, a leap back into ancient history to amaze you and rich cultural diversity to intrigue you.

The Sailing Cruiser Panorama II

The PANORAMA was launched in 2004. This state of the art sail cruiser has performed several Atlantic Ocean crossings, has sailed from the Seychelles to Monte Carlo and from the Black Sea to Tunis, and offers the highest standard of accommodation, comfort and safety.

Life on Board

During the day, life on board centers around the outdoor areas including the 2 bars and the sun deck. In the evening you can relax in one of the ship’s two lounges or the library, and enjoy a drink while listening to piano music. The swimming platform on PANORAMAII ’s stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit it.

The Cabins

The PANORAMA II ’s cabins are located on 3 decks and are finished with wooden furniture and light fabrics. Cabins on the Upper and main decks are equipped with windows while cabins on the lower deck have portholes. The fully equipped bathrooms are finished with marble. All cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system and safe boxes.

Cruise Itinerary 8 day cruises from Athens – Marina Zea

Day 1: Friday – Marina Zea

Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.

Day 2: Saturday – Palaia Epidaurus (excursion)

We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius – and for its theater, which is once again in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.

Day 3: Sunday – Nafplio/Mycenae (excursion)

After a short walking tour of Nafplio, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold,” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C, with the fall of the civilization to which it gave its name. Visit the remains of the glorious ancient city, including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon’s Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.

Day 4: Monday – Gythion (excursion)

Early morning arrival to Gythion. Excursion to Mani peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular Dirou Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and later the Spartans used it as a port, enlarging the natural harbor and making Gythion their naval base. Leaving Gythion, we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any other in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers that is strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea on the way to Pylos.

Day 5: Tuesday – Pylos (excursion)

Pylos is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. After stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists speculate to have belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site.

Overnight sailing to Katakolon.

Day 6: Wednesday – Katakolon/Olympia (excursion)

Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and travel by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites of the ancient world.

Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In the ancient Greek world, it was also the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward, excavation work spearheaded primarily by the German government, revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus and the Philippeion – lodging place for the athletes who participated in the games.

We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After having time at leisure, we will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.

Day 7: Thursday – Itea/Delphi (excursion)

Morning excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex.
Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much by the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins, as by the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. Indeed, because everything in Greece is connected to mythology, Delphi became the premier site for the worship of the god Apollo. The oracle had the ability to prophesize the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult the oracle, and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.

Day 8: Friday – Marina Zea (disembarkation)

Disembarkation after breakfast.

Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of Variety Cruises and of the Vessel’s Captain in case of adverse weather conditions – winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel- on 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 Variety Cruises guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.

8 DAYS CRUISE ON THE SAIL CRUISER PANORAMA II

A/ Cruise fares are per person and week and include:

• Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
• Full-board: American buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, Greek Evening 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 expert Guest Speaker.
• Multilingual Cruise Escort.

Not included:

• Beverages (except those mentioned above).
• Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements.
• Crew tips.
• Passenger personal expenses.

HONEYMOON PACKAGE – DESCRIPTION, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

1/The Honeymooners Package features:

• 25% reduction for the bride
• Cabins with Double or King bed
• Welcome Honeymooners treatment including a Complimentary bottle of Champagne and a Fruit Basket
• A Candle Lit Dinner at our Special Honeymooners location on board our ships (for all our programs outside Greece) or at a preferred restaurant in Santorini or Mykonos for our Greek cruise programs;
• 10% discount for any wedding anniversary on board our ships
• Automatic access to our Variety Club membership
• “ Our Memories” gift at disembarkation
• A free 1/2 hour massage for 2, if on board our Harmony V, Variety Voyager and Seychelles program vessel.

NOTES

• Please ask the details for our “Wedding and Cruise with friends and family” private charter for 40 to 72 guests.
• This package is also available to clients wishing to renew their vows. The Vows renewal ceremony is performed by our Ship Captains.

2/ Honeymoon offers: General conditions and restrictions

• a/ The Honeymoon offer is valid only provided that the couple is traveling within 6 months from their wedding date (copy of marriage certificate required)
• b/ The Package cannot be combined with any existing or future SPECIAL OFFERS.