Historical Greece: From Antiquity to Byzantium

Embark on the Galileo and set sail. Enjoy dinner on board while sailing to Nafplion, arriving late in the evening. Overnight in Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece and the main port of the Eastern Peloponnese.

Leave the ship early in the morning to drive to ancient Epidaurus for an optional excursion. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla, by pirates, and later by Goths in 395 AD, 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 BC) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship. Overnight in port.

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis toward Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer called “rich in gold,” begins in 1650 BC and ceases around 1100 BC with the fall of the civilization to which it gives its name. Visit the remains of the glorious ancient city including the Lion's Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb, and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvasia, a medieval Byzantine town. Wander its winding streets, traditional churches, and castle, and admire its preserved Byzantine and Venetian architecture. Overnight at sea.

Early morning arrival in Gythion. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and later the Spartans enlarged the port and used it as their naval base. Leaving Gythion, cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 1960s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave, 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 area in Greece, a desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes, and towers that are strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea.

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. During this optional excursion and after stopping to admire the scenery, 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 have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following your visit to the remains of the palace, make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight at sea.

Early morning arrival in the port of Katakolon and head out on an optional excursion by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. From 1875 onward, excavation work 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 the Philippeion. Later, visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. Overnight at sea.

Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain, and you will be awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for 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. The oracle had the ability to foretell the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. Enjoy 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, attend the Captain's Farewell Dinner and sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea (Piraeus).

After breakfast, disembark the ship.