Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise

Athens, Poros, Folegandros, Santorini, Antiparos, Paros, Mykonos, Syros, Kythnos, Athens

  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    M/S Galileo
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    M/S Galileo Cabin Category A
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    M/S Galileo Sundeck
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    Poros
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    Santorini Oia
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    Santorini Caldera
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    Paros
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    Mykonos
  • Jewels of the Cyclades, 7 night Greek island small ship cruise
    Syros

Overview:



8 day / 7 night  Jewels of  The Cycaldes cruise 2024 / Departing Fridays
Aboard the 24 cabins motor sailers  M/S GALILEO 

A cruise voyage unraveling the authentic, whitewashed islands of the Cyclades. Discover much-loved or unknown gems with rich history, incomparable light, translucent water, and heavenly beaches, white & blue buildings.
Highlights include: Santorini · Mykonos · Folegandros · Poliegos · Delos · Paros · Syros · Kythnos · Poros



Sailing dates in 2024  from Athens, Marina Zea / Fridays

On Board the M/S GALILEO:
Apr: 19*, 26*
May: 03, 10, 17, 24
June: 14, 21, 28
July: 05, 12, 19, 26
Aug: 02, 16, 30
Sep: 06, 13, 20, 27
Oct: 04, 11, 18*


*VALUE DATES DISCOUNT
-10% ON ALL CRUISE FARES FOR THE STAR-MARKED SAILINGS.
PORT TAXES EXCLUDED FROM THE DISCOUNT.

Small Ship Yacht Cruises

Experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, along with an exciting voyage of discovery, unraveling the wonders of the Aegean Islands. Each day you will discover a new port of call, a hidden cove with crystal blue waters to cool you, a glimpse of ancient history to amaze you and rich cultural diversity to intrigue you.


A cruise voyage unraveling the authentic, whitewashed islands of the Cyclades. Discover much-loved or unknown gems with rich history, incomparable light, translucent water, and heavenly beaches, white & blue buildings. Highlights include:

M/S GALILEO
MOTOR SAILER

The 48 meter M/S Galileo is a classic steel hull motor sailer, with spacious and well-appointed interiors renovated in 2016.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Length: 48 m (157 ft)
Launched:1992 |Rebuilt: 2007 |Renovated:2020
Cabins: 24
Capacity: 49 passengers
Crew: 16-18
The M/S Galileo, built with the most stringent safety regulations, was launched in 1992 and was fully rebuilt in 2007. The latest renovation works of the M/S Galileo took place in summer 2020 and included significant upgrading of the indoor & outdoor public areas.
The elegant Galileo has operated cruises in the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Galileo is always sailing under motors. Sails are occasionally used when weather and route allow
Service on board is provided by your Captain, the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced Marine and Hotel crew members.

THE MOTOR SAILER GALILEO
CABIN SPECIFICATIONS:

The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes. Elegantly decorated, they have either twin or double sized beds and bathrooms with showers en suite. Category B cabins have flexible bedding arrangement. All cabins are comfortably arranged and beautifully furnished with wooden furniture and light fabrics. Cabins have individually controlled A/C, offer storage space, and are fitted with flat-screen TVs, mini fridge, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, central music, public address system and safe boxes.
LIFE ON BOARD
During the day, life on board centers around the indoor lounge area and dining room, as well as the outdoor areas at the Main, Upper and Sun decks. The Captain will drop anchor at secluded bays and beautiful uninhabited islands where, weather permitting, guests enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking.
MAIN DECK LOUNGE & DINING ROOM
Renovated in 2020, the main deck lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and carpet flooring, and beautiful soft fabrics. The spacious dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and allows for spectacular views around you, while dining in an elegant environment. Food is served at the table or displayed on the state of the art hot & cold buffet which also includes an “a la minute cooking” section.
UPPER DECK OUTDOOR LOUNGE AREA
Guests on Galileo very much enjoy the shaded outdoor area with an outdoor bar where they can relax enjoying the most breathtaking sea views.
SUN DECK
The vessel features a Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views and with ample Sun loungers’ space to sunbathe under the Mediterranean sun. In the evening you can watch the sunset, enjoy a drink overlooking the stars. Guests on the Galileo enjoy the shaded outdoor Bar area at the Upper Deck as well as the Sun Deck.





Itinerary



DAY 1- FRIDAY
ATHENS-POROS /GREECE

Embarkation at Marina Zea in Athens, between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Poros for a short 3 hours visit, before set sail to Poliegos. Overnight at sea.
DAY 2 – SATURDAY
POLIEGOS-FOLEGANDROS☽GREECE

Morning arrival in Poliegos, an uninhabited island known for its amazing beaches and turquoise waters. Morning swim stop followed by a BBQ on deck. Afternoon sailing to Folegandros, one of the most amazing and less known islands in the Aegean Sea. Walk the amazing Upper city, and have the possibility to taste delicacies at traditional Greek tavernas. Overnight in Folegandros.
DAY 3 – SUNDAY
SANTORINI☽GREECE

Early in the morning depart for Santorini. Morning arrival at Santorini (occasionally at anchor) to explore its unique capital Fira. Optional Excursion to Akrotiti excavations and a tour of the villages including the small beautiful village of Oia known for its breathtaking view over the caldera. Overnight in Santorini.
DAY 4 – MONDAY
ANTIPAROS – PAROS☽GREECE

In the morning you will enjoy a swim stop in an enchanting bay of Antiparos. Early noon arrival in Paros. Optional visits to Ekatontapiliani church in Parikia, the folklore museum in Marpissa, and the quaint village of Naoussa. Time to have a fun night and show us your dancing skills during our famous Greek Night. Overnight in Paros.
DAY 5 - TUESDAY
DELOS-MYKONOS☽ GREECE

Optional morning tour to the unique archaeological site of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island. Later on, we stop at one of Mykonos beautiful bays for swimming off the ship before sailing into the port of Mykonos.  The island of the jet setters is yours to explore and the night is young. Overnight in Mykonos.
DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY
SYROS ☽,GREECE

After a morning swim we will arrive in Syros, the capital of the Cycladic islands where you can enjoy one of its beautiful sandy beaches or have optional tour through town and enjoy the unique architecture of the buildings before having the chance for a culinary experience to taste authentic recipes of the Cycladic cuisine at our small family taverna. Overnight in Syros.
DAY 7 – THURSDAY
KYTHNOS – CAPE SOUNION- ATHENS

In the morning we will arrive in Kythnos where you will enjoy a swim in Kolones bay and will then set sail for Marina Zea where we will arrive in the late afternoon via Cape Sounion, the temple of Poseidon. Captain’s Farewell Dinner and overnight in Marina Zea.
DAY 8 – FRIDAY
ATHENS / GREECE

Disembarkation at 08:30 - 9:00 am after breakfast.

☽OVERNIGHT IN PORT
Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of the cruise company  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.

Optional Tours

SANTORINI CALDERA CRUISE, 6 HOUR
Daily Departures
11:30 - 17:30


At first, our boat stops on the little dock of the famous Volcano, where we will walk towards the top of the island. While walking, our experienced guide talks about the intense volcanic activity of the last 3000 years! The crater still seems active, as hot fumes are released in many points! Next, we are heading to the Hot Springs, where we will make a 50-minute stop for swimming in the suplhur springs of the volcano. Another major proof of the strong volcanic activity still today, Hot Springs have beneficial effects against rheumatisms, arthritis and other diseases. The island of Thirasia is our final destination, where we will stay 2 hours for swimming and lunch. Thirasia is a small, very picturesque island, ideal choice for nice walks, swimming and lunch in the little port of Korfos or in the traditional village Manolas. On the way back, the boat stops just for a few minutes in the port of Armeni in Oia. If you wish, you can leave the group here and visit the village of Oia , famous for its breathtaking sunset. The red stones of lava along with caves, numerous churches and multi-coloured houses are the ultimate challenge for every single photographer... In the night you can return to your hotel by the public transportation or by taxi. In case you continue your trip to the Old Port of Fira or to the Athinios Port, you will have a great way back, as the boat sails very close to the coast of the Caldera!
 
SEE SANTORINI IN A DAY
Daily Departures
09:00 - AFTER SUNSET
 
At first, the bus takes us to the highest point of Santorini, the mountain of Profitis Ilias , from where we can see a panoramic view of the island. We continue to the village of Pyrgos, to see the old castle; in the 18th century, that castle was the capital of Santorini and its dense architecture was offering great protections from the pirates invasions.
The bus takes us to Athinios Port to board on a beautiful traditional wooden boat. We stop on the little dock of the famous Volcano, where we will walk towards the top of the island. While walking, our experienced guide talks about the intense volcanic activity of the last 3000 years! The crater still seems active, as hot fumes are released in many points!
Next, we are heading to the Hot Springs, where we will make a 50-minute stop for swimming in the suplhur springs of the volcano. Another major proof of the strong volcanic activity still today, Hot Springs have beneficial effects against rheumatisms, arthritis and other diseases.
The island of Thirasia is our final destination, where we will stay 2 hours for swimming and lunch. Thirasia is a small, very picturesque island, ideal choice for nice walks, swimming and lunch in the little port of Korfos or in the traditional village Manolas.
The last stop is in Oia, where you can walk in the village, enjoy the view of the Caldera and see the brilliant sunset
 
SANTORINI SUNSET CRUISE
Daily departures
15:00 - After sunset

The tour starts from the Old Port of Fira and from Athinios Port (if you select the transfer option). We will stop for 1.5 hours in the volcano to walk the path to the craters. Our guide will be all the time with and explain the history of the volcano, its effects in the everyday life of inhabitants in Santorini and its current state. Nowadays, as you will see, scientists have installed organs to measure the volcanic indexes, so to warn in case of violent activation.
The, we will sail to the hot springs. Formations of lava and rocks are constantly changing and in a while we can see the older rocks of the nearby island, Palea Kameni. This island proves that the volcano is still active! Sulfur comes out of the sea-bottom and the waters become very warm (temperature reaches 104F / 40oC!). We make a 40-minute stop for swimming.
Later on, our captain will choose the most quiet bay of the Caldera to enjoy our dinner. Varieties of meat, refreshing salads and pasta, local cheese and fruits are our chef’s suggestions! With our sails open, we sail to Oia. The sunset is now in front of us and we will enjoy it with a glass of Santorinian wine…
We return before 22:00, so to admire the night in the Caldera. Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani at the end reflect their lights in the sea…

CATAMARAN CRUISES IN SANTORINI
Private and semi private
Day time (5 hours) 10:30-15:30
Sunset Cruise (5 hours) 15:30-20:30

Discover Santorini’s beautiful Caldera and magnificent coastline sailing on the catamaran.
Experience the wonders of Santorini on a daytime or sunset cruise, sailing to the most au-inspiring parts of the island.
We set sail from Marina Vlihada, to the spectacular red beach of the island which is situated in the historic village of Akrotiri and we make a short stop for anyone who would like to take a dip, sailing onwards to the white beach which once again is magnificent and from there past the Indian Rocks to our venetian lighthouse on the tip of the island from where you have the most au-inspiring view of the whole Aegean Sea and the surrounding Greek islands stretching out in front of you.
Explore the most beautiful parts of Santorini whilst sailing past the Caldera where you have the chance to view Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia from afar and admire the rock formations of our coastline, touring past the volcano which also presents amazing photographic opportunities.
From there we sail to the famous volcanic hot springs where once again we make a brief stop so you may have the chance to take a healing swim in the sulphurous waters and to the most unique private bays and coves of Palia Kammeni where you may relax, take a swim and do some snorkeling in the clear, cool blue waters.
Dine luxuriously, with our mouth-watering on board barbecue, with fresh meat and seafood from the local farmers and fishermen accompanied with greek salads and soft beverages.
Whilst basking in the sunlight or watching the fantastic colours of our world known sunset upon the santorinian landscape, relax and enjoy a glass of chilled wine from our local wineries.
Whether you are looking for a sunny daytime trip or a romantic sunset cruise with your loved ones, there is no better place than upon our catamaran “Caldera”.

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