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.
Embarkation 2 to 3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.
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.
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, 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 gives name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.
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 as a port, enlarging the natural harbor they made 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 area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers which are strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.
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 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 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.
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 in 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 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.
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 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. 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 prophecy 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. 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.
Disembarkation after breakfast.
GS Travel is certified with:
[english follows]
Παρακαλείσθε να ενημερώνεστε για τους περιορισμούς σχετικά με τα ταξίδια στον προορισμό σας.
↘ ΓΙΑ ΜΕΤΑΚΙΝΗΣΕΙΣ/ΔΙΑΜΟΝΕΣ ΕΝΤΟΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ
Όλοι οι πελάτες (από 12 ετών) οφείλουν να πληρούν μία από τις παρακάτω προϋποθέσεις :
- Να έχουν ολοκληρώσει προ τουλάχιστον 14 ημερών τον εμβολιασμό για κορωνοϊό COVID-19 και να επιδεικνύουν βεβαίωση/πιστοποιητικό εμβολιασμού
- Να έχουν διαγνωσθεί αρνητικοί σε εργαστηριακό έλεγχο για κορωνοϊό COVID-19, με PCR-test εντός των τελευταίων 72 ωρών πριν από την άφιξή τους ή με rapid test εντός 48 ωρών πριν από την άφιξή τους.
Εφόσον πρόκειται για αλλοδαπούς προερχόμενους από το εξωτερικό, μπορούν να προσκομίζουν βεβαίωση αρνητικού τεστ, στην ελληνική, αγγλική, γαλλική, γερμανική, ισπανική, ιταλική ή ρωσική γλώσσα.
- Να επιδεικνύουν πιστοποιητικό νόσησης που εκδίδεται 14 ημέρες μετά από τον πρώτο θετικό έλεγχο και η ισχύς του διαρκεί έως 180 ημέρες μετά από αυτόν.
Οι ανήλικοι από 4 έως 11 ετών πραγματοποιούν τις μετακινήσεις τους με self-test εντός 24 ωρών.
Το αποτέλεσμα πρέπει να πιστοποιείται με σχετική βεβαίωση που επιδεικνύεται έντυπα https://self-testing.gov.gr/
↘ ΓΙΑ ΤΑΞΙΔΙΑ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΟΥ
Σχετικά με τις υγειονομικές και άλλες απαιτήσεις εισόδου στη χώρα προορισμού αλλά και στους ενδιάμεσους σταθμούς, σε περιπτώσεις transit, θα πρέπει να ενημερώνεστε μόνο από τις ιστοσελίδες ( ή και τηλεφωνικά) των επισήμων πηγών πληροφόρησης (πχ. Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών ,Υπουργείο Υγείας, Πρεσβεία, Προξενείο).
Επιπλέον, σας παραθέτουμε, ως συμπληρωματική πηγή, τις παρακάτω ιστοσελίδες:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm
↘ ΓΙΑ ΕΙΣΟΔΟ / ΕΠΙΣΤΡΟΦΗ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
Όλοι οι επιβάτες θα πρέπει να ενημερώνονται για τις προϋποθέσεις εισόδου στη χώρα, ανάλογα με την εθνικότητα τους στο https://travel.gov.gr/#/ και θα πρέπει ΠΑΝΤΑ να συμπληρώνουν το PLF form στην ίδια ιστοσελίδα, πριν από την άφιξη τους στην Ελλάδα.
Από 07/02, οι ταξιδιώτες με Ευρωπαϊκό Ψηφιακό Πιστοποιητικό Εμβολιασμού ή Nόσησης COVID-19 εξαιρούνται του τεστ άφιξης. Συγκεκριμένα:
-ταξιδιώτες με Ευρωπαϊκό Ψηφιακό Πιστοποιητικό Εμβολιασμού COVID-19 αφού έχουν ολοκληρώσει προ τουλάχιστον δεκατεσσάρων (14) ημερών τον εμβολιασμό για κορωνοϊό COVID-19 και όχι περισσότερο από εννέα (9) μήνες μετά την ολοκλήρωση του βασικού εμβολιασμού
-ταξιδιώτες με Ευρωπαϊκό Ψηφιακό Πιστοποιητικό Εμβολιασμού COVID-19 χωρίς χρονικό περιορισμό, που έχουν λάβει και την ενισχυτική δόση
-ταξιδιώτες με Ευρωπαϊκό Ψηφιακό Πιστοποιητικό Nόσησης που έχει εκδοθεί δεκατέσσερις (14) ημέρες μετά από το πρώτο θετικό PCR ή Rapid test και διαρκεί έως εκατόν ογδόντα (180) ημέρες
Όλοι οι υπόλοιποι επιβάτες θα πρέπει κατά την είσοδό τους στη χώρα να προσκομίσουν αρνητικό PCR test 72 ωρών ή rapid test 24 ωρών πριν την άφιξη τους. Η υποχρέωση των προϋποθέσεων, για είσοδο στην Ελλάδα ισχύει για παιδιά από πέντε (5) ετών και άνω.
COVID-19 | Information for Travelers
↘ DOMESTIC TRAVEL/ HOTEL STAY
All clients, over the age of 12, who wish to travel domestic must have one of the following :
-Vaccine certificate, issued 14 days after the 2nd shot
-Negative PCR test issued within 72 hours before arrival (Test must be written in: Greek or English or French or German or Spanish or Italian or Russian)
-Negative Rapid test issued within 48 hours before arrival (Test must be written in: Greek or English or French or German or Spanish or Italian or Russian)
-Medical certificate which states that you have recovered from Covid-19, issued between 14 and 180 days after infection
Passengers between the age of 4 and 11, can travel with self-test taken within 24 hours. Test result form must be declared @ https://self-testing.gov.gr/
↘ INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Passengers must get all the necessary information (online or via call), only from the official sources of each country (i.e. State Department, Department of Health, Embassy, Consulate).
Additionally, please find here below two links, which may be used as additional sources of information:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm
↘ ENTRY TO/RETURNING TO GREECE
All passengers, depending their nationality, must be informed regarding the entry requirements published at https://travel.gov.gr/#/ . All passengers MUST fill in the PLF form, at the same link, before arriving to Greece.
Effective 07/02, passengers holding European Union Digital Covid Certificate EUDCC or medical certificate of recovery from Covid-19 are exempted from all PCR/Rapid test procedures before arrival. Valid European Union Digital Covid Certificates, EUDCC are:
-Vaccination certificates issued at least 14 days after basic vaccination and with validity of no more than 9 months after the 2nd shot.
-Vaccination certificates with no expiry for travelers who have the booster shot.
-Certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter.
All other passengers, without exception, travelling to Greece, having spent over 48 hours abroad, must present negative PCR test taken within 72 hours or rapid test taken within 24 hours before arrival. All regulations apply to passengers over 5 years old.