Greek Island-Hopping Adventure
8 Days Starting in Uk and ending in UK
Visiting: Zakynthos, Hemera S.R.L., Cephalonia, Agia Effimia, Ithaca, Meganisi, Atokos, Skorpios, Fiskardo, Zakinthos, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
99354
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 45
Age range:
21-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Enjoy azure waters, sun-kissed days and starlit nights amongst idyllic isles, aboard your welcoming motor sailing vessel. Step aboard traditional, gulet-style MS Hemera to spend a simple, yet delightful week of relaxed cruising through the beautiful waters of the sun-kissed Ionian Islands, an archipelago rich in legend and raw beauty. Discover still-unspoilt coves, swim or snorkel in blue waters, and enjoy the company of your fellow passengers – just 17 in total - whether lazing aboard as you gently motor on, or ashore as you tie up in pretty harbours, perhaps to dine under twinkling lights or stars.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Fly To Zante And Transfer To Board Ms Hemera
Location: Zakynthos, Hemera S.R.L.
Meals Included: No Meals
Upon arrival, meet your host and make the one-hour transfer up the north side of the island, and to the port at Agios Nikolaos. Stow your luggage aboard Hemera, then spend some time wandering in this delightful port and perhaps stopping at a nearby taverna for your first holiday lunch. (Your flight arrival time will determine what time of day you will arrive on board Hemera.)This afternoon, relax on board or continue exploring Agios Nikolaos. Come the evening you’ll be free to dine in a quayside taverna. After maybe take an evening stroll under the stars before returning to Hemera. Why not enjoy a nightcap at the top-deck bar before retiring to your cosy, air‑conditioned cabin?
Day 2 : Kefalonia – Overnight At Agia Effimia
Location: Cephalonia, Agia Effimia
Meals Included: No Meals
Enjoy breakfast aboard, and perhaps take an early morning stroll before Hemera leaves Agios Nikolaos and sails to Kefalonia, calling first at Poros Bay. Moor at this charming spot, where you can take a dip in the warm waters, before continuing to picture-perfect Antisamos. One of the locations used in the film version of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Antisamos is arguably one of Kefalonia’s best beaches. Perhaps take a dip and enjoy lunch on board and a leisurely afternoon as Hemera continues to Agia Effimia, a traditional fishing village with a number of waterfront tavernas, where she will moor for the evening.
Day 3 : Cruise To Ithaca
Location: Ithaca
Meals Included: No Meals
Rise to the gentle rocking of the boat and enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the gulet sails towards the first island of your itinerary, beautiful Ithaca, famed as the homeland of Odysseus (Ulysses), the hero of the Homeric poem Odyssey.
Along the way, you’ll stop off for a swim in a secluded bay and then moor at the sweeping Gidaki Bay, with its sublime pebbled beach, enveloped by turquoise waters and backed by rugged, white cliffs.
A fresh, light lunch will be served back on board after you’ve dried off and then MS Hemera will dock by the island’s main town, Vathy where you’ll spend the night.
Head ashore and discover what is – for many – one of the Ionian Isle’s most picturesque ports, with its striking amphitheatre-like shape. Take your pick of the vine-cloaked tavernas for dinner, accompanied by the lapping of gentle waves.
Day 4 : Cruise To Meganisi Via Atokos Island
Location: Meganisi, Atokos
Meals Included: No Meals
Another slow-paced morning awaits as you have breakfast and continue towards the island of Meganisi, known for its sea caves, which were used to hide submarines during World War II.
A swim stop at the uninhabited islet of Atokos, laden with green vegetation, will break up the journey.
Lunch will be served back on board before MS Hemera sails and docks at Meganisi. Home to sleepy villages and sea-facing tavernas, this lesser-known location promises a pleasant and peaceful evening.
Day 5 : Skorpios And Fiskardo
Location: Skorpios, Fiskardo
Meals Included: No Meals
After a leisurely breakfast, cruise north, and sail around the picture-perfect private island of Skorpios, resting place of the late shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, before turning south, and heading to the vast, mysterious sea cave where the submarine Papanikolis was said to have hidden between attacks on Italian shipping during the Second World War. Continue to your overnight port, picture-perfect Fiskardo. Once there, spend a delightful evening exploring the town’s pretty streets lined with Venetian houses, waterfront tavernas and colourful little bars. Please note, due to its small size and popularity, we may not be able to moor at Fiskardo’s harbour. In this case, you will make the short transfer to the town via dinghy.
Day 6 : Cruise To Kefalonia
Location: Cephalonia
Meals Included: No Meals
After breakfast, spend the morning cruising back toward Kefalonia, stopping en route at the idyllic Myrtos Beach, which is framed by mountains at opposing ends, on the northwest coast of the island. Enjoy a swim, followed by a relaxed lunch on board, before you set sail for Poros, where Hemera will moor for the evening. Step ashore and explore this idyllic town, with its collection of places to eat and drink, for a memorable evening.
Day 7 : Cruise To Zante
Location: Zakinthos
Meals Included: No Meals
This morning, cruise along the Kefalonian coast, stopping at Kateleios Bay, a peaceful stretch of sand, overlooked by hills dotted with private villas. Enjoy lunch on board, before setting sail for the lively holiday resort Zante Town, where you’ll moor overnight. Spend an unhurried afternoon relaxing, then crown a memorable week’s cruising with this evening’s Captain’s Dinner, served on board, and perhaps with a last nightcap under the stars.
Day 8 : Disembark And Return To Uk
Location: United Kingdom
Meals Included: No Meals
Bid farewell to the captain and crew of Hemera and make the short transfer (30 minutes) to the airport to catch your flight home, at the end of a delightful island-hopping Greek adventure.
What's Included
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Seven nights’ accommodation in a shared double cabin aboard MS Hemera
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Enjoy seven breakfasts, six freshly prepared lunches and one celebratory Captain’s Dinner
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Return flights to Zante
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Return airport transfers
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The services of the Captain and the crew
What's Not Included
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to the port to board MS Hemera is 45 minutes.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
At the captain's discretion, it may be necessary to alter the order of the itinerary on your holiday.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Life on board
Please note: The MS Hemera offers simple cruising and passengers should be aware that the emphasis aboard is on enjoying stunning surroundings in the company of a few like-minded, newfound friends. Do not expect a full range of modern comforts, but instead enjoy the chance to be ‘Wi-Fi-free’ while aboard. At the captain’s discretion it may be necessary to alter the order of the itinerary on your holiday. Passages will always be made under motor engine.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Travelling to Europe after Brexit
New rules apply when travelling to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though.
Passport - British passport holders need to have at least six months validity left on their passport and it needs to be less than ten years old; passports which have a longer validity than ten years are not valid for travel once the tenth anniversary of issue has passed. These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.
Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Towards the end of 2022, it is likely that non EU citizens will be required to apply online for an authorisation to visit most European countries. The current details suggest there will be a charge of €7 per person and the authorisation will be valid for all trips made to the EU in a three year period from issue. We will advise you of confirmed details prior to your tour’s departure.
Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required.
Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Mobile Roaming - Roaming charges have been re-introduced by some UK providers when visiting the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Prior to travel, please do check with your phone operator for the most up to date information.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1983
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Fitness to Travel
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.