Athens and the Greek Islands

Portsmouth

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Gibraltar

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Watching over the entrance to the Mediterranean, stands the unmistakable limestone Rock of Gibraltar. At its base lies Gibraltar which is connected to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a sandy isthmus and offers an intriguing blend of British and Spanish culture. Discover Gibraltar’s Palladian architecture and typically British sights, such as red pillar boxes and familiar highstreet chains, during an included panoramic excursion.

Alternatively, visit the military museum or ascend the limestone monolith by cable car for panoramic views and to meet the mischievous Barbary macaques. From the top of the Rock you can look out over two continents: Africa lies just 13 miles to the south, whilst Europe stretches to the north.

Included excursion

Uncover Gibraltar’s quirky British charm on an included panoramic excursion.

Optional excursions

Go in search of dolphins and other marine life in Gibraltar’s bay.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Valletta, Malta

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Cruise into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, which is overlooked by forts built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century. The surrounding UNESCO-listed streets exude old-world charm at every turn, and an included panoramic excursion will give you an overview of this historic capital.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion will give you an overview.

Optional excursions

Visit the ‘Silent City’ of Mdina or even head underground to the Byzantine-era Catacombs of St Paul.

Spend the day at sea.

Argostoli, Kefalonia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Having been severely damaged during the 1953 earthquake, the island’s bustling capital Argostoli was rebuilt incorporating wide avenues and pedestrianised shopping streets, and a palm-tree lined main square. The Archaeological Museum of Kefalonia, which exhibits ancient findings from the Mycenaean, Hellenistic and Roman periods is located here. Perhaps visit the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, a small cave near the resort of Lassi, once occupied in 1555 by a hermit monk, now the island’s patron saint, of the same name.

Katakolon, Greece

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Perched on a peninsula overlooking the Ionian Sea, Katakolon is a typical Greek seaside town. Enjoy its taverna-lined waterfront and sweeping beach, which follows the curving gulf that leads away from it. You can venture to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Olympia. One of the world’s most significant archaeological finds, this Pan-Hellenic sanctuary was founded in the Neolithic era and is where the Olympic Games were first held. Among its wealth of ancient attractions are the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium of Olympia, and the monumental columns of Philippeion and Palaestra.

Optional excursions

Head to Olympia where you can see the ruins of temples and sporting arenas and visit the Archaeological Museum, which houses artefacts spanning the prehistoric, Classical and Roman eras. Among its prized possessions is the famous Nike ‘Winged Victory’ sculpture.

Hydra ?, Greece

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

One of the Saronic Islands of Greece, Hydra is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water and is a new port for Saga cruises. The main settlement on the island is Hydra Town with its 18th-century stone mansions. The harbour is a key focal point and is where you’ll find most of the shops and cafes. Hydra’s residential areas haven’t spread far, due to the ban of motorised or wheeled vehicles on the island, so everything is within walking distance. The town is known for its use of donkeys to transport goods and people locally.

Piraeus (for Athens), Greece

Arrive 2200 on April 28. Depart 1700.

‘The Cradle of Western Civilisation’, ancient Athens was the birthplace of democracy as well as a crucible of creativity, leading to great advances in philosophy, art, literature and architecture. This is represented by Athens crowning achievement, the UNESCO-listed Acropolis. The exceptional well-preserved 5th-century BC complex watches over the city from a rocky outcrop and encompasses the monumental Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the temple of Athena Nike. In its lee sprawls the old Plaka neighbourhood packed with tavernas, cafes and small shops.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion will give you an introduction to the city.

Optional excursions

Enjoy a scenic coastal drive to Cape Sounion, where you will visit the 5th-century Temple of Poseidon.

Heraklion, Crete

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Greece’s largest island boasts a rich history that can be traced back over 5,000 years. One of the ancient world’s most advanced civilisations, the Bronze Age Minoans, built an incredible palace labyrinth that thrived for 1,500 years. The Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans came next but it was the Venetians who have left a lasting impression on its capital Heraklion, best seen in the 16th-century walls which encircle the old town, the old harbour and the sea fortress of Koules Castle. The outstanding artefacts unearthed at the Palace of Knossos, the haunt of the mythical Minotaur, are displayed at Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion will give you an overview.

Optional excursions

Visit the nearby archaeological site of Knossos to marvel at the ancient Minoan culture’s legacy or explore traditional island villages for a glimpse of Cretan life.

Spend the day at sea.

Syracuse, Sicily

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Originally a Greek colony, home to Archimedes, Syracuse is renowned for its well-preserved ancient Greek ruins. The archaeological site in the northwest of the town showcases a theatre built to seat 15000 spectators. The historic centre of Syracuse, known as Ortygia, is set on a small island surrounded by the Ionian Sea and is connected to the mainland by three bridges. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ortygia has an attractive piazza, Piazza Duomo, and the remains of the Temple of Apollo, a Doric structure dating from the 6th-century BC.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Malaga, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

A reflection of the many cultures which have intermingled in this port city over the centuries, Malaga boasts a wealth of historical sights.

Chief among these are the imposing Moorish citadels of Alcazaba and its gardens, and the ruins of Gibralfaro Castle, as well as the Roman amphitheatre and Renaissance cathedral.

Picasso, one of the city’s most famous sons, is celebrated at the Museu de Picasso in the artists’ quarter, which is also home to the Centre of Contemporary Arts as well as a host of smaller galleries and displays of street art.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion will show you Malaga’s highlights.

Optional excursions

Visit dramatic Ronda, with its spectacular location atop El Tajo gorge and known as the largest of Andalucia’s white towns.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Dover

Arrive 0730.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.