Greek Summer Odyssey: Athens, Nafplio and the Sporades Archipelago

Make sure to fuel up at breakfast this morning as today you’ll be heading out for a hike in the hills of the surrounding Argolis region in the company of an experienced local guide. Taking height makes it possible to enjoy breathtaking views across the Argolic Gulf and surrounding countryside. Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to admire ancient or medieval ruins, enjoy snacks under the shade of olive trees and learn more about the region and local life from your guide. This afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. If you still have some steam left in the tank after a hike, we recommend making the most of your time here to further explore the area. Culture-buffs can stroll through the narrow streets of the centre, admiring the Venetian influence of certain buildings before continuing on to the two fortresses that stand out against the pure blue of the sky: Acronauplia and Palamidi, built at the beginning of the 18th century by French engineers. If you’re keen to stick with the nature theme of the day, you could walk from Arvanitia to Kondili, a beautiful beach that is only accessible on foot. If hiking isn’t to your fancy, we could also arrange for you to spend the day visiting a honey farm and wine estate.

Today you’ll be swapping the quiet coast for the bustling city of Athens. After breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel two hours back to Athens. On arrival, settle in for two nights in a beautiful hotel at the foot of the Hill of the Muses, just southwest of the Acropolis. The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. You could spend the afternoon touring the nearby National Archaeological Museum, strolling through the streets of the historic centre or simply kicking back and relaxing in your hotel ready for a day of sightseeing tomorrow. We could arrange for you to watch a performance at the Odeon of Herod Atticus, a beautiful ancient theatre that dates back to 160 AD.

The Acropolis, a fortress and military base during the Neolithic period, is one of the most important and fascinating archaeological sites in all of Greece. You’ll have tickets to the Acropolis waiting for you at the hotel, ready for an immersive day in magical ancient Greece. The citadel is dominated by the Parthenon, a surprisingly well-preserved temple dedicated to the goddess Athena that dates back to 438 BC. Other ancient buildings of immense historic significance include the Erechtheion temple, the Propylaia entrance and the temple of Athena Nike. Other sites worth visiting in the city include the Theatre of Dionysus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus or the Propylaea.

Your Greek adventure continues today. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Athens this morning, you’ll be collected and privately transferred to the airport to catch a short flight to the starting point of your cruise in the Sporades Archipelago. Your home for the next week is a comfortable cabin on a schooner sailing boat. The boat features a lounge and dining area, a spacious deck and a lovely restaurant. Your week on the water begins by rounding the historic Cape Artemision, where the Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BC. You’ll then enter the Sporades in the northwest Aegean Sea, making stops along the way at Skopelos, Alonissos (where you can observe seals, dolphins and sometimes whales), Skiathos and finally Mount Pelion. You’ll fall into a nice routine on board the boat: mornings navigating the seas, a late-morning swim in the ocean, a delicious lunch and an afternoon discovering the port town you’ve pulled into for the day. Discovering the archipelago by boat is a great way to get away from the crowds and discover the undiscovered. Swim in tiny coves, stroll through fragrant countryside and anchor up in traditional ports full of charm.