Greece UNESCO Cruise 7nts on MS Elysium (Fridays)

Activity Level: 1
Comfort: 5
Departs From: Lavrio
Location: Greek Islands
Duration: 8 days (Fri-Frii)
Availability: FRIDAYS, April only (2/yr)
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Activity Level: 1
Comfort: 5
Departs From: Lavrio
Location: Greek Islands
Duration: 8 days (Fri-Frii)
Availability: FRIDAYS, April only (2/yr)
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Highlights

Relaxing & Fun: Swimming, snorkeling, water sports, leisurely discovery walks, board games, jacuzzi.
Active: Hiking trails, hiking up the “Rock” of Monemvasia, water sports, and scuba diving (weather permitting).
Wellness & fitness: Group wellness sessions, spa treatments, gym.
Educational: Archaeology seminars with our resident archaeologist, photography walk.
Experiential: Greek dances, komboloi workshop, Greek cooking demonstration.
Cultural: UNESCO: Delphi, Ancient Olympia, Mystras, Monemvasia, Mycenae, Epidaurus.
Nature: Spectacular coastline

Book now (obligation free) pay later

8 days from Lavrion, Itea-Delphi, Katakolon (Ancient Olympia), Gytheio (Mystras), Elafonissos - Monemvasia, Nafplion, Hydra and to Lavrion

Fabulous round-trip Greek Island Cruise on our gorgeous new ship, Elysium
Experience the best of old and new, with ancient sites paired with brand new luxury accommodation
Suitable for couples and small groups, or charter the whole ship
Less than 50 passengers

Itinerary

=========================================================
8 days from Lavrion, Itea-Delphi, Katakolon (Ancient Olympia), Gytheio (Mystras), Elafonissos - Monemvasia, Nafplion (Mycenae & Epidaurus), Hydra and to Lavrion

Included: VAT, Fuel Surcharge, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Beach BBQ, Half-Board Meal Plan, Snacks, Special Dinner, Fishing, Kayaks, Snorkel Gear, Stand Up Paddleboard, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi internet, Yoga.

Required Extras: Port Fees (245-290 EUR per trip).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer (70 EUR), Hotel Transfer, Local Transfers, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Land Excursions, Laundry / Pressing Services, Massage, Spa.

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Day 1
Embarkation at Lavrion between 14:00-15:00. Enjoy our signature cocktail during your smooth check-in.
Welcome cocktails and dinner are followed by the lifetime experience of crossing the impressively narrow and. beautiful Corinth Canal. Overnight at sea.

Day 2
Early morning arrival at Itea, the perfect base for exploring Delphi or the enchanting seaside town of Galaxidi, with our optional tours. The ancient sanctuary of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known as the “navel of the world” from where the Oracle Pythia gave her prophecies. The romantic and tranquil town of Galaxidi has a rich maritime history and was once one of Greece’s wealthiest ports and shipyards. Beautiful neoclassical architecture and pebble-covered courtyard are immaculately preserved to this day. Dinner onboard. Overnight at sea to Katakolon.

Day 3
Morning arrival at Katakolon port, our base for exploring Ancient Olympia, another UNESCO World Heritage site of major importance as it is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. To this day the Olympic flame is lit from the rays of the sun at the Temple of Hera and passed on by a High Priestess. Late afternoon we set sail for Gytheion. Dinner on board and overnight at sea.

Day 4
Wake up at the “Land of the Gods”, Gytheio. Gytheio is the site of ancient Cranae, a tiny island where according to legend Paris of Troy and Helen of Sparta spent their first night together before departing for Troy, thus igniting the Trojan War. Explore this relaxing and romantic place or join an optional tour of the stunning fortified settlement of Mystras, yet another UNESCO World Heritage site in our journey. Sitting proudly on Mount Taygetos, Mystras served as the capital of the Byzantine settlement of Morea
during the 14th and 15th centuries. Lunch on board. In the evening enjoy dinner at one of the many traditional fish tavernas in Gytheion. Overnight at port.

Day 5
In the morning enjoy a swim stop (weather permitting) at the tiny and magical beach of Elafonissos, featuring sand hills and turquoise tropical waters, a NATURA-protected habitat. Lunch onboard the Elysium. In the afternoon we arrive at the immaculately preserved medieval town of Monemvasia, meaning “the only entrance”. Explore its fairytale beauty and walk its narrow, pebbled alleys. Enjoy a romantic dinner with local cuisine and wine before returning to Elysium for our overnight sail to Nafplion.

Day 6
After breakfast set out to explore Nafplion and the surrounding area. Take a guided tour of the Ancient City of Mycenae and the ancient sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus, both UNESCO World Heritage sites of great historical significance. Upon return, visit the many museums in Nafplion: the Archaeological Museum, the War Museum, the former site of the first Military School in Greece, or the Komboloi Museum where you may also participate in a workshop to create your own. Enjoy a romantic evening in one of the most elegant cities in Greece. Overnight at port.

Day 7
Early in the morning, we set sail to the Saronic island of Hydra. Enjoy a leisurely walk at one of the most cosmopolitan and equally romantic destinations in Greece. Hydra is an architectural reserve, free of motor vehicles, and summer home to many international celebrities. It has recently been named by UNESCO “The best-preserved island in the Mediterranean”. Farewell dinner onboard en route to Lavrion port.

Day 8
Disembarkation at Lavrion port before 10:00, after breakfast.

=========================================================
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics and are at the Captain's discretion.
=========================================================

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our specific FAQ pages here:

Before You Go - General Croatia Info (general info for all travellers)

Croatia Cruise FAQ - General Cruise Info (for all small ship Croatia cruises)

Croatia Island Hopping Tour FAQ - General Info (packages combining hotels, ferries and transfers)

Before Your Private Charter - General Yacht and Gulet Charter Info (private charters)

Click here to see how the booking process works: https://www.discovercroatia.com.au/booking-process-how-to-book/

How far in advance do I need to book?

Cruises: For our weekly small ship cruises with guaranteed departures we suggest you book as soon as your plans are in motion. All cruises are extremely popular especially during peak season, which is June, July, August, September and these dates can be booked out up to a year in advance, especially September. One-way cruises are particularly sought-after and tend to sell out first, so please speak to us first to ensure your cruise choice is available before booking any flight arrangements.

Escorted Tours: Escorted Group Tours with guaranteed departures are also best booked as early as possible to ensure your place on the tour, as spaces are limited to a set number of passengers. Once the tour is full that departure is closed for new bookings.

Island Hopping, Self-Drive, Self-Guided Cycling/Hiking and Independent or Private Tours: Independent tours are available most days of the week at any time of year, so if you're booking late these are a great option. They can also start or finish on any day of the week, so can be a great alternative to the cruises (that mostly depart only on Saturdays). You can check out our Island Hopper Tours and our active tours for some examples. If you can't find what you are looking for please make an enquiry on any of our tours and let us know what you need. We love creating custom tours with our clients.

What do the different ship categories mean?

Please see our Ship Descriptions page here, for all the information on Ship Categories, Deck and Cabin Descriptions.

What is half-board? What meals are included?

Half-board (HB): This means that 2 meals a day are usually provided, mostly it will be breakfast and lunch on cruises, and breakfast and dinner on escorted tours. Each cruise or tour will have meals listed on the daily itinerary, so that you will know exactly which meals are included. Some lunches or dinners are swapped occasionally, so that you may enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience with your fellow travellers, such as a Captain's Dinner on a cruise, or a wine-tasting and lunch on an escorted tour. For the remainder of your meals you will be able to dine anywhere you choose and you will be responsible for the cost of those meals. Your Cruise or Tour Director will be happy to recommend a good value and trusted eatery nearby at every location, or you can explore on your own.

Bed and Breakfast (BB): This means that only breakfast is included in your holiday. Most of our Independent Tours include breakfast only, so that you are not beholden to going back to your hotel for lunch or dinner as you are going to be exploring on your own. We think that flexibility with lunch and dinner gives you the best option for exploring Croatia and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.

Full-board (FB) is occasionally offered on cruises as an optional extra, but we do not recommend you take the full-board option unless you are really sure about it. A lot of the joy of the cruise and tour experiences is to dine in local restaurants, 'konobas' (traditional pubs) and bars, so that you can meet the people who live and work there. Why come all the way to Croatia only to eat on-board for every meal? There are so many fabulous (and even some famous!) eateries. Get out there and taste them!

What type of transport is used on the Island Hopper Tours? Local ferries and vehicle transfers

Local ferries: Local ferries are used between the mainland and the islands where possible. Most of these ferries are fast ferries (high speed catamarans). Our Island Hopper Tours include all ferry tickets, as well as delivery of the ferry tickets to your hotel, when we come to pick you up to take you to the ferry port. In some towns, where some hotels are in the pedestrian zone close to the ferry port (like Hvar), then you will be met at the ferry and directed to your hotel, with luggage assistance if required. If your hotel is outside the pedestrian zone you will be met at the ferry and taken to your transfer vehicle, with luggage assistance if required.

Transfers: Most Island Hoppers have private airport transfers included, and private transfers to/from the ferry ports on the islands. Some transfers will be shared transfers if there are others going to the exact same hotel at the same time and it is a short distance.

How fit do I need to be for my holiday?

Relaxation/cultural cruises and tours: On-board your cruise ship, you will need to be able to negotiate gangways and stairs and be able to step from ship to ship as the cruise ships are moored next to each other sideways and sometimes you need to step across to the next ship. You will be walking mostly on the cobblestone streets through the iconic cities and towns of the region. The excursions are best-suited to those who are capable of walking on uneven surfaces as many old cities and towns have limited totally flat surfaces that can accommodate wheelchairs or walking-frames. Please contact us to ask about your specific circumstances, as we are happy to help plan for your needs as best we can. Assistance will be provided on cruise ships to help you navigate getting on and off, but there are a few limitations. Please ask.

Cycling tours: Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.

What happens if I can't attend an excursion?

It is possible to relax at your hotel, on the tour bus or on the boat at any time.

What happens if I can't cycle or hike a stage on an active holiday?

For cycling cruises: If you don't want to cycle it is possible to relax on the boat as it moves to the next port of call.

For cycling and hiking tours: If you don't want to (or can't due to illness or injury) cycle, hike or walk a stage, then we will make arrangements to have you transferred to the next stop on your itinerary so that you can continue with your holiday. Prices for transfers vary widely, so pricing will be provided on an 'as needed' basis only.

What equipment do I need?

Relaxation/excursion cruises and tours: You will need comfortable walking shoes, clothes for relaxing, your swimming costume, and a sunhat. Most cruises are fairly relaxed and casual clothing is fine for all meals, though you may want to take one nice outfit depending on where you wish to dine onshore.

Cycling cruises and tours: You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.

If you have any questions, just give us a call or email:

Call us or WhatsApp: +612-9212-1507
Email us: [email protected]