History & Culture

Connecting the dots of Greek ancient civilizations...

Overview

Greece has a unique geographical position placed between Europe, Middle East and Africa. The fact that it is surrounded by sea (having 14.000km of coastline that ranks it in top-15 countries in the world) made it inevitably a crossroads of ideas, customs, languages and knowledge for people in southern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean since antiquity.

There are numerous archaeological sites and historical monuments spread either in islands or at villages found at the coastline that reflect this historic evolution. First, it was Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. It was followed by Ancient Greece, which includes the period of Classical Greece that monuments like Parthenon, the symbol of Athenian democracy were built. Then came the Byzantine era and finally Early Modern Greece before reaching Modern Greece period.

Following the paths of ancient Greeks, we invite you to a journey in our history and culture in order to connect together the dots of the evolution of the Greek civilization through the years, on a sailing boat! It will be both an educational and didactic journey that will give you a lot of knowledge for the different monuments, castles or museums that we will visit and how exactly they are linked together. But most of all it will be a very enjoyable and relaxed journey that will allow you to get to know Greece and its people much better as you familiarize yourself with its history & culture.

“History and Culture: Connecting the dots in Greek ancient civilizations” is aimed at:

Travellers with a special interest in history who want to combine their sailing holidays with an educational trip
Parents who want to introduce their children to the Greek civilization as it was shaped through the years in a very enjoyable and interactive way.
University teachers or students who want to explore the Greek antiquities from a completely different perspective, by sea, while sailing on a boat!

What an ordinary day will include?

Every day a new destination, every day a new experience!

Time to visit archaeological monuments, historical sites, museums, castles, churches and other points of interest we have chosen for you
A lot of sailing
Free time to read, listen to your favorite music, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets
Dolphins watching if we are lucky enough

Itinerary

Day #1 – Saturday: Alimos Marina – Agistri

We depart from Alimos Marina in the evening heading to Agistri island (appr. 3:15’ hours). We will spend the night here having dinner either at the island or onboard.

Day #2 – Sunday: Agistri –Korfos

We are taking our breakfast onboard and we leave beautiful Agistri heading to Korfos (appr. 2 hours). After approximately 45 minutes, we will arrive at the Archaeological Museum of Korinth, which was a very powerful city-state in ancient times. We will have time there to explore the museum and the surrounding archaeological site that includes the Temple of Apollo (7-6^th century B.C.). Then, we will visit Akrokorinth, a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Korinth. The fortified acropolis of ancient and medieval Korinth, was first built during 7th to 6^th century B.C. The view from here is spectacular. On our way back to Korfos we will first stop at Korinth Canal, that connects the Corinth Gulf with Saronic Gulf in Aegean Sea. It is 6.4km long (4miles) and only 21.4m wide and its’ construction was completed in 1893. Many centuries earlier, during the 6^th century B.C, diolkos was created in this area, a paved road which was used to transfer boats by land on a platform. That way, Diolkos provided a quick passage for the ships that wanted to move from Saronic Gulf to Korintian Gulf or vice versa.

Free time to relax and having dinner at the seaside village of Korfos.

Day #3 – Monday: Korfos –Palaia Epidavros

After having our breakfast we are heading to our next destination, Palaia Epidavros (appr. 1:30’). At a walking distance from the picturesque marina of Palaia Epidavros, at the foot of the acropolis of the ancient city, there is the so-called “Small Theatre of Epidavros”. It was built in 4^th century B.C and has 2.000 seats. Attending a cultural event during summer here is a unique experience combining the ancient character of the theater and the lovely environment that surrounds it, which is full of lemon and orange trees. Although very interesting, the small theatre is not the main reason for travelers all over the world that visit the place. 16km southeast of the marina is located the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, in the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. Built at the end of 4^th century B.C., the theatre had a maximum capacity of 13-14.000 spectators. It is considered the best ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. Many world known actors and singers have performed here including Maria Callas in 1960 & 1961.

After finishing our visit to the Ancient Theater and the surrounding archaeological site of the sanctuary of Asclepius and after one hour driving we are going to Mycenae. The kingdom of mythical Agamemnon is the most important and richest palatial center of the Late Bronze Age in Greece.

In the evening, you will have time to walk around the waterfront in Palaia Epidavros and take your dinner under the stars

Day #4 – Tuesday: Palaia Epidavros – Aegina

We depart from Palaia Epidavros heading to Aegina island, which was the former capital of Greece from 1828 to 1829 (appr. 2:30’). The island developed a strong economic and social growth from 7^th to 5^th centuries B.C and it is the first city state that issued coins in Europe.

We are starting our tour visiting Aphaia temple, built in c.500BC. The temple was built at an equal distance from the temples of Pathenon in Athens and Poseidon in Cape Sounio to form an equilateral triangle (the golden triangle of antiquity). The temple is very well preserved and is historically important thus it is one of the most popular archaeological sites on the island. Then we will visit Paleochora, a medieval village built in the 9^th century. The village, which was the former capital of the island until 1826, stands out for its history, the great view and its churches. Finally, we will visit the Apollo temple (6^th century B.C) and the Archaelogical Museum of Aegina, which are very close to each other and located nearby Aegina town.

In the evening you have time to stroll around the marina and enjoy your dinner after a full and rewarding day

Day #5 – Wednesday: Aegina – Methana

We are having our breakfast and heading to the peninsula of Methana. The peninsula has over 30 volcanic eruption centers with the last eruption dated back to 230B.C. Because of its volcanic origin, in Methana you can have a sulfurous bath inside the sea, certainly a different experience. Sulfurous baths are considered to have healing effects in skin irritations, arthritic pain or digestive disorders. During sunset time we will go up to the mountain for a short hike at the volcano area. The route is very beautiful and as you go up you see the difference in the plantation and in colours of the ground because of the volcanic activity. The view from the volcano is breathtaking! From here you can see Agistri, Palaia Epidavros and Aegina island that we visited the previous days, definitely a view to remember!

On our way back to the marina we make a stop at the fishing village of Vathi. As you watch the picturesque little village with the olive trees and the small vineyards on the slops that surround it, you will soon find yourself happy and mesmerized!

Day #6– Thursday: Methana – Poros

After finishing our breakfast we are heading to Poros (appr. 1 hour).

Here we will visit the Sanctuary of Poseidon, a rather mimimal site on the edge of pine woods, which is considered to date back to 6^th or 5^th century B.C. The temple dedicated to the God of the Sea, was soon developed to a prestigious and Pan-Hellenic place of worship. It’s a simple place with phenomenal view over the Saronic Gulf. We leave Poseidon Temple and we will then visit the Holy Monastery of the life-giving Spring that was built in 1720AD around the island’s only spring. The view from here is wonderful and have access to a fantastic beach nearby.

In the evening, you have time to walk around and enjoy Poros town and its’ beauties.

Day #7 – Friday: Poros – Alimos Marina

After having breakfast, we depart from Poros and we are heading to Alimos Marina (appr. 4 hours). On our way back we will make a stop for swimming and have a light lunch onboard.

Our Sailing Yachts

Bavaria 41 Cruiser “Erato”

Up to 4 guests + skipper

3 cabins

2 bathrooms

-Our 41 feet sailing yacht is ideal for up to 4 guests. It has 2 double cabins for guests plus one cabin for skipper

-One bathroom for guests plus one more at the front for the skipper

-Freezer, sink, oven & stove at the saloon area

-Saloon table and sofa inside

-Dining area at the cockpit outside

-Swimming platform

Bavaria 46 Cruiser “Odysseus”

Up to 6 guests + skipper

4 cabins

3 bathrooms

-Our 45 feet sailing yacht is much more spacious vs. the 41 as it can accommodate up to 6 guests. It is an ideal choice in case you are more people or you need a more spacious environment. It has 3 double cabins for guests plus one cabin for skipper.

-Two rear bathrooms for guests plus one more at the front for the guests & the skipper

-Freezer, refrigerator, sink, oven & stove at the saloon area

-Saloon table and sofa inside

-Dining area at the cockpit outside

-Swimming platform