The beauty of a yachting vacation is the freedom to stay longer or leave earlier - this is your expedition! Board our luxury Gulet for a week-long journey covering part of the Cyclades and North Dodecanese Islands, hosted by an Art In Voyage and a crew of 5. Along the way, uncover the classics such as Mykonos and Syros, marvel at the incredible diversity of the lesser-known (and less crowded) North Dodecanese Greek islands, befriend the welcoming locals and discover the beauty of each of our destinations, unique in their own way. Uncover the magic of each town and village along the way, swim in some of the most pristine spots of the Mediterranean, indulge in Chef-prepared meals onboard and onshore, and sip on your favorite cocktail as we sail from sunset to sunset. Come and join us as we uncover the magic of Greece's best islands.
Welcome to Greece. On arrival, you are met and greeted by your driver, and whisked away to your home away from home. Once on board, the fun begins with welcome cocktails as the captain sets sail for your first destination: Kythnos. This island of simplicity and hospitality will lead you to Cycladic paths, to whitewashed settlements, to the beautiful villages of Hora and Dryopida and to 99 beaches that will make you quickly realize that you are on a terrestrial paradise. Tonight, our welcome dinner is held on board and served with regional wines.
After what will become a daily tradition (the swim stop), you journey takes you to Hermoupolis (city of Hermes), Syros's capital and main town, said to be one of the most beautiful towns in the Cyclades. It has elegant marble neoclassical buildings and beautiful Venetian mansions as well as numerous winding alleyways and a bustling port. Carved into its boulders are salutations made by ancient Greek sailors, thanking the gods for safe harbor. Legend has it, one chapel wedged into a cave was built by a fisherman saved by a giant octopus. Fragile lilies bloom through the sand the color of iron. Tonight, dinner is served on board, but after-dinner drinks in town are highly suggested.
We set sail early this morning so the captain may stop for the daily swim routine, and arrive on time in Mykonos for lunch and an afternoon at leisure wandering old town. Our concierge team will be delighted to arrange a private tour for you, or provide guidance and must dos/sees should you prefer to just take it at a slower pace. Tonight, we have reserved a table for you at famed 180 where you enjoy sunset dribks, before making your way to one of our favorite restaurants for a lovely dinner paired with local wines.
Today will be the longest sailing day as we leave the Cyclades for the Norh Dodecanese islands. Swim stops along the way (providing it is safe to do so) will be organized. Patmos is not a large island but is one of the best-known. It was here that St. John completed the last part of The Apocalypse of John and this is why Patmos is sometimes called “The Jerusalem of the Aegean.” The Monastery of St. John’s towers above the capital, Chora, and actually the island seems to breathe faith and devotion. According to mythology, Patmos was a gift from Zeus to his daughter Artemis, the goddess of hunting and young women. Tonight, cocktails and dinner will be on board with night caps in town strongly encouraged.
After breakfast, we take a stroll in town and pay a visit to the Monastery of St John. An immense 11th-century monastery-cum-fortress that has remained active, of which a section is open to visitors. The entrance courtyard leads into a sumptuously frescoed chapel, fronted by marble columns removed from an ancient temple. Upstairs, the museum housing church treasures display the original edict establishing the monastery, signed by the Byzantine emperor in 1088. For lunch, we are invited by a local Chef at his farm-to-table restaurant, encouraging guests to participate in the making of authentic cuisine. Later this afternoon, we head to another cove for swimming before setting sail for Arki. We enjoy sunset cocktails and dinner on board.
Arki and Marathi, just north of Patmos, are the most peaceful islets in the Dodecanese chain. Arki is probably one of the least visited islands in Greece, with a permanent population of only 40 people who make a living from farming, goat breeding, and fishing. Lipsi (known locally as Lipsos) is a small group of islets near Patmos. There are plenty of tavernas, cafés, and shops in the village. Small churches and monasteries are scattered around the island. The beaches of Platis or Giolos are glorious with crystal green waters. On the island, the Church of the Catopanaghia, constructed in the 7th century, deserves a visit. Throughout the day, we enjoy stops in small coves, visits to local villages, picnic on the beach, and a lovely sunset dinner on board.
After breakfast, we make our way to Kalymnos. The sailing of 3 hours takes us to Vathi town, which lies at the end of the deep fjord of Vathi and is a charming little place for our traditional daily swim stop. The island is known as “The Sponge Fishers’ Island”. The scenery is wild and dramatic with high rocky mountains plunging down to the sea making it a terrific spot for those who like to mountain-climb. The island also boasts lovely un-crowded beaches and bays. On the western side of the island lie the villages of Myrties and Massouri and the much quieter hamlets of Arginondas, Skalia, and Emporios. On the northeast coast is the wild and beautiful bay of Palionisou where it feels as if life has stood still for a very long time. After cocktails in town, we enjoy our farewell dinner on board, looking at the quiet life on the island slowly coming to a rest.
It is time to bid farewell. Our short journey to Kos starts early in the morning. On arrival, guests say their goodbyes to the crew and are transferred to the airport for their local or international flights. Why not extend though? Stay a few days on Kos, or jet off to Santorini, Cappadocia (Turkey) or the coast of Turkey with the beautiful Bodrum peninsula only a short flight away. Wherever the winds may take you, let us assist in making sure it is a smooth sailing.
We have been traveling with AIV exclusively for years. We love the no-hassle logistics of their curated trips. Mikael’s itineraries are always a blast and never disappoint.
Mikael and the entire team at Art In Voyage always deliver 100% this is our 5th trip of hopefully many more in the future. We feel that having our trips professionally curated really helps us to just sit back and enjoy our vacations without all of the planing headaches that come with international travel. Keep up the good work, Barb and I will be lifelong clients!!
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
In case of a cancelation at more than 90 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $750 per person administrative fee.
In case of a cancelation within the penalty period: Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $750 per person administrative fee.
