Board our luxury Gulet for a week-long journey from Mykonos back to Mykonos, hosted by two seasoned world-travelers and our friends, Doran and Dexter. Along the way, marvel at the incredible diversity of the lesser-known (and less crowded) Cyclades Islands, befriend the welcoming locals, discover the historical ruins and sites of ancient Greece, swim in some of the most pristine spots of the Mediterranean, indulge in Chef-prepared meals onboard and onshore, sip on your favorite cocktail as we sail from sunset to sunset, and uncover the magic of Greece's smaller towns and villages.
Recognized as the birthplace of western civilization, Greece feels like a history book come to life. The heritage of Ancient Greece inspires and fascinates travelers and history-lovers around the world. If you travel to Greece you should take the time to explore some of its spectacular ruins. Visiting the ancient ruins of Greece is the best way to understand the amazing history of Greece. After all, the Ancient Greeks introduced democracy and philosophy and the Olympic Games were born from this civilization.
No matter the reason for visiting Greece, you should plan for swimming to be at least part of your itinerary! The Greek coast is filled with spectacular beaches that are some of the cleanest in Europe. In fact, the sea and the sun are one of the major reasons so many visitors choose Greece over other destinations.
After being greeted at the airport, you are privately transferred to the old port where you board your home for the next 7 nights, settling in with a glass of bubbly and a light lunch. We set sail for the island of Tinos. This first leg of our adventure will take approximately 1 hour, and will be the shortest of our journey.
Often dismissed as “the religious island” (the Panagia Evangelistria, a 190-year-old Greek Orthodox church that was built in honor of the Virgin Mary, is one of the island's most famous sites), Tinos has remained unspoiled by the hordes of tourists that flock out of airports and cruise ships toward other parts of the country (present company excluded, of course).
There are 50 villages on the 75-square-mile island, and most of them have at least one taverna where gorgeously simple, local dishes, like roasted eggplant with garlic and boiled artichoke with olive oil and lemon, are served up. After docking, and not before enjoying what will become a daily tradition (the swim stop), we enjoy walking around one of these traditional villages where we indulge in one (or two) cocktails at sunset, before joining the captain for our welcome dinner on board.
Andros is the northernmost island of Cyclades, with a great naval tradition. Apart from the sandy beaches, there are rocky coastlines, hills alternating with green plains, luxuriant vegetation, and an abundance of streams and freshwater springs.
The capital of the island, Chοra (which means “main village”) is home to famous Greek captains and ship owners, and there is a remarkable combination of medieval, neoclassical, and island styles evident in its houses. Flights of stairs, a spacious square with trees, narrow streets, remarkable churches and museums, shops, cafes, and restaurants play their part in the beauty of the place. To top that beauty off, there is a Frankish castle on an islet connected to the main island with an arched stone bridge of the 13th century.
Our day starts with our traditional swim stop, followed by a short crossing before we follow the beautiful coastline, enjoying from afar some of the beautiful scenery described earlier. We enjoy lunch at the beautiful beach of Tis Grias before ending the day in the beautiful town of Andros. There, we enjoy dinner in town at one of our favorite spots.
From a distance, Syros is rocks and naked mountains. Come closer, a town studs two hills, with vast neoclassical villas overhanging the Aegean and a church blue as agapanthus, full of icons so heavy it’s as though the saints are staggering triumphantly through lava flows of molten Russian silver. Everywhere on this island’s 32 square miles exist remnants of a fervent history. 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.
Our journey takes us to Hermoupolis (city of Hermes), the island’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. Tonight, dinner is served on board, but after-dinner drinks in town are highly suggested.
Antiparos is a small island in the Cyclades with intense colorations from the Cycladic culture. It is located very near to the big island of Paros, our next stop. The Cycladic Culture dominates the island, with monuments and symbols that pay homage to the past. The cavern in the center of the island is one of the most ancient and beautiful caverns in the world. Foreign sightseers who visited the island from the 17th until the 19th century published their impressions and succeeded in making Antiparos known worldwide with an emphasis on the cave and other archaeological areas. Antiparos is also one of the best places in the Cyclades for water sports, and to that effect, we will spend the day sailing around, boating, kayaking, and for the more courageous ones, parasailing. Lunch will be on a secluded beach while dinner will be served on board, docked near Chora, the main town, for an evening enjoying local cocktails at tavernas.
Later this morning, we set sail to yet another peaceful location, with a dose of nature in Naoussa Bay on the island of Paros. Here you’ll find beautiful walking trails, quaint tavernas, and a lighthouse with incredible views. This village is famous for its traditional Greek way of life so make the most of the opportunity to enjoy a bit of old Greece! Our captain will make sure to include a secluded swim stop along the way. For lunch, we have organized a visit to the winery of Moraitis family, founded in 1910 by Manolis Moraitis. Nowadays, the 4th generation of the family cultivates well-known and rare indigenous varieties of Paros island. A tasting of 4 wines will accompany your homemade lunch there. We then return back to Naoussa, the colorful fisherman village we docked at earlier in the day. Tonight, we will be in town so guests may enjoy dinner at leisure (own account) as well as drinks at one of the few local tavernas.
This morning, we head to neighboring Naxos, the largest and loftiest of the Cyclades archipelago (for the story, Naxos is the childhood home of Zeus, who was raised in a cave on what is now Mount Zas in order to hide from his father Cronos, who had already eaten his 5 siblings). This relaxed island is wrapped up in long, sandy beaches, while its interior is filled with farms, olive groves, mountains, charming traditional villages, ancient temple ruins, and over 200 Byzantine churches. Expect amazing food, a low-key vibe, and true Greek hospitality. To that effect, we make sure to stop by local fishing villages along the way, and this afternoon, we take a stroll (ok, a drive really) to the center of the island to uncover what the buzz is all about. We taste olive oil and cheeses and make sure to visit some of the historical sites of Ancient Greece. Tonight, dinner is served on board prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
This morning, we slowly make our way to the last stop on our itinerary: Mykonos, which we reach on time for lunch in Little Venice. Famous for its beaches and its nightlife, Mykonos is more than just a party town. It is filled with incredible history and ancient sites one must not miss on a visit to this island. In contrast to other Cycladic capitals, the capital town (Hóra) of the island is not built in the shape of an amphitheater but instead spreads out over a wider area. It is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture and a spellbinding attraction for visitors. Stroll around its narrow marble streets and admire whitewashed houses with colorful doors and window frames, bougainvillea trees in purple bloom, and hidden churches. Later tonight, our hosts take you to 180, a MUST STOP when on the island. There, enjoy cocktails while watching yet another incredible sunset over the Cyclades. You then make your way to Baos Fine Dining , where we host a farewell dinner, paired with regional and international wines. The night is spent on board, docked in the port of Mykonos.
This morning, you are transferred to the airport where you catch a connecting flight home. Have not had enough? Extend to Santorini, explore more of Athens or pay a visit to neighboring Turkey. Wherever the wind may take you, your friendly travel experts at Art In Voyage will be delighted to assist.
Sailing Virtuoso is a beautiful Turkish gulet with all the modern decor and facilities one may expect from a luxury yacht. This motorsailer (11knts per hour) of a new generation is as elegant as it is smooth sailing. Its 2017 enhancements brought spacious and more comfortable decks, a flybridge, and larger ensuite staterooms for our guest's comfort.
Virtuoso's interior space is bright and airy, tastefully decorated with a fully furnished kitchen (don't worry, it comes with a fantastic Chef) as well as several indoor and outdoor spaces for eating and relaxing. Not to forget the American bar that surrounds the...
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.
Deposit non refundable in case of a cancelation by the guest more that 24 hours after making the reservation.
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 $150 per person administrative fee.
