From Athens (Piraeus) to Athens (Piraeus) · Mediterranean · 7 nights
Sleek and stylish, Le Boréal, Le Soléal, L’Austral and Le Lyrial are wonderful small ships that blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.
These chic sisters are amongst the most stylish ships at sea,
with muted natural tones, minimalist interiors and playful splashes
of colour. The accommodation is flexible, with the option to
combine staterooms and create expansive suites, while the
restaurants deliver the sort of outstanding gastronomic experience
that you would expect from a French flag cruise line.
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance. Towering over the city are the gleaming columns of the Parthenon, surely one of the most iconic sights in the whole of Europe. And yet Athens is much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding. For all its faults, the Greek capital possesses an energy and an optimism that are manifest in everything from the burgeoning art scene to the restaurants and bars that continue to pop up on a regular basis.
Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelations in a cave on Patmos, and today the spot is marked by the hillside Monastery of the Apocalypse. As well as spirituality, the island is known for its beaches and upmarket vibe, with a scattering of stylish restaurants and bars.
Symi was occupied by Italy during the 20th century, a legacy still visible in the neoclassical architecture of the pretty harbour at Gialos. This is a sleepy island that only smaller cruise ships can reach, and the coastline is punctuated by beautiful blue coves and sandy beaches.
The mountainous island of Amorgos is one of the lesser known gems of the Cyclades group, with impressive scenery, superb hiking trails and some fascinating historic buildings. Most spectacular of all is the bright white Hozoviotissis monastery, which hugs a cliffside high above the crashing waves.
The volcanic island of Milos is ringed by pretty beaches and scattered with charming villages, famous as the place where the Venus de Milo was discovered by a local peasant in 1820. Milos is also known as the ‘island of colours’ thanks to its many-hued, mineral-rich cliffs and beaches.
Delos was venerated by the Ancient Greeks as the birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis, and the sprawling ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delos sits at the centre of the Cyclades group, which take their name from the fact that they encircle the sacred island.
Paros gleams with a classic Cycladic colour palette of whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, and is famous for its ancient marble quarries, which provided the raw material for the Venus de Milo. The island is also home to some great restaurants, peaceful inland villages and lovely beaches.
Hydra is unique amongst the Greek islands, blissfully free of motorised traffic; transport here is by donkey, water taxi or on foot. The island has attracted many artists, musicians and actors over the years, but retains a rustic and tranquil atmosphere.
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.
