Saga’s all-inclusive seven-night cruise aboard MV Athena from Mykonos to Delos, Naxos, Ios and Paros
Saga’s new seven-night sailing A Cyclades Adventure from Mykonos features walking in the footsteps of Apollo and Homer – and swimming in the wake of Tom Hanks.
The all-inclusive voyage around small island paradises on MV Athena also reveals whitewashed villages, exceptional archaeological sites and deserted beaches.
One swimming stop is at the small island of Antiparos, where actor Tom Hanks owns a villa and has been known to join the communal swim to Paros, across the channel of one nautical mile, held at the beginning of each July.
After sailing from Mykonos there are plenty of opportunities to explore ashore and destinations include Delos, legendary birthplace of Apollo. Occupied from 3,000BC, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delos has no permanent inhabitants. Significant sites include the remains of a great port, a marketplace, a vast theatre, wealthy families’ homes with mosaic floors and the Sanctuary of Apollo.
Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, has a causeway linking the port to the islet of Palatia, home to the Portara, or Great Door. Thought to be part of an unfinished temple, the Portara was built in 6BC from four marble blocks weighing 20 tons each.
Ios, whose name means flower, is where the ancient poet Homer is entombed, while Paros is home to the Byzantine ‘Church of 100 Doors’ with its silver Madonna.
The cruise also includes walking tours of Mykonos Town and Paros, plus a visit to the island of Iraklia.
MV Athena is exclusively chartered for Saga guests and has 16 cabins. Refurbished in 2015, the ship is spacious and comfortable with a sun deck, lounge and dining area equipped with a fully-stocked bar, plus an outdoor dining area. The free bar, open 11 hours a day from 11am-10pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Seven nights from £999 departing London Gatwick on a choice of 16 dates from April to October 2019.
Price includes return flights, all meals and a free bar open 11 hours a day serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, porterage, Saga approved director, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.
(Saga)
