GYR- Antiquity to Byzantium cruise March Apriland November 20 MS Galileo

GYR- Antiquity to Byzantium cruise March Apriland November 20 MS Galileo

The elegant Galileo has operated cruises in the

Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The

Galileo is always sailing under motors. Sails are

occasionally used when weather and route allow

Service on board is provided by your Captain,

the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced

Marine and Hotel crew members.

Itinerary

Day 1: Marina Zea

Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for

Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.


Day 2: Palaia- Epidaurus (optional excursion)

Stop At: Ancient Epidaurus Little Theatre, Ancient Epidaurus, Epidavros 210 59 Greece
We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for our optional excursion. Epidaurus was

known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son

Asclepius - and for its theater, which is once again in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman

general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The prosperity

brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge

theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing

to Nafplion. Overnight at port.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.

Day 3: Nafplion/ Mycenae (optional excursion)

Stop At: Lion Gate, Mycenae Greece
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis

towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold”

begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the

remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and

the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.

Day 4: Gythion (optional excursion)

Stop At: Mani Castle, Greece
Early morning arrival to Gythion. Optional Excursion to Mani peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular

Dirou Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and

later the Spartans used as a port, enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base. Leaving

Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered

around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave

we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a

distinctive area unlike any other area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept

landscapes and towers who is strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.

Day 5: Pylos (optional excursion)

Stop At: Palace of Nestor, Ethnki Odos Kiparissias Pylou, Chora, Pylos-Nestor 246 00 Greece
Pylos is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of

Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. During our optional excursion

and after stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the

prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and

was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well-preserved royal

apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace,

with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit

to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological

museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.

Day 6: Katakolon/Olympia (optional excursion)

Stop At: Katakolo Port, Katakolo 270 67, Greece
Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo

and an optional excursion takes us by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the

ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In the ancient Greek world, it was

also the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times

until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the

ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward excavation work, spearheaded primarily by the German government,

revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The

most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will

also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion – lodging place for the

athletes who participated in the games. We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful

museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the

Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host

of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After having time at leisure we will travel

overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in

the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.

Day 7: Itea/Delphi (optional excursion)

Stop At: Delphi Greece
Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark

the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece,

Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty

that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth

and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the

classical world. Indeed, because everything in Greece is connected to mythology, Delphi became the premier

site for the worship of the god Apollo. The oracle had the ability to prophecy the future and give advice.

Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle, and responded by offering

thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit

the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we sail to Marina

Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.

Day 8: Marina Zea

Pass By: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece
Marina Zea (disembarkation): Disembarkation after breakfast.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on

Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes.