Круиз Ritz-Carlton из Афин (Пирей) в Валлетту

Day

Program

24 June 2023

Athens is the cradle of the Western democratic tradition, home to a civilization as radiant as any before or since. Feel the pulse of history as you climb to the hilltop Acropolis, home to some of the city’s most renowned ancient sites. Gaze in amazement at the massive columns of the Parthenon, Pericles’ greatest monument. Admire the little Temple of Nike and the fantastic carvings of the caryatids that support a porch of the Erechtheion. At the bottom of the hill, the Acropolis Museum includes original statues of the maidens and numerous other artifacts unearthed here. Equally outstanding is the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest in the world. In the Agora, you can walk in the footsteps of Plato and Aristotle, carry on an imaginary dialogue with Socrates and discover where Hippocrates healed and Pericles ruled. Then for lighter fare, savor the lively tavernas and twisting lanes of the Plaka neighborhood.

25 June 2023

Beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, tranquil churches and local traditions meet Cycladic chic on Sifnos. Long known for its outstanding cuisine – the island was the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, author of the first Greek cookbook – Sifnos is growing increasingly cosmopolitan. The tranquil port of Kamares boasts some fabulous waterfront cafés, restaurants and stores along its long, lovely beach. Visit the exceptionally pretty village of Kástro, a former Venetian citadel that was built on top of an ancient town. You’ll find history around every corner, as well as some breathtaking views over the Aegean. Alternatively, make your way to Apollonia, the island’s lively capital. Rising up three hillsides, its gleaming white buildings house elegant boutiques, refined restaurants and trendy bars, as well as some charming traditional tavernas and old-time cafés.

26 June 2023

Make sure to be on deck to witness sailing into one of the Aegean’s most spectacular sights: the volcanic caldera that is Santorini’s bay. Rising from the sea, the earth transforms into a wall of stone that looms in striating hues of ochres, grays and pinks. Dotted with the island’s iconic blue-domed churches, the whitewashed village of Fira hovers in the cliffs, bustling with shops, tavernas and a fine museum while clinging to the caldera’s rim. After gazing down at the stunning view from Fira, you can hike the Caldera Trail to Oia – a different and equally breathtaking perspective of the exquisite bay awaits you at every turn. Or sample other island delights – the wineries, the black sand beaches or the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri, which Plato believed was the lost city of Atlantis. Then relax in a cliffside taverna with a local assyrtiko wine and watch an amazing sunset.

27 June 2023

The white peaks of the Lefka Ori mountain range create a dramatic backdrop for Crete’s former capital of Chania. This city’s rich cultural heritage showcases everything from Byzantine monasteries to medieval churches and Turkish baths. At the heart of its enchanting Old Town you’ll find the Venetian harbor, with its landmark lighthouse and colorful waterfront palazzos. Behind that you’ll discover a maze of alleyways lined with fascinating cafés, galleries, bars and restaurants. Learn about ancient Cretan history at the Archaeological Museum or visit the ruins of the ancient city of Aptera, which are perched above the neighboring town of Souda. In the evening, enjoy traditional Cretan dishes at one of the town’s many tavernas or head to the bustling bars in the harbor area.

28 June 2023

Historic and romantic, the medieval town of Monemvasia is situated on the island nicknamed the “Gibraltar of the East,” an enormous hunk of rock rising from the sea and creating a natural fortress for its inhabitants. Only a single causeway links Monemvasia with the mainland, and visitors must leave cars behind to explore the walled town carved into the cliffside. Ancient stone houses with terracotta rooftops look out over the crystal blue waters and mountains beyond. There are six museums and many churches, including Agia Sophia, among the oldest Byzantine churches in Greece. Ancient ruins lie nearby on the mainland, including the towns of Epidaurus Limera and Kyphanta and the fortress of Zarakas. The area around Monemvasia is rich with flora and fauna, ideal for geological explorations, rock climbing, hiking and water sports, and a wide varietyw of beaches ring the promontory.

29 June 2023

Two fortresses – the Ottoman-era Néokástro and medieval Paleokastro – welcome you to the Bay of Navarínou, a natural harbor in the Peloponnese. Established after the 1827 naval battle that paved the way for an independent Greece, Pylos now guards the entrance to this beautiful bay. The area’s many beaches are unspoiled, most notably Voïdhokiliá, a picture-perfect semicircle of white sand that separates the Gialova Lagoon from the sea. A short drive from town takes you to the hilltop ruins of Nestor’s Palace. The best-preserved royal complex of Greece’s Mycenaean civilization, this renowned site has yielded priceless insights into Bronze Age history. Back in Pylos, take a seat for dinner in at one of the lively cafés and tavernas that surround the war memorial in the town’s main square.

30 June 2023

With a day at sea, enjoy the unique opportunity to unplug and relax into the unhurried life on board. Enjoy a workout with a view at the gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, watch the sky transform at sunset from The Observation Lounge, or find an intimate alcove in The Living Room and lose yourself in a favorite book.

1 July 2023

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta is a diminutive city packed with history. Sailing into the harbor is an experience in itself, as the dome and spire of competing churches rise above the cluster of limestone façades and formidable ramparts. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, Valletta is architecturally Baroque in character, with Mannerist, neoclassical and modern elements as well. It’s easy to navigate the city on foot and take in sights such as the City Gate, National Museum of Archaeology, Grand Master’s Palace and St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which houses the famous Caravaggio painting The Beheading of St. John. Gardens are plenty, including the Upper Barrakka, which offer panoramic views. In the Maltese countryside, megalithic temples reveal the island’s prehistoric past, and the surrounding waters are also worth exploring, particularly the gorgeous sea caverns of the Blue Grotto.