This is a small‑group, expert‑led cultural journey that offers a rare chance to explore the Cyclades islands in depth. In stark contrast to being aboard a large cruise ship or having to wait for ferries, you’ll travel slowly on an 8-cabin traditional wooden gulet with plenty of time to discover the most famous sites together with smaller islands and hidden coves along the way. You’ll have the opportunity to truly appreciate the landscapes and seascapes of this part of the Aegean and and explore each island’s history, landscapes, and living traditions personally escorted by two specialist guides.
A unique opportunity to explore the islands of the Cyclades aboard a Greek gulet with a maximum of just 12 guests.
For most of us, islands are things you sail to, something distant and exotic, a place away from here that grows on the horizon. And, of course a lot of that’s true, especially on a trip like this where each day brings a new marvel, a new seascape filled with other islands, or one apparently far from everything. There’ll be hidden quiet coves where there’s no noise but the splash of swimming, or busy little havens where houses of all hues stand happily in polychrome tiers throwing themselves against a hillside and threaded with winding lanes that disappear into enchantingly mysterious nooks. There’ll be volcanic landscapes and the relics of prehistoric civilizations, masterpieces of ancient Greek art and architecture, landscapes unmoored from other planets, and the forbidding blank walls of fortified places of worship. So yes, this is a tour that more than answers the desire for a peaceful odyssey: some new memorable book to be written in the memory with every passing day. But in some ways its quite the wrong way to look at the Cyclades.
Because for great swathes of history, they’re not at the fringe at all. Far from being the record’s edge, they’re the spindle around which everything revolves, around which the music is made. And that is the other strand that makes this such a fascinating tour. It might not be the story that’s usually told, but these pretty islands, famed now for their gleaming white villages and pretty windmills, have often been at the core of Greek history and culture, right back to its very beginnings. As a result, our tour will have a layer upon layer of history to tell, with experts to do it justice, and a rich seam of art and culture to explore. We’ll have the Bronze Age world of the Cycladic Culture, precocious seafarers and artists famed for inspiring those of more recent times with their magnificently distinctive sculpture; the venturesome Greek cities of the Archaic period whose ambition produced some of the most breath-taking experiments in her art and architecture, brilliant pulses that supercharged the Greek world long before Athens’ dominance; and, as Greece took its place in an ever more interconnected Mediterranean, we’ll encounter the staggering remains of the greatest trading centres of the ancient world just as Rome entered it. There’s more to tell – frescoed Byzantine churches, Venetian castles, prosperous neoclassical mansions, but that’s surely enough to tempt you to make the crossing.
This is a tour that allows you to expansively sample the full breadth of the Cyclades’ history. You’ll discover historical powerhouses that few know exist as well as secluded villages where tradition marks every sinuous alley and which it takes a lifetime, or a passionate guide, to find; you’ll see sights renowned around the world like the awe-inspiring island of Santorini, and have the time to relax and think about them at a sublime islet that rarely sees a living soul and keeps its beauty to itself. An island is always a chapter in itself, and a destination in someone else’s tale. Here, you get to see both in a truly rich compendium.
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Day 1: NB: The itinerary on this cruise is likely to change slightly according to the weather conditions. Some modifications regarding the order or days of crossings or visits are likely to occur, so please bear that in mind when reading.
We welcome you to Paros, and have our first meal together, on board our gulet.
We welcome you to Paros, and have our first meal together, on board our gulet.
Day 2: After breakfast we cruise south and west, skirting the coasts of Antiparos and Despotiko before rounding the islet of Strongyli to come into the anchorage at the bay of Aghios Giorgios. The magnificent Archaic and Classical sanctuary on Despotiko can be seen standing proudly just above the shore. It is currently closed to the public while restoration is completed, but if it reopens in time we will pay a visit. If not, we have a glorious swimming opportunity, with marvellous views of the two islands that embrace this anchorage, in what will be a day devoted to relaxation.
After lunch ashore in a seaside taverna, we will leave the bay behind and take to the water once again for a relaxed afternoon cruising over to Ios, where we’ll anchor overnight.
After lunch ashore in a seaside taverna, we will leave the bay behind and take to the water once again for a relaxed afternoon cruising over to Ios, where we’ll anchor overnight.
Day 3: After breakfast, we head into Ios harbour. Our first target is the magnificent Early Bronze Age site of Skarkos, just inland. Here, on a low hill swaddled in tall stone terraces, faintly like Mycenae, and spread with a mesh of stone walls – some still standing above head height – we have our first site of the remarkable Cycladic Culture, famed for its marble sculptures. Hundreds of people lived here, trading, working obsidian and farming. We continue on to Ios chora, the island’s modern (and ancient) capital, where white painted houses, blue domed churches and pretty windmills competitively stack themselves around its steep sugar-loaf hill. We’ll visit the excellent local museum to see the finds of living Skarkos used by those whose footsteps we traced – and some fine Archaic and classical remains before enjoying lunch in a harbour side taverna. In the afternoon, we will make our way further south to the southern edge of the Cyclades and an awesome spectacle: Santorini.
The mind should supply some swirling orchestral music at this point as the majesty of Santorini – properly, Thera – is revealed to us: the expanse of cobalt blue waters of the mighty caldera embracing the broken ramparts that make up this little island group, and the etched long trailing zigzags of the paths winding their way up. A wonderful place to experience what awe really feels like. We drop anchor at Akrotiri, and have some time to swim before enjoying dinner onboard.
The mind should supply some swirling orchestral music at this point as the majesty of Santorini – properly, Thera – is revealed to us: the expanse of cobalt blue waters of the mighty caldera embracing the broken ramparts that make up this little island group, and the etched long trailing zigzags of the paths winding their way up. A wonderful place to experience what awe really feels like. We drop anchor at Akrotiri, and have some time to swim before enjoying dinner onboard.
Day 4: We come ashore and walk just a short distance to one of the world’s greatest and most precious archaeological sites: Akrotiri. Many places claim to be a Pompeii of one sort or another, but at Akrotiri we really have it, and all the more impressive for its vastly greater age. Here we are given a window (windows!) into the Middle Bronze Age. A spectacularly preserved town, still being excavated, buried by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Houses stand to their second storey, looking only recently abandoned, cracked flights of steps speak of the geological violence that has otherwise left so much so clearly visible so that we can understand the Bronze Age world of the Aegean better here than anywhere else. The same process bequeathed us some of the finest frescoes of the ancient world, and we make the journey to Thera’s archaeological museum to see its famed treasures next: the saffron-gathering women and leaping blue monkeys await us here, surrounded by a wealth of other finds from this outstanding place.
Our journey to the rim of the Cyclades has been breath-taking, but with a last gaze at the spellbinding Theran archipelago we make our way out and head northwest, this time to Sikinos, where we take a swim in quieter waters where the Cyclades seem to have found yet another wonderful form of blue.
Our journey to the rim of the Cyclades has been breath-taking, but with a last gaze at the spellbinding Theran archipelago we make our way out and head northwest, this time to Sikinos, where we take a swim in quieter waters where the Cyclades seem to have found yet another wonderful form of blue.
Day 5: Sikinos is a quiet place to contrast with yesterday’s excitements. We’ll enjoy the beautiful unfolding views as we drive along its single winding road, making our way to Episkopi and a breath-taking surprise. Pressed into the flanks of Mont Troullos, just below a ridge that gives marvellous views of Sikinos’ neighbours, is a grand and near-complete Roman building from the height of the empire, temple-like and standing to the beginning of its roof. Saved in part by becoming a church in later centuries, it’s an unexpected and impressive survival. We’ll consider what it originally was amid gorgeous surroundings. After lunch, we will cruise northwards once more, with the island of Naxos as our destination for a swim and a chance to dine ashore.
Day 6: We begin our day at Yria, for centuries a major cult site of the god Dionysus. From simple beginnings with offering pits, careful excavation has shown us the gradual development of shrine buildings from simple mud-brick through to a great marble temple, one of the earliest in Greece. We continue on to Flerio, to see one of the most remarkable sights of the Archaic Greek Aegean, its kouros. This figure of a young man, frozen mid-stride, is typical of the age if a little mysterious; what makes him typically Naxian, perhaps, is his great size. To make him even more evocative, he lies unfinished in the landscape, the mammoth task of completing and transporting him to his destination for some reason never completed.
After an impressive morning, we return to our gulet to glide over the Aegean waters as we make our way to a very famous island indeed, one which brought forth gods. To Delos.
After an impressive morning, we return to our gulet to glide over the Aegean waters as we make our way to a very famous island indeed, one which brought forth gods. To Delos.
Day 7: Our final full day, and you’ll agree we’re going out on the most impressive note possible. For all its small size, Delos was never peripheral to the ancient Greek world. Religion, war and trade gave her a prominence that sees her mentioned often in ancient writings, and a late flourish where unholy wealth created an extraordinarily rich city of temples and statues, marble and mosaics. The island’s prominence begins with Leto fearfully and secretly giving birth to the twins Apollo and Artemis here, leading to the emergence of an important shrine which exploded under Athenian domination in the fifth century BC, becoming for a time the headquarters of the grand alliance against Persia, the so-called “Delian” League. In the later Hellenistic era, after centuries of patronage by other competing kings, cities and aristocrats, the already burgeoning opulence of the site was taken to a vastly higher level by a powerful new interloper: the Roman Republic. Growing obscenely rich on a trade in goods and lives, Delos developed as a sprawling showcase for the wealth of the new arrivals and their trading partners. Theatres, grand houses awash with frescoes and ornate mosaics and temples to gods drawn from across the widened Greek world of the Hellenistic empires stood, skinned in marble, on street after street. Delos’ later decline has left the site in an amazing state for us, from those great public buildings down to house after house of an era where the ancient world was undergoing a pivotal transformation.
As are we, because after our final swim in the sacred waters of Apollo’s isle, we take to the same seaways as those the merchants of the second century BC plied and head back to Paros and our final meal aboard.
As are we, because after our final swim in the sacred waters of Apollo’s isle, we take to the same seaways as those the merchants of the second century BC plied and head back to Paros and our final meal aboard.
Day 8: With scores of landscapes, seascapes and ancient sites to cast our mind’s eye back on when we return, and millennia of history and culture safely stowed in the memory, we make our departures.
Transfer to Paros Airport or Harbour
Transfer to Paros Airport or Harbour
I would like to book, what else do I need to know?
For information not covered below please refer to our FAQ’s or contact us directly on [email protected]
Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival Airport – Paros
Departure Airport – Paros
Arrival Location – Paros Port (approx. 10 mins from airport)
Departure Location – Paros Port (approx. 10 mins from airport)
Embarkation and departure is planned for approx.17:00. You are more than welcome to arrive earlier to drop off your bags, but please be aware that the crew will be busy cleaning and tidying making everything ready for your group so you will not be able to settle into your cabin.
If your travel plans or flights do not allow you to arrive before 17:00 we recommend arriving the day before the tour starts. This would also allow time to relax, recover from any jet lag and arrive at the boat on time for embarkation and departure.
If you arrive at the gulet after 17:00, we will do our best to enable you to join the tour at a later time and place.
Please Note: Departure time is subject to change depending on weather, harbour, or other conditions.
Disembarkation is around 09:00. We will arrange local transfers on the first and last day of the tour.
Booking Flights: If you are staying in or connecting via Athens then the easiest way to get to and from the gulet is to fly. There are a number of airlines that offer domestic flights in Greece. The cheapest way to book flights is directly with the airline online.
Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact the airline for exact details.
If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact our office for more details.
Travel Insurance:We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You should ensure that you take out a suitable policy, to make sure that your trip is properly covered.
The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. The EES will modernise border management of the Schengen countries, gradually simplify border controls and prevent identity fraud. ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for non-EU visa-free nationals.
You find out more about EES & ETIAS using the link below
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/pb
Visas
For UK Nationals, You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Greece, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
Citizens of European Union or Schengen Treaty member states need no visa for Greece, those from the United States, Canada and Australia do not need to apply for a visa to visit Greece for trips of less than 90 days duration.
Athens and the Greek islands If you are planning to stay in Athens before or after your tour we have included below links to more information and things to see and do. If you intend to add time on for any of the Greek islands, we are happy to offer information and advice.
Nature of the Cruising the Cyclades itinerary
Cruising and Itinerary: This remarkable cruise has a character very different to that of most of our other gulet cruises. We will be crossing some stretches of wide open sea between the islands and covering considerable distances on some of the days. In so doing you’ll gain a wonderful appreciation of the nature and beauty of this part of the Aegean, a thoroughfare for sailors since the Bronze Age. There will be some early starts so we can make passage in the early morning before the wind picks up in the afternoon. While the average travelling time will be longer than our normal coastal gulet cruises, there will be opportunities to swim nearly every day (schedule and weather permitting), but occasionally they will be quite early in the day or quite late.
As with all of our gulet cruises, we have spent a great deal of time crafting the itinerary to be as good as it can be, but we are travelling aboard a boat and may need to make changes according to the weather and the captain’s authority.
Food: As well as meals on board the gulet we will be going ashore to eat authentic Greek food in family run tavernas at intervals along the way and your tour leader will ensure you’ll have the chance to sample a good many of the local Greek delicacies of the islands. The gulet will be stocked with Greek wine and spirits and your guides will introduce you to some of the best beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) the Greek islands have to offer.
Tour Includes:
Cruising aboard the 8-cabin gulet Athen A
Full board accommodation with water, tea and coffee and wine with dinner
Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
Travel by private minibus
Harbour fees and crew services
All entrance fees and tips on land
The services of your expert tour leaders throughout the entire trip
WiFi (coverage permitting)
Not included:
Flights and airport taxes
Visas
Travel insurance
Gratuities on the gulet. It is customary to tip the crew at the end of a tour (we recommend a minimum of 20Euro per day per guest)
Tips for guides
Anastasios Papadopoulos
As an archaeologist, Anatasasios has dug a huge variety of sites in Greece, covering thousands of years of its history – everything from the Neolithic to the mediaeval Byzantine era, particularly in his beloved north. He has a degree in history, an MA in Byzantine Archaeology and is studying for a PhD at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Having excavated widely for a decade, from the lovely Khalkidiki peninsula to urban rescue excavations in Thessaloniki, he’s since turned his encyclopedic knowledge in a new direction and become a licensed tour guide.
As well as working with us, he designs and runs his own cultural and walking tours around Thessaloniki and northern Greece with an extraordinary array of themes encompassing a phenomenal historical sweep. With his comprehensive personal experience of so much of Greek culture, history and archaeology, you couldn’t have a better companion for your trip.
What previous guests have to say about Anastasios (Tassos):
"Tassos did an excellent job making sure all was well organized and was very knowledgeable. He made the tour what it was. Excellent!" John Gosch
"Our tour guide Anastasios ("Tassos") Papadopoulos was expert and very well-educated and informative. A charming and expert guide, he could not have been more gracious and made this tour a special and educational experience for us." Robert Harmon
"The enthusiasm of our guide and his willingness to share his knowledge was a highlight of the tour. As well as his archaeological expertise, Tassos was extremely knowledgeable about art history and English literature. We had many fascinating conversations with him. He also showed great consideration for all of us." Joan Weighell
"Excellent! Anastasios was highly knowledgeable, caring and enthusiastic." Laurie Gosch
Nigel Spivey
Peter had the good fortune of directing Nigel a good few years back in a documentary about Britain’s ancient monuments. We are absolutely delighted that he is one of our tour leaders.
Nigel is a Fellow of Emmanuel College and Senior Lecturer in Classics at Cambridge University, where he teaches Classical Art and Archaeology. His books include The Ancient Olympics, Greek Art, and Panorama of the Classical World. A renowned TV presenter, his credits include How Art Made the World (BBC), Kings and Queens, and Heroes of World War II. He’s also an experienced tour lecturer. His knowledge and passion make him an ideal guide for bringing past Mediterranean cultures to life.
What previous guests have to say about Nigel:
"I can't say enough good things about Nigel. He gave us just the right amount of fascinating history to make us think about what life may have been in ancient times. He made himself available at all times for questions and chitchat. We loved having him as part of the group." Carol Wade
"Our trip was outstanding, but then, We had an amazing Cambridge Classicist with us! It was a treat to be able to combine the archaeological sites with Dr. Spivey's encyclopaedic knowledge of the ancient world. I hope Peter Sommer Travel knows what a treasure they have in Dr. Spivey. He is friendly, jovial, kind and instinctively knows how to adjust his interesting and engaging presentations for the audience in front of him which comes from years of teaching. Few Classicists have his range of knowledge." Margaret-Anne Gillis
"I so enjoyed the expertise of Nigel. He made a real contribution to the trip. His commentary was insightful and thought provoking. Nigel connected well with all the guests and cared about his audience's perspectives and interests. I could listen to Nigel all day, he's such a great speaker." Rosanne Taylor
"Nigel was wonderful. Superb in every way. He adapted so well to all of the clients. Unsurpassable. An experience of a lifetime." Pamela Lyon
"Exploring the amazing history of the area was fascinating. Nigel gave the right level of information, education and stories to bring it to life in a way that will stay with us forever! Though we are sure all of your expert guides are wonderful, we are so glad that Nigel Spivey led our cruise. He offered the right level of context on what we were going to see and what we had seen, left no-one ‘behind’, and generally elevated what was already a great experience to a truly memorable one." Julie Kleinman
"Nigel was delightful, as always. He is always interesting to listen to and learn from. Excellent." Carol Theodore
Filip Budić
Steeped in the history and archaeology of Croatia, Filip has walked and travelled extensively across the mainland, coast and islands of his homeland. Passionate about history and archaeology since his childhood, he has worked on multiple excavations and surveys throughout Croatia as well as at sites in Kosovo, Germany, Greece, Israel and the Russian Federation. Filip holds a BA, MA and PhD. in Archaeology from the University of Zagreb, where he has won numerous awards and currently holds the post of Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Ancient History.
Filip is a man of many gifts: apart from his native Croatian, he is fluent in English and German. For many years, he has taken a hands-on interest in theatre, especially in productions of Ancient Greek plays, in which he has starred both home and abroad. A true enthusiast, persuasive public speaker and charming host, he has long expertise guiding at ancient sites both in Croatia and also abroad in Greece, Sicily and Turkey. We are truly delighted Filip is able to share his enthusiasm and knowledge of the history, culture and landscapes of the Mediterranean with our guests.
What previous guests have to say about Filip:
"Our guide, Filip, was superb. And of course the archaeology was wonderful. I've traveled to lots of sites on different tours. Filip was by far the best guide I've ever been with!" Peyton Helm
"Our guide, Filip Budic was absolutely terrific! Incredibly knowledgeable and also incredibly personable and friendly. Filip really made the trip for me, both as a perfect guide to all the sites we visited and as a great ship-board presence and friend. The BEST tour guide I've ever had! An archeologist with a PhD, Filip did a terrific job introducing things and guiding us onsite--he was also a wonderfully entertaining host and presence throughout the trip." Jeffrey Barton
"Filip our guide was fantastic - exceptional. His knowledge, presentation and interaction made our holiday even more special. He became part of the family whilst still maintaining his professionalism. Brilliant." Jacqueline Mercer
"The trip was made by the personality and informed knowledge of the on-board archaeologist, Filip Budic. He is a natural teacher, very well informed, and very good humoured.....and very efficient in the general organisation. he was outstanding in every respect." Nick Spencer
"Our archeologist guide, Dr. Filip was great. We learned so much from him. Filip is very good at making history interesting through his stories. He taught us not only ancient history but modern history. All of this while sailing on a beautiful Gulet past gorgeous waters and islands. Filip did a great job. He is very personable. He was attentive to all travelers and their needs. He is a very good history professor. I would highly recommend Filip to others look for a tour." Scott Smith
"Filip was great - knowledgeable, engaging, witty. I would happily go on another tour with him. The combination of gulet travel (new to me) and guide-led archaeological tourism was perfect." Paul Heiney
What makes this Cyclades cruise different from other Greek island holidays?
What is life like on board the gulet during this cruise?
Your gulet is a beautifully handcrafted wooden vessel, offering comfortable ensuite cabins, generous deck space, and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Days unfold at an easy pace: gentle cruising between islands, swimming stops in clear Aegean waters, freshly prepared traditional meals onboard and ashore, and evenings anchored in peaceful bays or moored in small harbours. It’s an intimate, unhurried way to experience the Cyclades — scenic, restful, and wonderfully immersive.
Who leads this tour?
Your journey is led by two of our expert guides, specialists in the history, archaeology, and culture of the Greek islands. They accompany you throughout the voyage, offering insightful explanations at every site. Guests often tell us that travelling with passionate, knowledgeable and erudite guides is what makes a Peter Sommer Travels cultural cruise truly exceptional. Please click on the tour experts’ names under the tour dates to read full bios and testimonials.
Who typically joins this Cyclades gulet cruise?
Guests tend to be curious, culturally minded travellers who enjoy archaeology, history, good food, and the pleasure of exploring in a small group. With a maximum of around 14 guests, the atmosphere is friendly and sociable, and the presence of two expert guides ensures plenty of personal attention and in‑depth interpretation throughout the journey. It’s ideal for solo travellers, couples, and friends seeking a thoughtful, and life enriching holiday.
What kind of food will we enjoy on this Cyclades cruise?
Food is central to the experience. You’ll enjoy a mix of traditional Mediterranean meals prepared by the onboard cook and you’ll dine at carefully chosen tavernas and restaurants ashore, showcasing Greek specialities and the distinctive flavours of the Cyclades. Expect fish and seafood, a range of meats, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and local Greek specialities unique to each island. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
How physically demanding is the itinerary?
Our Cyclades cruise is designed for travellers who enjoy gentle walking and exploring historic sites. Distances vary but many visits involve uneven and broken ground, steps, and uphill or downhill paths. The pace is relaxed, and there is always time to enjoy the expert commentary, absorb the atmosphere of a place, or take photographs or appreciate the views. Good walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness will ensure you get the most from the experience. The tour is rated 2 out of 5 on our intensity scale, meaning it is classed as moderate. You can find out more by visiting the fitness levels page on our website.
