Variety Cruises are pleased to announce the first of our new Wine Cruises of Greece. This journey takes us to many of the Greek wine hotspots including Nemea, Santorini, and Tinos. Wine and the making of it is central to this voyage, but as we follow its trail we’ll also discover the limestone crags and wild mountains of the Peloponnese, the breathtaking views of Santorini, and the quieter villages of the Cyclades and Eastern Aegean islands.
We’ll meet leading winemakers, taste at top wineries, and enjoy dinners paired with a specially chosen selection of wines - each exploring the superb native grape varieties of Greece’s many diverse regions.
This exploration will illustrate how the wines of Greece have emerged as some of the most interesting and exciting in the world over the past 25 years, with changes at least as profound as those that have taken place in Chile and New Zealand.
Our on board chef will design classic and regional fare, matching intense local flavours with the unique and varied wines.
- The Wine Cruise celebrates everything that is wonderful and alluring about Greece; the passion of its people, the evening light on the hillsides, remote swim spots in turquoise seas.
- We’ll call upon quiet harbours, see ancient sites, and discover hidden yet exquisite corners of the country.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Marina Zeas, Athens (3-4 PM) to Poros:
Begin as you mean to go on with a welcome glass of sparkling wine while you meet your crew and fellow passengers. Evening sail to Poros and dinner served with wines from the Ionian Sea. Overnight at Poros.
After a morning arrival into Nafplio, we’ll visit the ancient site of Mycenae. Then on to Nemea - the leading red wine appellation in Southern Greece - to visit the pioneering, top-quality estate, Skouras, where we’ll taste their range of fine wines from Nemea and Mantineia and lunch at the veranta . Enjoy some free time in Nafplio, one of the most attractive towns in mainland Greece, before we sail south along the coast of Arcadia, letting the anchor down for a swim stop as soon as possible. Dinner on board, paired with select wines from the Peloponnese.
Monemvasia’s wealth came from its Malvasia (also known as Malmsey), so it’s safe to say wine meant a lot to the mediaeval town. Visit the vineyards with Monemvasia Winery who are re-establishing the island's wine fame. Lunch ashore on own arrangements and freetime in the afternoon; exploration of the old town and taking a dip in the cooling waters are recommended. Tonight’s dinner is on board.
This beautiful, out of the way island, was one a major wine producer. Two interesting estates are leading a revival here using the island's rare indigenous grape varieties. Serifos promises to be the next big thing in the Cyclades after Santorini and Tinos. Free time in the morning to explore the island or go for a swim. After lunch, we will visit the Chrysolora Winery, in the northern part of the island. In the afternoon we will return to our boat for dinner. Late night departure to Santorini.
Santorini is rightfully known as one of the top spots for white wine in Greece, and has local grape varieties of extraordinary quality. We’ll visit the top winery, Argyros, with century-old vines. Setting sail in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy wines from the Santorini grapes as we cruise through the Cyclades to the Eastern Aegean islands.
This morning we’ll moor in the sleepy fishing village of Ormos before heading inland to visit the inspiring Vakakis winery. Then on to Platanos, its steep vineyard terraces seeded with White Muscat. Over an idyllic lunch we’ll taste a range of Samian wines. Our afternoon sail takes us to the Fourni Isles, rarely visited by tourists and an ideal spot for swimming thanks to its largely untouched beaches. Dinner tonight is paired with wines from Chios and Ikaria, both prized wines in ancient times.
Tinos is a holy island, said to be home to more than 700 churches. It’s also another wine hotspot, known for its Assyrtiko grape; one with extraordinary quality when grown in soils rich with volcanic ash, such as those on Tinos. In the morning we’ll visit emerging star winery, Volacus, before we set sail and moor near Andros for lunch, swimming, and a tasting of Greek wines from international grape varieties. In the afternoon we sail to Piraeus.
Breakfast and disembarkation. For those not arranging their own onward transport this morning, we offer an optional tour of Athens including wine tasting and lunch at Kokotos Estate, followed by a transfer to Athens Airport.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Harmony G
The Harmony "G" is a modern vessel with a sleek high-tech look very similar to the private yachts to be found in the famous ports of the world. The 53 meter long / 7.2 meter wide Mega Yacht Harmony G was launched in January 2001 and renovated in 2013. It complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations, while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.
Harmony G has just 22 cabins with a maximum capacity of 46 passengers who will be looked after by 16 crew. Life on board centers around the Indoor / Outdoor lounge and its American bar, on Upper Deck. The classy dining room located on Main Deck is surrounded by large windows. The spacious Sun deck is the ideal place to bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery. The swimming platform on Harmony G stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit.
