Greek Enchantment
Cruise the islands on your own oceangoing odyssey
By Andy Dimond
Nearly all of the major cruise lines have a presence in the isles. The warm Mediterranean climate makes for a conveniently long season, with plenty of sailings from May to November. Some trips are 10 to 14 days and also cover ports in Italy, Croatia and Turkey, but there are many weeklong cruises available for travelers with less vacation time to spare. Most cruises of Greece embark from Venice, Istanbul, Rome or Piraeus.
If you've never heard of Piraeus, the largest port in Europe, that's probably because it forms part of the metropolitan area of Athens, serving as the city's port in both ancient and modern times. Most Greek cruises either begin or end here, and there is always the option of staying a few days to explore this cradle of Western civilization.
The most important and conspicuous sight in Athens is the Acropolis. A great hill covered in precious ruins, it dominates and defines the ancient city in the same way that a glass-and-steel jumble of skyscrapers does a modern metropolis like New York. Another Athens attraction, the National Archaeological Museum, offers a panoramic view of Greece through the ages.
Off the western coast of mainland Greece is the island of Corfu, known for its wine, olives and dramatic rocky cliffs. Its Greek name, Kerkyra, is that of a nymph loved by Poseidon, god of the sea. Legend says that Poseidon abducted his love and carried her away to this secluded romantic spot, which would be named after her forever.
The old town of Corfu, surrounded by castles on each side, has been declared a Kastropolis, or "castle city," by the Greek government, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the expected (yet still impressive) wealth of historical and archaeological sites, Corfu boasts an attraction unique for this region: a museum of Asian art with a famous collection of Chinese artifacts, located in the Palace of St. Michael and George, former home of the island's British governors.
The port of Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, home of the ancient competition that inspired the modern Olympic Games. Here you can see the remains of the ceremonial complex that housed the original games, including the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera and the stadium floor. Also, take time to sample the slower, simpler way of life in this peaceful fishing village.
From the port of Nauplion, most shore excursions take the short trip to the archaeological sites at Mycenae, one of the earliest civilizations in the Greek world. The original inhabitants vanished around 1100 B.C., and since antiquity the ruins of Mycenae have drawn tourists from all over the world. This was the land of the heroes who defeated Troy, according to Homer's "Iliad."
One of the country's most famous artifacts, found here in 1876 by legendary archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, is a golden burial mask known as the "Mask of Agamemnon." Although research suggests that it actually predates the king who led the Trojan War, this dazzling and evocative treasure remains a popular attraction in Athens' archaeological museum.
Located just off the southern coast of the Greek mainland, Hydra is a popular day trip for Athenians as well as a destination for international tourists. Yet it still retains a feeling of seclusion, due in large part to the ban on automobile and motorcycle traffic (except garbage trucks, which help keep the island pristine). The preferred modes of transportation here are donkey and water taxi. Attractions include a museum of local and maritime history and an ornately decorated Orthodox cathedral. Beyond, spotless beaches line sparkling waters.
In the middle of the Aegean Sea you will find Mykonos, one of the Cyclades group of islands. The symbols of Mykonos include its many windmills and a local mascot known as Petros the Pelican. Though it has an archaeological museum, the island itself is more of a pleasure spot than an educational site, with beaches, nightlife and scenery the top draws. However, there is one must-do excursion for lovers of Greek myth and history: The sacred island of Delos, birthplace of the god Apollo, is dotted with religious ruins.
The island of Crete, the largest in Greece, contains three ports commonly visited by cruise ships: Heraklion, Aghios Nikolaos and Rethymnon. Rethymnon is known for its architecture, most of which was built by Venetian traders, including the Fortezza, a large, well-preserved castle. Heraklion and Aghios Nikolaos are both points of departure for shore excursions to Knossos, capital of the Minoan civilization (2700-1400 B.C.), one of the most advanced of ancient societies. In myth, the palace at Knossos was home to the fearful Minotaur and its labyrinth, but no hard evidence has yet been found of either a monster or a maze.
Another outpost of Minoan culture was Santorini, an island chain north of Crete. But this colony was wiped out in 1500 B.C. by an enormous volcanic explosion, one of the worst the world has ever seen. Since then, Santorini has taken the shape of a ring around the lagoon formed by the volcano's crater. Some have speculated that the tale of this lost city inspired the legend of Atlantis.
Today, Santorini is known for its wines and its beaches with three different colors of sand (red, black and white). Oia, a town on the northwestern end of the archipelago, is famous for its stunning sunsets, best observed from the whitewashed buildings along the mountaintop.
Rhodes is the second largest island in Greece and one of the easternmost, located only 11 miles from the shore of Turkey. It is known for its warm, sunny climate and a landscape cloaked in dense forests of cypress and pine. The interior is home to the Valley of the Butterflies, where every summer countless colorful tiger moths gather to the delight of sightseers. Other popular attractions include the Crusade-era Palace of the Grand Masters and a plethora of beautiful beaches.
Due to its prime location, Cyprus has been the historical home of many conflicts, most notably a centuries-long dispute between Greece and Turkey. Due to its occupation over the years by Greek, Phoenician, Egyptian, Persian, Roman, British, German, Ottoman and Venetian forces, among others, Cyprus displays a remarkable degree of cultural diversity. Today, the island is truly coming into its own, as a member of the European Union and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Travelers crowd waterfront cafes to sample meze, a collection of small Mediterranean dishes often featuring fish, olives and other local specialties.
The main cruise port here is Limassol, which was first established by King Richard the Lionheart of England after he destroyed the original Greek settlement nearby. Limassol is known for its wines as well as its medieval castle and archaeological museum. There also is a folk art museum that contains a wealth of materials related to local Cypriot life. It's a good reminder that these islands, despite being grouped together under the banner of Greek culture, all have their own unique flavor. And to get the most of this region, it's hard to beat the way the ancients did it, by cruising what Homer called "the wine-dark sea."
Information: Learn more about cruising in Greece by visiting national cruise discounter Vacations To Go, where you can browse a complete list of Greek Isles itineraries. Or, call Vacations To Go at (800) 338-4962.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in Special Issue 2008.
Please visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962 for current rates and details.