Greek Island odyssey with Princess
As summer settles over Europe, what better way to soak up the warm weather than cruising the Greek islands?
Board the Sun Princess in Naples for two sun-drenched weeks island-hopping through the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian seas.
At each destination, Princess offers a range of exclusive shore tours to suit a variety of passenger interests, from cool-drink-in-hand beach dwellers to history buffs, keen hikers and water sports enthusiasts.
The first Hellenic island on the itinerary is Crete, where the passage of time has merged history with myth to form a rich heritage of magical fables. On an exclusive Princess shore excursion, explore the ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos, once home to legendary ruler King Minos – the famed son of Zeus and Phoenician princess, Europa.
While some of the palace’s artefacts remain onsite, many are displayed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, an incredible collection of historical pieces dating as far back as 7000BCE. See intricate bone and ivory adornments, bronze figurines and implements, and remarkably detailed frescoes.
For a change of pace, tour aboard a sea kayak from the pretty portside town of Chania. Paddle along the scenic Souda Bay coastline before a well-earned dip and a tasty lunch at beautiful Marathi Beach.
Next stop on Sun Princess’ journey is Mykonos, where the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea contrast against the gleaming whitewashed walls and summer-blue timberwork of the island’s buildings. Find a café among the labyrinth of laneways in Chora – Mykonos’ main town – and take in the laidback vibes of island life.
The Mykonos Town and Aegean Maritime Museum tour takes in Panagia Paraportiani – five churches blended together to form an icing-white, wedding cake-esque place of worship. Building began in the 1400s with successive churches added in the following 200 years.
You’ll also visit the Aegean Maritime Museum, a treasure trove of artefacts and displays covering Greece’s millennia-long connection to the sea, and experience stunning coastal views from Mykonos’ iconic hilltop windmills.
Beach lovers can cool down on a Mykonos Beach Getaway tour to a full-service resort at Elia Beach. Don your swimming togs and enjoy a refreshing swim against a Mykonos backdrop – a memory that’ll last a lifetime.
Rounding out this Greek island odyssey is a visit to cosmopolitan Corfu. Ruled through the ages by the Venetians, the French and British, Corfu is rich in both history and natural beauty. Wander through a maze of squeezy, cobbled laneways in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.
Stop off at an eatery for a plate of the island’s signature dish, Sofrito – a slow-cooked treat blending thinly-sliced veal with white wine, garlic and a tasty parsley sauce. Don’t forget to add a side of Greek feta salad for good measure.
Liqueur fanciers can join an exclusive Princess tour to a distillery that produces the local kumquat drop, a popular regional digestive.
For a heady blast of Corfu’s spectacular scenery, head for the sheltered coves and beaches of Paleokastrítsa, nestled beneath towering cliffs and lush, green mountains.
But wait, there’s so much more! This cruise not only delivers passengers to some of the world’s favourite Greek Islands, it also drops into Sicily, Athens, Istanbul and Bar, Montenegro, en route to disembarkation at Barcelona.
It truly is the cruise of a lifetime.
To discover some of the facilities aboard the Sun Princess, check out our sa move story, Chasing the sun on a Princess cruise.