Piraeus, roughly translating to “the place over the passage”, is an important Greek port located within the Athens agglomeration, in the Attica Basin. It is 12 kilometers from the municipality of Athens, considered the fourth largest and is the third most populous amongst all the municipalities of Greece. Now a peninsula, Piraeus, originally a rocky island, was developed in early 5th Century B.C. when it was initially designated as Athens’ import and transit trade port. It is the largest marine-based shipping center of Greece, one of the largest ports in Europe, and considered the second largest passenger port in the world. Inhabited since the 26th Century, it wasn’t until the 6th Century B.C. that Piraeus began catching attention. The land of Piraeus was essentially impassable, flooded by the sea most of the year until centuries passed and the flooding ceased. By the 5th Century B.C. it became a navy base for the Athenian fleet for the natural harbors and the strategic potential they carried. Athenian general and politician Themistocles fortified Piraeus’ three harbors Kantharos, Zea and Munichia, created ship houses and completed his walls in 471 B.C., which led to the port becoming a great military and commercial harbor. There are many archaeological sites, points of interest and entertainment available in Piraeus. Most famous for its tavernas and cuisine, several popular events take place in Piraeus, such as the Ecocinema International Film Festival, the Maritime Festival, the Piraeus Rock Wave Festival and the Three Kings’ Way Festival. There are also many theaters, including the Municipal Theater, the open air Veakeio Theater, and the Menandreio Theater. Museums in Piraeus include the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Merchant Shipping History Institute Exhibition, the Panos Aravantinos Decor Museum, the Georgios Averof Museum Ship and the Museum of Electric Railways. Be sure to catch the panoramic views available from the hill of Kastella, overlooking Athens and the Saronic Gulf!
The small island of Syros offers the quintessential Greek island holiday experience without the crowds often found in the more well-known Greek Isles. With pristine blue waters, Syros’ breathtaking beaches are sure to impress. Kini, Vari, Azolimnos and Yalissás Beach are among its most famous options to bask in the sun. Beyond its beautiful beaches, Syros is part of the Cyclades, an island group in the Aegean Sea, and is filled with culture and history. The island is also commonly recognized for its Aegean cuisine which features several local specialties, making Syros a culinary destination.
Mykonos is one of the most visited Greek Islands. It is part of the Cyclades group and lies between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometers (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 meters (1,119 feet) at its highest point. Mykonos is so incredibly beautiful; it is not surprising that it has become one of the most desired destinations in the world. When you also add the cosmopolitan lifestyle, the sophisticated nightlife and the historical treasures of the nearby UNESCO Awarded Delos you’ll have the recipe for an unforgettable holiday. SeaDream usually anchors just of the famous windmills and tenders directly to the old town. Guests have a few organized options including the Sacred Island of Delos. Others may simply want to explore the island’s incredible beaches, boutiques, clubs and churches independently.
Nestled in the eastern Aegean Sea, the remote island of Ikaria is best known as one of the world’s five “Blue Zones,” regions where locals enjoy good health and live longer than the average person. Learn the secrets to longevity from the Ikarians’ culture and lifestyle, which they say is the result of consuming strong red wine, late-night domino games, and a relaxed lifestyle. Often recognized as the best Greek island for nature lovers, Ikaria features a stunning coastline with pristine beaches and abundant nature. There are over 200 villages scattered throughout Ikaria, giving the island its authentic character.
Tucked away in the western Aegean Sea, Skopelos is one of the lushest Greek islands of the Sporades island group, with pine forests that grow densely to the water’s edge and seemingly reach into the sea. Boasting dozens of picturesque, white-sand beaches and quintessential Greek villages, Skopelos sings with beauty. Most of the outdoor scenes in Mamma Mia were filmed on location at the island’s beaches and small towns. Weather permitting, we will sail by the headland with the wedding chapel shown in the movie.
Approaching storied Thessaloniki by sea, it’s impossible to miss the striking White Tower, a perfectly round fortification built in the 15th century that has become the city’s symbol. Also found seaside, breezy Aristotelous Square is flanked by graceful buildings that give way to a pedestrianized promenade, an optimal location to amble and people-watch. Ancient history beckons at the 4th-century Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites that evoke the lofty ambitions of their namesake Roman emperor. Journeying south along the coast, you’ll discover the jagged peak of fabled Mount Olympus, its commanding presence a worthy home for the gods of antiquity. Nestled at the foot of the mountain, the serene village of Litochoro brims with quaint shops and cafés. In Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, see remains of a city laid out in a precise grid, and at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vergina stand in awe before the 4th-century BC tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander. In enthralling Thessaloniki, allow yourself to be enveloped by millennia of incredible Greek history.
Kavala is a lovely hillside town in Greece’s Bay of Kavala, across from the island of Thassos. It is defined by a mix of whitewashed buildings overlooked by an imposing Byzantine and Ottoman fortress. Winding through town, Kavala’s spectacularly preserved aqueduct boasts three tiers of arches, with houses charmingly tucked into some of the lower openings. The nearby archeological site of Philippi, a city founded in the fourth century BC by Philip II of Macedonia, derived its enormous wealth from the mining of gold. In this once-majestic walled metropolis, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, lie vestiges of a grand theater, a stately forum, opulent mansions, and an early basilica decorated with mosaics. Stroll along lively Megalou Alexandrou Street and pause at a café for a sampling of local meze such as grilled octopus and fresh clams paired with local wine or a glass of invigorating ouzo. Kavala’s white-sand beaches, nestled in the serene bay, have received “Blue Flag” status for their pristine waters, perfect for swimming and diving. Kavala is your gateway to the town of Xanthi, which entrances visitors with its elegant nineteenth-century architecture, a legacy of the prosperity brought by the tobacco trade. You can canoe or hike at the National Park of the Nestos River Delta, where an abundance of wetlands attracts bird species and other fauna, including flamingos and otters.
Kepez is a seaside town in the Canakkale Province in Turkey. From Kepez SeaDream offers a unique Land Adventure to the ruins of the ancient city of Troy (Unesco Heritage Site). The movie starring Brad Pit although filmed in Malta has the actual Trojan Horse in Canakkale. Another “don’t miss” option would be to visit perhaps the most moving site in all of Turkey: Anzac Cove and the World War I battlefields of Gallipoli. We recommend that you make time and visit this hauntingly beautiful area where for more than nine months (1915-16) Allied and Turkish troops faced one another in one of the world's most tragic battles to gain control of this most important waterway " the Dardanelles.
A transcontinental city straddling the Bosporus, one of the world's oldest waterways in northwestern Turkey, Istanbul has often been described as the destination where “East Meets West.” Its nickname comes from its most defining feature, the Bosporus Strait, which divides the European and Asian sides of the city, revealing a vibrant meld of cultures, architectural styles, and cuisine. Selected as a European Capital of Culture for 2010, Istanbul is home to some of the world’s most famous mosques, churches, and palaces, as well as being an important city during the Latin, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.
Suites & Staterooms
*Single Supplement for this voyage is 200% for Yacht Club Deck 2, 3 and 4. For Commodore, Admiral and Owners Suite, a 200% single supplement rate applies.
Government, Port, Document Issuance, Handling & Service fees: $671 per guest (included)
Please Note: Fares are capacity controlled and may change without notice. The fares are per person based on double occupancy. Single and third person rates are also available. SeaDream Yacht Club strongly recommends that all guests purchase travel insurance.
Yachting Land Adventures & Activities
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Prices are per person, in USD. Duration is in hours.
Testimonials
The ship is amazing but the icing on the cake was the wonderful staff. Mr & Mrs SouthonGreat Britain
This was way over our expectations. All the way top service, very nice personnel. We'll be back! Mr. Henning V.Sweden