Secluded Southern Italy & Greece

Ports

• Valletta
  

  Established in the 1500s by the Knights of St. John, this fortified city on a hilly peninsula soars between two of the finest natural harbors in the Mediterranean. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta is defined by its sites of historical significance, with architecture dating back to the 16th century. Valletta is a pleasant and charming city to stroll, with little vehicle traffic and lots of stories to be discovered around every corner.

• Syracuse, Sicily
  

  Syracuse, (Siracusa) is a historic city in southern Italy. The city is famous for its rich Greek and Roman history, culture, amphitheaters, architecture, and as the birthplace of Archimedes. This 2,700 year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. It was once described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all." Syracuse is located in the south-east corner of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Syracuse next to the Ionian Sea. SeaDream has created two very attractive land adventures that can be viewed by clicking on the Land Adventures tab. One of them includes the Unesco awarded Baroque city of Noto. The other includes a very interesting visit to the Catacombs of San Giovanni as well as a hands on visit to an active wine farm belonging to Baron Pietro Beneventano del Bosco. Here you will sample typical homemade Sicilian specialties as well as the tasting of four wines; a white, a red, a rose and a dessert wine.

• Sailing the Gulf of Squillace
  

• Zakynthos
  

  The island-municipality is named after the son of a legendary Arcadian chief and a son of Zeus, Dardanus. The Venetians nicknamed the island “the flower of the East”, and it possesses many beautiful beaches and rich vegetation with agricultural products such as citrus fruit, olive oil, grapes and currants. It is known for being mentioned in Greek Mythology as the island where Dardanus’s son Zakynthos first inhabited. Zakynthos is also referred to its Venetian name “Zante”. As expected of any part of Greece, the culture and history of Zakynthos is rich and extensive, dating back to the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age). Oldest mentions of the island date back to the Mycenaean period, and ancient Greek poet Homer included Zakynthos in his famous works, the Odyssey and the Iliad. Zakynthos was the first established independent democracy in Greece for 650 years prior to several invasions that led to Byzantine rule. The Kingdom of Sicily and the Ottoman Turks attempted to rule Zakynthos, however it was the Venetian Republic that maintained authority, despite subsequent Ottoman raid attempts and little peace experienced internally, as the existence of classes led to the first social revolt in modern history, The Rebellion of the Popolari. The French were awarded Zakynthos when the Venetian Republic was disbanded in 1797 as per the Treaty of Campoformio. That is, until the Russo-Turkish fleet invaded the island in 1798 and the Septinsular Republic was formed under the Ottoman empire. The Septinsular Republic was eventually ceded to Napoleon’s First French Empire, however the Treaty of Paris resulted in the gradual shift of rule to the British after the Greek War of Independence. Around 1848, radicals gave rise to varied Ionian efforts to unite with the Kingdom of Greece, which would be granted in 1864 as Britain sought to stabilize rule for George I. The World Wars would take a toll on Zakynthos, with emigration and starvation reducing the population in the First War, and joint efforts from Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy would result in Italian rule. When fascism fell in Italy, Germans took the Ionian Islands for one year. Most interesting was Mayor Karrer and Bishop Chrysostomos of Nazi Germany, who refused orders and protected the Jewish community in Zakynthos, which resulted in the survival of all Jews on the island. The two would receive honors and be commemorated with statues in the town’s synagogue. Unfortunately, Zakynthos became subject to major earthquakes in 1953, and a few subsequent ones which caused great destruction, leaving only 3 important buildings: the church of St. Nicholas, St. Dionysios Cathedral, and the National Bank building. Tourism truly thrives as there are many beautiful splendors in Zakynthos. The island is well known scuba diving in surrounding caves and for Navagio Beach, which name comes from a famous shipwreck in 1980. Tourists enjoy Porto Limnionas Beach, Blue Caves, Keri Caves, Turtle Island, Banana Beach, and the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle habitat, the Zakynthos Marine Park in the Bay of Laganas. Zakynthos is additionally interesting because the cuisine isn’t typically Greek: Rich, thicker sauces accompany dishes that incorporate more poultry and meat than other Greek cuisine. There is also a rich wine culture on the island; Comoutos Winery is one of the oldest running wineries, established in 1638, and the island’s most famous wine, Verdea, is one of the only two wines in Greece under the PGI Category. Guests are urged to explore the Venetian castle on Bochali Hill, to get a panoramic view of Zakynthos Town.

• Galaxidi (Delphi)
  

  Galaxidi is a small village on the northern coast of the Corinth Golf lying west of Itea and 15 km southwest of Delphi. It allows excellent access to the incredible sight of Delphi which is within the top three archeological attractions in Greece and in 1987 was inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is believed the Zeus wanted to find the center of the Earth so he sent two eagles flying from the eastern and western extremities and where they met was Delphi – becoming the “navel/center of the earth”. SeaDream has arranged the very best guides and vehicles from Athens to further enhance this incredible visit. Your guided visit highlights the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, where Pythia, the celebrated Oracle dwelt, the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Way, the amphitheater, the best-preserved stadium of Greece, and the Castalia Spring, where in ancient days the pilgrims had to wash before they were allowed to consult the Oracle. In the Delphi Museum, see such treasures as the Omphalos, which marked the center of the world, and the magnificent bronze Charioteer, one of the finest pieces surviving from the 5th century BC. After the museum, there will be free time to visit the village of Delphi. SeaDream has the option of docking along the small pier in Itea or anchoring off to provide water sports options. This is dependent on availability as well as a number of guests visiting the archeological site.

• Corinth Canal (Transit)
  

  So narrow! So dramatic! You'll understand why SeaDream says "expect the unexpected" as your yacht transits the Corinth Canal. The canal was first completed in 1893, despite previous attempts from ancient times; the first plans being from 602BC. The Roman Emporer Nero actually started construction in 67AD, making the first cut himself with a golden pick. The canal we transit is 6.3 kilometres (3.9 mi) in length. Before the canal, ships sailing between the Aegean and the Adriatic had to circumnavigate the Peloponnese Peninsula adding about 185 nautical miles to their voyage.

• Syros
  

  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.

• Hydra
  

  There is one main town on Hydra, known simply as "Hydra port". It consists of a crescent-shaped harbor, around which is centered a strand of restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries that cater to tourists and locals (Hydriots). Steep stone streets lead up and outwards from the harbor area. The charm of Hydra town certainly lies in her rich history, beautiful port and waterfront unspoiled by motorized vehicles. The island offers a rugged charm and some spectacular scenes and makes the perfect place for some self-exploration.

• Athens (Piraeus)
  

  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!