Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean: with Smithsonian Journeys

Athens, the Greek capital, lies at the edge of the Saronic Gulf, east of the country, and takes its name from the early villages surrounding the Acropolis. The city’s UNESCO-listed monuments atop the rocky plateau are a captivating sight. At the same time, the lively Plaka district below invites exploration with its colorful streets, where the scent of moussaka and garlic prawns fills the air in the evenings. The National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also must-see attractions, offering a deep dive into Athens’ rich cultural history.

Patmos, a legendary island in the Dodecanese, is famed as the residence of Saint John, believed to be the author of the Bible’s final book. The Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of Saint John, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, are perched atop a hillside surrounded by vineyards and orchards. Along the coast, the crystal-clear waters of Kambos and Lampi offer stunning spots for swimming in a serene setting.

With its agreeable climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk its pathways and discover its immaculate villages and sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mountains are forested at the island's center, and you find vineyards and crops on the western slopes. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and character to the Knights of St John, who reigned over the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated with majestic gateways. Do not miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches and large walkways, perpetuating the myth of the famous Colossus. This legendary statue is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is the island's most populous city. The hustle and bustle of this seaport is an integral part of its charm. It is built on a hillside overlooking the port and is encircled by impressive Venetian walls. From the top of these, enjoy one of the city's most beautiful views. The old town teems with small shops, squares, cafes, and vibrant architectural evidence of the city's long history. The Palace of Knossos illustrates the wealth and power of its legendary sovereign, King Minos. The archaeological museum houses one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts and is worth a visit.

It’s no accident that the island of Amorgos was chosen as a shooting location for Luc Besson’s film, The Big Blue. You, too, will fall under the charm of this island as your ship edges closer. Amorgos is the most easterly island in the Cyclades and stands out for its rocky inlets with crystal-clear water and its small, picturesque villages. This port of call will be your chance to visit one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades, Chora, and discover its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses overlooked by a castle. Byzantine churches, windmills, and courtyards brimming with flowers complete this typical tableau of timeless Greece.

This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. This UNESCO World Heritage site's sheer size and importance, which covers over half of the island, is thrilling. From the Stoa of Antigonos to the Terrace of the Lions to the carved marble animal statues, you can discover discovery against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place to enjoy the expansive view.

Nicknamed "little Venice," Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district, where houses are built on the water's edge. Their multi-colored loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian center, bougainvillea bedecks immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island's beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma Square, and the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are fantastic. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic Gulf in the east of the country. It bears a plural name for the first villages surrounding the Acropolis. Be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, where, in the evenings, the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are some of the city’s key attractions, allowing visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.

Disembark after breakfast and continue on your independent travels, or begin your journey home.