Archaeological Cruise in the Aegean

21-30 July

What better way to experience one of the world's first and greatest nautical civilisations, to visit islands where Homer wrote and Odysseus voyaged than aboard the 'Nisida's Aegean Archaeology Cruise?

We trust in Poseidon to offer some great sailing. We know we can offer some great Bronze Age archaeology, including evidence of the Minoans - that great civilisation with merchant sailors in their single, square-rigged vessels; young bull-leaping acrobats; wasp-waisted, topless, red-lipped ladies, arms raised in ritual epiphanies - and all the above with smiles on their frescoed faces! Later Classical archaeology abounds in Epidauros, Delos and elsewhere on our Cycladic voyage. So too do, thankfully(!), great waterside tavernas, the usual drop-dead wonderful white-washed little villages, windmills, hot springs, opportunities to swim and snorkel in Cycladic seas.

Very, very briefly and not necessarily in this order...

Weighing anchor in Piraeus nr. Athens, our first stop will be Epidauros in the Peloponnisos, where we will see what is undoubtedly the finest ancient Greek theatre extant. Plays are still performed here ...in Greek, of course.

Kea, The first of the Cycladic Islands. Featuring Ayia Irini - noted Bronze Age site with many distinctly Minoan features whose artefacts can be found in the Archaeological Museum in Ioulis, the capital.

Mikonos, Popular island in own right, but for us hopping off place for Delos and its classical ruins which constitute one of most important archaeological sites in Greece.

Thera, (aka 'Santorini') the Pompeii of the Aegean. Many believe that the volcanic explosion in c 1350 BC and subsequent disappearance of half the island is the basis of the Atlantis legend. Certainly the frescoes* indicate a great Minoan settlement.

Milos. Volcanic Milos with dramatic rock formations and hot springs has been famous since Neolithic times for obsidian trade (volcanic glass for tools and blades). Phylakopi was Minoan settlement and many artefacts in local museum. Subsequently Mycenaean and classical Greek. The Venus de Milo was found here.

And More

*Originals in National Archaeological Museum in Athens

Cruise includes:

• Professional Skipper
• Accommodation on board
• Yacht Insurance
• Food on board
• Mooring fees

Price £495 per person

Click here for "In the wake of the Phoenicians" report