Enjoy A New Greek Odyssey In Summer 2021

10th December 2020

You may have already taken a look at our summer 2020/21 preview brochure (if not, you can do so here) and noticed an exciting new Eastern Mediterranean Cruise. The seven-night round-trip from Athens departs on 20th July 2021 and 27th July 2021 aboard the beautiful Royal Clipper.

With this being a brand new itinerary, there are plenty of new ports of call to explore. Here’s a closer look at the destinations you’ll visit if you climb aboard this sailing.

Kastellorizo

Kastellorizo may be your first stop after leaving Athens but this sleepy island is a world apart from the bustling capital. Its proximity to Turkey (something you can clearly see from the Kastellorizo Cliff Steps) has the locals joking that you can smell the kebabs being cooked across the water when the wind is in the right direction.

Like so many of the ports we visit, this island is untouched by tourism. Delight in a walk through the charming streets whilst admiring the colourful mansions or discover the beauty of the Blue Cave.

Fethiye

Fethiye

Sailing into the harbour at Fethiye, you’ll be able to stand on deck and enjoy wonderful views of the islands in the welcoming bay. Having been rebuilt after an earthquake in 1958, this once vibrant seaside city is now back to its best. Gülets (Turkish yachts) arrive and leave throughout the day, bringing travellers looking to relax on the beaches and shop in the local markets.

Other things to do in the area include visiting the ruins at Kayaköy and Tlos, exploring the Old Town on foot, and seeing the rushing rapids at Saklıkent National Park.

Symi

Just like the Star Clippers ships, the island of Symi is elegant, classy and timeless. And Royal Clipper will definitely not look out of place nestled amongst the lavish yachts and cruise ships that arrive to this part of the Dodecanese every day. This destination is popular with the upper classes in the summer and is littered with striking Neo-classical architecture.

As well as visiting the Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis, a renowned pilgrimage site with miraculous capabilities, you can choose to hit one of the many beaches or climb the 500 steps to Horio. Finally, you can’t leave without trying some Symi shrimp in a local taverna.

Chalki

Chalki, or Halki as it’s known in English, takes its name from the copper (chalkos) mines that once were prominent on the island. Life exists at a slow pace here – perfect for anyone who wants to relax and take it easy for a while. As you arrive, you’ll see the brilliant Neo-classical buildings set out before you. Behind these, winding roads host monasteries, adramithia trees and pens of goats who eat the berries.

Major sights to look out for include the castle of Saint John’s Knights, the temple of patron saint Aghios Nikolaos and the stone clock tower in the harbour. However, don’t set your watch by the latter; it was stopped years ago because it kept the locals awake.

Milos

Nestled amongst more well-known neighbours like Mykonos and Santorini, the Cycladic island of Milos is often overlooked. However, with some stunning beaches and a relaxed vibe, it is definitely well worth a visit. The absence of tourist crowds is obviously something to treasure but becomes even more baffling when you learn that the island is where the enigmatic Venus de Milo was first discovered.

As well as art, mining has a history here and the remains of an industry that once sourced kaolin, baryte, pozzolan and bentonite in abundance can still be seen today. As well as the ruins of these, you can also see what remains of an ancient amphitheatre and explore historical catacombs second only in their significance to those in Rome. Finally, Milos serves up a range of fresh flavours that include seafood, mezzes and a unique dish of goat wrapped in parchment with molasses (katsikaki).

If you would like to know more about this exciting new itinerary, or you want to book another of our Eastern Mediterranean cruises, call the team on 0845 200 6145. You can also speak to us directly via our online chat.