Expert-led Archaeological Cruises in Greece: A Choice for the Ultra-Demanding.
A Cyclades Tour : It is only natural that the top-of-mind connotations of a journey to Greece will be archaeology and the sea. Indeed, if someone visits Greece, they will, most certainly, get acquainted with the magical waters and breathtaking sunsets of the Aegean, as well as with some of the most important archaeological sites of the world. And this is in itself a guarantee for an unforgettable journey.
However, for those who want to take the experience to the next level, there is the choice of expert-led archaeological cruises: Instead of the regular –and randomly picked- tour guide, the tours are led by distinguished scholars. Moreover, traveling between destinations and archaeological sites does not take place by bus or public transport along with dozens of tourists but just with a few select travelers aboard luxurious motor-sailers that offer 5-star accommodation.
So, imagine that after you have visited the Acropolis and the state-of-the-art Acropolis museum, you are taken to a small port of Attica and you board Liana, a luxurious yacht, along with a famous archaeology professor from one of the top American universities. Your ten-day itinerary will include the Islands of Serifos, Milos, Santorini, Paros, Delos, Mykonos, Syros and Aegina. Your journey will cover Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic Seafaring, prehistoric obsidian trade, the Bronze Age, volcanic eruptions, the Myth of Atlantis, ancient technologies, classical, medieval and Hellenistic Greece.
Between destinations you will be given university-level lectures by the archaeology professor, as well as various relevant materials that will prepare you for the archaeological sites. However, expert-led archaeological tours should not be only about academic emphasis. Comfort, exclusivity and luxury are integral and non-negotiable ingredients at this level of traveling. One can reap the fruits of the voyage only when everything else is resolved in the smoothest and most comfortable way possible. So, crew members, waiters and cooks offer you luxurious services on a constant basis, while there is always free time to shop in the islands, stroll around or take a relaxing swim.
And at the end of your journey, you will have experienced the same wonders as our ancestors, from the sea spray of a ship under sail, to the magical view of the beautiful islands as they appear through the sea mist in the early morning, to the tangible evidence of the richness and promise of the colorful, ever-changing Cycladic islands and their inhabitants. In an nutshell, you will have merged the thrill of archaeological and cultural exploration with the comfort and luxury of a first-class vacation.
Author: Yannis Manos
