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Adventure Life VOYAGES
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1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

Ship:  Panorama

Itinerary:  Greece to the Dalmatian Coast

click to enlarge
  Ancient ruins visited on the Panorama

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After boarding the sailing yacht Panorama in Piraeus, we transit the legendary Corinth Canal and visit two of ancient Greece’s best known cities: Delphi and Ithaka. We’ll continue to the remarkably beautiful and culturally rich Dalmatian Coast with its convolutions and myriad islands; it is also kaleidoscopically historical. Yet amazingly, the core cultures have persisted through millennia of overlords. Croats, or more specifically coastal Dalmatians, seafaring Montenegrans, irrepressible Albanians, and enduring Greeks all make this a deeply cultural expedition in a contemporary environment. You will get to know not only the historic and physiographic marvels of the region, but the personal views of the proud peoples that have rooted in the limestone and weathered unending waves of foreign rule.

Day 1 : Athens/Piraeus/Embark/Corinth Canal

We arrive in Athens, and make our way to the Electra Palace Hotel, located in the shadow of the Acropolis. This afternoon we board Panorama in Piraeus. After dinner, venture on deck to view illuminated geologic formations that are seemingly within arm’s length of the ship’s beam as we cruise through the Corinth Canal.

Day 2 : Delphi/At Sea

Delphi, site of the famous Oracle and a great pilgrimage site for the ancient Greeks, was the center of worship for the god Apollo, and the ruins here are exceptional. Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, site of the sacred Delphic Oracle, and walk along the Sacred Way. Back on board, we set sail west for a late afternoon swim stop.

Day 3 : Ithaka

Few names elicit the intrigue and sense of adventure as Odysseus’s home of Ithaka. Today, the island remains off the beaten track, with gems of small Ionian villages. We’ll drive around the island to explore the sites that link the island to Homer’s Ithaka, including a stop at the active excavation Odysseus Project. In the afternoon we cruise to one of Ithaka’s delightful bays for a swim, then set sail north for Albania.

Day 4 : Sarandë and Butrint, Albania

Today we visit the ancient city of Butrint, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Hellenic theater, Byzantine basilica and Venetian towers lie in a beautiful lakeside setting. We continue to intriguing Sarandë with its blend of religions, cultures and landscapes. In the afternoon we’ll stop for a swim and a hike along Albania’s surprising coastline.

Day 5 : Tiranë, Albania

From the port of Durrës, we drive to the fascinating capital of Tiranë. where we see relics from one of the longest dictatorships in Eastern Europe. We’ll visit the National History Museum and wide-open Skanderbeg Square, before a festive lunch in traditional Albanian style. We return to Durrës in the afternoon to set sail with the sea breeze.

Day 6 : Kotor, Montenegro

Sail into the magnificent fjord-like Gulf of Kotor, backed by soaring mountains with sparse villages clinging to the slopes. Visit the historic town of Perast, and then take a local boat to the islet of Gospa od Skrpjela, or the Church of Our Lady of the Rock, created by local fishermen. Spend the afternoon in medieval Kotor, or join us for a drive up the 27 serpentine switchbacks to the top of the fjord for an unrivaled view.

Day 7 : Dubrovnik, Croatia

Under UNESCO’s protection, Dubrovnik is regarded as the best-preserved medieval town in the world. Unlike most ships, we will actually anchor off the city walls and land in the heart of the Old Town. Here we stroll marble-paved streets to the 15th-century Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery. We can take a walk on the ramparts, then explore this magical city. We remain anchored for the evening, so you might opt for dinner on your own or an after dinner stroll through town.

Day 8 : Mljet and Korcula

The lakes and lagoons of Mljet National Park are perfect for swimming, paddling a kayak, riding a bike, hiking the pine forests, or a boating trip to the delightful 12th-century Benedictine monastery. Then visit the quintessential medieval town of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo, where we stay for the evening.

Day 9 : Sibenik/Krka National Park

The small port of Sibenik boasts a spectacular entrance and its own World Heritage Site. We’ll visit the great cathedral of St. Jakov, containing a remarkable frieze decorated with 71 sculptured faces. Outside of town, we’ll spend a day amid remarkable waterfalls, cliffs and boardwalks of Krka National Park, which includes an historic sugar mill. Late afternoon we’ll depart through the Sibenik Channel and set sail south.

Day 10 : Hvar/At Sea

Hvar is known as one of the most attractive and lively of Croatia’s historic Venetian towns. A walking tour takes us through the Franciscan monastery, the stunning main street arsenal and the oldest active theater in Croatia. Those who want some exercise can hike up to the Citadel. We’ll remain in Hvar into the mid-afternoon so you can have lunch in town or opt for a swim. As the winds pick up for the afternoon, we’ll set sail south.

Day 11 : Dubrovnik/Disembark

Disembark this morning for flights home, or to join the optional extension to Dubrovnik and Split.

Ship Description: Panorama

click to enlarge
  Greece from the Panorama

Mediterranean – “the sea in the middle of the earth.” Or, certainly the middle of the known world to many who have lived in its shores. Just the name evokes images of silvery olive trees and azure waters, rugged hills and inviting beaches – as well as antiquity living alongside modernity in every way possible. Combine this geography, the three-masted sailing yacht Panorama (accommodating only 45 guests) and our adventurous philosophy, and you have the opportunity to experience the ancient world as an expedition.