Day 1 | Friday

ATHENS (LAVRIO PORT) - SYROS OR KEA
Begin your Aegean adventure aboard the M/Y Variety Voyager or M/S Panorama. Enjoy a welcome drink, meet fellow travelers, and set sail for Syros (on VV ship in 2026) the sophisticated capital of the Cyclades. Wander its neoclassical streets, soak in the local culture, or visit Kea (on Panorama ship in 2027), a charming, tranquil, and authentic gem of the Cyclades. As the evening unfolds, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner onboard, setting the tone for an unforgettable voyage.

Day 2 | Saturday

MYKONOS
Explore Delos, the sacred birthplace of Apollo, with its UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. Spend the morning exploring the archaeological wonders at your own pace or join an optional guided tour to uncover the island’s fascinating stories. Return onboard for a delightful lunch before sailing to Mykonos, the jewel of the Cyclades. Stroll its whitewashed streets, visit iconic windmills, shop in charming boutiques, and experience vibrant nightlife along the waterfront. Midnight departure for Samos.

Day 3 | Sunday

SAMOS
Arrive in the historic port of Pythagorion, named after the legendary mathematician Pythagoras. Immerse yourself in local history or choose from optional excursions to the Heraion Sanctuary, dedicated to the goddess Hera, and the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, perched dramatically above the harbor with breathtaking views. After your explorations, enjoy free time to wander the town’s streets, shop for local crafts, or savor a meal at a traditional restaurant. The evening brings the unique charm of Samos, with its quaint streets and welcoming atmosphere. Overnight in port.

Day 4 | Monday

KUSADASI (TURKEY)
Dock in Kusadasi, your gateway to ancient civilizations. Optional excursions take you to Ephesus, home to the Library of Celsus and a grand Roman theatre. Return to Kusadasi port and enjoy free time to explore the bustling market, where colorful textiles, handicrafts, and aromatic spices create a feast for the senses. Dinner on board and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5 | Tuesday

PATMOS
Visit Patmos, known as the “Island of the Apocalypse”. Optional excursions allow you to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where Saint John received his visions, and the Monastery of St. John, perched high above the medieval town of Chora. After exploring these historic sites, enjoy lunch at your leisure at one of Patmos’ local tavernas. Later, wander the island’s charming streets, perhaps stopping at local shops or cafés to soak up its serene atmosphere. Dinner will be served onboard before departing for Naxos at midnight

Day 6 | Wednesday

NAXOS
Arrive at Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, known for its fertile landscapes and rich cultural heritage. After lunch onboard, explore the island’s picturesque villages. Optional excursions take you to Filoti, the largest village, known for its traditional charm; Apeiranthos, a mountainous settlement celebrated for its cultural heritage; and Halki, with elegant neoclassical mansions and the renowned Citrus Museum, where you can savor local citrus liqueurs. In the evening, stroll through Naxos Old Town, savoring local specialties, while taking in the unique blend of Venetian and Cycladic architecture. Overnight in port.

Day 7 | Thursday

SIFNOS
Discover Sifnos, renowned for its traditional villages, stunning architecture, and exceptional cuisine. Take optional excursions or explore the island at your own pace. Lunch at a local taverna lets you savor Sifnos’ renowned specialties, from fresh seafood to traditional pies. In the early afternoon, we sail back to Lavrion, reflecting on the rich tapestry of experiences from the past week. Enjoy a relaxed farewell dinner onboard as the sun sets over the Aegean.

Day 8 | Friday

ATHENS (LAVRIO PORT)
After breakfast, disembark between 8:30–9:00 AM. Though your Aegean voyage concludes, the memories, experiences, and friendships you have made will last a lifetime. Until we meet again, may the magic of the Aegean linger in your heart.

Day 1

PALMEIRA (SAL ISLAND)
Palmeira, Sal (3-4PM)
Ben Vindo! That’s Portuguese for welcome, and we welcome you to Cape Verde. Meet us on board at the port of Palmeira in Sal and get to know your home for the week, as well as your fellow travellers, over housewarming (or should we say shipwarming) cocktails. We’ll have dinner on board together, before a midnight departure to Boavista. Overnight at sea.

Day 2

SAL REI (BOA VISTA ISLAND)
Boa Vista is the island that has it all: volcanic landscapes, white stretches of sand, sparkling seas. Appreciate the relaxed way of life at one of the many beaches, or join us on an optional tour to discover the authentic aspects of island life: ceramics, colourful architecture and local agriculture. We’ll meet for lunch at a traditional restaurant (don’t miss the specialty *homemade goat’s cheese*) before we embark on our overnight journey to Santiago. Overnight at sea.

Day 3

PRAIA (SANTIAGO ISLAND)
Early morning arrival at Santiago, the largest of the Cape Verde archipelago. We know you’re eager to jump into the tempting waters and this morning is a great opportunity. Enjoy a morning at leisure followed by lunch on board before our optional afternoon trip to Cidade Velha. Founded in 1462, this was the first city to be built on the islands, and the former capital. Come evening, we’ll set off for an overnight at sea. Destination Fogo, the island of fire.

Day 4

SAO FELIPE (FOGO ISLAND)
We arrive at the island to the dominating sight of Fogo Volcano. Fogo means fire in Portuguese: no prizes for guessing how the island got its name! Today’s optional excursion is a full-day expedition: first to the top of the volcano for a walk along the crater’s edge with lunch in Chã das Caldeiras, the crater’s village. This is a trip for the ages, but we’re not finished yet. We’ll visit charming San Felipe in the afternoon, before setting sail for Sao Vicente. Overnight at sea.

Day 5

MINDELO (SAO VINCENTE ISLAND)
Mindelo, Sao Vicente, is a cultural hub known for its traditional music, art and architecture. Join our optional walking tour, meandre through the colonial streets and soak up the colourful sights, sounds and flavours. Visit the National Museum of Handicrafts for a deeper understanding into the rich island heritage. Mindelo is also famous for its lively nightlife; revel in it this evening as we overnight in the port.

Day 6

MINDELO (SAO VINCENTE ISLAND) - PORTO NOVO (SANTO ANTAO)
With just 10 KM between the two islands, it’s a short sail from Sao Vicente to Santo Antao this morning. Santo Antao is the greenest of all the Cape Verde Islands; let us show you its verdant heart - Valley Paul - on our optional tour. A place where passion fruit, mangos, and sugarcane grow in abundance, and where local alcoholic drink, Grogue, is distilled from the latter. Go ahead, try some - but not too much as we’ve still got time to visit the Valley of Ribeira before dinner on board. Overnight in port.

Day 7

PORTO NOVO (SANTO ANTAO)
This morning we’ll discover the south west of the island, with its volcanic, arid landscapes. Join our optional half day excursion as we journey through volcanic landscapes, crop plantations, and isolated villages. Lagedos is one such village, where ecological tourism…. Overnight at sea on route to Sal.

Day 8

PALMEIRA (SAL ISLAND)
As we come full circle (literally!) back to Sal, it’s time for breakfast and goodbyes. For now. We hope to sea you on board one of our other cruises soon.

Day 1 | Saturday

DAKAR, SENEGAL
Meet us on board between 3PM and 4PM. Spend some time getting to know your home at sea and fellow voyagers, then join us for a welcome dinner before we set sail southwards, towards the Saloum River Delta. Overnight at sea.

Day 2 | Sunday

DJIFFER, SENEGAL – BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
Dolphins, crocodiles, turtles and manatees. Keep your eyes peeled for all of these and more as we venture into the Sine-Saloum Delta, Senegal. A UNESCO biosphere reserve, this important birding area is home to around 200 different bird species including flamingos, pelicans and raptors. From here, join our optional excursion to JOAL FADIOUTH, an island built on and of clam shells. Come afternoon, we begin our sail to Banjul, The Gambia. Overnight in Banjul.

Day 3 | Monday

BANJUL - BAKAU, THE GAMBIA
Banjul is The Gambia’s capital city and gateway to the 700 mile Gambia River. We’ll sail the river this afternoon, but first join our optional half day tour of Banjul itself, plus the town of Bakau; known for its kachikally crocodile pool and botanic garden. Mid-afternoon we sail upstream on the Gambia River to Tendaba. Overnight docked in Tendaba.

Day 4 | Tuesday

TENDABA, THE GAMBIA
Today, we offer two optional excursions. Both begin in Tendaba, a small Muslim fishing village with a population of around 600 people. It’s reachable from our ship by motor pirogue - small canoe-like boats. In the morning we’ll walk from Tendaba to Batelling to visit the Kiang West National Park - home to many rare species of bird as well as Guinea baboons, Senegal bushbaby and marsh Mongoose. When you’re all primate-d out, we’ll jump in a safari truck heading back to the ship, via Tendaba, and passing local villages as we go. In the afternoon the excursion is to Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve - with six major bolongs (creeks) and remarkable birding and boating opportunities. Overnight docked in Tendaba.

Day 5 | Wednesday

GAMBIA RIVER – KUNTAUR - RIVER GAMBIA NATIONAL PARK, THE GAMBIA
Early morning we continue our journey upstream on the Gambia River, heading to the bustling port town, Kuntaur. This is the last inland stop navigable for ocean-going ships. Yes, even our small ship. The optional excursion this afternoon is a motor pirogue journey further inland to Baboon Island, a part of The Gambia National Park. Listen and learn as a local park ranger teaches us all about the park's flora and fauna. Then, as we drift slowly and peacefully back towards Kuntaur, keep a look out for the chimpanzees at a rehabilitation project en route. You may also spot hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus monkeys, and more. An exceptional dance, the Kankurang, is performed on our return to Kuntaur. The Kankurang is believed to dispense justice and ward off evil spirits. Overnight docked in Kuntaur.

Day 6 | Thursday

KUNTAUR – JANJANBUREH - KAUR, THE GAMBIA
We hope you’ve slept well as we have a varied and active optional tour today. First to Janjanbureh via bus and local ferry. Janjanbureh is one of the oldest towns in The Gambia, formerly known as Georgetown. Wander the streets and take in the laid back vibes before we head back to the bus and on to our second destination: Lamin Koto. Here, you’ll see a new school in the process of being built, thanks to generous donations from Variety Cruises and our clients. From here we’ll visit the mysterious stones of Wassu, a sacred burial ground thousands of years old, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch we sail downstream to the small fishing village, Kaur. Explore and see how local Gambians live here today. Lastly, join us in the evening for our signature Captain’s Farewell Dinner as we sail downstream, back towards Banjul.

Day 7 | Friday

KUNTA KINTEH ISLAND - BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
One more day in The Gambia, with lots more to learn and discover. This morning we anchor at Kunta Kinteh Island. Strategically located in the middle of the Gambia River, the island has a dark history in the slave trade, the story of which has been told to the world via author Alex Haley’s book, Roots. A local guide will teach us about the history, after which you’ll have some time to walk around before we head back to Banjul. Tonight we host Gambian Night on board, complete with a concert performed on the kora, a west African string instrument. Overnight at sea, heading towards Dakar.

Day 8 | Saturday

DAKAR, SENEGAL
Early morning arrival in Dakar. Join your fellow adventures - who we’re sure are now friends - for one last breakfast before our trip comes to an end.

Day 1

VALLETTA, MALTA
Valletta, Malta (3pm):
Embarkation at Valetta's charming port begins at 14:00. Our dedicated Variety Cruises crew conducts an essential safety drill before we set sail. Join us for a delightful welcome cocktail and dinner as we prepare to depart for our next destination, Port Empedocle, around 9 pm. This enchanting start to your cruise adventure promises unforgettable moments against the backdrop of the sparkling Mediterranean sea!

Day 2

PORT EMPEDOCLE
Awake in the serene embrace of Port Empedocle, a coastal gem on Sicily's southern shore, where tranquility meets storied maritime legacy. Opt for our exclusive tour to Agrigento, home to the UNESCO-listed Temple Valley, where ancient Greek ruins whisper tales of antiquity. Traverse this archaeological wonderland before visiting the famed "Turkish Stairway," a spectacle of white cliffs by the sea. With the afternoon yours to explore or unwind, join our Cocktail Demonstration before tonight's onboard dinner. Led by our skilled Bar Manager, uncover the secrets behind crafting signature cocktails to impress loved ones back home. Bid farewell to Port Empedocle as dusk descends, setting course for our next stop: the charming town of Trapani. Departure is around 10 pm, promising another night of adventure on the shimmering Mediterranean waters!

Day 3

TRAPANI
At 7 am, our vessel docks at Trapani, an idyllic coastal enclave steeped in maritime history. Explore the charming old town and lively harbor, filled with the legacy of its seafaring past. Navigate cobblestone streets adorned with pastel facades, discovering hidden gems like quaint piazzas and ornate churches. Alternatively, join our optional tour to the medieval town of Erice, offering panoramic views and iconic landmarks like the Castle of Venus. Enjoy leisurely moments at the port, relishing lunch at your own pace. As evening approaches, savor a sumptuous dinner onboard!

Day 4

TRAPANI - PALERMO
The morning in Trapani is yours to enjoy at leisure. At approximately 1:30 pm, our boat departs for our next destination, the vibrant capital of Sicily, Palermo. Spend the afternoon as you please before joining our Wine Tasting Experience, featuring a selection of Italian and Greek wines, to prepare your palate for our 4-course dinner on board. We'll arrive in Palermo around 8 pm, giving you the chance to continue your evening with an aperitivo at a trendy bar, sipping on a refreshing Aperol spritz or sampling local wines paired with savory snacks!

Day 5

PALERMO
Palermo blends ancient legacies and modern vitality, inviting exploration with its rich cultural heritage and dynamic atmosphere. From Phoenician to Norman, the city's streets resonate with centuries-old influences, creating a vibrant urban mosaic. Explore the historic center, where narrow alleys reveal Baroque wonders and lively markets. Deepen your Palermo experience with our optional tours: uncover the city's underworld lore tracing The Godfather's origins, or indulge in a Sicilian food tour sampling local delicacies like cannoli and arancini. After dinner onboard, we set sail for our next destination: the enchanting island of Lipari!

Day 6

LIPARI
Today, we awaken to the tranquil shores of Lipari, the crown jewel of the Aeolian Islands, steeped in myth and natural beauty. Explore the island's charm with our optional half-day tour, starting with panoramic vistas at Quattrocchi and a visit to Quattropani for captivating views of Salina. Discover a Spanish-built castle-turned-cathedral and museum showcasing artifacts from prehistoric to ancient Greek & Roman times. After the tour, enjoy leisure time in the village for a personalized lunch experience. Tonight, savor a culinary journey inspired by Sicilian and Italian flavors, accompanied by captivating music. We bid farewell to Lipari at 6:30 pm as we sail towards the enchanting shores of Sorrento, promising another unforgettable chapter in our maritime adventure.

Day 7

SORRENTO
As morning arrives, we enter the enchanting embrace of Sorrento, a gem along the Amalfi Coast celebrated for its Mediterranean charm. Perched atop cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento offers breathtaking vistas and timeless allure. Explore its winding streets, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea-draped buildings, inviting exploration at every turn. Join our morning optional tour to Pompeii, a poignant journey into the Roman Empire's past frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD. Afterwards, the port awaits for leisurely exploration. Indulge in Sorrento's delights, from sipping limoncello to savoring fresh seafood by the marina. As night falls, enjoy a delightful onboard dinner. For those seeking evening enchantment, wander Sorrento's streets for a cocktail or sumptuous gelato, a perfect finale to your day in this captivating coastal haven.

Day 8

NAPLES
Upon arrival in Naples at dawn, enjoy a leisurely breakfast with fellow travelers. Our Cruise Manager will assist with your pre-arranged transfers, ensuring a seamless transition to your next adventure. We look forward to welcoming you aboard another unforgettable journey with VARIETY CRUISES, wherever your next destination may be!

Day 1 | Friday

ATHENS, MARINA ZEAS (PIRAEUS) - SPETSES
Marina Zeas, Athens (3-4 PM) to Spetses: Begin as you mean to go on with a welcome glass of sparkling wine while you meet your crew and fellow passengers. Evening sail to Spetses and dinner served with wines from the Ionian Sea. Overnight at Spetses.

Day 2 | Saturday

NAFPLION - NEMEA
After a morning arrival into Nafplio, we’ll visit the ancient site of Mycenae. Then on to Nemea - the leading red wine appellation in Southern Greece - to visit the pioneering, top-quality estate, Gaia. Our next visit is also our lunch stop; at Semeli where we’ll taste their range of fine wines from Nemea and Mantineia. Enjoy some free time in Nafplio, one of the most attractive towns in mainland Greece, before we sail south along the coast of Arcadia, letting the anchor down for a swim stop as soon as possible. Dinner on board, paired with select wines from the Peloponnese.

Day 3 | Sunday

MONEMVASIA
Monemvasia’s wealth came from its Malvasia (also known as Malmsey), so it’s safe to say wine meant a lot to the mediaeval town. Visit the vineyards with Monemvasia Winery who are re-establishing the island's wine fame. Lunch ashore with freetime in the afternoon; exploration of the old town and taking a dip in the cooling waters are recommended. Tonight’s dinner is on board where we welcome the Tsimbidis family of Monemvasia Winery to dine with us.

Day 4 | Monday

SERIFOS
This beautiful, out of the way island, was one a major wine producer. Two interesting estates are leading a revival here using the island's rare indigenous grape varieties. Serifos promises to be the next big thing in the Cyclades after Santorini and Tinos. Free time in the morning to explore the island or go for a swim. After lunch, we will visit the Chrysolora Winery, in the northern part of the island. In the afternoon we will return to our boat for dinner. Late night departure to Santorini.

Day 5 | Tuesday

SANTORINI
Santorini is rightfully known as one of the top spots for white wine in Greece, and has local grape varieties of extraordinary quality. We’ll visit the top winery, Argyros, with century-old vines. Setting sail in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy wines from the Santorini grapes as we cruise through the Cyclades to the Eastern Aegean islands.

Day 6 | Wednesday

SAMOS - FOURNI
This morning we’ll moor in the sleepy fishing village of Ormos before heading inland to visit the inspiring Vakakis winery. Then on to Platanos, its steep vineyard terraces seeded with White Muscat. Over an idyllic lunch we’ll taste a range of Samian wines. Our afternoon sail takes us to the Fourni Isles, rarely visited by tourists and an ideal spot for swimming thanks to its largely untouched beaches. Dinner tonight is paired with wines from Chios and Ikaria, both prized wines in ancient times.

Day 7 | Thursday

TINOS
Tinos is a holy island, said to be home to more than 700 churches. It’s also another wine hotspot, known for its Assyrtiko grape; one with extraordinary quality when grown in soils rich with volcanic ash, such as those on Tinos. In the morning we’ll visit emerging star winery, Volacus, before we set sail and moor near Andros for lunch, swimming, and a tasting of Greek wines from international grape varieties. In the afternoon we sail to Piraeus.

Day 8 | Friday

ATHENS - MARINA ZEAS (PIRAEUS)
Breakfast and disembarkation. For those not arranging their own onward transport this morning, we offer an optional tour of Athens including wine tasting and lunch at Kokotos Estate, followed by a transfer to Athens Airport.