Greece: A Circumnavigation of the Peloponnese

Ruins of Delphi © Variety Cruises

A round-trip transit of Greece’s famed Peloponnese emphasizes historical wonders and superb natural history including birds, wildflowers, and captivating scenery.

Join us on an unforgettable voyage as we circumnavigate the beautiful Peloponnese with a focus on the history and culture of Greece, from antiquity to the present, while enjoying the country’s special birds and natural history. We have chartered the "Harmony G," a wonderful, small motor yacht, for this adventure.

A captivating itinerary showcases some of the most famous and important historical sites in the ancient Greek world while providing opportunities for quality birding and nature viewing. We will make excursions to Epidaurus, the near-perfectly preserved 2,500-year-old theater that still hosts Greek dramas today; Mycenae, the ancient domain of King Agamemnon and the famed Lion’s Gate; Pylos, site of Nestor’s Palace and stately Navarino Bay; Olympia, where the Olympic games started in 776 B.C.E.; and Delphi, home of the ancient Delphic Oracle and perhaps the most beautiful location of all. Other highlights include an evening on the enchanting Byzantine-influenced islet of Monemvasia, a visit to the lightly visited island of Kythira, passage through the remarkable Canal of Corinth, and a final evening on the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf.

Our travels will include opportunities for birding at several coastal locations and around the archaeological sites themselves. We should see an impressive assortment of waterbirds. Among the possibilities are Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Audouin’s and Yellow-legged gulls, Scopoli's and Yelkouan shearwaters, European Shag, Little Tern, Gray Heron, and Little Egret. Resident and migrant landbirds should also be evident in the form of Common and Pallid swifts, Short-toed Snake-Eagle, Little Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eleonora’s Falcon, Woodchat Shrike, Crested Lark, Western Rock Nuthatch, Blue Rock-Thrush, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Western Yellow Wagtail, and many others. Early May is a prime time to enjoy spring in Greece, and we should be treated to a delightful assortment of Mediterranean wildflowers.

This cruise will be led by an excellent team of leaders representing a diversity of expertise. Along with Barry Lyon, from Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, are Peter Zika, a superb field biologist and botanist at the herbarium of the University of Washington; Jonathan Meyrav, an expert on the birds of the eastern Mediterranean region; and Anatol Klass. Anatol is a postdoctoral fellow in history at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Anatol will present a series of lectures on the history of Greece, from the ancient world to the present. We will also be joined by excellent local guides, who will provide expert interpretation at each of the sites we visit and throughout the trip.

The "Harmony G" is an excellent vessel for this voyage, a motor yacht offering spacious cabins, high quality cuisine, canopied viewing deck, and indoor/outdoor restaurant. Each cabin is equipped with windows or porthole and en suite bathroom.

The multi-thematic approach of this cruise provides a rich travel opportunity. It is an ideal choice for those who desire a travel experience that includes more than natural history and for those with a non-birding spouse or partner.

Our optional Athens Pre-trip offers an enrichening complement to the cruise. For almost a week we will explore the historical and natural history splendor of the greater Athens area of the southern Greek mainland. Our travels will take us to the famed Acropolis, battlefield of Marathon, Temple of Artemis, and other remarkable sites. On other days we will visit a range of habitats in a diversity of locations seeking a suite of special birds. Among the many birds possible are widespread species and southeastern Europe specialty birds alike including Ferruginous Duck, White Stork, European Bee-eater, Tawny Owl, Rüppell’s Warbler, and Black-headed and Cretzschmar’s buntings. For an added touch, we have arranged for a honey-tasting event and lunch and wine-tasting at an esteemed local winery.

Cruise: All nights aboard the 22-cabin Harmony G, featuring high quality accommodations and cuisine; daily shore excursions to ruins and nature sites will involve short, easy walks; mild to warm temperatures expected; rain possible. Pre-trip: single hotel stay with excellent accommodations; excellent food; birding days interspersed with visits to important historical sites and a few cultural opportunities.

Little Owl © J. Need/Shutterstock