Athens, Greece Island-Hopping Day Tour (3 Islands in 1 Day · English Tour)

Hydra Island lies about 70 km south of Athens, and the boat journey takes just over three hours. It has a Mediterranean climate, with the peak tourist season running from late April to October each year. The island has a population of about 28,000, and all transport is by donkey-drawn carts; there are no motor vehicles. Its beautiful scenery has inspired many artists, earning it the nickname “Island of Artists.” Cohen, who has sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide, composed many moving songs on this small island. Hydra was originally uninhabited because its land was so barren that it could not be farmed. According to historical records, its earliest inhabitants were the Mycenaeans. In the 16th century, a group of Albanian refugees fled here. They made their living mainly by raiding passing ships at sea and engaging in forced trade. Strangely, this was what set the small island on the path to prosperity. The wealth they gained through piracy was so great that they used sacks full of gold coins as ballast. By the 17th century, the island had developed a powerful fleet. During the later Napoleonic Wars, it once monopolized maritime transport in the Mediterranean. By 1821, the island’s population had reached more than 30,000.

Poros Island is separated from the Peloponnese by a strait just 400 meters wide. This scenic island was praised by the great writer Henry Miller in his work *The Colossus of Maroussi*. Poros consists of two islands, one large and one small, now connected by a small bridge. The main sightseeing base is Poros Town on the west coast of Sferia Island. High-speed boats dock at the southern end of the town’s western side. The other island, Kalavria, is lush and green, with lemon and pine trees growing everywhere and beaches scattered around for relaxation.

Once a powerful city-state in ancient times, Aegina was the first capital established after the Greek War of Independence. Located in the gulf near Athens, it was where Athenians would escape when tired and weary—not by taking supplements, but by hopping on a boat to Aegina to catch the breeze and eat grilled octopus before returning refreshed. It is hard to imagine that in the distant past, the city-state of Aegina was a formidable rival of Athens. For several centuries BC, the two city-states fiercely competed in arms and culture, giving rise to many ancient monuments. The colorful boats in Aegina’s harbor bring to mind Boccaccio’s description of the island in The Decameron: Constantine drifted across the Aegean with a beautiful, sorrowful princess, and only an overnight stop on Aegina allowed him to fulfill his wish and enjoy a romantic interlude.

The cruise ship is 53 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 5.3 meters high. Built in Greece in 1997 and renovated in 2012, it has a capacity of 800 passengers, including 450 indoor seats and 350 outdoor seats. It offers daily cruises to Poros, Aegina, and Hydra, with a top speed of 16 knots. Our cruise ship meets modern 21st-century requirements and strictly complies with international standards. Our experienced maritime crew and well-trained hospitality staff will provide passengers with the highest level of quality service. PLATYTERA TON OURANON Buffet Menu: 【Salads】 Tomatoes, red and white cabbage, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, onion, Greek olives, and Greek cheese, served with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. 【Starters】 *Stuffed Vine Leaves with Rice *Fresh Beetroot *Traditional Fish Roe Salad *Margherita Pizza 【Main Courses】 *Grilled Chicken Marinated with Mediterranean Herbs *Grilled Fish Fillet with Mediterranean Herbs *Grilled Mixed Vegetables with Extra Virgin Olive Oil *Greek-style baked pasta and beef sauce *Vegetable rice *Roasted potatoes 【Dessert】 *Homemade walnut filling Note: The actual ingredients depend on the onboard kitchen. Please refer to what is served~

The luxury cruise ship is 70 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 3 meters high, and will be a shining gem cruising the Saronic Islands. With a capacity of more than 800 passengers, it will offer daily cruises to Poros, Aegina, and Hydra. With a top speed of 16 knots, it stands out among cruise ships. Its elegant facilities include 6 brand-new bars and 5 spacious, luxurious lounges. It is equipped with an advanced audiovisual system, a modern kitchen, and state-of-the-art facilities and décor. A VIP area has also been specially designed, with a capacity of 120 people. This comfortable and luxurious cruise ship is unprecedented in the cruise market. On this gem cruising the Saronic Gulf, our VIP guests can enjoy a five-star hotel-style holiday in a private luxury cabin. Our cruise ship meets the modern requirements of the 21st century and strictly complies with international standards. Our experienced maritime crew and well-trained staff will provide passengers with the highest level of service. Come aboard the Cosmos and explore the Saronic Gulf in comfort. Cosmos Buffet Menu: 【Appetizers and Salads】 *Chef’s homemade fresh bread *Mediterranean tuna salad Premium tuna, freshly chopped local tomatoes, onion, lettuce, corn, lemon juice, and extra-virgin Greek olive oil *Greek village salad Made with local tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sliced onion, green pepper, Greek cheese, Kalamata olives, oregano, and extra-virgin Greek olive oil *Evermore cruise salad Cherry tomatoes, mixed greens, walnuts, honey dressing, and Parmesan 【Main Course】 *Sea bass with lemon juice Rosemary, extra-virgin Greek olive oil, salt, and garlic *Roast chicken Marinated with extra-virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice, and seasoned with rosemary, lemon, garlic, and salt. *Pasta Tomato sauce, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, basil, black pepper, onion, and Greek cheese *Traditional Greek Lemon Potatoes Secret sauce with lemon and mustard *Indian Rice Cooked with herbs and spices 【Dessert】 *Greek Baklava Made with walnuts, syrup, and honey Note: Ingredients available on the day depend on the ship’s kitchen. Please refer to the actual offerings~