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www.noble-caledonia.co.ukThe Peloponnese is home to an extraordinary collection of great archaeological sites with tangible traces of the many civilisations which have at one point over the course of history called this region home including classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities and Ottoman and Venetian fortresses. The peninsula is of course also the setting for numerous myths and legends which will be brought to life by our local guides who will travel with us aboard the 50-passenger MS Monet for the duration of the cruise, adding an extra dimension to all we see and experience. The Peloponnese was where Hercules fought the Nemean lion, the legendary Spartan warriors battled and where Paris of Troy eloped with Helen. Beyond these fascinating sites, there is also beautiful mountainous scenery, mysterious caves, vast gorges, charming villages and superb beaches. Our fascinating cruise begins with a transit of the Corinth Canal which, whilst only built in the 19th century was conceived as long ago as the 7th century BC. It is only possible to transit the canal on a small ship like the MS Monet and the experience offers a wonderful start to our cruise. We have designed our eleven night itinerary to include many of the fascinating sites in the region combined with ample time at leisure to wander the picturesque lanes and harbours of some of Greece%u2019s most delightful spots including Kefalonia%u2019s delightful harbourside villages of Fiskardo and Assos, the fishing town of Gythio on the Mani Peninsula and the beautiful city of Nafplio. Amongst the many ancient world highlights of our voyage are our visits to the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, the sacred site of Delphi, the ruins of Olympia, the famous citadel of Mycenae, the renowned theatre at Epidaurus and the Byzantine hillside town of Mystras. Whether you are interested in ancient history, Greek myths or simply the joy of cruising aboard a small ship and experiencing new places and islands in this beautiful region, our voyage has something for everyone.The ItineraryGREECEAthensCorinthCanalNafplioEpidaurusOlympiaIteaPylosKatakolonDelphiKefaloniaGythioKapsaliDay 1 London to Athens, Greece. Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Monet in Piraeus for embarkation. Over dinner we will sail the short distance to Aegina where we moor overnight. Day 2 Aegina & Corinth Canal. Spend the morning in Aegina which, from 1827 to 1829, served as the temporary capital of the newly formed Greek state. Here we see the Temple of Aphaia, built in 480BC and dedicated to the goddess Athena, before spending time exploring the narrow alleys and Neoclassical buildings of the harbour town. Sail over lunch and be on deck later this afternoon as we navigate the narrow Corinth Canal. Completed in 1893 and only 6.4 kilometres long and 21.5 metres wide, it is only small ships like the MS Monet which can now make this journey. We will moor in Corinth this evening.Day 3 Corinth. Corinth flourished under both Greek and Roman rule due to its significant location on the Isthmus of Corinth which controlled trade routes as well as being home to the naval power which took colonies in Syracuse and Corfu. It has also been closely linked to St Paul who lived here for a number of years and is known through his letters to the Christian community. On a morning tour we explore the site of Ancient Corinth seeing the Temple of Aphrodite, the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo, built on a hill overlooking the marketplace, and the Roman Forum. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon cruising to Itea where we arrive in the early evening and moor overnight.Day 4 Itea for Delphi. The port of Itea is our gateway to the sacred site of Delphi, one of Greece%u2019s most important sites of antiquity. The hillside ruins here are exceptional and we will explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, the site of the sacred Delphic Oracle and walk along Delphi%u2019s Sacred Way, visiting the Treasury of the Athenians and the 5,000 seat theatre dating from the 4th century BC. This afternoon is free to relax on board, take a stroll in Itea or maybe visit one of the nearby beaches. Day 5 Kefalonia. Arrive this morning into Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. From our berth in Argostoli we have a choice of excursions. On a half day tour we will drive to the famous lighthouse of Agioi Theodori, the remarkable Venetian castle of Saint George and the 16th century Monastery of Agios Gerasimos. St Gerasimos is the patron saint of Cephalonia, and his relic is kept in the monastery, in a silver urn. Near to the monastery we find the Robala vineyards. Wines have been grown here since the 12th century and we will learn about the processes and enjoy a tasting before we return to the ship. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Argostoli. Alternatively, a full day tour will drive to the north of the island, passing the famous Myrtos beach as we drive to the village of Assos. With just 100 residents it is one of the most charming spots on the island. Built on a small peninsula, the town is dominated by the ruins of a 16th century Venetian castle. After time to wander the streets viewing the traditional architecture, pretty harbour and pebbled beaches we continue to the small port of Fiskardo which curves serenely beside coral-blue waters, gazing out towards Ithaki. Thanks to its colourful crop of Venetian villas, spared from earthquake damage because they rest on a sturdy bed of flat rock, Fiskardo is home to upscale restaurants built around the small harbour where yachts jostle for space to dock. After lunch in the port and some free time to explore we return to the MS Monet.Day 6 Katakolon for Olympia. Pastoral and lush, Olympia%u2019s plentiful ruins are shaded by Aleppo pines and olive trees. The fame of Olympia rests upon the Olympic Games. During the celebrations that accompanied the Games, competitors, while not forgetting that they were Athenians, Spartans or from other city states, remembered that they were Greeks and regarded an Olympic victory as the highest honour. We will see the gymnasium, the stadium and the palestra or wrestling school. We will also explore the Altis, or sacred precinct of Zeus, which houses structures including the Temple of Zeus, one of the largest temples on the Greek mainland and Nafplio Kapsali, Kithera