Peter Sommer Travels will launch new eight- and 13-day Cruising the Cyclades trips in 2025 that explore the Greek islands’ wealth of natural beauty and history. The clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea, island-dotted horizons, a range of prehistoric, ancient and medieval treasures, and traditional gulets combine to make these the quintessential small-ship experience.
“Next year, we have two brand-new cruises exploring some of the gems of the Cyclades,” said Peter Sommer, founder of Peter Sommer Travels. “These islands have often been at the core of Greek history and culture, from the Bronze Age world of the Cycladic Culture to the cities of the Archaic period and the great trading centers of the ancient world just as Rome entered it. Our itineraries include a carefully selected mix of the world-famous, like glorious Santorini and UNESCO-listed Delos, and rarely visited, such as Paros and Antiparos, each with its own distinctive character and beauty.”
Guests on the new trips will enjoy gleaming white villages, hillsides with multi-hued houses, frescoed Byzantine churches, Venetian castles, neoclassical mansions, volcanic landscapes, quiet coves where the only sound is the splash of swimming and more. The itineraries include:
Cruising the Cyclades: This eight-day tour starts and ends on Naxos, and visits the island’s capital and the iconic Portara, the doorway of an Archaic temple. It also takes in Roman mosaics, artfully draped Greek statues carved from marble, beautiful vases and the stone basilica of Katapoliani on Paros; Ios’ capital city and the streets and houses of the early Bronze Age site of Skarkos; the spectacularly preserved town of Akrotiri, buried by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, on Santorini; a near-complete Roman building at Episkopi on Sikinos; the cave system on Antiparos and the walls of the post-Medieval castle in its capital; and the remains of temples, theaters and grand houses on Delos. Along the way, there’s time to swim in the waters off Paros, Ios, Sikinos and Delos. Maximum of 12 guests.
Cruising to the Cyclades Extended Edition: Like the eight-day tour, this 13-day tour takes in Naxos, Paros, Sikinos, Santorini, Ios, Antiparos and Delos, as well as the site of what appears to be a shrine to Apollo on Despotiko; the little harbor of Apollonia, ancient city of Melos and its theater, Bronze Age town of Phylakopi, Roman catacombs and Plaka on Milos; and Syros, center of the Keros-Syros Culture, and its capital Ermoupolis. Additional swim stops include the islands of Kimolos, Polyaigos and Folegrandros. Maximum of 14 guests.
The tours include accommodations aboard a traditional gulet, meals, excursions with expert guides, transportation by private minibus, entrance fees and tips on land, airport transfers on the first and last day, and more.
