Three Greek Islands with Evermore Cruises

On a warm, sunny Saturday in May members of Travel Bloggers Greece set out to explore three Greek Islands with Evermore Cruises.  Our trip started at 8 o’clock in the morning as we boarded the Cosmos vessel, setting out our sails from the Marina Kalitheas.

VIP Lounge on Cosmos 

I have done the three island tour from Athens in the past however this time it was a more luxurious experience as the brand new Cosmos vessel has a separate VIP Lounge which can fit up to 120 persons.

Once settled in the spacious beautifully appointed VIP lounge we were offered soft drinks, tea or coffee as well as a selection of snacks as we headed towards our first destination which was Hydra.

During the trip we also enjoyed the on board entertainment, as a live orchestra played famous Greek songs. A multilingual guide was there to explain the highlights of the trip.

Hydra Walking Tour 

Once we docked in Hydra, we joined our guide on a walking tour of this picturesque Island where its main transportation are the donkeys. No matter how many times I have been here, it is always a great pleasure to see these beautiful creatures.

As we walked the cobbled streets of Hydra, Annie explained the island’s history over the centuries and the various rulers who dominated the island. We stopped by the oldest traditional sweet shop called Tsagaris, which was established in 1930 and after trying their local treats we headed further inside the streets to a place which was apparently used to film parts of the James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only”.

We then visited the Church of Dormition which is also known as the Monastery, a 17th century building which today operates as the Town Hall of Hydra. It also houses the Ecclesiastic and Byzantine Museum which displays canonicals, relics, oblations and icons 
from the 18th century.

Lunch on board

After our tour of the island of Hydra the next destination was Poros. On our way to Poros we were served Greek lunch on board.

There was a selection of chicken, fish and pasta accompanied by two salads — Greek and a mixed greens salad. Guests traveling in the VIP lounge also have the possibility to order extra dishes from the menu which are at an additional price.

 Visiting Poros

When we arrived to Poros we only had about 50 minutes. I had visited the historic Clock tower during my previous trip thus we decided to walk along the harbour instead.

For those who are visiting the island for the first time, the view from the clock tower is definitely worth experiencing. The third and final destination was Aegina.

After enjoying an hour in Poros were back on the vessel where we were served fresh fruit and sweets as we made our way to the third and final destination, Aegina.

Aegina — the pistachio island

Aegina is one of the largest islands of the Saronic gulf and it has received it’s name from the beautiful nymph who was kidnapped by Zeus. Upon arrival to the island we joined a guided tour to see the Temple of Aphaia, which is located approximately 13 kilometres from the main port.

The Temple of Aphaia is one of the sanctuary temples that form the Sacred Triangle as it is apparently located in the same distance from the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio and the Acropolis. We visited the temple in the afternoon, the lighting was magical and the view from here is definitely worth experiencing.

On our way back we stopped at the monastery of Saint Nektarios which is the second largest in Greece. This monastery is one of the most visited as Agios Nektarios of Aegina (1846-1920), is a widely known Greek Orthodox Saint who is famous for his healing powers. The church is located approximately 6 kilometres from the port of Aegina.

Aegina is also an island famous for its pistachios which are grown here due to the favourable climate and soil. Make sure to try some pistachio treats. If you do find yourself here at a different time of year you will also have time to stroll around the port, where there are a plethora of coffee shops, tavernas and shops.

On our way back to Athens, there was live music on board the vessel and it is a great opportunity to experience the famous Greek hospitality. We returned to Athens at around 7:30pm after spending a wonderful day visiting three Greek islands. For those who are visiting Athens for a short period of time and wish to get a taste of the Greek island experience will definitely enjoy a day trip to the three Greek Islands with Evermore Cruises.

Information:

The cost of the VIP cruise is 225 Euro per person, lunch included. The walking tour on Hydra and the excursion to The Temple of Aphaia and Saint Nektarios Monastery in Aegina are at 25 Euro per person, discounts may apply for combined tours.

For more information:

Reservations: (+30) 211 1882224
Email: reservations@evermorecruises.com

Website: http://www.evermorecruises.com 

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