MEDD

A magnet for volcanologists, Santorini marks the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, resulting in a collapsed crater, or caldera, that created some of the world's most beautiful islands. On the southern coast of Santorini, board a luxurious catamaran to sail along the contrasting red and white beaches, around the western tip of the island, and into the caldera for glorious views of the soaring cliffs and lunar-like landscape.

Wine has been produced on Santorini for thousands of years, and you will learn of the island’s ancient traditions and modern technologies when you visit two esteemed wineries. Founded in 1903, Estate Argyros is operated by a fourth generation of winemakers who craft boutique wines from indigenous varietals, such as the signature assyrtiko grape. Enjoy a tasting of some of Santorini’s most highly awarded wines, including vintages in limited production. You will also visit the newest winery on the island, Vassaltis Vineyards, housed in a sleek, modern building near the village of Vourvoulos.

The whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches of Santorini are some of the most photographed sights in Greece, and walking these iconic streets is an unforgettable experience. Begin with an impressive drive from the port up the cliffs formed by the caldera – the collapsed volcanic crater that created the island of Santorini. On a hilltop set back from the caldera’s edge, you’ll find the hidden gem of Pyrgos, a medieval village less touched by tourism, where narrow streets lead you to the remains of an ancient castle.

This delightful exploration of Santorini uncovers the prehistoric town of Akrotiri, the modern capital of Fira and the majesty of the huge caldera, or collapsed volcanic crater, in between. After a scenic drive to Akrotiri, you will walk the contemporary section and then delve into amazing ruins that detail the village's past before it was buried by a volcanic eruption. The volcanic ash preserved streets, buildings and homes, including the colors of priceless frescoes and relics such as large earthen jars with traces of provisions they once held.

Be enveloped by the warmth of the Greek home kitchen with this small-group cooking class. Your hostess is an instructor and cookbook author who is passionate and knowledgeable about the history and regional specialties of Greek cuisine, from her native Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, to the peninsula and the mainland. She limits her class to 10 to ensure an intimate atmosphere and personal attention.

This full-day exploration of Greece’s unrivaled historic legacy begins some 30 kilometers east of Nafplion. On the cool slopes of a wooded valley, the ancient city of Epidaurus was dedicated to Aesclepius, the god of healing, and renowned throughout the Hellenic world as a center for medicine and curative treatments. Although most of its buildings, temples, spas, baths have been reduced to their foundations, the theater is a remarkable exception.

Begin with an exploration of the winery of Domaine Skouras, situated amidst acres of vineyards. Elegant Greek architecture houses the ultramodern winemaking facility, which includes world-class presses, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, a 1,000-barrel cellar, a state-of-the-art laboratory and more. After a tour, you will sample four of the Skouras wines, defined by the harmony and balance created by minimal intervention during the production process. Then continue to the Karonis Distilleries to learn about the production of one of Greece’s most iconic beverages, ouzo.

A certified mountaineer who runs an outdoor company is your guide for the scenic hike through the low mountains near Nafplion. From the yacht, it’s a short drive up to the Agia Moni, a hillside convent that was built around 1150. The complex of a beautiful church, small chapels and living quarters for the nuns is lush, thanks to a pond fed by a natural spring. It makes for a peaceful starting point for the hike. The guide leads the way as you make your way down a dirt road and across the back side of another mountain.

One of the most important cities of ancient Greece, Corinth occupied a strategic spot on the isthmus that connected the Peloponnese to mainland Greece and was roughly midway between the rival city-states of Athens and Sparta. When a thriving Greek city, it was destroyed by the Romans in 144 BC, then rebuilt in 44 BC as a provincial capital of the empire. Corinth again prospered and later survived numerous invasions, yet was ultimately abandoned following devastating earthquakes for modern Corinth. The ancient site is expansive.

Nafplion is one of Greece’s most beautiful cities, with a unique architectural legacy that reflects Venetian rule in the 15th through 17th centuries and a period in the 19th century as the capital of new, modern nation of Greece. Your guide will share the city’s rich layered history as you stroll past gorgeous neoclassical mansions and beautiful Venetian architecture and make your way down picturesque alleys. Sights include the old Catholic Church, the Church of Agios Spyidon, which dates to 1702, and the popular Constitution Square.