7-Night Saronic Gulf Classic — Athens to Spetses

Day 1 — Athens: Embarkation

Board at Zea Marina or Flisvos Marina, Piraeus — just 30 minutes from Athens International Airport. An optional afternoon visit to the Acropolis or the National Archaeological Museum (the finest collection of ancient Greek art in the world). Welcome dinner aboard as the lights of Athens spread across the horizon.

Day 2 — Aegina

A 90-minute sail south to Aegina — the closest island to Athens and one of the most rewarding. The Temple of Aphaia (early 5th century BC, one of the best-preserved in Greece) overlooks the sea from a pine-forested hill. The harbour is charming; Aegina's famous pistachios are available at every corner. Overnight in the main harbour.

Day 3 — Hydra

The jewel of the Saronic — an entirely car-free island (donkeys are the only transport) with a perfect horseshoe harbour of stone mansions built by 18th-century sea captains. The lanes are filled with art galleries, excellent restaurants and the permanent creative community that has called Hydra home since the 1950s. Leonard Cohen lived here; Mick Jagger and John Lennon visited. Overnight alongside in the port.

Day 4 — Hydra: Free Day

A second day on Hydra — walk to the monastery above the town, swim at the famous rocks below the Sunset Bar, take a water taxi to the remote bay of Bisti or hire a donkey to reach the beaches on the island's southern coast. Dinner at Sunset restaurant on the rocks above the port.

Day 5 — Spetses

Sail southwest to Spetses — a pine-scented island of Venetian-influenced architecture and proud naval history (Spetses played a crucial role in the Greek War of Independence). The old harbour is beautiful in the early morning; Anargiri Beach and Agia Paraskevi on the northern coast are excellent for swimming.

Day 6 — Poros

Sail north to Poros — an island separated from the Peloponnese mainland by a channel of barely 350 metres. The passage past the Poros clock tower is one of the most charming approaches in Greek yachting. Day trip by car (short bridge) to the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon at Troizen and the Lemonodasos lemon grove. Overnight in the harbour.

Day 7 — Methana & Epidaurus

Explore the Peloponnese coast — the volcanic peninsula of Methana, and a car trip from the waterfront to the extraordinary ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Built in the 4th century BC, it holds 13,000 people and has perfect natural acoustics: a coin dropped in the centre of the orchestra can be heard clearly from the top row. Return to Poros or anchor in the gulf for a final night.

Day 8 — Return to Athens: Disembarkation

An early morning passage back to Piraeus for disembarkation. Athens Airport is 30 minutes from Zea Marina.