ONE DAY CRUISE
The one-day cruise to the islands of Saronic Gulf is one of the most popular. The Saronic Gulf its islands derived their name from the mythological king Saron, a dedicated hunter.
The one-day cruise gives the chance to visit three important islands on the same day. These cruises usually begin early in the morning and end late in the evening. The islands Aegina, Poros, and Hydra are near Athens and Piraeus. The furthermost island is Hydra - about 44 nautical miles from Piraeus.
AEGINA
Aegina, the pistachio center of the world, is the largest island of the Saronic Gulf.
Aegina, an island famous in ancient times owes its importance to its geographical position.
The first inhabitants of Aegina date from 3000 B.C. After 1000 B.C. Aegina was colonized by Epidaurus but the island soon became independent. In the seventh century, the first coin names silver "turtle" cut on Aegina was well known in the ancient world and helped in the formation of an essential commercial fleet. Besides being a commercial center Aegina also became a cultural focus. The island had many sculptors such as Onatas and Kalon.
The Temple of Aphaia
The temple of Aphaia is situated on the top of a hill on the northeastern side of the island.
This Doric temple is regarded as one of the most important monuments of ancient Greek architecture. This temple was dedicated to the local goddess Aphaia - the goddess of wisdom. King Minos of Crete fell in love with beautiful Aphaia. Trying to escape, she threw herself into the sea but was caught in the nets of fishermen from Aegina. One of the fishermen also fell in love with her and she began running to escape. Arriving at the wooded hill she disappeared. She was named Aphaia which means "invisible".
Sights of Aegina
Archeological site of Colona
Monastery of St. Nectarios
Click HERE for activities on Aegina Island
POROS
"...Suddenly I realized that we were sailing through the streets. If there is one dream which I like above others is that of sailing on land. Coming into Paros gives the illusion of a deep dream.
Suddenly the land converges on all sides and the boat is squeezed into a narrow strait from which there seems to be no egress. The men and the women of Paros are hanging out of the windows just above your head. Trying to escape, she threw herself into the sea but was caught in the nets of fishermen from Aegina. The loungers on the quay are walking at the same speed as the boat; they can walk faster than the boat if they choose to quicken their pace. The island revolves in cubistic planes, one of walls and windows, one of rocks and goats, one of stiff-blown trees and shrubs, and so on.
...The sail slowly through the streets of Paros is to recapture the joy of passing through the neck of the womb."
Henry Miller
"The Colossus of Maroussi"
Henry Miller has given one of the most vivid descriptions of the Paros harbor. The colorful front views, alternate levels, and rocky background create a cubistic harmony.
Click HERE for activities on Poros Island
HYDRA
The name of the island in ancient times was Hydraia. Hydra is a piece of art created slowly through the evolutionary process by a small group of people. In the 1950's painters, scions of old Hydriot families, and film personalities with their interest and love transformed the island.
The sudden and indeed extraordinary development of the island did not destroy its beauty.
Hydra had kept its famed local character by continuing to mesmerize its visitors as it did when Sophia Loren and Alan Ladd were filming "The Boy on a Dolphin", or when jet-setters such as Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas, Stavros Niarchos, Elisabeth Taylor, Peter Ustinov, Henry Fonda and singers like Leonard Cohen walked along its narrow streets and ate at its seaside taverns.
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