MEDD

Begin your exploration of the idyllic island of Corfu with a visit to the village of Lakones for a view of traditional Greek life and lovely vistas of the bay of Paleokastritsa. Then travel inland through colorful citrus groves to the Achillion Palace, a neoclassical villa built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1890. The marvelous palace reflects Elisabeth's fascination with Greek mythology and in particular her admiration of Achilles, who is represented in paintings and sculptures throughout the home and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Arguably the most famous chef in Greece, Ettore Botrini will be your host for an unforgettable day of shopping, cooking and dining. Star of the Greek version of the television show Hell’s Kitchen, Chef Botrini runs the Michelin-starred restaurant Botrini’s in Athens as well as Corfu’s Etrusco, which has been listed as the best restaurant in Greece and one of the top 100 restaurants in the world. Join this award-winning Corfiot Italian chef as he shops Corfu – where he was born and raised – for the freshest ingredients.

Known for its exceptional quality, The Governor Olive Oil is named for Count Capodistrias, a Corfu native who became the first governor of free Greece and founder of the modern Greek state. This special experience gives you a guided tour of the groves of lianolia olive trees with the personal touch of local experts speaking about the traditions of olive oil making. The current owner of the factory, Spyros Dafnis is one of three generations of the Dafnis family to tend the olives.

Combine the convenience of secure transportation from the yacht to the airport with a few hours of sightseeing in the Greek capital. Relax on the drive from the port of Piraeus into Athens where you’ll then follow a route that showcases key landmarks and monuments representing thousands of years of history. Sights include the ancient Panathenaic Stadium, used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and a few events of 2004 summer games.

Just off the coast of Hvar, the group of wooded, mostly uninhabited islets known as the Pakleni Otoci are among the prettiest on the Croatian Riviera. Towards the end of the day, take the scenic ride via a zodiac to this group – some little more than rocky outcrops – to Palmizana, home to Laganini, a lounge bar with direct beach access. Relaxation is the ethos at the lounge, whose name translates as leisurely, unhurried or easy going.

It’s a short but scenic trip by zodiac along the coastal islands to the mainland city of Split, where you’ll meet your local guide. You’ll begin your exploration at the Mestrovic Gallery, the hillside villa built by one of Croatia’s most acclaimed artists of the 20th century as a summer residence for his family, an atelier and a place to exhibit his work. The artist-architect’s work is displayed both inside and in the surrounding Mediterranean-style gardens that he also designed. The top of the property offers incredible views of the Old Town and the sea.

Set sail for beautiful secluded beaches and deserted coves of the Pakleni Islands, located just off the coast of Hvar, near Hvar town. Some of the 20-odd islets are little more than rocky outcrops but most are covered in trees and circled by sandy beaches, making a gorgeous backdrop for scenic sailing on the cobalt waters. A tender will take you to the marina where you will board the sailboat (CK).. Your local captain will plan on anchoring in two different tucked-away bays where you can go for a refreshing swim and do some snorkeling.

It’s a scenic drive from Hvar to the Stari Grad Plain, a fertile agricultural region known as the hora. The area has a timeless quality and beauty, with fields, groves and vineyards that have been preserved, virtually unchanged, since ancient Greeks settled on the island more than 2,400 years ago. The lavender workshop venue is a traditional stone structure set amid acres of the aromatic Mediterranean plant, whose perfume fills the air.

This walking tour of Hvar departs from the pier and heads for the town’s expansive main plaza, the hub of the city's social life and one of the largest squares in Dalmatia. Walk along the promenade past the grand Cathedral of St. Stephen to the Benedictine convent, where the nuns make lace so rare that it has been designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the heart of the port, you will see the Arsenal and its striking arched portal. Considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Dalmatia, it houses what is said to be Europe's oldest public theater, established in 1612.

A speedboat whisks you to the wooded island of Šolta, set roughly midway between Hvar and the mainland city of Split. Used by the Roman emperor based in Split as a nearby getaway, the island remains a low-key retreat more than 1,500 years later. You’ll come ashore in the picturesque harbor of Stomorska, where Solta’s fishermen sell their early morning catch alongside the berths of sleek yachts, before traveling into the interior to visit two different family-operated agricultural businesses. Your first stop is in the village of Gornje Selo.