AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
From Kos to Patmos

From Kos to Patmos

From Kos to Patmos Overview

The Dodecanese islands are perhaps the most ethereally beautiful part of the Aegean. Set in a sparkling topaz-blue sea, they have a rich and intricate history stretching back millennia, and a distinctive culture. From the deck of our gulet, you will cruise in comfort as the islands come to you, each with its own distinctive silhouette and story.

The Dodecanese islands are perhaps the most ethereally beautiful part of the Aegean. Set in a sparkling topaz-blue sea, they have a rich and intricate history stretching back millennia, and a distinctive culture. From the deck of our gulet, you will cruise in comfort as the islands come to you, each with its own distinctive silhouette and story: mountainous Kalymnos; Nisyros with its brooding volcanic cone; Patmos crowned by its extraordinary monastery - a World Heritage Site; and serene, secluded Pserimos. Anchoring in coves of the bluest shimmering water and harbours with bright white houses rising above you, you can relax as you wish before dining on meals freshly-prepared on board or go to specially selected tavernas on the islands themselves. In a tranquil and unhurried way, you can drink in the vistas of picturesque villages, rocky backdrops and volcanic cones as verdant headlands and glittering bays slide by.

The islands have a long history as a place where cultures met and learned from each other, or came into conflict. Our expert guides will introduce you to some of the finest traces of this long past. You will see the great columned temples of the Greeks, including the famed healing shrine of the god Asklepios on Kos, and their spectacular statues, some newly brought up from the depths of the sea. Roman imperial rule brought with it the fine houses of aristocrats, blessed with cool sheltering colonnades and intricate mosaics, and the buildings that supported their busy trading, a testament to a long era of peace. As the Roman Empire became the Christian Byzantine Empire, so we find artists’ hands turning to the intense emotion-filled icons of Orthodox Christianity, and lovingly-made manuscripts prepared in the exceptional monasteries central to their way of life.

With the fading of Byzantine power, we encounter new strands in our story: the Crusader Knights of St John, who ruled the islands and added their own military stamp to them as they strove long and hard in a doomed struggle to maintain an increasingly-isolated Christian outpost in the east. The long Ottoman years followed, adding another layer with their own characteristic architecture and culture, fountain houses and baths. From the unexpected and singular traces of Italian occupation, we reach modern times and the captivating culture of today’s islanders. From the food, sounds and atmosphere of the welcoming tavernas, to the unique local craft of sponge-diving, you will come away feeling truly immersed in this varied archipelago’s many delights.
Cruising the Aegean: From Kos to Patmos

Reviews of this holiday

From Kos to Patmos by Stuart E, 31 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

A great experience with a small passenger group, filled with ancient Greek history, brilliantly explained by our resident ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by A & Stu, 29 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

This cruise embodied a perfect balance of relaxation, amazing scenery, culture, historical education and great varieties ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by Lenore D., 24 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

From swimming in the perfect blue waters in quiet coves in the South Aegean to listening, wrapt, to our archeologist guides ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by ACO, 8 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

A magical seven days sailing the Aegean with stops at historical sites, private coves for swimming and beautiful dining ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by David O, 6 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

The cruise was intimate and informative: a Turkish gulet with 8 other guests plus two archeologists. The itinerary was well ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by Laurie and John Gosch, 8 Jul 2019
Traveller rating:

We chose Peter Sommer’s Cruising the Aegean: from Kos to Patmos because of our love of the Greek Islands and classical archeo... read more

From Kos to Patmos by Skipper, 17 Oct 2018
Traveller rating:

Cruising the Aegean: From Kos to Patmos Dates 26th May 2018 to 2nd June 2018 The trip really began several days ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by Traveller416, 2 Oct 2018
Traveller rating:

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise of the Dodecanese Islands aboard a Turkish Gullet. The pace of on-shore tours and historical ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by Minou, 21 Jun 2018
Traveller rating:

A perfect combination of excellent descriptions of the history of the locations we visited, really interesting local restaura... read more

From Kos to Patmos by Skelly, 18 Jun 2018
Traveller rating:

Cruise around Greek Islands with visits to museums and archaeology sites, swimming and visits to restaurants. Food on board ... read more

Overall Holiday Rating
99%
Excellent 17
Good 1
Average 0
Poor 0
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 18
Reviews Accepted: 18
Reviews Rejected: 0
From Kos to Patmos by Stuart E, 31 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

A great experience with a small passenger group, filled with ancient Greek history, brilliantly explained by our resident ... read more

From Kos to Patmos by A & Stu, 29 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

This cruise embodied a perfect balance of relaxation, amazing scenery, culture, historical education and great varieties ... read more