After breakfast on board, you set out to explore Aegina’s interior. The first stop is the Temple of Aphaea, which dates to around 500 BC and stands on a pine-covered hill on the island’s northeast side. Next, you visit Paleachora, formerly the island’s capital and now an abandoned settlement known as Aegina’s “Mystras.” You follow hiking trails through this ghost town, seeing numerous Byzantine churches and taking in panoramic views of the Saronic Gulf. The tour also includes the Monastery of Saint Nektarios, one of the largest monasteries in the Balkans. This inland tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
You then return to the port of Aegina, where you have free time to shop for souvenirs, sample traditional pistachio products, and have a quick lunch. If you are interested in history, you may visit the Temple of Apollo at the Kolona archaeological site, which is within walking distance of the port. The Archaeological Museum, established in 1829 as the first in Greece, is also nearby. You can also buy fresh fruits and vegetables from traditional floating groceries at the port.
In the afternoon, the yacht sets sail for Poros, a journey of about 11 nautical miles that takes roughly 1.5 hours. Before reaching Poros, there is a stop at a beach for swimming. As you arrive in Poros harbor, you see the town rising amphitheatrically over two hills, with the historic Clock Tower and pastel-colored buildings along the waterfront.
The Temple of Aphaea forms a triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, an alignment noted in ancient Greek architecture.