Ancient Wonders is one of the thematic cruises selected by Travel Mail – and one that includes chania in its itinerary.
The Ionian and Aegean Seas are wonderful contexts for cruising. Begin in Greece, on Corfu, with its epic Renaissance palaces.
Then make for Santorini, where whitewashed churches teeter on the edge of plunging cliffs.
The next stop, Argostoli, is a gateway to the monasteries and beaches (including the breath-taking Myrtos Beach) of Kefalonia — before Corfu beckons again.
Top tip: As you sail from Corfu to Santorini on your second day, sit on the left of the boat. The Peloponnese, the heartland of ancient Greece, will be readily visible to the east as you move south.
Land ahoy: On Crete, visit the Samaria Gorge — a steep-sided wonder, accessible from Chania, where the island’s mountainous interior rears above you.