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3,500 years after the legendary Argo, which according to myth carried Jason and the Argonauts on their heroic quest for the Golden Fleece in Colchis, an exact relpica of the historic trireme sets sail from Volos on a 60 day trip to Venice.

(Reuters)

The modern-day Argo, with 50 oarsmen aboard, is a reconstruction of an ancient Greek penteconter with a ram and a simple sail and belongs to the same family as Homer’s long ships. The present-day Argo is expected to travel between 10 and 15 nautical miles a day until it reaches its final destination in Venice on August 12, stopping at 37 ports on the way. During this trip, it will raise six flags, equal to the number of countries whose waters will traverse. These include Greece, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, where oarsmen will carry the message of peace and friendship. The expedition is part of the Cultural Olympics and to promote the Mediterranean Games which will be held in Volos and Larissa in 2013.