Scotland and beyond!
Spectacular Greece Island Adventure with Athens, Delphi and the Islands of Crete, Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos and Delos.
September 15th - 29th, 2021.
Neither Mario nor I have any Greek ancestry, but we knew from the minute our island adventure began that one day we would be destined to share our love of Greece and the Greek Islands with others. We were immediately caught up in this magical and mystical land of legends and myths. We were enchanted by the blues of the water and the sky and the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is our hope that you leave Greece as captivated by it as much as we are!
Two weeks through the beautiful Greek Islands of Crete, Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos and Delos with time in Athens with a day trip to Delphi. Your days will be spent island hopping, sightseeing, eating, drinking and visiting amazing beaches. You will also find some of the most spectaculars sunrises and sunsets that you will ever see! You will also see startling blue water and crisp blue skies at every turn! You will enjoy Greek food at its finest and in every form. Santorini produces amazing wine and we will partake a few different times. You can also sample some local liquors like Raki, Ouzo, Mastic and Kitron.
Our first few days will be spent in and around Athens. We will visit the Acropolis and have a guided walk through many of the neighborhoods. Our welcoming dinner will be a tasting tour with 10 Typical Athens Foods and Drinks! We will also visit Delphi, Sanctuary of the God Apollo. We will also have a Hidden Gem Explorer Tour of Athens and visit the Bay of Zea before we leave the mainland behind. Our first island excursion will be to Crete where we visit the Place of Knossos and then walk through the capitol city of Heraklion to see Venetian Monuments, the Castle and the Churches of the city. Much of our stay on Crete will be about food as Cretan cuisine is known world wide. We will take a cooking class and visit a family owned olive farm.
Our second week begins on Santorini where the small villages and hill towns of the island are spectacular and we will take in many of them including our favorite, Megacholori! We will have a gourmet wine pairing lunch while in Megacholori as well as an evening of Wine, Music and Dance at Symposium Music and Mythology Center. We will also visit Oia, one of the most photographed villages in the world! We will also visit the capitol of the island, Fira as well as the hill towns of Pyrgos and Imerovigli. A must visit is the Archealogical site of Akrotiri, an ancient settlement over 4000 years old that was discovered accidentally in the 1870s. We will also visit a few beaches as well as the delightful Kamari Beach Resort with its black sand beaches, multitudes of shops, cafes and restaurants and where we found what we consider to be the best pizza in all of Greece!
Our next island is Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands and definitely, one of the most beautiful! We will see the Ancient Greek Temple of Demeter as well as the traditional villages of Sagri, Halki, Filoti and Apiranthos.
Our final days will be spent on the Islands of Mykonos and Delos. Famous for its minimal Cycladic Architecture, Mykonos is full of Traditional Whitewashed Houses and Blue-Domed Churches. We will have a walking tour of Mykonos Town and also an Eternal Delos Tour with impressive mosaics and the breathtaking architectural miracles of the Hellenistic and Roman installations of an important urban centre older more than 2000 years old. As with all of our tours we have tried to give a wide variety of accommodations and locations as possible.
Price includes 15 nights luxury and boutique accommodation, 10 dinners, 10 lunches and breakfast each morning, all activities, sightseeing and entrance fees as listed in itinerary, all taxes, fees and service charges. Guided minibus travel with luggage handling.
$7995 per person.
$1195 Single Supplement.
$500 deposit to book your spot.
Only 1 Single Available!
Pre-Tour - September 14th - Arrive into Athens International Airport and make your way to our accommodation in the heart of Athens. You will have the day to relax and get adjusted to the time change before the tour starts the following morning. Overnight Athens.
Day 1 - September 15th - This morning we will join a foodie tour we will satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with our local guide and host. We will enjoy several delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks and end up in a delightful hidden restaurant for lunch on this amazing food tour of Athens. Then we delve into the fascinating world of Ancient Greece and explore the Acropolis with a local guide. At the Acropolis we will learn the secrets of the Rock with its visual corrections, colors, architectural masterpieces and the stories behind them. From here we walk along the Areopagitou Street to see areas of the city that have been inhabited for thousands of years. The walk will end at the Agora, which is one of the best known examples of an assembly place that can be found in every Greek village centuries ago. Our tour will end in the bustling Monastraki neighborhood in the old town of Athens. The neighborhood fringes the Agora and is full of tavernas, cafés and shops and there is a huge flea market here. If you can't find some treasure in this neighborhood you probably will not find it in all of Greece! We then return to our hotel to get rested up before our Welcoming Dinner and Overnight Athens. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - This morning we take a day trip to Delphi, the Sanctuary of the God Apollo. Developed in the 8th Century BC, the sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the Priestess Pythia, who was famed throughout the ancient world for divining the future and was consulted before all major undertakings. It was also home of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics. Delphi declined with the rise of Christianity and was ultimately buried under the site of a new village until the late 1800s. Delphi is situated between two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus known as the Phaidriades (Shining) Rocks. According to Greek mythology, Zeus sent out two eagles, one to the east and the other to the west, to find the navel of the world. The eagles met at the future site of Delphi — Zeus marked the spot with a sacred stone called the Omphalos (meaning navel), which was later held at the sanctuary of Apollo. The moment you step foot in the town of Delphi, you will feel the vibes of spiritualism going through your body and you will realize why ancient Greeks called this place the navel of the earth. Here we will discover all the myths that touch on the existence of the place and let ourselves be fascinated by the archaeological site. We will explore the Temple of Apollo, the Famous Oracle, where many historical events were foreseen during the antiquity, find out all about the Theatre of Delphi and the Athens Treasury, while taking in the magnificent view of the south slope of Mount Parnassos. Then we can admire all the statues and artifacts taken by the archaeological site of Delphi in the magnificent Delphi Archaeological Museum. The whole experience of our tour in Delphi will be not only inspiring but also breathtaking! We will make stops from and to Delphi including a stop for lunch. The end of the day finds us back in Athens where you can find dinner on your own. Overnight Athens. (B,L)
Day 3 - This morning we leave Athens behind a take a short tour of the Peloponnese Peninsula. Our first main stop is the beautifully preserved remains of Ancient Corinth, one of Greece’s most powerful and influential city states of Antiquity. We will take a stroll through the streets, temples, markets, and fountains in the footsteps of the Classical Greeks, Ancient Romans and St. Paul with our guide who will share all the wonders of this amazing ancient site. We next stop in the wonderful Venetian seaside town of Nafplio where we settle into a local taverna for lunch and then do some exploring. Nafplio is known as the most romantic destination in Greece and is truly a delight to explore! Our next stop is at the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios, first healing centre of the Ancient World. We will also see the impressive Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece. The temple and theatre date from the 4th century and feature masterpieces of classical Greek architecture. We then make our way to Piraeus Port where you can have dinner after we board our overnight ferry to the island of Crete. Ferry departs at 9:00pm. Overnight at Sea. (B,L)
Day 4 - This morning we wake up in Heraklion and take an excursion through the mountains and along the sea taking in hill towns and coastal villages in the eastern end of the island. Our first stop of the day is the lovely village of Archanes which sits in rolling hills surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The village is made up of Kato Archanes and Epano Archanes, lower and upper villages dominated by the large mountain Giouktas, and gorges, forests and spectacular nature. Our next stop is Ano Viannos, a mountain village built on the southern slopes of the Dikti Mountains. As with most villages in this area it has kept the old traditional architectural style. The main product of Viannos is its unique and famous olive oil. Our next stop is Myrtos with its narrow streets of whitewashed, sugar cube houses with cobalt-blue shutters and balconies ablaze with geraniums, oleander and hydrangeas. This little coastal village is the epitome of Greek prettiness and a walk along the promenade will be a necessary must. The highlight of the day will be a visit to the Crete Olive Oil Farm for their Cretan Cultural Panorama. This is a family operation where with the utmost care and attention, the family retrieved their 130 year-old olive press from the village of Vrouchas and carried it intact onto their Farm’s premises. Everything has been re-assembled as found in its original environment. We start with a tour around the farm and learn everything about olive oil production, olive harvesting and how to check the quality of olive oil. Then we learn traditional cheese making with a Shepard who will show us how the local cheese is produced using the traditional methods. Then Despena from Kroustas will share traditional cooking recipes as we help her prepare some Cretan delicacies, such as stuffed vine leaves with tzatziki and local handmade pasta. We then eat our creations along with tastings of their olive oils, olive paste, Greek olives, sundried tomatoes, capers, wine and Raki. On the way home we will stop in Sisi by the Sea where the harbour is truly a work of art by Mother Nature. The natural harbour was created by the sea burrowing deep far into the land, forming a long and narrow bay, protected by a small stone wave-breaker. Overnight Crete. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Today we spend in and around Heraklion, also known as Iraklio, a port city and the capital of the island known for the Palace of Knossos. After breakfast we make our way to the Palace to meet our guide and get lost in the world famous legendary Labyrinth of the Palace of Knossos. We will wander around the stone paved floors that the incredible Minoans were walking on 4,000 years ago! You will be amazed by the unmatched Minoan Art and Frescoes like the famous bull-leaping, the wonderful dolphins and the beautiful Parisian. We will explore the Royal Premises where King Minos lived, where the famous Daedalus invented skylights, the first toilets, ventilation, anti-earthquake measures, sewers and water-pipe systems in a vast palatial complex which extended in 210000 square feet and had up to 1500 rooms spread over 5 stories! We then make our way into the center of Heraklion where our guide will show us Venetian Monuments, the Castle, the Churches of the city and then to have lunch like a local and enjoy the famous Cretan cuisine! After lunch you will have time to explore Hereklion further and then we will return to our hotel before we meet for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Crete. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - This morning we take the 2 hour ferry trip from Heraklion to Fira on Santorini. Once we arrive onto the island we then make our way to our favorite place on Santorini, Megalochori, one of the most picturesque villages on the island. This 17th century village is home to historical mansions, old traditional houses, pirate hideaways and wine canavas, it has a history of merchants and wealthy land barons exporting Vinsanto wine that the island still produces. A prominent feature of the historical homes and mansions are the high walls, inner courtyards and solid wooden door entrances, built for privacy and for safety against marauding pirates. After some exploring we will settle in for a traditional Santorini lunch. Megalochori also has a beautiful town square where all the locals hang out and eat their ice cream from Mr. Scoop's. You will not find any better ice cream anywhere on the island! After some time in Megalochori we will explore the village of Pyrgos, the former capital of Santorini and the best-preserved medieval settlement on the island. Pyrgos can be found at the highest point of Santorini, with panoramic views of the whole island all the way to the village of Oia. This hillside village was declared a protected settlement in 1995 and the village retains an unruffled air of easy grace and is lovely to walk in. After thoroughly exploring Pyrgos we get checked into our accommodation before going to dinner. Following dinner we take in the Greek Wedding Show for an evening of celebrating the Greek culture through, music, dance. wine and the famous Greek Mezedes. Dinner and Overnight Santorini. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - This morning we make our way to Oia, one of the most photographed villages in Greece. As it is most popular at sunset we prefer to explore it in the morning when it is not so crowded that you can't enjoy it. Small white houses tier the hillside, interspersed by splashes of rich okra, deep fuchsia, cobalt blue, oyster pink and earthy red. Smooth winding paths interconnect, interrupted now and then by a small church, and at every corner there is something new to discover. Even though it is known for the best sunset in Greece, you can actually enjoy this same sunset from almost anywhere on Santorini, so we will enjoy the sunset from a different location tonight! We will lunch in Fira before taking in the archeology site of Akrotiri. This Minoan site is a must-visit on Santorini and one of the main attractions of the island. This big settlement of more than 4000 years was discovered accidentally in the 1870s, while the major part of the excavation took place almost a century later. Unearthed then was the ancient town of Akrotiri along with its houses, roads and items of daily life, all of Minoan origins. Archaeologists believe that the town was originally constructed around 4,500 BC, but in the 17th century BC it was destroyed by an earthquake. A new town was built on the ruins of the old town until it was also destroyed by the volcanic eruption about one century later. This evening we are out to a coastal restaurant where the sunsets are amazing! Dinner and Overnight Santorini. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - As we are half way through the tour we will leave today for you to enjoy any way you like. The 3 Villas we are staying in offer the peace and quiet of the surrounding scenery situated on the world famous Santorinian Caldera. The villas are characterized by traditional Cycladic Style Architecture with modern decor and lovely suites. Each Villa has its own private pool, hot tub and large furnished sun terrace with unlimited sea and Caldera view. Breakfast is prepared in the main kitchen of the resort and then served to each Villa. Everything is served in the villas from breakfast, cocktails and snacks or a fine dining meal that you can order separately. You can also eat at the on site restaurant or wander up the beach to a nearby restaurant. There is also a spa where you can relax and recover with a wide variety of healing massages, facial and body treatments, manicures and pedicures! You can also use the central swimming pool area with its bar and restaurant. The village of Akrotiri is a lovely 20 minute walk away and has some of the best views on the island which reach as far as Oia. Akrotiri is home to magnificent sunsets, wonderful fish taverns, quiet undeveloped beaches, and tiny churches. Enjoy your day and get rested up for the second half of our adventure! Overnight Santorini. (B)
Day 9 - This morning we take the one and a half hour ferry to the island of Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands and definitely one of the most beautiful! Upon arrival into the ferry port we will be met by our guide who is a Naxos expert! We will have a great sampling of the island with some Archeological sites like the Ancient Greek Temple of Demeter, some historical sites with some off the beaten path Old Byzantine Churches with beautiful frescoes inside, some Venetian Towers, the Traditional and Picturesque Villages of Sagri, Halki, Filoti and my favorite, Apiranthos. These lovely villages in the mountains have different natural landscapes with spectacular scenery along the way including lush countryside, green valleys, olive groves, orchards and mountains. In the village of Halki we will have a short visit to the famous local liquor distillery, called Kitron, with a tasting. It is one of the oldest distilleries in Greece and along with making Kitron they also make local liquors like Ouzo and Mastic which is Mario's favourite as it is quite sweet. We will also stop in a family shop to taste some local mountain honey, olive oils, spices and jams. This is a great place to get olive oil! We will also visit some local artists and artisans like the famous Fish & Olive Ceramic Gallery, traditional fabrics, local products. One of the highlights of the trip will be lunch at a family owned restaurant high up in the mountains with a beautiful panoramic view facing the sea! After our tour we get settled into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Naxos. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - This morning you will have some free time in the Old Town of Naxos also known as Chora, the capitol of the island. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful Cycladic villages in the entire island group for it has a fine architecture composed of Venetian and Cycladic elements that have kept an authentic and traditional character with a strong local color. You may want to visit the Castle, or Kastro in Greek. It has a pentagonic shape, built according to Venetian Architecture with beautiful buildings, mansions, monuments and churches standing surrounding it on the paved narrow streets. It is a beautiful and charming place that has kept its medieval atmosphere with the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, housed in an old Jesuit Commercial school. In the northern part of the city a long paved road leads to the islet of Palatia (Palaces) where the unfinished Temple of Apollo stands and where the famous Portara (Big Door) which is the gate of the temple can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. It is a very nice walk up to the top. After you find some lunch we will take an excursion to the southern end of the island taking in the lovely beaches of Plaka, Kastraki and Pirgaki and the Cedar Forest of Alyko. We will stop at a lovely seaside restaurant for dinner and to watch the sunset. Dinner and Overnight Naxos. (B,D)
Day 11 - This morning we make a very short ferry crossing of only 40 minutes to the island of Mykonos. Famous for its minimal Cycladic Architecture, Mykonos is full of Traditional Whitewashed Houses and Blue-Domed Churches. The trademark of the island though, is the beautiful Traditional Windmills in front of Little Venice, where you can also enjoy a magical sunset and capture the colorful light washing up the island’s main town of Mykonos. Since it is lunch time we will stop along the water for lunch. After lunch you can wander through Mykonos before we make our way to our accommodation to get checked in and perhaps explore the nearby beach.. We then make our way back to Mykonos Town where we will have a Guided Sunset Walk with our guide who will take us through the charming labyrinth of this delightful town. The tour starts in front of the town hall of Mykonos, right at the old port. Together we walk to the stunning windmills, through the Little Venice district, with stops at Paraportiani, an emblematic church of the island and at a captain’s family house which now houses a folk history museum. We will pose together at the “White alley”, one of the most untouched and picturesque spots of the town, before traversing through public gardens and visiting a mosaic workshop. Dinner and Overnight Mykonos. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - This morning we will take a southern coastal drive of Mykonos taking in spectacular coastline and some amazing beaches including one of our favourites, Elia. After a walk on the beach We then make our way to Mont Pithos for perfect panoramas of the whole of Mykonos. After all of our sightseeing we make our way to Mykonos Vioma Farm and Vineyard, a Historic Monastery Vineyard that dates back to the 19th century. We will meet the Asimomytis Family and have an authentic wine tasting and farm-to-table experience. After returning to Mykonos Town we take the short ferry crossing across to the island of Delos for a Sunset Eternal Delos Tour. The unique landscape and the antiquities of Delos are filled with impressive mosaics and the breathtaking architectural miracles of the Hellenistic and Roman installations of an important urban centre older more than 2000 years old. We will explore the remnants of the sanctuary of Apollo, retelling the myths of this “holy island” and realizing its impact in our lives today. Interaction, humorous tidbits inspired by the site, stories and interesting comments of previous visitors, even the “performance” of dropping a bucket into an ancient well to bring you water are included during this 4hr tour. Dinner on your own in Mykonos tonight. Overnight Mykonos. (B,L)
Day 13 - Today we will further explore the island of Mykonos taking in the central area of the island and some of its villages. One of our stops along the way will be the picturesque village of Ano Mera. Only a few miles from Mykonos Town, this cozy Cycladic village remains greatly authentic and tranquil. The settlement is the second largest on the island, flaunting a beautifully paved central square, the well-maintained church of Panagia Tourliani, along with the uphill Gyzi Castle and Paleokastro Monastery. Just a few miles away we find Mykonos Spiti(home)where we will experience the traditional Greek way of life, the culture, the Greek art of cooking and feel just as if we are visiting close relatives or friends. Our traditional lunch will be accompanied by several local wines. The farm offers the ideal adventure by bringing all guests close to the traditional domesticated animals and organic farming of a Mykonian Farm with a good variety of domestic animals to visit. On our way back home we will also stop at Armenistis Lighthouse. The lighthouse, a sentinel of the old maritime traditions of Mykonos, is presently under the Hellenic Navy’s Hydrographic Office’s wind. It sits atop the edge of the hill overlooking the azure Aegean. With its undisturbed sea views, it creates an ideal environment for visitors to admire! After a full day of exploring the island we return to Mykonos Town. Dinner and Overnight Mykonos. (B,L,D)
Day 14 -We take the ferry from Mykonos to Rafina on the mainland which is very close to the Athens International Airport. It is a four and a half hour journey, but you will be very comfortable in your VIP Pullman Seat. You can find lunch onboard, visit the shop, take in the cinema and enjoy the open deck. Once at Rafina we will take a final coastal journey taking in many picturesque viewpoints and beaches. Along the way we will stop at the Temple of Artemis at Vravrona, one of the 12 ancient cities of Attica prior to the Synoikismos of Theseus and was among the most important sacred sites of ancient times. The first inhabitants were settled in Vravrona in about 3,500 BC, and were of the Pelasgians Tribe. Gradually the town developed around an acropolis and many important politicians of Athens originated from Vravrona including Miltiades, Cimon and the tyrant Pisistratus who with his sons originally founded this Cult of Artemis in the 6th century B.C. Artemis, the Goddess was worshiped as the protector of nature and women and she was mostly worshiped as the protector of child delivery. Women who had a good delivery offered their clothes and personal items to goddess Artemis, while the clothes of women who died during delivery were offered to the grave of Iphigeneia, who was considered a Chthonic Deity (deity of the Underworld). The grave of Iphigeneia can be seen even today in a cave on the archaeological site. We then get settled into our accommodation before a Farewell Dinner and Overnight Athens Airport. (B,D)
Day 15 - This morning our Greece adventure ends as we make our way to the departures terminal from our hotel.