Pre tour - September 3rd - Arrive into Athens International and make your way to our downtown Athens hotel. You can use this day for sightseeing, resting up and getting adjusted to the time change. The tour will start from the lobby of the hotel the following morning.
Day 1 - September 4th - This morning we will 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! From here we will join a join a foodie tour where you will satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with our local guide and host. We will start out in in a delightful hidden restaurant for lunch and then enjoy several delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on this amazing food tour of Athens. 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. 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 and Ancient Corinth. According to myth, the first Kings of Corinth were descendants of Sisyphos, the man who was punished by the Gods for his hubris by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down again when they came near the top, repeating this action for eternity. Thanks to traffic and trade over the Isthmos, the narrow strip of land that connects the Peloponnesos to the mainland of Greece and Attika, this ancient city, whose foundation dates back to the 10th century BCE, could easily compete in terms of wealth and fame with Athens and Thebes. Until the middle of the 6th century BCE Corinth's main export product were the black-figured vases, many of which made their way to several colonies in Magna Graecia. We will have a guided tour of 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. Our guide will bring this ancient city to life and will share from her heart why she loves it here. We will have lunch in Ancient Corinth before making our way to wonderful Venetian seaside town of Nafplio where you will have some amazing ice cream and then have time to do some exploring. Nafplio is known as the most romantic destination in Greece and is truly a delight to explore! We then make our way to Piraeus Port where we will board our overnight ferry to the island of Crete. Once onboard you will be able to find some dinner before we depart Piraeus at 9:00pm. Overnight at Sea. (B,L)
Day 4 - This morning we arrive into the port of Chania on Crete and then depart our ferry. Much of our time on Crete will be exploring coastlines, hill towns and lovely seaside villages. As were are in Chania we will start our exploration here. With a long history, a spectacular old city that surrounds the Venetian harbor with famous gorges and scenic mountain villages at its doorstep, Chania is a true delight! After a walk around the old city we begin our journey east towards Hereklion. Our next stop is Fres, built at the foothills of the White Mountains and in the heart of the Cretian wetlands. Just a short distance from here we find Vamos, also at the base of the White Mountains and one of the most architecturally perfect villages of crete! Next we stop at Rethymno, strongly influenced by the Venetians, the town boasts elegant architecture and a picturesque port. We will have lunch here before making our way further along the coast to the village of Agia Pelagia, a seaside fishing village built in the centre of a picturesque amphitheatric bay. Surrounded by mountains and hills, Agia Pelagia lies right in the middle of Crete and has about 9 small sandy or rocky beaches. After a walk on the beach we make our way to our accommodation near Hereklion to get checked in before dinner. Dinner and overnight Crete. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Today we will take an excursion through the mountains and along the sea taking in hill towns and coastal villages in the eastern end of the island. The first stop will be in Sisi by the Sea with its harbour which is truly a work of art by Mother Nature. The natural harbor was created by the sea burrowing deep far into the land, forming a long and narrow bay, protected by a small stone wave-breaker. We will also stop in the lovely seaside town of Saint Nicholas before visiting the Cretan Olive Oil Farm, 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 will assist in the process of the traditional olive oil production (first press) and then have a cooking class! 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 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. We will also stop in the lovely hillside 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. We then return home where you can find some dinner on your own. Overnight Crete. (B,L)
Day 6 - This morning we make our way into Heraklion, also known as Iraklio, a port city and the capital of the island and is known for the Palace of Knossos, just outside the city. Once in the city we make our way to the Palace of Knossos 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 the rest of the afternoon to explore Heraklion further before we meet for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Crete. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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 into Alisachni Wine and Art Gallery where we will have a 4 Course Gourmet Lunch with Wine Pairings. 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 dinner. 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. We fell in love Megalachori on our first visit and our love has only grown so our accommodation will be close enough for you to take in more of the delights of one of the most delightful villages on the island. 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. A great effort is been made by local residents and businessmen to preserve the characteristics and beauty of this traditional settlement, and many of the original houses that had fallen into disrepair, have been restored to their former glory. Our accommodation has majestic Caldera views over the Aegean from all suites which boast big verandas facing the sea. You can subathe by the pool, walk into the village and visit one of the nearby wineries. Enjoy your day and get rested up for the second half of the tour! Overnight Santorini. (B)
Day 9 - 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. Next we are off the Capitol of the island, Fira. It can be found on the west coast of the island, on the caldera cliffs opposite the volcano. Modern day Fira is the cultural and commercial center of the Santorini and apart from the museums, galleries and cultural events, it has the island's largest shopping center. 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 after 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 10 - 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 at Naxos 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 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 return to our accommodation where you can find some dinner on your own. Overnight Naxos. (B,L)
Day 12 - 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. Before visiting Mykonos Town we take a short journey 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. We then have a guided walk of Mykonos Town with a professional local 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 our favorite public gardens and visiting a mosaic workshop. On this lovely guided walk we will learn as much as we can about living in Mykonos, the culture and the feeling of a wonderful settlement. We then get checked into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Mykonos. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - This morning we take the short ferry crossing across to the island of Delos for an 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 4 hour tour. The tour ends at the old port and from here you will be able to find some lunch and do some exploring on your own before we take a drive out of town to explore some of the breathtaking coastline and stop for a walk on the beach. We will also stop at Armenistis 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! We then have a dinner outing on another beach to watch the spectacular sunset as we dine. Dinner and Overnight Mykonos. (B,D)
Day 14 - This morning you will have some free time in Mykonos Town to further explore and do some last minute shopping, sightseeing or picture taking. The heart of the city is closed to traffic during most of the day which makes the walk among the labyrinth streets particularly agreeable, especially during the early morning when the city is calmer for most of the people are at the beaches or still sleeping after a long night of clubbing. The main town can be walked all on foot and is adorned with numerous cafes, chic boutiques, souvenir shops and fine jewelry shops. We then 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. We then get settled into our accommodation before a Farewell Dinner and Overnight Athens Airport. (B,D)
Day 15 - September 19th - This morning our Greece adventure ends as we make our way to the departures terminal from our hotel. We are staying at the only hotel that is just a few steps away from the departures terminal so you can make your way there at the best time for your flight.
