Beautiful Greece
9 days/ 8 nights
Day 1 – Morning or evening arrival
Upon your arrival in Athens be welcomed by your English-Speaking assistant and depart to your hotel for check in. Overnight in Athens.
Day 2 – City Tour of Athens & The Acropolis
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your Guide for your city tour. Start by visiting the Panathenaic Stadium, the cradle of the first modern Olympic Games that took place in 1896 (short stop). The stadium is impressive both for its history and for its U-shape and seats more than 70,000 spectators on a surface completely covered by Pendeli white marble, the same kind used to build the Parthenon. Continue your tour passing by the National Garden, the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square Parliament House, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Russian Orthodox Church and finally visit Acropolis site. Admire the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Your last visit is the Acropolis Museum, where at last the statues and friezes of the Acropolis found their home. After the end of the tour return to your accommodation. Overnight in Athens.
Day 3 – Full Day tour to Delphi. Visit the sanctuary of Apollo
After breakfast, meet your English speaking-guide and depart for your two-day Delphi and Meteora tour. Drive through the fertile plain of Beotia, crossing the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus – Levadia and Arachova. Arrive at Delphi, the center of Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a
landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the archaeological site including the Treasury of the Athenians and the Temple of Apollo. Continue and have a short stop at the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese. Depart for Kalambaka, passing through villages and towns of Central Greece. Upon arrival in Kalambaka, check in to your hotel. Enjoy your dinner at hotel. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 4 – Two-day tour to Delphi and Meteora. Visit Meteora Monasteries.
After breakfast, check out and meet your English speaking-guide at hotel lobby. Depart for your visit to the nearby Byzantine monasteries, built on top of rock towers and providing fantastic views over the plain. Meteora, is included in the UNESCO world heritage monuments. The monasteries are perched on top of towers of sandstone, which for centuries provided totally inaccessible retreats for the monks. It is considered one of the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece, and the monasteries are one of the country’s most unique attractions. Start your departure trip to Athens. On the way back, you will pass by the heroic monument of Leonidas king of Sparta in Thermopylae (15’ stop for photos), built to commemorate the battle at Thermopylae. Upon arrival to hotel for check in. Overnight in Athens.
Day 5 – Travel to Mykonos, the Cosmopolitan Island
After an early breakfast, meet with your English-Speaking driver and depart for the port of Piraeus for your ferry to Mykonos Island.
Upon arrival at Mykonos port, you will be transferred to your hotel in Mykonos. After arrival you will be transferred (shared basis) to Mykonos Town to start exploring the labyrinth of Mykonos port town. Time for your walking tour to the island of the world-famous windmills, little Venice, Paraportiani church, the small fisherman
port with the church of Saint Nikolas and Yialos area with all its cafés and restaurants, all leading to the main square “Manto”. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 6 – Travel to Santorini, the Romantic Island
After breakfast, enjoy your free morning in Mykonos. At set time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred with your English-Speaking driver to Mykonos port, to take a speed-ferry to Santorini Island.
Upon arrival meet with your English-Speaking assistant and driver and transfer to your hotel for check in. Free afternoon in Santorini. Enjoy a glass of Santorini wine in a café/ bar /restaurant, while admiring the view of the Caldera and the world known Santorini sunset. Overnight in Santorini.
Day 7 – Explore Santorini by Choosing between the suggested tours
Option1: Volcano Cruise and Sunset
Duration approx.: 6hrs Inclusions: English speaking Assistant, Dinner & Transportation, Volcano Entrance fees
Sail across Santorini’s beautiful ‘caldera’ (flooded crater) and visit the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia on this 6-hour cruise. Board a sightseeing boat and admire Santorini’s cliffs and as you cruise to Nea Kameni. Enjoy free time to walk around its volcanic crater & swim in the warm springs and enjoy the sunset on board.
Departure: The excursion starts from the port of Santorini. There the guides of your excursion will be waiting for you, to give you all the important information and to orientate you on the boat.
Volcano: Our first destination will be the famous volcano of Santorini! After 20 minutes sailing, we will reach Nea Kameni’s jetty. Should you be interested to be guided at the volcano, you should pay 5euro/ per person as an entrance fee. Then, you will walk to the volcano’s ridge with your guide, and he is going to explain you everything about the history and the geology of the volcano. You will stay at the volcanic island for 1.5hr and in the end you will embark again to our boat for the next stop.
Hot Springs: Our next stop will be the island of Palea Kameni where the famous hot springs are located on the west side. A place that is popular for its thermal waters. We will stop there for 30min at a distance of 30 meters from the shallow waters of Agios Nicholaos’ beach. The waters are mixed with mud that they are full of sulfur, iron and other metals coming from the volcano and they are very good for the skin, rheumatism, arthritis, and other physical pains. Important Note: To reach Agios Nicholaos’ beach is essential to swim extremely well.
Thirassia: Sailing above the underwater craters from Palia Kameni to Thirasia Island, the boat will anchor close to the island to enjoy the view and swim for 30 minutes.
Sailing during sunset: The end of the excursion comes on sunset time where the sun dives to the sea in the northernmost part of the island. Our boat will stop very close to Oia village where you will have the chance to watch the warm light of the setting sun under the violet sky before the night falls. This is the most unforgettable experience as the Caldera and the village of Oia will turn into gold color. Your trip in this sanctuary of romance is going to be in your memories and your hearts forever! During sunset time we will provide you free wine and dinner.
Option 2: Exploring the Myth
Organized basis (coach and traditional boat) Duration approx.: 6hrs
Itinerary: Volcano & Hot springs Cruise, Akrotiri Excavations, Lost Atlantis Museum
Inclusions: Transfers from/to meeting points, Akrotiri and Lost Atlantis Entrance fees, Licensed Guide & Local Assistant Exclusions: Gratuities, Personal Expenses, Volcano Entrance fees
This excursion starts by taking you to a journey in time and the island’s history – from the emblematic Volcano where everything began to Prehistoric Thera and to the myth of Lost Atlantis.
Your cruise departs from the port. You’ll be arriving at the volcano bay, where we’ll be docking, and you can follow the path to the top where active craters are. Next, you’ll be moving to the island of Palea Kameni for the hot springs, where the water temperature ranges from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. Return to the port keeping great memories of your journey in time and continue your tour.
You are guided to the prehistoric town that inspired the Lost Atlantis myth and is unveiled before your eyes! This town was buried under the volcanic ash after the huge volcano eruption of 1612 BC that destroyed the Minoan civilization. Your licensed guide introduces you to Akrotiri and walks with you between the paths and
the well-maintained buildings that ancient Greeks live in for many centuries.
Experience the great eruption, one of the biggest events of the prehistoric Medi- terranean! Feel the earthquake and tsunami with all your senses and see the destruction of mythical Atlantis before your eyes, in a 9D experience.
Overnight in Santorini.
Day 8 – Santorini – Athens
After breakfast, you will depart to Santorini airport for your flight to Athens. Upon arrival at Athens Airport meet with your English-speaking assistant and head for your hotel in Athens. If there is time available, enjoy a walk in Plaka, the old historical neighborhood of Athens. Located under the Acropolis, incorporating a labyrinth of narrow streets and neoclassical architecture, this area is full of restaurants, traditional tavernas, café, jewelry, and souvenir shops. Don’t miss seeing the Anafiotika part of Plaka, with houses built following the Cycladic architectural style. Enjoy your dinner at a local taverna and after head to your hotel for check in. Overnight in Athens.
Day 9 – Athens – Departure
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel with your English-speaking driver and transferred to Athens Airport to catch your international flight back home.
Price per person from $1,998
INCLUDED:
4 nights on BB basis at a 4* hotel in Athens: Hotel Athens Tiare or similar 4*.
1 night on HB Basis at a 4* hotel * in Kalambaka.
1 night on on BB basis at a 4* hotel in Mykonos: Harmony Boutique Hotel or similar 4*.
2 nights on BB Basis at a 4* hotel * in Santorini: Daedalus Hotel or similar 4*.
Tours:
Organized (SIC) Athens’s city tour with professional English-speaking guide including Acropolis and Acropolis Museum with the respective entrance fees (daily departures).
Organized (SIC) Two-day Delphi and Meteora tour with professional English-speaking guide including sightseeing tour at Delphi and Meteora with the respective entrance fees.
Private Transportation in Athens as mentioned in itinerary.
The above rates do not include:
Meals and drinks not mentioned in itinerary.
Tips for drivers / guides/escorts.
Portage at hotels/airports/ports.
Overnight tax (payable directly at hotels).
Overnight tax to be paid directly by clients at hotels in Greece (4 Euro per room per night in 5-star hotel, 3 Euro per room per night in 4-star hotel, 1,5 Euro per room per night in 3-star hotel).
Any other service that is not mentioned in the above itinerary.
