Ancient Athens and Idyllic Islands of Greece

On arrival in Athens, the birthplace of western civilization, you will be met and transferred to your hotel located near the old Plaka district and within walking distance of the Acropolis. Plaka is the oldest part of Athens, an area now packed with restaurants and shops. You’ll have the rest of the day free to relax. Enjoy exploring nearby dining options and perhaps find a lively pub for a refreshing cocktail.

Spend the morning exploring the Acropolis, the vantage point that offered protection for the ancient city-state and the center of ancient Athenian religious and commercial life. See the fifth-century BC Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the Temple of Nike, which is much smaller than the other temples of the Acropolis. Your history lesson will be completed with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a museum that the Athenians are most proud of. This museum focuses on the Acropolis archaeological site, built to house all the artifacts on and around the acropolis. The museum itself was carefully built over Roman and Byzantine ruins.

Return to your hotel where you have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Athens on your own. Consider taking a walk through the Plaka neighborhood past Constitution Square, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, and the House of Parliament, which was the royal palace until 1935. Nearby is the Temple of Olympian Zeus ruins, Hadrian’s Arch, and Panathinaiko Stadium, the venue for the first Olympic Games.

Early this morning, a private car will transfer you to the airport in time to board the flight to Mykonos island. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel.

Mykonos, known as the “Island of the Winds,” is part of the Cyclades (Circular Islands), which comprise about 220 islands that form a circle around the sacred island of Delos. The name comes from its first ruler, Mykonos, son or grandson of the god Apollo. According to Greek mythology, this is where the great battle between Zeus and the Giants took place and the large rocks on the island are supposedly the petrified corpses of the giants that were killed by Hercules.

Enjoy the rest of the day exploring this island on your own with a walk along the pebbled streets, a drink in one of its many cafés, a sophisticated dinner, and the vibrant and world-famous nightlife of the town.

Enjoy two full days of free time to explore the island’s best beaches with their fine sand and crystal water, perfect for swimming. If you’re looking for some action, consider windsurfing, water-skiing, and even scuba diving. Other activities we recommend are:

• A visit to the famous windmills, an iconic feature of Mykonos that can be seen from all over the island. Most of the windmills were built by the Venetians to mill wheat in the 16th century, but they have been nicely preserved throughout the centuries. The scene of the mills with the setting sun in the background is particularly breathtaking.
• See the 15th-century Church of Panagia Paraportiani in the town of Chora. This stunning whitewashed church is actually five separate churches that are joined together.
• Visit the Aegean Maritime Museum, housed in a 19th-century Mykonian-style building, to learn more about Greek maritime history and tradition.
• Take a stroll along “Little Venice,” considered one of the most romantic places on Mykonos Island. This charming neighborhood lines the sea with beautiful, whitewashed, traditional homes with blue trim in a Venitian fashion. Most of these homes have been converted into bars and restaurants while still maintaining their traditional charm.
• Take a day excursion to the nearby island of Delos, one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The excavations here under the direction of the French School of Athens are some of the most extensive in the Mediterranean. Delos was a holy sanctuary and the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, according to Greek mythology. The island was once deemed so sacred that mortals were not allowed to be born or die on the island.

Your Adventure Specialist can help pre-arrange any activities or tours you’d like to include (additional activities or tours are not included in the land cost).

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet the guide for your transfer to the port to board the ferry to Santorini, an incredibly scenic crescent-shaped island. Santorini is an active volcano. The last big eruption here occurred about 3,600 years ago during the Minoan period. On arrival, you’ll be assisted with the transfer to your centrally located hotel and then have the rest of the day free to do as you like.

Santorini has a beautiful landscape with breathtaking black and red beaches. And the sunsets are spectacular! You’ll have the next two days free to take in the beauty however you’d like, whether relaxing under the sun with a good book, strolling the beaches, swimming in the blue ocean, walking along the caldera from Fira to Oia, horseback riding in Exo Gonia, or scuba diving or snorkeling in the beautiful waters.

You’ll want to be sure to spend time exploring the villages and towns of Santorini such as:

• Fira, a stunning town perched on top of a cliff
• Katerados, with traditional Santorini architectural styles
• Firostefani, for unique views of the volcano
• Pyrgos, the highest point on the island with a picturesque monastery
• Megalochori, a traditional village with many old Cycladic churches
• Akrotiri, an archaeological site with a fascinating history
• Mesaria, a market town
• Imerovigli, which, along with Katerados and Firostefani, offer stunning sunset views

Your Adventure Specialist can also pre-arrange guided tours of any of these towns, or assist with a visit to a local winery or the Prophet Ilias Monastery. Every town is spectacular and has something to offer, but if you pick just one, consider a day tour in Akrotiri. This 3,500-year-old Minoan town is preserved in volcanic ash much like Pompeii, and here, the ruins are extremely well preserved. Streets, buildings, stairs, and even the second floors of buildings are still visible. See Minoan pottery and frescoes, and with a little imagination, feel what it would have been like to live in ancient Greece.

Note: All additional touring is an extra cost.

For your last morning in Santorini, enjoy some downtime and breakfast at leisure in your hotel, or consider stopping by the shops and stalls in town for some final souvenirs. Then, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. Not ready to leave? Consider adding an extension to explore another Greek Island such as Crete.