ATHENS, HERAKLION and the CYCLADIC ISLANDS (Tailor Made)

Athens Sightseeing with Acropolis Museum: From Tuesday to Sunday, all year round - Dep: 08:30 - Ret: 13:30From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, with the half-day sightseeing and Acropolis museum tour you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided halfday tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens.  

At the end of the tour, transfer to the port and overnight ferry to Heraklion.

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry, and music). Crete was once the centre of the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.

Visit to Knossos and the Archaeology Museum : We'll start the tour in the morning with a visit to Knossos and its famous palace, a major city of the Minoan civilization 4,000 years ago. The palace is a few kilometers from Heraklion and covers more than 20,000 sq. meters (24,000 sq yd). We'll continue with a visit of the town of Heraklion, with time for lunch and a short walk through its shopping center. In the afternoon, there will be a guided tour of the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, which contains some of the most important artifacts of the Minoan civilization and is considered to be one of the five most important museums in Greece. Overnight in Heraklion.

Depending the ferry schedules, transfer to the port and departures for Santorini. Santorini :

Also classically known as “Thera” and officially as Thira, the island of Santorini is located in the southern Aegean Sea about 200km (120Mi) southeast from Greece’s mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It is the most southern island of the Cyclades group of islands with a population of around 14.000.

Overnight in Santorini.

Day at leisure in Santorini.

The Must Do’s in Santorini :

Go up the Caldera on a mule ride : One of the most authentic experiences is going up from the Old Harbor (or Ammoudi) on a mule. These friendly animals carry you through the 587-step winding path on the steep slope that designates the shortcut to Thira. The itinerary begins in a relaxing way with the orders given in the mule drivers’ language but soon enough, when the distance from the sea level becomes higher and higher and, the donkey gets closer and closer to the edge of the cliff, the adventure is on!

Dive into the sunet : The Caldera, generously embracing the Aegean, is the spot whe-re the silence of the East meets the serenity of the West and creat-es a divine melody of colors nativing so harmoniously as if overflown from the palette of the volcano. You don’t need to go till Oia : whe-rever you are in the Caldera, the sunset is magical !

Try the local cuisine : Looking at the volcano, escaping in the Caldera. What is the importance of all this if you cannot feel it deeply inside yourself ? And how is it possible to feel the power of this land, unless you sense its aromas through the products of its earth, cooked by a chef who really loves it ? And, of course, by accompanying them with a bottle of “Santorini”, the Assyrtiko wine of the island with its metallic

Stay in a “Yposkafo” : The architecture of Santorini is unique. The “yposkafa”, i.e. the plain dwellings the local islanders used to build within the rocks in order to protect themselves from the winds are one of a kind ! Nowadays, in Santorini they have been handed over to renowned architects who converted them into wonderful places to stay. It is worth experiencing even for one night the claustrophobic feeling of the yposkafo, the characteristic smell of the rock, the immediate closeness with the Caldera...

Overnight in Santorini

Transfer to the port and ferry to Mykonos.

Mykonos :

This island, part of the Cyclades, lyes between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 km2 (33sm) and counts 9,500 inhabitants most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town). Tourism is a major industry.

Upon arrival in Mykonos, transfer to your hotel. Free time and overnight.

Explore Mykonos…

Organized Island Tour :

Depending the day of the week : 09:30-13:3016:30-20:30

Explore Mykonos, the most known of the Greek islands and one of the world's most popular holiday resorts, with the blue sky, the beautiful whitewashed organic cube-li-kehouses. Start with a walking tour in the morning and walk around the narrow white-washed streets of Mykonos Town. You will have many chances to take photographs, as in the morning the town is very quiet. You will see the lovely churches, the charming shops, Little Venice, the Windmills and Petros the Pelican, the mascot of Mykonos. After this we are exploring the island with a bus, visiting some of the most famous beaches and the inner island's landscape. We see fishermen and their wooden boats (kaikis), small private chapels and houses built in typical Cycladic style. In the second main village of Mykonos, Ano Mera, an idyllic place 6 km from town, whe-re the guests have enough free time to stroll around the traditional square and visit the monk monastery Panagia Tourliani built in the 16th century. Next stop is Kalafatis beach were there is time to relax a little and have a coffeea refreshment (not included in the price), before going back to town and to reach a place with a fantastic view all over the town and neighboring islands.

Guided Tours to Delos Island :  

Daily (except Mondays) : 10:00-13:30

A half-day trip, including the services of a professional guide, to the sacred island of Apollo and Artemis, a famous political and religious center of ancient world. The whole territory of deserted Delos in one of the most important archeological sites of the eastern Mediterranean. You may visit, amongst others, the remains of the Temples of Apollo, the sanctuary of Artemis, the old city & amphitheatre and then, walk down the celebrated Lion Street. Also, in the museum of Delos, you can admire Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Sculptures, a collection of vessels from all periods as well as small items used in every day life.

Delian Sunset Cruise :

Only on Sundays : 18:00-20:00

Enjoy the beautiful sunset and the magic of Aegean Sea. Meeting time at the Ornos Bus station at 18.100, departure at 18:30 with the traditional Greek Kaiki. The route takes us to Delos with a view to the ancient harbor and the ruins, then between Delos and the coast of Rhenia past the little islands Ano and Kato Rematiaris towards the South to the uninhabited islands Prassonissia whe-re we can enjoy the magic light of the sun setting over Delos. On board there is a choice of drinks between sparkling wine, white wine, Gin-tonic, Ouzo, beer and soft drinks (max. 2 drinks per person) which is offered with small snacks. Return to Ornos Bus station at 20.40 after experiencing a beautiful sunset.

Overnight in Mykonos. Unless you will fly back to Athens for the last overnight (stay at airport hotel).

Time at leisure till transfer to the airport.