Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini
13 Days
![Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400,x_w_mul_0.43,y_h_mul_0.59,g_xy_center/ee-web/2024/03/delphi-artifact-greece.jpg)
![Greece](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400/ee-web/2024/03/EE_Greece_67758574.jpg)
![Greece](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400/ee-web/2024/03/narrow-street-shops-greece-272.jpg)
![Sunbeds and umbrella on the beach in Corfu Island, Greece.](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400/ee-web/2024/03/EE_Greece-1125238597.jpg)
This itinerary will take you to Greece’s most-loved destinations. (It’s ideal for a group who has never been to Greece before and wants to visit the main sights). During this trip your group will have three days in Athens to visit the remarkable attractions of this most ancient city. You will daytrip to nearby islands, and spend several days on the favorite island destinations of lively Mykonos and serene Santorini. Archeological sightseeing includes visits to Athens’ Acropolis, the Arch of Hadrian, the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Poseidon, the sacred island of Delos, the Minoan site of Akrotiri – and the ruins of Mycenae. There is also plenty of downtime to relax on the beautiful beaches, shop and explore on your own.
Highlights
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Visit the temples of Zeus, Poseidon and Athena
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Folkloric music night in an Athens taverna restaurant
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Half-day cruise to hot springs
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Visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Transfer to your hotel by private bus
4 Nights
Athens
Included activities
DAY 1: Arrive in Athens
Morning arrival to Athens, Greece's classical yet very cosmopolitan capital city. A local assistant will meet your group in the terminal's arrival hall and accompany it to the hotel by private bus. Most hotels' official check-in time is 2:00 pm; however, if your group arrives before this – it is no problem to store your baggage with the reception staff. The rest of the day it at leisure for you to get situated and begin exploring the ancient city of Athens. Tonight there will be a group dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
DAY 2:
After breakfast in the hotel, your group is in for an exciting, full-day sightseeing tour of ancient Athens, which has thrived for over 25 centuries. See the city's historic landmarks like the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Zeus, whose construction took over 700 years to complete. Your group will visit the iconic Acropolis and its crown jewel, the Parthenon, which was dedicated to Athena – the patron goddess of the city. After free time for lunch, your group will continue its sightseeing this afternoon with a drive down a coastal road to the rocky promontory of Cape Suonion. Here you will visit the 2400-year-old Temple of Poseidon and enjoy stunning views of the Saronic Gulf and the offshore Islands. After the visit the guide and driver will accompany your group back to the hotel in Athens. Evening at leisure.
DAY 3:
After breakfast in the hotel, meet a local guide in the lobby and transfer by private bus to the Flisvos Marina (Trocadero Terminal). Today your group will enjoy a boat excursion to the islands of Hydra and Aegina. You'll first head to the nearby island of Hydra, arriving at 11:45 am. Visiting Hydra is like stepping back in time. There are no cars allowed on the island. In fact you won't see bikes or scooters either. On Hydra people get around with their feet, donkey or water taxi. For this reason, many periods films are often shot in Hydra. It is also home to amazing beaches. You'll have free time to explore or take a swim before re-boarding the ship at 1:30 pm. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail past the island of Paros. Your group will arrive to the island of Aegina at 3:30 pm. In ancient times, Aegina was a major sea power and a rival of Athens. Today it's a very peaceful and scenic place filled with small artist studios, fruit orchards and olive groves. Your group can either chose to visit the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Aphaea – or to simply enjoy some free time for a swim. At 6:00 pm you will return to the mainland, and then a private bus will drive your group back to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Athens.
DAY 4:
After breakfast in the hotel, enjoy the morning and afternoon at leisure in Athens. There's plenty of great shopping in town, from local street vendors to upscale boutiques. Consider paying a visit to the New Acropolis Museum (very impressive) or to the Ancient Agora. Take some time to stroll through the historic Plaka district, have lunch in a taverna or relax on your hotel's rooftop pool. Tonight your group will go to Athens' historic Plaka neighborhood area to enjoy dinner in a traditional taverna with Greek, folkloric music.
![Rome](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Athens-Rome.jpg)
![Aerial view of Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Hekatompedon Temple, Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Erechtheion at sunset](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/EE_Greece_1687026412.jpg)
![Athens Greece, Parthenon and Acropolis panoramic view](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Athens-Greece-Parthenon-and-Acropolis-panoramic-view.jpg)
Transfer by private bus to Piraeus Port
Travel by high-speed hydrofoil to the island of Mykonos
Transfer to a hotel upon arrival
3 Nights
Mykonos
Included activities
DAY 5: Arrive in Mykonos
After breakfast and check-out, your group will transfer by private bus to Piraeus Port where it will then travel by high-speed hydrofoil to the island of Mykonos in the Cyclades island group. White-washed homes set very near the water, tiny chapels and windmills are characteristic of this very beautiful island. Despite the fact that at first glance – Mykonos resembles a fishing village, it's actually one of the most cosmopolitan Greek islands (with a very big night scene). Since the 1960s Mykonos has attracted many international visitors, artists, celebrities and travelers with an appetite for sandy beaches and nightclubs. Buses are easy to use and run until midnight. Upon arrival your group will transfer to a hotel where it will stay for the next three nights.
DAY 6:
After breakfast in the hotel, enjoy a free day in Mykonos. This is the ultimate jet-setters' playground and for good reason. You can relax & swim at one of the many beaches, some of which are reachable only by boat. Get lost shopping in the labyrinth of lanes that make up Mykonos Town. Photo-ops abound – especially the island's trademark windmills. There's also an interesting agricultural museum inside one of the windmills.
DAY 7:
After breakfast your group will take a day trip to the nearby archeological island of Delos. Sacred and desolate, Delos is said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Today it is one of the most important mythological and historic sites in all of Greece. Your group will have a guided tour of the archeological site's museum and visit the ancient Doric Temple of Isis. After the visit, return to Mykonos and enjoy one last evening on the island.
![Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/shutterstock_2433372333.jpg)
![Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/WINDMILLS-Mykonos.jpg)
![Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Greece-iStock-962670172.jpeg)
![Mykonos, Greece](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Mykonos_428874820.jpg)
Return to the port after breakfast
Travel by hydrofoil to Santorini
Upon arrival to the port your group will travel to nearby hotel for check-in
3 Nights
Santorini
Included activities
DAY 8: Arrive in Santorini
After breakfast you group will return to the port and travel by hydrofoil to arguably the best-known and most breathtaking of all of the Greek Islands: Santorini. Believed by some to be the lost continent of Atlantis – this historic and unimaginably picturesque island is situated on the edge of a submerged volcano. Stand high on the cliffs to admire the incredible views of the white Cycladic houses with blue painted windows that have inspired artists over the ages. Many visitors flock to scenic Santorini to taste its distinguished wines and to sunbathe on one of its many beautiful beaches – which are home to transparent, azure waters and black, red or white sand depending on which beach you visit. Upon arrival to the port your group will travel to its nearby hotel for check-in. In the late afternoon you will travel to the picturesque village of Oia, which is known for its quiet life and dramatic sunsets. Afterwards your group will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.
DAY 9:
After breakfast in the hotel, your group will enjoy a half-day cruise to the small islands of Nea Kameni & Palea Kameni. Because of its volcanic origins, Santorini's formation is dramatically beautiful and quite rare. Both Nea Kameni & Palea Kameni are located inside the caldera. During the excursion your group will swim in hot springs with the green and yellow waters as well as visit the remote and untouched island of Thirassia (which is home to some small restaurants that serve very tasty fish). After the excursion, you and your traveling companions will have the remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 10:
After breakfast in the hotel, your group will have a guided sighting tour of the remarkably well-preserved archeological site of Akrotiri, whose intact ruins are often compared to those in Pompeii. With the exception of the island of Crete – nowhere else in Greece has as interesting archeological artifacts and ruins belonging to the ancient Minoan civilization. Afterwards, your group will visit a local winery to have a tasting of some of the island's locally-produced wines. This evening you're free to enjoy your final night in Santorini.
![Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/shutterstock_2047687358.jpg)
![Santorini](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Athens-Santorini.jpg)
![Greece](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Greece-888237144-1.jpg)
Transfer to the airport
Short flight to Athens
Travel by private bus to seaside town of Nafplio
1 Night
Nafplio
Included activities
DAY 11: Arrive in Nafplio
After breakfast, check-out and a short flight back to the mainland, your group will travel two hours by private bus along the coast of the Saronic Gulf from Athens Airport to the famed to the Peloponnese Peninsula. Your destination is the hilltop, seaside town of Nafplio. This picturesque town is nestled at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Upon arrival your group will travel to the hotel for check-in, and immediately have time to relax before tonight's group dinner in the hotel.
![Nafplio, Greece](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/nafplio-town-snowy-mountains.jpg)
After check-out, begin your tour of the ancient ruins at Mycenae in Athens
1 Night
Athens
Included activities
DAY 12:
After breakfast and check-out, your group will have an exciting tour of the ancient ruins at Mycenae (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This was the center of a major civilization in the second millennium BC. You will see the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. After free time for lunch, travel to the ancient city of Epidaurus to go inside the 4th-century B.C theatre, which is famous for its astonishing acoustics. After the tour has finished, your group will return to Athens to overnight. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY 13:
After breakfast and check-out your group will travel to Athens Airport by private bus for its return flight to the USA.
Travel to Athens Airport by private bus
International Departure
![Rome](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Athens-Rome.jpg)
![Aerial view of Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Hekatompedon Temple, Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Erechtheion at sunset](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/EE_Greece_1687026412.jpg)
![Athens Greece, Parthenon and Acropolis panoramic view](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Athens-Greece-Parthenon-and-Acropolis-panoramic-view.jpg)
Inclusions
Includes
- Daytrip to the island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis
- Accommodations: Athens 5 nights, Mykonos 3 nights, Santorini 3 Nights, Nafplio 1 night
- Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
- Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
- English speaking assistants and guides
- Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary