Essence of Greece: Athens, Rethymno, Heraklion, Santorini & Paros

On arrival you will be meet at the International Athens Airport and then you transfer to your hotel. Athens, the cradle of democracy and birthplace of western civilization is a vibrant city where the new and old co-exist.

Half Day city tour with Acropolis coach tour. In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and start the half-day tour to Athens. This tour allows you to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Continue and pass by the Presidential residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Parthenon and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the New amazing Acropolis Museum consistently rated as one of the best museums in the world. Return to your hotel and enjoy your evening at leisure.

You will be picked up from your hotel and leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Drive for Epidauros, to visit the Theatre (4th century B.C.) famous for its astonishing acoustics. Continue to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs after which you will enjoy lunch in Mycenae. After lunch depart for Nauplion through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Return to Athens to your hotel, with your evening at leisure.

You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport for you flight to Chaina Crete. On arrival in Chania you will be transferred to your Rethymnon hotel. Experience a rare combination of history and modern-day luxury, with its Venetian-era Fortezza (fortress) and old town, tropical beaches and exquisite Cretan cuisine. Enjoy free time at leisure to explore the town on your own.

Today is at leisure to explore Rythymnon Crete or you can take an optional private tour to the National Forest and Samaria Gorge for an additional cost.
Optional tour details: Pick up in the morning for one of the most famous places to see on Crete is the Samaria Gorge, Europe's most immense gorge. This National Park is 18kms long with unbelievable natural beauty. The gorge is rich with many endemic flowers & herbs with crystal clear spring water flowing from the mountains. You can even refill your water bottles with it! The trip starts with an early pick up from the nearest point to your accommodation between 5:30 - 6:30 am and drives through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos to the wooden stairs at the start of the gorge Arrival at approx. 7:30 am. The walk should take at least 6-7 hours. You will have the opportunity to refill your water bottles along the trail in the freshwater springs. Once finished, ample time for a swim in the Lybian Sea & have lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli Late afternoon the ferry boat leaves for Sougia followed by a coach ride from Sougia to the north coast. Arrival back at the pick-up point will be at approximately between 8:00 - 8:30 pm.

Start your trip to Heraklion town by local bus (tickets not included in package rate around 15 euro per person) - the capital of Crete and one of the Mediterranean region's most fascinating and vibrant cities, full of so many places to discover. With the current efforts to open up the wonderful mediaeval city centre, it speaks to us of a past full of history and great events that reflect its location at the crossroads of three continents.

Enjoy Heraklion at leisure to visit Minoan Palace of Knossos or walk around visiting the ppen-air market, the Venetian Loggia, and the Cathedral of St Minas or the Church of St. Titus and The 25th August Street which links the port, the Marina and the Castle of Koules with the heart of the city and market.

Today, after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and transfers to the port for your ferry embarkation to Santorini Island. A thousand sunsets, a thousand memories, a thousand heartbeats, colours of blue, red & gold streaking the sky is Santorini Island. Poets have written about it, and artists attempt to capture its beauty. Nothing can quite describe the unsurpassed magic of Santorini. This tiny Greek island in the Aegean Sea, rich in history & steeped in myth, is situated on the southern east tip of the Cyclades Cluster. Once famous for its seafaring captains & thriving trade from Russia towards England, France & Italy, & even further back in time the biblical volcanic catastrophe of 1500 BC, today Santorini is one of the most popular holiday destinations worldwide. Arrival in Santorini and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend exploring the island and admire the breathtaking view.

Today, after breakfast join a volcano cruise. The boat will leave the Old port and sail to the volcano lava "Nea Kameni" where you will have approx. 1:30hr time to walk up to the still active crater & back down. Then sail along the lava rock to reach the hot springs "Palea Kameni" - where you can swim for 30 minutes in the warm water. Don't miss it! Return to the OLD PORT of Fira and make your way back to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the port for your ferry to Paros Island, famous for the traditional architecture, the lovely beaches and its nightlife. Parikia and Naoussa are the main villages of Paros, where most activities are concentrated, while there are also other seaside tourist settlements around the island. On arrival Paros and transfer to the hotel, where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Enjoy the beaches and explore the island of Paros at leisure.

Option One: Cruise to Delos - Mykonos (Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
Join the full day Delos-Mykonos an outstanding visit to two of the most exciting islands of the Cyclades. First is Delos, the sacred island of the ancient Greeks. Delos offers unique archaeological monuments and one of the most important archaeological museums in all of Greece. The twin gods, Apollo and Artemis, were believed to have been born there. Visitors, during the 3 hours stay, can admire its many ancient remains, including the Temple of Apollo and the Terrace of the Lions. Our second stop is Mykonos, the internationally known jet-set paradise, with the Little Venice of the Aegean, a true storybook picture of beauty. It has a wonderfully traditional style which is maintained even with its newer buildings. We will have about a 3-hour stay on Mykonos which will allow you to explore its superb beaches, small churches and chapels, its glittering houses with dovecotes and marble staircases. You can walk around the windmills, visit the museum and the area of Little Venice, or if you like, stroll through the town to enjoy its elegant shops and boutiques… but don't lose track of time. The main town of Mykonos was built like a labyrinth to baffle pirates in the 19th century, and it still baffles tourists today! At 17:00 departure from Mykonos back to Paros.

Option 2: Cruise to Naxos (Tuesday or Thursday)
Very mountainous, the island of Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades. She is distinguished from the other Cyclades by the variety of her landscapes; impressive rock formations alternately with beautiful green valley's where there are many traditional villages. Center of Cycladic civilization, the island of Naxos, whose past is prosperous, was long under Venetian rule. Where you will find many architectural and archaeological traces that can trace the history of the island. Island tour by bus. Passage through the villages of Galanado and Filoti. Stop at Chalki (kitron distillery) and Apiranthos (village of marble). Then visit the Kouros of Flerio Molanon. Finally, discover the archaeological museum of Chora and enjoy free time in the Kastro. Ferry to Paros.

Today, after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the port for your ferry back to Athens. On arrival in Athens port you will be transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today you will be picked up from your hotel for your departure transfer to the airport.