Greek Adventure:
Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete
Discover the most well-known locations in Greece plus magical Crete for a complete and completely fascinating Greek vacation! Please note that the Grecian Isles are a seasonal destination, and this itinerary is best suited to travel May through mid September.
ACCOMMODATIONS
• 3 Nights Athens
• 2 Nights Mykonos
• 3 Nights Santorini
• 3 Nights Crete
INCLUSIONS
• Arrival Transfer +
Meet & Greet
• 3 Dinners
• Athens City Tour
• Ferry from Mykonos
to Santorini
• Ferry from Santorini
to Crete
• Daily Breakfast
ARRIVE ATHENS:
You will be met coming out of customs at Athen's Eleftherious Venizelous International Airport by your driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it for a private transfer to your hotel for two nights accommodation. (Your driver will have your ferry tickets. Note: Limit of one suitcase and one handbag per person on transfers. Porterage is not included.) (Accommodations, Athens)
ATHENS:
After breakfast, you will be picked up in your hotel lobby for your Athens Sightseeing Tour about 8:45 a.m.
Visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awe-inspiring Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University and National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis museum, a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens. The Acropolis Museum is closed on Mondays.
Enjoy an afternoon relaxing in your hotel, or off on your own adventure. Walk down the quaint cobblestone streets of the Plaka, where you can shop for local crafts, or sip a revitalizing espresso at an outdoor café. In the evening, arrive on your own for dinner at Kuzina Restaurant where the food is perfectly coupled with the environment in a very inspired mixture of modern and traditional Greek elements. The beautiful views from the terrace will capture your attention, at least until the modern Greek cuisine arrives at your table. Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that truly welcomes you to Greece.
(Breakfast, Dinner & Accommodations, Athens)
ATHENS TO MYKONOS:
After breakfast at your Athens hotel, you can choose to include a transfer to Athens Airport for your flight to Mykonos. Transfers are also available to add from Mykonos airport to your hotel. Mykonos has an active nightlife, beaches of golden sand and unique whitewashed architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Mykonos is best known for its well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches.
Tonight you have a delicious dinner at Roca Restaurant.
(Breakfast, Athens; Dinner, Accommodations, Mykonos)
MYKONOS:
A glorious full day of leisure to relax, or explore, or swim, or sun, or any combination you choose.
Optional Tour: Best of Mykonos: Private City Tour with Cooking Class
Explore Mykonos, a pearl in the Aegean Sea, filled with white washed buildings, narrow winding paths, and stunning beaches! After your orientation tour and some free time in town, enjoy a cooking class at a restaurant with beautiful views of the sea, and feast on your delicious hand-made meal. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Mykonos)
MYKONOS TO SANTORINI:
After breakfast, make your way to the port on Mykonos for your ferry ride to Santorini. High-speed ferries take about 2.5 hours between the islands. For a more luxurious experience, add private transfers to and from the port. Please note ferries are seasonal and operate May through Mid September.
Arriving to this crescent shaped island provides stunning views, which keep delivering throughout your stay. If you are looking for nightlife and an active atmosphere, consider staying in Fira (or Thera), the lively capital. If amazing sunsets and candlelit romance are more your style, head to the village of Oia where you'll find luxury boutique hotels and unbeatable caldera views.
Once in Santorini, check in to your chosen hotel, and spend the afternoon on your own adventure. (Breakfast, Mykonos; Accommodations, Santorini)
SANTORINI:
Santorini's spectacular beauty and active nightlife makes the island a tourist hotspot. Spend the day on your own, winding through the cliff-side villages in search of fabulous souvenirs and charming photo ops. At dinner, you will have a spectacular infinity view, a table for two with view of the volcano, and the dazzling Aegean sea, made complete with delicious local cuisine. (Breakfast, Dinner & Accommodation, Santorini)
SANTORINI:
Spend a day at leisure or book an experience to make the best of your stay. Learn about Santorini's amazing wine culture with a Small Group Santorini Wine Roads Tour, where you will visit 3 local wineries to learn about the unique production and taste the wares. Or, head off into the sunset, with a Small Group Santorini Catamaran Sunset Tour with BBQ, where you will visit hot springs and swim in secluded spots until it is time for a beach BBQ (Breakfast & Accommodation, Santorini)
SANTORINI TO CRETE:
Make your way from your hotel to the ferry port in Santorini for your ferry trip to the Island of Crete. We recommend booking a few months in advance to guarantee a spot on a high-speed ferry (2 hours).
Once on Crete, you'll have three nights accommodation either in the towns of Chania, Elounda or Heraklion. Note: Ferry service from Santorini lands in Heraklion; optional transfers to Chania or Elounda are available.
Greece's largest island offers delights for all interests - from crystal clear beaches to relax on, ancient cities to explore, and deep gorges to hike through. Spend the evening getting to know your chosen corner of the island.
(Breakfast, Santorini; Accommodations, Crete)
CRETE:
Day at leisure. Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands, has a 600 mile-long coastline of coves, bays and peninsulas, many with sandy beaches along the blue Mediterranean. (Breakfast, Accommodation, Crete)
CRETE:
Day at leisure. In addition to the many amenities of a world-class destination, Crete's historic importance as the home of the Minoan civilization with such sites as Knossos, Phaistos and Gortys, attracts thousands of visitors each year. (Breakfast, Accommodation, Crete)
CRETE TO ATHENS:
Depart Crete and take a short flight to Athens. You can either head back to central Athens for more exploring, or spend the night at an airport hotel if you are heading out early the next morning. (Breakfast, Crete; accommodation, Athens)
DEPART ATHENS:
After twelve days in the sun, head home relaxed and ready for your next Avanti destination. (Breakfast, Athens)
** Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change