Authentic Greece

Welcome to Greece! You’ll begin your 10-night trip by flying into Athens International Airport. From there, catch a flight to Crete. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your driver for a private transfer to your hotel about an hour’s drive in Rethymno. After a long day of travel, you might want to take advantage of the facilities to rest and relax. There are two outdoor pools, a beautiful white marble hammam, and a luxurious spa that makes it easy to de-stress. If you’d prefer to stretch your legs, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is just five minutes away on foot.

• Peferred Hotel Rimondi Hotels Rethymnon

Get to know Rethymno on a more in-depth basis with your private local guide. Start by sightseeing with intriguing commentary while exploring the highlights. The second part reveals the city through the eyes of a local, following the five essential steps in a Cretan’s daily life. Taste fresh-baked bread and other baked goods in a traditional bakery, then visit a small grocery store where your guide will point out the Cretan vegetables and fruits. Walk through the public fish market and visit a shop that specializes in dairy products to sample Cretan cheeses, finishing at a traditional pastry workshop for a baklava tasting.

• Peferred Hotel Rimondi Hotels Rethymnon

Enjoy a day of leisure, whether you prefer to relax or take advantage of an optional excursion, including a tour of the over 4,000-year-old Palace of Knossos, Europe’s oldest city and the most important archaeological site in Crete with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion included that helps bring ancient history to life. Or enjoy a day trip to one of the famously stunning beaches like Balos or Elafonisi, both rare stretches with pink sands contrasted by clear aquamarine waters. With Crete home to multiple wineries producing tasty Cretan wines, a wine-tasting tour is yet another appealing option.

• Preferred Hotel Rimondi Hotels Rethymnon

This morning you’ll be met by our driver upon checkout for a private transfer to the Heraklion harbor as it’s time to catch the ferry to Naxos. During the approximately four-hour sailing, enjoy relaxing with views of the endless blue that surrounds you. After disembarking, you’ll be met with another driver for transfer to your boutique hotel that faces the long, sandy crescent of Agios Georgios beach just 10 minutes on foot from the harbor. The afternoon is free to explore, or you might simply enjoy time on the beach followed by a delicious meal with tables right on the sand.

• Preferred Hotel Nissaki Beach Hotel

A four-hour tour of the island not only provides the opportunity to enjoy its spectacular scenery but a sampling of its renowned cuisine. You’ll visit three of the most charming villages, including the mountain village of Filoti in the highlands, the marble village of Apeiranthos, and Chalki. Enjoy Greek and Naxian dishes, primarily based on local recipes handed down through generations in Filoti followed by a light lunch in Apeiranthos where its famous marble was used to pave the streets and construct the medieval architecture. The finale is a tasting of famous citron liqueur at a traditional distillery that produces it in Chalki.

• Preferred Hotel Nissaki Beach Hotel

It’s time to say farewell to Naxos, taking a private transfer back to the port where your ferry awaits. You’ll be heading to Milos, the “Island of Colors” famous as the island where the Venus de Milo was discovered and Sarakiniko beach with its lunar-like landscape stunningly contrasted against the sea ranging in hues from pale and sapphire blue to emerald. Upon arrival, another driver brings you to your hotel just a short walk from the center of Pollonia. After checking in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps a swim in the sea view infinity pool followed by dinner in the village.

• Peferred Hotel Milos Breeze

A full-day small group boat tour with up to just 10 other guests will fill your day and likely be one of the highlights of your time in Greece. You’ll discover some of the most magnificent, secluded beaches around Milos while sailing and enjoy a memorable swim stop in the striking blue waters that surround the uninhabited island of Polyaigos. Afterward, return to Milos, cruising along the coast while making stops that reveal some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes from time to time in the crystalline waters before making the return. Water, lunch, refreshments, and snorkel gear are all included.

• Preferred Hotel Milos Breeze

Spend part of the day relaxing and savoring the scenery with a half-day reserved for a tour around the island revealing many highlights while your local driver/guide tells you all about its history and culture. Visit the Papafragkas sea cave with its little beach hidden inside. Once used as a pirate hideout it opens to a narrow, long fjord with crystal-clear blue waters for swimming. Enjoy time on famous Sarakiniko Beach too with its moon-like landscape making it look as if it was created for a sci-fi film, see the site where the Venus de Milo statue was found, the colorful village of Klima, and more.

• Preferred Hotel Milos Breeze

Leaving the islands today, your driver will bring you to the harbor to catch a ferry that will take you to the port of Piraeus near Athens. Enjoy the views along the way and upon arrival, along driver will provide a private transfer to your hotel in the city center, just a 10-minute walk from popular Monastiraki Square. After checking in, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax or explore, with many shops and eateries just steps from your door. Your hotel has its own trendy restaurant right on-site if you prefer to rest and save your energy for tomorrow’s tour.

• Preferred Hotel Blend Hotel Athens

One of the best ways to experience the heart of ancient Athens is on a private guided tour and today you’ll enjoy a four-hour excursion that includes Acropolis hill topped by the iconic Parthenon that’s stood the test of time, overlooking the city since the 5th century BC. There are many other monuments from the period, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erectheion, and Propylaea. Hear the stories behind them before continuing your tour with a stroll through one of the oldest neighborhoods, the Plaka district. Located in the shadow of the Acropolis, it hosts many of its own historical attractions like the Roman Agora.

• Preferred Hotel Blend Hotel Athens

With your Authentic Greece tour coming to an end today, you might want to rise early to savor some of your last moments in the capital city that birthed western civilization. When it’s time to check out, you’ll be met by our driver who will provide a private transfer to Athens International Airport to catch your flight home or head out on further travels. Should you wish to extend your journey we’ll be happy to help, otherwise, we look forward to hosting you again on another unforgettable adventure.

Customize This Trip

All of the itineraries we create are fully customized and can be tailored to your exact preferences. If you would like to extend your stay in any of the destinations or add/remove any experiences, simply mention this to our travel specialists.