Exclusive Greece

  • Duration12 Nights
  • StylePrivate Tour
  • When to GoYear- Round
  • Price GuideFrom $4,235 Per Person
This carefully curated itinerary was designed for those who want to discover Greece outside of the typical travel season, featuring destinations with many enticing attractions and unforgettable experiences available all year-round. It combines the capital of Athens and the "second city" of Thessaloniki with picturesque Nafplio, and Crete, the country's largest island, for a mix of delights from centuries-old sites and spectacular natural beauty to mouthwatering Greek cuisine. Upscale accommodation and private excursions are included throughout, ensuring insight that brings the destinations to life. Tour everything from Acropolis Hill and the colorful Plaka district in the ancient heart of Athens, to charming traditional villages in Crete, and Thessaloniki's more than 2,300-year-old past, from Roman times to the present.

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.

At a Glance

  • Days 1-2
    • Athens

      • Private transfer to your hotel in Athens + Optional Welcome tour
      • Private Tour of the Acropolis & Plaka
  • Days 3-5
    • Nafplio

      • Private transfer to your Nafplio hotel
      • Private walking tour of Nafplio Old Town + Food tasting
  • Days 6-8
    • Rethymno

      • Private transfer to Athens Airport
      • Flight to Heraklion + Private transfer to your hotel in Rethymno
      • Private Eleftherna & Villages of Rethymno Tour with Traditional Lunch
  • Day 9
    • Heraklion

      • Private transfer to your hotel in Heraklion + Optional Knossos tour enroute
      • Private transfer to Heraklion airport + Flight to Thessaloniki
  • Days 10-13
    • Thessaloniki

      • Arrival in Thessaloniki + Private transfer to your hotel in Thessaloniki
      • Private Thessaloniki highlights tour
  • Meet Our Expert

    Shannon

    Shannon

    Greece Specialist

    I have been exploring Europe for the better part of 40 years and keep coming back to Greece. I have such a passion for its people and its culture and love sharing it with my clients.

    CALL US ON: +1 844 879 7838
    Request a Quote

    What's Included

    • Private chauffeur-driven premium vehicle transfers throught your journey
    • 12 nights in luxury hotels with breakfast
    • Private guided tour of Acropolis and Plaka
    • Private walking tour of Nafplio Old Town with food tasting
    • One -way flight from Athens to Heraklion with checked luggage
    • Private tour of Eleftherna monastery and Rethymno villages
    • One - way flight from Heraklion to Thessaloniki
    • Private best of Thessaloniki tour
    • 24/7 support provided throughout your trip by our friendly, professional staff
    • Full financial trip protection is included
     

    What's Not Included

    • Roundtrip international flights
    • Any optional tours mentioned in the itinerary
    • Travel visas - your consultant will advise of any required visas and how to obtain them
    • Travel insurance - we strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip
     

    Day by Day Itinerary

    • Day 1

      Arrival into Athens + Acropolis View Dinner Reservation

      Academy of Athens, Neoclassical Elegance in the Heart of GreeceAthens Plaka

      Visiting Athens can be even more delightful outside of the tourist season; it’s one of the best destinations to visit in Greece year-round. Most trips to the country begin right here in the capital by flying into Athens International Airport, providing the perfect opportunity to explore its ancient and modern delights.

      Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by our driver who will provide a private transfer to your hotel. After settling in, take time to refresh and perhaps stretch your legs by exploring some of the shops nearby.

      This evening, we’ve made a reservation for you at one of our favorite restaurants with an Acropolis view.

      Accommodation Options:

      • Electra Rhythm, Athens

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      • The Dolli at Acropolis

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    • Day 2

      Private Tour of Acropolis and Plaka

      AthensAthens Plaka

      A private half-day tour will bring you to the Acropolis for a close-up look at its world-class monuments before wandering through Plaka, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Join our local guide to ascend the hill, marveling at everything from the Temple of Athena Nike and Propylaea to the iconic Parthenon, overlooking Athens for some 2,500 years, all while gaining insight into the history behind the landmarks.

      After exploring, you’ll head beneath the shadow of the Acropolis to colorful Plaka, strolling the ancient streets to admire historical landmarks like Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, the Ancient Agora, and the Tower of the Winds. 

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Experience Included:
      Private tour of Athens’ Acropolis and Plaka

    • Day 3

      Private Transfer to your Hotel in Nafplio

      Nafplion, Greece

      Travel from Athens to Nafplio in comfort with a private driver, with the option to stop along the way at the legendary site of Mycenae or the magnificent ancient theater of Epidaurus. Arriving in Nafplio, Greece’s first capital, you’ll discover a picturesque town where every building reflects the country’s rich and recent history.

      Stroll through colorful alleys lined with elegant boutiques, artisanal shops, and local confectioneries offering handmade sweets and ice cream. Explore charming squares and Venetian-era streets at your own pace, soaking in the romantic ambiance

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Accommodation Options:

      • Castellano 1 Small

        Castellano Hotel & Suites

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      • Grand Sarai

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    • Day 4

      Private Walking tour of Nafplio + Food Tasting

      Rethymnon Old Town, Crete

      Experience Nafplio on a private cultural walking and food tour, where history, architecture, and gastronomy come together in perfect harmony. Stroll through the town’s picturesque alleys and squares, and soak in breathtaking views of the Aegean.

      Along the way, savor the finest locally produced delicacies, traditional sweets, and other authentic Greek flavors crafted with generations of expertise.

      Your guide will bring this historic town to life with stories and legends that reveal Nafplio’s unique character and the heart of Greek culture. Explore Arvanitia and its panoramic vistas, feeling as if you’ve stepped back in time.

      This tour blends rich history, stunning scenery, and mouth watering flavors, offering a truly immersive experience of one of Greece’s most enchanting towns.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Excursion Included:
      Private cultural walking tour of Nafplio with food tasting

    • Day 5

      Day of Leisure

      Palamidi Fortress, Nafplio

      Spend a day at leisure in the enchanting town of Nafplio, wandering its romantic streets and vibrant squares at your own pace. For those seeking a curated experience, take an optional excursion to the boutique wineries of Nemea and sample some of Greece’s finest red wines amid rolling vineyards.

      Alternatively, explore Nafplio’s rich history with a visit to the impressive Palamidi Fortress, climbing its famous 999 steps for sweeping views of the town and Argolic Gulf, or discover the iconic Bourtzi Castle, gracefully perched on the sea just off the harbor. To end your day, choose one of the many beautiful taverns in the old town to enjoy delicious local cuisine and taste authentic Greek specialties.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

       

    • Day 6

      Flight to Heraklion with Private Transfer to Rethymno hotel

      Upon checkout from your hotel in Nafplio, your private driver will meet you in the lobby and transfer you directly to Athens International Airport to catch your flight to Heraklion, Crete. Upon arrival, another driver will take you directly to your hotel in Rethymno, approximately an hour and 15-minute drive west.

      Once checked in, the rest of the day is at your leisure. We recommend exploring the charming alleyways of the Old Town and finding a table at a local tavern to sample a traditional dish such as tsigariasto, a slow-cooked lamb that melts in your mouth.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Accommodation Options:

      • Veneto Hotel

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      • Rimondi Boutique Hotels, Rethymno

        Rimondi Boutique Hotels

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    • Day 7

      Day at Leisure

      Rethymno, CreteRethymno, Crete

      With a full day of leisure, you might explore more of Old Town Rethymno’s maze of alleyways, visit the Venetian fortress for a panoramic city view, stroll the picturesque waterfront along the Venetian Harbour, and view the local finds from prehistoric to Roman times at the Archaeological Museum. The Historical and Folklore Museum, set within a 17th-century Venetian mansion, has an interesting collection of crafts and folk art.

      Ask our travel specialists to arrange for a day tour that visits the romantic Old Town of Chania with its Venetian harbor, 16th-century walls, and enticing maze of cobbled streets.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

       

    • Day 8

      Private Eleftherna & Villages of Rethymno Tour with Traditional Lunch

      Join our expert local guide for a private tour, starting at the 16th-century Arkadi Monastery which commemorates Cretan resistance. Continue to the archaeological wonder of Eleftherna, a Dorian-built settlement that was among the most important in the 8th and 7th centuries BC, with high points during the Hellenistic and Roman eras as well. Highlights include the acropolis, Roman cisterns, a Hellenistic bridge, and a 2,800-year-old necropolis.

      In the picturesque village of Margarites, you can wander the stone paths to explore traditional pottery shops before enjoying a traditional lunch featuring Cretan delicacies at a unique eatery with an impressive private folklore collection.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Traditional Cretan lunch

      Experience Included:
      Private Eleftherna & Villages of Rethymno Tour with Traditional Lunch

    • Day 9

      Private Transfer to Heraklion + Optional Knossos Tour En Route

      Knossos palace at Crete

      Checking out of your Rethmno hotel, our driver will meet you to provide a private transfer to your hotel in Heraklion. You can enjoy the day at leisure, but if you’re a history enthusiast, we highly recommend our optional private guided tour of Knossos, the most important archaeological site in Crete.

      It was the center of the advanced Minoan civilization and is widely regarded as Europe’s oldest city with roots dating back to 2000 BC. If food is more your thing, join an optional Heraklion food tour to sample an array of tasty authentic eats while learning more about the local ingredients.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

       

      Accommodation Options:

      • GDM Megaron rooftop restaurant

        GDM Megaron – Crete

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      • Legacy Gastro Suites

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    • Day 10

      Arrival in Thessaloniki + Private Transfer to your Hotel in Thessaloniki

      It’s time to say farewell to Crete, with our driver meeting you at your hotel upon checkout for the private transfer to Heraklion’s airport. You’ll catch a flight to Thessaloniki, often referred to as the “second city,” as the second-largest city in Greece.

      Located on the Thermaic Gulf, its a cultural and economic hub of northern Greece with rich Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage.

      Upon arrival, our driver will be there to welcome you and provide a private transfer to your accommodation. In addition to its many other delights, Thessaloniki boasts a vibrant food scene that you can sample after checking in.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Accommodation Options:

      • On Residence Hotel Thessaloniki

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      • Excelsior Hotel Thessaloniki dining

        The Excelsior Hotel Thessaloniki

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    • Day 11

      Private Thessaloniki Highlights Walking Tour

      Thessaloniki has an intriguing past that dates back over 2,300 years, founded in 315 BC. You’ll get to explore many of the highlights from its past and present on a private walking tour. Your expert local guide will reveal every period of the city’s history from the Roman era to modern times through landmarks and monuments.

      Some of our favorites include the UNESCO-listed churches like Agia Sophia, the Rotunda, ancient Arch of Galerius, and the sea-facing Aristotelous Square.

      The city’s central square, here you can soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a view from the iconic White Tower, Thessaloniki’s symbol, and a museum.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

    • Day 12

      Day at Leisure

      Your final full day can be enjoyed at your leisure, or join an optional half-day excursion to UNESCO-listed Vergina, the first Macedonian city and the last residence of their kings, with a museum recreating an ancient burial mound that “hides” tombs as they were found.

      Visit Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, to walk through ancient relics with mosaics and explore the Archaeological Museum. Tour Ano Poli, Thessaloniki’s traditional Upper Town, with its narrow streets and alleyways lined with traditional homes. Or, take a private or small-group culinary tour to discover a food scene that’s every bit as vibrant and storied as the city’s history.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

    • Day 13

      Private Airport Transfer + Departure

    Ready to plan your trip?

    Whatever you want from your dream trip, our team ofexperts are ready to help.

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