This 12 day wellness experience brings plenty of opportunities to boost your well-being while exploring spectacular scenery and delving into ancient historic sights. You take an inspirational tour of Athens’ iconic Acropolis and fly to Crete to explore its remarkable Minoan sites and learn how to make soap the traditional way. Take in the breathtaking caldera views on Santorini and travel to Mystras where you’ll have two full days to take advantage of the wealth of offerings at a wellness retreat before returning to Athens.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
| Arrive into Athens International Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel | Athens | |
| Join an in-depth guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon | Athens | |
| Fly to Crete to discover its fascinating Minoan sites and more | Crete | |
| Take a soapmaking class to learn the traditional methods and take your own soap home | Crete | |
| Enjoy a traditional family hosted Cretan cooking class | Crete | |
| Hop on the ferry to Santorini and enjoy it at your leisure | Santorini | |
| Enjoy a catamaran sailing experience around the island | Santorini | |
| Morning flight back to Athens, with a private driver waiting to take you to Mystras | Mystras | |
| Day at leisure to enjoy the facilities and spa at your hotel | Mystras | |
| Day at leisure to enjoy the facilities and spa at your hotel | Mystras | |
| Private transfer back to Athens where you can enjoy a final evening soaking up the atmosphere in Athens | Athens | |
| Fly home |
Start your unforgettable adventure through Athens, the magnificent islands of Crete and Santorini, and the fortified town of Mystras in the Peloponnese with your arrival into Athens International Airport. Take private transfer to your hotel in the city, getting settled in before enjoying the rest of the day at your leisure. This might be the perfect time to sample some of city’s most delicious and nutritious eats – you’ll find many healthy menus here, including simple authentic dishes prepared using fresh local ingredients emphasizing quality. Sit back and relax under the Mediterranean sun on an outdoor patio as you taste the flavors of the city.
The iconic Acropolis and many of Athens’ other famous sights are much better explored with an expert guide so that you’ll get a fascinating look into the history of each, putting them all into perspective. This private excursion includes three different parts. You’ll begin by touring the Acropolis and Parthenon, walking in the steps of ancient Greeks like Plato and Socrates. Next up is the perfect complement, the world-renowned Acropolis Museum which features a wide range of artifacts that were discovered at the hill. Finally, the third portion is experienced by vehicle. It includes a panorama of popular signs in the city, including the historic Plaka and Roman Agora.
Prepare to leave Athens, catching a flight in the morning or mid-day to Crete. You’ll be based in the Heraklion area, providing the perfect opportunity to do some exploring on your own. You might want to visit the Palace of Knossos, a complex with towering columns and magnificent frescoes just a few miles south of Heraklion. You can wander through on your own or sign up for a guided tour to discover its history dating back to the Minoan civilization, at its peak from 1700 to 1450 BC. Afterward, head to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to view treasures uncovered from this and other Minoan areas on the island. It features the most extensive prehistoric collection of artifacts in Greece.
A unique excursion is on the agenda today. You’ll get to learn how to make soap the old-fashioned way. A local instructor passionate about the traditional methods of soapmaking hosts this workshop in a small, picturesque village outside of Heraklion City. You’ll be transferred there, becoming immersed in the intoxicating aromas that emit from all-natural ingredients, as well as the texture of the olive oil that’s considered to be the best in the world. Your teacher will instruct you on the traditional cold process method that’s used for making soap by hand, and you’ll get to take home the soap you make for the perfect souvenir.
Discover the art of making mouthwatering Cretan cuisine with this tour that begins by collecting wild herbs before visiting a traditional home in a small village to join a cooking workshop. Enjoy a welcome drink made from one of the indigenous island herbs and then learn all about herbs, including how to identify them and what some of their curative properties are. You’ll put on an apron help prepare pesto, salads and appetizers using fresh herbs and veggies from the garden before sitting down to a traditional Cretan lunch paired with homemade Cretan wine followed by a tasty traditional dessert and homemade raki liqueur.
Hop on the ferry to Santorini, checking into your hotel after you’ve picked your jaw up off the ground, which is guaranteed to happen when you first lay eyes on its impressive caldera cliffs. Enjoy the rest of the day as you wish, provides taking the famous hike along the path between Oia and Thira. One of the world’s most breathtaking treks, it features awe-inspiring views of the Aegean and more as you walk along the rim of the volcanic caldera, clinging to the edges of the cliffs and passing through beautiful whitewashed villages. Walk from Thira to Oia, timing your journey’s end to coincide with the village’s famous sunset.
A highlight for many during their time in Greece is on the agenda today. Look forward to one of Santorini’s top sailing tours. A sunset cruise on the island is a must-experience, with the excursion timed perfectly for getting a perspective of that legendary colorful sunset from the water. You’ll be able to visit both the Red and White beaches to take an inviting swim before sailing around the unique formation known as Indian rock, passing the lighthouse near Akrotiri and stopping for a memorable soak in the volcanic hot springs that are warmed by the island’s natural geothermal waters. The grand finale is a cocktail in hand while watching the sun dip below the Aegean.
The day has come to say goodbye to Santorini, catching a mid-day flight back to Athens. From there you’ll take car transfer to Mystras, an ancient town on the steep slopes of Taygetus Mountains on the Peloponnese Peninsula. A classic fortified city and archaeological site, you’ll be able to stroll cobbled streets worn smooth by centuries of time, exploring it at your own leisure. You might want to visit the abandoned historic palace where the last Byzantine emperor was crowned. It offers a fascinating glimpse back through time to a remarkably well-preserved medieval Byzantine city. The Archaeological Museum of Mystras is well-worth a visit too, showcasing an impressive collection of Byzantine sculptures, pottery, jewelry, coins and more.
While on Mystras you’ll be staying at Euphoria Retreat, a fabulous wellness retreat, so you’ll want plenty of time to enjoy it. You’ll get two full days to relax and take advantage of it all. As the named belies, it aims to provide a euphoric experience and it delivers big time as the ideal place to restore, refresh and even reinvent yourself through holistic approaches to transformation. There’s a gym to keep up with your regular workout along with Pilates studios, and you can join programs like Relax and Destress. Created to relax body and mind, it will take you away from the hectic pace so you can truly breathe again. There are stress-melting spa experiences too, including hydrotherapy treatments.
Euphoria Retreat offers such a long list of options for promoting wellness, you’ll need another full day to enjoy it. Now is the time to join in anything you missed out on yesterday, perhaps an incredible relaxing swim in the Sphere Pool. Its unique design provides a womb-like experience while you hear the soothing sounds of the songs of the whales, dolphins and music. Inspired by iconic Hagia Sophia’s architecture, you’ll be able to glide within the half-filled pool, about waist deep at the outer rim and fully submerged at the center. The stone walls feature hydrotherapy jets and in-water benches for a wonderful water massage too.
Euphoria Retreat offers such a long list of options for promoting wellness, you’ll need another full day to enjoy it. Now is the time to join in anything you missed out on yesterday, perhaps an incredible relaxing swim in the Sphere Pool. Its unique design provides a womb-like experience while you hear the soothing sounds of the songs of the whales, dolphins and music. Inspired by iconic Hagia Sophia’s architecture, you’ll be able to glide within the half-filled pool, about waist deep at the outer rim and fully submerged at the center. The stone walls feature hydrotherapy jets and in-water benches for a wonderful water massage too.
Your wellness journey through Greece has come to an end with today your day of departure. Enjoy breakfast and then meet your private transfer to return Athens International Airport for your flight home or wherever your travels might take you. If you aren’t ready to jet back just yet, talk to our travel experts about extending the journey.
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