Island Hopping the Cyclades

Your island-hopping tour begins with your arrival into the Greek capital, one of the world’s largest cities with a recorded history that spans over 3,400 years.  Our private driver will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel in the city. Check into your hotel, rest and relax, or perhaps get re-energized by wandering through the Plaka, Athens’ oldest neighborhood with its narrow streets, ancient ruins, Byzantine temples and neoclassical buildings.

Today our expert local guide will take you on a journey back through time in this city with its more than 5,000-year-old history.  Whilst on the private tour you will discover Athens’ ancient heart and its most impressive landmarks, including the Acropolis and Parthenon, retracing footsteps of the some of the world’s most iconic figures in history. The tour includes a visit to the Acropolis Museum and its remarkable artifacts like carvings, statues and much more.

After breakfast we will transfer you to the popular island of Mykonos where you will enjoy the afternoon on your own exploring this “quintessential Greek island,” with its absolutely pristine town, filled with beautiful boutiques, top class restaurants, idyllic bars overlooking the sea and its own “Little Venice”.

Optional Culinary Experience

If you are a foodie looking for a unique experience, ask our experts about booking our home-hosted Greek cooking class, where you will learn to cook traditional Greek dishes in a local hosts beautiful Greek home. This is a fantastic and fun way to spend your first night in Mykonos.

Today we have two different experiences for you to choose from:

Half Day Guided Delos Tour

Go on an expert guided tour of the UNESCO listed site of Delos, an iconic must-visit destination if you are a fan of Greek history and archeology. Delos is said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, the twin gods. The remains of the temples and residences on the island date back to the Neolithic to Roman periods.

or

Half Day Jeep Safari Tour

Alternatively enjoy the day exploring the island of Mykonos on a half day morning jeep safari tour taking you off the beaten track to discover the hidden charms of this magical isle. With a visit to a local winery and a swim stop at a hidden beach, this is the perfect way to discover the off the beaten track side of Mykonos

Enjoy your final day in Mykonos at your leisure further exploring the beautiful town of Mykonos with some final shopping or enjoying some rest and relaxation at your hotel.

Please speak to our travel specialists if you would like us to plan something for this day.

Gaze out at the brilliant blue waters of the Aegean as we transfer you to Santorini. After checking into your hotel, you’ll have the afternoon to spend at your leisure. You may want to wander through the idyllic village of Oia – its image has been splashed across countless postcards and travel brochures as one of the most photographed spots on the planet.

Enjoy your first dinner in Santorini enjoying its iconic sunsets and spectacular Caldera views – our top restaurant suggestion would be Lauda in Oia.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and start to your day as you wake up to the beautiful views from your hotel overlooking Santorini and its nearby islands.  In the afternoon you will meet our guide for a semi-private sunset sailing cruise. Whilst on the luxury catamaran you will visit the red and white beaches of Santorini, the Venetian Lighthouse and a lot more. Enjoy a refreshing swim stop in a secluded bay whilst the crew prepares your on BBQ on board the boat. Watch a truly unforgettable sunset as you dine on freshly cooked food and drinks provided by the crew.

Spend your final day in Santorini exploring the town of Oia or Fira and its wonderful array of individual boutique shops at your own pace.

If you are a wine lover, speak to our travel specialists about including a half day wine and culture tour of Santorini. This includes visiting the  Akrotiri Archaeological site along with a visit to a couple of family wineries to sample a selection of locally produces varieties with cheeses and snacks.

Your next stop is Crete, one of the largest islands in Greece with a diverse landscape that includes everything from golden stretches of sand, rugged mountains and lush green grass to scenic villages and fascinating Minoan ruins. Your ferry will dock in Heraklion where our driver will meet you and transfer you to the town of Rethymno. Upon arrival, check in and spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating old town with its picturesque port at your leisure.

On your penultimate day in Greece, you are off to discover Crete like a local on our jeep tour. This fascinating tour combines some of the most unique panoramic views with visits to traditional Cretan villages. Find out all about the lifestyle of a Cretan shepherd by exploring an original shepherd’s hut called ‘’Mitato’’. On this tour you will learn about the history and the traditions of the Island and get to meet locals and also sample their delicious locally produced culinary treats.

Enjoy your final full day in Crete relaxing and discovering the island at your leisure.

If you are looking for something to fill this day, speak to our travel specialists about a guided tour of the Knossos Palace near Heraklio or a trip to visit the charming Old Town of Chania a little over an hour from Rethymno. Otherwise simply enjoy the day at your hotel relaxing before your return flight home.

Your island hopping journey comes to an end today having truly visited the highlights of Greece on this 12 day trip. Our driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to either Chania or Heraklio Airport for your return flight home.

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.