Experience Overview
Looking for paradise? This 10-day trip might be the answer to your travel dreams. An amazing combination of Greek cuisine, unparalleled ocean views, and hikes through the hills of stunning Greek islands that skip the crowds and leave you breathless. Start the adventure with a historical experience of Athens before catching a ferry to the lesser-known islands of Tinos and Naxos full of piercing blue skies and the sounds of waves lapping lightly on the shore. You'll hike to historic castles and charming villages, explore local flavours on a food tour and local specialties tasting, and snorkel through caves in the Aegean Sea. Experience a slower pace of the Greek islands and refresh your mind, body, and soul.
Highlights
- Enjoy a walking tour of Athens with visits to ancient Agora and the Acropolis
- Hike up Filopappou Hill and toast the setting sun overlooking the structures of Ancient Greece
- Experience the tastes and flavours of Greece on a food tour in Tinos
- Hike to the castle of Tinos with local guide ending with a climb of Exombourgo Mountain
- Discover the history of Naxos on a full immersion food tour featuring Byzantine churches and a Citron distillery and liqueur tasting
- Sail & snorkel in the heart of the Aegean Sea visiting caves near Antiparos
- Walk from Fira to Oia for a unique experience in Santorini featuring the most sought-after views of the islands.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2217
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Ferry, private vehicle, walking.
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: EGAS
Starts: Athens, Greece
Finishes: Santorini, Greece
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Tinos Food Tour, Tínos Your Foodie Moment: Naxos Food & Wine Tour, Naxos Your OMG Day: Crater Rim Hike or Santorini Driving Tour, Santorini
- Complimentary Arrival & Departure Transfer
- Welcome Dinner
- Guided visit of Acropolis and the Ancient Agora
- Food tour in Tinos Old Town
- Village-to-village hike to Tinos Castle with local guide
- Naxos cheese and wine trail food tour
- Naxos village-to-village hike
- Full-day catamaran sailing in the Aegean Sea
- Santorini Sunset Cruise with dinner
- Farewell Dinner
- Departure transfer
- Tips for all included activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (9nts).
- 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
- Ferry, private vehicle, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $4,999 ($500 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Athens: Ancient and Modern Greece
Athens, named after the greek goddess of wisdom, Athena, is a place so rich in cultural history it can be hard to take in the magnitude of its contributions to the world we live in today. From the world's most influential philosophers-Socrates, Aristotle, Plato-to the thinkers who brought about the first democratic political systems, Athens has more than its fair share of history to uncover. Welcome to Athens, and to Greece, and we invite you to join us in discovering what makes Greece the perfect blend of the ancient and the modern.
Arrive at any time. After meeting fellow travellers and your CEO during the welcome meeting. Head out on foot to a nearby local taverna and enjoy your first meal together in Greece.
Day 2: Athens: The Acropolis to Ancient Agora
Socrates said "I am a citizen, not of Athens, or Greece, but of the world". Well today you are all citizens of Athens. Explore two of the most important monuments in history. From the home of the Goddess Athena to the peoples places, dive into the history of Athens, greek mythology and the birth of democracy.
After a comprehensive tour of the Acropolis with your local guide, meander down the hill to the Ancient Agora, where you continue to explore the history of this ancient city. Leave the sites behind in time to enjoy a taverna lunch in the Plaka. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring. Your admission pass today includes entry in to four additional historical sites. This evening join your CEO as we head up to Filopappou Hill for a wonderful sunset over Athens.
Day 3: Athens: Arrival to Tinos
Athens has always been the gateway to the Greek islands and a ferry ride to the Islands is a quintessential part exploring these magnificent islands. Picture the warm sun on your face, the blue water that turns to azure as you get closer to the island and the beautiful white village that starts coming into focus. You've made it, welcome to Tinos!
An early start allows you to make the most of the day. From the port of Rafina, board a ferry to Tinos and make sure to find a good spot to sit and enjoy the view. Upon arrival to Tinos, dive straight into it with a walking food tour of the old town. Remember, there is no such thing as too much tzatziki.
Day 4: Tinos: A Hike Around the Castle
Lesser known and lesser visited, Tinos is what you imagine in your mind's eye when you picture the Greek islands. In the southern part of the island, a rocky outcrop known as the castle is your backdrop as you hike around the castle from village to village and learn about the history and culture of the island.
After a delicious breakfast, set off for the trailhead and begin your hike in Exombourgo. Pass through various small towns on this moderate hike and finish in time to gather for a well deserved lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is at leisure. Spend time relaxing by the pool overlooking the Agean or walk down to the beach right from the hotel. Some time in the water is calling your name.
Day 5: Naxos: The Cheese and Wine Trails
Each Greek island is distinct from the other and has its own unique feel and specialties that can be found only there. This is one of the main reasons why island hopping in Greece is so rewarding; each day is a unique adventure. Naxos welcomes you with an exclusive food and wine experience making and tasting local Arseniko cheese and visiting a vineyard to learn and sample some of the locally produced wine.
Leave Tinos by Ferry for Naxos. After a fulfilling-and filling-afternoon discovering Naxos' cheese and wine trail, arrive at your hotel in time for a late afternoon swim.
Day 6: Naxos: A Hike Back in Time
Even though we may love our modern conveniences, it's impossible not to imagine what life was like over 500 years ago, especially, on a small island. Here on Naxos you have the chance to briefly step back in time on a hike that gets you out into the countryside with a local guide, learning about how the valley of Tragea helped the entire island to flourish economically and socially over 500 years ago.
Transfer from your hotel to the trailhead where you start our journey. Along the way, discover this island's hidden treasures, meet locals and enjoy a delicious lunch. Early afternoon is spent at the hotel, with some time off to refresh and relax, an opportunity to enjoy the local beach right down the street from your hotel.
Day 7: Naxos: Sailing and Snorkeling
There is no better day in the Aegean than sailing around the Islands, jumping off to cool down, swimming in the azure water or snorkelling to search for fish and lost treasures. A trip to the Greek islands wouldn't be complete without a day out on a boat.
Head out for the entire day on a small sailing yacht. Stop at Piso Livadi in Paros, where you will have time to explore and choose from one of the local tavernas to grab a bite to eat. You return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 8: Santorini: Fira and Sunset Cruise in the Caldera
There is no island more famous in Greece than Santorini. Its white building with blue domes are famous the world over and there is no better place to end our island hopping. Spend the afternoon discovering Fira with your CEO before a sunset cruise this evening.
Board the ferry to Santorini and in no time at all you will recognize the white villages high above. Head to Fira for a short orientation walk of the town where you can enjoy lunch on your own. This evening, head back to the port to embark on a sunset cruise. Bring your bathers, as there will be time for snorkelling and swimming. A beach barbecue will be served during your cruise.
Day 9: Santorini: Your OMG day
Let your interests and energy level guide you today. You have the choice between two fantastic and distinct experiences today. If you are ready to get out and walk, choose to hike from Fira to Oia. If you would rather take it easy, join a guided tour of Santorini by vehicle. Both experiences end in Oia, so you may even run into your fellow travellers along the way.
Whether you choose to hike or to take a guided tour, we know Santorini will impress you. This evening, join your CEO and fellow travellers for a final dinner together.
Day 10: Santorini
Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in the Greek islands will live on.
Depart at any time. Please note, your transfer to the airport is included.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Stephanie - Traveled, August 2024
Absolutely brilliant, could not fault it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2024
Brigitte - Traveled, August 2024
Well organized, boat in good condition and the particioant fun. We dis some sailing, some mitoring deownding on the wins. The skipper Leo was willing to share and teach and we helped with a few of the tasks. We ankered in some remote beaches which was a wonderful experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/30/2024
Sarah - Traveled, August 2024
Wonderful trip with wonderful crew!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/11/2024
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