Experience Overview
Embark on a 16-day Premium journey exploring very the best of mainland Greece and the Cyclades. Whether it’s tracing a path through ancient ruins in Delphi, visiting secluded monasteries high in the Meteora Valley, or watching as the sun sets over the whitewashed buildings of Santorini, this is a country where the weight of history makes its presence felt. With plenty of opportunities to mingle with the locals, savour traditional Aegean cuisine and visit the acclaimed sites, this is a complete adventure into Greece’s sun-kissed heartland.
Highlights
- Step back in time as you travel with your local leader to the Athens Acropolis, Mycenae and the Prodromos monastery, where you’ll share coffee with a local monk during an Exclusive Experience.
- Taste classic Greek produce during a visit to an olive oil press museum in Naxos, local beekeepers in Itea and a family-run winery in Santorini.
- Be amazed by the magical monasteries and ancient rock pinnacles of Meteora and learn about the natural and cultural history of one of Greece's most extraordinary sights.
- Learn the secrets of Greek cuisine in Naxos during an in-depth cooking class with a local, using organic ingredients from her garden to create regional specialties which you will then enjoy for lunch.
- Hike along Santorini’s caldera, passing steep cliff faces and unbelievable views as you learn about the island's geological history along the way.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3312
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Unknown
Transport: Private vehicle,Ferry,Taxi
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: ZVPCC
Starts: Athens, Greece
Finishes: Santorini, Greece
Duration: 16 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (14), Lunch (2), Dinner (8)Accommodation: Hotel (11 nights),Feature stay (4 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $8652 (CAD $541 /day)
Itinerary
Kalimera! Welcome to Athens, Greece's storied capital. When you arrive, a local representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do – after all, you’re in one of the world's oldest cities! Maybe visit the Archaeological Museum of Athens to brush up on some history or hunt down the best souvlaki. After your welcome meeting, head out for dinner with your group at a local restaurant and toast the beginning of the trip – maybe with a glass of ouzo.
Included Activities:
- Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities:
- Athens - National Archaeological Museum (15 EUR)
- Athens - Acropolis Museum (20 EUR)
- Athens - National Gallery of Athens (10 EUR)
- Athens - Numismatic Museum (15 EUR)
- Athens - Half day trip to Cape Sounio (55 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll get to know ancient Athens with visits to two of the city’s most famous sites. First, explore the Acropolis – one of the Western world’s most significant landmarks. Meet an expert local guide who'll share deep insights into the history and legacy of the civilisations that once lived in this citadel. Start with an ascent through the towering Propylaea, the grand entrance to the Acropolis. Inside, you’ll see the Parthenon – considered the greatest Doric temple in the ancient world. In the afternoon, drive north to the town of Kalambaka at the base of the Meteora Mountains. Along the way, stop at Thermopylae – the site of the famous 480 BC battle during the Greco-Persian wars, and the inspiration behind the movie 300. Upon arrival, you might like to check out one of the local tavernas for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Athens - Acropolis Archaeological Site Visit with Local Guide
Accommodation:
- Monastery Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel into the hills this morning to the monasteries of Meteora. These ancient stone buildings sit on towering sandstone cliffs and are among Greece's most extraordinary sites. Join a local guide to explore the ruins of the Pantokrator and Varlaam monasteries and learn about their history – settlement in the area dates back to at least the 11th century when hermit monks sought refuge in the caves. Then, return to Kalambaka to explore the town or relax at the hotel. Regroup in the evening to watch the sunset from the hills surrounding Meteora with an included drink.
Included Activities:
- Meteora - Monastery Visits with Local Guide
Optional Activities:
- Meteora - Sunset tour (35 EUR)
- Meteora - Digital centre of Meteora Projection (3 EUR)
- Meteora - Natural history Museum of Meteora (6 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Monastery Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, travel to Delphi to visit the Delphi Museum and explore the complex with a local guide – including the Temple of Apollo, the most important building where statues and offerings to the gods were housed and where rituals took place. Later in the afternoon, visit a family of local beekeepers for an Exclusive Experience where you’ll see the hives, learn about honey production and, of course, taste their produce. Continue to your overnight stop in the small coastal town of Nafpaktos. For dinner tonight, maybe treat yourself to some seafood by the water.
Included Activities:
- Delphi - Archaeological Site and Museum Visit with Local Guide
- Itea - Beekeeping Experience & Honey Tasting
Accommodation:
- Nafs Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After a leisurely morning, drive to the archaeological site of ancient Olympia – a complex that once comprised temples and public buildings and was the site of the first Olympic Games. You’ll join an expert local guide to tour the main stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, priest houses, Temple of Hera and the hippodrome. Then, visit the museum to brush up on more history. Continue to the medieval village of Dimitsana to settle into Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel – your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. This traditionally decorated stone mansion has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
Included Activities:
- Olympia - Archaeological Site and Museum Visit with Local Guide
Accommodation:
- Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel (feature stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today join a local guide to explore the central part of the Peloponnese peninsula and Lousios Valley. Walk deep into the valley where you’ll have an Exclusive Experience at the working monastery of Prodromos – an incredible wood and clay structure built into a rock face. Learn about the monks’ lives as they show you around before sitting together for coffee and Greek delight. Then, see the splendid 14th-century frescoes decorating the rock walls inside the chapel. After, visit the tenth-century Byzantine monastery of Philosophou and learn how it was the base for a secret school known as 'Kryfo Scholio' run by monks during Ottoman rule. Continue to the medieval village of Stemnitsa – known for its silversmiths – and Zigovisti (or a similar village) for a traditional lunch before returning to Dimitsana for a free afternoon.
Included Activities:
- Central Arcadia - Lousios Valley Hike with Local Guide
- Central Arcadia - Philosophou Monestary Visit
- Central Arcadia - Prodromos Monastery Visit with Coffee & Greek Delight
Optional Activities:
- Dimitsana - Open-Air Water Power Museum (4 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel (feature stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Visit the Mycenae archaeological site this morning – a UNESCO World Heritage site considered one of the most important cities of the Mycenaean civilisation. Then, drive to the seaside town of Nafplion (Nafplio) – the original Greek capital – and take some time to explore at your own pace. Before returning to Athens, stop to sample ouzo and learn how Greece’s national drink is made. A taste of this anise-infused alcohol will take you straight to the heart of Greek culture. Arrive in Athens in the late afternoon and head out for an included farewell dinner at a local restaurant – don't forget to say yamas (cheers) to a brilliant adventure!
Included Activities:
- Nafplion - Ouzo Tasting
- Mycenae - Archaeological site with guide
Accommodation:
- Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a day at leisure in Athens. You may wish to take a walk around the National Garden or tackle the climb up Lycabettus Hill. As this is a combination trip, a meeting will take place at your hotel at 6 pm this evening to meet your new leader welcome any new travellers joining the next leg of your adventure. After, join your new leader and group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
- Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities:
- Athens - Acropolis Museum (20 EUR)
- Athens - National Gallery of Athens (10 EUR)
- Athens - Half day trip to Cape Sounio (55 EUR)
- Athens - Numismatic Museum (15 EUR)
- Athens - National Archaeological Museum (15 EUR)
- Athens - Acropolis Archeological site (tickets must be booked online) (30 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll be transported to Athens' port at Piraeus, where you’ll board a ferry to Paros – a beautiful and relaxed island with a layered history. Ferries are a great way to travel between the islands and are essential to many remote islands in Greece's archipelagos. In the afternoon, get to know Paros during an island tour with a local guide. Start off in Parikia, the island’s main town, where you’ll visit the Ekatontapiliani church, also known as the Church of a Hundred Doors. Drive across the island, passing by ancient marble quarries and verdant hills, to Marpissa for a visit to a cultural centre to learn about island life from a group of local women. Carry on to Naoussa – a village known for its whitewashed alleys, Venetian castle and scenic port.
Included Activities:
- Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide
Accommodation:
- Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do on the island. You might like to take a guided morning hike along the coast – starting off at a fishing village and weaving through some of the island’s best beaches. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to visit the nearby island of Antiparos – a favourite secret holiday spot for royals and celebrities. Or maybe you’d like to spend the day relaxing on one of Paros’ many beaches, cooling off with dips in Aegean Sea. Speak to your leader for more information about the activities on offer today and for tips on how to make the most of this island.
Optional Activities:
- Paros - Catamaran Day Trip to Antiparos and Despotiko with Lunch (95 EUR)
- Paros - Farm Visit Tour and Tastings (75 EUR)
- Paros - Public Ferry from Paros to Antiparos ( Summer months RTN ticket) (8 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Say goodbye to Paros this morning and catch a short ferry to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has something for everyone – from beaches to an Old Town and hundreds of years of Venetian history. Take some time to settle in, then regroup in the late afternoon to learn about the town. Visit the Portara with a local guide – the giant marble doorway is the only remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo from 530 BC. Naxos is unique in the fact that it is the Cyclades’ only self-sufficient island, meaning all produce is grown and available on the island without imports. Because of this, the cuisine is hyperlocal and differs to the rest of the country. Try it for yourself this evening during a group dinner, where you will learn all about the regional specialties.
Included Activities:
- Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Guided Tour
Accommodation:
- Naxos Princess or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Drive to Kaloxylos in the heart of the island’s biggest olive grove and one of the oldest in the world. Here, tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil to Greek culture and traditional extraction methods. After your visit, you’ll put your new knowledge to good use as you travel to the nearby village of Galini for a hands-on cooking class. Meet with a local who will share her culinary knowledge with the group, leaving you with recipes you can cook up at home. First, collect fresh ingredients from your host’s organic garden and learn about cultivation and farming on Naxos. Then put the ingredients together to create a Naxian dish from scratch, enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch. Pair your lunch with a tasting of local kitron. This citron liqueur, with a history stretching back to the 19th century and produced exclusively on Naxos, offers a taste of the island’s culture.
Included Activities:
- Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Farm
- Naxos - Kaloxylos Olive Oil Press
Accommodation:
- Naxos Princess or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is free to explore more of Naxos as you wish. You may like to head to one of the island’s beaches or discover more of its history at a local museum. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos in Chora Naxos dates back to the 17th century and houses artefacts from the Neolithic to the early Christian periods, and the Geological Museum of Apeiranthos digs up the natural history of the island. If you’re after a sweet treat, walnut cake flavoured with local kitron is an excellent regional specialty. Your leader will be on hand to help tailor a day that suits your interests.
Optional Activities:
- Naxos - Koufonissia & Rina Cave Cruise (90 EUR)
- Naxos - Mykonos and Delos One Day Cruise from Naxos - from (75 EUR)
- Naxos - Highlights Bus Tour with Free Time for Lunch at Apeiranthos (35 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Naxos Princess or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Naxos in the morning and catch a ferry to Santorini. When you arrive in Santorini's capital, Fira, you’ll be met and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel – a whitewashed building in traditional Cycladic style, El Greco Resort wraps around the year-round swimming pool. Featuring modern, spacious rooms, this hotel also sits in a prime location for exploring Santorini. It’s only a short walk from the Archaeological Museum of Thera, so perhaps head there to learn about how previous civilisations lived on the island. Tonight, make sure you catch Santorini's world-famous sunset.
Optional Activities:
- Santorini - Akrotiri Archaeological site (20 EUR)
- Santorini - Thira Prehistoric Museum (10 EUR)
Accommodation:
- El Greco Resort Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
In the morning, embark on a hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island you see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion that destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. The natural beauty of this caldera is what makes Santorini such a special place. Your walk will take you along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and amazing views along the way. The walk ends in the town of Oia, built on a steep slope inside Santorini’s volcanic caldera. Famous not only for its scenery, Santorini’s microclimate and volcanic soil make it a top spot for wine production. Sip your way around the island with two special stops – the Symposium Cultural Centre, where you’ll learn about Greek wine and try it in traditional cups, and a family-run winery, where you’ll discover more about the history of wine production and taste the different varieties yourself alongside a food pairing.
Included Activities:
- Santorini - Caldera Hike
- Santorini - Winery visit with tasting and food pairing
- Santorini - Mythology and Wine experience
Accommodation:
- El Greco Resort Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you want to spend some more time in Santorini, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Stephen - Traveled, May 2023
Our tour guide, Maria, was amazing! She was so knowledgeable, and personable, and helpful, and organized, and fun. She made the trip! Overall the trip was good. It would have been amazing if Intrepid didn't cheap out on a few of the hotels and the ferries.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2023
Larry - Traveled, May 2023
We missed half our trip from Covid with absolutely no acknowledgement or information from Intrepid. We were Home for three days before we received any notice from Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/07/2023
Jennifer - Traveled, August 2023
Intrepid premium- quality hotels with porterage. Small travel group using very comfortable quality tour van. Driver and tour leader outstanding in safety, assistance, local knowledge and support. Was a great trip- highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/08/2023
Alan - Traveled, May 2023
A great trip from the rugged beauty of Meteora and Dimitsana, the pretty little town of Nafplio, the historical sites of Delphi and Olympia and the individual beauty of the islands (particularly Paros). Be mindful that there may be lots of cruise ships in Santorini and hence lots of tourists in the narrow alleys to contend with. There is a pretty light itinerary on the islands which allows for individual exploration using the local buses. The hikes in Dimitsana and Santorini are certainly not for everyone!!! Ross looked after us really well and the local guides were certainly very knowledgeable. Great trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Katyana - Traveled, May 2023
Overall had a great time on this trip and would book again. The hotels at Itea and Kalambaka are of basic standard. If you like archeology you are in for a treat. Bee visit and Dimitsana were a highlight. Definitely had some amazing experiences on this trip. Maria is an excellent guide. The tour leader for the islands rushed the group for seemingly no reason. Don’t let this deter you from booking is still a great trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/09/2023
Anna - Traveled, June 2024
The Premium Greece in Depth Tour by Intrepid was an adventure of a lifetime for us. The handpicked destinations, transportation, the guides, the history, the accommodation, the food, the local experiences, the safety & the people that we travelled with in our tour group made this an experience that we will remember fondly. Our hearts & minds are full. Thank you Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2024
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