Greece – Explorations of a Timeless Land
Visitors and conquerors alike, since before recorded history, have been mesmerized by Greece’s beauty. From the rising sun’s piercing rays as they illuminate the monastery on Mount Athos to the long rays of warm setting sun on the stones of the ancient acropolis in Athens, this is a country whose soil, rivers and mountains have sustained a culture as complex as it is staggeringly beautiful.
Our unique explorations of this timeless land focus on Greek life, the pace of the day, the time shared around a dinner table, the odor of fresh incense as it rises against ancient mosaic.
We begin our exploration of Greece from the base of a gorgeous hotel on the Lycabettus hill, where all of our client’s rooms have views of the Acropolis. From that base we enjoy three nights and three days in one of the largest and most ancient cities in the world. This small group tour also includes visits to the Turkish monasteries at Meteora, the monastery of Hosios Loukas, the temples of Delphi and the ancient Lion’s gate of Mycenae in the course of the next three days.
Upon returning to Athens, the group will fly with the tour lead to the island of Santorini where they will check into a gorgeous hotel with views of the world famous crater and sea. The next few days offer explorations on one of Greece’s most beautiful islands. A ferry ride to Mykonos brings the group to yet another world famous island where there will be time to explore more of the island than only the main streets of Mykonos. A day will be dedicated to explorations on the island of Delos with a private guide as well.
At the conclusion of our days exploring the islands of Greece, the group will return to Athens for a final night, and special dinner, before departing for the United States (or other destinations) the following morning.
Accommodations
Clients will be accommodated in high four-star and five-star hotels during the course of this incredible tour.
Included Services
Meet and Greet in Athens- All hotel accommodations
- Full time tour leader
- Expert local guides at all locations across Greece
- Air transfer between Athens and Santorini
- First Class Ferry service between Santorini and Mykonos
- Air transfer between Mykonos and Athens
- Numerous meals – see itinerary for full details
- All Breakfasts during the tour
- Farewell dinner on final night in Athens
- Pre and post travel planning if clients wish to add on time in any location across Europe (up to three days)
Itinerary
(Note: Letters within parenthesis indicate meals included with your tour – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
Day One: Arrival, Register at hotel and short introductory tour of Athens. (D)
Day Two: A full day private tour of Athens with private guide to include the Acropolis, Roman Agora and the Archeological Museum of Greece. (B)
Day Three: Guests are free for the morning free to explore the city. Mid-afternoon guided visit to the Temple of Poseidon above the Suonion Sea for sunset. Return to Athens for dinner. (B)
Day Four: Our small group will transfer by private air conditioned van to the monasteries at Meteora where a private guide will lead the group on a visit to the extraordinary monasteries perched precariously on high outcroppings of rock. This evening the group will overnight at a lovely hotel near Meteora. (B,L)
Day Five: The group will depart the hotel and will visit the monastery of Hosios Loukas. Following the guided visit there, we will continue to the archaeological site and museum at Delphi. Following lunch, the group will have a guided tour of the site and museum before registering at a hotel in the small village of Delphi for the evening. (B,L)
Day Six: Today, the group will cross the Rio-Antirrio bridge which arches over the narrows of the Bay of Patras and will travel along the western coast of the Peloponnese peninsula to the site of ancient Olympia. Upon arrival a private guide will share the history and beauty of this famous archaeological site, home of the Olympics. Following the visit to the site, the group will return to the sea side city of Pyrgos where they will settle in a lovely hotel for the evening. (B,L)
Day Seven: The group will have a long transfer across the peninsula to the Corinth Canal with stops along the way at a fabulous winery for a tour, tasting and lunch. Upon arrival in Athens, the group will enjoy an easy evening at a luxury hotel located at the Athens Eleftherios airport. (B,L)
Day Eight: Our group enjoys a morning flight to the island of Santorini. Upon arrival at a spectacular hotel above the famous crater of the island, a private guide will take the group on a brief exploration of the village closest to the hotel; Thira, Firostafani and Imirovigli. Following that brief tour, the group is free to relax for the remainder of the day. (B)
Day Nine: Clients enjoy an open day on the island of Santorini to explore and enjoy the varied, beautiful, villages of one of the most gorgeous places on earth. (B)
Day Ten: Clients have the opportunity to tour the island with a local expert guide. From the high point of Prophitis Ilias, to the Panagi Episkopi Church and to the villages of Oia and Pyrgos surprises of the island fill a remarkable day. (B,L)
Day Eleven: Our group leaves Santorini and transfers to the island of Mykonos. The trip takes about two and a half hours on the ultramodern “Flying Cat4” and offers a relaxing way to enjoy gorgeous sunshine and exceptional service during the trip. Upon arrival, clients register at a lovely hotel no far from the village of Mykonos where they can relax for the remainder of the day. (B)
Day Twelve: A private local guide joins the group today for a three-quarter day tour of the island of Mykonos. (B,L)
Day Thirteen: Delos, the ancient island birthplace of the gods, is the destination for our group this morning. An expert guide joins the group as they explore the incredible history and beauty of an island only forty-five minutes from Mykonos. From Delos, the group returns to Mykonos for the late afternoon. (B)
Day Fourteen: The group will have an open morning and then fly together to the Athens Eleftherios Airport for a final evening at the Athens Airport Sofitel Hotel, a gorgeous hotel located on the grounds of the airport. A special farewell dinner will be enjoyed this evening in celebration of our time in Greece. (B,D)
Day Fifteen: Clients depart Athens for a return to the United States or for other onward European travel. (Please note that some clients may not be able to have breakfast at the hotel this morning based on their flight departure times.) (B)