Greece Panorama Adventure

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Arrival/Athens

Arrival in Athens Airport, private transfer from Athens Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. You will be transferred to your hotel.
 

Afternoon at Leisure in Athens

Athens’ heyday was around 400 years BC, that’s when most of the classical monuments were built. During the Byzantine and Turkish eras, the city decayed into just an insignificant little village, only to become the capital of newly-liberated Greece in 1833. Ahead of the 2004 Olympics, almost the entire infrastructure was transformed: the Metro, trams, new ring roads and viaducts have eased the pressure of the heavy traffic.
 
Athens is still a rather messy and chaotic place—it wouldn’t be Athens otherwise—and despite all the improvements, still retains a great deal of its oriental charm. The whole coastal stretch from Piraeus to the old Hellenikon airport has been improved with new plantings, viaducts, and paths for walking. The Plaka district is becoming more and more popular and it is on the way to catching up with Psyrri, Gazi, and Rouf as regards restaurants.
 
Discover the beauties of the Anafiotika district, at the feet of the Acropolis, and visit the ancient village still housed amid the city. In Exarchia, there is still a somewhat in-your-face anarchic atmosphere around the Technical University. Meanwhile, Kolonaki is becoming chicer and chicer.

Athens

Athens Highlights Private Day-tour

Visit the most famous landmarks in Greece, with an expert licensed guide who will take you all around the city on this Athens Highlights full-day experience. Located in the heart of the country’s capital, Athens, the Acropolis is where Democracy was born and where you will begin your tour.
 
Athens is an ancient city that has evolved into a contemporary metropolitan continuously keeping up with the new trends of the modern world. However, Greece’s capital is immensely proud of its important heritage and has successfully integrated the ancient sections into the new scene. The blend is unique and beautiful. Your tour will begin at the most significant ancient site, the Acropolis for 2 hours, followed by another 2 hours at the renowned New Acropolis Museum and 1 hour at the Ancient Agora.
 
A 2-hour tour with an expert state-licensed guide will be more than enough for you to inhale the greatness of this archaeological site. Once you set foot into the monumental entrance of the Acropolis, known as the Propylaea, your insightful guide will explain to you how the architect Mnesicles built it between 437432 BCE as part of Pericles’s great rebuilding program for Athens. Standing proudly next to the Propylaea lays the Temple of Athena Nike. This shrine was dedicated to the Goddess of Victory and although it is small in size, it is of great importance. Move along to another temple that honored the gods Athena and Poseidon, the Erechtheion, The Caryatids of the south porch, serving as pillars, will catch your eye as they are the true gems of the Erechtheion. Finally, you will reach the glorious temple of the Acropolis, the Parthenon. The Parthenon was built between 447 and 432 BCE in the Age of Pericles, and it was dedicated to the city’s patron deity Athena. This Doric temple embellished with decorations in bronze, ivory, and gold is without a doubt a showstopper. Take your time to photograph the lavish details of the construction while your guide paints a mental image of what the imposing statue of Athena used to look like.
 
Your next stop is the New Acropolis Museum with its 3 floors of extraordinary statues, sculptures, and artifacts. Your “Insider” guide will unravel the history behind the antiquities while you appreciate the impressive layout. You will have the chance to admire the Head of a Statue of Alexander the Great, work of Leochares and found in 1886 near the Erechtheion on the Acropolis. On the same floor, you will see the remarkable Caryatid, which may be somewhat damaged, however, Alcamenes knew how to bring out the elegance that can stand the test of time in a 2-meter statue. Located in the Gallery of the museum, a clay vessel from the Archaic Period, the Loutrophoros-amphora is showcased. This vase is decorated with the transfer of the bride to the groom’s house with the accompaniment of Gods, elevating the status of the marriage. Now reaching the end of your tour, make sure to take in the breathtaking view of the Acropolis from the museum’s café before you return to your hotel.
 
In 1 hour, you will walk on the soil of the Ancient Agora, where famous ancient Greek philosophers, politicians, priests, and ordinary citizens such as Socrates and Protagoras, would meet to exchange views and concerns, agree on solutions, and course of actions. They created the foundation for democracy. In the center of the site be amazed by the profound Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved ancient Greek temple from the Classical era, and the remarkable Stoa of Attalos from the Hellenistic period.
 
Your 7-hour experience full of ancient history and wondrous sites has come to an end. Now that you have learned how this city became what it is today, you will gain respect for it as your perception of it will be forever altered.

Athens

Morning – Flavors of Athens Private Food Tour

Embark on a 4-hour gastronomic journey through the exciting capital of Greece and experience the true Flavors of Athens. With your expert guide, you will walk around this exciting city that is full of culinary delights and secrets while biting into a variety of sweet and savory mouthwatering treats from local producers.
 
Step into their food stores that have been around for decades and sample ingredients that locals use in their daily dishes, such as olives, spices& herbs, cheeses, olive oil, and nuts. We have carefully selected shops that only bring the most flavorful, natural, and only locally sourced products so that you can get a real taste of authentic Greek food. Do not forget to buy a bottle of extra virgin olive oil to take back home with you as it will elevate any dish you plan on making.
 
Head to the central food market where Athenians like to do a great deal of their grocery shopping as they can find the freshest produce and the most appetizing meat and fish. On your way there, your insider food guide will explain how Greece’s cuisine has evolved over the centuries and how today’s recipes keep the traditions alive through modern-day cooking practices. At the market, walk around the colorful fruit& vegetable sections. Get a whiff of how amazing the seasonal crops smell and do not hesitate to buy some fruit so you can enjoy it back at your hotel as a snack. At the prodigious meat& fish areas, witness how the butchers and fishermen attract potential buyers! There is a great deal of humor so do get caught up in the lively and entertaining atmosphere, we are certain you will find it amusing!
 
We have a few more delicious surprises in store for you! Try bread with chunks of feta cheese or a spinach pie with handmade phyllo and finish off with loukoumades, a Greek version of donuts dipped in honey, sprinkled with cinnamon, and topped with chopped walnuts.
 

Afternoon – National Archaeological Museum & City Vehicle Private Tour

Visit the National Archeological Museum, which is considered to be one of the greatest museums in the world. Its abundant collections, with more than 20,000 exhibits, provide a panorama of the Greek civilization from the beginnings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity.
 
Your knowledgeable state-licensed “Insider” guide will take you through the numerous galleries, revealing all the stories that lie beneath the artifacts. You will find small treasures from the glorious past, including sculptures, jewelry, pottery, and the incredible Antikythera Device, a 2000-year-old mechanism found in a shipwreck, which is considered the first computer in human history.
 
You will also enjoy a vehicle tour, passing by more distant but equally important sites of the city, such as the Panathenaic Stadium, Zappeion, the monument of the Unknown Soldier, and the changing of the guards.

Athens/Nafplio

Depart to Nafplio

You will start from Athens in the early morning with your private driver and host, a true insider of the places you will visit the following days. During your trip you will not only enjoy the luxury of a chauffeured trip, but also maximum flexibility, enjoying stops when you want, visiting further points of interest on your way, and selecting your preferred restaurants under the advice of your driver.
 
You will enjoy a short stop to the Corinth Canal and a scenic drive you will reach the archeological site of Mycenae, one of the major centers of Greek civilization, a military stronghold that dominated much of southern Greece.
 

Morning – Mycenae Guided Tour

Your expert private guide will walk you through this UNESCO World Heritage Site and will explain to you how this city flourished between the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. Apart from admiring the architecture of the structure of the palace, you will also learn about the numerous legends that encircle this enchanted area. It is where the Greek hero Agamemnon is believed to have been not only king of Mycenae but of all the Archaean Greeks and leader of their expedition to Troy to recapture Helen. End your Mycenaean tour at the archaeological museum that is within the archaeological site of Mycenae and be amazed by many ceramic vases, jewelry, wall paintings, tools, and weapons in exhibition rooms.
 

Arrive at Nafplio

In under 30 minutes, you will reach the romantic and charming town of Nafplion the first capital of the newly born Greek state between 1823 and 1834. It boasts stunning Venetian architecture and Ottoman structures making it the ideal location to learn about Greek history while walking in the narrow streets of the old town. The town also prides itself on its three fortresses. The spectacular Palamidi castle, perched above Nafplio. Climb the steps and you will be rewarded with remarkable views over the whole area. The Acronauplia fortress majestically stands behind the Old Town dates back to the Bronze Age. Finally, the Bourtzi fortress is located on a tiny island off the harbor built by Venetians.
 

Afternoon – Epidaurus Guided Tour

In the afternoon you will visit the spectacular archeological site of Epidaurus. Its ancient town stands on Argolian land, overlooking the Saronic Gulf. Here, you will have the chance to admire the world-famous ancient theater, still in use today, as well as the sanctuary of Asclepius and the Ancient Stadium of Epidaurus. Asclepius was the ancient god of medicine, and the sanctuary dedicated to him also functioned as a healing place for the ailing. It is considered to be the birthplace of modern medicine because the healing methods applied here were markedly distanced from the archaic practices that pertained to superstition and attributed ailments and cures to the divine. It soon grew in size, developing into a vast medical complex whose influence
was extended throughout the ancient world; It is calculated that more than 200 healing centers operated under Asklepieion’s authorization throughout the Eastern Mediterranean area.
 
The ancient theater of Epidaurus is probably the most beautiful and best-preserved of its kind. The theater was built in the 4th century BC by Polykleitos and is famous for its stunning acoustic as the rows of limestone seats form an efficient sound filter that hushes low-frequency background noises.

Nafplio/Sparta

Depart to Sparta

You will depart Nafplio in the morning to head South.
 
On your way, you may have a stop at Alea Tegeas, for a visit to the Temple of Athena Alea, one of the most celebrated temples of the Classical period and one of great importance for the history of monumental architecture and sculpture in Greece. The small archaeological museum of the site is a jewel of the area. The exhibition program narrates the story of the birth and development of Tegea, the most powerful city in ancient Arcadia. The rural sanctuaries lie at the center of the narration. Among these, the most important is the sanctuary of Athena Alea – famous all over the Peloponnese.
 

Morning – Mystras Guided Tour

You will soon arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mystras, a mystical tower town and an exceptional example of a well-preserved fortified late-Byzantine city, featuring palaces, residences and mansions, churches, and monasteries. The art developed in Mystras influenced the development of Late Byzantine and Post-byzantine art, while its distinguished intellectuals aroused the interest of the West for the interpretation of Platonic philosophy and the study of ancient Greek texts, contributing to the European Renaissance.
 
Mystras constitutes a unique example of a Byzantine city, an expression of flourishing urban society within the late Byzantine Empire, a unique intellectual, cultural and artistic center. With your expert guide, you will wander around the castle city and sense through the silence the city’s sheer
grandeur: the Palace of the Despots Anaktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios, and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and Our Lady Perivleptos.
 

Afternoon – Sparta Guided Tour

In the early afternoon, you will reach Sparta where you will visit the excavations of the ancient part of the city, still in progress. A unique example for its social system and home of mighty Leonidas, the legendary Spartan warriors, and Helen of Troy, Sparta held a significant role in ancient Greek history. Although little survives today, the legends are present and your guide’s storytelling will bring them to life. You may also enjoy a visit, to the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil showcasing the culture and technology surrounding olive and olive oil production, a field which is inextricably linked to Greek, and in general, Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, the Museum is located in the heart of Lakonia, one of the leading olive-producing regions in our country.

Sparta/Kardamili

Depart to Kardamili and Stoupa

You will depart Sparta in the morning to head Southwest.
 

Morning – Kardamili Sea Kayak

Kardamyli and Stoupa are two villages in the Mani nestled between the blue waters of the Messinian Gulf and Mount Taygetos creating one of the prettiest settings in the Peloponnese. Sea kayaking here is offering an inch-by-inch exploration of the rich images and diverse environment. The lacy coastline of the Mani. With your expert leader, you will paddle in warm crystal-clear waters, explore hidden coves and impressive rock formations, visit sea caves and discover idyllic beaches sprouted along the shoreline.
 
Your trip will start from Kardamili’s old harbor. Before departure, your guide will brief you on trip details, kayak paddling techniques, and safety measures. Soon you will be exploring the coast at a relaxed paddling pace and your guide will reveal to you some of the secrets of the area. Each little cove hides a special surprise such as hidden sea caves, rock gardens, cliffs with spectacular formations, hidden sandy, and pebble beaches. The
perspective of the sea bed from your kayak is unique. You can see through the crystal-clear water the sea life and if you are lucky a sea turtle swimming under your kayak. One of the top attractions of this trip is a visit to the Blue Cave. A spectacular natural phenomenon where sunlight passing through a crack in the cave reflects on the seafloor an aquamarine color. A swim in the cave is a must-do and a lifetime experience. On the way, you will visit rock pyramids emerging from the sea with an option for those daring to try cliff diving. You will also enjoy a relaxing stop for swimming, snorkeling, and tasting a homemade picnic of fresh local delicacies.
 
You may then spend some more time at the beach, or check in to your hotel for some time of relaxation under the magnificent views by the pool.
 

Afternoon – Kardamili time at leisure

In the afternoon you may further explore Kardamili, which is a beautiful seaside town holding its name since ancient times. Homer cites Kardamili as one of the seven cities offered by Agamemnon to Achilles as a condition to rejoin the fight during the Trojan War. Kardamili is scenically perfect burdened with flowers, lapped by the sea, surrounded by olive groves and clumps of cypress trees, overhung by cliffs and escarpments on which perch tiny domed chapels and above those the dramatic sweep of the bare slopes of the high Taygetus reaching up to the lofty summit of Profitis Ilias at over 2000 meters.

Kardamili/Olympia

Depart to Olympia

You will depart Kardamili in the morning to head Northwest.
 

Morning – Cook and Lunch with a Local Family

You reach the small village of Sterna in the Messinia region. You will visit a family cultivating the local “Koroneiki” variety of olives, famous all over Greece, and producing high-quality olive oil. You will spend some time to the house, picking up groceries from the garden and preparing lunch, before heading to the olive grove and the Coop olive oil press of the village, to learn all about the supreme olive oil produced in the region, the cultivation methods, and the importance of olive oil for the Greeks. You will then head to the house’s garden, to enjoy a delicious local lunch and a relaxed conversation.
 

Afternoon – Ancient Messene Tour

You will continue your day exploring the impressive site of Ancient Messene. Although little known as the site has only recently opened to the public, Ancient Messene is one of Greece’s best-preserved archaeological sites and a massive one. Your expert guide will walk you through the ancient city possessing sanctuaries, public buildings, and imposing fortifications, houses, and tombs. Amongst others, ancient Messene has the advantage of never having been destroyed by war or covered by later settlements and is located on an unspoiled inland site.

Olympia/Galaxidi

Olympia Guided Tour

This morning will be dedicated to the exploration of Olympia, the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece and the birthplace of the most significant athletic event of all times – the Olympic Games.
 
For at least 1000 years, the Olympic Games took place every four years until their abolition by Emperor Theodosius I in AD 393. Today, the Olympic flame continues to be lit here for the modern Games. You can walk through the impressive ruins of the area where athletes trained and run in the ancient stadium and visit the Museum and get the chance to see some unbelievable sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the
temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the famous Hermes of Praxiteles and the statue of Nike of Paionios.
 
With your guide, you will walk through and learn everything about the impressive ruins, and you will marvel at the numerous attractions of the site, such as the massive temple of Zeus, the Museum, and the ancient stadium where athletes used to train and run 3000 years ago.
 

Depart to Galaxidi

You will depart Kardamili in the morning to head North.

Galaxidi Afternoon at Leisure

In the early afternoon, you will arrive in Galaxidi, a quaint fishing village that used to be known as ‘the island on the mainland,’ as up to 1963 it could only be reached by boat. With its 2 harbors, mountain backdrop, bougainvillea-lined alleys, and seaside promenade, Galaxidi will enchant you with its charm.

Galaxidi/Meteora

Depart to Meteora

Today you will enjoy a slow morning to have the time to indulge in Chrisoula’s famous breakfast! You will then depart Galaxidi to head North.
 

Family Honey Farm Visit

You will have a sweet and delicious visit to a family Honey Farm. Greek honey is considered to be among the finest kinds of honey in the world. Thanks to the unlimited summer sun, the Greek countryside’s biodiversity, and the wide variety of Greek flora (including over 850 species found nowhere else in the world) Greece has some top-quality honey to showcase. You will wear the necessary protective gear and learn from a 3rd generation beekeeper everything about the impressive society of the bees and their honey production.
 

Delphi Guided Tour

You will continue the exploration of the region by visiting Delphi. Once believed to be the Centre of the world and the site at which Apollo spoke through his oracle, Delphi is one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Pilgrims from all over the then-known world would visit the Oracle to receive counsel, in the form of prophecies, for matters ranging from the everyday, mundane issues faced by the peasant to essential issues of state, life, or death.
Its prominence and power rose steadily throughout antiquity, so much so that it also became the base of a political and military alliance, apart from a religious sanctuary.
 
You will enjoy a 2-hour tour of storytelling with your expert private guide, who will explain everything about the oracle’s functions and the role it held during ancient times while browsing the site to admire the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, and the ancient theatre. You will also visit the Museum, containing some of the most important artifacts found in the area, such as Delphi’s Charioteer’s famous life-sized bronze statue.
 

Thermopylae Visit

On your way, you will have a short stop at the site of Thermopylae battlefield where Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors fought against the thousands of troops of the Persian army for 5 days.
 
‘Thermopylae’ literally means ‘Hot Gates’, probably due to the natural narrowing of the coastal road that connected Southern to Northern Greece at the point where the mountain masses that form the Pindos range meet the sea. Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces and the invading Persian forces. In 480 BC, 300 Spartans under King Leonidas, along with 700 Thespians, delayed the vast army of Xerxes in a legendary last stand.

Meteora

Morning – Meteora Hiking Tour

This day will be dedicated to the exploration of Meteora. Meaning “suspended in the air” Meteora is one of the biggest and most important clusters of monasteries in Greece. They have been characterized by UNESCO as a ‘unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they constitute one of the most important cultural sites in the Balkans.
 
Meteora used to be an ideal location for hermits, as they lived in complete isolation, constantly praying day and night, trying to connect with the Divine powers and attain enlightenment. The impressive landscape and isolated location were the perfect combinations for it.
 
You will take in the beauty of the area, away from the crowds, through a hiking tour, the best way to explore this unique geological phenomenon while enjoying great views other visitors will never get to see!
 
Stories, legends, and thousand years of history will be revealed to you while you will be enjoying the beautiful mountain passes. The hike ends with a visit to the monastery of Great Meteoron or Varlaam. Time allowing a visit to a second monastery can be added.
 

Afternoon – Meteora Sunset Tour

In the afternoon you will enjoy an off-the-path and crowds tour. You will start with a visit to Agios Stefanos or Roussanou Monastery followed by a visit to the oldest standing monument of the area, the Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary. In the later afternoon and as the sun will slowly start descending you will be driven high up on the Meteora rocks to enjoy the most captivating sunset views

Meteora/Thessaloniki

Depart to Thessaloniki

You will then depart Meteora to head North.
 

Morning – Truffle Hunting

Today you will meet Katerina, a truffle hunter, and an extraordinary cook! She will guide you deep inside the impressive and mesmerizing forests and plains in the wider Pindus region. The woods around here are lovely no matter what season you visit them. So it doesn’t matter if you want to experience the hunt like a long relaxing walk with the possibility of a delicious surprise or like a treasure hunt for one of the best tastes in the world. The truffle is one of the best flavorings used in the kitchen and is preferably consumed fresh. It fully displays its qualities once ripe. Each truffle has its own particular, typical aroma, which is suitable for specific culinary uses. So it is always a bonus to see what kind of truffle the dogs will dig up for you. Of course, the perfect end to such an experience is tasting your catch through a local recipes dinner with truffles.
 

Afternoon – Vergina Guided Tour

You will continue to Vergina and the impressive finding of the tomb of King Phillip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. You will meet your guide to enjoying a guided tour of the museum and the royal tomb. You will discover the rare richness of the finds of incalculable archaeological and historical importance. This is why the territory of the kings of Macedonia, the land of Philip and Alexander, Eurydice and Olympia, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Thessaloniki/Chania

Morning – Thessaloniki Guided Tour

Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece and the most important center of the area. Built near the sea it is a modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, which give it a special beauty and charm.
 
This morning you will be introduced to the rich history of Thessaloniki through an orientation tour that will get you acquainted with the city center and its most significant landmarks. Your tour will start from the Roman Agora where the heart of Roman Thessaloniki was beating. You will continue to the hidden local markets, discovering Byzantine, Jewish, Ottoman and contemporary traces. On your walk you will not miss the White tower, the city center and the promenade, Aghios Demetrius Byzantine church and its crypt while you will get to visit the Rotunda monument, Galerius Arch and the remains of the whole Gallerian complex scattered today within the modern city. You will also visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, and the commercial center of the city, Aristotelous and Egnatia streets.
 

Private Transfers & Domestic Flight from Thessaloniki to Chania

Your driver will take you to Thessaloniki Airport. A short flight and you will find yourselves on the majestic island of Crete!
 
Upon arrival, your driver will hold a sign with your name and take you to your hotel.

Chania

Balos and Gramvousa Speed-boat Private Tour

Famous for its pink-tinted sand and the many many articles listing Balos and Gramvoussa as two of the best beaches in the wolrd!
 
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel to the port, and you’ll embark on your private speed boat. An hour later you reach the small island of Gramvousa.
 
The castle of Gramvoussa is to be found at the top of the island, built by Venetians on top of some cliffs to act as a fortification protecting the island, today it offers visitors a panoramic view of the amazingly blue waters of the Cretan sea. We’ll depart from Gamvrousa Island to the breathtaking lagoon of Balos. The journey is short and lasts only
about 5 minutes.
 
Wild beauty unfolds before your eyes when you meet Balos beach. The white and at places pink sand, the turquoise warm and shallow waters, the rocks reaching for the sky around the lagoon… all these amazing elements come together to create a heavenly landscape, which you are bound to want to keep returning to!

Chania

The traditional villages of Chania Tour

Visit unique places and discover the hidden treasures of East Chania mainland…The Cretan culture will be revealed in front of your eyes!
 
You will discover the pure side of the Cretan mainland around the villages, meet the locals, test delicious local products, and learn everything about Crete’s history, culture, and traditions. After crossing traditional Cretan villages and nature, the first stop will be at the Gavalochori village. Then, you will visit the folklore museum of Apokoronas.
 
There, you can learn everything about history, handcrafts and more about the way of life of the people in the previous centuries thanks to the 7 rooms of the museum. After Gavalochori, on the way to Vrises village, you will stop to visit a traditional distillery. The local spirit “Tsikoudia” or “Raki” will not have secrets anymore for you! The visit starts with the traditional part of the distillery and continues with the facilities of the modern one. During the following tasting, you will try delicious local products.
 
The next stop will be the Emprosneros village where you can see the theatre “Mikis Theodorakis” and the church of St. Antony built on the rock. Then you will experience the Cretan cheese making and taste the local “Graviera” cheese. You will also enjoy some olive oil with warm bread, cookies, and Cretan biscuits in the local bakery.
 
In Fres village, you will learn more about the countryside way of life during your lunch in a traditional “Kafeneio” meeting locals.
 
Thanks to its people, the region of Apokoronas is one of the most historical places in Crete. Don’t wait to discover and explore this amazing province!
Your experience will last 6 hours including the traditional Cretan lunch, tastings of local delicacies, museum, distillery, and bakery fees. You will have a water bottle per person. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking local driver who will pick up and drop you off at your hotel with an air-conditioned minivan.

Chania/Heraklion

Private Transfer from Chania to Heraklion

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Chania and transfer you to Heraklion. The drive is 2 hours.
 

Minoan Palace of Knossos, and the New Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Guided Tour

Your private luxury transfer will pick you up from your accommodation and transfer you to the most famous Minoan Palace of all times, Knossos. Your private licensed tour guide will accompany you and give you all sorts of historical and mythological information on this legendary structure that still stands after 6000 years! At this significant archaeological site, you will learn all about the mythical King Minos, the Labyrinth, Theseus, and the Minotaur. What is more, is that you will find yourselves gasping at the modern ideas that the Minoans had, back in the Bronze Age. Ideas and concepts that we still use today!
 
Head toward the capital of Crete, Heraklion City, and enjoy a pleasant walking tour with your guide to getting acquainted with this ancient city. Guarding the city’s Venetian port is the 16th-century Koules fortress and within the city, you will discover numerous important monuments and churches that all have a story to tell such as St. Titus Church, the Morosini Fountain, and the Venetian Loggia. However, perhaps one of the most important buildings in Heraklion is the Archaeological Museum.
 
One of the best museums in Greece and the world for Minoan art as it contains by far the most important and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete. It hosts masterpieces from many Minoan Palaces such as Knossos, Phaestos, Zakros, and Malia. Find items of everyday life, potter such as the ‘Kamares vessels’, jewelry such as the famous ‘Bee Pendant’, stone and marble statuettes such as the ‘Goddess of the Snakes’, Minoan frescoes such as the ‘The Bull Leaper’, however one of the most artifacts is the Phaistos Disc with hieroglyphics and ideograms inscribed on it.
 
Your 5-hour Knossos, Heraklion, and Archaeological Museum journey has reached an end and your luxury private transfer will drive you back to your accommodation but is now full of new knowledge and understanding of this sacred island.
 

Heraklion food and city Tour

Cretan Cuisine, known worldwide today as the Mediterranean diet has been extensively studied and published in the medical literature because of its unique youth-giving properties and healthy lifestyle practices.
 
This “blue zone” area has inspired many people to regain their health and has become popularized in many cosmopolitan restaurants across Europe and the U.S as a proven way to wellness.
 
Get the chance to enjoy dishes inspired by the island’s traditional cuisine-the original Mediterranean diet. Our guides are true foodies and wine connoisseurs that will take you on a tour to the best-hidden gems in Heraklion. Visit a total of eleven unique places where you can taste original Cretan herbal tea with thyme-infused honey, delicious dishes paired with local wines, and take in some stunning scenery.
 
Go behind the scenes enjoying amazing flavors from the past centuries until today. The best food tour in Heraklion.

Heraklion/Santorini

Private Transfers & Hydrofoil boat from Heraklion to Santorini

Your driver will pick you up from your Heraklion hotel and transfer you to Heraklion Port.
 
After 2-hours on the boat, you will find yourselves on the magical island of Santorini!
 
Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. You will be transferred to your hotel.
 

Afternoon – The Caldera Hike

Enjoy a guided walking tour on Santorini’s most impressive path, right on the rim of the famous volcanic caldera. Follow the footsteps of ancient merchants, farmers, and sailors, and experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at the edge of the supervolcano that inspired the myth of Atlantis.
 
Your local guide will take you through traditional whitewashed settlements, at the only inhabited caldera in the world. Marvel at the azure sea and the breathtaking landscape, learning about the rich myths and history of Santorini. Starting from Fira and ending in Oia, you will enjoy extraordinary views, visit unique places of interest and capture exceptional photographic moments.

Santorini

Morning – Sea Kayak – South Santorini Discovery Tour

An unforgettable experience on Santorini. Discover the South coast of the island. Views of the spectacular rock formations, crystal waters, beautiful beaches in the south part of the island. En route we will make a small stop for swimming and snorkeling.
 
Paddle by the Red and White Beach, swim in see through water and admire the unique volcanic coastline!
 

Afternoon – Guided Tour of the Prehistoric Settlement of Akrotiri

Your private state-licensed tour guide will take you back to the Bronze Age, to the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri. Today, it is one of the most important sites in the Aegean and in 2 hours you will find out that it was actually a well-connected Minoan port town. Akrotiri is referred to as the ‘Greek Pompeii’ because the site was covered in ash due to the volcanic eruption on the island. Fortunately, the preservation of the archaeological site is exceptional and during your guided tour you will see that the excavations have revealed a place with a number of notable features such as an elaborate drainage system, sophisticated multi-story buildings that were decorated with exquisite wall paintings.

Santorini

Caldera Sunset Cruise

Starting from the port of Vlychada port, the cruise passes by Red and White Beach, with a stop at Black Mountain. It will then pass by the Lighthouse South of the Caldera and the Hot Springs at the Volcano. The next stop is in Thirassia where lunch will be served. You will then sail towards the port of Ammoudi for a spectacular view of Oia. The return route will offer beautiful Fira views and sunset views before entering the port of Ammoudi.

Departure

Departure Day

Today, you will have to say goodbye to beautiful Greece. Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Santorini Airport where you will take the domestic flight back to Athens. Once arriving at Athens Airport, check-in to your international flight and depart Greece.