Ten Day Greek islands Athens, Naxos and Santorini

The Primary Tour Itinerary Includes:

A slow paced itinerary to give you time at each destination to relax and enjoy this amazing trip!

Day 1

Arrival in Athens

Welcome to Athens! Our staff will be waiting for you at the airport for your transfer you into Athens. A drive of about 45 minutes to your hotel.

Time at leisure to discover Athens! Redolent with history and mythology, Athens is a vibrant city, enlivened by bustling outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets that wind through the city's ancient sites and its fair share of urban eccentrics. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, full of things to see and do. It manages to be rich in history but also hip as well.

Tonight enjoy a local dinner in the heart of Athens.

Tour Information

Sightseeing

✔ Visit to the Athens Acropolis. A Unesco World Heritage site.

✔ Visit the new Acropolis museum.

Meal inclusions for the trip

✔ Daily breakfast at hotels

✔ Welcome dinner in Athens

✔ Lunch after Kayak at Sounion

✔ Cooking class in Naxos

✔ Santorini BBQ on board yacht

✔ Walk and Tastes in Athens

Transfers of this trip

✔ Transfers to and from your hotel on arrival and departure from each destination are included.

Personal Advisor

✔ Your personal advisor will help you setup your and the exact options you wish.

Day 2

Athens Sightseeing and “food walking tour”

Today enjoy sightseeing in Athens. Your expert guide will give you the opportunity to fully understand the role of Athens in antiquity and through the ages.

Your guide will reveal to you the secrets of the Acropolis & the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium, built of marble for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Experience the ancient wonders and relive the birthplace of democracy, twist and turn through the Plaka’s narrow streets and find ancient sites, cafes and shops full of history and character.

After the visit to the Acropolis continue to the Acropolis Museum. A beautiful new museum (opened in 2009) with exceptional finds from the Acropolis, including 36 panels of the Parthenon’s storied frieze.

Afterwards delve into modern Athens and enjoy discovering the narrow streets of the city, stopping off at an old bakery, traditional café and souvlaki stall on the way to sample local delicacies and aperitifs.

Tonight enjoy Athens by night on a fun walk of the town. Athens has a lively nightlife scene with atmospheric rooftop bars and cafes. Enjoy a cocktail at one of the trendy new bars of the city.

Day 3

Athens Kayak at Cape Sounion

Today, an amazing day Kayaking at one of the most awesome sites. After an early breakfast set off to the eastern tip of Attica, a drive of about 1 ½ hour and you will be at the amazing Cape Sounion. From the Cape, the whole of the Aegean opens in front of you; at the very edge stands the temple of Poseidon built by the ancient Greeks in the 8 century B.C. Although it is a relatively small temple the location and setting make it one of the most impressive sites in Greece.

The sandy bay of Sounion is the perfect location to set off on the Kayaking exploration. Arrive at the beach at approx 10 a.m.

KAYAK

Meet up with your Kayak instructor for a briefing about kayak in the Sounion Bay. The cool Aegean breeze and the crystal blue waters combined with the setting being right under an ancient temple make for some of the most spectacular areas to kayak. It is a stunning experience and a highlight of this trip.

Kayak along the Attica riviera, see hidden coves and enjoy an amazing swimming stop where you will also have a small snack to give you energy for the rest of the tour! You will return at about 13:00 to the beach.

After Kayaking the Aegean you will be ready for a well deserved lunch at the local beach taverna (restaurant).

Before you leave the Cape Sounio, a short visit to see the temple of Poseidon to enjoy the view from up top. Return to the Athens and your hotel with time a leisure tonight to explore the city.

Day 4 - Naxos

Arrival Naxos Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the port of Athens to board you ship to the island of Naxos.

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and still one of the less touristically developed. The port town of the island has a beautiful waterfront which is a gathering point for the locals. Overlooking the port is the Kastro (castle) built by the Venetians. The three centuries of Venetian rule have left traces throughout the island.

Naxos also has some of the most stunning beaches and a very diverse landscape including mountainous areas with small villages still mostly untouched by mainstream tourism.

Upon arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time.

Tonight walk the town and the explore the castle. Dinner at leisure within the castle area. After dinner explore the town and maybe have one of the famous waffles (a local highlight).

Day 5 - Naxos

Hiking and Local Villages Exploration

Naxos is perfect for hiking. The hike is based on guests’ wishes. An ideal day tour, joined by an experienced guide, exploring beautiful villages in the island’s mainland. Recommended routes that are worth seeing:

1. An easy circular hike by the riverside along the three settlements of Potamia. The trail starts from the picturesque traditional village of Upper Potamia and goes on by the river, under the shade of the trees. Among this fertile area, filled with orchards, olive groves and gardens, we observe the modern way of Naxian village life. We visit the old catholic church of Theoskepasti (known as Agios Mamas) and the nearby Episkopi – the old summer residence of the catholic archbishop.

2. One of the most popular hikes of the island among the lush vegetation of Tragea Valley, discovering the most outstanding byzantine churches of the area, some of which are well-preserved and decorated with amazing frescoes. A moderate difficulty round walk starting from the strikingly beautiful village of Halki, once the commercial hub of the island. We walk in parallel to the gully and up an oak forested landscape that leads to Panagia Drosiani, one of the most important churches in the Cycladic region. Arriving at the village of Moni, you can enjoy the stunning view to the south. Walking through orchards, olive groves, oaks and plane trees we are heading towards the picturesque villages of Kaloxilos and Akadimi.

A lunch stop (own expense) will be included at one of the villages passed on the hike

Day 6 - Naxos

Sea and fun

The beaches of Naxos are some of the best in the Cyclades. The long sandy beaches and the crystal clear waters are a highlight of the island and this is a day dedicated to enjoying the beach life and the sea.

Kayak

Enjoy a wonderful full day (5 hour) Kayaking trip. Starting in the morning you will visit remote beaches, see caves and wildlife. Including a light local snack and this is a day of fun. The Kayak Day Trip is approximately five hours, two and a half hours of total paddling and another two and a half hours on the beaches, swimming, snorkeling and having snacks!

Sunset coffee / cocktails In the afternoon set off to the Kitesurf centre located at Mikri Vigla. The beach is known for the northern winds which make the location one of the best in world of this sport.

Arrival prior to the sunset to see the vibrant surf culture. See the surfers perform high jumps and the multi-coloured kites fly. The small café on the beachfront is the setting to have a drink and enjoy the views. The sunset is very beautiful and it is the essence of Naxos beach culture.

Day 7

Santorini

In the morning transfer to the port of for your trip to the island of Santorini. A boat journey across the beautiful Aegean sea. As you approach Santorini from the water, it's hard not to be awed by the sheer cliffs that soar above a turquoise sea, by the fact that you're sailing in an immense crater of a drowned volcano and that before you lies an island shaped by an ancient eruption.

Arrive in Santorini and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Take the time to explore the island, considered one of the top destinations worldwide. Amazing views, unique landscapes are the key highlights of the island.

Tonight relax at your hotel or explore the beautiful village of Oia, the most photographed of all Santorini. The sunsets from Oia are some of the most beautiful.

[ optional Transfer to Oia for cocktails/dinner ]

Day 8

Santorini Sunset cruise

This morning is free for you to enjoy the spectacular island of Santorini.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a very special cruise with dinner onboard a Catamaran. Enjoy a beautiful afternoon out on the water sailing the Santorini caldera. See the one of the most beautiful sunsets. This private cruise includes sailing, swimming and a wonderful meal on board. The yachts includes ample space including hammock style nets on the bow for you to sunbathe and good space in the main cabin for when the sun gets to be too much. The captain will set anchor at a spectacular spot and your crew will prepare a wonderful meal for you. Enjoy the awe inspiring views of the caldera and swim in the Aegean turquoise waters.

Catamaran Sunset Cruise

Enjoy leisurely sailing into the Caldera and have the opportunity to swim in the hot springs. A delicious dinner is prepared and served in one of the secluded bays. After dinner you'll sail pass the volcanic islands.

Probably the best way to appreciate the awe inspiring cliffs of Santorini is on this beautiful sunset cruise

Day 9

Akrotiri excavations and an amazing cooking class.

An amazing day today, full of experiences which are interesting and also fun! First a cultural and historical sightseeing of the Akrotiri ruins and then a great cooking class.

Akrotiri (the Greece Pompei)

Visit the the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, one of the most important and well-preserved civilizations in the Mediterranean, which was covered by the ashes of the great volcanic eruption of 1600 B.C – often call the Pompei of Greece.

Wine Tasting

After the visit to Akrotiri, enjoy a highlight of this trip and on your last day on the island enjoy the Santorini cooking class. At a beautiful venue, and led by professional chefs, learn the secrets of Greek cooking. With emphasis on Santorini ingredients this cooking class combines fun, amazing tastes followed by a wonderful lunch. This selected cooking class will allow you to better understand the local life and customs.

Day 10

‍
Farewell

The Greek island holiday ends today, but the fond memories remain! Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your flight home. Thank you!

Santorini – Ideas for activities

Your personal advisor will be happy to give you more information and organize the day for you.

Cruise the volcano

What better way to see the cliffs and the sunset of Santorini than from a sailing boat. Enjoy a barbeque on board, sip some wine and see the amazing sunset of Santorini.

Sightseeing Akrotiri

Called the Greek Pompeii, see this ancient city was destroyed and covered with ash by the massive volcano eruption. It is a unique sight not to be missed.

Wine tasting

Santorini due to its climate has a unique wine production. Visit a local winery and taste the local varieties and learn from the sommelier the details of each.

Hike in Santorini

An easy paced hike right on the Caldera (volcanic rim) of the island. Walk from the village of Oia to the village of Fira. Enjoy the amazing scenery on this wonderful hike.

Culinary treat!

Santorini, although not well known, has really good gourmet restaurants. Let us arrange your dinner to be one of the highlights of your holiday in Greece.