12-Day Greece: Athens, Crete and Cyclades Islands
Visit Athens, an all-year-round destination, the city where the concept of Democracy was brought to life. In the historic center, you can enjoy a plethora of sights and attractions. Continue your trip by discovering Heraklion the capital of Crete and one of the Mediterranean region's most fascinating and vibrant cities.
Visit Íos which means the flower of Cyclades. Besides the history and the lovely waters and welcoming light-colored sandy beaches, you can also enjoy the nightlife, the history and the delicious local food. Next visit Santorini with its multicolored cliffs soar out of a sea-drowned caldera, topped by drifts of whitewashed buildings. With its reputation for dazzling panoramas, romantic sunsets and volcanic-sand beaches is the most unique Greek island with unforgettable memories!
Continue your trip to Mykonos the island made by Gods for people. Mykonos is the sea, the sky, the sun, the hospitality, the fun, the harmony, the charm. A never-ending real myth surrounding one of the most scenic island in Greece.
Services
Included:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Heraklion-Crete
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Ios
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Santorini
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Mykonos
- 11 x breakfast
- Private transfer from Athens International Airport to hotel in Athens (Day 1)
- Panoramic Sightseeing Group Tour of Athens (Day 2)
- Private transfer from hotel in Athens to Athens Airport (Day 3)
- Air Ticket from Athens to Heraklion (Day 3)
- Private transfer from Heraklion Airport to hotel in Heraklion (Day 3)
- Private Tour of the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion City (Day 4)
- Private transfer from hotel in Herakllion to Heraklion Port (Day 5)
- Ferry Ticket from Heraklion to Ios (Day 5)
- Private transfer from Ios Port to hotel in Ios (Day 5)
- Private transfer from hotel in Ios to Ios Port (Day 7)
- Ferry Ticket from Ios to Santorini (Day 7)
- Private transfer from Santorini Port to hotel in Santorini (Day 7)
- Group Tour of Santorini Island and Wine Tasting (Day 8)
- Semi Private Sunset Lagoon Cruise in Caldera (Day 9)
- Private transfer from hotel in Santorini to Santorini Port (Day 10)
- Ferry Ticket from Santorini to Mykonos (Day 10)
- Private transfer from Mykonos Port to hotel in Mykonos (Day 10)
- Sailing Cruise to Rhenia Island and Tour of Delos Island (Day 11)
- Private transfer from hotel in Mykonos to Mykonos Airport (Day 12)
- Air ticket from Mykonos to Athens (Day 12)
- English-speaking guides on all tours
- All entrance fees
- All local taxes
Excluded:
- International flights
- Visa expenses
- Stayover tax in the hotels
Optional:
- Candlelight dinner by Caldera in Santorini (from 65 euros per/person)
Itinerary at a Glance
Athens Airport - Athens
Get a First Impression of Athens
Parthenon Acropolis - Panathinaiko Stadium - Syntagma Square
Go Sightseeing in Athens
Athens Airport - Heraklion Airport - Heraklion City
Travel to Heraklion
Palace Of Knossos - Heraklion Old Harbor - Heraklion Town
Explore the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion
Heraklion Port - Ios Port - Ios
Take the Ferry to Ios
Ios Town - Ios Beaches
Enjoy a Free Day in Ios
Ios Port - Santorini Port - Santorini
Travel Onwards to Santorini
Megalochori Village - Akrotiri - Perivolos Beach
Take the Archeological Bus Tour to Akrotiri
Red Beach Santorini - White Beach - Oia Village
Go On a Lagoon Cruise Till Sunset
Santorini Port - Mykonos Port - Mykonos
Take the Highspeed Ferry to Mykonos
Rhenia Island - Delos Island - Mykonos Town
Go On a Sailing Yacht Cruise to Rhenia Island And a Guided Tour of Delos
Mykonos Airport - Athens Airport
Goodbye, Greece!
Detailed Itinerary
Athens Airport - Athens
Day 1: Get a First Impression of Athens
Welcome to Greece! Upon your arrival in Athens, your driver will be waiting for you right outside the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name, to transfer you to your hotel.
Our representative will wait for you in the hotel to welcome you and brief you about your trip.
Check in and enjoy your free time for relaxation or for a first walk in the capital of Greece.
Parthenon Acropolis - Panathinaiko Stadium - Syntagma Square
Day 2: Go Sightseeing in Athens
Today you will be impressed by the stark contrast between the old and the new Athens: on the one hand, you will marvel at magnificent ancient ruins and on the other hand explore the modern architecture of the city.
You will have the chance to visit the Acropolis, the exquisite landmark of Athens exhibiting its glorious history along with the Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athina Nike and the Erechtheion, with its porch of maidens.
Other equally impressive and historic sites are the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is housed along with parliament House in Syntagma Square. Do not miss the chance to visit the Panathinaiko Stadium (Kallimarmaro), where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896.
To round up your day you will visit the contemporary museum of the New Acropolis Museum.
Athens Airport - Heraklion Airport - Heraklion City
Day 3: Travel to Heraklion
Your driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of the hotel to transfer you to Athens International Airport, where you will check in and board your flight to Heraklion.
The duration of the trip is approximately 50 minutes.
Upon arrival in Heraklion, your driver will be waiting for you right outside the Arrival's Hall of the airport to transfer you to your hotel. You will check in and have free time to get a first impression of this area.
Palace Of Knossos - Heraklion Old Harbor - Heraklion Town
Day 4: Explore the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion
Come and discover one of Ancient Greece’s most fascinating treasures, the Palace of Knossos.
Dating back to 1900 BC, it was the hub of Crete’s Minoan civilization and where the mythical Minotaur was once said to have lurked in a labyrinth.
Learn all the legends of this ancient civilization, the oldest in Europe, as you explore the treasures of its most famous palace including the throne room, royal apartments and frescoes.
Then proceed to the beautiful old town of Heraklion for a guided tour and the chance to look around the old harbor and browse the market for souvenirs. According to Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in the Palace of Knossos and constructed a giant labyrinth to contain his son, the ferocious half-man, half-bull Minotaur.
Explore the city at your own pace and take the time to try the delicious cuisine and gastronomical traditions.
Heraklion Port - Ios Port - Ios
Day 5: Take the Ferry to Ios
After breakfast, the driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to the port.
Take a highspeed-ferry from Heraklion to Ios. Be sure to keep your eyes on the horizon as you pass through this beautiful natural landscape.
At the port a private transfer will be ready for you to take you from the port to the hotel.
Spend the rest of the day as you like.
Ios Town - Ios Beaches
Day 6: Enjoy a Free Day in Ios
You have the whole day to explore this piece of paradise called Ios, jump into the crystalline waters or go on an excursion.
Ios Port - Santorini Port - Santorini
Day 7: Travel Onwards to Santorini
Unfortunately, it is time to leave Ios but your next destination will be a pleasant surprise!
The driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to the port.
Again you will board one of the highspeed ferries for a 40min ride from Ios to Santorini.
A driver will be waiting for you right outside the vessel to transfer you to your hotel.
Megalochori Village - Akrotiri - Perivolos Beach
Day 8: Take the Archeological Bus Tour to Akrotiri
Today the bus tour takes you to the Southern part of the island to see the hidden gems of the area.
The first stop of the tour is the 16th-century Monastery of Prophet Elias.
The Monastery is built on the highest point of the island, 565 meters above the sea level, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole island!
Next we'll visit Megalochori, one of the most traditional villages on the Island. Our guide will take you through the narrow streets where you will have the opportunity to admire the traditional architecture and the unique craftsmanship of the local masons.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site is our next destination, where you will discover one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean.
Head towards the beautiful black-sand beach of Perivolos at the south part of Santorini.
Relax, take a swim and later enjoy some local wine at a Santorini winery visit.
Red Beach Santorini - White Beach - Oia Village
Day 9: Go On a Lagoon Cruise Till Sunset
This excursion is ideal for those who are looking for peace and quiet as you sail leisurely around the island, with stops for swimming at iconic beaches, such as the Red Beach and White Beach, and the healing hot springs.
Sail off from the Vlychada Port. At 14:45 a shuttle mini bus transfer is also organized from your hotel to the port prior to the time of the cruise.
You will have time to swim, sunbathe and admire the coast as we sail close to the Indian rock, Akrotiri and the ancient lighthouse.
The last stop takes us just below Oia village for watching the sunset from the best point on the island.
The tour finishes in Amoudi and our mini buses take you back to your hotel.
Santorini Port - Mykonos Port - Mykonos
Day 10: Take the Highspeed Ferry to Mykonos
After a good breakfast at your hotel a driver will be waiting for you in the lobby to transfer you to the port.
Once again it's time to board a highspeed ferry. This time you are headed from Santorini to Mykonos and we hope you will enjoy thi ride just as you did before.
A driver will be waiting for you right outside the vessel to transfer you to your hotel.
Rhenia Island - Delos Island - Mykonos Town
Day 11: Go On a Sailing Yacht Cruise to Rhenia Island And a Guided Tour of Delos
One of our cruise representatives will greet you and give you an overview of today's cruise itinerary.
A short tender ride will follow from the small dock in order to reach the sailing yacht.
At 09:30 we set sail heading to Rhenia & Delos islands, the center of the Cyclades and located few miles south-west of Mykonos.
As we sail, the crew will be happy to show you how to raise and trim the sails as well as to steer the yacht, weather permitting.
Gaze out at the beautiful scenery and the remarkable crystal blue water of the Aegean Sea.
After approximately 2 hours spent in the untouched islet of Rhenia, sunbathing and swimming, the next stop is Delos Island, one of the most important archaeological sites of Greek history.
On this guided tour you will visit the museum, walk up Mount Kynthos and admire the staggering array of ancient ruins at this Unesco World Heritage Site.
Mykonos Airport - Athens Airport
Day 12: Goodbye, Greece!
Unfortunately, your trip is coming to an end.
Your driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to the airport, where you will embark on your flight from Mykonos to Athens.
The duration of the trip is approximately 40 minutes and you will overfly this beautiful landscape one last time.
We hope you have enjoyed the trip and will come back to visit us soon!
