Travel slowly through Greece: Athens, Hydra & Spetses

Athens

Day 1: Welcome to Athens!

Welcome to Athens! You'll be met at the airport upon your arrival, for a transfer to your hotel. After your travels, take some time to unwind and settle into your new surroundings, before heading out to explore the city at your leisure!

Athens

Day 2: A day at leisure in Athens

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll have the whole day at leisure to explore the many charms of the Greek capital. Optional tours are available if you're looking for inspiration and ideas, or else you're free to carve out your own itinerary.

Athens is a city full of contrasts, with everything from exceptional cuisine and wine to a rich history and culture - you'll especially find plenty to keep archaeology buffs interested.

Athens - Hydra

Day 3: Journey to magical Hydra

Early this morning, you will be transferred to the port of Piraeus to take a two-hour ferry to Hydra. The island, built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a slope overlooking the Argo-Saronic Gulf, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestone streets, and secluded squares fill its car-free landscape, and around 500 donkeys are used for public transport. Hydra has well and truly preserved its distinctive atmosphere through the passage of time.

Hydra

Day 4: Explore the cultural heritage of Hydra

Today is yours to explore Hydra at leisure. Dive into its rich history and culture at the Historical Archives Museum of Hydra, where exhibits are spread over two floors. Lectures, book presentations, concerts, theatre and dance performances, and much more take place at the annual Hydra Cultural Summer event, hosted by the museum - join in if you're making a timely visit, to soak up the island's vibrant culture.

Hydra - Spetses

Day 5: From Hydra to Spetses

After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out to make your way to island of Spetses by ferry. A picturesque island in the Saronic Gulf, this gem should be on every traveller's must-visit list. It enjoys a cosmopolitan atmosphere combined with a well-preserved natural setting, so you'll have the best of both worlds to soak up during your stay.

Spetses

Day 6: Explore historic Spetses at leisure

Known as Isola di Spezie under Venetian rule and Pityoussa in ancient times, Spetses, at just 54 nautical miles from Athens, is a picturesque car-free island with a unique architecture, naval history and culture.

Today, the 200-year-old captains’ mansions lining the coast are testimony to the vast wealth and grandeur of a bygone time. The mansion of Greek War of Independence heroine Laskarina Bouboulina – the only female admiral in world naval history – now houses Bouboulina’s Museum, which hosts a cultural festival every summer. Elsewhere, the Spetses State Museum is housed in the mansion of revolutionary leader Hatzigiannis Mexis, and contains artifacts spanning more than 4,000 years of history.

Spetses - Athens

Day 7: Travel back to Athens

Today you will take the ferry back to Athens. Upon arrival at the port, you will meet your driver to transfer to your hotel. On your last night in Athens, we'd recommend a walk to Plaka, an old Athenian neighbourhood to grab an ice cream and enjoy a quiet wander under the starry sky.

Athens

Day 8: Farewell to Greece!

It's time to say goodbye! After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. We hope you have had the most wonderful time!