Athens and Cyclades Island Getaway (Tour code: 12003)

Welcome to Athens the birthplace of Western Civilization, the Capital of Greece!

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport meet with your English-speaking escort and transfer to your hotel. 

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay in Athens at the Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel.

Athens by night

After breakfast, wander the landmarks of Historic Athens including the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum focused on the findings from the Acropolis.

Ancient yet modern, classic yet creative, traditional yet constantly changing… Athens is a city of memorable contrasts. The past and the present of Athens unfolds before your eyes while driving around the city's highlight spots and monuments like the Temple of Zeus, the Old Stadium, Syntagma Square, the Parliament and the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the Library, and the National Gardens.

On the natural fortress of the Acropolis, reinforced by the hand of man, stand the Propylaea, the temple of the Winged Victory, Erechtheion with the Porch of the Caryatids and, towering overall, and the majestic Parthenon.  A winding path leads to the treasure of antiquity. Visible are the relics of the civilization of which we are the proud inheritors.  A few meters away from the Acropolis entrance and the Ancient Theatre of Dionysos, the New Acropolis Museum, built on pedestrian walkway of Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, looks like hanging between the past and the present of Athens. 

Designed by Bernard Tschumi and Mihalis Fotiades, the new Acropolis Museum has a total area of 25,000 square meters, with exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters. Made of stainless steel, glass, marble and concrete, materials typical of the Athenian environment, the new museum has a direct view of the Acropolis. With bioclimatic planning, which gives ideal lighting and heating conditions, the new Museum offers all the amenities expected in an international museum of the 21st century.

Proceed on foot to visit different spots taste local products like olive oil, honey, cheese, wine, vinegar, liquor, and sweets, all made by small producers from all over Greece. Next, it’s a treat from the street, as you sample a koulouri, one of the all-time classic snacks on the go and then a cup of authentic Greek coffee in a wonderful old café.  After this, get ready to duck into a boisterous visit to the central fish and meat market, where butchers and fishmongers compete for the attention of Athens’ serious food shoppers. The old Central Market of Athens (Varvakios Agora) is located exactly in the heart of the city, and learn from your guide about the city's culinary history. You'll next visit specialty food stores to try local produce cold cuts, and discover some of the hidden stores to purchase tantalizingly fresh fruit, Greek olives, cheese, ham and other alluring deli produce, local wine, aged aromatized vinegar, organic olive oil and honey.  Around the corner is the famous spice street of Athens, lined with traditional herb shops that also carry amazing specialty meats and other traditional delicacies. After that you will end up having lunch, tasting the famous Greek souvlaki!!  & traditional spinach pie. Finally, a last stop to taste of the Greek specialty loukoumades (Greek doughnuts with honey syrup and almonds) and return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Athens at the Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel.

Acropolis, Athens

After breakfast, transfer to Piraeus Port for embarkation to the high-speed boat for Naxos Island.

Upon arrival in Naxos meet with your English-speaking escort and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay in Naxos at Iria Beach Hotel.

Seaside cafes in Naxos

After breakfast, enjoy a regular boat cruise to Koufonisi Islands including lunch on board (8hrs).

Sail to the stunning Koufonissi islands renowned for their crystal-clear waters. Starting from the small pier in Agia Anna, after a two hours journey, you will reach the uninhabited Kato Koufonissi, where you will stay on anchorage for 2 hours, for swimming/diving from the boat and a delicious barbecue. This time is sufficient to explore the small island and its beautiful beaches like "Nero" on the other side of the island. 

Following a 15 minutes sail, you'll arrive at the port of Ano Koufonissi, the inhabited island, and stay on the island for three hours. The island will seduce you with the beauty of its beaches, the fresh fish and the beautiful traditional town which you can explore on foot.

Overnight stay in Naxos at Iria Beach Art Hotel.

Inhabited island

Day at leisure to relax and recharge.

Overnight stay in Naxos at Iria Beach Art Hotel.

Naxos

After breakfast, transfer to port for embarkation to the high-speed boat for Paros Island.

Upon arrival in Paros, meet with your English-speaking escort and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay in Paros at Saint Andrea Sea Side Resort.

Paros Beach

After breakfast, enjoy a regular Kaiki cruise around Antiparos & Despotiko including BBQ lunch on board (7hrs).

Set sail for unforgettable new adventures on board of the traditional Kaiki, a fisherman wooden motor yacht, around Antiparos and Despotiko Islands. Transfer from your hotel to the port of Pounta. Spend an amazing day at the sea on an authentic “kaiki”. Discover hidden gems of the Aegean Sea only accessible by boat: crystal clear waters will make you feel like you are in paradise! The boat departs at 10:00am from Pounta port. The cruise offers a unique aspect of the return to the untamed beauty and life in nature. The below itinerary is indicative since the captain will choose the best spots for each cruise according to weather conditions so you can spend unique moments on board around Antiparos & Despotiko islands.

Discover Panteronissi: the turquoise waters will give you the feeling that you are in a huge swimming pool created by Nature herself. The wild morphology of the southeast cost surrounded from cliffs plunging into the sea forming a succession of cave including the cave of Mastihari. Several stops for swimming in crystal blue water waters!

During the trip, you will enjoy tasty snacks and for lunch we grill in our BBQ accompanied by salads, tzatziki, pita bread and of course beverage local wine, soft drinks, and mineral water. For dessert you will enjoy delicious fresh fruits. Return to Pounta port at 16:45. Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Paros at Saint Andrea Sea Side Resort.

Paros

Day at leisure to relax and recharge!

Overnight stay in Paros at Saint Andrea Sea Side Resort.

After breakfast, transfer to port for embarkation to the high-speed boat for Santorini Island.

Upon arrival in Santorini, meet with your English-speaking escort and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Ovenight stay in Santorini at the Cliff Side Suites.

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure to relax and discover what Santorini has to offer.

In the afternoon around 15.30hrs, transfer from your hotel to the port and depart for a semi-private Catamaran ride up to 14 pax. Your Sunset Cruise includes:

• Welcome drink
• Snorkeling gear
• Towels
•  Dinner on board: Seafood, chicken fillet, salads, open bar with local white wine, beers, beverages, fruits (Vegetarian meal available upon request).

Set sail from the picturesque Marina of Vlychada and enjoy sailing along with the magnificent coastal scenery of Santorini. Your first photo shooting stop is at the Red Beach in Akrotiri, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island with the red rocks and the dark pebbles. Move on and reach the White Beach – accessible only by boat – and the Mesa Pigadia swimming spot and snorkel in the crystal-clear blue waters with the rich underwater environment and reefs.

Then sail past the Indian Rock, the Venetian Light House of Akrotiri. Pass by the Aspronisi Island and marvel at the glorious views of the Caldera and the cliff-hanging white houses. Sail around the must-see Volcano coast and stop at its’ hot springs, where you can treat yourself to a natural spa in the thermal mixed volcanic mud waters. One more stop follows up, this time to a secluded private bay and plunge in the majestic waters as our attentive crew prepares for you a delicious meal.

At the end of this unique sailing experience, we head back to the Marina of Vlychada.

Ovenight stay in Santorini at the Cliffside Suites.

Cruising along Santorini

After breakfast, enjoy one pre-selected activity from our Freedom of Choice options.

Overnight stay in Santorini at the Cliff Side Suites.

Freedom of Choice Options

• Indulge in the quaint atmosphere of Santorini's Hidden Gems:

  Follow your guide on a journey through time, while trying to unveil the myths and legends of more than 4000 years of History.

  First stop will be the Monastery of Prophet Elias, one of the oldest monasteries and the highest point of the Island. Next stop the Archaeological site of Akrotiri, one of the main urban centers of the Aegean. Visit a traditional canava (home-cellar) tasting 3 different types of wines of Santorini. Step on an ancient vineyard and get information for the special “terroir” of Santorini wine and the famous white grape variety.

  Free time for swimming followed by a “meze” style lunch including variety of tapas the majority made from local products such as fava, cherry tomato, round zucchinis, white eggplants and more!!!
  After lunch transfer back to your hotel.

OR

• Semi-Private Catamaran sunset cruise with dinner (5hrs):

  In the afternoon around 15.30hrs, transfer from your hotel to the port and depart for a semi-private Catamaran ride up to 14 pax. Your Sunset Cruise includes:

  • Welcome drink
  • Snorkeling gear
  • Towels
  •  Dinner on board: Seafood, chicken fillet, salads, open bar with local white wine, beers, beverages, fruits (Vegetarian meal available upon request).

  Set sail from the picturesque Marina of Vlychada and enjoy sailing along with the magnificent coastal scenery of Santorini. Your first photo shooting stop is at the Red Beach in Akrotiri, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island with the red rocks and the dark pebbles. Move on and reach the White Beach – accessible only by boat – and the Mesa Pigadia swimming spot and snorkel in the crystal-clear blue waters with the rich underwater environment and reefs.

  Then sail past the Indian Rock, the Venetian Light House of Akrotiri. Pass by the Aspronisi Island and marvel at the glorious views of the Caldera and the cliff-hanging white houses. Sail around the must-see Volcano coast and stop at its’ hot springs, where you can treat yourself to a natural spa in the thermal mixed volcanic mud waters. One more stop follows up, this time to a secluded private bay and plunge in the majestic waters as our attentive crew prepares for you a delicious meal.

  At the end of this unique sailing experience, we head back to the Marina of Vlychada.

Day at leisure to discover what the stunning island of Santorini has to offer.

Overnight stay in Santorini at Cliff Side Suites.

The breathtaking island of Santorini

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure.

Transfer to Santorini port for embarkation to the high-speed boat for Athens. Upon arrival at Piraeus Port around 17.00hrs transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Athens at the Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel.

The island of Santorini

After breakfast, transfer to Athens International Airport for your departure flight back home.