11 Days Athens – Santorini – Crete

Day 1 – Arrival at Athens
Our assistant will be waiting to greet you at the airport and answer and questions you may have. Later on, your personal driver will transport you to your selected hotel for some well-earned rest. Begin your acquaintance with the city on your own way, but make sure to look up every now and then and gasp at the commanding presence of the Acropolis at the center of Athens.

Day 2 – Athens Half Day Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast you will partake in a proud tradition of first time visitors in the Greek capital. The morning sightseeing tour of Athens, is a quintessential experience that has been carefully crafted in order to expose you to the most prominent historic and cultural sites in the city in the most succinct way possible. The Academy of Athens, the Greek Parliament with its Evzonoi guards dressed in traditional uniform, Hadrian’s Arch and many more await for you. No tour of Athens is complete without a visit to the Acropolis and its modern Museum, which is where your tour will culminate!

Day 3 – Arrival in Santorini
Morning transfer from your hotel to the port and onto the island of Santorini via a ferry ride. As you approach the port of Santorini, make sure to keep an eye out for the magnificent sight of the town of Fira perched on the cliff-side, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the caldera below. Your driver will pick you up from the port and transfer you to your hotel and from there you can begin your exploration of the island on your own pace.

Days 4 & 5 – Explore Santorini
Santorini is a gem of an island that will dazzle you with golden sunsets overlooking submerged volcano of Thera. This tumultuous geological past has given birth to beaches laid with volcanic pebbles of different colors on the island’s south coast. Quench your thirst for history in the archaeological site of Akrotiri –a Minoan prehistoric settlement- , before returning to Fira or Oia for some Santorinian delicacies, always accompanied by locally produced wine. A sunset sailing tour that will take you to the aforementioned points of interest and offer dinner on board is highly recommended!

Day 6 – Arrival at Crete
You have a transfer from your hotel to the port to board the ferry to Heraklion in Crete. In Heraklion, the largest city on the island, there is a multitude of bars and restaurants to get a first taste of the unique cuisine of Crete, so once your driver drops you off from the port to your hotel, be sure to head out for an early start to a magnificent culinary journey. Alternatively, with the Minoan Palace of Knossos in such close proximity, you might want to satisfy your mind before your stomach. Decisions…decisions…

Day 7- Drive to Chania
Crete is a vast island and having your own transportation gives you the freedom to explore the picturesque villages of its west side at your leisure. At your hotel, you will pick up your rental car and hit the scenic route to the charming town of Chania. Make a stop in Rethymno for some brunch if you have the time, as it will give you the energy you need to explore the hilly alleys of the town that is a perfect mixture of Cretan, Venetian and Ottoman culture.

Days 8 & 9 – Explore West Crete
Two days in West Crete with your own transportation means you know no limits as to what you can explore. Moving towards Rethymno, lake Kournas, the Samaria Gorge and the village of Sfakia are exquisite places to see, while on the west coast, the indescribable dunes of Elafonisi, the azure lagoon of Balos and the island of Gramvousa just across it are alone worth a trip to Crete. Make the most of your time in Crete and soak in as much of the landscape as you possible can!

Day 10 – Return to Athens
Transfer from your hotel to the airport in order to catch the flight back to Athens. Your driver will be waiting there to take you to your selected hotel. Since this is your last night in Greece, make sure to take some photos and pick up some souvenirs that will make your friends back home green with jealousy!

Day 11 – Departure from Athens
You will be met by our assistant at your hotel and transferred to the airport by your personal driver for your departure flight.

3 night hotel accommodation in Athens
3 night hotel accommodation in Santorini
1 night hotel accommodation in Crete-Heraklion town
3 night hotel accommodation in Crete-Chania town
Half day Athens city tour
Entrance fees during guided sightseeing
Boat tickets Piraeus – Santorini – Crete (economy class)
Air tickets Crete – Athens (economy class “comfort flex”)
Transfer service as per itinerary
3-day car rental in Crete