12Days Athens- Mainland Tour- Crete

Day 1: Arrival in Athens & City Tour

Upon your arrival at Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), our driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Afterward, enjoy a guided city tour of Athens, starting with a visit to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Your expert guide will take you through Athens’ rich history and striking contrasts, including a stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. Continue your tour past landmarks like the Prime Minister’s Residence (ex-Royal Palace), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma Square, and the Parliament.

Explore the architectural masterpieces of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Conclude the tour at the Acropolis Museum, home to a treasure trove of classical artifacts. Lunch is included during the tour.

Day 2: Corinth, Mycenae & Nafplio

Leave Athens and drive along the scenic coastal road, with a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, which separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese Peninsula. Continue to Mycenae, the legendary site of the Trojan War, where you’ll visit the Archaeological Site and the Treasury of Atreus.

Next, visit Epidaurus, renowned for its ancient theatre with remarkable acoustics. Continue to Nafplio, Greece’s first capital, where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay and a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Olympia

After breakfast, head to Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. Explore the Archaeological Site and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, including the ancient Stadium and the informative Archaeological Museum. After the tour, enjoy an overnight stay in Olympia, with dinner at your hotel.

Day 4: Delphi & Arachova

Drive through the picturesque plains of Ilia and Achaia, crossing the impressive Rion-Antirion Bridge, one of Europe’s longest suspension bridges. Continue to Delphi, home to the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Visit the Delphi Archaeological Site and Museum. Afterward, enjoy a scenic drive to Arachova, a charming mountain village at the foot of Mount Parnassus, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 5: Meteora & Wine Tasting

Today, travel to the awe-inspiring region of Meteora, famous for its towering rock formations and Byzantine monasteries. Visit one of the monasteries and marvel at the stunning views and Byzantine art. On your way, stop at a local winery near Trikala for a wine-tasting session, and learn about the region’s rich winemaking traditions.

Continue to Kalambaka, a picturesque town at the foot of Meteora, for a relaxing evening, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Return to Athens

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Athens, passing through Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae, where you’ll briefly visit the Leonidas Monument. Arrive in Athens early in the evening. Lunch is included during your return trip.

Day 7: Athens to Crete

Transfer to Piraeus Port or Athens Airport for your flight to Heraklion, Crete. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel for a 3-night stay in Heraklion. Lunch is included upon arrival.

Day 8: Discover the Minoan Civilization at Knossos

On this day, explore the wonders of the Palace of Knossos, the heart of the Minoan civilization. With a private guide, marvel at the labyrinthine structure, featuring over 1,500 rooms and advanced water-management systems. Visit the Throne of Minos and uncover the fascinating history of this 3,500-year-old palace. Lunch is included during the tour.

Day 9: Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Spinalonga

Today, enjoy a scenic journey through Eastern Crete. Visit the charming seaside town of Agios Nikolaos and the coastal village of Elounda, known for its beautiful bay. From Plaka, take a boat to Spinalonga, the “Island of Tears,” which was once a leper colony. Explore its poignant history, then return to Plaka for lunch in a local tavern. Afterward, visit Rethymno, a town rich in Venetian heritage, where you’ll have time to explore its charming streets or relax by the lake. Return to your hotel in Chania for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Rethymno Walking Tour & Culinary Delights

Discover the beauty of Rethymno, one of Greece’s most photogenic towns, with a walking tour through narrow Venetian streets. Visit landmarks like the Loggia, Lion Fountain, and ancient palazzos. Along the way, experience the flavors of Crete with olive oil tastings, local spices, and traditional Cretan mezes. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to a local café to taste Tsikoudia, the popular Cretan spirit. Return to your hotel in Chania for the night.

Day 11: Balos Beach & Gramvousa Island

Spend the day exploring the stunning coastline of Western Crete. After breakfast, travel to the harbor of Kissamos, where you’ll board a boat to Gramvousa Island. Explore the Venetian fortress and enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters. Then, head to Balos Beach, known for its white sand and turquoise waters, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. After returning to Kissamos, return to your hotel in Chania for a relaxing evening.

Day 12: Departure from Crete

After breakfast, we will transfer you from your hotel to Heraklion Airport for your flight back to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens, we will transfer you to Avra Hotel Rafina for your overnight stay before your flight home the next morning.

Tour Includes:

• Accommodation: 3 Nights in Athens (BB), 3 Nights in Heraklion, Crete (BB), 2 Nights in Chania, Crete (BB)
• Transfers: All airport, port, and hotel transfers
• Athens City Tour: Acropolis & Museum
• Mainland Tour: Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora