12-Day Magical Luxury Greece Vacation Tour from Athens: Santorini and Crete

All packed and ready for your Luxury Vacation? Head to the airport and board your flight! Next stop: the cities and islands of Greece!

Meet & Greet at Athens Airport and transfer you at the hotel. We proposed a luxury hotels for your stay located at the center of Athens, which you can explore the delights of the city, to walk at Constitution Square and the House of Parliament, or at traditional area of Plaka.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then we start your half day tour of Athens. At the end of your tour you will return to your hotel and the rest of the is at leisure.

From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, with the half-day sightseeing and Acropolis museum tour you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Hear insightful commentary from your guide, and pass top Athens attractions including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Greek Parliament building and Presidential Palace. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided half-day tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens.

The Athens half-day tour, depart for a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then pass the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library.

Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae the gateway, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Stroll up to the UNESCO-listed site that served as the ancient citadel, and tour the buildings as you hear how they reflected Athens’ prosperity in the 5th century BC.

Continue the expert guided Athens sightseeing and museum tour with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the ACROPOLIS museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you.

After a tasty breakfast, appreciating life like a Greek, we will pick you up at the agreed time, in one of our private vehicles, to drive you to the port, where you will continue on to your next destination, the island that is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, Santorini. As the ferry approaches the port, you will admire the capital city of Fira, with its white houses perched on the Cliffside and facing the volcano.

Upon disembarkation, one of our English-speaking representatives will welcome you, escort you to your hotel and introduce you to some of the most outstanding features of this picturesque island. The rest of the day is free for you to wander through the narrow streets and become part of this amazing world.

Get picked up from your hotel to go enjoy a 5-hour cruise on a catamaran around the amazing Caldera of Santorini. Swim and snorkel in the crystal deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea and enjoy a delicious barbecue prepared on board.

Sunset Tour

Starts from the Port of Vlychada

1st stop: Red Beach for snorkeling and taking photographs.

2nd stop: White Beach for swimming, snorkeling and barbecue on board.

3nd stop: Hot Springs for mud bath. Sail past the volcano, Aspronisi, the ancient lighthouse, Akrotiri and Indian Rock.

Sail below Oia for sunset.

Ends at Ammoudi Port after SUNSET

INCLUDED:

Greek menu prepared on the spot (Greek salad, shrimp saganaki, grilled chicken and pork skewers, roasted vegetables, pasta with red sauce, stuffed vine leaves, vegetarian meal).

Snorkeling equipment (mask & snorkel).

Drinks (Santorinian white wine, soft drinks).

Towels, Jacket, Wi-Fi

Free day to explore, at your own pace, this magical island, considered to be the lost continent of Atlantis. The name of the island was given by the Venetian Giacomo Barozzi due to the presence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Eirini. His descendants remained until 1576, when the island became part of the Duchy of Naxos and until the Turkish conquest by Piyale Pasha.

Optionally, On this free day, we recommend exploring the island, tasting its wine and its excellent local cuisine. We cannot miss tasting the tomatokeftedes (a kind of tomato balls), the fava dishes (a vegetable smaller than a pea) and the cheese called Chloro.

At the appointed time, we will transfer you to the new port of Santorini, Athinios. There, you will board the ferry bound for the largest island of Greece, Crete. More precisely you will arrive at the port of Heraklion, the capital of the island and home of the legendary King Minos and his Minotaur.

Heraklion was the most important city of the Minoan civilization and it literally means the glory of the goddess Hera. The Palace of Knossos, the oldest palatial complex in Europe, is located in Heraklion.

Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Set off for a guided exploration of the magnificent Palace of Knossos. This 3,500-year-old Minoan palace is a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. The evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe's oldest city; it flourished for nearly 2,000 years as an economic center, trading with cities across the Mediterranean.

Follow it up with a guided stroll through the streets of Heraklion, exploring the old city's medieval streets with architecture representing the island's Venetian past. Highlights include the elegant arches of the Loggia, now in use as the town hall, and the Koules Venetian fortress along the harbor walls. In the afternoon, don't miss the Archaeological Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world.

In the afternoon, don't miss the Archaeological Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world. In the evening, you'll head onward to Chania, a city (and region) on the northwest coast of Crete. Chania itself is the second largest city in Crete and one of the most scenic spots on an island with stiff competition for that title. Life in this former Venetian city revolves around its charming 14th-century harbor, narrow streets with winding alleys, and colorful architecture influenced by past Ottoman and Egyptian eras.

Your day is at leisure. You might consider a day trip to the Balos Beach lagoon for a day of relaxation. Leaving the port of Kissamos toward Gramvousa exploring the area and then arriving at Balos Beach for a day or swimming in the shallow turquoise waters of the lagoon. Balos Beach is one of the most picturesque and photographed beaches in Greece.

Ιn Chania there is a heaven on earth called "Elafonisi"

In the southwestern part of the island one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in Greece is to be found. Elafonisi is a small island so close to the beach that one can actually walk there from the beach… The crystal clear turquoise shallow waters in combination with the thin white and coral-red sand create a landscape of unparalleled beauty!

The route to Elafonissi won't leave you disappointed. We pick you up with our bus and our escort from your hotel or a location in its vicinity. Driving through small traditional villages and crossing the Topolian gorge we reach our destination.

After reaching Elafonissi you are free to relax on the beach and enjoy the lovely scenery surrounding you. We are stay on the beach for four hours approximately. On our way back we make a stop at the village Elos, where you get the chance to dine at a traditional tavern and try Cretan dishes (optional).

Some time later we head back to your base… our trip has come to its end… we hope that you have enjoyed it!!!

The day is all yours to enjoy all the amenities at your hotel. Relax in their large outdoor fresh water swimming pools with comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas or at their private sandy beach with comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas and Water sports with instruction like Windsurfing, Sailing, Snorkelling, Scuba diving, Water-skiing. Pamper yourself at their state of the art Wellness Club before an evening and dinner at the ALMYRA Mediterranean Restaurant.

At the agreed time, our representative will transfer you to either Heraklion or Chania airport, where you will board your flight back to Athens. Upon your arrival you will connect to your international flight, which ideally should depart after 12:30 pm.

Having spent a few fantastic days with us, we hope to see you again soon to create new and extraordinary moments that will be lovingly etched in your memory.

Have a nice trip! or as Greeks say: "Kalo taksidi!"