The Highlights of Greece

After touching down into Athens International Airport and picking up your luggage, you’ll be met by your private driver for transfer to the city center. After checking into your hotel, enjoy rest of the day on your own. If you’re fighting jet lag, take a short nap or beat it by going for a walk. You might wander through the Agora, located just beneath the Acropolis. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of the ancient greats as this was an important meeting and trading place, where people came to discuss politics, the nature of the universe and conduct business so many centuries ago.

Today you’ll get an in-depth look at the many famous landmarks on a half-day tour. Your private guide will reveal the history behind what you’re seeing, making the sites come to life, passing places like Syntagma Square, the National Library, the site where the first modern Olympic Games where held and the Greek House of Parliament that overlooks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Afterward, head to the iconic Acropolis that sits on an outcrop overlooking Athens as its most famous symbol. You’ll climb the hill enjoying the vista and explore monuments like the Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike.

Say farewell to Athens with your private driver picking you up for transfer to the port. There’s you’ll board the high-speed ferry to Mykonos, enjoying the beautiful Aegean views along the way. After checking into your accommodation, get ready for a walking tour. Stroll the waterfront with your private guide, glimpsing daily life as you pass the local fish and vegetable market. Some of the highlights on your tour include a visit to the Folklore Museum, the Cycladic-style Papaportiani Church, one of the Mediterranean’s most photographed spots. Visit the iconic windmills, take in spectacular views, ending with meze and a wine tasting.

Enjoy the day exploring at your own place. You can learn more about the history of the island at the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos with ancient artifacts dating from prehistoric times through the Hellenistic period. Or spend the day at the beach – Super Paradise is one of the most popular, close to Mykonos Town, ideal for swimming and sunbathing with soft white sands. Or take a day tour to the sacred island of Delos, home to some of the most interesting archaeological sites in the country. You can walk around fascinating ancient ruins and explore a museum showcasing artifacts uncovered here.

This morning your private driver will pick you up for transfer to the port where you’ll hop on the high-speed ferry to Santorini. After getting settled into your accommodation, another driver/guide will bring you on a winery tour. Travel through Pyrgos village to a monastery, taking in the panoramic view from the island’s highest point. Next, you’ll visit a unique village winery for a tasting of three local wines while learning about the island’s wine history and the wine’s distinctive terroir. You’ll enjoy lunch on-site at the winery before taking private transfer back to your accommodation or to Fira.

Enjoy the day to yourself, followed by an evening sunset cruise. You might relax on one of the colourful beaches from black to red sands, or visit Santorini’s own Pompeii. This impeccably preserved archaeological site provides a glimpse of life from more than 3,500 years ago, when volcanic ash preserved much of the prehistoric settlement. Then at the scheduled time, you’ll head to the port for a cruise around the island. Visit famous beaches, enjoy time for a swim in a cove with tranquil clear blue waters and feast on a BBQ meal with local wine, concluding just below Oia with a glorious sunset.

It’s on to your next destination, once again hopping on a high-speed ferry, this time to Crete. You’ll be picked up at your Santorini hotel for private transfer to the port and assistance in boarding the vessel. You’ll be in Heraklion in about 90 minutes, where another private driver will meet you at Heraklion Port for transfer to Rethymno, also a 90-minute journey. Rhethymno’s old town is one of the most well-preserved, ideal for a stroll with magnificent examples of Venetian/Renaissance buildings that date from the 16^th-century. Find a taverna or restaurant long the maze of tiny streets to relax with a tasty meal.

Today you’ll head out on a full-day private guided tour, starting with a visit to the hilltop Palace of Knossos. Built around 2,000 BC, it provides a glimpse of life centuries ago in a legendary ancient kingdom. The incredible complex with its labyrinth of corridors reveals the advanced technology of the Minoans while featuring timeless beauty that includes grand columns and spectacular frescoes and grand columns. From there, continue to nearby Heraklion for a walking tour of the historic city center, including highlights like the Heraklion Archaeological Museum that includes the world’s most impressive collection of Minoan art and culture.

Your private guide will bring you on a leisurely walking tour of Rethymno’s old town, starting at the Venetian harbour. You’ll stroll through the Venetian quarters where you’ll notice Turkish elements as well, before entering the well-preserved citadel, the Fortezza of Rethymno. The fort, with Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman influences, was used to defend the city from pirate attacks. Other highlights include the lighthouse, Neradze mosque, Fountain Rimondi, Venetian Loggia and Arcadiou Street with its Venetian mansions. At the end you can return to your hotel on foot or visit one of the beautiful beaches for a swim.

Your classic tour through Greece ends this morning. After checking out of your accommodation, your private driver will pick you up for transfer to the airport. Catch your flight back to Athens, and from there, your international flight home.