Greek Island Odyssey

Our journey starts in Athens, Greece’s lively capital. It is one of the world’s oldest cities and there’s a feast of things to see and do, so you may wish to book some extra nights’ accommodation before your tour starts to make the most of your time here. There are no activities planned today so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel (details are in your travel documents). In the evening you meet your tour leader and fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but please check for the exact time and place on a noticeboard located near the reception at our hotel), where our tour leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. This evening we will enjoy a group dinner together at a local restaurant in the Psiri neighbourhood of Athens.

This morning we transfer to the airport and take a short flight to the island of Crete, the largest and most southerly of the Greek islands. Upon arrival we transfer to Hania (Chania), our base for the next three nights. Our ‘feature stay’ hotel is located on the outskirts of the town in the quieter area of Halepa. Built in the 1800s by a wealthy merchant, it was designed in neoclassical style. During the period of Cretan democracy it was used as the British Embassy and many significant treaties were signed here. After settling into our hotel, we walk into the old town and discover what makes Hania so special and why it has been called ‘the jewel of Crete’. One of the first structures we stop at is the agora (or municipal market) which is the centre of town. Today the building shelters a number of specialty shops that sell local handicrafts and produce. We pass a number of historical churches including the Catholic Church of the Isodion and the Agios Fragiskos Church (now home to the archaeological museum). Strolling on we discover the remains of a Venetian monastery and wander through the charming Old Harbour area, with its two Venetian shipyards and Great Arsenal building. The old Venetian lighthouse stands tall over the port and was reconstructed during Turkish rule, to include a minaret. Heading deep into the narrow cobblestone alleys of the Venetian town we discover a range of Venetian and Turkish architecture including impressive facades in old mansions in the once aristocratic area, many of which have been converted to guesthouses. You may wish to visit one of Hania’s many great museums, go souvenir shopping at the Agora or perhaps sit back in one of the many portside cafes and absorb the colourful atmosphere of this lovely town. In the afternoon, we will drive to the traditional village of Vamos, renowned for its rich cultural heritage. We’ll have a short stroll around the historical centre or ‘the old neighbourhood with its traditional old houses, old ruins, ancient stone roads and secret nooks. Perhaps enjoy a local taverna dinner with fellow group members to complete our colourful day.

We leave the hotel early this morning for the one and half hour drive to the beautiful hill village of Agia Irini (600m) in the east. From the village we start our walk through the Agia Irini Gorge, where we encounter dramatic and varied landscapes from spectacular mountains to dense forests, all the way to the beautiful coastline. We walk on rocky riverbeds, along the steep sides of mountains and through rich vegetation of trachea pine, Mediterranean cypress, beech, carob tree and kermes oak. In the rocks a number herb varieties can be found including the healing Greek herb, Dittany (Dictamo), used for the relief of stomach pain and arthritis. The aromas from the native wildflowers and herbs fill the air. A variety of interesting fauna lives in the gorge including the endangered bearded vulture, partridge, Bonelli’s eagle and golden eagle. If we’re lucky we may even catch a glimpse of the Kri-kri goat (or Cretan ibex), now found only on Crete and three smaller neighbouring islands. The Kri-kri was thought to have been worshipped on Crete during antiquity - a theory supported by the excavation of several wall paintings depicting the animal. Our rewarding walk concludes with our arrival in the small coastal village of Sougia, on the southern side of Crete. This is a great place to relax after our day’s walk and we can enjoy a swim as well as an optional lunch and refreshing drink in one of the traditional seaside tavernas. At end of the day we enjoy a picturesque two-hour drive back to Hania. (Total Walking: 12km / 4 -5 hours)

Today is a free day in Crete. There are plenty of things to see and do. For those wishing to embark on another great walk on the island, there’s the chance to join an optional excursion to hike the famous Samaria Gorge. This walk is 17 kilometres long and, depending on fitness levels, takes between 4.5 to 6 hours to complete (refer to ‘optional excursions’ section). Alternatively you may wish to relax on one of Hania’s city beaches – Nea Hora is a sandy beach west of the Venetian walls and is decked out with sun beds and is close to restaurants. If you walk to the west of this beach you will come across quieter beaches. Another option is to take a local bus to Elafonissi Lagoon on the west coast. Elafonissi is considered Crete’s prettiest beach and a daily bus leaves from Hania in the morning and returns in the late afternoon. There is also the possibility of taking an optional guided excursion to the ruins of Knossos, once the capital of Minoan Crete (refer to ‘optional excursions’). Alternatively you may wish to spend your day experiencing more of the wonderful township of Hania. Your leader will be able to assist you with all the options available on your free day.

Today we farewell Crete and travel to spectacular Santorini, the southernmost island in the Cyclades group. We leave our hotel in Hania early for the two-hour drive to the port city of Iraklio. From here we board our ferry for the trip across the Sea of Crete to Santorini. This is a great way to travel between the islands and the journey takes approximately two hours. Upon arrival in the capital, Fira, we are met and transferred to our hotel in Oia (pronounced ‘Ia’). Oia was built on a steep slope of Santorini’s incredible caldera and is a quieter part of the island compared to Fira. We enjoy a free afternoon to absorb this veritable paradise. Your leader will be able to offer suggestions on what to see and do. In the late afternoon we rejoin as a group and head into the gorgeous town of Oia to view its world-famous sunset, which has been immortalised in many photos and works of art. This evening we have the option of dining together in one of the lovely tavernas in Oia and enjoying sumptuous seafood and other local cuisine against the truly spectacular backdrop.

In the morning we embark on a walk along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island that we see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion which destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. This caldera offers spectacular natural beauty and is what makes Santorini such a special place. Our walk begins from Oia and we walk along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and experiencing breathtaking views along the way. Our walk comes to an end in the town of Thira where we visit the fascinating Prehistoric Museum of Thira and learn more about the incredible history of this unique island, as well as see masterpieces from the prehistoric Aegean age including important wall paintings. The rest of the afternoon is free and you may wish to visit one of the island’s wineries. The vines here are cultivated in a very unusual way with the plants being pruned to form a low basket shape that sits on top of the volcanic soil, with the basket shape protecting the grapes from strong winds. The Santos Winery, a co-operative and the largest winery on the island, offers tours as well as wine tasting. This winery is idyllically located with marvellous views over the island and the sea - a lovely place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine! (Walking time: approximately 2.5 - 3 hours)

Today is a free day in Santorini. There is a lot to do on the island and your tour leader will be on hand to offer suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to learn more about the viticulture of the island with a visit to one of Santorini's wineries or you may prefer to simply unwind and relax on the beach.

This morning we transport to Santorini’s port and board our ferry bound for the island of Mykonos. Mykonos, considered the most glamorous and cosmopolitan of the Cycladic islands, still holds on to its old-world charm and many locals maintain their peaceful island existence amongst the many foreigners who grace their shores. Upon arrival in Mykonos, we transfer to the region of Vryssi, on the western side of the island which is the location of our hotel. This afternoon we embark on a walking tour of the Mykonos’s charming Old Town, a captivating labyrinth of stone-paved lane ways, traditional whitewashed houses and windmills. This evening is free to step out into the lively Mykonos street scene and dine in one of the many tavernas and restaurants on offer. Your tour leader will be available to offer suggestions on the best places to try.

Today we embark on an excursion to the island of Delos, a short boat trip from Mykonos. Delos has a vast and interesting history and it is one of the most important sites of archaeology in Greece and new discoveries of ancient finds are still made from time to time. Considered a sacred place, it’s acclaimed as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and it was inhabited since round 3000 BC. The earliest shrines and temples started to be built around the 8th century BC. By the 5th century BC, the Athenians took control of Delos making it the location of the treasury. During the Hellenistic era, the island was one of Greece’s most important religious and commercial hubs, attracting the wealthy from all over who contributed to the island’s many temples and shrine. When the Romans set their sights on the island in 167 BC it become a free trading port and home to a flourishing slave trade market, with thousands of slaves being traded daily. We explore the site in-depth and gain an insight into this sacred island’s intriguing history. In the afternoon, we take a return ferry back to Mykonos, for another night on this lively island.

Today is a free day in Mykonos to allow you to make your own discoveries. You may wish to take an optional boat trip along the coast to experience beautiful of Mykonos from the sea. Your tour leader will be able to assist you with booking this.

After a leisurely morning, we and transfer to the Mykonos port for our ferry across the Aegean back to Athens. Upon arrival at Pireaus port, we transfer to our centrally located hotel in Athens. The remainder of the day is free. As tonight is our last evening together, we might like to join together for a final dinner. Our leader will be able to offer suggestions on the best places in Athens to dine.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Additional nights' accommodation can be booked in Athens, or alternatively if you are flying out today you may wish to book a departure transfer to take you to the airport - enquire at time of booking.