Hellenic Essence
10 Days / 8 Nights
Athens / Mykonos / Santorini
Pack your bags, you are off to Greece!
Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, you will be greeted by your Hellenic Holidays transfer representative, who will drive you to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day exploring Athens. You might stroll the old neighborhoods of Plaka, which mingle old & new Athens or explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Monastiraki and Kolonaki.
After breakfast, your day will begin with your private half day walking tour. Along with your English-speaking licensed guide, you will visit the Acropolis and the awesome temples of the Parthenon, the Erectheion and the Athena Nike. Your walk will continue to the Areopagus, or Hill of Mars. Finally, you pass the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where you can still enjoy concerts and theatrical performances in the summer months. The tour will conclude with a visit to the Acropolis Museum exhibiting the glory of Ancient Athens.
After breakfast, your Hellenic Holidays transfer representative, will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport for your short flight to Crete. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and driven to your hotel. Chania is one of those rare cities in Greece, which is a mosaic of cultures, and history. Venetian influences as well as Jewish and Roman are evident through the various neighborhoods of Chania. Enjoy the rest of your day, walking along the cobblestone paths within the castle walls. Be sure to try our restaurant recommendations and sample some of Crete’s finest cuisine.
Today you will embark on your Hikes, Bites and Wines Tour. Your journey will start toward the White Mountains that will take you to the plateau of Omalos, the starting point of the impressive 16km long Samaria Gorge. You can enter the gorge and hike just a small portion with a guide, then head back following the same path (your walk can be as long or short as you wish). Or you can choose to leisurely explore the plateau, enjoy the spectacular views, take pictures and have a mountain tea at the local kiosk. You can continue your exploration through the foothills of the White Mountains and a verdant landscape with orange and olive groves, you can visit the quaint Manousakis winery. Established by Ted Manousakis, a Washington DC businessman who returned to his native village in the outskirts of Chania, the Manousakis Winery took great care in developing a line of wines that quickly brought international attention to Crete. His daughter Alexandra arrived in 2007 with a wind of inspiration and innovation to pick up the baton that her father was passing, trading Manhattan for a Cretan village, and the winery is now run by her and her husband. You can navigate the premises and then enjoy a 5 wines tasting paired with a delicious Cretan meal.
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. You may also consider exploring the eastern side of Crete visiting Heraklion. About 15 minutes away from the center of Heraklion, is the archeological site of Knossos and its museum. The ruins of the Minoan Civilization are one of the must-see archaeological sites in Greece.
Off to Santorini! Your Hellenic Holidays transfer representative will drive you to the port of Heraklion where you embark on a 2-hour sail aboard a high-speed ferry to Santorini. Santorini is most known for its breathtaking views of the red and brown layers of volcanic ash that makes its famous cliffside. You will be driven to your hotel overlooking the majestic caldera. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the romantic atmosphere of the island. Perched on a cliff with breathtaking views of the sunsets and the sea below creates the perfect setting for the next few days.
After breakfast enjoying caldera views, your Santorini Flash tour will begin. Experience the beauty of Santorini in this four-hour journey under the guidance of an experienced and professional driver / guide on a tour you will never forget. Your journey will begin with a visit to the traditional island of Pyrgos. Built in the 15th century by occupying Venetians, it’s one of the island’s five best preserved castle ruins. The journey then continues to the village of Megalochori where according to history, traders and wealthy landowners exported the famous wine of the island, known as Vinsanto. Your journey will continue to one of the finest wineries of Santorini, as an expert sommelier will showcase wine tasting and food pairing combinations.
Your last day in Santorini. While in Santorini, consider hiking along the cobblestone pathway from Fira to Imerovigli and then on to Oia. You can also take a short ride and visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, seeing the remnants of this village in its beautiful museum. Wine connoisseurs will enjoy a journey down the Santorini wine circuit through the inland villages of Karterados, Monolithos and Emporio. You might consider visiting the famous village of Oia. Some enjoy the day by taking a donkey ride down from Oia to Ammoudi where they swim, eat and then return to Oia to take in one of the world’s famous sunsets. Others explore Oia’s local souvenir shops or visit some of the local artists whose display their work of the landscape. What better way to end your stay in Greece, by dining at one of the local restaurants we recommend with those majestic views.
After breakfast, your Hellenic Holidays transfer representative will drive you to the port of Santorini where you embark on a 1-hour sail aboard a high-speed ferry to Naxos. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and driven to your hotel. Naxos is and always has been a crossroad, where archaeologists, historians and scholars of all kinds can meet, drawn by the importance of the culture which has flourished on the island down the centuries. Naxos is also known for its sandy beaches and spectacular cuisine.
After breakfast, your Discover Local products of Naxos will begin. Naxos is known to be one of the most fertile and green islands of the Cyclades, blessing its residents with treasures such as organic fruit, vegetables and savory dairy products some of which are globally known. In the mountain village of Filoti you will have the exclusive opportunity to visit a local pen (sheepfold) where a shepherd will share with you the story of his cheese making and of course you will taste some of the famous Naxian cheeses. In the green valley of Eggares village we will visit the museum of olive oil where you will taste the “liquid gold” which is produced by thousands of years old olive trees. One cannot miss tasting the famous Citron of Naxos which is distilled in the village of Halki, a liqueur made of the leaves of the citron trees, a unique product with a history which dates to 1896. Finally, you will wander around the alleys of the mountain village Apeiranthos, where you will have the chance to taste the so called “Zaboni” a salty and spicy prosciutto-like ham which is only produced in that village.
Today is your last day in Naxos. Entice your senses by swimming, sunbathing and enjoying a range of water sports at some of Naxos’ most beautiful beaches. Naxos has a beach for all activities and tastes. Visit Agios Georgios for windsurfing, Mikri Viglia for kite surfing or Agiassos for a quiet and relaxed beach atmosphere. In the afternoon, consider strolling into Portara, on the islet in front of the harbor which you spot as soon as you arrive in Naxos, as the huge marble gate captures your eye. Enjoy a meal in Chora or at a little seaside taverna where you can enjoy a magnificent sunset and an authentic meal.
Your Hellenic Holidays transfer representative will drive you to the airport for your short flight to Athens.
Your Hellenic Holidays transfer representative will drive you to the airport for your flight home.
Key: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
Note: The itinerary we have created above is flexible and can be tailored along with the destinations and activities offered. It represents a sample of the many alternatives that we offer.
Single Rooms: On all itineraries, single rooms are available to book a supplement. Speak to your travel specialist for pricing.