Ancient Athens and Idyllic Islands of Greece

On arrival in Athens, the birthplace of western civilization, you will be met and transferred to your hotel located near the old Plaka district and within walking distance of the Acropolis. Plaka is the oldest part of Athens, an area now packed with restaurants and shops. You’ll have the rest of the day free to relax. Enjoy exploring nearby dining options and perhaps find a lively pub for a refreshing cocktail.

Spend the morning exploring the Acropolis, the vantage point that offered protection for the ancient city-state and the center of ancient Athenian religious and commercial life. See the fifth-century BC Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the Temple of Nike, which is much smaller than the other temples of the Acropolis. Your history lesson will be completed with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a museum that the Athenians are most proud of. This museum focuses on the Acropolis archaeological site, built to house all the artifacts on and around the acropolis. The museum itself was carefully built over Roman and Byzantine ruins.

Return to your hotel where you have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Athens on your own. Consider taking a walk through the Plaka neighborhood past Constitution Square, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, and the House of Parliament, which was the royal palace until 1935. Nearby is the Temple of Olympian Zeus ruins, Hadrian’s Arch, and Panathinaiko Stadium, the venue for the first Olympic Games.

Explore Athens on a private walking tour focused on local food and daily life. Walk through central neighborhoods, markets, and historic arcades while sampling regional specialties from small-scale producers and family-owned shops. Your guide provides context on ingredients, traditions, and the role of food in Greek culture.

The experience is well suited for travelers who want a practical introduction to authentic Greek flavors and the people behind them. Before returning to your hotel, receive recommendations for quality edible souvenirs and local products to take home.

Travel by morning ferry to Paros. Upon arrival, you will be met at the port and transferred to your hotel for check-in and time to settle in.

Later, participate in a hands-on Greek cooking class led by a local cook. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, you will prepare a selection of traditional dishes that reflect the island’s culinary heritage. As you cook, learn about regional techniques, family recipes, and the role of food in everyday life on Paros. Sit down to enjoy the meal you have prepared together.

Afterward, return to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the island independently, relax by the sea, or enjoy the amenities of your hotel.

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Travel by morning ferry to Naxos. Upon arrival, you will be met at the port and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Later, meet your local guide to explore Chora, the island’s main town. Walk through narrow cobblestone lanes and visit the central produce market to select fresh, seasonal ingredients for your upcoming cooking class. Along the way, stop at small specialty shops to sample regional products, including Naxian cheeses, local honey, and the island’s distinctive citron liqueur. Your guide provides insight into the agricultural traditions and culinary identity that distinguish Naxos within Greece.

Continue into the Kastro, the 13th-century Venetian fortress that reflects the period when Naxos was the seat of the Duchy of the Aegean. Learn about the layered history of the island as you navigate its fortified passageways and historic residences.

Conclude at a local taverna for a hands-on cooking session led by a resident chef. Prepare a selection of classic appetizers and a traditional Greek salad using the ingredients sourced earlier in the day. Sit down together to enjoy the meal you have prepared, accompanied by a local toast.

Return to your hotel.

Spend the day at sea exploring Paros and neighboring Antiparos on a traditional boat cruise. Transfer from your hotel to the coastal village of Aliki, where you board your vessel and meet the crew.

Cruise along a varied coastline of small coves, sea caves, and clear swimming areas selected according to weather and sea conditions. Opportunities may include swimming, snorkeling, and time to relax in quiet anchorages away from the main ports. The captain adjusts the route to ensure both safety and the best possible experience on the water.

A freshly prepared lunch featuring regional dishes is served on board, along with drinks and local sweets. In the afternoon, return to Aliki and transfer back to your hotel.

Note: The exact route is determined by local weather and sea conditions on the day of sailing.

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Begin at Kalandos Beach on the southern tip of Naxos, a sheltered stretch of coastline protected from the summer meltemi winds and recognized as a wetland habitat for migratory birds. Meet your guide for a safety briefing and equipment fitting before setting out by sea kayak.

Paddle approximately 8 km along the island’s south coast, navigating clear waters with wide views across the Cyclades. Stop at small coves for swimming beneath steep rock formations and along quiet stretches of shoreline accessible only by sea.

Continue to Rhina Cave, known for its distinctive rock formations and small stalactites. Land on the nearby beach to rest while your guide prepares light local snacks. There is time to swim or snorkel to observe marine life in the surrounding waters.

Return by kayak to Kalandos Beach. At the end of the excursion, you may choose to enjoy a traditional meal at a nearby seaside taverna before transferring back to your hotel.

Take a short ferry to Santorini. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in, then rest or enjoy lunch independently. In the afternoon, we recommend two options: either kayaking or a Caldera hike.

Kayaking Option

In the afternoon, begin a guided sea kayaking excursion from the black-sand beach of Mesa Pigadia. Paddle along Santorini’s southern coastline, passing the White Beach and Red Beach, known for their distinct volcanic cliffs and rock formations. Continue to Kampia Beach for a swimming and snorkeling stop in clear Aegean waters.

Midway through the excursion, pause at a local, family-run taverna for a traditional Greek snack. Return to the water and continue toward Black Mountain, where you position your kayaks to watch the sunset over the caldera and open sea.

Caldera Hike

Set out on a guided evening hike along the rim of Santorini’s volcanic caldera. Follow a well-established trail with wide views over the Aegean Sea, neighboring islands, and the island’s characteristic whitewashed architecture.

Walk through the village of Imerovigli and pause for a light refreshment of a fresh smoothie and Greek yogurt with honey and nuts. Continue toward Oia, stopping at key viewpoints along the way, including the chapel of Prophet Elias, for perspective on the island’s geology, history, and settlement patterns.

Arrive in Oia in time to observe the sunset over the caldera. Afterward, transfer back to your hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Conclude the experience with dinner at a seaside taverna, then transfer back to your hotel.

Santorini has a beautiful landscape with breathtaking black and red beaches. And the sunsets are spectacular! You’ll have the next two days free to take in the beauty however you’d like, whether relaxing under the sun with a good book, strolling the beaches, swimming in the blue ocean, walking along the caldera from Fira to Oia, horseback riding in Exo Gonia, or scuba diving or snorkeling in the beautiful waters.

You’ll want to be sure to spend time exploring the villages and towns of Santorini such as:

• Fira, a stunning town perched on top of a cliff
• Katerados, with traditional Santorini architectural styles
• Firostefani, for unique views of the volcano
• Pyrgos, the highest point on the island with a picturesque monastery
• Megalochori, a traditional village with many old Cycladic churches
• Akrotiri, an archaeological site with a fascinating history
• Mesaria, a market town
• Imerovigli, which, along with Katerados and Firostefani, offer stunning sunset views

Your Adventure Specialist can also pre-arrange guided tours of any of these towns, or assist with a visit to a local winery or the Prophet Ilias Monastery. Every town is spectacular and has something to offer, but if you pick just one, consider a day tour in Akrotiri. This 3,500-year-old Minoan town is preserved in volcanic ash much like Pompeii, and here, the ruins are extremely well preserved. Streets, buildings, stairs, and even the second floors of buildings are still visible. See Minoan pottery and frescoes, and with a little imagination, feel what it would have been like to live in ancient Greece.

Note: All additional touring is an extra cost.

For your last morning in Santorini, enjoy some downtime and breakfast at leisure in your hotel, or consider stopping by the shops and stalls in town for some final souvenirs. Then, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. Not ready to leave? Consider adding an extension to explore another Greek Island such as Crete.