Athens and Popular Greek Islands, Greek Island Hopping

ATHENS SANTORINI CRETE RHODES

ATHENS - CRETE - SANTORINI - RHODES - ISLANDS

THIS ISLAND HOPPING ITINERARY VISITS THREE GEMS IN AEGEAN SEA - ALL WORLD FAMOUS

Island hopping to the most popular Greek islands

SANTORINI island, the volcano island famous for its Fira, Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani villages with the breathtaking Caldera views and the unique sunset. Santorini island is also known as a culinary paradise with its famous traditional products like cherry tomatoes, white egg plants, fava, caper and “hloró tyrí”, a special kind of fresh goat cheese found on the island and the vast vineyards and wineries with the extremely high quality wines such as Assyrtiko, Athyri, Aidani, Mantilaria and Mavrotragano . Also it is considered to be the most sought after place for a romantic getaway and wedding destination for couples from all over the world.

CRETE island, what can you write about Crete, the largest island in Greece, simply has it all !!!
Glorious beaches, impressive mountains capes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, impressive caves, traditional settlements, rich gastronomic culture and the remnants of brilliant Minoan civilization. There are too many things to write about this island you could write a book. So the best way to describe it, is to write the ‘don’t miss ‘ :

The cities of Chania with the old Venetian harbor, Rethymno with the historic monasteries, monuments and traditional mountain villages, Heraklion the capital of Crete with the exceptional archaeological treasures, significant coastal settlements, a series of picturesque villages, vast valleys with olive groves and vineyards. Lasithi region with the beautiful village of Ag. Nikolaos, Sitia, the palm tree forest of Vaï, the Gulf of Mirabello, the windmills on the Plateau of Lassithi and the Spinalonga rocky islet at the natural port of Elounda.

Nature. The unique golden exotic beaches lacing the Libyan Sea all along the Cretan shore, from Falassarna in the west to Vai in the east, where one feels they are on a tropic island while still being in Europe. The sandy beaches of Balos, Falasarna and Elafonisi are three beaches of great beauty in the region of Chania. Off course Matala the sixties and seventies hotspot for hippies and the highlight of Crete the gorge of Samaria, the longest in Europe

Cultural heritage. The archeological sites of Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaestos and the historic monasteries of Arkadi, Preveli, Toplou, Agarathou, and Chrysoskalitissa

Gastronomy. Crete’s culinary tradition dates back to the Minoan Period (archaeological finds at Knossos). Crete’s recipes practically remained the same. Rich local cuisine, composed mainly of meat, virgin olive oil, aromatic herbs, fruit, vegetables and legumes, scientifically proven to increase life expectancy. Don’t miss to test the famous “ofto” (roasted baby goat) which is served almost everywhere in Crete, the fresh salads and traditional ‘dakos’ (barley rusks with fresh tomato, soft white cheese and olive oil), local cheese, bouyátsa with cream, a delicious cream pie at Chania and many others. Crete cuisine is a culinary paradise, ask the locals!

RHODES island, the capital of the Dodecanese, the island of Knights. the sunniest island of Greece.
Stroll through the beautiful old town of Rhodes; Admire the charming village of Lindos and its Acropolis; Relax on the beautiful beaches on the east coast and Enjoy a delicious dinner in a taverna at the Mandraki harbor with views on the medieval windmills. Rhodes offers numerous sights and has everything to capture your heart.
Places to visit.
Rhodes old town. Wander through the maze of small winding streets. to the cobblestoned Street of the Knights and the highlight of the Old Town, the Palace of the Grand Master. Stroll around Mandráki, the small marina with the Rhodian deer statues.
The picturesque town of Lindos. Visit the Acropolis of Lindos and the traditional village at the foot of the acropolis.
Around the island. See the Kalithea Springs, Ialissos cosmopolitan resort, Kamiros, one of the three most powerful cities of ancient Rhodes, the valley of Butterflies, the bays of St. Paul and the Anthony Quinn bay, the Lakido beach for sunbathing and swimming and so many other places which make Rhodes a perfect holiday destination.

TOUR DETAILS

Tour Code: ASCR_04
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Season: All the year round
Location: Athens, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes islands
Style: Island hopping – Nature – Photography – History

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Athens sightseeing with Acropolis and museum.
  • Santorini island
  • Crete island
  • Rhodes island

INCLUDED

  • Luxury a/c bus or minivan
  • All transfers
  • Experienced En speaking driver
  • Hotels 3*, 4*, 5* or traditional guesthouses
  • Meals Breakfast(B,_,_)
  • Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
  • Official En speaking local guides
  • Ferry tickets to Santorini, Crete.
  • Flight ticket Crete – Rhodes
  • Meet & Greet on the arrival at the airport

NOT INCLUDED

  • Flight ticket (Domestic flight tickets upon request)
  • Accommodation tax (0.5€ per day per room for guesthouses -1.5€ per day per room for 3* hotels – 3€ per day per room for 4* hotels – 4€ per day per room for 5* hotels) paid directly by the clients to hotel.                                                                                    

*All packages are flexible and dynamic for any changes according to any personal needs and desires upon request.

Conduct us for more available packages in the area.

Day 1: Athens arrival (_,_,D)

Arrival to Athens. Meet our staff at the airport. Transfer to your hotel. In the evening walk at Plaka, Athens old town and Monastiraki area. Dinner at a local tavern with souvlaki and shish kebab dishes.

Day 2: Athens city tour (B,_,_) 

Athens sightseeing tour, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus st, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian’s Arch, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. Then Acropolis, the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens, Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and finally Parthenon, a place any civilized person has to visit. We complete the visit with the Museum of Acropolis.

Day 3: Athens – Santorini. (B,_,_)

Morning transfer to port. Embark on ferry (OR upon request take an 1 hour flight) to Santorini. Transfer to your hotel. Rest day free to walk in the allays with the white cubic houses and to admire the sunset having a drink in one of numerus bars, set on the caldera cliffs

Day 4: Santorini island (B,_,_) 

Relax day to explore this romantic island OR take a donkey taxi or cable car to old port and from there take a boat excursion to volcano. In the afternoon go to Oia to admire the word’s most famous sunset.

Day 5: Santorini – Heraklion (B,_,_)

Morning free to walk around and make last minute shoping of local products OR take a HD excursion to Santorini villages with local winery testing. Early afternoon transfer to port and take the high speed boat to Crete Heraklion. Transfer to your hotel. In the evening take a walk to the fortification walls that delimit the “old city”. Stroll through the streets of Heraklion, exploring the old city, the Venetian Loggia (16th century), a magnificent, ornate arcaded Venetian building, in the city center and the many Venetian and Turkish fountains, scattered all around. For dinner test the authentic Cretan “mama’s food” at Anchorage Traditional Mezedopolio nearby.

Day 6: Day tour to West Crete Chania-Kournas Lake-Rethymno (B,_,_)

In this long excursion you will travel to the west side of Crete, exploring the cities of Chania and Rethymno. This tour is a unique and exciting blend of Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish cultures. We’ll visit Chania old town within the Venetian city walls with the narrow streets, old mansions and arcades, with mosques and minarets. We’ll walk in the famous agora (market) and will enjoy some free time for lunch in the pretty harbor. Then, drive to Lake Kournas surented by lush green hills. On the way back we’ll visit the city of Rethymno. Wander the enchanting alleys of the old town, see the domes and minarets of the Ottoman-era mosques and marvel at the 16th-century Venetian fortress. Return to Heraklion in the evening.
Note: This tour can be done on private or SIC(Seat In Coach) base

Day 7: Heraklion – Knosos (B,_,_)
Morning pick up from your hotel and guided visit to Knossos, the legendary center of the Minoan civilization from 1900 to 1400 BC. The Palace is also associated with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Icaros.Then Archeological museum comprising unique exhibits of Minoan art. In the afternoon transfer to the mountain village of Karouzanos for dinner at a tavern with Cretan food, local music and traditional local dancers.

Day 8: Heraklion – Rhodes (B,_,_)
After breakfast transfer to airport and get your 1 hour flight to Rhodes. Transfer to your hotel. In the rest of the day walk at small winding streets of the old city and to the cobblestoned Street of the Knights with the highlight of the old town, the Palace of the Grand Master. Walk to the old harbor of Mandraki, with the Rhodian deer statues and enjoy a dinner at a local tavern

Day 9: Rhodes island (B,_,_)

Free day to walk to Medieval City and visit the Palace of the Grand Master and the archaeological Museum (Hospital of the Knights), see the pink-and-white Suleyman Mosque. Take a HD tour to the picturesque little town of Lindos. Visit the Acropolis with the fantastic views, wander the small streets in the white town and visit a traditional ceramics studio.

Day 10: Departure (B,_,_)
Morning transfer to Mykonos airport for your flight to Athens and then to your next destination