Athens-Mykonos-Santorini 8 Days – Premium tour

Overview

Athens-Mykonos-Santorini

Valid for April – May & June

8 Days
from 1.395
Greece

Tour Plan

Day 1:Welcome to Athens!

Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Welcome to Athens! According to the Greek mythology, the name “Athens” came from the goddess of wisdom, Athena. Our transfer will pick you up from the airport and escort you to the Hotel for check in. Then we will have an illuminated night tour of Athens. First, we will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. We will continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex-Royal Palace), which guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, and see the Temple of Olympian Zeus – one of the largest in antiquity, the Hadrian’s Arch – the symbolic entrance to the city, the Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library and the Syntagma (Constitution Square). Dinner. Then we will transfer back to the Hotel. Overnight in Athens. (Dinner)

Day 2: Athens – walking tour – Acropolis – Acropolis Museum

Breakfast and today get ready for the most amazing city tour through history, which gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city!! We will start our tour with Acropolis, the Architectural Masterpieces in the world of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Then we will visit the New Acropolis Museum which is only 300m. Away from the sacred rock of Acropolis and where at last 4000 priceless statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era. Lunch and then walk to the ancient Agora (Market) of Athens. The Ancient Agora, where the place that ancient Greeks used to do their trades, but also used to gather to discuss city matters, thus, creating the idea of Democracy. In this magnificent walking tour, we will see the Stoa of Attalos, originally erected during the 2nd cent. BC as a gift of the king of Pergamon, Attalos II, to Athens and was one of the world’s first shopping malls, which was 116 meters in length and two floors high, supported by Doric, Ionic and parchment columns. After we will see the temple of Hephaestus, more widely known as Thisio, which is probably built around 460-420 B.C. by an unknown architect. Then we will have free time at Plaka, which is the oldest neighborhood in Athens the picturesque quarter of the city, where there are little shops with handmade crafts and Monastiraki, the Flea Market, where you can have a pleasant walk. Dinner. Return at the Hotel. Overnight in Athens. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 3:Athens –One day Saronic Cruise (Aegina, Hydra and Poros)

Early breakfast. Today we will explore the famous Greek islands by Saronic Cruise, with Mediterranean lunch buffet on board. We will cover three of the most beautiful islands of Saronic Gulf, Aegina, Hydra and Poros. These islands are small havens near Athens where we will enjoy natural beauty, historical treasures, unique architecture, and glamorous, yet romantic atmosphere. The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is the closest island to Athens. Even though it is a small island, it boasts a great number of sights and natural beauties. Highlight is the famous Aphea Temple. It forms in fact an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of the antiquity. Second stop is Hydra island, Hydra island is built in the shape of an amphitheater on a slope overlooking the Argosaronic gulf, one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestoned streets, secluded squares. There is no use of cars but around 500 donkeys as means of public transportation, which explains the reason why Hydra preserved its distinctive atmosphere through the passage of time. The town of Poros is built in the shape of an amphitheater over two hills. Poros with the lush pine trees vegetation, crystal clear beaches, a lively waterfront adorned with shops, cozy cafes and restaurants, a picturesque capital with grand traditional mansions and picturesque cobbled streets, as well as a wide selection of entertainment venues are the ingredients of this quiet, yet cosmopolitan, destination. Dinner. Return at the Hotel. Overnight Athens. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 04: Athens – Mykonos

Breakfast and transfer to Athens port to take the ferry to Mykonos island. In Greek mythology, the island of Mykonos was named after the namesake hero Mykonos, the descendant of the legendary king of Delos, Aneos. The island is also said to have been the location of a great battle between Zeus and Titans and where Hercules killed the invincible giants after having lured them from the protection of Mount. When your ferry docks in the Mykonos port, you will see the best of the town. We will have a walking tour and we will explore the narrow streets and alleys of the old town. We will see Manto Square, where the famous monument of Manto Mavrogenous stands, then we see little Venice, the five in a row windmills, which still stand proudly. Transfer to the Hotel. Lunch. Dinner. Overnight in Mykonos. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 05: Mykonos – Santorini – walking tour

Early breakfast at the hotel. Departure by ferry to Santorini, which is one of the most outstanding places of the world. Lunch. Then we will be transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon walking tour in Fira and for dinner and return to our hotel. Overnight Santorini. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 06: Santorini – Volcano boat tour - Santorini Villages - Oia Sunset

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will have the most popular tour in Santorini, the boat trip, with kaiki (wooden boat) to the volcano and the hot springs. Walk on top of an active volcano, see the caldera villages from an impressive spot and then sail around the islet by the excursion boat. At Palea Kameni where the hot waters reach a temperature of 35o C, those waters have therapeutic ingredients. Lunch and then we will explore the center of the island. The first stop of the tour is the 16th century Monastery of Prophet Elias which was built on the highest point of the Island 567 meters above sea level. From there you will have a panoramic view of the whole island. After Prophet Elias we will continue to the village of Pyrgos, with its Cycladic architecture, Byzantine churches and a Venetian Castle. The village is one of the highest points of the Island and the view is amazing - overlooking the North West part of Santorini. Then we will visit the traditional village of Oia which is on the northern tip of the island, high on the cliff top. Oia hosts the most magnificent views of Santorini and a picturesque road with cliffs on one side and sea on the other; leads to this attractive village typical of Santorini’s architecture with houses sunk deep into the volcanic soil, their whitewashed walls and blue domes sparkling in the sunlight. Dinner. Overnight in Santorini. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 07: Santorini - Athens - Full day Delphi

Breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to Santorini Airport to take the flight to Athens. When we will arrive at Athens, we will be transfer to Delphi. There we will explore the most famous sights of ancient Greece on this day trip to magical Delphi, where the oracle once fore. When we arrive at Delphi we will visit the famous theatre, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and get an insight into the world of the Ancient Greeks. Visit the Temple of Apollo, the center of Ancient Greece, and best-known for its famous oracle. Tour the Museum of Delphi, home to a unique bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, and the Statue of Antinoos, providing an amazing insight into Ancient Greek culture and history. Lunch. Return to Athens. Dinner. Overnight Athens. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)