Greece Ultimate Experience Tour (Athens – Peloponnese – Cyclades – Crete)

This morning we meet in the hotel lobby for introductions, followed by a short walking tour in the city’s oldest neighborhood, Plaka with its narrow alleys, little squares with small churches, lively shops and cafes, and grand neoclassical-style houses. Our own professional guide waits for us at the entrance of Acropolis, eager to pass on the knowledge about this world famous and important site!

We will have the chance of seeing and learning about the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena and definitely feel the energy! Later we will also visit the New Acropolis museum, a brilliant building, in order to explore its artifacts and enjoy a delicious meal at its veranda.

After our lunch we will be leaving the lively city of Athens, towards Nafplio. Short stop at the Corinth Canal, the six-kilometer waterway connecting the Ionian and Aegean seas. We continue our scenic drive to Nafplio, considered one of the prettiest towns in Greece. It was the first capital, after Greece’s independence and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. After settling in our hotel, we will visit the old town for an evening stroll and our dinner at a “magical” place!
Overnight in Nafplio (B/L/D).

After our first breakfast together, let us explore some of the best preserved and world-known sites of Greece, Epidaurus and Mycenae, always with the help of our private professional guide!
In Mycenae, we admire the enormous Cyclopean walls – remains up until today a wonder how they were created- and enter the imposing Lions gate to the site that dates back to 1350-1200 BC. Just outside the walls, the Vault-shaped tombs of Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra and the Treasury of Atreus are waiting for us to explore them as well!

Our next stop is the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved classical Greek structures renowned for its perfect architectural proportions and exemplary acoustics. This UNESCO Heritage marvel is located within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, the God of Medicine and son of Apollo.
In ancient times, sick people came on a pilgrimage to spend the night at the shrine, in the hope that Asklepios would appear in their dreams with a diagnosis and a cure! Asklepios could not only heal the living, but also raise the dead to life, to such an extent that even Hades from the underworld complained…
Having enjoyed our traditional Greek lunch we then continue our journey to Olympia, where we will spend the night.
Overnight in Olympia (B/L/D).

After a good night’s rest and a strong breakfast, off we go towards Olympia archaelogical site! The site of Olympia is one of the largest, most important and beautiful sites in Greece. Once again our own professional private guide will take us through the valley of wild olives and plane trees to the Ancient Ruins and under the frame of the great temple columns, enabling us to feel the awe of the Olympian history. We will of course visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and the Museum and spend some private moments embracing the “vibe” of this sacred place, famous for its importance across the world. After our lunch we return to Athens in order to catch our domestic flight (or high-speed ferry) to our next destination, the island of Mykonos. Transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Mykonos (B/L/D).

Enjoy a full yachting day of swimming, culture and fine delicacies on-board our Aegean Outdoors luxurious MotorSailer.

We begin our cruise with Delos, offering you the chance to experience an excursion of discovery while at the same time your guide will talk you through its endless history and importance for the Ancient Greek civilization.

DELOS is a small Island situated in the centre of the Cyclades, a few miles southwest of Mykonos.
During the Ancient Times, Delos was considered as the most important Pan-Hellenic sanctuary. Between 900 BC and AD 100, sacred Delos was a major cult center. According to Greek mythology, Delos was the birthplace of Apollo, the god of light, and Artemis, the goddess of hunting (both children of Leto and Zeus). The myth says that Leto was pregnant by Zeus and the jealous Hera, Zeus’s legitimate wife, chased her husband’s mistress away and forbade her all places on earth so that she could not find where to give birth to her children. Leto finally found a small island… Hera asked Poseidon for help and he revealed the small island, Delos, which means “revealed”…

We continue to Rhenia island. Rhenia offers secluded bays well protected by the etesian winds surrounded by tranquil turquoise waters making them a small paradise on earth. There, you will have the chance to swim, sunbathe and have your lunch, daily prepared with gastronomical delicacies and traditional local recipes.

Back to Mykonos, where we will be transferred back to our hotel in order to relax and prepare ourselves for a light dinner and a night out, experiencing the cosmopolitan ambiance of this beautiful island!
Overnight in Mykonos (B/L/D)

Today we will catch the morning ferry to Santorini which was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions of all time. Here everything is brighter: the whitewashed cube-shaped houses, the lapis lazuli sea and the sunsets that light up the caldera…
After settling in our hotel, we will hike towards picturesque Oia, the most beautiful village of the island. The cobblestone trail (Caldera trail) follows the rim of the Caldera, taking you away from the crowds, permitting you to admire the power of the natural forces that shaped this amazing environment.
Santorini is probably the most popular Greek island. People from all over the world come here to see its world famous sunset and that is exactly what we’ll do this evening, before our dinner!
Overnight in Santorini (B/L/D)

Dorians, Venetians, and Turks occupied Santorini, but its most influential early inhabitants were Minoans. They came from Crete sometime between 2000 BC and 1600 BC and the settlement of Akrotiri, dubbed as the Greek Pompeii, dates from the peak years of their civilization. Alongside with a professional guide you will have the opportunity to walk along the streets and squares of the city, which was buried in volcanic ash after the eruption of the volcano.
It is now time for an awesome sea kayaking experience! We will explore the south side of the island as few people do. Seeing Santorini from the sea level is a real treat, plus paddling gives your upper body a bit of exercise. Along the way, we will have the chance to snorkel, swim and have lots of fun!! After our exciting water activity, we’ll enjoy our lunch at a seaside restaurant before we take an early evening ferry to Crete and the city of Heraklion!
Overnight in Crete (B/L/D)

Start your day visiting the Archaeological museum of Heraklion, which opens a fascinating window into the ancient world. The museum hosts the world’s largest and finest Minoan collection and our visit here will enrich your understanding of Knossos’ archaeological site, our next stop for today.
Knossos was by far the largest of the Minoan Palaces, thriving more than three and a half thousand years ago at the heart of a highly sophisticated island-wide civilization. After our “trip” into ancient Greece we will visit a winery to taste exquisite Cretan wines and delicacies and later on transfer to the city of Chania and its beautiful old town.
Overnight in Chania (B/L/D)

To go to Crete without entering a gorge would be a missed opportunity for an incredible experience and at the southern slopes of the White Mountains there is one of the most fascinating.
The pine tree-lined Imbros gorge, is not as famous as Samaria but is in physical terms as impressive and much less crowded. Enjoy this wonderfully quiet walk, narrow and stiflingly confined in places, speckled with caves in others and at one point passing under a monumental natural stone archway. At the end of the gorge we will hop in our bus for a short ride to Frangokastello, a striking 14th century Venetian fortress on a fine stretch of a beach. Here we can wash off the gorge’s dust and enjoy our lunch overlooking the Libyan sea.
Overnight in Chania (B/L/D)

Today an amazing experience lies ahead of us! After our mighty breakfast, we will be transferred to the port of Kissamos and embark our boat. Heading towards Gramvousa we’ll observe geological phenomena, sea caves and beautiful waters. Upon arrival at Gramvousa island enough time to walk up to the Venetian castle and to swim as well.
Our next stop is Balos, one of the most beautiful places on earth! Here we will have the privilege of swimming in the shallow and warm lagoon waters. In the afternoon we begin our journey back to Kissamos, from there to the hotel and later on to the airport for our evening short flight to Athens and our farewell dinner!!
Overnight in Athens (B/L/D)

Breakfast is at your leisure at the hotel. (B)
END OF SERVICES

** On this final day we can transfer you to any other point of Greece or extend your program any way you wish us to.