The Best of Greek Islands

Discover the ancient history and sun-kissed shores of Greece

Did you know that Crete is home to Europe’s oldest city? On this 15-day trip, you’ll explore ancient ruins as well as the coastal villages off the Aegean Sea and beautiful Crete Islands. Take a ferry along the Cyclades Islands, sip wine in the vibrant port city of Chania and wander through the ruins at Knossos – the former capital of Minoan Crete. Hike the Caldera Rim to Oia in Santorini, unwind in the secluded seaside village of Sougia and learn about the ancient capital of Athens from your local leader.

No reviews yetTrip code: ZMSTC

Start: Athens, Greece

End: Chania, Greece


Duration
15 days
Group size
1 to 12
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Original
Theme

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Explorer
Physical rating

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From
CAD $6,665

Why you'll love this trip

  • Unwind in the small fishing village of Sougia. Maybe walk along the coastal trails, take a swim in the warm waters or simply relax on the beach with a cold drink in your hand during your free time.
  • Discover Chania on an orientation walk through the colourful port town. Discover one of its most loved commodities during a wine tasting and maybe join a local workshop to learn to bake kalitsounia (pastries).
  • Explore Crete’s natural wonders on foot during a hike through the Agia Irini Gorge, learning about its historical significance and rare wildlife as you go.
  • Let the rest of the world melt away as you swim and snorkel in the warm waters of the Aegean Sea.
  • Wander through the coastal village of Syros. When night falls, indulge in delicious seafood dinners in traditional tavernas as Rembetika music floats around you.

Itinerary

Map of The Best Of Greek Islands including Greece

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
Greece
Meals

12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Ferry, Public bus, Taxi, Metro

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)

Included activities
  • Syros - Loukoumia Workshop Visit
  • Syros - Ano Syros Walk
  • Syros - Dinner at remotely located village
  • Delos - Day Trip to the Island of Delos
  • Delos - Archaeological Site
  • Santorini - Caldera Rim Hike to Oia
  • Knossos - Archaeological Site
  • Dourakis - wine tasting
  • Sougia - Agia Irini Gorge Hike
  • Sougia - Coastal Boat Ride
  • Sougia – Family lunch
  • Chania - Old Town guided tour

Optional activities
  • Athens - Acropolis Pass for 5 Sites - EUR30
  • Athens - National Archaeological Museum - EUR15
  • Athens - Day trip to the Saronic Islands - EUR140
  • Athens - Day Trip to Delphi - EUR60
  • Athens - Lycabettus Hill - Free
  • Athens - Numismatic Museum - EUR15
  • Athens - Twilight Athens Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • Athens - Acropolis Museum - EUR30
  • Athens - Half day trip to Cape Sounio - EUR55
  • Syros - Archaeological Sites & Ruins - EUR5
  • Syros - Industrial Museum of Syros - EUR2
  • Syros - Historical tour of Ermoupolis Textile Heritage Museum - EUR20
  • Mykonos - Aegean Maritime Museum - EUR4
  • Mykonos - House of Lena - EUR2
  • Mykonos - Trip to Village of Ano Mera (by public bus) - EUR4
  • Mykonos - Paradise Beach (by public bus) - EUR4
  • Mykonos - Super Paradise Beach (by public bus) - EUR10
  • Myconos - Cooking Class in Myconian house & farm - EUR150
  • Santorini - Museum of Prehistoric Thira - EUR10
  • Santorini - Volcano & Hot Springs Half Day Trip (by boat) - EUR25
  • Santorini - Beer tasting at local brewery - EUR30
  • Santorini - Wine museum and wine tasting from - EUR25
  • Santorini - Archelogical site of Akrotiri - EUR20
  • Santorini - Sunset Cruise & Dinner - EUR90
  • Santorini - Semi Private Sunset Catamaran cruise & Dinner - EUR160
  • Heraklion - Archaeological Musem of Heraklion - EUR12
  • HERAKLION - Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas - EUR5
  • Chania - Archaeological Museum of Chania - EUR15
  • Chania - Marine time Museum of Crete - EUR4
  • Chania - Kalitsounia Bakery Workshop - Free
  • Chania - Balos and Gamvousa islands boat tour - Free

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Is this trip right for you?

  • As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change.
  • On Day 8 one part of the trip will finish, and you will be given all necessary instructions and ferry tickets from Santorini to Heraklion, as well as hotel voucher. You will meet your new group and possibly a new leader on Day 9 at the Welcome meeting in Heraklion.
  • The main means of transportation on this trip is by public ferry. These ferries are large car ferries that transport hundreds of people, along with cars and trucks. In most cases there are no reserved seats and passengers are free to walk around the ferry. Luggage is stored in a designated area on the car deck and is not accessible while the ferry is moving.
  • We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, up and down steep inclines and across cobblestones.
  • The Greek Islands are very hilly and mountainous, which means lots and lots of steps. The cobblestone streets also become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Greece's topography very demanding.
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change.
  • On Day 8 one part of the trip will finish, and you will be given all necessary instructions and ferry tickets from Santorini to Heraklion, as well as hotel voucher. You will meet your new group and possibly a new leader on Day 9 at the Welcome meeting in Heraklion.
  • The main means of transportation on this trip is by public ferry. These ferries are large car ferries that transport hundreds of people, along with cars and trucks. In most cases there are no reserved seats and passengers are free to walk around the ferry. Luggage is stored in a designated area on the car deck and is not accessible while the ferry is moving.
  • We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, up and down steep inclines and across cobblestones.
  • The Greek Islands are very hilly and mountainous, which means lots and lots of steps. The cobblestone streets also become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Greece's topography very demanding.
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

Dates and prices

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to limited availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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The Best of Greek Islands
From
CAD $6,665