Best of Greece

15 Days | Stretch your legs on the mainland before setting sail for the Cyclades: this is Greece at its very best.

5 out of 5 based on 10 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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CHF  4,070
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Welcome to Greece – a land of crumbling ruins and crumbling feta, the sun-bleached cradle of modern civilization. A lot of Grecian itineraries begin with Athens’ historical highlights before skipping quickly off to the Greek Islands. But not this one. We’ve designed a comprehensive tour that includes the best of the mainland AND the islands. From the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and the unbelievable monasteries of Meteora, all the way to the olive groves and sandy beaches of the Cyclades. Along the way you’ll discover that Greeks are passionate about a few very specific things: good times, good food, and good gossip. Kalimera!

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Greece including Greece
Start
Athens, Greece
Finish
Santorini, Greece
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Greece
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMSAC
This trip generates 24.83 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Uncover thousands of years of civilisation in Athens with a visit to the world-famous Acropolis and the ancient Agora
  • Like endless pilgrims before you, visit the home of the Oracle of Delphi in the Sanctuary of Apollo, one of Greece's most important archaeological sites
  • Wander through the charming villages of Syros. When night falls, indulge in delicious seafood dinners in traditional tavernas as Rembetika music floats around you
  • With its boutique culture, gorgeous beaches and thumping nightlife, the chic isle of Mykonos invites you to embrace your hedonistic side
  • The sight of a Santorini sunset can turn even the most hardened of souls into a romantic. Walk along the volcanic rim of the island from Thira to Oia, passing through white villages that cling to plunging cliffs

Is this trip right for you?
  • The main means of transportation in the Greek Islands is by public ferry. These ferries are large car ferries that transport hundreds of people, along with cars and trucks. There are no reserved seats and passengers are free to walk around the ferry freely. Luggage is stored in a designated area on the car deck and is not accessible while the ferry is moving.
  • Summer temperatures in Greece can reach up to 40°C, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • Please be aware that some of the Greek Islands are very hilly and mountainous, which means lots & lots of steps are an inherent feature of the landscape. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines. Also, stone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Greece's topography very demanding.
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
  • This trip spends limited time in Santorini. As this beautiful island has much to offer an extension of your stay is highly recommended. We are able to help you book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Greece including Greece

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Train, Private vehicle, Ferry, Public bus, Taxi, Metro

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Activities
  • Athens - Acropolis Archaeological Site Visit with Local Guide
  • Athens - Acropolis Local Guide
  • Thessaloniki - NAOMI Ecumenical Workshop for Refugees visit
  • Meteora - Monastery Visits
  • Delphi - Archaeological Site & Museum guided tour
  • Delphi - local lunch & olive oil tasting with a view of Delphi Valley
  • Syros - Loukoumia Workshop Visit
  • Syros - Ano Syros Walk
  • Syros - Sunset Dinner
  • Delos - Day Trip to the Island of Delos
  • Delos - Archaeological Site
  • Santorini - Caldera Rim Hike to Oia
Add on activities
  • Athens - National Archaeological Museum - EUR12
  • Athens - Lycabettus Hill - Free
  • Athens - Dora Stratou - EUR20
  • Athens - Numismatic Museum - EUR15
  • Athens - Day trip to the Saronic Islands - EUR140
  • Athens - Acropolis Museum - EUR15
  • Athens - Half day trip to Cape Sounio - EUR55
  • Athens - Acropolis Pass for 5 Sites - EUR30
  • Athens - Day Trip to Delphi - EUR60
  • Athens - Twilight Athens Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • 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 - EUR6
  • Santorini - Volcano & Hot Springs Half Day Trip (by boat) - EUR25
  • Santorini - Beer tasting at local brewery - EUR25
  • Santorini - Wine museum and wine tasting from - EUR25
  • Santorini - Archelogical site of Akrotiri - EUR12

Dates and availability

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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 availability. Please speak to your booking agent for more information.
2. As this is a combination of 2 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change upon return to Athens.

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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Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 10 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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David · Traveled July 2023
Best of Greece is a great combined trip of the mainland and the islands. It is a good mixture of engaging activities and free time for places like the beach. We went to many interesting historical sites and had plenty of good food.
Review submitted 22 Jul 2023

konrad · Traveled September 2022
Best of Greece itinerary reflects a great cross section of what Greece has to offer. The itinerary is well structured and provides a great mix of culture, history and islands (local and uber touristy). Our two leaders, Vojin and Georgia, kept things running smoothly and were perfect travel companions.
Review submitted 24 Oct 2022

Suganya · Traveled September 2022
I had lovely guides Maria Christina Bava (mainland) and Sylvia Vasliki Athanasopoulou (Cyclades islands) who were excellent in giving information and very helpful. They covered things on agenda and advised optional activities that would be attractive to us. I felt that good amount of time was given for each activity. During the main land part of the tour, Maria Christina ordered food for us as a group so that we could try more delicacies instead of being restricted to what we ordered. We had a great group of people who happily split the bill between us. This lead to me being able to have a taste of most of the great Greek food. Sylvia was very knowledgable about the Cyclades, helpful and focussed on getting us the best experience. I sprained my ankle while in Santorini which prevented me from the hike that I was looking forward to. Sylvia was quick to give first aid and advice. No wonder why her nick name is Mama. As a solo female traveller, I felt that I was safe throughout the travel.
Review submitted 12 Oct 2022

Cheryl · Traveled September 2022
A great trip for people who want to see both the mainland and several islands. There are lots of included activities but enough downtime so you are not exhausted. Greece was so much more than I expected .
Review submitted 13 Oct 2022

Gillian · Traveled September 2022
Intrepid chooses leaders who are of a high calibre and who produce exciting trips based on safety, variety, deep knowledge and satisfying their clietelle.
Review submitted 22 Oct 2022
Best of Greece
From
CHF  4,070