1. Home
  2. Europe
  3. Greece
  4. Premium Greece Cyclades Islands
Map of Premium Greece Cyclades Islands including Greece

Discover Greece's iconic Cyclades on an in-depth island adventure

Let the charm of the Cyclades wash over you on a nine-day Premium Greek island adventure. Start off in the storied city of Athens, explore the charming villages of Paros, uncover ancient riches in Naxos and soak up million-dollar views in Santorini. Travel with a passionate local leader who’s eager to share the magic of their country as you discover fascinating histories, incredible food and welcoming locals. Whether you’re searching for tumbledown ruins and ancient myths or simply a stretch of sand by the Aegean Sea to read a book on, Greece has it all in spades.

Lock it in for $99!

For a limited time only secure your dream 2023 adventure for $99 - Offer ends soon!

Terms & Conditions
Start
Athens, Greece
Finish
Santorini, Greece
Destination
Greece
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
ZVPI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Taste a dazzling variety of Greek food during Exclusive Experiences, including a visit to an olive oil press museum Naxos, a cooking class complete with local kitron tasting, and an afternoon of wine tasting in Santorini at two different wineries.

  • Take a guided hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera, passing steep cliff faces and unbelievable views as you learn about the geological history of the island along the way.

  • Learn the tricks of the trade in Naxos during an Exclusive Experience: take an in-depth cooking class with a local, using organic ingredients from her garden to create regional specialties which you’ll then enjoy for lunch.

  • See Paros through the eyes of a local during an enlightening Exclusive Experience. Explore the island with an expert guide who will share insider knowledge on the island’s history and charming villages.

  • Soak up the magic of Santorini from your whitewashed Feature Stay hotel, offering spacious rooms, modern amenities, an expansive swimming pool and a prime location against a stunning backdrop.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Pickpocketing can be an issue in Athens, especially on public transport. But if you keep your valuables concealed and secure while travelling on the metro or bus, you should have no problems.

  • Summer temperatures in Greece can reach up to 40°C, so you will need to be able to cope with the heat if you're visiting at this time. Please consider the time of year and your suitability to visiting during that season.

Sunset view of Santorini architecture, Cycladic Islands, Greece
Pebbled beach on the coast of the Cycladic islands, Greece
ZVPI - The Portara Gate ruins on Naxos island, Greece
Pita with tzatziki sauce, fresh Naxian potatoes fries, cucumber salad and olives.
Traveller looking over the blue water of Santorini in Greece
Greece Feature Stay: Santorini Place hotel exterior
Greece Feature Stay: Santorini Place hotel, standard room interior
Greece Feature Stay: Santorini Place Hotel outdoor pool
Greece Feature Stay: Santorini Place Hotel, pool bar at sundown
ZVPI - Coastal view of Caldera sea village in Santorini, Greece
ZVPI - Hiking along the Caldera path in Santorini, Greece
Santorinis_wines-Operator.jpg

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Welcome to Greece! Your adventure begins in Athens, Greece’s storied capital with a lively cosmopolitan side. There is a lot to experience in this ancient city, so arriving a few days early is highly recommended. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, you may like to pay a visit to Athens’ iconic Acropolis, or perhaps take a walk around the gorgeous National Garden. After your meeting, get a taste of Greece’s celebrated cuisine during dinner with the group at a local restaurant in the vibrant Psiri neighbourhood.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Electra Athens or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
An arrival transfer is included in the price of this trip. Please advise your travel agent of your flight arrival details at the time of booking. There will be an important group meeting in the evening (usually at 6 pm, but please check the noticeboards at the hotel reception for the exact time and place). In this meeting, your trip leader will give you a briefing on what lies ahead.

This morning you will be transported to Athens' port at Piraeus and board a ferry bound for Paros – a beautiful and relaxed island with a layered history. Ferries are a great way to travel between the islands and are the lifeblood of many remote islands in Greece's multitude of archipelagos. In the afternoon, get to know Paros during an island tour with a local guide. Start off in Parikia, the island’s main town, where you will visit the Ekatontapiliani church, also known as the Church of a Hundred Doors. Explore charming narrow streets and learn about the architecture of the town. Continue with a drive through the island’s mainland, passing by ancient marble quarries, then stop off at the village of Lefkes. Take some time to explore the peaceful village, surrounded by verdant hills dotted with olive and pine trees, then carry on to Naoussa – a delightful village known for its whitewashed alleys, Venetian castle and stunning port. After your tour, enjoy an evening at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Saint Andrea Seaside Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ferry journey is approximately 3.5 hours.

The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do on the island. You may like to begin the day with a guided morning hike along the coast – starting off at a lovely fishing village and weaving through some of the island’s most pristine beaches. In the afternoon you will have the option to visit the nearby island of Antiparos – a favourite secret holiday spot for royals and celebrities, this lesser-known island offers a tranquil escape. Or perhaps you’d like to spend the day relaxing on one of Paros’ many beautiful beaches, cooling off with dips in Aegean Sea. Speak to your leader for more information about the activities on offer today and for tips on how to make the most of this spectacular island.
Accommodation
  • Saint Andrea Seaside Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning you will say goodbye to Paros and catch a short ferry to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has something for everyone – from glittering beaches to an endearing Old Town and hundreds of years of Venetian history. Take some time to settle in on arrival, then regroup in the late afternoon to discover the wonders of the town with the guidance of your leader. Pay a visit to the Portara, a giant marble doorway and the only remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo from 530 BC. Naxos is unique in the fact it is the Cyclades’ only self-sufficient island, meaning all produce is grown and available on the island without imports. Because of this, the cuisine is hyperlocal and differs to the rest of the country. This evening you will enjoy an included dinner and learn about the wonderful regional specialties of the island.
Accommodation
  • Naxos Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s ferry journey is approximately 30 minutes.

This morning you will drive to Eggares, a small farming village set in the region that produces most of the island’s produce. Here you will tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil to Greek culture and traditional extraction methods. After your visit, you’ll put your new knowledge to good use as you travel to the nearby village of Galini for a hands-on cooking class. Meet with a local who will share her in-depth culinary knowledge with the group, leaving you with wonderful recipes you can cook up at home to bring you back to the island. First you will collect fresh ingredients from your host’s organic garden and learn about cultivation and farming on Naxos, then you’ll be shown how to put the ingredients together to create a marvellous Naxian dish from scratch, enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch. Pair your lunch with a tasting of local kitron. With a history stretching back to the 19th century and only produced on Naxos, a taste of this citron liqueur will take you straight to the heart of the island’s culture.
Accommodation
  • Naxos Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Home
  • Naxos - Eggares Olive Oil Press
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today is free to explore more of wonderful Naxos. You may like to head to one of the island’s beaches for a day at leisure, or perhaps discover more of the Naxos’ history at a local museum. The Archaeological Μuseum of Naxos in Chora Naxos dates back to the 17th century and houses artefacts from the Neolithic to the early-Christian periods, and the Geological Museum of Apeiranthos digs up the natural history of the island. If you’re after a sweet treat, walnut cake flavoured with local kitron is an excellent regional specialty. Your leader will be on hand to help tailor a day that suits your interests.
Accommodation
  • Naxos Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart Naxos in the morning and catch a ferry to the magnificent island of Santorini. Upon arrival in Santorini's capital, Fira, you will be met and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel. A whitewashed building in the traditional Cycladic style, the hotel boasts a magnificent backdrop of the Santorini caldera and volcano. The island’s breezy, laidback atmosphere is translated into this superb hotel, offering tranquillity away from the main town, and where nothing is too much trouble. Here you’ll enjoy spacious rooms, modern amenities, an expansive swimming pool and a prime location for exploring the treasures of Santorini. Enjoy a free afternoon to absorb this veritable paradise. Your leader will be able to offer suggestions on what to see and do. In the late afternoon make sure you view Santorini's world-famous sunset, which has been immortalised in many photos and works of art.
Accommodation
  • Santorini Palace Hotel (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ferry journey is approximately 1.5 hours.

In the morning, embark on a hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island you see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion that destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. The spectacular natural beauty of this caldera is what makes Santorini such a special place. Your walk begins at your hotel and you will continue along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and experiencing breath-taking views along the way. The walk ends in the town of Oia, built on a steep slope inside Santorini’s incredible volcanic caldera. Famous not only for its stunning scenery, Santorini’s microclimate and volcanic soil make it a top spot for wine production. This afternoon you will sip your way around the island during visits to two wonderful family-run wineries, where you will learn about history of wine production, its importance to the local economy, and taste the different varieties yourself.
Accommodation
  • Santorini Palace Hotel (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Santorini - Caldera Hike
  • Santorini - Winery Excursion & Wine Tasting
Optional Activities
  • Santorini - Thira Prehistoric Museum - EUR6
  • Santorini – Black Sand Beach Umbrella and Sun Bed Rental - EUR75
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walking distance is approximately 12 km (3 to 5 hours). The surface varies between gravel and loose volcanic scree. There are multiple uphill and downhill sections, and there are no shade and no toilet facilities along the way. Please note that in summer the leader may decide to start the hike as the sun rises in order to avoid the heat of the day. Therefore it may be necessary for you to organise a takeaway breakfast, as the hotel will not serve breakfast this early. Please speak to your leader for more details if you have any concerns. As an alternative to the hike you can take a taxi to Oia instead, and meet up with the rest of the group there, or enjoy a beach day (see Optional Activities) and meet up with the group for the wine tasting in the afternoon.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would to spend some more time on Santorini, additional accommodation can be arranged ahead of time (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Ferry, Private vehicle, Taxi

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide
  • Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Visit
  • Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Home
  • Naxos - Eggares Olive Oil Press
  • Santorini - Caldera Hike
  • Santorini - Winery Excursion & Wine Tasting

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Greece Cyclades Islands trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. 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. There are a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
4. On the following departures, the Feature Stay in Santorini will be El Greco Hotel, rather than Santorini Palace: ZVPI230516, ZVPI230521, ZVPI230611, ZVPI230919

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.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates