9-Day Greek Island Hopping Tour of Athens, Santorini and Crete

Day 1: Arrival in Athens

Arrive at any time. Upon your arrival in Athens, you will be met with our company representative in the arrivals area of the airport who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. After meet and greet, you will then be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Athens. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure on your own.

• Overnight in Athens
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: 4-star Polis Grand Hotel

Day 2: Athens

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Athens. Today, pick up for the Organized Athens Sightseeing. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma).

On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces 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 the order in the mind”, the Parthenon.

Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. Rest of the day at leisure.

• Overnight in Athens
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star Polis Grand Hotel

Day 3: Athens — Santorini

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Athens. This morning pick up for transfer to Piraeus port to catch the ferry to the island of Santorini, the stuff of myth and legend, with world-famous sunsets and breathtaking volcanic scenery. Arrival and transfer to hotel.  Free time to relax or to explore the city at your own pace.

• Overnight in Santorini
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star El Greco Hotel

Day 4: Santorini

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Santorini.

Today, you will have all day at leisure to explore Santorini.  Walk the busy narrow streets of Fira, the capital of Santorini and the picturesque Imerovigli overlooking the craggy red rock Skaros. Experience the, one in a lifetime, adventure of going up with mules the 286 steps, very closely to the cliff, that leads to Oia and then glaze at the marvelous sunset with the thousands of colors. Visit Pyrgos, the medieval jewel that dominates over the hill, offering the best panoramic view of the island. Know every single settlement of the island by walking the narrow streets of cobblestone and admire the little white chapels, the cave white houses with the blue windows, and the imposing mansions of the medieval wealthy families of the island.

• Overnight in Santorini
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star El Greco Hotel

Day 5: Santorini — Heraklion

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Santorini.

Pick up for transfer to Santorini port to catch your ferry to Heraklion, in Crete. Upon your arrival in Heraklion port, pick up for transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

• Overnight in Heraklion
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star Ibis Style Central

Day 6: Heraklion

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Heraklion.

This day is at leisure for you to explore the island at your own pace. Optionally, you can visit the Palace of Knossos, the largest and the most spectacular of all the Minoan Palaces in Crete. After the departure, you can also visit the winery at the village of Peza where you’ll be able to see how wine is made and also how virgin Cretan olive oil and soap is produced. You can buy these products at wholesale prices or you can just taste some of the wine at no cost.

Also, the town of Heraklion itself is very beautiful. You can go shopping in the vast array of shops and enjoy browsing through the vegetable market or having lunch in one of the local restaurants.

• Overnight in Heraklion
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star Ibis Style Central

Day 7: Heraklion

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Heraklion.

Day at leisure to explore the island at your own pace or relax at the hotel.

• Overnight in Heraklion
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star Ibis Style Central

Day 8: Heraklion — Athens

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Heraklion.

Pick up for transfer to the airport of Heraklion to reach your flight to Athens. Upon arrival at the airport, pick up for transfer to the hotel for check-in.

• Overnight in Athens
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 4-star Polis Grand Hotel

Day 9: Departure from Athens — End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Athens (hotel check-out is before 11:00 am) and will then be transferred to the Athens International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• 3 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Athens.
• 2 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Santorini.
• 3 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Heraklion, Crete.
• All transfers in Athens and Crete by private vehicle
• All transfers in Santorini island by shuttle bus
• Organized Athens City tour with the New Acropolis Museum (SIC)
• Airfares Heraklion/Athens in economy class **subject to supplement depending on the price at the time of tickets issuance**
• All taxes and services

NOT INCLUDED:

• International flight tickets
• Port taxes
• Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts
• Stayover hotel tax (to be paid directly to the hotel)
• Any optional tours
• Tips to staff, items of a personal nature
• Lunch and Dinner
• Drinks
• Travel Insurance

IMPORTANT INFO:

• If the above hotels are not available or there is a rate change in the ferryboat tickets upon confirmation please take into consideration that the package rates will be modified accordingly.