Monastery on rock formations in Meteora, Greece

Classic Greece Vacation: Athens to Crete

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Greece

Places Visited

Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka...

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Suggested Duration

11 Days

You will experience the awe of Classical civilizations and the marvels of ancient tradition during your 11-day classic Greece vacation designed for 2020. Your customizable tour will highlight the majestic history of the Mediterranean as you uncover the whispers of the Oracle at Delphi and stare into the shimmering caldera of Santorini. From famous beaches to iconic mountains you can enjoy the classical delights for which Greece is known.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Explore the classic temples of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon
  • Bask in past prophecies of the oracle at Delphi
  • Sit with historic athletes in the ruins of Olympia
  • Stand in the clouds as you witness the majesty of the hanging monasteries of Kalabaka
  • Dip your feet into the pristine waters of Mykonos
  • Experience the incredible ruins of Ephesus and the cave where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelations
  • Traverse the storybook streets of Rhodes
  • Indulge along the picture perfect cliffs of Santorini

Detailed Description

Take pleasure in the Classics with a visit to Greece’s most beautiful and spiritual locations, ready to let you indulge in delight. This 12-day Greece vacation is tailored to your desires, taking you through the antique marvels of Athens to Delphi, Olympia to Kalambaka, where the athletes competed, oracles prophesized, and monks built monasteries along secluded heights. The beaches of Mykonos glimmer, the ruins of Ephesus stand proud, the old city of Rhodes looks like a storybook and Heraklion brings a venetian flair to the ports of Crete while Santorini kisses each postcard view with grace. Your time in Greece won’t only be a filled with wonderment; it will be no less than classic.

Let the ecstasy begin with your arrival in Athens. The adored ruins of the Acropolis rise above the city center like a ghost glowing in the daylight, a constant reminder of the Golden Age of the Athens. Tour the city, from its ancient roots to its modern expansion, all beneath the gaze of the Acropolis. Enjoy a guided visit of the new Acropolis Museum where the fragile remains of the city have been housed and protected. Watch over the pristine marble that continues to hold the temples sturdy above the cityscape. The following day you will say goodbye to Athens and visit the Bronze Aged ruins of Mycenae, where they found the mask of Agamemnon, the leader of the armies against Troy.

In Olympia you will stroll through the ancient city where men performed for love of state and pride, pushing themselves to the limits in what we now know as the Olympics. Explore the ruins of Delphi where the famous oracle, inspired by the god Apollo, and famous for centuries, bringing in kings and poppers alike. Walk within the shadows of Meteora, where the hanging monasteries loom over the city of Kalambaka, each built into the precipice of the monolith, standing tall, graceful, and  pious over the expanse of valley and mountains beyond. You arrive in Athens for a short visit before boarding a cruise ship and traversing the glorious islands.

The first island you will discover is Mykonos, where the pristine beaches are second to none and the winding streets of the town are as beautiful as they are chic. On the shores of Kusadasi you can visit the ruins of the once prosperous city of Ephesus. The temples and pathways continue to decorate the lush valley as if they were meant as adornments instead of remains. In Patmos the white-walled village sits on the hilltop below the imposing monastery, built above where St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelations. Traverse the old city of Rhodes; a medieval castle continues to protect the city while the Ottoman structures offer a diverse flair to the culture of the island. Your final day along the water brings you first to the island of Crete, at Heraklion. Just outside of the city center takes you to the notorious Knossos Minoan Palace where you can search the grounds for the Minotaur’s labyrinth before arriving beneath the intimidating cliffs of Santorini. It is easy to sit along the cliff side and soak in the view of the caldera, the volcanic rock, and the essence of the island wrapped up in the whitewashed walls and blue roofs.

All Greece vacations are customizable, giving you the freedom to choose your excursions at your whim and delight, best visited between the months of April – October. No matter how you spend your days, you can be rest assured that your time in Greece will be spectacular, unique, classic, and completely yours.

Read the Greece traveler reviews to see what others enjoyed while in Greece, and to see why travelers continue to rely on Zicasso for their custom Greece trips.

Starting Price

$3,570 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.93 stars based on 1769 reviews.

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"We had an amazing trip, with professional service, detailed...

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"Our travel agent did a great job in putting together a...

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"Nikos is among the best - and i highly recommend this travel...

Reviewed By Lisa C.

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"Zicasso’s travel agency did an excellent job, resulting...

Reviewed By Nancy a.

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"Our Greek experience far exceeded our expectations, primarily...

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