When people mention the cradle of Western Civilization your mind automatically brings you to Greece and for good reason; its as if the streets have been paved with columns and boat sails have been made from past togas, at least in some people’s minds. However, the remains of antiquity have also gathered a collection of cultures from across history and around the globe bringing the wonders of Greece to light. This 7-day tour will have you ready to experience these wonders that shine a spotlight...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Athens – Awakened Culture
The wonders of Athens awaken you as you arrive along the meandering hills and olive groves of Greece. Check-in to your luxury accommodation and enjoy the day exploring where the antique beauty of the Western World has inspired the thoughts and scholars of the modern world. Step along the Plaka, one of the oldest streets in Athens winding beneath the rising pillars of the Acropolis. The creamy scent of olive oil drifts from the shops. The narrow streets are paved with cobblestones as the homes and stores harken back to the past, to the days when togas reigned supreme and scrolls were the closest anyone would ever get to texting.
On the northern slope of the Acropolis you can wander through the rising streets of Anafiotika. The 19th century neighborhood practically transports you to the islands, with the whitewashed buildings reflecting the vibrancy of the sun, climbing up the hillside and shaping the labyrinthine streets of the legend. The view of the modern city below sprawls out from the water to the foothills, giving the current Greece capital a much more expanded territory than the once great city-state you read about; another introduction to the blending majesty of time within the cradle of Western Civilization.
What's Included:
Day 2
Mykonos – Let the Ruins Rise
Day 3
Mykonos – Where the Sun Was Born
Day 4
Mykonos – Cultural Cruising
Day 5
Mykonos – Coiled Majesty of Mykonos
Day 6
Mykonos – The Modern Sensations of Mykonos
Day 7
Mykonos – Collecting Culture
Trip Highlights
- Stand toe to toe with the past as you visit one of the most famous temples in history, the Parthenon
- See first hand the effects of the ages within the millennia of Athenian occupation
- Be surrounded by greatness with a visit to the Olympic Stadium that held the first modern Olympic Games
- Experience the depth of majesty on the island of Delos where you will see where gods Apollo and Artemis were born and raised
- Relax along the luscious shores of the famous Mykonos beaches
- Wander through the beautifully puzzling streets of Mykonos Town, where the culture of the city comes to life
Detailed Description
Western Civilization has grown from the Golden Age of Athens to the turquoise waters of Mykonos. The mysterious and legendary temples of the Acropolis sit atop a hill as if on display in an outdoor museum, while the famous beaches of Mykonos bring with them the flavor of Greece fused with the world. This cultural tour beckons you to indulge on the most ineffable experiences of Greece, on display in their sought after history, and set along the shores of the islands; see the varied forms of Greece from antiquity to modernity.
Greece vacations provide a variety of cultures to explore, but this is no truer anywhere than it is in Athens, where the heart of European history continues to beat proudly. Follow your guide through the steps of ancient Athens to see the opulent remnants of the golden age of philosophy, along with the scars of occupation. The philosophies of the city blend with the centrally situated ancient, the contemporary, and the modern bringing together a cultural time machine layered like a palimpsest.
Arrive in Mykonos where the waters of the island span the spectrum of blues. The majesty of the uninhabited island of Delos, just off the shore of Mykonos, stems from its affluent past and the legend of the island as Apollo and Artemis’s birthplace. The ruins of the city decorate the hillside and linger along the shore displaying its prominence and once vast prosperity. Enjoy Mykonos Town where you can see the beauty of history built into the walls while the modern eccentricities of the city inhabit the interiors. The beaches glisten and invite you to press your feet into the warm sand and cool water. The windmills spin in kind breezes. Mykonos brings you to the edge of the modern world while keeping one foot firmly planted in the history of Western Civilization.
Starting Price
$2,900 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
4.94 stars based on 2453 reviews.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
The trip was simply incredible! When I shared with Zicasso’s travel company that I was looking for a trip that combined sightseeing with relaxation, they listened! They planned an incredible trip, with exceptional attention to detail. Nothing was overlooked.
From our driver in Athens to our guides who showed us the archaeological sites and gave us an unforgettable food experience to our incredible driver in Milos!
The travel company was also available every time I messaged them a quick question. Thank you for the best vacation ever!
Reviewed By Dawn K.
We had been waiting over 25 years to take a trip to Greece and this did not disappoint! Zicasso's travel company was in constant communication with us to make sure everything was perfect and we were enjoying our trip.
Reviewed By Sarita G.
I would give Zicasso's travel agency 10 stars if I could! Our travel specialist was fantastic. I connected with her through Zicasso and we had a conversation about what I had in mind for my trip to Greece. She made excellent suggestions, I did a little research on my own, then ended up following all her suggestions, and I'm so glad I did. She was very knowledgeable about Greece and helpful to me in creating the kind of trip I was looking for.
We stayed on the island of Naxos. The hotel was very nice. The excursions our specialist booked for us (a food tour of the island and an all-day boat tour) were just right. The transportation she arranged for us was great. And best of all, she was easily accessible via messaging and always helpful when I had a question or needed guidance or reassurance on any part of the trip.
I loved that she also followed up after our tours and checked in periodically to make sure everything was going well. I really appreciated knowing that I had someone I could reach out to if needed. I highly recommend our great travel agent and really appreciate how she made our trip to Greece go so smoothly.
Reviewed By Mary P.
Zicasso’s travel consultant and his entire team from Zicasso's travel agency were truly spectacular. We spent a long time planning a very involved trip and had many discussions with the travel consultant about very specific needs, wants, and desires long before we stepped on a plane.
We went to Greece and Italy, and all of the hotels, transports, and adventures were as good or better than we imagined. As a family, we were hoping for a trip of a lifetime and that is exactly what we got. He went above and beyond each step of the way. He even joined us one evening in Athens and took us on a private tour of some of his favorite places there!
I cannot thank and recommend him and his team enough. It’s a bit of a gamble planning such an intricate and expensive trip long distance. It was a magical time and all of it was due to the professionalism of the travel consultant. We are forever grateful!
Reviewed By Woody W.
From start to finish, working with our Zicasso travel specialist and her company was an absolute pleasure. The planning process was seamless and once we arrived in Greece, communication was effortless, even while abroad. Every detail was handled with care, resulting in a truly luxurious trip.
The private drivers and tour guides were exceptional—punctual, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm—making every transfer and excursion feel effortless. The hotels were absolutely stunning, each offering unique character and world-class amenities.
One moment that really stood out was when we accidentally left our bathing suits on a hotel balcony in Crete. Without hesitation, our travel company arranged for a staff member to retrieve them, wash them, and ship them all the way back to our home in the United States. This level of thoughtfulness and service went far beyond our expectations.
If you’re looking for a flawlessly coordinated, luxurious, and highly personalized Greek vacation, I can’t recommend this travel company enough.
Reviewed By Brian L.