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On this historically rich 7-day vacation through Athens, Santorini, and Crete, you will be immersed in the mythology, philosophy, and architecture of the ancient Greeks. Discover the striking geology and landscape of the islands, indulge in a historically inspired wine tour, hike through the Samaria Gorge, and kayak on the Aegean Sea. This weeklong vacation effortlessly combines extravagance with history and will leave you with a unique experience that has you living ancient Greek culture.
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Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Athens – Arrive in Athens
Today is the day that you will finally land in Greece and begin your historical adventure through Greece’s ancient past. After you exit the terminal, your private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your luxurious accommodation. As you arrive at the hotel, your gracious hosts will take your luggage, check you in, and show you to your room. You can have some time to relax and anticipate the cultural adventure that lies ahead of you. When you are ready, you can head down to the lobby for a lovely Greek dinner.
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Day 2
Athens – Explore the Acropolis
This morning, your guide will lead you on a historical excursion through Athens. Your first stop will be the National Archeology Museum. This museum will be the perfect starting point for the day because it contains one of the most impressive and diversified collections of ancient Greek artifacts in the world. After an informative tour of the National Archeology Museum, you will journey to the legendary Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. This contemporary and interactive Museum contains a spectacular array of ancient Greek pottery and sculptures and offers a visually stunning rendition of what the Acropolis actually looked like thousands of years ago.
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Day 3
Santorini – Ancient Thira and Calderas
Today, you will have an early morning in order to catch your flight for Santorini. You will arrive in Santorini around 9 am, and a driver will be waiting to escort you to your new accommodation. When you are ready for your first adventure of the day, your private driver will meet you in the lobby to escort you to the ruins of Ancient Thira. After a few hours of walking through this ancient site, your driver will return you to your hotel, so that you can get ready for your kayaking tour. During your kayaking excursion, you will glide over the sea, pass breathtaking cliffs, and come to understand the delicate relationship between the landscape and the legends that surround them.
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Day 4
Santorini – Unearth Atlantis Bookshop
When you are finished with breakfast and ready to embark to Oia, your driver will be waiting for you in the lobby. This morning will be yours to stroll through the vibrant city of Oia and to unearth the world-famous Atlantis Bookshop. Before you do anything, you will want to meander through the maze of charming streets that are filled with artesian shops, cafes, and bakeries. Once you are ready, your driver will lead you back to your hotel, where you can relax and prepare to explore the Byzantine Castle. The Byzantine Castle ruins are located on a hilltop settlement and offer a stunning view of Therasia, the caldera below, and the coastline of Santorini.
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Day 5
Crete – Explore the Lassithi Plateau
Today, you will venture to the mystical island of Crete. After you finish breakfast, your private driver will lead you to the marina, where you will board a luxurious speed boat. Shortly after, your guide will arrive in a comfortable Land Rover, and you will embark on an off-road excursion. This adventure will lead you to the Lassithi Plateau. You will then make your way to the Cave of Zeus. After lunch, you will begin the sightseeing portion of your off-roading adventure, where you will discover the brilliant Lassithi Plateau windmill farm and learn how this pilot program helped pave the way for renewable energy projects on the islands.
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Day 6
Crete – Olive Oil and Wine Tour
Today will be your final day in Greece, and you will go on a hike early in the morning. No visit to Crete would be complete without a hike through the breathtaking Samaria Gorge. As you make your way through the gorge, your guide will be by your side every step of the way. When you finally emerge upon the Libyan Sea, you will be able to change into your bathing suit and sandals and order yourself a beer. After your hike through history, you will have about an hour to change and relax before beginning a history-inspired olive oil and wine tour. During your tour, you will travel from olive groves to vineyards in a luxury vehicle with the accompaniment of a personal wine sommelier.
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Day 7
Crete – Departure
In the morning, you will wake up early enough to savor a strongly roasted coffee while the sun gradually illuminates the country. Tidbits of philosophy, mythology, and history will continue to swirl around in your mind, giving rise to a lifelong appreciation for ancient Greece's vibrant and enduring culture. When you are packed and ready to depart, your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby and help you make your way to the Heraklion International Airport for your flight home.
What's Included:
Trip Highlights
- Discover the wealth of knowledge and collection of ancient artifacts at the world-renowned National Archaeology Museum
- Immerse yourself in the mythology, philosophy, and architecture at the legendary Acropolis
- Uncover living history at the ancient Thira archeology site
- Bask in the sea and sunshine as you kayak through the crystal-clear, sparkling Aegean Sea over inspiring calderas
- Indulge in an off-road adventure to the peak of the Lassithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus
- Marvel at inspirational mountain passes as you hike through history from Samaria Gorge to Sweet Water Beach
- Sample local grapes and olives on a historically inspired olive oil and wine tour
Detailed Description
This weeklong, historical journey through Athens, Santorini, and Crete perfectly combines extravagance with antiquity and will leave you with an experience that not only allows you to learn about the past but live in it.
After you land, a private driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your luxurious accommodation, which will be located in the heart of the City. The following morning, your tour through the ages will begin at the National Archeology Museum. This Museum is the perfect place to begin your discovery of Greece because it contains one of the most impressive and diversified collections of ancient Greek artifacts in the world. During your visit, your guide will explain how each different era built upon the previous one in addition to many other interesting historical facts. Afterward, you will begin your ascent to the legendary Acropolis. Tidbits of philosophy, mythology, and history will captivate your heart as you walk the same marbled steps that Plato and Aristotle once did. As you hike up the steps, you can admire the aesthetic beauty and architectural feat of each intricate temple.
The next day, you will fly from Athens to Santorini on a private aircraft, where you will experience breathtaking views of the Greek islands. When you land, a private driver will escort you to your opulent accommodation that will overlook the infamous, blue-domed churches. During your time in Santorini, you will explore the ruins of Ancient Thira, glide over crystal-clear waters and inspiring calderas, sift through the famed Atlantic Bookshop, and unearth the spectacular Byzantine Castle. Each activity will include a passionate, energetic, and knowledgeable guide to ensure that you acquire a detailed understanding of the cultural significance that surrounds each iconic site.
Your final destination will be the enigmatic island of Crete. Your first activity will be an off-road adventure through the Dikti Mountains to the inspiring Lassithi Plateau, where you will walk through the cave where Zeus was born. In the cave. During the remainder of your excursion, you will witness the impressive Aposelemis Dam and appreciate the serenity of a monk monastery. Your final day will be spent enjoying Greece's natural splendor as you hike through history and savor the local grapes and olives on a historically inspired wine tour.
Nearly everything about this itinerary is customizable, so you can adjust nearly anything and everything to better suit your moods and interests once you are in Greece.
We work closely with the best Greek travel agents to ensure that you have a fully personalized trip of a lifetime.
Starting Price
$1,815 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
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