| Cost From: | $4595 |
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| Length: | 13 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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This was absolutely one of the best trips I have ever taken in my life. I loved every second of it and did not want to come home!J. Geyser—San Diego CA
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Hike the spectacular emerald-green rice terraces of mountainous Banaue (the famed “stepping stones to the sky”), then don your snorkeling gear and slip into the warm waters of the Coral Triangle to swim amid a staggering abundance of vibrant reef life.
Greece casts a spell, with its honey-colored isles fragrant with frangipani and encircled by azure seas. In the stunning beauty of the Cyclades Islands, we head out for unforgettable mountain hikes on the craggy green island of Tinos, on dramatic Naxos, and on rugged Amorgos, a tranquil world of bougainvillea-draped hill villages above the gleaming Aegean. We follow stone paths past blue-domed churches, up to cliff-perched monasteries, and through tiny whitewashed villages as we explore a civilization that dates back to 4,000 BC. Our journey ends in magical Santorini. The “good life” of sun-blessed Greece surrounds us every day on this journey, with picnics on wildflower-covered hills, swims in a marvelous blue sea, and meals al fresco on the verandas of village tavernas.
$4595 (10-15 members)
$4895 (4-9 members)
Single supplement: $280
Prices are for 2010 dates
May 23-Jun 4, 2010 Kostas Vasileiou
Jun 6-18, 2010
Jul 4-16, 2010
Sep 5-17, 2010
Reading list, click here.
After a morning visit to Athens, we ferry to Tinos, an island of beautiful beaches and traditional whitewashed hamlets. We hike an ancient Roman road through a series of hill villages, including Tarabados, with its old windmills, then head up to a Byzantine castle with fantastic views across the Aegean. From picturesque Falatados, we hike an ancient path to the beach at Livada, with a swim stop to enjoy its green rock formations and inviting crystal-clear waters. One day, we ferry to the sacred island of Delos to stroll in its open-air archaeological museum and explore Mykonos, with its winding alleys and picture-perfect white buildings. Overnights are in Hora, a quintessential Greek harbor town with plenty of color in its tavernas, shops, and cafes.
We cross the blue Aegean to Naxos, Lord Byron’s favorite Greek island, with its rolling vineyards and olive groves. We enjoy an afternoon walk on the steep, twisting lanes of Chora, the main town. The high-walled kastro, or old fortified section of Naxos, still has one of its original Venetian towers and a magnificent medieval gate. We hike up the slopes of Mount Zas (for Zeus) to a sacred cave with a marvelous view. According to Greek mythology, this is the spot where the god Zeus was born.
On beautiful Amorgos, easternmost of the Cyclades Islands, one of our hikes leads us up to the great monastery of Agios Theologos then along spectacular cliffs above the Aegean. Another hike brings us to Mt. Krikelos (2,200') with a descent to the beautiful beach at Egiali. Our hotel is in the ancient hill village of Tholaria, with its whitewashed houses and tiled archways.
On the remarkable volcano-island of Santorini, with its villages built atop the caldera’s rim, we enjoy wine tasting, exploring the cliff-top capital, Thira, and a hike on the still-active volcano on the islet of Nea Kameni. Depart on Day 13.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
