NEW TRIP
Ancient Athens and Island Excursions on Paros and Santorini
Greece Private Journey
Overview
Immerse yourself in the allure of Greece on this Private Journey combining history, culture, and exciting optional activities. In Athens, explore the iconic Acropolis, savor the city's culinary treasures, and paddle a kayak through crystal-clear waters along the Athenian coastline. On Paros, a postcard-perfect isle of whitewashed villages, options include cooking classes, scenic hikes, or a relaxing day aboard a traditional fishing boat. Your grand finale is picturesque Santorini, with its dramatic caldera, ancient settlements, and stunning sunsets. Overnights are in atmospheric hotels known for their ideal locations and splendid amenities. Each day promises unforgettable experiences steeped in Greek culture and beauty, with endless possibilities to lengthen or shorten your time in each destination, based on your trip interests.
Arrive: Athens, Greece
Depart: Athens, Greece
Highlights
- Visit the Acropolis complex in Athens with a private guide
- Visit two of the most stunning islands in the Cyclades: Paros and Santorini, with their whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches, and island culture
- Customize your days to fit your interests: sea kayak, hike, sail aboard a catamaran, enjoy a cooking class, wine tasting, and more!
- Stay in welcoming hotels and resorts, with optional upgrades
Itinerary
Visit the Acropolis and enjoy a private guided tour of its museum, with its fine display of artifacts, and wander amid its ruins, including its most famous structure, the Parthenon. Optional activities include a foodie tour of Athens to explore vibrant markets and sample traditional Greek cuisine, a full-day hiking journey in the mountains of Parintha or a sea kayaking adventure to the Temple of Poseidon, a cruise on the Athens Riviera aboard a catamaran, with stops for swimming and snorkeling, and half-day hikes along either the Mount Ymittos Byzantine Trail or on the hills of Athens to a number of sites including the smaller Temple of Zeus, dedicated to the head of the Olympian gods.
Ferry to Paros, a picturesque island with whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches, and bustling fishing harbors full of wonderful tavernas. Optional activities include a cooking class to make delicious recipes such as spanikopita and dolmades, a hike to a beach, or a day cruise on a traditional fishing boat.
Behold the stunning sight of Santorini's dramatic five-mile-wide caldera as you approach the island on the morning ferry. Visit Akrotiri, a Minoan archaeological site and one of the best-preserved ancient settlements in the Aegean, and head out on a number of optional activities including hiking the famous Fira-Oia trail, wine tasting, a cooking class, caldera hike, sunset sea kayak, and more. Take a short flight to Athens on Day 8 and depart on Day 9.
Note: If you wish, Naxos can be substituted for Santorini (or added on as an extension). Contact our Greece Specialists for more details.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 2-3 (Easy to Moderate) according to our trip grading system, with optional activities including sea kayaking, hiking, and boating on most days.
Review Trip Level Details
For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Daily walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
Weather in Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate, with warm, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters. Daytime temperatures in the summer peak in the high 80s°F to low 90s°F, while the winter temperature rarely drops below 50°F.
The delicious cuisine of these islands comes straight from the land or the sea. Please note that in Greece, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for meals that are included in the itinerary, but most often the evening meal will be at 8:00 pm.
All transfers are by private vehicle except for some optional activities. Travel between islands is by ferry (or high-speed catamaran, if it is available); ferry rides are likely to be an average of 4 to five hours. Ferry rides may take longer due to weather or schedule changes. We do our best to use the fastest ferries, but this is not always possible. There are many opportunities for swimming on this trip.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.