Date
September 1 - 11, 2025
Price
$5,000
Duration
11 Days
A DIVINE ODYSSEY
Welcome to the "Land of the Gods,” where ancient history and myth intertwine with the enchanting beauty of Greece's most captivating destinations. Your journey begins in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. Here the grandeur of the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum bring history to life, and the bustling Plaka neighborhood welcomes you with charming narrow streets and lively markets.
From Athens, set out by high-speed ferry to explore the sun-kissed islands of the Aegean Sea. First, uncover the unspoiled beauty of Naxos, a hidden gem with its pristine beaches and charming villages. From there, find yourself mesmerized by the dramatic cliffs and stunning sunsets of Santorini. This island is renowned for its iconic, white-washed buildings with blue domes, perched on the edge of caldera cliffs, offering panoramic views that capture the essence of the Greek islands.
Conclude your odyssey in Crete, the largest and most diverse of the Greek islands. Known as the birthplace of Zeus, Crete offers a blend of majestic landscapes, from rugged mountains to serene beaches, and is home to the legendary Palace of Knossos, where the myths of the Minotaur and labyrinth come alive. Dive into the local culture with Cretan cuisine and hospitality, rounding out your exploration of this storied land. Each destination on this tour offers a unique glimpse into Greece's rich tapestry of history, mythology, and natural beauty, making your journey truly divine.
Tour Highlights
- Welcome reception and dinner in Athens
- City tour of Athens, including the Acropolis*, the Acropolis Museum and the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium
- Ferry to Naxos
- Caldera cruise and Oia Sunset on Santorini
- Pyrgos medieval village and winery tour on Santorini
- Ferry to Crete
- Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos **
- Venetian Fortress of Rocca al Mare at Heraklion
- Archaeological Museum at Heraklion
- Fodele, birthplace of the painter El Greco
- Rethymno Old Town
- Arkadi Monastery
- Chania Old Town Tour
- Overnight ferry returning to Athens * UNESCO World Heritage Site
** Tentative UNESCO Site
TOUR ITINERARY
Arrive in Athens
Plan your international flights to arrive in Athens by mid-afternoon today. It is easy to catch a taxi from the airport to our hotel, or book a private transfer. The metro is also very easy from the airport, and there is a metro stop right in front of our hotel. Explore the amenities of the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood until time for our welcome festivities commencing in our hotel’s “Cloud 9” rooftop bar with stunning views of the Acropolis. Afterwards we enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the Sweet Basil Rooftop Restaurant. Please let us know on your reservation form if you would like to arrive one day early (August 31) to rest up from jet lag. (Welcome Cocktail and Dinner included)
Touring Athens
Welcome to Athens, the capital of Greece and western civilization! The city underwent a massive restoration program prior to the 2004 Olympic Games. Explore the Acropolis, or upper town, where the city’s most important buildings were constructed from fine white marble in the 5th century BC, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. Visit the new Acropolis Museum, built to display all the findings from more than 3000 years of history. We’ll also see the Panathenaic Stadium, made entirely of marble and the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. After some free time in the afternoon for lunch and independent sightseeing, reconvene for dinner in a typical local restaurant in Plaka. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Ferry to Chora on Naxos
After an early breakfast this morning we check out and transfer to the nearby port of Piraeus to board our ferry to Naxos – the largest and most fertile of the Cycladic islands. We land at around 1pm at the port of Chora, the capital of Naxos, and drop our bags at our hotel, then head out for lunch and a walking tour to get familiar with the old town. After checking in the balance of the day at leisure for independent sightseeing. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Exploring Naxos
Drive into the hills behind Chora to the small village of Damalas, visiting a traditional pottery workshop to see how for millennia humble clay has been turned into works of art. Then move on to the village’s restored olive press, gaining precious insight into olive oil production on the island and a way of life that now belongs to the past. We cross to the center of the island and Halki, a village situated in a fertile plateau, adorned with beautiful neoclassical mansions and home to the Vallindras Distillery, the first to make the now iconic liqueur ‘Kitron’. Learn everything about the production process from tree to fruit distillation methods, and the consumption (tasting) of one of the three “Protected Designation of Origin” liqueurs in Greece. We’ll settle the Kitron with some lunch.Following a short stop at the paleo Christian church of Panagia Drosiani, partly dating to the 4th century and considered one of the oldest in the Balkans, continue to the picturesque mountain village of Apiranthos. The marble-paved alleys, majestic views, distinct traditions and the rich culture are only a few of the charms that will make you fall in love with this jewel of a village. Finally, visit the lush settings of Flerio, an important area throughout antiquity for both the high quality of its marble but also for the fresh water it provided the island. Nowadays a fragment of Flerio’s former glory survives in the impressive 7th century BC 20-foot statue of Kouros (dubbed ‘the Greek’). (Breakfast / Lunch)
Ferry to Santorini
After breakfast we transfer to the port to board our ferry to Santorini. This island’s volcanic landscape is the result of thousands of years of intense volcanic activity. The most significant eruption, known as the Minoan eruption, occurred around 3,600 years ago and left a lasting impact on the island’s formation. This cataclysmic event led to the collapse of the central portion of the island, giving birth to the iconic caldera. The caldera, a massive volcanic crater, is a sight to behold, with towering cliffs that rise majestically from the sea, showcasing layers of volcanic rock and sediment that tell a story of ancient eruptions and geological transformation. On arrival, enjoy free time at our hotel, situated in Fira, the island’s capital. You will definitely enjoy an evening stroll through these picturesque streets, and perhaps sample some of the nightlife this island is famous for. The stars come out at night! (Breakfast)
Caldera Cruise / Oia Sunset
Take the cable car from Fira down to sea level to embark on a spectacular three-hour cruise around the caldera, the remains of the volcano which collapsed in the 16c BC, and which form the islands of Santorini. We stop at Nea Kameni, where we can walk up to the top of the volcano, and there will also be a stop for swimming from the boat. Later drive to Oia, a characteristic village which faces west and from where spectacular sunsets can be seen. Then enjoy dinner at one of Oia’s restaurants before returning to our hotel. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Santorini Touring / Ferry to Crete
After breakfast we visit Kamari beach, unique in the Aegean for its black sand deposited during the eruption of 1600 BC. Later we continue to Pyrgos, the former capital of the island and the best-preserved medieval village here today. Following a photo stop at Profitis Ilias monastery, situated at the highest point on Santorini, we visit a local winery. Because of the volcanic soil, Santorini is not prone to the Phylloxera grape pest, meaning that many of its vines are hundreds of years old and still producing delicious wine. After lunch, transfer to the port for the Power Jet ferry to Heraklion, Crete, and our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Heraklion, Crete
Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 2700 to 1420 BC. Begin today with a tour of Crete’s best-known archaeological site, the Minoan Palace of Knossos, believed to be at least 4,000 years old. According to Greek mythology, the palace was the home of King Minos, whose wife bore the Minotaur who was imprisoned within the labyrinth and slain by Theseus. Later, return to Heraklion, Crete’s dynamic capital and the fifth largest city in Greece. Its inner harbor is guarded by the well-preserved Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare. The bustling city has a rich cultural history which we learn more about as we visit the splendid Archaeological Museum. The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent sightseeing. (Breakfast)
Chania, Crete
After breakfast this morning we check out and drive to Fodele, birthplace of the painter El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos). We visit the house in which he was born, which is now a small museum. Continue to Rethymno, whose old town features Venetian palazzos, Turkish houses with wooden balconies and several small 18th century mosques. Visit the monastery of Arkadi there before continuing to Chania for overnight. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Chania / Farewell to Crete / Overnight Ferry to Athens
Enjoy a walking tour of the old town of Chania, including the historic quarter of Splanzia and the Venetian harbor. Following lunch, drive into the countryside to taste some local wine before celebrating the conclusion of our Greek Odyssey with dinner at a typical Creten restaurant. We make our way back to the harbor to board our overnight ferry from Chania to Athens, with private cabins. The usual schedule departs at 9pm tonight and arrives Piraeus Port at 6am tomorrow morning. (Breakfast / Lunch / Farewell Dinner)
Departure
On arrival in Athens, we include a transfer to the airport for your onward flight. The ferry usually arrives at the Piraeus Port around 6am, and it will take another hour to reach the airport after we arrive. Please do not book departing flights before 10am. (Breakfast)
