Cretan Glory 2024

Welcome to Greece! Your driver will be waiting for you to greet you at the Athens Airport upon your arrival. You will be driven to the hotel in Athens, the capital of Greece. Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”), the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history, the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments, a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the Modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm. Rest of the day at leisure to check in and relax. Overnight at hotel in Athens.

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel in Athens. Today, pick up for the organised Athens sightseeing. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. An expert guide will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era, the new Acropolis museum. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Athens. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Athens. This morning pick up for transfer to Piraeus Port to catch a ferry to the Island of Santorini, the stuff of myth and legend, with world-famous sunsets and breathtaking volcanic scenery. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time to relax or to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Santorini. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Santorini. Today, you will have all day at leisure to explore Santorini. Walk the busy narrow streets of Fira, the capital of Santorini and the picturesque Imerovigli overlooking the craggy red rock, Skaros. Experience the once in a lifetime adventure of going up the 286 steps, very closely to the cliff, that leads to Oia and then gaze at the marvellous sunset with the thousand colours. Visit Pyrgos, the medieval jewel that dominates over the hill, offering the best panoramic view of the island. Know every single settlement of the island by walking the narrow streets of cobblestone and admire the little white chapels, the cave white houses with the blue windows and the imposing mansions of the medieval wealthy families of the island. Overnight in Santorini. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Santorini. Pick up for transfer to Santorini Port to catch your ferry to Heraklion, in Crete. Upon your arrival in Heraklion Port, pick up for transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Heraklion. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Heraklion. This day is at leisure for you to explore the island at your own pace. Optionally, you can visit the Palace of Knossos, the largest and the most spectacular of all the Minoan Palaces in Crete. After the departure, you can also visit the winery at the village of Peza where you’ll be able to see how wine is made and also how virgin Cretan olive oil and soap is produced. You can buy these products at wholesale prices, or you can just taste some of the wine at no cost. Also, the town of Heraklion itself is very beautiful. You can go shopping in the vast array of shops and enjoy browsing through the vegetable market or have lunch in one of the local restaurants. Overnight in Heraklion. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Heraklion. Day at leisure to explore the island at your own pace or relax at the hotel. Overnight in Heraklion. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Heraklion. Pick up for transfer to Heraklion Airport for your flight back to Athens. Upon arrival at Athens Airport, transfer to the hotel for check in and overnight. (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Athens and check out. Transfer from the hotel to Athens Airport. (B)