Ancient Ruins, Naxos, Santorini & Crete

Ready to dive into the wonders of one of the greatest civilisations of all time and walk in the footsteps of the greats, from Socrates to Aristotle? Head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to Athens*, the Greek capital. Night on board.*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive at Athens International Airport and transfer to your hotel for check in. The remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy your first taste of Athens and rest after your flight. Discover Plaka, the oldest district of Athens, located under the Acropolis, the only district where you may see the Greek capital as it was 100 years ago or enjoy a spot of shopping at Ermou, Kolonaki and Voukourestiou streets. Overnight stay in Athens.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy an Athens Sightseeing Tour including a visit to the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum. Begin in the center of the city, passing by Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National library.On-route to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and a quick stop at Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. During the Acropolis visit witness the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the famous Parthenon.Your first taste of Athens would not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a modern architectural building where you can admire the wonders and architectural masterpieces of the classical era. Return to your hotel with the remainder of your day at leisure*. Overnight stay in Athens.Please note: At the Athens Acropolis, the terrain is quite uneven underfoot and includes a number of stairs. It may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility.*Return transfer to your hotel is included; however, once the tour ends, you will have the option to stay in the downtown area if you prefer to continue exploring the city.Note: This activity can accommodate a maximum of 50 people, and visitors will have access to audio guides during the tour.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head for Delphi. On-route discover the cities via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.Arrive in Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site of the 4th-century-B.C. This extensive mountainside archaeological complex contains the beautiful remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, as well as an ancient stadium and theater. Next, depart for Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and towns of Central Greece. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalambaka.Please note: At Delphi, the terrain is quite uneven underfoot and includes a number of stairs and steep paths. It may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility. During the excursion, travelers are advised to bring a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.Note: This activity can accommodate a maximum of 50 people, and visitors will have access to audio guides during the tour.Estimated transfer distance from Athens to Kalambaka 375km (235 miles).

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you’ll visit the striking rock formation, Meteora, an incredibly unique scenery with ageless Monasteries protruding from the rocks. These priceless historical and religious treasures stand between sky and earth on the top of the cliffs. An incredible sight to behold.In the afternoon return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae with a short stop to see Leonida's Monument. Arrive in Athens early in the evening and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Athens.Please note: At Meteora, the terrain is quite uneven underfoot and you will be required to climb a number of stairs in order to visit the monasteries. It may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility. Modest dress is required to enter the monasteries of Meteora as it is a sacred place. This includes a long skirt (not trousers) and covered neckline/shoulders for women, and long trousers for men.Note: This activity can accommodate a maximum of 50 people, and visitors will have access to audio guides during the tour.Estimated transfer distance from Kalambaka to Athens 375km (235 miles).

Breakfast* at the hotel. Head to the port to board a ferry** bound for Naxos. From the water, you will already be able to see the beautiful beaches and the whitewashed houses of the capital of this Aegean island. Transfer to the hotel. The afternoon is free for you to explore and discover incredible landscapes at your own pace. Overnight stay in Naxos. *You may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast this morning due to the early departure time of the ferry to Naxos. However, you can request a "breakfast box" during check-in to take with you.**You can upgrade to a high-speed ferry at an additional cost during the next step of the booking process. If selected, this upgrade applies to all ferry transfers in your itinerary. It cannot be added during the journey and is only available up to 30 days before travel.Regular ferry: 5 hours from Athens to Naxos. High-speed ferry: 3.5 hours from Athens to Naxos.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is the perfect day to make the most of the island. Wander through the charming, picturesque streets of Naxos Town, or unwind on its beaches, which are not only as beautiful as any in the Aegean but also quieter and less crowded. At sunset, don’t miss the iconic Portara of Naxos, the marble doorway of the Temple of Apollo. While it’s impossible to go wrong on this unique island, we also recommend joining an optional tour to see all the highlights of Naxos* or a sunset city walk.** Overnight stay in Naxos. Please note: Due to timings, you will only be able to enjoy one of the optional activities listed below, so please pick the one you prefer. *Optional full-day tour of Naxos highlights: The tour begins at Demeter’s Temple, a spectacular site dating back to 530 BC. Visit the nearby archaeological museum showcasing local findings. Next, travel to the charming village of Damalas, where you’ll experience a live demonstration at a traditional pottery workshop and see a restored olive press in action. Continue to Chalki, a neoclassical village with picturesque alleys, a citron distillery, and perfect spots for an espresso.Then it’s on to Apiranthos, the “Marble Village,” where you can stroll its marble streets and take great snaps. Heading north, stop at Apollonas, a typical Cycladic village ideal for a swim or relaxing by the sea. On the return to Chora, admire the colossal unfinished 6th-century Kouros statue and enjoy scenic coastal views of Agia Tower and the northern Cyclades.**Optional sunset city walk: Experience Naxos like never before on this sunset walk. Enter the Venetian Castle through the South Gate (Parapoti) and discover its colourful alleys, admiring the medieval architecture around you. Walk by the Ursuline nuns’ cloister and school, and stop at the “1973” café, perched on the terrace of the nuns’ dormitories for spectacular views. Continue to the Catholic Cathedral and the East Gate, navigating a maze of narrow alleys to the North Gate (Trani Porta), eventually leading to the port. Explore the Old Market, a lively area home to souvenir and art shops, and pause to taste the island’s unique citron liquor. Finally, reach the iconic Portara, where you can marvel at the massive marble doorway and a breathtaking sunset.

Breakfast at the hotel.* In the morning, transfer to the port for your ferry to Santorini.** Upon arrival on the Island of Santorini, transfer to your hotel for check-in.In the afternoon, transfer to the town of Oia to admire its famous sunset. With its Cycladic architecture, famous blue domes and the whitewashed cave houses overlooking the volcano, it’s the jewel of Santorini. Enjoy free time to wander around the village. Take in the stunning surroundings and be amazed by the incredible views and colours of the sunset. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Santorini.*You may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast this morning due to the early departure time of the ferry to Naxos. However, you can request a "breakfast box" during check-in to take with you.**You can upgrade to a high-speed ferry at an additional cost during the next step of the booking process. If selected, this upgrade applies to all ferry transfers in your itinerary. It cannot be added during the journey and is only available up to 30 days before travel.Regular ferry: approximately 2 h 30 m High-speed ferry: approximately 1 h 20 m