Greek Islands Walk: Santorini & Naxos on Foot

Arrive at Santorini airport by 1.00pm latest for your transfer to the port. You'll then take the ferry to Naxos island departing at approx. 3.00pm or 4.00pm (the crossing takes approx. 2.5hrs). On arrival you will transfer to the hotel in Naxos Chora, your base for four nights. Time permitting, you can take a 1.5 hour walk to Chrisostomos starting from the port. It's a nice way to get to know the town and admire great views over Chora whilst stretching your legs. Overnight Naxos. Walking to Chrisostomos: 4.9km/3.04mi, Ascent & Descent: +/- 170m/557ft **If your flight to Santorini arrives too late for the ferry to Naxos and your departing flight is after 6.00pm, you will stay first in Santorini and then in Naxos (see itinerary 2 below).

This morning you take the public bus or taxi to Chalki, located in the centre of the Tragea plain. Explore this fertile area of Naxos with its plentiful olive groves and rich vegetation. Some of the olive trees are over 1000 years old. Walking on cobbled paths you pass the Venetian Fortress of Ana Kastro en route to an ancient marble quarry where there is an unfinished Kouros (statue) dating from the 6th century BC. The walk ends in the nearby village of Melanes, from where you can take a taxi or public bus back to your hotel. Or if you continue walking, you come through the village of Potamia, meaning river in Greek, then through lush valleys you walk back via Ano Kastro to Chalki. Overnight Naxos. Walking: 10/14 or 18km, 6.2/8.6 or 11.18mi Ascent & Descent: +/- 150/300/530m, 492/984/1738ft

After a short transfer to Kynidaros, enjoy a gentle walk to the small village of Eggares. Explore its picturesque churches and two restored olive presses, one of which dates back to 1885. Enjoy lunch in one of the tavernas on the stone-built main square before returning to your hotel. Walking: 7km/4.34mi Ascent: 80m/262ft Descent: -470m/1541ft

Today you take another public bus or taxi to Filoti, to start your day's walk. From this village in the foothills of Mt Zas, you walk to the summit of the legendary mountain. Pass by the cave in which, according to legend, Zeus, the father of all gods, was nursed by an eagle. On descent you can choose to continue walking to Apiranthos, returning via the saddle of Mt Fanari to Filoti. This is a beautiful walk with breath taking views. Overnight Naxos. Walking: 17.5km/10.87mi, Ascent & Descent: +/- 980m/3215ft

Your ferry to Santorini usually departs around 1.00pm (2.5 hour journey). In the morning perhaps visit the Castle in Naxos Chora and the museum, or relax on the sandy beach of Agios Georgios. Arriving by ferry at Santorini is an unforgettable experience, as you enter the submerged crater of the old volcano. The steep coloured cliffs and whitewashed villages are impressive. It is said the eruption approx. 3700 years ago ended the Minoan civilisation - or perhaps it is the source of the legend of Atlantis? Transfer to your hotel in Akrotiri on arrival, your home for the rest of your trip. There are options for a short afternoon walk along the caldera (approx 2.5km/1.55mi), or you can visit the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and Red beach (approx 7km/4.34mi), within walking distance from your hotel. Ascent & Descent: +/- 240m/787ft

A taxi transfer (included) this morning will take you to Perissa, from where you start climbing via an old path to the highest mountain of Santorini, the Profitis Ilias. Before reaching the top, you can visit the excavations of Ancient Thira, the capital of the island in Ancient and Roman times. The location is amazing! You then descend via an old mule path to the quiet, inner parts of the island. From Pyrgos and Emporio you will walk back along an easy path amongst vineyards (Santorini produces some excellent wines) to Akrotiri. It's also possible to return from Pyrgos via public bus via Thira. Walking: Perissa to Pyrgos: (3hrs) 5.2km/3.23mi, Ascent: +500m/1640ft, Descent: 230m/754ft Pyrgos to Emporio: (1hr) 3.5km/2.17mi, Ascent: +24m/78ft, Descent: -265m/869ft Emporio to Akrotiri: (1.5hrs) 4.7km/2.92mi, Ascent: +47m/154ft, Descent: -58m/190ft

This morning take a public bus to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Here you can explore the narrow alleys of this whitewashed town, built on top of the volcanic cliffs. There are a couple of interesting museums to visit, such as the museum of prehistoric Thira. In the afternoon take the famous walk along the mule-path from Fira to the village of Oia, with its fabulous views of the lagoon and spectacular cliffs. From Oia you will be picked up and transferred (included) back to your hotel in Akrotiri. Walking: 10.6km/6.58mi, Ascent: +275m/902ft, Descent: -365m/1197ft