ATHENS & THE GREEK ISLANDS
APRIL 10-20, 2024
Travel with the Sullivans in Greece!
David and I are thrilled to have worked with Jon Bouillet to curate this trip to Athens and the Greek Isles. Jon has handpicked the hotels and scheduled the itinerary to include cultural and religious landmarks that you won't want to miss.
This trip includes all hotel stays, most meals, and all travel from the time you arrive in Athens until the time you depart. Jon has included some of our favorites things like pottery, olive oil production, a Kitron distillery, winery, the black volcanic beaches of Santorini and storied island of Crete.
Imagine relaxing among our small group of travelers with low-carb Mediterranean meals while making lifelong friends. Our 10-night stay begins and ends in Athens.
Wednesday, April 10: Athens
Arrive in Athens, capital of Greece and western civilisation. Continue to our city center hotel for relaxation and dinner.
Thursday, April 11: Athens
City tour of Athens, which underwent a great restoration programme prior to the 2004 Olympic Games. See the Acropolis, or upper town, where the city’s most important buildings were constructed from fine white marble in the 5c BC, and the Areopagus hill from where St Paul preached. Visit the new Acropolis Museum, built to display all the findings from more than 3000 years of history, and see the marble stadium, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. After a free afternoon, reconvene for dinner in a typical local restaurant.
Friday, April 12: Naxos
Early transfer to the nearby port of Piraeus for the ferry to Naxos, most fertile of the Cycladic islands. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in the beautiful old town of Chora, the capital, where our hotel is located.
Saturday, April 13: 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 the production of olive oil on the island and a way of life that now belongs to the past.
Then cross to the centre 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 (tree, fruit distillation methods) and the consumption (tasting) of one of the three Protected Designation of Origin liqueurs in Greece.
Following a short stop at 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 view, 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 with. Nowadays a fragment of Flerio’s former glory survives in the impressive 7th century BC 20 feet high statue of Kouros (dubbed ‘the Greek’).
Sunday, April 14: Santorini
Morning transfer to the port for the ferry to Santorini Santorini’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.
Monday, April 15: Santorini
Take the cable car from Fira down to sea level for a spectacular cruise around the caldera, the volcano which collapsed in the 16c BC, and which formed the islands of Santorini. 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.
Tuesday, April 16: Heraklion, Crete
Morning transfer to Kamari beach, unique in the Aegean for its black sand created during the eruption of 1600 BC. Then continue to Pyrgos, former capital of the island and the best-preserved medieval village there today. Following a photo stop at Profitis Ilias monastery, situated at the highest point on Santorini, 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. After lunch, transfer to the port for the Power Jet ferry to Heraklion, Crete, and our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Wednesday, April 17: Heraklion, Crete
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. Then return to Heraklion. Crete’s dynamic capital and the fifth largest city in Greece. Its inner harbour is guarded by the well-preserved Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare, and the bustling city has a rich cultural history. Visit the splendid Archaeological Museum before enjoying a free afternoon.
Thursday, April 18: Chania, Crete
Drive this morning to Fodele, birthplace of the painter El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos), and visit the house in which he was born, now a small museum. Continue to Rethymnon, whose old town features Venetian palazzos, Turkish houses with wooden balconies and a number of small 18c mosques. Visit the monastery of Arkadi there before continuing to Chania for overnight.
Friday, April 19: On board
Enjoy a walking tour of the old town of Chania, including the historic quarter of Splanzia and the Venetian harbour. Following lunch, drive into the countryside to taste some local wine before dinner in a typical restaurant. Then take the overnight ferry from Chania, with private cabins, to Athens.
Saturday, April 20: Departure
On arrival in Athens, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Flights after 9am are recommended.
Pricing and additional details
Early bird pricing through December 5th, 2023 is $3395.00 per person based on double occupancy. After December 5th, 2023 pricing is $3595.00 per person based on double occupancy. Travelers who prefer private accommodations can do so for an additional $595.00.
Half of travel fees are due at booking, the remainder is due by January 26, 2024.
Pricing includes:
- Two nights bed and buffet breakfast at Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel, Athens
- Two nights bed and buffet breakfast at Hotel Grotta, Paxos
- Two nights bed and buffet breakfast at Hotel Daedalus (or similar), Santorini
- Two nights bed and buffet breakfast at Hotel Astoria Capsis, Heraklion
- One night bed and buffet breakfast at Hotel Kydon, Chania
- One night with private cabins and breakfast on board the Crete-Athens overnight ferry
- Private touring coach and Tour Manager throughout
- Meals, local guides and entrance fees, according to the itinerary
- Porterage for one bag per person in and out at each hotel where available
Travelers are responsible for travel to and from Athens, any meals not denoted in the itinerary, and for tips provided for guides, drivers, hotel staff, etc.
