This
is a repeat of our very popular Greece trip which is a land-based
island hopping trip with flights and a ferry between the
islands.
We'll
land in Athens on a Tuesday evening. Once we check in to
our hotel we'll take a walk to the famous Plaka where you
can enjoy you will enjoy strolling, shopping and eating.
The next morning we'll enjoy a tour of the Acropolis,
home of the Parthanon (included in your package). The rest
of the day will be at your leisure.
On
Thursday morning we’ll fly over to the island of Crete.
Crete is the birthplace of the first European civilization,
the Minoan, which flourished between 3000 BC and 1200 BC.
Even today, the majestic palaces of Knossos, Phaestus, Malia,
Zakros, Tylissos, Arhanes, Monastiraki, Galatas, Kydonia
and the luxurious mansions at Agia Triada, Zominthos, Amnisos,
Makrigialos, Vathipetro and Nerokouros reflect the splendor
of the Minoan civilization through architectural, pottery,
jewelry and painting masterpieces. We will organize a visit
to some of the key places including Knossos (included).
Click here to read more
about the tours on this trip.
We
will be staying in Chania (see arrow on map) which is in
and of itself a work of art and known as the Venice of Crete.
Much
of the old town district of Chania was developed around
its harbor, which was built by the Venetians during the
14th century. Its lighthouse still proudly overlooks the
Mediterranean. Here you’ll find several cinemas and
historical attractions like the Archaeological Museum, a
collection of Minoan and Roman artifacts that’s housed
in the former Monastery of Saint Francis. Wandering around
the Old Town’s maze-like alleys with the beautiful
Venetian mansions, the fountains and the elaborate churches
will help you discover well-preserved historical monuments.
It is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in
Greece and for food lovers, it's a paradise! Cosmopolitan
nightclubs and stylish bar-restaurants, small atmospheric
bars and picturesque cafés where you can enjoy a
drink, or maybe a cocktail, or just a good cup of coffee.
Some are hidden among the alleys of the Old City in historic
buildings or courtyards, others are on the waterfront overlooking
the sea. Chania has it all. Cafés, bars, clubs, a
live Greek and international music scene, including a number
of jazz bars, all invite you to experience the city’s
nightlife to the fullest. Our hotel is perfectly situated
with wonderful sea views (early signups will get sea view
rooms - limited supply!). Click
here for more information on Chania.
We'll
have two bus tours included in Crete. The first one will
take in the historic ruins of Knossos
with stops also at the towns Rethymno,
the Fortezza (the castle) and a stop at Plakias
village. Lunch is at "Plateia Taverna"
at Myrtos village. The second included tour will be to visit
the Apokoronas villages. We'll Discover charming and authentic
villages like Vrysses,
a lovely village with running springs and lush greenery,
Emprosneros
surrounded by an entire forest of oaks. Our tour will also
include stops at
Aptera where we will visit impressive Roman cisterns,
ruins of Roman bath houses, a newly excavated theater and
the monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos. This tour will
also include a visit to a local winery called Dourakis
for a guiding around their estate.
After
our 3-nights on Crete we will have 4-nights on the island
of Santorini. We'll be taking a ferry which is smooth and
only about a 2-hour trip. There
is not a more magical island in the world You will
absolutely fall in love with it. We will be including
an all day tour by bus, to see the highlights of the island
including a visit to the ancient town of Pyrgos where we
will have time to walk to the top along winding, narrow
walkways. Excellent photos! We will also go to the mountaintop
of Profitis Ilias where we will enjoy an incredible view.
Our tour will then take us to Akrotiri where excavations
brought to light a Minoan town preserved under the pumice
for 3000 years. After our land tour will will take a traditional
Greek boat for a visit to the caldera and even a chance
to swim to a natural hot springs! Our last stop will
be to the nice traditional island of Thirassia.
There we can have free time for lunch, explore the island.
We'll also include a bus ride to Oia famous for their sunsets.
We'll
offer an optional tour on Santorini to take a beautiful
catamrarran around the back side of Santorini with several
stops for swimming and lunch. You'll also have a free day
with no scheduled tours where you can consider renting a
car, quad or scooter and explore on your own. There is the
beautiful red sand beach and lots of interesting churches.
There is also some great wine tasting here. We will have
4 glorious nights on this magical island!
After our 4-nights on Santorini we'll be ready for the next stop - Mykonos for
the next 3 nights. Many of our past Greece travelers have
told me that Mykonos was their favorite island. Less glitzy
than Santorini and maybe a bit more down to earth. There
are lots of beautiful beaches. We will be taking a ferry
of about 2 hours. This island is not only picturesque with
it’s white buildings and blue trim, the narrow meandering
streets with cute shops and restaurants and famous windmills,
it’s also THE place for nightlife with many Europeans
who come here. We’ll have an included tour of the
island of Delos, which is an entire city
of ruins with no current inhabitants. The entire island
of Delos, also known as the biggest open air museum in Europe,
is an Archeological monument to what was the holiest place
in the Aegean Sea. It's a UNESCO
world heritage site!
We'll
have a free day here as well where it’s also fun to rent
a scooter, quad or car and tour Mykonos and spend the day
at one of the most beautiful, as well as hip and happening
beaches in the Mediterranean. We will also offer an optional
horseback ride which is incredible with your ride on a secluded
beach. You don't have to plan too much on this island as
the old town is just a short walk from our hotel and makes
for a nice, relaxing way to spend some time strolling and
taking photos. Our hotel is beautiful with amazing views
of the sea. Once again, early sign ups will be rewarded
with the better view rooms.
We
depart Mykonos on Sunday morning back to Athens and fly
back that same day. This is the ideal introduction to the
jewels of the Aegean.
Cost: Just $3,375 (does not
include international air). This
is a terrific group savings for this trip with our 4-star
hotels and most tours included.
To sign up, click the "sign
up now" link at the bottom. The deposit
is $200.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: (your
own room):$1,400
Sign
up for this trip!
OUR GROUP AIR: We have 25 seats
secured. Please let us know if we should count you in.
NOTE: If you're booking your own air make sure your
return from Athens is no earlier than 1:00 pm as we will
be flying back from Mykonos at 9 am.
Flight:
Air Canada 782 Departure:Los Angeles Intl 29SEP/730A Arrival:Toronto
Pearson Intl 29SEP/320P
Flight:Air Canada 896 Departure: Toronto Pearson Intl 29SEP/630P
Arrival:Athens 30SEP/1110A
Flight: Air Canada
897 Departure:Athens 12OCT/110P Arrival:Toronto Pearson
Intl 12OCT/455P
Flight: Air Canada 795 Departure:Toronto Pearson Intl 12OCT/635P
Arrival:Los Angeles Intl 12OCT/853P
The base fare
is $671.00, plus taxes, which are $507.33. This totals to
$1178.33 (*Total Fare Estimate per seat with taxes
and fees at time of booking*).
Please note that taxes and fees are subject to change until
final payment is collected.
INCLUDES:
- 12-nights
accommodations (double occ.)
- All
ground transportation
- Air
from Athens to Crete
- Ferry from Crete to
Santorini
- Ferry from Santorini
to Mykonos
- Air from Mykonos to
Athens
- All
included tours mentioned above
- Daily
Breakfast
DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
Click
here to see photos
from our last trip to Greece
OUR
HOTELS:
ATHENS - Fresh
Hotel Athens
Website
- Tripadvisor
- 4-star!
Staying
Fresh is more than a tagline, it’s our hospitality
ethos which is why we’re constantly thinking of ways,
both big and small, to refresh the guest experience, and
2023 marks a big one!
Underpinned by
the unveiling of our new extension, a Neoclassical mansion
imaginatively renovated by acclaimed designer Paola Navone’s
OTTO STUDIO, our refreshed hospitality offering includes
revamped interiors, brand-new suites, a cool new graphic
identity, and a range of fresh amenities and services.
Just like modern-day
Athens, we embrace contradictions for a richer, authentic
and fulfilling experience in a stylish yet relaxed environment
where contemporary design meets neo-folkloric exuberance,
understated luxury and genial hospitality.
CRETE - PORTO
VENEZIANO
Website - Tripadvisor
review - #7 of 112 hotels in Chania! 3-star
Porto Veneziano
Hotel is in a fantastic location on the waterfront of Chania's
Old Venetian harbor. With environmentally friendly cooling
systems throughout, it offers panoramic views and accommodations
in a minimal navy design.
Just 950 feet
from the center of Chania, Porto Veneziano is an ideal base
for your stay in this historic town. With geothermal air
conditioning, the modern guest rooms are furnished with
private balconies, allowing you to admire views of the harbor,
the Old Town or the White Mountains of Crete.
The hotel has
free Wi-Fi throughout and operates a smoke-free environment
on all communal areas, guest rooms and suites.
SANTORINI
- SANTORINI
PALACE HOTEL
Website -
Tripadvisor
review - #12 of 27 hotels in Fira! 4-star
The 4-star Santorini
Palace is in the center of Fira, Santorini’s capital,
walking distance from the breathtaking Caldera and restaurants.
It features a free-form pool and a fitness center with a
hot tub and sauna.
All air-conditioned
rooms open to a balcony overlooking the well-tended garden
or the Aegean Sea. Facilities include a satellite TV and
minibar. Each private bathroom is fitted with a bathtub
and hairdryer.
Guests at Santorini
Palace can start their day with a buffet breakfast. The
restaurant served international dishes during dinner times.
Refreshing drinks and light meals are prepared at the snack
bar by the pool.
Santorini Palace
is the very first resort in Santorini, only a few meters
away from the cliff of the Caldera and the panoramic view
of the volcano. The hotel offers a combination of beautiful
Cycladic architecture, open spaces, resort facilities and
proximity to interesting sites.
Guests may take
full advantage of the resort facilities, the peaceful Hotel
Spa atmosphere, keep up with their fitness in the fully
equipped gym, relax by the pool, enjoy a walk on the Caldera’s
promenade or even experience Fira cosmopolitan nightlife.
Santorini Palace
hotel is ideal for combining leisure and business, couples
or family vacation, due to the mixture of its facilities.
MYKONOS -
PORTO MYKONOS
Website - Tripadvisor
review - 4-star
Porto
Mykonos boasts the most ideal location in Mykonos town overlooking
the vivid pace of the Port and the sparkling colors of the
sea. Nestled in one of the most romantic landscapes in Greece
this seaside retreat offers the most magical Mykonos town
view with flickering lights illuminating the windmills and
the historic center. The minimalist rooms and suites feature
a combination of authentic Cycladic and modern elements.
This hotel in Mykonos town epitomizes the beauty of simplicity
in itself.
Porto Mykonos
Hotel in Mykonos Town is nuzzled in the vibrant town of
Mykonos in Greece. Porto Mykonos Hotel entices its guests
with its serene location and the enchanting panoramic views
over the azure waters of the Aegean. Porto Mykonos Hotel
offers easy access to the vivacious town, an a la carte
restaurant, a lounge bar, a fresh water swimming pool with
a pool bar and outstanding views.
The Porto Mykonos
is a traditional and authentic hotel ideally situated a
stone’s throw away from Mykonos town, Greece. The hotel’s
sea view pool offers magnificent views for sunbathers and,
after sunset, it is lit with sparkling lights from town
that evidence the active nightlife at the short distance.
A hotel in Mykonos town designed to ensure the ultimate
intimacy. The rooms of this sunset view hotel open out onto
private terraces allowing guests to enjoy the sunset hues
reflecting over the Aegean and the most picturesque Mykonos
town view.
Sign
up for this singles Trip!
