Athens & Crete Adventure - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Athens

Welcome to Greece! You'll begin your trip in Athens, home to the iconic Acropolis and much more. The mythology of this spectacular city precedes it, with towering temples to Classical deities and the ruins of ancient marketplaces rubbing shoulders with lively nightlife, crowded flea markets, and contemporary cuisine. Make the most of your time in the city at some of these spots:

• Check out the views of the can't-miss Parthenon. (Pro tip: The Parthenon is the temple, the Acropolis is the hill.) This temple to Athena has enchanted visitors since its construction was completed in 438 BCE. It's probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of ancient Greece and is visible from many of the city's high points.
• Stop at the sprawling National Museum for a crash course in ancient iconography. Be sure to seek out the room housing the Antikythera mechanism, essentially an ancient astronomical computer.
• Visit a smaller archaeological site at the Tower of the Winds, then stroll down neighboring pedestrian Aiolou Street to stop at shops and cafés. 
• Find your perfect souvenir or sun hat in the busy stalls of the Monastiraki flea market. 

In the evening, you'll sit down to enjoy either a welcome dinner with views of the Acropolis or wine tasting in a bar in downtown Athens.

Day 2: Acropolis & Ancient Greek Mythology Tour

Experience the ancient stories surrounding you with today's guided mythology tour. You'll meet your guide and storyteller at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, then head to landmarks around the city, including the Acropolis, the ancient cemetery at Kerameikos, and the Agora. The myths that founded the city and are featured in its retellings for generations will accompany you as you go, with stories of Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Dionysus, and more. Hear the stories and the historical facts behind them, adding resonance to the archaeological ruins you will visit during this four-hour tour.

Make your way over to explore the Acropolis Museum on your own after your tour (or join a guide if you'd prefer). Named one of the 10 best museums in the world by National Geographic, this modern museum houses a multitude of artifacts removed from the hill of the Acropolis for safekeeping to provide insight into ancient religious practices and daily life. Linger for lunch in the museum's café, with views of the artifacts' former hilltop home.

As night falls, you may be able to visit the Athens Observatory to learn about the constellations overhead and take a look through the telescope. Its hours vary seasonally and by day of the week.

Day 3: Fly to Chania, Explore

Today's short flight will take you to Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival to Chania, a city (and region) on the northwest coast, you'll be transferred to your hotel as you get ready to explore this stunning island, equipped with tips from your local specialist. Chania itself will be the main base of your operations during your trip. It's the second largest city in Crete and one of the most scenic spots on an island, with stiff competition for that title. Life in this former Venetian city revolves around its charming 14th-century harbor, narrow streets with winding alleys, and colorful architecture influenced by past Ottoman and Egyptian eras.

Depending on what time you arrive, wander around town or head for one of the western region's spectacular beaches, such as Falassarna and Elafonissi. There are also plenty of deserted coves and quiet bays to enjoy total privacy. For dinner, wander around Chania's harbor and check out a slew of waterfront restaurants with a sunset view.

Day 4: Trek Samaria Gorge

After breakfast, a private driver will pick you up at your hotel early to explore one of Crete's natural wonders. Set amid the scenery of the White Mountains is the popular hike through Samaria Gorge. The trek takes approximately five hours to cover the gorge's approximately 11 miles (18 km), most of which are downhill and during which you'll spot flora and fauna of all kinds. As your trail nears its end, you'll descend a gentle slope down to the peaceful beach at Agia Roumeli on the turquoise Libyan Sea, where you can take a dip and wash off the trail dust.

There will be time to linger on the sand and relax before you wrap up the outing with a boat trip to Chora Sfakion, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Chania.

Day 5: Chania Beach Day

Spend a free day exploring the beaches around Chania. Some of your options include:

• Make a full day of it and head to the western shore of Crete to visit Falassarna and Elafonissi, along with deserted coves and quiet bays, for a more solitary experience.
• Stay closer to the city at petite Seitan Limania or on the expansive sands of Kiani.
• Head south to where the water is warmest and visit Agia Roumeli or Loutro Sfakion, coastal villages only accessible by foot or boat.
• Take the whole family to Almyrida, with clear, shallow waters and plenty of facilities to fulfill your needs.

Day 6: Explore the Villages of Apokoronas

Today, you'll have a chance to hear some of the island's history firsthand during a guided tour through nearby Apokoronas. Seven of the region's villages are home to a number of sites, including an Ottoman fort, historic churches, and a folklore museum. But the most interesting part will be the conversations you and your guide will have with the local residents of the area.

Some potential highlights include:

• The hillside ruins at ancient Aptera, one of the largest city-states in Crete, until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the seventh century, including a Minoan tomb believed to date back to roughly the 13th century BCE.
• Two-aisled churches in Stilos Village from the 13th and 15th centuries, along with a limestone fossil once believed to be a fossilized sea siren and a walk along the Kiliaris river to a Venetian watermill.
• A glassblowing factory in Kokkino Chorio.
• The old square of  Gavolochori, where you can visit the women's cooperative and see hand-knit lace created using a Byzantine technique, or the neighboring Folklore Museum of Gavalochori.

In the evening, check out Chania's waterfront districts of Halepa and Tabakaria. Wander among former tanneries and factories in these off-the-beaten-track parts of town, just past the end of the main promenade.

Day 7: Cooking in the Botanical Park, Transfer to Vamos

Experience Cretan cuisine hands-on with today's excursion. You'll surround yourself with the bright tropical gardens and the shade of avocado trees at the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete, where you'll be welcomed with fruit and herbal tea. Follow the walking trail under citrus trees and other Mediterranean flora and learn about the different climates around the island and the produce that grows there.

Your guide will take you to a special section of the gardens where you can pick the ingredients for your cooking straight from the plants. Take your newfound bounty to participate in a cooking game designed for the whole family. Learn about Cretan gastronomy as you prepare salads and other simple dishes for your lunch, including seasonal vegetables and legumes, shareable dishes, and traditional spoon sweets, then enjoy shaded views of the garden while you eat. Accompany it with the local digestive herb malotira or go with the traditional tsikoudia brandy.

You'll transfer to the village of Vamos in the afternoon and get settled into your traditional guesthouse. Soak in the slower pace of life in this peaceful corner of Crete.

Day 8: Douliana Nature Walk & Almyrida Beach Visit

Today, you'll get back to nature with a guided walking tour through the Cretan landscape. You'll walk through abandoned historic villages in Douliana and then travel toward the northern coast to the resort town of Almyrida. Take in the wide variety of flora and fauna as your guide leads you through the landscape, with stops for photos and at the plant-bedecked church of Agios Ioannis.

The easy walk takes about 60-90 minutes. At Almyrida, you'll have time for a well-earned swim and sunbathing session at the shallow beach, with plenty of facilities available for any post-hike needs. You'll then head to Fres Village for a traditional Cretan kafenio lunch.

Spend the evening under the trees in Vamos' main square.

Day 9: Cretan Delicacies Vamos Tour

Meet the farmers and food specialists of Crete on today's guided tour, exploring the traditional village of Vamos and the surrounding area to meet these creators and sample their products. You'll start at the local olive oil factory, where you'll learn about its production process and sample some of the fresh oil, along with an explanation of what distinguishes Cretan virgin olive oil from other oils.

Next up is the local cheesemaker. Crete is known for its graviera cheese, a slightly sweet, hard sheep cheese. You may watch the expert on duty as he makes graviera and teaches you about the cheese-making process, with samples of different varieties, including graviera, anthotyros, and myzithra. For the older participants, it's also time for your first raki of the day, a grape-based spirit that's also Crete's national drink.

Head to the 14th-century Byzantine church of Saint Nicolas on your way to the next stop to take in its frescoes and architectural features. Afterward, you'll arrive in the village of Hiliomoudou, where one of the few hand producers of sheep and goat bells practices his craft. You can watch him work and learn how to distinguish between the sounds of sheep and goat bells while sipping your second raki.

End as you began at a second olive oil press, this time home to both the rarer organic olive oil and the elusive Cretan kri kri goats, a species only found on this island. See if you can spot them as you sit at the taverna and enjoy a traditional lunch with all the ingredients you've just observed. Walk off all those samples with an afternoon stroll around Vamos, surrounded by local history and hospitality, before spending the night in your traditional guesthouse.

Day 10: Horseback Riding at Kournas Lake

Start off the day by making some new equine acquaintances with a horseback ride around beautiful Kournas Lake. This shallow freshwater lake is the ideal place to experience the natural life on the island, fed by two natural springs. Have lunch near the lake and sample more local treats, including antikrysto, the island's signature lamb preparation. Full lambs are salted and cooked over an open fire—a preparation style incepted by shepherds in their fields.

Spend the afternoon in charming Rethymno. Explore the Venetian harbor, check out the 19th-century lighthouse, or take a walk along the sandy beach. You'll return to Vamos in the evening to rest up and have dinner in town.

Day 11: Return to Athens, Depart

Time to say farewell to Greece. You'll head back to Athens after breakfast to catch your flight, either home or onward to your next adventure.

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