Escape to the Cyclades: Greek Island Hopping in Mykonos, Paros & Santorini - 10 Days

Highlights

• Learn about local life in Mykonos with a visit to a Myconian farm 
• Sail to Delos, an archaeological site and the mythological birthplace of Apollo 
• Try your hand at preparing traditional Greek food with a cooking class
• Visit ancient Akrotiri, destroyed during a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Mykonos, Explore the Island

Welcome to Greece! Your flight lands on Mykonos, otherwise known as the "Island of the Winds." While the island is renowned for its cosmopolitan vibe, Mykonos is also home to stone-paved alleys, quintessential blue and white cottages, and a host of archaeological history. Your driver will collect you from the airport and drop you off at your hotel. After check-in, drop your bags and step out to explore.

If you're in need of beach time, visit one of the island's many local beaches for some sun and fun. You can also stroll through Little Venice, a historic district of colorful captains' mansions and seaside cafés perched over the sea. Be sure to get some photos of the island's famous hillside windmills! Tonight, relax at your hotel or enjoy a fresh seafood dinner from a local restaurant. 

Day 2: Guided Visit to a Myconian Farm

Learn about Mykonos' thriving agricultural and farming communities with a visit to a working Myconian farm. Your driver will meet you for transport from your hotel, and you'll travel across the center of the island to the village of Ano Mera. Pass through the picturesque square in the town center, and stop at the monastery, Panagia Tourliani.

From here, it's a quick walk to the farm, where you'll meet the superintendent and take a tour. Visit the gardens, and depending on the season, you may be able to try some fresh produce straight from the earth! You'll also get to meet the farm animals, saying hello to goats, sheep, donkeys, and more. You'll then meet the farm's sommelier, who will introduce three prestigious local wines for a tasting. Learn basic tasting techniques and savor some of Greece’s most distinct blends.

Watch a cooking demonstration of traditional dishes, and with help from a professional chef, try your hand at making spinach pie, stuffed tomatoes and peppers, and the famed Greek tzatziki. Dine on the dishes you prepare afterward, alongside more delicious wine, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 3: Day Trip to Rhenia & Delos 

Discover some of Mykonos' neighboring islands with a day cruise to Rhenia and Delos. After breakfast, make your way to the city's old port and get introduced to your captain and crew. After a safety briefing, it's time to hoist the sails and head out into the Aegean. 

Cruise to the south end of Delos and make your first stop at Rhenia, a small, undeveloped island. Drop anchor at a deserted beach, where you'll be able to swim and snorkel in its quiet coves or take a long walk along the white sands. Lunch will await you when you reboard the boat, with a menu that includes chicken or pork souvlaki, Greek salad, tzatziki, rice, bread, and seasonal fruit.

After lunch, sail to Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and an archaeological site. Once a religious center and port, you'll have a chance to see ruins of Doric temples, markets, an amphitheater, and the iconic Terrace of the Lions statues. Those who don't want to visit the ruins will have the option of stopping at a nearby beach for swimming and sunbathing while the rest of the group tours the island. Return to Mykonos in time for dinner and a sunset stroll. 

Day 4: Ferry to Paros, Museums & Monuments

Your next destination is the island of Paros, known for its lovely beaches, traditional villages, and for being a major transportation hub for the Cyclades region. Depart Mykonos via ferry, arriving in the capital city of Parikia and getting settled at your hotel before setting off on a self-guided tour around this historic hotspot. 

Walk the village streets, taking in the whitewashed houses and impressive neoclassical mansions. Stroll to the center of town, where you'll see the Frankish Castle, a 13th-century Venetian wonder built on the site of the ancient Acropolis. You can also visit the sixth-century church of Panayia Ekatontapyliani, also known as Katapoliani.

Considered one of the best-preserved Paleo-Christian monuments in Greece, the name of the church translates to the apt "Church with 100 Gates," and you'll find 99 doors in the church, as well as a hidden one! There's also a museum on the church's main floor, whose exhibits include carved icons and other heirlooms from various monasteries and churches on the island. Tonight, have a traditional Greek dinner at one of Paros' many restaurants. 

Day 5: Yacht Cruise to Antiparos & Despotiko 

After breakfast, head to the Paroikia Marina for a day at sea. Board a luxury yacht and meet your captain and crew, then set sail for the nearby islands of Antiparos and Despotiko. Cruise to Panteronisia, a group of islands and islets known for its blue-green waters. Stop to explore Antiparos, where you'll visit the island's famous caves and possibly see cliff divers plunging into the sea. 

Continue to Despotiko, an uninhabited island with pristine beaches and calm waters. You'll have time for sun and fun, as well as enjoying a traditional Greek lunch with salads, fruits, wine, and coffee. Depending on weather and time constraints, your captain might also take you to the nearby monasteries and Agios Spyridon Beach. Return to Paros and relax for the rest of the evening. 

Day 6: Traditional Greek Cooking Class, Sunset Swim with Horses

Get in touch with nature on a sunrise horseback and swimming experience. You'll start at ​​Kakapetra, a settlement on the south side of the island, meeting your guides in the early hours and getting introduced to the horses. After a safety and equipment briefing, you'll ride to ​​Parasporos and the beach of Agia Irini. This small stretch of sand is surrounded by palm trees, giving it a tropical atmosphere. There, you can admire the sunrise and swim with the horses as they enjoy the surf.

Ride back to Kakapetra, passing through the regions of Aspria and Xero Xylo and taking in panoramic views of the sea, then enjoy morning coffee and cookies as you bid goodbye to your guides and new equestrian friends. Your ride takes about two hours, and you'll be provided water and other beverages along the way.

Later, discover the secrets of traditional Greek cuisine with a hands-on cooking class. You'll meet up with your expert chef and learn the art of preparing dishes such as salatouri (a cold salad made with fish), fava beans cooked in olive oil, and traditional recipes such as dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), and kolokythokeftedes (zucchini fritters) among others. Your instructor will share insight into the heritage and traditions behind each dish, and you'll get to sit down afterward and enjoy the specialties you've prepared, alongside refreshing Parian wine.

Day 7: Ferry to Santorini, Afternoon at Leisure 

You're off to Santorini, known for its colorful, steeply-stacked houses (built on the side of a once-active volcano), exquisite sunset views, and endless beaches. The island is a popular destination for visitors from across the globe while still retaining an authentic feel. Check out of your hotel in the morning and take a private transfer to the port, where you'll catch a local ferry.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at your hotel, relaxing at the pool, or spending some time at the island's beaches. For a lively vibe, visit Kamari Beach, where you can rent watersport equipment or have a drink at one of the several bars and restaurants. You can also check out Agios Georgios Beach, a slightly quieter black pebble beach, or watch the boats come in and out at Vlychada Beach.

If you're interested in Greece's wine production, you can also take a guided tour of the island's private wineries. Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel and you can visit local vineyards, learning how the grapes are grown and the methods used to keep the vines healthy—some of which date back more than 3,500 years. Try different varietals, and stop in at the Underground Wine Museum to see the evolution of winemaking over the centuries.

Day 8: Discover Santorini: History, Nature & Wine

Today's options include two different discovery tours of Santorini. For an immersion into the island's history and natural wonders, meet your guide and start with a visit to the ruins of ancient Akrotiri, the prehistoric town that inspired the Lost Atlantis myth that was destroyed during a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE and buried in ash. Visit the nearby Prehistoric Museum to see artifacts and learn more about the history of the eruption, then stop at Red Beach, whose crimson-hued sand gives it an otherworldly glow.

Next up is a visit to Santorini's local wineries for a vineyard tour and tasting as your guides share information about how the island's grape varietals are nationally safeguarded. Try four local wines perfectly paired with a four-course lunch, then take a stroll on the island's famous black-sand beach. Continue to Pyrgos, Santorini's oldest village, which is built on a hill and offers panoramic views of the whole island, then end at Prophet Elias, Santorini's highest point, and see the Caldera stretched before you.

For a tour that explores the island's lesser-known past, you also have the option of an excursion that focuses on Santorini's cultural history. Your guide will take you to visit sites such as the now-defunct tomato factory, now serving as the Tomato Industrial Museum. Learn about the once-thriving tomato industry that operated here, then continue to a ceramic studio, where you'll learn the secrets of handcrafted decor created by local artisans. The tour concludes at the Folklore Museum, where the lives of the people of Santorini are recreated and you'll glimpse what is now a bygone era. 

Day 9: Sunset Catamaran Cruise

After a free day of beach time and independent exploration, make the most of your final night in Greece with a catamaran dinner cruise. Your driver will take you from your hotel to the port, where you'll board your vessel and set out. Your first stop is a local hot springs, where you can swim in the healing natural waters and soak up dramatic views of the Caldera rim.

Sail past the stunning landscapes of the Indian Rock and Venetian Lighthouse, the perfect spot for some social media-worthy photos. Visit White Beach and Mesa Pigadia for more swimming or snorkeling, as your crew prepares a sumptuous Greek barbecue dinner on board. After dinner, make a final stop at volcanic Red Beach for a last round of swimming, then return to Santorini. 

Day 10: Depart Santorini

Your adventures in Greece come to a close today as your private transfer collects you from your hotel and takes you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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