Highlights
- Savor the sunsets from two of Greece's best spots, Cape Sounio and Santorini
- Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks with trips to Mycenae and Delphi
- Sail to remote beaches only accessible by boat with a Cyclades island cruise
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Cape Sounio Sunset Tour, Cocktails in Plaka | Athens |
| Day 2 | Guided Tour of Mycenae, Highlights of Nafplio, Transfer to Olympia | Olympia |
| Day 3 | Walk in the Footsteps of Olympians at Ancient Olympia, Transfer to Galaxidi | Galaxidi |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Athens via Amfissa & Ancient Delphi | Athens |
| Day 5 | Fly to Santorini, Gourmet Dinner, Wine & Sunset Experience | Santorini |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Sailing Cruise Around Folegandros, Milos & Polyaigos | Santorini |
| Day 7 | Depart Santorini |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Athens, Cape Sounio Sunset Tour, Cocktails in Plaka
Welcome to Athens! With over 5,000 years of history and an eclectic mix of ancient and modern, Greece's buzzy capital acts as an outdoor museum to some of the world's most historic landmarks. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll take a private transfer to your downtown hotel. Your destination is the 5-star COCO-MAT Athens BC, named after the eponymous Greek organic bedding company whose philosophy of upscale, sustainable comfort runs through the hotel. Meanwhile, the location, just behind the Acropolis Museum, gives it one of Athens's best rooftop Acropolis views.
Check into your deluxe room, furnished in warm and natural tones, and either decompress in the rooftop pool or head down to the spa for a relaxing post-flight treatment before heading out for today's private tour. Meet your guide and start at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the newest star on the city's architectural and cultural scene and home to both the National Library and the National Opera. Admire the views of the Athenian Riviera as your guide drives you past Lake Vouliagmeni to the stunning Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio (Sounion).
Stretch your legs and enjoy a walk around the fifth-century archaeological site. As the sun begins to dip, you're in for a treat; the sunset views from the temple are among the best in Greece. Core memories made, you'll drive back to the city with your guide for an evening tour of the historic Plaka neighborhood. Stroll the atmospheric alleyways and climb the winding, whitewashed steps of the Anafiotika neighborhood, where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views over Athens before heading back to one of Plaka's secret spots for cocktails and a bite to eat.
Day 2: Guided Tour of Mycenae, Highlights of Nafplio, Transfer to Olympia
Today, you'll start your grand tour of classical Greece with a private trip to the fabled Homeric city of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's oldest civilizations. Follow in the footsteps of King Agamemnon as you walk through the Lion Gate and see the tombs of Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra as your guide reveals the myths and legends behind the ruined citadel. It's a 30-minute drive from here to the coast, and your next destination is the seaside town of Nafplio, filled with Ottoman foundations and a splendid late Venetian fortress.
Pause for lunch at one of the town's renowned tavernas, and after a stroll along the seafront, you'll visit several craft workshops to see how traditional weaving and pottery techniques are still in use today. Finish your stroll of Nafplio with a visit to a local zaharoplastio (pastry shop), where the mouthwatering almond pastries are made to a centuries-old recipe. As you continue your journey toward Olympia, you'll stop at a picturesque honey farm where you'll discover the secrets of Greek honey and sample traditional diples (a honey dessert) under the shade of olive trees.
Sit back and relax as your driver continues the 2.5-hour drive to Olympia, the modern city that's a stone's throw from the ancient Archaeological Site of Olympia. Your accommodation for the night is the delightful Olympion Asty Hotel, a bright and spacious complex nestled on the hillside of Olympia's beautiful forest. Check into your superior double or junior suite, then unwind with a dip in the pool or enjoy views of the valley with a sundowner on the terrace. You'll dine at the hotel's exemplary on-site restaurant with carefully chosen wines from the cellar.
Day 3: Walk in the Footsteps of Olympias at Ancient Olympia, Transfer to Galaxidi
This morning belongs to ancient Olympia, the most important athletic, religious, and political center of classical Greece. On a private guided tour, you'll discover the original stadium and birthplace of the Olympic Games as you tour the archaeological site amid countryside filled with wild olive and plane trees. Explore the grand temples and Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, then visit the nearby Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which has treasures, including a splendid statue of Hermes and the infant Dionysus by Praxiteles.
In the afternoon, you'll delve deeper into the area's natural beauty with a relaxed guided walk through a nearby gorge. You're headed for a scenic spot on the banks of two impressive waterfalls (perfect for an afternoon dip), where lunch— a delicious feast of home-cooked dishes from the local village, will be served picnic-style. In the afternoon, your driver will transfer you northeast to Galaxadi, a charming seaside spot where you'll overnight.
Your hotel tonight is the lovingly restored Ganimede Hotel, a former 19th-century Arhontiko mansion and captain's house, situated a five-minute walk from the neoclassical buildings and bustling cafés of Galaxidi's colorful waterfront. Relax in your elegantly decorated room or suite, furnished in a warm palette of earthy tones with antique furnishings and sumptuous bronze beds. When you're ready, head out for a stroll and see the sights, including the St. Nikolas Church, Maritime Museum of Galaxidi, and Kalafátis Beach.
Day 4: Transfer to Athens via Amfissa & Ancient Delphi
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Spend a relaxed morning exploring Galaxidi with your private guide and learn how this once-thriving port town was home to some of the most powerful seafaring families in the Mediterranean. Then, it's off to the regional capital of Amfissa, where you'll visit the workshop of one of Greece's last handmade bellmakers and stroll through the cobbled streets of the old leather-taking district. After working up an appetite, you'll lunch under the shade of a large plane tree in the picturesque town square, dining on home-cooked delicacies, local cheeses, and Amfissa olives.
After lunch, it's off to Delphi, whose fascinating ruins on the slopes of Mount Parnassos were once home to the priestesses of Apollo and the sacred oracle of the ancient Gods. Tour the ruins, whose highlights include the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the expansive amphitheater. The views here are exceptional, and you'll have plenty of time to soak in the panoramic vistas of the Corinthian Gulf before finishing your tour at the Delphi Museum. Don't miss the exhibition highlight—the bronze statue of the Charioteer of Delphi.
Sit back and relax as you transfer 2.5 hours to Athens; your driver will drop you directly at your hotel, the 5-star Electra Metropolis. Centrally located just a few blocks from Syntagma Square, the hotel's chic and contemporary interior is light and airy, with plush, elegant bedrooms in serene shades of white and blue. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the rooftop pool, plump for a sunbed with Parthenon views, or head to the hotel's spa, gym, and sauna. As night falls, head out to a neighborhood taverna or enjoy dinner at the hotel's airy restaurant, with panoramic views of the Acropolis.
Day 5: Fly to Santorini, Gourmet Dinner, Wine & Sunset Experience
It's a change of scene today as you swap the ancient ruins of Athens and the Peloponnese for the cascading whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and volcanic sands of Santorini. The southernmost island in the Cyclades, Santorini has a decidedly cosmopolitan feel and some of the most breathtaking views in the Aegean. After breakfast, you'll meet your driver for a private transfer to the airport and make the short 45-minute flight to the island. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your accommodation in Oia, the 5-star Art Maison Aspaki Hotel.
Check into one of the hotel's three exclusive suites, whose premium vantage points offer panoramic views of the island's Caldera and the glittering Aegean. The decor is modern and minimalist, with whitewashed walls and organic architecture that follows the island's typical cave style. Relax after the flight on your spacious balcony, or take a dip in your private, heated plunge pool with infinity views.
When you're ready, meet your driver for a private afternoon tour. You'll start in Megalochori, a quiet, traditional village filled with charming alleyways, whitewashed houses, and ornate bell towers. The island's famous Wine Museum is your next stop, where you'll enjoy a tasting of local varietals and delve into Santorini's fascinating wine history, all inside a labyrinthine cave 26 feet (8 m) underground. Resurface in time to see the sunset over Akrotiri and finish in style with dinner and cocktails at one of the island's best restaurants.
Day 6: Full-Day Sailing Cruise Around Folegandros, Milos & Polyaigos
Spend your last day in Santorini cruising around three of its neighboring islands, known for their beautiful beaches, discreet Greek island feel, and natural attractions. You'll start with a trip to nearby Folegandros, a hidden gem that has long stood as a favorite summer destination among Athenians. Enjoy a dip at one of the island's beaches, only accessible by foot or boat, or stroll the quaint squares of Chora, the tiny main town.
The next island on your list is Milos, known for its incredible volcanic rock formations and mesmerizing colored beaches. Don't miss Sarakiniko, a unique moonscape-like beach with abrupt white rocks that lead into crystal-clear turquoise waters. The island's striking stone can even be seen in the Louvre, on display as the Aphrodite of Milos, better known as the Venus de Milo.
The last stop on your cruise is Polyaigos. Look out for Diamantospilia, a tall and impressive cave, as you enter Faros Bay, a sheltered area home to some of the Cyclades' best beaches. Enjoy a swim or a walk along the beach, and look out for the rare Poliegos goats. Toward the end of the afternoon, you'll sail back to Santorini, where the evening is yours to spend at leisure. Savor one last famous sunset from your infinity pool, then head into Oia and dine at one of the town's excellent restaurants as you raise a toast to your trip.
Day 7: Depart Santorini
It's time to say goodbye to the Aegean. In the morning, you'll catch a flight back to Athens in time for your flight home or onward journey. Safe travels!
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