Relaxing Secret Cyclades - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Athens

Welcome to Greece! You'll begin your trip in Athens, home to both the iconic Acropolis and so 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, and 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. 

Spend your evening exploring the up-and-coming Pangrati neighborhood or amid the nightlife and mezze of the Psyrri district.

Day 2: Athens Food Tour

Meet your guide in Syntagma Square to start sampling the best of what the city's street food stalls have to offer. You'll learn about the Mediterranean diet and its potential benefits while strolling the city streets in neighborhoods you may not have discovered yet and exploring bustling open-air markets.

Say good morning with Greek coffee at one of the city's landmark coffee houses, then pick up some street snacks to sample on the go. Venture into the aromatic Varvakios Market, the largest and most popular fish, meat, and vegetable market in the city, and explore the city's main spice street. Sample olive oils, honey, cheeses from around the country, cured meats, olives, and more. Everything from baklava to souvlaki is available to appeal to even the pickiest eaters.

If you haven't had your fill of adventuring during the afternoon, spend your evening in the Koukaki neighborhood. This area's off-the-beaten-path wine bars will introduce you to a wide selection of Greek wines amid friendly crowds, or if you're with the whole family, a selection of great local restaurants await.

Day 3: Ferry to Syros, Explore

Start your morning by heading to Syros, home to the capital of the Cyclades. You'll be greeted by the domes of the Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches atop the hills of Ano Syros and Ermoupoli, churches that join together for yearly Easter celebrations.

Follow the cobblestone streets through the squares and past architectural features like the Ermoupoli City Hall, designed by Ernst Ziller, who was also responsible for many of Athens' mansions and national buildings. Visit the Vaporia neighborhood, home to the mansions of 1800s sea captains, or the medieval hilltop settlement of Ano Syros for expansive sea views. The yearly music festival attracts visitors from around the country to the Apollon Theater, built in 1864 as a replica of La Scala in Milan.

Day 4: Syros Mansions Driving Tour

Tour the villages of Syros with their many stately homes on today's private driving tour. You'll head to several towns to see some of their architectural attractions, starting in Poseidonia at the old town hall, once a villa and garden now turned exhibition hall. See the grand homes of ship captains and owners in Episkopio, then the smaller everyday homes, churches, and the scenic pine forest surrounding quaint Chroussa.

Make your way to Kini or San Michali before sunset to enjoy dinner and the seaside sunset views.

Day 5: Ferry to Tinos, Explore

Take an early ferry to Tinos, one of the most overlooked islands of the Cyclades. Tinos has remained under the radar for many years, overshadowed by its celebrity neighbor of Mykonos and seen mainly as a religious destination. However, those who continue to believe that they are missing out on an island with fascinating history and culture, winding streets, great outdoor activities, and glittering beaches.

The imposing Panagia Evangelistria should not be overlooked, as Tinos is also known as the island of the Virgin Mary. Its icon is believed to have healing powers, and the annual August pilgrimage is a key part of the island's identity as churchgoers crawl on their knees toward the temple as a sign of piety.

If pilgrimage isn't quite your scene, there are also nearly 80 windmills to be explored, Venetian ruins, hiking at Exomvourgo Mountain, and beaches for any mood. Try the island's craft beer from Nissos Brewery or sample the cheeses at the shop belonging to the Cheese Cooperative of Tinos. Keep an eye out for the many painted dovecotes around the island, small white pigeon homes dotting the countryside, of which there are nearly 1,000.

Day 6: Tinian Culinary Workshop

Visit an aromatic garden and harvest fresh ingredients as part of this culinary experience. You'll learn the stories of some Greek recipes, then cook them yourself with expert instruction. Enjoy the fruits of your labor al fresco as you consume your creations under the trees and arched alleyways, accompanied by local wines and the scent of the herb garden.

Spend your evening in the main Tinos town and enjoy the many cafés and tavernas along the seaside or in the interior. Complete your island culinary education with louza, a cured pork refined by Tinians over years of practice, and rich volaki cheese balls and kariki cheese aged within pumpkin skins, similar to a stilton or Roquefort. See if the menus offer fourtalia, a fresh Cycladic dish similar to an omelet made with fresh local eggs, sausage, and potatoes, or dishes made from the signature Tinian artichokes. Complement them with a glass of crisp, light Tinian wine or Nissos beer brewed right on the island.

Day 7: Ferry to Naxos, Explore

Time to ferry over to bustling Naxos after breakfast. With an active main town where you can shop and admire Venetian architecture, a historic Kastro (castle) area, and expansive beaches, the island offers opportunities for laidback relaxation and water or land activities. The rest of the day is yours to unwind as you choose. Try out some of these options:

• Hike up to the summit of Mount Zas, the mythological childhood home of Zeus, the ruler of the gods, and the highest point in the Cyclades.
• Head inland to the town of Chalki, home to the island's oldest market and a petite, shady square perfect for whiling away the afternoon. Make sure to stop at the kitron distillery to sample the local liqueur and learn about its distillation process over the years.
• Visit the Temple of Demeter at Sangri on your way. Multiple deities of fertility were worshipped here, particularly the goddess Demeter. The temple was constructed in 530 BCE, during the tyranny of Lygdamis, and represents a precursor of classical Athenian architecture. 
• Stroll to the Portara, the entrance to the Temple of Apollo. Construction on the temple began in the sixth century BCE but was never finished, but the still-standing entranceway has become one of the hallmarks of the island. You can find it on the islet of Palatia, just over a causeway from the heart of Naxos Town (Chora).

For dinner, wander up the hill through the streets of the Kastro neighborhood to pick out your favorite of the area's tavernas, where you can sample the island's fresh produce in its best forms.

Day 8: Naxos Food Panorama

Taste some of the island's trademarks, known for having some of the best local produce in the Cyclades. Your guide will take you around the island to towns like Kindaros, Kaloxylos, Chalki, the marble town of Apeiranthos, and the main Naxos town.

You'll meet with local producers to sample and even create some of the island's better-known dishes, such as loukoumades fried donuts, keftedes meatballs with tzatziki sauce, and Naxian cheeses, and a cheese or olive pie picnic with coffee, juice, bread, fruit, and yogurt. You'll also sample the local kitron liqueur at a distillery before you top off the afternoon with a tour of the Venetian castle in the main town.

Spend your evening wandering the town's streets, searching for your perfect aperitif spot. Or, put your new food-spotting skills to use in the tavernas.

Day 9: Ferry to Ios, Explore

Your next island awaits after breakfast! Ferry over to Ios, where lazy afternoons on the beach ease into a booming nighttime scene, with nightlife venues to suit your every possible interest. Mylopotas Beach is the most popular choice for daytime, with its proximity to town and great facilities. If you're searching for solitude, head out to the farther Manganari beach, a secluded, shallow bay known as one of the most scenic beaches on the island with its dark golden sands.

In the evenings, don't miss Far Out Village at the far end of Mylopotas, a four-part beach club, campground, hotel, and spa, and one of the biggest hotspots on the island. It's the perfect place to meet new friends and see where the evening goes.

Day 10: Sikinos Island Tour & Wine Tasting

Take a morning day trip to neighboring Sikinos, whose quiet, undeveloped hills will provide the perfect break from lively Ios. Your fully guided tour will include the island's cultural, historical, and scenic highlights. Check out the Monastery of Episkopi with a scenic hike up from the main town and central Folklore Museum, and top it off with a toast from a local winery. The island was once named the "Isle of Wine," after all.

Once you return to Ios, head back to Mylopotas Beach to cool off with an afternoon swim in its deep water and stick around for a sundowner at one of its beach bars. Or, try the quieter Kalamos or Magganari.

Day 11: Return to Athens, Sunset at Cape Sounion

Return to Athens in the morning. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to the Athenian Riviera, full of history and stunning island views. You'll visit the Temple of Poseidon during your adventure along the coast and learn about its history. The views from Cape Sounion overlook the Saronic Gulf, with one of Greece's best sunset views. Sip a complimentary beverage, take in the sunset while listening to music, and immortalize the moment with a Polaroid-style photo.

You'll be transferred back to your lodging in the evening just in time for a late (Greek-style) dinner. Or, if you're not ready to call it a night, you can request a drop-off at some of the most popular beach bars to dance until the sun comes up.

Day 12: Depart Athens

Time to say farewell to Greece. Enjoy your final Athenian breakfast before your transfer to the airport.

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