Welcome to Athens
Individual arrival, on request we can organise an airport transfer. Our accommodation is directly in the old city, the Plaka – an area with small pedestrian streets, shops and restaurants, right below the Acropolis. In the late afternoon we welcome you in the hotel lobby. After a short walk around the area surrounding the hotel we all enjoy the Mediterranean dinner in a typical Greek restaurant.

Activity
Short walk around town - 30 minutes
Dinner in the old city of Athens (Plaka)

Accommodation
Adams Hotel** in Athens (Plaka) or Hotel Byron** in Athens (Plaka)

We have an early start allowing us to thoroughly explore the Acropolis. Astonishing to see the historic buildings, we get to know the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike. We also allow time to rent a visit to the Acropolis museum, followed by a walk through the Dionysiou Areopagitou street, one of the most beautiful streets in town. After a break we will continue our city walk, we see the Olympic stadium and walk through the National garden. Those who want can join us in the evening on a trip with the cable car to the Lycabettus hill. The highest point in town is perfect to take some beautiful sunset photos.

Activity
City exploration, including the Acropolis & Museum, the Olympic Stadium and the Parliament - 4 ½ hours including breaks
Lycabettus Hill - 2 ½ hours

Accommodation
Adams Hotel** in Athens (Plaka) or Hotel Byron** in Athens (Plaka)

We walk this morning to the market hall, in which fish, vegetables, meat and many other things are sold. Right afterwards we watch the change of guards at the Syntagma place right in front of the parliament. During your time off we recommend visiting the archaeological museum, alternatively enjoy one of the cafes or restaurants. A minibus will bring us in the afternoon to the southern tip of the Attica region, Cape Sounion. 60 metres above sea level the ruins of the temple of Poseidon are a fantastic sight. Another place to take great photos of the sunset with the temple in the foreground and the sea as a backdrop.

Activity
Market Hall - 1 ½ hours
Cape Sounion excursion - 5 hours

Accommodation
Adams Hotel** in Athens (Plaka) or Hotel Byron** in Athens (Plaka)

Only 2 ½ hours from here another highlight is waiting for us before we start to explore the islands. The magical, mystic city of Delphi, over 2500 years ago this was the place where the oracle was located, which was supposed to be able to foresee the future. The ancient Greeks shared the belief that this place was the centre of the earth. During our time here we will find out more about the oracle and in the archaeological museum we see one of the few bronze sculptures still here years later, the famous charioteer. Late afternoon we will be back in Athens.

Activity
Drive to Delphi & back - about 6 hours
Visit of the archaeological sites and the museum – about 3 hours, excluding lunch

Accommodation
Adams Hotel** in Athens (Plaka) or Hotel Byron** in Athens (Plaka)

We leave the mainland behind and start our adventure, island hopping. The first of the islands we visit is also one of the most famous ones in the Aegean sea; Mykonos. The ferry departs early in the morning to allow us time to explore the island in the afternoon. The windmills, the Matogianni street, the old harbour, little Venice as well as the Panagia Parapotiani church are all world famous.

Ferry
Departure: 07.30am – Arrival: 12.45pm

Activity
Island exploration - 2 ½ hours on foot

Accommodation
Orpheus rooms or Hotel Olia***, Mykonos

The Greek word ‘Kyklos’ means circle – therefore the Cyclades are also known as the ring islands, the holy island of Delos is located in the centre of the ring. According to the Greek mythology Apollon and Artemis were born here – today we would like to visit the once so famous island. The ferry brings us in 30 minutes to Delos. The uninhabited island seems to be like an open air museum today, in which history comes back to life. We will see all of the major attractions outside and inside the museum, including the grotto of Herakles and the bronze mask of Dionysus. We take the ferry back to Mykonos in the afternoon, after so much history we take the afternoon off – you may want to go to the beach or do a bit of shopping.

Ferry
Departure: 09.00am – Return trip: 01.30pm

Activity
Delos island including the museum - 4 hours

Accommodation
Orpheus Rooms or Hotel Olia***, Mykonos

We depart from Mykonos and reach the island of Paros about an hour later. We stay in the main village of Parikia, not far from the ferry terminal. The centre of the island reaches heights of 800 meters. Renown for it’s beautiful villages build in the typical style of the Cyclades islands and stunning beaches, we start the exploration of the island with the most famous building, the church of 100 doors, build from around 600AD, to this day the church stands out for its frescos, the design and it’s long history. In the afternoon we visit the marble quarry, explore a mountain village before taking you to an outstanding beach. Rocks, Sand and crystal clear water is the perfect mix to relax.

Ferry
Mykonos – Paros, 1 hour

Activity
Visit of the byzantine church – ½ hours
Marble quarry, mountain village and beach – 3 hours

Accommodation
Hotel Asterias Hotel*** in Parikia, Paros

We take the early morning ferry to Antiparos, only 1.5 km separate the two islands and the ferry takes just 10 minutes. A Shuttle bus will bring us to the southern tip of the islands from where we take a small boat which will take us to Despotiko island, located just off the coast of Antiparos. Uninhabited, this is a place with lots of interesting archaeological sites. Still today previously unknown temples, buildings and sculptures are discovered. The sea between the islands is pristine and invites you to go for a swim. On our way to the main village we stop at an olive plantation. We will learn how the trees are harvested and we get an introduction into the production of olive oil. We pause in the biggest village to enjoy the narrow alleys, the white house’s often covered in Bougainvilla – no wonder that Tom Hanks has chosen this island as a base for his holiday home. In the afternoon we take the ferry back to Paros.

Activity
Despotiko island – visit of the archaeological sites
Olive plantation
Walk around the old city – Antiparos

Accommodation
Hotel Asterias Hotel*** in Parikia, Paros

On our way to Santorini our ship has a stopover in Naxos. Just next to the harbour you can see the famous antique Portara. About two hours after departure we arrive in Santorini. A shuttle bus will pick us up and we are brought to the accommodation place, located on the opposite site of the island, just next to the black lahar beach. We will then commence our island exploration, starting in Fira on top of the Caldera.
After some time for lunch, we catch a small boat which will bring us to the volcano in the heart of the caldera, Nea Kameni. We walk to the viewpoint and enjoy the scenery around us. Back in Santorini we take the gondola to get back up to the village of Fira. A great place to enjoy a sundowner and to chill at the end of the day. Busses are going regularly to our hotel.

Ferry
Paros – Naxos – Santorini: 2 hours
Santorini – Nea Kameni – Santorini, about 15 minutes each way

Activity
Nea Kameni, walk to the viewpoint on top of the volcano - 1 ½ hours return
Gondola to Fira

Accommodation
Lefkothea Hotel** or Levante Beach Hotel** in Kamari

Walk and dance lesson
We start in Fira and follow the walkway to the village of Oia. Both places are located on top of the cliff faces, whitewashed stone houses, with often small blue pools they form a stunning contrast to the sea in the background. Parts of the hike follow footpaths in the villages, but there is also a portion going through a lahar area. Bring good shoes, a hat and some sun cream. At the northern end of the island we climb down about 300 steps to get to the harbour of Amoudi. The shuttle bus will pick us up from here and will return us back to the hotel. In the evening you may also want to learn the Greek dance.

Activity
Firo – Oia – Amoudi Bay – Walking time 3 ½ hours, with breaks we will need about 6 hours.
Dancing lesson - 1 ½ hours

Accommodation
Lefkothea Hotel** or Levante Beach Hotel** in Kamari

We will spend about an hour on the water to reach Milos by Ferry. We walk to the hotel; it is only a couple of hundred meters on foot. The island encircles a large bay, where the few villages are located. Built on volcanic rocks the houses, rocks, sea and the flowers and trees allow for some interesting contrasts – this is why Milos is also known as island of colours. The most famous inhabitant – the Venus statue - is today in the Louvre/Paris. A copy of her can be seen in the archaeological museum. On our first day we explore the main town, always interesting is the feeding of the many cats in front of the church. Late afternoon we go for a walk to the lighthouse, from where we have a great view to the harbour town Adamas and to the western part of the island.

Ferry
Santorini – Milos

Activity
Exploration of Adamantes
Walk to the lighthouse - 1 ½ hours, both ways.

Accommodation
Hotel Meltemi***, Adamas

The antique places and a volcanic beach
We have organised E-bikes for you – they are easy to use and a lot of fun. We commence our island tour with the visit of the archaeological museum, close by we encounter the historic theatre and the catacombs. Colourful houses are lined up along the foreshore in Klima, the bottom part of the houses also serve as a parking spot for the fishing boat. A great place for our lunch stop. Our last destination today is a small hidden village surrounded by volcanic rocks and next to a great swimming beach.

Activity
Exploration by E-bikes
Museum
Theatre
Catacombs
Klima fishing village
Firopotamus beach and village

Accommodation
Hotel Meltemi***, Adamas

Beaches, Kimolos island and a mushroom rock.
We start our day at the Sarakiniko beach. The white rocks give us an impression as if one has arrived on the moon. No tree or green can be found here, and it is also a great place for a swim. We cycle to the village of Apollonia and take the ferry to the neighbouring island of Kimolos. In the heart of the island stands the very strange mushroom rock. On our trip around Kimolos we also encounter windmills before taking the ferry back to Milos. The Papafragas beach on the way back allows us to swim into caves and through rock holes. In the evening we all enjoy a farewell meal on our last day on the islands.

Ferry
Milos – Kimolos and return

Activity
Swimming and exploration of the Sarakiniko beach
Kimolos island with the Skiadi rock
Papafragas beach
Dinner

Accommodation
Hotel Meltemi***, Adamas

In about 4 hours the ferry brings us back to Piraeus and Athens. Depending on our arrival time we still have time to enjoy the Plaka in the heart of Athens.

Ferry
Milos – Piraeus

Accommodation
Adams Hotel**, Athens (Plaka)