1
ARRIVAL ATHENS
Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival at Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos, International Airport, you will be greeted by a local representative, who will assist with your luggage and escort you to your hotel in Athens. The lovely aroma of creamy olive oil wraps around the streets. You can see the pristine pillars of the ancient city rising above you on Acropolis Hill. We suggest a stroll along the Plaka, one of the oldest inhabited streets in Athens, where the polished cobblestones give a charming air to the neighborhood at the foothill of the Parthenon. Antiquated mansions line the pathways. The scent of traditional Greek recipes drift from the variety of restaurants, from roasted souvlaki to honeyed baklava. When the sun starts to set you can watch the Acropolis glow like the moon beneath the night sky. Overnight in Athens
2
ATHENS TOUR
After your delicious breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for your Athens Tour. The tour begins with the House of the Greek Parliament, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and watch the changing of the guards. Your tour continues towards the National Gardens and on to the beautiful neoclassical Zappeion Hall, in front of which tower the surviving columns of the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, both of which you will have the opportunity to visit. From there you walk towards the Acropolis through the beautiful pedestrian walk way of Dionysiou Areopagitou and you pass by the Melina statue. You will enter the Acropolis from the south slope so as to avoid the crowds & also to visit the Dionysus sanctuary and Dionysus Theatre built in the 5th century BC. As you begin to ascend the sacred hill a breathtaking view of the city below will unfold. Your guide will give you a detailed explanation of the glorious monuments of the Acropolis such as, the Parthenon, the Erectheion, the Propylaia, the Nike Temple, the Agrippa Monument & the surrounding monuments such as the Herodes Atticus Odeon, the Ancient Agora, the Observatory as well as the Philopappos, Mars & Pnyx Hills. You visit also the Acropolis Museum – the definite must visit. In the afternoon after the end of the tour,you have free time to relax. You can also hop on the tram and visit the coastal suburbs of Athens with the great restaurants and elegant bars ideal for upscale night-time entertainment. Overnight in Athens
Breakfast
3
ATHENS AT LEISURE
You will have the day free to explore the city of Athens on your own, or take an optional tour. One such tour we can recommend is the Cape Sounion Tour ( at CAD 80 per person additional). Your optional tour to Cape Sounion – The Temple of Poseidon. Driving along the coastal road past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and countless coves, one has a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf. A crowning feature of the tour Cape Sounion dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean sea. Sounio has been a sacred site since very ancient times. The “sanctuary of Sounion” is first mentioned in the Odyssey, as the place where Menelaus stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides. Archaeological evidence has shown that there were two organized places of worship on the cape by the 7th century BC: a sanctuary of Poseidon at the southern edge and a sanctuary of Athena about 500 mt to the northeast. Overnight in Athens
Breakfast
4
SANTORINI
Enjoy your delicious breakfast, check out and you will be transferred to the port for your hydrofoil to Santorini. As soon as you arrive you will be welcomed by local representative who will transfer you to your hotel. In the evening you can have dinner in one of the caldera-rimmed restaurants while watching the famous Santorini sunset, a unique once in a lifetime experience. Overnight in Santorini
Breakfast
5
SANTORINI AT LESIURE
Enjoy a day at leisure on this magnificent island, spend the day exploring Santorini’s towns, beaches and visiting its wineries. Indications tell us that viticulture and vine processes on the island of Santorini go back 3500 years, from 1700 B.C., in the form of pips that were found during excavations at Akrotiri and also pot engravings depicting grapes. Today Santorini constitutes one of the best organized wine-tourist destination with visitable wineries, excellent restaurants and wine tasting. Megalohori is a great place to visit by ATV as it has 4 great wineries: Gavalas Vineyard, Antoniou, Boutari, and Canava Roussos. Also, there is the famous Santos Winery in nearby Pyrgos. Or you may enjoy this day at leisure on Santorini sitting by the pool, relaxing with a cocktail, dreaming of blue seas. Or, if you are feeling energetic, walk to Santorini’s capital, Fera, with its shops, museums, tavernas & nightlife. Hop a taxi back to your hotel after a night of dancing. Overnight in Santorini
Breakfast
6
CRETE
Enjoy the panorama of the horizon one last time at breakfast before you make your way to the port and board the hydrofoil set for Crete. The crescent island drifts into the distance and disappears beyond the horizon. Sailing along the Mediterranean brings the Venetian castle of Heraklion into view. The strong stones stand proud in front of the city on guard for centuries overlooking the sea. Upon your arrival in the capital of Crete transfer and check-in to your beautiful accommodation. Look out to the water and you can see the castle’s guard continuing against the crash of the sea against the rocks. Overnight in Crete
7
CRETE AT LEISURE
The day is yours to find the treasures of Crete at your leisure, whether exploring the splendid beaches or the Samaria Gorge, the largest of the Greek Isles is at your whim and pleasure. Just outside the center of Heraklion are the ruins of Knossos Minoan Palace. The ancient site is said to be the location of the notorious Minotaur whose story, at its core, is a heartfelt tale of love by Ariadne for Theseus. The decadence of the palace may no longer be in tact but the grandeur is no less present still. The large stones and precision that exists within the palace remains are extraordinary, including the colors once used on the frescos, and since refurbished. The Great Propylaea continues its tradition of greeting guests at the entrance of the palace in proud fashion with murals that represent the servants serving wine to visitors. The queen’s bath is adorned with dolphins sweeping across the walls. The sensation of the palace is in its very existence, where romantics can find beauty in the walls, the pillars, the colors, and the legend of the Minotaur. Overnight in Crete
Breakfast
8
CRETE AT LEISURE
Your final day in Crete gives you the freedom to explore the island as you desire. The city of Chania in Western Crete is said to be one of the true jewels of the island. The colorful buildings wrap around the harbor like a mini Venice. The water is crystal clear, where you can see minnows swimming and the rocky ocean floor magnified by the sunlight. The edge of the city is adorned with the walls of a fortress that once watched over Chania protecting it from pirates and invaders. Across from the fortress stands the lighthouse that continues to offer guidance to fisherman and boats in the evening darkness. Stroll along the narrow paths of the winding, maze-like streets. The sky is barely visible beneath the sprawling bougainvillea and closely pressed buildings. Part of the romance of Chania is the seclusion of getting lost along the paths. Tiny restaurants fill the lanes with tables and the lovely scent of roasted meats cooked in a clay pot. When the sun starts to set the city lights up along the water’s edge glistening in the reflection of the Mediterranean. Agios Nikolaos is a village along the eastern shores of the island that manages to blend the splendor of art, the beauty of leisure, and the serene balance of a seemingly sleepy yet bustling town. The small-town feel of Agios Nikolaos gives you an immediate connection to its charm. The buildings look over the lake and port, Kitroplatia beach and the marina. The lake is a deep lush blue connected to the sea by a narrow inlet. Cafes and restaurants surround the water and fill the air with a mixture of coffee, honey, melted cheese, and crepes. Stroll through the quaint streets or along the shore, either way you can be rest assured that your day in Crete is brimming with the majesty of the Mediterranean. Overnight in Crete
Breakfast
9
CRETE – DEPARTURE FLIGHT
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Heraklion Airport, for your connecting flight to Athens, before flight back home with everlasting memories of Greece! Goodbye and Antío and see you soon.
Breakfast
