12 Days Athens | Santorini | Heraklion | Rhodes - Greece - TZ12D

DAY 1

ATHENS

Welcome to Athens the birthplace of Western Civilization, the Capital of Greece! Upon Arrival at Athens International Airport meet with your English-speaking escort, transfer to your hotel. A welcome envelope will be handed to you with all relevant information about your trip. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Athens

 

DAY 2

DAY 2

ATHENS

Ancient yet modern, classic yet creative, traditional yet constantly changing… Athens is a city of memorable contrasts. The past and the present of Athens unfolds before your eyes while we drive around the city's highlight spots and monuments like the Temple of Zeus, the Old Stadium, Syntagma square, the Parliament and the Tomb to the Unknown soldier, the Academy, the Library, and the National Gardens. On the natural fortress of the Acropolis, reinforced by the hand of man, stand the Propylaea, the temple of the Winged Victory, Erechtheion with the Porch of the Caryatids and, towering over all, and the majestic Parthenon.  A winding path leads to the treasure of antiquity. Visible are the relics of the civilization of which we are the proud inheritors.  A few meters away from the Acropolis entrance and the Ancient Theatre of Dionysos, the New Acropolis Museum, built on pedestrian walkway of Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, looks like hanging between the past and the present of Athens. 

Designed by Bernard Tschumi and Mihalis Fotiades, the new Acropolis Museum has a total area of 25,000 square meters, with exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters. Made of stainless steel, glass, marble and concrete, materials typical of the Athenian environment, the new museum has a direct view of the Acropolis. With bioclimatic planning, which gives ideal lighting and heating conditions, the New Museum offers all the amenities expected in an international museum of the 21st century. Overnight Athens

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 3

ATHENS | SANTORINI

After breakfast transfer to Piraeus port for embarkation to the ferry boat for Santorini. Upon arrival at Santorini meet with your English-speaking escort for meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Santorini

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 4

DAY 4

SANTORINI -Semi Private Tour

Follow us on a journey through time, while trying to unveil the myths and legends of more than 4000 years of History. First stop will be the Monastery of Prophet Elias, one of the oldest monasteries and the highest point of the Island. Next stop the Archaeological site of Akrotiri, one of the main urban centers of the Aegean. Our next stop will be a visit to a traditional canava (home-cellar) tasting 3 different types of wines of Santorini. Step on an ancient vineyard and get information for the special “terroir” of Santorini wine and the famous white grape variety. Free time for swimming followed by a “meze” style lunch including variety of tapas the majority made from local products such as fava, cherry tomato, round zucchinis, white eggplants and more!!! After lunch transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight Santorini

Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch

DAY 5

DAY 5

SANTORINI

Day at leisure to relax and recharge! Overnight Santorini

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6

DAY 6

SANTORINI | HERAKLION- CRETE

Morning at leisure. Transfer to Santorini port for embarkation to the high-speed boat for Heraklion Crete. Upon arrival at Heraklion meet with your English-speaking Escort and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Heraklion

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

DAY 7

HERAKLION- Half day Private Tour

Drive to Knossos the ancient capital of the great king Minos. The original palace of Knossos was constructed around 1.900 B.C. Some two-hundred years later it was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt on a grander scale. The final catastrophe occurred around 1.500-1.450 B.C. with the eruption of the volcano in Santorini. Despite this blow, people continued to live there for another fifty years, until a fire swept throughout the city circa 1.400 B.C. Your guided tour will take you through the fantastic ruins of the ancient palace complex, which served as the administrative and religious centers for the whole region. The restoration undertaken by Sir Arthur Evans, though criticized by some for its modernity, helps the tourist to both visualize the palace as it was and understand its labyrinthine complexity. The living quarters of the king and queen and members of the royal court, rooms for state occasions, theater area, store rooms and potters' workshops are all within the palace complex. The Archaeological Museum houses a unique collection of artifacts from the Minoan civilization The displays of idols made of terra cotta, marble and alabaster, collections of gold, jewelry, ivory, figurines, sarcophagi and frescoes will give you an insight into this artistic-minded civilization and complement your visit to Knossos. After the visit you will have the chance to walk around Heraklion city and taste the famous cream pie! Overnight Heraklion

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 8

DAY 8

HERAKLION- Full Day Private Tour of Elounda

We depart from the hotel on route to the picturesque little town of Elounda, on the seafront of Mirambello Bay. From the harbor, we will take a 20 min boat trip to the small island of Spinalonga situated in the entrance of Elounda Bay. The island is crowned by a 16th century Venetian fortress which we shall enter and explore its Venetian houses, Churches, Cisterns and Bastions. From the beginning of the 20th century until 1957 the Island was used as a leper- colony leaving behind its many buildings and the old hospital in which you will find a small memorial. We continue with a visit to the beautiful town of Aghios Nikolaos, with its scenic lake which is said to be bottomless. Here you can explore the capital of East Crete, shopping in the city or visiting the cafes in front of the lake. Leaving the charming resort town of Agios Nikolaos, you will head back to your hotel. Overnight Heraklion

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 9

DAY 9

HERAKLION | RHODES

Early breakfast and transfer to Heraklion Airport for your flight to Rhodes. Upon Arrival at Rhodes airport meet with your English-speaking Escort and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Rhodes

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 10

DAY 10

RHODES- Full Day Tour of Symi Island

All aboard to a unique day-cruise to the picturesque island of Symi.

No sooner does one land than it becomes obvious why this has been voted as one of the most scenic islands of the Dodecanese! Our first port of call is Panormitis, site of the renowned, homonymous monastery. A 50 minutes stay is foreseen, during which one has the opportunity of visiting the monastery’s chapel and premises, admiring the exquisite Byzantine hagiographies and wood-carved screen. Noon will find you at the port of Symi. During the three-hour stay you will be given the opportunity to discover this delightful, venetian-looking settlement that amazed you already as the boat slowly sailed in the bay!

Well-preserved and masterfully refurbished traditional homes raising one next to the other, against an ascetic setting of steep rocky hills dominate this ancient port – yours to visit, together with the sponge-mongers' shops, the fish taverns and the maze of narrow streets. Overnight Rhodes

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11

DAY 11

RHODES- Day at Leisure

Day at leisure to relax and recharge! Overnight Rhodes

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12

RHODES- Departure

After breakfast transfer to Rhode’s airport for your departure flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Athens including breakfast
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Santorini Island including breakfast
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Heraklio of Crete Island including breakfast
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Rhodes Island including breakfast
  • Professional English-speaking Escort for meet & greet at all places upon arrival
  • Economy ferry boat ticket from Athens to Santorini (07.25-14:50) / Numbered seat
  • Economy high speed boat ticket from Santorini to Heraklio Crete (16.00-17.45) / Numbered seat
  • Economy air ticket from Heraklio to Rhodes including one piece of luggage 23kg per person
  • Half day Regular tour of Athens with Professional English-Speaking Licensed Guide) (4-5hrs), including entrance fees
    • Entrance fees Athens: Acropolis, Acropolis Museum.
  • Semi-Private Santorini Tour (6hrs)
    • Transportation from/to the hotel with a/c bus
    • Professional English-speaking escort
    • Professional English-speaking Driver
    • Handy map of the Island and Akrotiri excavations
    • Visit of a home cellar OR selected winery
    • Light Lunch “Meze” style
  • Private Half Day tour of Heraklio including Professional English-speaking guide (4hrs)
    • Entrance Fees of Knossos & Archeological Museum
    • Custard cream pie tasting, cheese & crème, two tastes
  • Private Full day tour from Heraklio to Elounda including Professional English-Speaking guide (7hrs)
    • Roundtrip boat ticket to Spinalonga Island
    • Treat of a kaltsouni, raki and Greek coffee
  • Regular Full Day Tour to Symi Island (approximately 10hrs)
    • Roundtrip shared transfers from/to hotel
    • Ferry boat roundtrip ticket to Symi Island
    • On board entertainment with a musician and 80’s classics

Exclusions:

  • International flight tickets
  • Guidance inside Akrotiri excavations during Santorini tour
  • Entrance fees to Akrotiri 12€ per person during Santorini tour
  • Domestic flight from Rhodes-Athens
  • Personal expenses
  • Luggage Storage. Subject to hotel availability.
  • Airport & Hotel Portage & Trolleys
  • Tips for drivers, escorts, guides
  • Any other service not mentioned above
  • Greece Overnight Stay Tax payable directly at the hotel: 7€/night for 4* Hotels & 10€/night for 5* Hotels
  • Ferry times are subject to change
HOTELS
                                 HOTEL NAME
4*
 Athens Titania or similar
Santorini El Greco/Santorini Palace or similar
Heraklion Astoria Capsis/Castello City or similar
Rhodes Best Western Rhodes Plaza or similar
4* Superior
 Athens Acropolian Spirit / Athenian Callirhoe or similar
Santorini Cliffside Suites / Belvedere Suites / Andromeda or similar
Heraklion Ibis Styles / Olive Green or similar
Rhodes Best Western Rhodes Plaza or similar
5*
 Athens Wyndham Grand / Royal Olympic or similar
Santorini Majestic / Costa Grand or similar
Heraklion Galaxy / Aquila Atlantis or similar
Rhodes Rodos Park Suites & Spa or similar