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Overview

Customized travel in Greece

This magnificent customized trip to Greece starts in Athens and then takes you island hopping in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. A tour of the Cyclades will take you to the island paradises of Santorini, Folegandros, and Milos, each island showing you a new and different side of Greece: some are touristy but cannot be missed, while others have managed to remain authentic and very much Greek. Enjoy the laidback island atmosphere, let time pass you by, and taste the lively and friendly ambiance of Greek village life. Your journey to the Dodecanese will take you to Rhodes, commercial center of Antiquity, where you’ll find Europe’s largest medieval town, fascinating archeological sites, and magnificent beaches. Travel worry-free, at your own pace, staying in unique lodgings, for a truly unforgettable experience.

Contact our Greece specialists today for more information on this wonderful customized trip to Greece!

Itinerary

Day 1 (preferably a Sunday)| International flight
Departure from Montreal – international flight

Day 2| Athens
Arrival at Athens airport followed by a private transfer to your downtown hotel. Once you are settled into your hotel, you are free to explore the area for the rest of the day. Overnight in Athens.

Day 3| Athens
This morning, breakfast is followed by a guided tour of the capital (as part of a group). Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon and feel free to make your own discoveries (we suggest Plaka and Monastiraki districts).

Day 4| Athens - Rhodes
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Athens airport for a flight to Rhodes. You will be taken to your hotel in the old town upon your arrival in the island of the knights. Overnight in Rhodes.

Days 5-7| Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. Its sunny weather, lush natural landscape, beautiful beaches, and historical sites attract numerous visitors. Rhodes, the island of the knights, is truly rich in history. Numerous foreign invasions have left their mark on local culture and the islanders’ lifestyle.

Highlights of Rhodes:
Rhodes’ Old Town is Europe’s largest medieval city. It is considered one of the most important monuments in the world’s cultural heritage. A stroll in its alleys is like a voyage through time, as you walk by different periods of history. There are plenty of interesting sites to visit, including the medieval castle, the gates, the town squares, the medieval churches, the bridges, the clock tower, and, of course, the castle of the knights. Digging deeper in Rhodes’ history, you will discover the temples of Zeus and Athena as well as that of Apollo and the ancient stadium.

The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This 31-meter-high bronze statue was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC and never rebuilt. Today, no trace of it remains.

Lindos is a beautiful small city south of Rhodes. The acropolis of Lindos is almost as famous as the one in Athens. Despite mass tourism, Lindos has managed to remain authentic.
Ancient Kamiros: the valley of the butterflies, 15 km southwest of Rhodes, is a butterfly-filled haven of peace surrounded by hills.

Day 8| Rhodes - Santorini
Breakfast followed by a private transfer from your hotel to Rhodes airport for your flight to Santorini. Upon your arrival, hop on your private transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Santorini.

Days 9 and 10| Santorini
A day of discovery in Santorini. What more can be said about this beautiful island that hasn’t already been said? There is magic at play here, even in high season when the crowds roll in. All you have to do is to settle into a remote place and enjoy the views on the Caldera, perhaps from your private balcony or terrace. Careful: you might discover your own inner philosopher as you gaze at the beautiful landscape. Apart from the lovely trails – especially the one taking you from Thira to Oia along the cliff walls – don’t miss the archeological museum and the wall paintings in Thira.

Day 11| Santorini – Folegandros
After breakfast, private transfer to Santorini port. Travel to Folegandros.

Days 12 and 13| Folegandros
Though the small island of Folegandros (32 km2, approx. population: 650) has now become an “in” destination, it remains authentic. This island is often called the island of peace, due to the atmosphere of peace and tranquility that reigns here. It’s not easy to reach, which means that tourist hordes haven’t made it here yet. There are three villages on the island, linked by a paved road: Karavostasi (the port), Chora, Ano Meria, and Agali beach.
Cars and motorcycles are not allowed in Chora. There is a unique town center where you can enjoy a nice meal in a romantic and tranquil atmosphere. Visit the Kastro, a small 13th century fortress built by Venetians in 1210. Perched on top of the hill, Panagia church makes for a pleasant stroll and offers splendid views of Chora and the western coast.

The village of Ano Meria is surrounded by fields. Come here to enjoy taverns and kafeneions characteristic of the area. Karavostasi, the main port, also has plenty of taverns and boutiques of all kinds.
There are many small beaches on Folegandros, accessible by car, on foot, or on a small boat. Karavostasi and Livadi have pebble beaches while beautiful sand beaches can be found in Agali and Katergo. This island is a paradise for divers.

Day 14| Folegandros - Milos
After breakfast head to the port of Folegandros for your ferry to Milos. Upon your arrival hop on your private transfer to your hotel.

Days 15 and 16| Milos
Milos is the easternmost island in the Cyclades, located about 86 nautical miles from Piraeus, approximately halfway between Piraeus and Crete. It has one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean. Its volcanic origin is the source of many interesting natural phenomena: hot springs in the hills and shores, but also in the sea, at various places on the southern coast. Its mineral-rich substratum contains kaolin, bauxite, sulfur, perlite, and obsidian, making this Mediterranean island even more unique. The island’s volcanic rocks display a variety of colors and shapes as a result of their volcanic formation, earning the island its name: Milos, the island of color. The island’s 5000 inhabitants mainly live in the villages of Plaka, Pollonia, Tripiti, Adamantas, and Triovasalos. We strongly recommend visiting the island’s villages: their small white houses, little gardens, and Cycladic architecture are a perfect representation of life in the Aegian islands.
Don’t miss the Arkoudes, these rocks that nature sculpted in the shape of a bear. Tripiti’s antique theatre was probably built during the Hellenic period, though what remains of it now seems to date back to the Roman era. It’s worth the visit, as are the archeological museum in Plaka, the catacombs, and Cape Vani.

Day 17| Milos - Athens
After breakfast a private transfer will take you to the port of Milos for your ferry to Athens. When you arrive, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. One last dinner at a typical tavern.

Day 18| Departure
Breakfast is followed by a private transfer to Athens airport for your flight back to Montreal.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Lodging

4-Star Supplement
Prices for the above program are based on 3-Star accommodation. For those looking for a little extra comfort, it is possible to follow this itinerary while staying in higher-end 4-Star accommodation. Should you choose this option, you will be staying at the following hotels (subject to availability):

Athens: Hotel Herodion www.herodion.com
Rhodes: Mediterranean Hotel www.mediterranean.gr
Santorini: Ira Hotel www.ira-hotel.com
Folegandros: Folegandros Apts. www.folegandros-apartements.com
Milos: Zepos Studios

Overview

Greece boasts 16,000 km of coastline evenly split between its thousands of islands and the mainland. The Greek shores offer exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc. The diversity of these shores combined with the crystal clear waters that surround them have made the world-famous Greek islands extremely popular. In 2004, 378 Greek beaches and 7 marinas were awarded the blue flag under the “Blue Flags of Europe” program, placing Greece among Europe’s best.
The Greek shores are easily accessible and you can discover these in complete freedom, usually with few other swimmers around. There are also dozens of beaches offering a number of quality services, including parasols, chairs, changing rooms, cafés, bars, restaurants, etc.
Apart from swimming, many other water sports are available, including water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing (solo or duo), tubing, banana boating, jet skiing, pedal boating, etc.


The islands...
In the Aegean sea, little white houses bask in a bright and warm sun, surrounded by crystal clear waters: welcome to the Cyclades! The Greek islands are probably the country’s most famous asset. They are an integral part of society and have shaped its culture and traditions.
There are 6,000 islands and islets scattered between the Aegean and Ionian seas, only 227 of which are inhabited, a phenomenon unique in all of Europe. The Greek islands boast 7,500 km of shores, for a national total of 16,000 km. These shores display exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc.
Many beaches have received awards from the Blue Flags of Europe program. Apart from swimming, they lend themselves to scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. As they represent the cradle of some of the most ancient and prosperous European civilizations (the Cycladic, Minoan civilizations, etc.), the islands boast unique archaeological sites, an outstanding architectural heritage, and centuries-old, fascinating local traditions of a multifaceted cultural past. It’s not surprising then that 58.5% of the country’s lodging establishments and 62.6% of hotel beds are found on the islands (data for 2003). All the above, combined with the ideal climate, the safety of Greek waters and the short distances between ports and coasts, have made these islands extremely popular among Greek and foreign visitors.

Geography

Greece is a mountainous country, with more than 300 mountains of varying sizes on its territory. The Pindus Mountains, often called the “spine of Greece”, form the country’s main mountain range, extending from the mainland down to the Peloponnese and Crete. Most Greek islands are actually the peaks of the underwater Aegean mountains that long ago connected Greece with continental Asia. The country’s highest mountain is the mythical Mount Olympus in Macedonia, where Mytikas peak culminates at 2917 m. Some 40 mountainous areas spread across the country have peaks rising over 2,000 meters. The Greek mountains are characterized by their diversity, their unique landscape and their exceptional forests, some of which are among Europe’s oldest natural forests. To help protect their unparalleled natural wealth (flora and fauna), many of these forests are classified as natural reserves.

Culture

Greece is filled with prestigious archeological sites and charming monuments rich in history, each a reminder of a specific period in this country’s long and impressive history. Visitors have the opportunity to make a unique journey into Greece’s past and discover its historical and cultural wealth, each of the country’s regions bearing a local reminder of one of this ancient civilization’s many facets.

The following archeological and cultural sites are on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites:

• Mount Athos (monastery complex)
• Athens (Acropolis)
• Bassae (temple of Apollo Epicurus)
• Vergina - Aigai
• Delphi (archeological site)
• Delos (archeological site)
• Epidaurus (archeological site)
• Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments in Thessalonika
• Meteora monasteries
• Mystras (medieval town)
• Monasteries of Dafni (Attica), Hosios Loukas (Phocida) and Nea Moni of Chios
• Archeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns
• Olympia (archeological site)
• Patmos (Saint-John monastery and cave of the Apocalypse)
• Medieval city of Rhodes
• Samos (Pythagoreion and Heraion)

Climate

The climate in Greece is Mediterranean, which means plenty of sunshine, little rain, and warm temperatures. Thanks to its geographical location, mountainous terrain, and a territory split between the sea and the mainland, Greece’s climate varies considerably as one travels from one place to another. In the summer, the Meltelmi winds bring a breath of fresh air on the warmer days, while the temperatures remain lower in the mountainous areas. In the plains, winters are fair with little snowfall, while the mountains receive their fair share of snow. Temperature variations within the same season are frequent (for example, coastal temperatures are warm while it’s very cold in the mountains).

When to sail?

April/May/mid-June:
Spring in the islands offers lots of sunshine. The flowers are in bloom and the air full of Mediterranean fragrances. Moderate winds and a warm breeze mean the conditions are right for family sailing. The sea is still cold in April, but once May rolls in the water becomes more inviting.




Mid-June/July/August:
Warm and dry summer, more demanding sailing conditions due to Northern winds: the Meltemi. Enjoy fine evenings and refreshing sunsets as you drop anchor in a warm and lively port in the Cyclades.

September/October:
“A lovely autumn that doesn’t fear winter”. After summer, things calm down. Winds become moderate. The days get shorter, but the sunsets are more beautiful. Having been warmed by the sun all summer long, the water temperature is ideal. Smooth sailing and fair weather for those who dread the summer heat.