Island Hopping in Cyclades

Flight programs
  • Mykonos
1 DAY
ARRIVAL IN ATHENS  – OVERNIGHT IN ATHENS

Transfer from the airport. Pick up by  our tour guide and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon optional dinner in a traditional restaurant in the scenic old city of Athens, Plaka. Return to our hotel.

 2 DAY
PIRAEUS – DEPARTURE TO NAXOS ISLAND 

After breakfast, we drive to the harbour of Piraeus. Departure at 07.30 and arrival in Naxos at 12.30. The entrance to the port of Naxos is unlike any other. In a few moments, the visitor can get a clear idea of the island’s rich historical background, its grandiose towers, its strong religious ties, its agricultural heritage and its recent tourist development. Transfer to the hotel. Naxos Island is the largest island in Cyclades and it is one of the most beautiful among the Greek Islands. It combines superb fine sand beaches, with fertile valleys and mountainous beauty. An island with rolling green hills and valleys with clusters of Byzantine churches, medieval towers, and villages with handsome neoclassical houses. The long sandy beaches, the lovely and lively capital town that has grown up in and around its own massive Venetian Castle. Overnight in Naxos.

3 DAY 
NAXOS ISLAND TOUR

The port of Naxos is perhaps the most impressive port in the Cyclades group of islands. At first glance, one can admire the island’s capital Naxos Town and its medieval castle, amphitheatrically built, facing the eastern coastline of Paros. Back on the main road, the traveler passes through Damarionas and Halki, two villages where the local aristocracy lived in fine Neoclassical houses. Further east along this road lies Filoti, built in amphitheatrical fashion on the foothills of Mount Zas and the beautiful village of Apeiranthos, clinging to the slopes of a low hill amongst densely-planted vineyards and with an enchanting view of the sea. Apeiranthos is one of the oldest settlements on the island, and has much in the way of interesting folklore to offer, as well as some remarkable examples of traditional architecture. After the village of Apeiranthos, the road from the Chora forks left towards the north of the island, passing through Koronos. Last visit to the village of Melanes with an ancient marble quarry where at the entrance to the quarry lies a kouros ten meters long, which has been there for centuries. Overnight in Naxos.

 

4 DAY
NAXOS – DEPARTURE TO SANTORINI

We travel from Naxos to Santorini. Departure is at 12.50 to Santorini and arrival at 15.15. Transfer to our hotel. Santorini is known by the name of the largest island in the archipelago, Thera, which is famous for the huge volcanic explosion which destroyed the settlements thereon, and created the current geological caldera. In the afternoon optional short excursion to the village Oia, where we can admire one of the most famous sunsets in the world. Oia gives you a different view of the islands consisting of the volcano (Palia & Nea Kameni) and of the small island of Thirasia. Return to our hotel. Overnight.

 

DAY
EXCURSION TO VOLCANO AND THIRASSIA ISLAND 

The tour starts with the bus transfer from the pick-up point to the port of Athinios and continues with the boat to the lava island of Nea Kameni. The boat will make a stop to give us the opportunity to ascend the soil path and approach the crater of the still active volcano. After seeing the crater, we will walk back down the path and get on boat. We’ll sail to the second lava island of Palea Kameni and reach the Hot Springs. The boat makes a stop approximately 50 meters from the opening so you can dive in the green sulphur waters of the hot springs or relax and enjoy the view. The tour continues to Thirasia island which was part of Santorini before the big explosion of the volcano. We will stay in Thirasia for two hours having the chance to go swimming, have lunch next to the sea or explore the village of Manolas with its winding steps and traditional houses. Sailing under Oia, on the way back to Athinios port, you may take wonderful pictures of the cliffs and the breathtaking scenery. At the port of Athinios, the bus will be waiting to take you back to our hotel.

 

6 DAY
PROPHET ILIAS –  MEGALOCHORI – AKROTIRI – PERIVOLOS BEACH – LOCAL WINERY

The tour starts by visiting the monastery „Prophet Ilias“, which was founded at the beginning of the 18th century. Apart from the carved wooden altarpiece, the monastery houses important old books, manuscripts and a collection of ethnographic material. After the Monastery we visit Megalochori, one of the most traditional villages on the Island. Our guide will take you through the narrow streets where you will have the opportunity to admire the traditional architecture and the unique craftsmanship of the local masons. Akrotiri archaeological site is our next destination. With the help of our guide, you will discover one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. Leaving the archaeological treasures, we head towards the beautiful beach of Perivolos at the south part of Santorini. Perivolos is an organized beach with black sand. We will stay for approximately two hours and have free time to go for a swim, eat in a local taverna or just relax and explore the area. To complete a perfect day, we will visit a local winery where you may taste different local wines and have a mini tutorial on the particular characteristics of Santorini vineyards. At the end of the tour the bus will take you back to the village you started the excursion.

 

7 DAY
SANTORINI ISLAND – DEPARTURE TO PAROS ISLAND

Free program. In the afternoon we travel from Santorini to Paros. Departure is at 15.30 and arrival in Paros at 18.45. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Paros.

 

8 DAY
PAROS ISLAND TOUR

The excursion starts from Parikia as we walk to the castle and the church of Saints Constantine and Helen, where is the old town and the most scenic spot of. Then, walking through the alleys, we arrive at one of the main attractions of Paros, Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of the oldest churches in the country, also called the church with 100 gates. Not only is an architectural and archaeological monument, the church of Our Lady of the Hundred Gates is also one of the most important pilgrimage sites throughout Greece. We continue with the bus to the port of Punda where we will take the ferry and find ourselves in Antiparos for a first acquaintance with the island and wander the narrow streets of the village and of course visit its venetian castle. Returning to Paros, we cross the southern coast, we pass from Aliki and Drios and reach Piso Livadi where we have free time for swimming and lunch (optional). The traditional architecture of Paros, you will meet with a stroll in Lefkes, the first capital of the island. The traditional settlement built amphitheatrically on the hillside offers a riveting view and will make you feel eventually that you are carried away to another era. In the afternoon we arrive at Naoussa, where we walk through the narrow streets of the village and of course visit the port of Naoussa, which is one of the most picturesque in Greece. Return to our hotel.

9 DAY
PAROS ISLAND – DEPARTURE TO PIREUS

Departure from Paros at 10.45 and arrival in the habor of Pireus at 15.00. Pick up by our tour guide – informational transfer with a short round tour in the city. Athens combines many of the city’s principal modern and classical sights. This tour includes an overview of the modern city and striking contrasts to the remains of its glorious past. Athens, the post Olympiad centre of the country, is one of the most modern and fast developing cities of Europe, with a cultural heritage that is one of the richest in the world. The Acropolis hill, the so-called “Sacred Rock” of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles’ Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.Heritage like: the Olympic Stadium, the world’s nicest marble stadium. The Greek Parliament, the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. PnyxSocrates’ prison, Ancient Agora, KeramikosMuseumHadrian’s  Gate and Thission are only some of the sights in the city of Athens.  Dinner and overnight in Athens.

10 DAY
TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT – DEPARTURE

After breakfast, transfer to the airport of  Athens, “Elefterios Venizelos”. Departure.