Breakfast at your hotel at your leisure.

Free time to explore on your own! The hotel has a great spa if that interests you. We will meet in the lobby as a group at 12 PM to walk to lunch if you would like to join or free to do your own things since the morning is free to do as you wish. We will meet in the hotel lobby again at 2:30 PM for our evening tour of the Acropolis!

12:00 PM- Meet in the lobby to walk to lunch at a local restaurant: Grill House Vassilis, 14 Fr. Smith, Neos Kosmos, Athina 117 45 via Leof. Andrea Siggrou

2:30 PM- Departure time for our excursion to the Acropolis.

The best way to see Athens is a private walking tour. You can feel the vibes, explore every sense, meet the locals, and taste street food! 

Start the day by walking to the Acropolis Hill, where you’ll enjoy Parthenon, the Erectheion & the surrounding monuments. Then descend to the Acropolis Museum to have a view of fascinating exhibitions. Continue by crossing Andrianou Street, the most distinctive street of the Plaka neighborhood, the imposing Roman Agora, the vivid life of Monastiraki Square, and the surrounding streets. 

8:00 PM -  Dinner as a group at Mystilli.

Hotel/Lodging:

Grand Hyatt Athens

Address: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 115, Athina 117 45, Greece

Phone: +30 21 4402 1234

Breakfast at your leisure.

5:40 AM - Today, we will be transferred to the port for our cruise to the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos to enjoy the perfect beach and fantastic nightlife! White and Blue mix in this beautiful Cycladic architecture and narrow alleys of Mykonos town. 

Ferry Time: Pireaus to Mykonos 2.35 hours

We'll enjoy some free time to get settled until our cooking class in the afternoon.

12:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel or on your own.

3:30 PM - Meet at reception for transfer for our local Greek cooking class. 

We will learn about the Mykonian culture and Greece through its delicious food, and the best way to do this is by taking the Mykonian spiti hands-on cooking class. Then, we will be picked up with the Mykonian Spiti's vehicles from the specific location and transferred to Mykonian Spiti, where you will be welcomed with the traditional "loukoumi" accompanied by Teta's liqueur. 

Right after, we will visit the vegetable garden to learn how to cultivate seasonal vegetables used in the kitchen of Mykonian Spiti for food preparation. Then, in the corner of the park, we will find Myconian traditional food like rusk with local cheese named" kopanisti," tomato, olives," louza" (traditional Myconian smoked pork), local sausage accompanied with handmade wine, and Cretan raki. 

Before serving dinner or lunch, we will start the cooking lessons, which will last for 45 minutes with the responsibility of Teta. First, we will learn to make spinach pie, stuffed tomatoes and peppers, and the famous tzatziki. Then, depending on the number of participants, the guests will take turns helping the hostess prepare the meal. Immediately after, dinner or lunch will be served consisting of all the dishes of the lesson (spinach pie, stuffed tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, seasonal salad, feta cheese, and kopanisti, and the main dish, orzo with beef).

To do the session well, seasonal fruit and a handmade dessert will be served, which will be washed down by unlimited drinks like the traditional "Raki," handcrafted wines, and other fruit juices. Then before we leave, there will be a photo session with guests and staff, guestbook dedications, and a small gift bag for two participants loaded with traditional flavors and drinks. Once done, our escort will wait to transfer us back to the hotel or drop you off at any location you request.

Hotel/Lodging:

Mykonos Ammos Hotel

Address: Ornos 846 00, Greece

Phone: +30 2289 022600

Breakfast at your leisure.

Options for today:

1. Free time to relax at the hotels pool or beach.

2. Free time to explore Mykonos town.

3. Boat cruise for swim stops. This is a shared boat experience and not recommended for those prone to sea sickness.

9:30 AM - Meet at reception. Our cruise boat leaves Mykonos’ old port and arrives approx. 45min. later at Rhenia island. We anchor by a deserted beach where we’ll have time to swim in the crystal-clear waters. Lunch will be served onboard after.

A snorkel mask can be rented for 15 euros if interested.

At around 2:30 PM, we sail to Delos Island to admire the archeological site (the entrance fee of 8-12 euro is paid directly at entrance if you want to visit). If you don’t want to see Delos, your captain will visit another beach near Delos and continue swimming while the rest of the group explores Apollo’s birthplace. At around 4:30 PM, we’ll start the trip back to Mykonos and the Old Port after a day full of fun in the sun. 

1 hour free time in Mykonos time before heading back to the hotel for dinner.

8:00 PM - Group dinner at the hotel: MyAmmos

Hotel/Lodging:

Mykonos Ammos Hotel

Address: Ornos 846 00, Greece

Phone: +30 2289 022600

Breakfast at your leisure at the hotel.

9:00 AM - Meet at reception for our ferry to Santorini. Boat departure is 9:50 AM. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel in Santorini. 

Ferry Time: Mykonos to Santorini 1.55 hours

Relax at this scenic volcanic island with its breathtaking views and white-washed houses draped along the high cliffs of Santorini's breathtaking "Caldera." You'll have some free time to walk through Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli villages. Sample at local stores a variety of local cheeses and Santorini's famous tomato paste and "Fava."

1:00 PM: Lunch will be at your hotel this day. Amy will have lunch with the Magma group and Brian will have lunch with the Aressana group. 

We recommend the following activities during your free time:

Arrange a taxi from the hotel to go in to Oia ( pronounced Ey-Ya)

Walk around the various shops by the hotel

Visit a local winery ( Santorini is know for their white wines)

Pool time at either the Magma Resort or the Aressana Resort

Enjoy a spa service at the resort

Catch the famous Santorini Sunset. Santorini is known for their sunset. You can view from your hotel or in Oia town.  Oia is know for the sunset spot but it is super busy. You can go ahead of time, grab a table with a view and enjoy the sunset from one of the various restaurants to avoid the crowds. A taxi to Oia can be arrange through the front desk. Sunset at 7:55 PM. 

7:30 PM - If you are around, a group dinner reservation has been made at a local restaurant ( Ouzerito) to watch the famous Santorini sunset! We will meet at a group in the lobby at the Aressana hotel at 7:15 PM to walk to dinner.
 

Hotel/Lodging:

Aressana Hotel Santorini

Address: Mitropoleos, Thira 847 00, Greece

Phone: +30 2286 023900

or

Magma Resort Santorini

Address: Vourvoulos 847 00, Greece

Phone: +30 2286 441234

Overnight stay at the Aressana Spa Hotel or Magma Resort. Both hotels are 5-star. Those needing two beds will be at the Aressana, as the Magma Resort only has rooms with one bed.

Breakfast at your leisure, followed by free time to explore independently. Today the day is yours to explore Santorini at your leisure. To avoid the heat and the crowds, we'll meet in the evening for a Culinary hike and wine tasting.

1:00 PM: Lunch will be held at a local restaurant (TBD) if you want to join, or you are free to have lunch on your own this day since you will have the morning free to do as you wish.

Free time from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM

Some suggestions for your free time:

Arrange a taxi from the hotel to go in to Oia ( pronounced Ey-Ya)

Explore Fira and the various shops. There is a free shuttle to Fira from the Magma hotel. Please arrange through the front desk.

Laundry can be washed if given a 4 hour window by Santos Laundry

Visit a local winery ( Santorini is know for their white wines)

Pool time at either the Magma Resort or the Aressana Resort. The resort are a half hour walk from one another or you can arrange a taxi from the hotel front desk staff.

7:20 PM: Meet in front of Aressana Spa Hotel to meet our guides. We will start the walk from the hotel and enjoy a spectacular sunset as a group as we walk towards our dinner spot.

We will take a 2 hour walk on a section of the world-famous Fira-Oia hike. The walk is on pavement or cobblestone. It is mainly incline with some stairs and poor lighting at times due to us walking after sunset. The walk through the villages offers stunning photo opportunities. Our tour also includes a delicious dinner at Avocado Restaurant to taste a variety of greek foods.

Duration: Hiking time 2 hours – total time 3 1/2 hours. Distance: 3,5 Km. Return back to hotel around 11:00 PM.

If you are not interested in the hike, we can arrange transport directly to the winery for you at no additional charge. Please let us know in advance. 

Overnight stay at the Aressana Spa Hotel or Magma Resort. Both hotels are 5-star. Those needing two beds will be at the Aressana, as the Magma Resort only has rooms with one bed.

Hotel/Lodging:

Aressana Hotel Santorini

Address: Mitropoleos, Thira 847 00, Greece

Phone: +30 2286 023900

or

Magma Resort Santorini

Address: Vourvoulos 847 00, Greece

Phone: +30 2286 441234

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. Today the morning is yours to do as you wish.

12:00 PM: Lunch will be held at the hotel if you want to join, or you are free to have lunch on your own this day since you will have the morning free.

2:30 PM: Meet at reception for our ferry to Crete. Boat departure is at 4:00 PM. 

Today we will transfer from our hotel in Santorini to the port for your cruise to the Island of Crete—a Culinary paradise with friendly people and unique sites. Arrive in Chania and settle at your hotel. Relax at the old port next to the water and taste traditional local recipes.

Ferry Time: Santorini to Crete 1.45 hours

The drive time to the hotel is 2 hours so we will get to the hotel around 8:30 PM. We will drop off our bags and walk next door to have dinner.

* Please note that today is a long travel day to the island of Crete.

8:30 PM: Dinner at Oinomelo

Hotel/Lodging:

Cretan Dream Resort & Spa

Address: Kato Stalos, Stalos, Chania 731 10, Greece

Phone: +30 2821 036800

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. The morning is free for you to explore as you wish. There is a beach across the street if you are interested in a beach day. 

5:15 PM: Meet at reception for group departure. Tour Company: Cretan Activities

This will be a private sightseeing tour of the Old Town with special focus on local history and heritage. We will see top landmarks including the Old Venetian Harbor, Lighthouse of Chania, Firkas Fortress, and Hassan Pascha Mosque. We will get to know Chania's Old Town and the many cultures that influenced its character.

What To Expect:

Old Venetian Harbor. The old town of Chania with the beautiful Venetian harbor is the heart of the city of Chania and its prefecture that beats loudly during the summer. Numerous people, tourists and residents of Chania, people of all ages, come here and collect what the historic old town and the enchanting Venetian harbor has to offer. You will come across archaeological excavations have brought to light many findings, including floor plans of entire buildings that prove that Chania is built on the site of an important ancient Cretan city named Cydonia, and according to tradition, Cydonia was the third largest city founded the king Minos in Crete in 3650-3000 BC Since then, Kydonia is inhabited in all the later phases of history. It either grew or declined at times. 

Lighthouse of Chania. Chania lighthouse, the jewel of the city, is one of the oldest light houses, not only in Greece and the Mediterranean, but also in the world. The lighthouse is a major attraction in the old port of Chania especially at night when it's lit up. The tower is 21m high and is built on a stone base, located at the end of the old harbour's pier opposite to the fortress of "Firkas". Visitors are not allowed to enter the tower. Chania lighthouse was first constructed by the Venetians around 1595 - 1601, and it took its final form, in the shape of a minaret, during the Egyptian Period (1831 - 1841) in around 1839. After the latest restoration, completed in 2006, it was given the formation of the Venetian period. The minaret look is still evident however. 

Firkas Fortress. The fortress of Firkas on the northwest side of the port of Chania was constructed between 1610 and 1645 to protect the Venetian harbour entrance from raiders. The fall of the city of Chania in the hands of the Turks in 1645, meant automatically that the fortress belonged to the new conquerors. That is when it got its current name, because “Firka” in Turkish means “barrack”. On the northern side of the Firka fortress were six consecutive domes, that sheltered the large cannons, so that they would face the entrance of the harbor and face any possible attacker. The Firka Fortress was used as a prison since then and up to the Greek civil war of the 20th century. During the Ottoman rule, the Firka Fortress constituted the seat of the military governor of the city. 

Cathedral of Eisodion tis Theotokou. The Orthodox Cathedral of Chania or church of Trimartiri is situated in Halidon street little before the old Venetian harbour of Chania. The present temple was built on the place of an older church of Virgin Mary which dated back to the 14th century. In 1645, during the Ottoman occupation, the temple was converted into a soap factory , owned by the Turkish official Moustafa Pasha Giritli. The construction of the church was completed in 1860 in the style of a three aisle Basilica. On the northeast side of the temple there is the high bell-tower. The church features three aisles with the central one dedicated to the Virgin Mary (celebrated on November 21st), the north aisle one dedicated to Saint Nicholas and the southern one to the Three Hierarchs.

Hassan Pascha Mosque. The old Venetian port of Chania, The first thing every visitor notices at the old Venetian port of Chania, is an old building, one of the first Turkish buildings of the island, the Mosque of Hasan Kucuk or Yali Tzamisi. The mosque was built in honor of Küçük Hassan Pasha, the first Turkish military commander of Chania, while the Yali Tzamisi name is interpreted as "mosque of the sea". The building is an example of Islamic architecture Renaissance designed form an Armenian architect, dating from the second half of the 17th century. The mosque operated as Muslim church until 1923. It is a cubic building covered by a large dome supported by four stone arches, while the west and north side is surrounded by an arcade roofed with seven small domes. I

Municipal Market of Chani. The Municipal Market of Chania, is the "heart" of the city. Its foundation started on August 14, 1911, at the place that was the main rampart of the fortification during the Venetian period, and the construction of the building was completed during the second half of 1913. The Municipal Market is cross shaped and has four doors, one in each ward, that close to provide security at the shops that are hosted there. Today at the building of the Municipal Market are hosted many shops that sell local products and souvenirs. The Municipal Market constitutes an architectural jewel for Chania and is one of the most impressive markets in Balkans. 

Church of Agios Nikolaos. The church of Agios Nikolaos, which was built around 1320, during the Venetian Period, was originally a part of the monastery of the Dominican Order. It is quite special as it is equipped with a tower as well as a minaret. During the Venetian period it constituted the most important church in the city. After the predominance of the Turks in Chania the temple was turned into a mosque and was named Hiougkar Tzamisi (mosque of the Emperor), in honor of the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Its importance is highlighted by the existence of two balconies instead of one on the minaret. In 1928, after being seized by the Christians orthodox, the mosque was once again turned into a church, dedicated to Agios Nikolaos. 

Venetian Neoria. During the Venetian occupation (1204 – 1669) the need for closer presence of Venetian fleet in Crete , forced Venice to build Neoria(arsenali), where ships were repaired during the winter. As early as 1467, Venice ordered the construction of a number of shipyards , two per towns of Chania and Rethymnon . The first two shipyards in Chania completed in 1526. The 1593 had been constructed 16 shipyards, but needed repair. In 1599 completed the southern complex with the construction of 17 Neoria. In 1607, along with the extension of the north bastion, construction begins on the inlet port to the east another five shipyards, which are known as Neoriο of Moro, by the name of General Intendant who proposed. 

Etz Hayyim Synagogue. Etz Hayyim was converted into a Synagogue in the 17th century, when the Jewish community of Chania purchased the Church of St. Catherine, an empty 15th-century Venetian church. The synagogue, which suffered serious bombardment losses, was abandoned after the end of World War II and reopened in 1999, with the intervention and support of the World Monument Fund (WMF), in co-operation with the Central Israeli Council of Greece. Nowdays the Etz Hayyim Synagogue is the only active synagogue that has survived on the island.

8:30 PM: Dinner at Salis

Hotel/Lodging:

Cretan Dream Resort & Spa

Address: Kato Stalos, Stalos, Chania 731 10, Greece

Phone: +30 2821 036800

8:00 AM: Meet in the hotel lobby for our Crete Villages Day Tour.

Today we explore the unique area of Apokoronas, the eastern province of the Chania region. It aims to introduce the visitors of this island to the pure side of the Cretan mainland. Tour the villages, meet the locals, taste the delicious local products, and learn about Crete's history, culture, and traditions. 

The village of Emprosneros follows the theatre "Mikis Theodorakis and the invisible church of St. Antony, built on the rock. The experience of the Cretan cheese-making process follows. First, you visit a cheese factory and taste the local "Graviera," "Mizithra," or "Anthotiros" cheese varieties. You will also taste some olive oil on warm bread, cookies, and Cretan biscuits in the local bakery.

After that, you will enjoy lunch in a traditional "kafeneio" in Fres village, speak with the locals, and learn about the countryside's way of life. Finally, you will have the chance to see pure beauty and feel the real Crete around you. Apokoronas is one of the most historical places in Crete because of its people. 

3:00 PM- Return to the hotel.

7:00 PM - Group Dinner at Oinomelo

Hotel/Lodging:

Cretan Dream Resort & Spa

Address: Kato Stalos, Stalos, Chania 731 10, Greece

Phone: +30 2821 036800