Greek Island Wanderer

Arrive in Athens. The city is a heady mix of ancient and modern, having been the capital of Greece for less than 200 years, but with a history dating back over 3,000 years. Located on the Plain of Attica, an area of amazingly varied scenery, from high mountains covered by pine forests to a stunningly beautiful coastline with a myriad of harbours.



For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7.30pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Due to a number of flights arriving into Athens later in the evening, our welcome meeting will take place on the morning of day two. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Athens at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Athens International Airport (ATH), which is about one hours' drive, depending on traffic.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to visit one of the cafes in the colourful Psyrri district which offer traditional Greek cuisine of scrumptious aubergines, tomatoes and cheese washed down with ouzo or raki. There are traditional rustic tavernas in the well-known Plaka area at the foot of the Acropolis.

After our Leader does an initial welcome meeting, we'll take a walking tour of Plaka with our leader to soak up the atmosphere of the old town. You'll notice the contrast between the modern capital - the well-heeled inhabitants of Kolonaki on the one hand and the animated Plaka old quarter on the other. Along the way we'll see Syntagma Square and the Roman Agora. Every hour it's possible to see the changing of the guard at the Parliament building. Our walk will end at the Acropolis and you have the afternoon free.



You might like to take a tour of the Acropolis and climb the winding path to the top of this sacred rock that has been used since Neolithic times. At the top you'll find the majestic ruins of the Athens of Pericles: the Propylaea (or marble entrance hall), the Parthenon (built by Ictinos 2,500 years ago), the Temple of Athena Nike (the Wingless Victory) and the monument most venerated by the ancient Athenians themselves - the Erechtheion. Tradition relates that the gods Athena and Poseidon quarrelled here; the sea-god struck the rock with his trident, causing salt water to gush out, while Athena hit it with her spear and brought forth an olive tree. As olives were deemed to be more useful, the other gods let her take the city under her protection.



Alternatively, you might choose to stroll around the shops or listen to bouzouki music in an outdoor cafe. For those that love to shop and like trying local food then the central market is a must with a huge variety of fruit, meat, fish and bread on sale amongst other things. Other attractions that you could visit include the Acropolis Museum, which is about 5-minutes' walk from the main site, the National Archaeological Museum or the Olympic Stadium. You may like to walk up or take the funicular train to Likavitos, which has great views across the city below. As well as exploring on foot you could purchase a 24-hour ticket for the local trams and public transport to help you cover as much ground as possible.

This morning we drive from our hotel to Piraeus harbour where we board the ferry to Syros (which departs at around 7.30am and takes just under four hours). On the ferry we will have reserved seating, so we are assured of a seat, but you\ re also free to take in the view from the deck. We disembark at Ermoupouli Harbour and drive to our hotel in Galissas. Syros is the capital of the Cyclades and covers an area of about 56 square kilometres.



This afternoon we will drive along the coast to Kini where we'll have the opportunity to purchase a picnic lunch or dine in a local tavernas. From here we'll take an easy coastal walk back to Galissas (covers approximately 4.7kms with 100m ascent and 100m descent and taking around two hours). This peaceful walk takes us through typical Mediterranean scenery with cypress and olive groves and great sea views.



If you don't wish to join the walk then this afternoon is free for you to relax on the long beach near our hotel; with shallow waters it's an ideal spot for swimming. Alternatively you can explore the tranquil village of Galissas, which is set around a small harbour in a scenic agricultural area.

Today is free for you to relax in Galissas or to explore more of the island. This morning you may like to join a coastal walk with our Explore Leader. Taking a public bus the short drive to Azolimnos where the walk begins. The walk takes around one and half hours to Vari (covering approximately 4kms). This walk gives you an excellent taste of the island's scenery. Once you arrive in Vari you can enjoy a swim, relax on the beach and have lunch in a nearby tavern before taking the public bus back to Galissas.



This afternoon you may choose to join a bus tour of the island to see more of the fantastic surroundings. The island produces loukoumi, the Greek sweet that is similar to Turkish Delight and you'll have the chance on this excursion to visit a small factory and to purchase this local speciality. As part of our tour we'll take a walk to Ano Syros, which oozes medieval charm. Its long history can be seen its many cultural landmarks including its old castle gates that lead into the old town area. The town is built onto a hill with its tiered white and sand coloured buildings rising up to the Capuchin Church at the very top.



Tonight there is the opportunity to join your Explore Leader for dinner in the islands capital, Ermoupolis.

There's the opportunity to go on a further coastal walk this morning or to relax in Galissas. You may choose to walk from Posidonia to take in the great views from the lighthouse or to walk from Vari to Khroussa or from Agathopes to Mega Gialos. All are great options that allow you to see more of the islands scenery.



Later this afternoon we drive to Ermoupoli, where you can store your main luggage on the bus. You'll have free time to discover the island's capital and to have dinner before we board the ferry this evening to Paros. There is only one ferry between the islands that departs at around 9pm and the journey is approximately one and half hours. On arrival we'll transfer to our hotel in Drios and we'll arrive at our hotel at around midnight.



Paros is one of the most attractive of all the Cycladic Islands. Its capital is Paroikia, on the west coast. Dominating the interior is Mount Profitis Ilias (770 metres) on the slopes of which are the famous marble quarries.

Paros was the birthplace of the poet Archilochus, the inventor of Iambic verse. Among the many places of interest are the marble quarries, the picturesque fishing villages and a Venetian fortress. Especially interesting is the church, Ekatontapiliani Church of 100 Doors, about which a legend says that when the 100th door is discovered the Greeks will take back Constantinople (Istanbul).



Today, you may choose to take a walk along one of the well preserved Byzantine roads that cross the island. This is an easy walk that takes around two hours. We'll use the public bus to reach the trailhead at the traditional mountain village of Lefkes. This is a very popular walk and the path is lined with wild herbs such as thyme, sage and oregano, so it's a sweet scented experience too. We'll finish our walk at Prodromos where there will be the chance to stop at a local cafe to enjoy homemade ice cream and baklava. Here in the side streets you'll usually find the locals playing a game chess or backgammon. From here we'll take the bus back to Drios or there may be the opportunity to stop in Piso Livadi for lunch or a further walk along the coast.



Once back in Drios you can relax on the Golden Beach or you may like to join a cooking lesson of traditional Greek cuisine in the Hotel Anezina.

Today is free to further explore Drios at your own pace or there is the opportunity to explore the islands coast from a different perspective by joining a full day boat trip aboard a traditional Greek caique. During the boat cruise there will be the opportunity to go swimming in the clear blue waters and also to have a barbecue lunch cooked by the crew.



Alternatively, there is the option to discover the marine life of the area with local oceanographers who run diving and snorkelling trips from the Golden Beach. The snorkelling activities are suitable for beginners.



Perhaps you'd prefer to take a local bus to nearby Naoussa or Parikia. Naoussa is a coastal, white village that's buildings practically glimmer in the sunshine. The area is famous for its wine and jam made in the surrounding vineyards which you can try in the village cafes. The Old Port area is the perfect spot to sample the cuisine and a glass of wine in a traditional tavernas by the harbour. It's in Parikia where you can visit the Church of 100 Doors and other historical places found here including the Byzantine site of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, an old Venetian fortress on the hilltop above the town, an 8th century BC waterfront cemetery and the Paros Archaeological Museum.

This morning we drive to Parikia to catch the ferry to the island of Naxos. Our ferry normally departs just after midday, so we'll have a little time to look around Parikia before we board the boat. The ferry crossing takes around one hour and there is no reserved seating on this short journey.



The island of Naxos is the largest and some would argue the most beautiful of the Cyclades. The god Dionysus is believed to have lived on the island and taught the inhabitants to cultivate wine, which still has an excellent reputation today.



At the entrance to the harbour sits the grand Portara stone that has greeted visitors for over 2500 years. The town itself is a mix of whitewashed houses and medieval Venetian mansions, with the fortified 'kastro' or castle occupying a prominent position overlooking the bay. Our luggage will be taken directly to our hotel, meanwhile our tour leader will make recommendations for lunch in town after which we will be shown around the network of alleyways and courtyards, as well as the kastro before returning to our hotel later in the afternoon.

Today we have a full day trip to explore the islands' interior. Heading inland we leave the beaches of the west coast into the Tragea region, a vast highland valley dotted with olive trees, citrus plantations and dotted with sleepy villages.



We make a number of stops this morning including Bazeos tower, a Venetian monastery built in the 17th century and Halki (also known as Chalkio), which has a number of fine Byzantine era churches. Once the capital of Naxos, Halki has had somewhat of a renaissance with several new tavernas and shops opening to cater for the tourist trade and a delightful town square where we stop for a morning coffee.



Continuing further inland, we reach Moni. Just before the village, there is a sixth century monastery with some excellent frescoes. The village itself outstanding views of the surrounding mountains and a good choice of tavernas, there is an excellent viewpoint at Stavros Keramotis just outside of Moni where it is possible to admire 360 views accross the whole island. Depending on timings, we will break for lunch in Moni or Kinidaros, the starting point for our afternoon walk to Eggares.



After lunch we set off for an easy walk of around two hours and covers approximately seven kilometres. This walk is different to many of the others we have taken whilst in the Cyclades as it takes us inland. Kinidaros is located close to the mountainous centre of the island and is nestled into the rocky hillside that is surrounded by olive, plane and oak tress and the island's marble is quarried nearby. Eggares is a small farming village surrounded by fields and fertile farmland. There a number of pretty churches and also two restored olive presses, and whilst in Eggares you can visit the Olive Press Museum to learn about the process.



For those who prefer not to walk there is the option to travel by bus to Eggares and catch up with the group after their walk. We return to Naxos late afternoon.

Over the years, Naxos Islands interior is home to fertile and well-watered valleys and there are many places of interest on the island. Besides wine, the island also exports olive oil, corn, fruits of many kinds and marble which is comparable in quality to that of Paros. The town has plenty of character and in the Kastro, just above the town centre, is an area of pretty houses from a bygone era that are Venetian in style and marked with coats of arms.



Today you may like to join a full day boat trip to Delos and Mykonos islands. We depart first to Delos, which takes approximately one and half hours. Delos is an entire island covered with ancient ruins and amongst the highlights are the Temple of Apollo, Terrace of Lions, 3rd century BC theatre, ancient town and Mount Kynthos (113 metres). Following time here to explore we take the boat on to Mykonos (takes around 30 minutes). This island is frequented by the rich and famous. Whilst here you can explore its winding streets with its boutique and exclusive shops and another highlight are of course the windmills, which are one of the most photographed places in the Cyclades. We then return to Naxos by boat (takes around one and a half hours).

This morning we'll transfer the short distance from our hotel to the port and board the ferry to the island of Santorini.



Santorini (or Thira, as the island is also known) is the most southerly of the Cycladic Islands. It's one of the most picturesque areas in the Aegean and the familiar images of whitewashed churches with blue-domed roofs adorn this beautiful landscape. It's also an area of particular interest to those keen on the Lost Atlantis legend. Formerly a huge volcano, its centre disappeared in an enormous explosion in around 1450 BC and this area now forms a lagoon where some believe that the city of Atlantis now resides having been destroyed by the eruption and swept into the waters. Record show that the eruption did overwhelmed the Minoan settlements at Akrotiri as well as those on Crete.



This evening you can choose to join a local wine tasting at the Avanti Estate in Messaria or another winery in the area. The island is best known for its delicious white wines. After the wine tasting you might like to go with your leader to Fira for dinner, before taking a local bus back to our hotel later this evening.

This morning you have the opportunity to go on a coastal walk from our hotel to Fira and on to Oia. This is a moderate walk takes approximately four hours and covers eight kilometres. The path goes along the lip of a caldera and provides great views along the way out to sea and of the surrounding countryside. Halfway through the walk there's the option to stop at a coffee shop for refreshments. The village of Oia is built along a rocky stretch of coastline and is one of the most photogenic places on Santorini. It has a long seafaring culture and there are two types of houses here - cave houses that are dug into the volcanic rock in the cliff side and the captain houses above ground where the upper class ship owners once lived. Many of the churches here are also dedicated to sailors.



After exploring Oia you can take a local bus back to Fira and then walk the short distance to our hotel (around 20mins). Whilst in Fira this afternoon you may like to visit the Museum of Ancient Thira, which explains the islands ancient heritage, or the Pre-historic Museum of Thera.



From the halfway point of the walk it is possible to take a public bus back to Fira or to Oia to enjoy more free time in either place. Oia has a host of taverns and cafes; it is well worth spending time here after our walk and getting the bus back to hotel later in the day, it's also a great place to witness a magnificent Santorini sunset.

Today is free for you to enjoy relaxing or exploring the island or you may like to join a cruise to an active volcano. During the boat trip to the volcano, for those who wish, there is the opportunity to take the dramatic path to the peak and to stand in the centre of the Caldera. The climb takes around one hour per way and the ascent is steep in places. There'll also be the chance to enjoy a swim in the sea to warm springs.



The last stop on the cruise is the tiny island of Thirassia. You'll have a couple of hours to relax in the bay here with views of the volcano out to sea. There is time for lunch here or to climb up through the hillside village and walk around the surrounding vineyards.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Santorini.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Santorini at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Santorini Airport (JTR), which is about fifteen minutes drive, depending on traffic.