Itinerary

Day 1 Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who, according to legend, won the city after defeating Poseidon in a duel. The goddess' victory was celebrated by the construction of a temple on the Acropolis, the site of the city's earliest settlement in Attica. As a city state, the coastal capital of Athens reached its heyday in the fifth century BC as a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. Athens is also the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles and its many other prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world. Nowadays, the city retains a vast variety of Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining Ottoman monuments projecting the city's long history across the centuries.

Enjoy your private airport transfer today.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, ferry tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure as you relax at your hotel or enjoy the city sites.

Philippos Hotel (3*) Athens offers peaceful surroundings along with modern services to give you the feeling of a luxurious holiday. It is the most ideally located hotel in the heart of the old city district, only a two minute walk from the Acropolis, the Plaka, the Herodus Atticus ancient theatre and the new museum of the Acropolis. The 50 guestrooms and suites are fine, luminous, decorated in a modern style, softened by elegant fabrics and ambient lighting. Breakfast is being served at the coffee shop, as well as drinks and beverages, all day long. Moreover, the lounge is a perfect place to enjoy a book, a friendly chat, with a cup of cappuccino from the coffee shop.

Overnight at Philippos Hotel (3*).

Day 2 Athens

This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you to see the center of the city, Constitution Square(Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the NationalLibrary .Driving down Herod Atticus street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace .On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian's Arch , visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea , the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally ' the harmony between material and spirit ', the monument that 'puts order in mind', the Parthenon.

This enchanting evening tour commences with a scenic drive to Piraeus, 'the place over the passage', inhabited since the 26th century BC. Visit its natural harbors, such as lively Zea with its busy yacht marina and tiny Mikrolimano, one of the most picturesque corners of Piraeus. Journey to Plaka, the charming historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. The ideal atmosphere for your traditional dinner, enjoy the rest of your evening in a vibrant Greek tavern alive with traditional folk music and dancers.

Overnight at Philippos Hotel (3*).

Day 3 Mykonos

Mykonos is a Greek island renowned for its sandy beaches, cosmopolitan atmosphere and its intense nightlife. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. Many Greek and a few international celebrities have summer residences in Mykonos and can often be spotted having dinner at a small street-side table of an expensive restaurant or in a cozy taverna. The island has a legendary nightlife featured by a vast number of bars and nightclubs, but peace and tranquility can easily be found away from these areas.

Enjoy a private port transfer in Athens with private vehicle and driver.

Enjoy a transfer by ferry to Mykonos.

Avail of a private port transfer with vehicle and driver.

The Yiannaki Hotel  (4*) Mykonos can be found in the Ornos settlement of Mykonos Island. The hotel is just about 200 meters away from the beach and offers a scenic view of the nearby Aegean Sea. Other close attractions include Paraportiani Church and Mykonos Town. The onsite restaurant is called Aleka’s and it serves Greek cuisine along with other international delicacies. All guests staying at the Yiannaki Hotel Mykonos can enjoy wonderful scenery on the provided balcony or terrace. There are 45 guestrooms on two stories. Other amenities include a pool bar, a seawater swimming pool with chaise lounge and umbrellas, a sauna, a fitness center, a playground and a TV lounge. Welcome drink free of charge.

Overnight at Yiannaki (4*).

Day 4 Mykonos

Mykonos is world famous. It is the most cosmopolitan of the Greek Islands and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals. Enjoy an optional shared tour with other people or request a quote for a private tour. On the shared optional tour, your coach will take you to “Hora” the island’s capital where you will enjoy a walking tour in the narrow cobbled streets of the town, passing by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs and white–washed houses until reaching Alefkandra. Alefkandra is a charming corner of Hora, known also as the “Venice” of Mykonos. The houses are built on the sea, with wooden balconies that evoke Venice. These were built from the mid. 18th century onward and were homes of wealthy merchants and captains. At Louis Theoxenia Hotel, you will enjoy the atmosphere while drinking your refreshment accompanied by Greek ‘meze’. You will return then to Mykonos Town (Hora) from where you will take the ship’s shuttle service back to the port to meet your ship. The ship arrives in the port at 18:00 PM and departs at 22:00 PM. The tour is not included in the tour price and can be purchased at arrival.

Petinos Hotel (4*) is located only 50 metres from the white sand beach of Platys Gialos and 10 minutes on foot from the center of town. The complex and its interiors are built according to the traditional architecture of Cyclades islands. The Hotel was renovated in January 2006, and offers all modern comforts to meet the needs of the most demanding of their guests. All common use areas are air conditioned. The hotel also provides a living room for relaxation, a TV room, a large courtyard garden, bar and restaurant facilities and a swimming pool nearby. There is a mini market just across the street from the hotel.

Overnight at Petinos Hotel (4*).

Day 5 Santorini

Santorini is made up of three close-knit islands, the most southerly of the Cyclades group. The islands have dramatic scenery created by a now inactive volcano situated in the centre of the main island Thira. On the west, white houses perch on cliffs that plunge dramatically to the sea; on the east there are long, beautiful beaches of black volcanic sand.

Avail of a private port transfer with vehicle and driver.

Enjoy a transfer by ferry to Thira. The high speed ferry takes approx 2.5 hrs

Enjoy a private port transfer with vehicle and driver in Santorini.

The El Greco Hotel (4*) is located minutes away from the centre of the magnificent Fira town, the capital of the unique and beautiful Santorini. The traditional and colourful architecture found here enhances the spacious surroundings and add to the overall environment of leisure. Guests of El Greco are welcome by hospitable and personable staff that will cater to the need of all guests. El Greco is a well balanced establishment equally suitable for families due to its location and facilities and for couples due to its colourful reflection of charm. The nearest beach is 7km Monolithos, the black sandy beach of Kamari is 12km, and 14km from Perissa - the largest beach of Santorini island.

Overnight at El Greco Hotel (4*).

Day 6 Santorini

Enjoy an optional shared tour with other people and enjoy a cruise around the active crater of Nea Kameni islet. Sail along the strange formations of its volcanic shores, where black lava rocks and white pumice are combined beautifully with the red colour of lava. Take a walk to the top of the volcanic island where sulphur is spewed into the air by one of the craters. Enjoy this surreal landscape as your guide explains the creation and history of the volcano and the last eruption which lead to the destruction of the island of Santorini. The tidal wave created by the eruption was of such an immense magnitude, it destroyed the thriving city of Knossos on the island of Crete. As your caique enters the narrows of the two lava islets, Palea and Nea Kameni, the colour of the water changes from dark blue to sulphur green. In the distance, admire the breathtaking sight of Thira Town with its white washed houses clinging precariously on the rim of the Caldera. Take time to swim in the warm waters heated by Hot Springs on the sea floor. Continue your tour to the town of Thira. A short cable car ride will then take you down to the pier to rejoin the ship. REMARKS It is recommended to bring your swimsuit and a towel.

Overnight at El Greco Hotel (4*).

Day 7 Santorini

Take a private airport transfer with vehicle and driver in Santorini.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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