Greece Tours — Athens, Santorini & Crete

You'll arrive at Athens International Airport and be transferred to your central hotel, located near the charming Plaka neighbourhood. After settling in, join an orientation walk through Plaka’s winding alleys, where neo-classical houses, bougainvillea and small family-run tavernas form a gentle introduction to the city. This evening we’ll have a welcome dinner of classic Greek dishes — mezze, grilled fish and loukoumades for dessert — in a restaurant with a view of the Acropolis glowing at night.

Start early at the Acropolis to explore the Parthenon, Erechtheion and the Theatre of Dionysus with an archaeologist guide who explains the history, architecture and mythology bound to this hilltop complex. A planned visit to the Acropolis Museum follows, where curated exhibits present original sculptures, votive offerings and interactive displays. In the afternoon there's time for coffee in Kolonaki or to wander through the nearby Byzantine and Christian Museum for a different historical perspective.

A full day out of the city to Delphi (approx. 2.5 hours drive each way). Delphi’s sanctuary of Apollo — with its temple ruins, theatre and museum — offers a profound sense of ancient ritual geography. Our guide frames the site with stories of the Oracle, historical context across the archaic to Hellenistic periods, and the role Delphi played in pan-Hellenic identity. We include a lunch at a mountain taverna and a quiet visit to the Castalian spring before returning to Athens in the evening.

Explore Athens’s markets, beginning with the central Varvakios Agora where fishmongers and vendors create a sensory collage of smells and textures. We pair the market visit with a street-food walk through Monastiraki, tasting koulouri (sesame bread rings), spanakopita and modern Greek street snacks. The afternoon offers visits to contemporary art galleries in the Metaxourgeio district or the Stavros Niarchos Centre if you prefer modern cultural infrastructure and green spaces.

A final morning to shop, visit any missed spots or enjoy a slow breakfast with a view. We provide a private transfer to the airport and assistance if you wish to continue to the islands or on to Crete.

Transfer from Santorini airport or ferry to your hotel perched on the caldera. After checking in, join a short orientation walk along the rim to view the iconic domes and cliffs. Tonight’s welcome dinner focuses on local Aegean flavours — fresh seafood, fava, tomato keftedes and a selection of Santorini’s Assyrtiko wines.

Morning visit to Akrotiri, the Bronze Age settlement preserved under volcanic ash — sometimes called the ‘Minoan Pompeii’. The guided tour explains urban planning, frescoes and the site’s role in regional trade networks. In the afternoon we visit a family-run winery planted on volcanic pumice soil; learn how the island’s terroir and vine-training methods (kouloura) influence flavour, followed by a tasting paired with local cheeses.

A half-day boat excursion visits the volcanic islets, hot springs and sea caves with opportunities for swimming in sheltered bays. Return to freshen up before we head to Oia for the classic sunset. For a quieter alternative we can time a sunrise walk when Oia is largely empty and the light is sublime. Evening options include a private dinner on a cliff terrace.

Enjoy a slow morning — perhaps a spa treatment, a coastal walk or a last cafe with a view — before your transfer to the port or airport. If you’re extending, we can arrange ferry connections to neighboring islands such as Naxos or Paros.

Arrive in Heraklion and visit the Palace of Knossos with a specialist guide who explains Minoan rituals, frescos and urban layout. Evening in the old port for a relaxed dinner and a first taste of Cretan hospitality.

Explore the central market and archaeological museum, then drive south to Phaistos or smaller Minoan remains, depending on seasonal openings. The day concludes in a coastal village with fresh-caught seafood and local raki (tsikoudia).

Head inland into the foothills to visit an olive press and family-run estate. Learn about traditional olive cultivation and olive oil tasting techniques. Overnight in a mountain village where local cuisine and storytelling reveal Crete’s living traditions.

For active travellers and in season, a guided section of the Samaria Gorge offers dramatic canyon scenery and endemic flora. Alternatives include gentler coastal walks or exploration of the Lassithi Plateau with its windmills and plateau villages.

A hands-on morning with a local family: cheese-making (anthotyro, graviera), traditional baking and a meal prepared together. The afternoon explores nearby ruins, or time to relax at a nearby beach.

Drive to eastern Crete for the palm-fringed beaches of Vai or the quiet bays near Sitia. Optional boat trip to secluded coves and a final celebratory meal featuring island specialties.

Transfer to Heraklion airport or port, with suggestions for extensions to Santorini, Rhodes or mainland Greece depending on your plans.