Hideaway in the Greek Isles The Cyclades Islands Edition 17 - days: Athens, Crete , Mykonos , Rhodes , Syros Delos and Santorini

Hideaway in the Greek Islands This itinerary includes Athens, then whisks you by air to idyllic hideaways in the Greek Islands. Daily in Athens ( Apr - Oct )

Compare with the : 7 -day , 11-Day , 12-Day or 14-Day edition , add Cairo . Add Sicily

Suggested Itinerary:

DAY 1 - ATHENS
You'll be greeted at the airport by our local representative, who will assist with formalities and baggage, and see you to your hotel. Once you settle in, you're free to stroll, browse for curios and treasures, and perhaps dine at a cafe in the old Plaka district. Or, we'll be pleased to arrange an optional Athens by Night tour, which includes a Greek dinner and musical entertainment.

DAY 2 - ATHENS (BL)
A private half-day city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens. Private air-conditioned vehicle, driver and private guide . Lunch is included at a local restaurant . You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city; the Parliament; Hadrian's Arch; and culminate with the Acropolis and its museum. Your afternoon is free for further exploring, or shopping.

DAY 3 - ATHENS (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day on your own or ask us for assistance with one of the optional tours.
Maybe you would want to visit to the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, such as to Argolis or Delphi or an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with spectacular sunset view.

DAY 4 - ATHENS, Syros (BD)
Take the morning to finish your shopping, or for additional explorations. In the afternoon, around 3 PM ( subject to change ) we'll call for you and see you to the port of Piraeus for your ferry ride to the island of Syros . We'll have a representative on hand to meet you, and check you in to your hotel. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel. There is no 5 stars hotels in Syros. So regardless of the rate/category you choose, in Syros it will be 4 stars first class accommodation and not deluxe.

DAY 5 - Syros (BD)
Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel : Dolphin Bay Hotel or Faros Village or similar . Syros is the capital of the Cyclades , its proximity to Athens and Piraeus made it a very popular tourist destination, Ermoupolis , the capital of Syros is full of Venetian and neoclassical buildings which make it one of the most beautiful and interesting towns in Greece in regard to the architectural mix , no doubt that you will find also great unspoiled beaches.
Full day on your own in Ermoupolis, to explore this great town and its lovely narrow streets, admire the historic Town Hall, enjoy a drink or a bite in one of the street Greek cafes on Miaouli Square, visit one of the Greek churches , and of course do not miss the Archaeological Museum

DAY 6 - Syros (BD)
Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel : Dolphin Bay Hotel or Faros Village or similar . Another day on your own in Syros maybe to visit the fortified city of Ano Syros , or the village of Kini, with a charming little port, swim at the lovely beach and enjoy a drink, or a meal watching a great Greek sunset !

DAY 7 - Syros / Mykonos (B)
After breakfast at the hotel , we head for the ferry and on to Mykonos, and your hotel. All ferry and domestic air within Greece are all included in our rate.
The day is totally yours. There's no need to venture beyond the grounds of your lovely hotel. But on the other hand, there's plenty of reason to do so, starting with 350 whitewashed churches and chapels, dramatic cliffs, blue seas, and secluded beaches.

DAY 8 - MYKONOS (B)
Maybe this will be your day to stay put. Or maybe you'll mix relaxation with walks to photograph the famed windmills of Mykonos, or to watch fishermen at work along the sea.

DAY 9 - MYKONOS - Delos(B)
After Breakfast , our local rep escorts you to the port for Delos Island Tour.
A 30 minute boat ride to this small neighboring island. Delos was perceived in the Ancient World to be one of the most important sites as it was the birthplaces of many of the ancient gods such as Apollo and Artemis. Humans settled this island almost 3000 years BC. Delos used to be the power seat and the religious center of the Ancient Aegean world . The island is now uninhabited. The guided tour covers the ancient ruins/temples and the museum , the Sacred Holy Lake, Temple of the Dilions, the Theatre and the Agira . Ret run to Mykonos and your hotel

DAY 10 - MYKONOS, SANTORINI (B)
Reserve some time to stroll the cobbled lanes of Mykonos, to sip an ouzo at a waterside cafe, to discover a beach or two, to pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at sea. We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your ferry ( Business class ) or hydrofoil for Santorini. On arrival, we'll see that you're checked in to your hotel. Click here for : Sample Villas in Santorini:
Dana Villas, in Firostefani offers view of the ancient volcano.
Chromata Apartments, in Imerovigli offers also view of the ancient volcano.
Both are available for Deluxe & Superior First class categories

DAY 11 - SANTORINI (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel and linger for as long as you wish. When you venture out, explore the cliff top town of Thira with its winding paths leading from view to spectacular view. We offer an optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, reputed to be the center of the lost civilization of Atlantis. Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour

DAY 12 - SANTORINI (B)
The day is yours for relaxing or exploring on your own--or both! You might take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Or savor a soak in hot sulfur springs. Arrange a winery visit or another excursion.

For guests who are interested , a complimentary full day Greek cooking class ( available only on Thursdays -except during Easter week):
Advance reservation required, space is limited, must book this at the time you book your tour package with us

ONE DAY COOKING COURSE AT "SELENE" RESTAURANT.

Weekly on Thursday : at 10 30 a.m. we will welcome you at Selene Restaurant with fresh juice, coffee and traditional Greek cookies. A lecture by Evelyn Volikas and George Hatziyianakis will give you an introduction to the cuisine of the Cycladic Islands and particularly of Santorini .Following the lecture, we will introduce to you the unique local products of our island. The volcanic eruption that broke the island of Santorini apart almost 3500 years ago left the dramatic caldera that you see today. With more than 300 days of sunshine and its rich volcanic soil, the island yields a bounty of unusual indigenous herbs and vegetables. White eggplant, capers and caper leaves, fava (small yellow peas), exquisite baby tomatoes - all grown virtually without water.We will introduce you to the Santorini wine, to the grape varieties and to the Santorini vineyard, and you will have the chance to sample four different wines in the wine tasting we have arranged for you.
Cheeses and sausages from several other Cycladic islands, including Naxos, Siros, Ios, Tinos, brought especially for this occasion, will accompany the wines.At about 12.0 the presentation and the demonstration of four different recipes will take place. You will learn how to prepare an entire Greek menu: an appetizer,
a salad, a main course, and a dessert.

-Fava beans with tomato caper sauce or Tomato fritters (tomatokeftedes)

-Eggplant salad with octopus or Taramosalata

-Rabbit with egg- cheese sauce or Lamb in grapevine leaves

-Cheese and honey sweet pastry or Melitinia (traditional Santorini cookie)After we have prepared the dishes, at about 2.0 p.m. you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors accompanied by a bottle of delicious wine from Santorini.
The cooking class takes place every Thursday. Web site for the world famous " Selene" Greek restaurant : www.selene.gr

DAY 13 - SANTORINI, CRETE (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion& your hotel. Flights operate only on Thu & Sat, on other days, it will be the fast ferry which is 2 hours ( business class ) , or flights via Athens (Supplement applies$ $115- subject to change ).

DAY 14 - CRETE (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore on your own the Venetian part of the old town , see below more details on tours in Crete.

DAY 15 - CRETE- RHODES (B)
Today we fly to Rhodes the Island of Roses ( Flights & flight schedule are subject top change) . Transfers are always included.

DAY 16 - RHODES (B)
The compact, cobbled medieval city is perfect for exploring on your own. You'll want to visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John, take a look at the wares in the boutiques, and spend some time in a seaside cafe. We also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies.

DAY 17 - Rhodes / Athens (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport to fly back to Athens, to connect to your flight home .
If your flight today out of Athens must be late afternoon or evening one , or extend an extra night in Athens, maybe at Sofitel Athens Airport an Airport location hotel : More details on the Sofitel Athens Airport.

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Rates per person in US$, Double Occupancy

Tour starts daily in Athens : Apr to Oct

Price includes:

• Travel guide book
• Hotel accommodation as per itinerary . Prefer to handle Athens hotel yourself ?
• Athens City tour with a private driver, air-conditioned vehicle and private guide .
• Breakfast daily at the hotels.
• Airport greeting and assistance Hotel transfers in Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.
• Hotel service charges and taxes .
• Airfare within Greece as per itinerary , in economy class, tax included .
• Ferry tickets as listed , in business class ( when available on board ) , tax included

Not included:

• International airfare from/to USA.
• Gratuities Personal expenses.
• Beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
• Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance (Please ask us for the flyer).

Syros - Ermoupolis

Syros lies in the middle of the Cyclades between Kythnos and Tinos. A tiny Island with an area of 86 square kilometers , and a population of about 20,000. From Piraeus the trip by ferry takes only 4 hours , Syros is connected by ferry with Rafina, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and other Cycladic islands.It is also possible to fly to Athens by plane.