Hideaway in the Greek Isles 10- days Athens, Mykonos, Dilos & Santorini

Hideaway in the Greek Islands This ten-day itinerary includes three days in Athens, then whisks you by air to idyllic hideaways in the Greek Islands. You'll compare superlatives. (Tour code # 7)

Suggested Itinerary:
( you may start with the Islands, and have Athens at the end, your International flight into Athens on Day 1 should arrive no later than 1 PM in the afternoon) . Our select island facilities offer privacy, intimacy, and outings to villages, beaches, taverns and more. The choice is yours. Daily, Athens Mar - Nov. Compare with the one week edition . Add Syros . Compare with Crete and Rhodes version, or the 10 day version without Rhodes , add Istanbul

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.
Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your hotel room

Morning arrivals for guests flying from Europe or the east coast of the USA may connect same day to Mykonos if so desire and have Athens's stay at the end or eliminate Athens completely.
Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while you are in Greece with us .

DAY 2 - Private Tour of ATHENS (BL)
A half-day private city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens. 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. Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle, private guide.
Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.
Your afternoon is free for further exploring, shopping, or, perhaps, another visit to the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, such as an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with spectacular sunset view.

DAY 3 - ATHENS, MYKONOS (B)
Take the morning to finish your shopping, or for additional explorations. In the afternoon, we'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight to the island of Mykonos. We'll have a representative on hand to meet you, and check you in to your hotel. Relax!
Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while you are in Greece with us .

DAY 4 - MYKONOS (B)
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 5 - MYKONOS -Dilos (B)
After Breakfast , our local rep escorts you to the port for Dilos 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 . Return to Mykonos and your hotel

Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while you are in Greece with us .

DAY 6 - 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. ( For Deluxe rates )
Chromata Apartments, in Imerovigli offers also view of the ancient volcano. For First class rates )
Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while you are in Greece with us .

DAY 7 - 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 8 - 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.

Add an extra night in Santorini or Mykonos ? Please click here

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 9 - Santorini or Athens (B)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. We'll pick you up and see you to your Athens-bound flight . Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while you are in Greece with us .
If your flight on Day 10 after 12 Noon tomorrow from Athens , then you may spend tonight in Santorini and fly out tomorrow Santorini Athens to connect with your international flight.

If you have an early morning flight out of Athens on Day 10 tomorrow, then you fly Santorini Athens today and proceed on your own upon arrival at Athens Airport to Sofitel ( this is an airport hotel location ) .

DAY 10 - Departure (B)
After breakfast , proceed on your own from the Sofitel to the departure gate at Athens Airport. Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Rates per person in US$, Double Occupancy

Price includes:

• Lonely Planet travel guide book .
• Hotel accommodation as listed with tax and breakfast daily.
• A private half day tour of Athens : private air conditioned vehicle, private guide
• All transfers in Greece, always on a private basis.
• Airfare within Greece, in economy class, tax included

Click here for Athens Mykonos 7 -day edition
Or the 14 day Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

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).

Sample hotels in Athens :
Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis. Extra night with breakfast and tax : $ 100.00 per person.
First : Electra Palace. First Class : Stanley

Sample hotels in Mykonos::
Deluxe: Royal Myconian . Extra night with breakfast & tax : $100 per person.
First Class : Petassos Beach

Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:

• For Deluxe rates : Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani) .
• First Class Superior accommodation:
  " Sun Rocks ", in Firostefani" , "Astra Apartments", " On The Rocks" or Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the sea (Imerovigli.) , "Grotto Villas" in Firostefani .
• For Katikies Villas & Pantheon , please add 15 % supplement to the deluxe rate.
  
• For a private villa at the Pantheon with a private swimming pool, please add $560 Per person for the total stay in Santorini to the deluxe rate listed above.