Hideaway in the Greek Isles 11- days Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

Hideaway in the Greek Islands This 11 -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 # 7E1). Our select island facilities offer privacy, intimacy, and outings to villages, beaches, taverns and more. The choice is yours. Daily, Athens Mar - Oct .
Compare with the 10 day or one week version , add Cairo

Sunset view from Astra Villa/Apartments

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)

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.

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.

DAY 2 - 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 air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur, 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!

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 (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 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.

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.

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 (B)
One more day in this Greek paradise, feel free to mix & match the number of nights between Santorini & Mykonos.

Click here for Athens Mykonos 7 -day edition

DAY 10 - Santorini or Athens (B)
If your flight tomorrow from Athens is an early morning one, then suggest that you fly back to Athens today.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. We'll pick you up and see you to your Athens-bound flight , upon arrival in Athens , proceed on your own to Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel.


If your flight tomorrow is a late afternoon one from Athens to your home country then , you may wish to spend the night in Santorini and connect tomorrow to Athens.
The flight Santorini Athens is included in our rate , economy class, tax included.

DAY 11 - Departure (B)
Departure from Athens or Santorini (B)
After breakfast , if you are at Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel, then proceed on your own to your gate .

If you are leaving from Santorini , our local rep will assist with your transfer from the hotel to Santorini Airport . Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Rates per person in US$, Double Occupancy

Price includes :

• Hotel accommodation in Athens, as per itinerary including breakfast. Prefer to handle Athens hotel yourself ?
  
• A complimentary City tour (group tour).
  
• Lonely Planet travel guide book .
  
• Mix & match a total of 7 Nights in Mykonos and a villa stay in Santorini
  
• All transfer between airports & hotels in Greece, always on a private basis, private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur .
  
• Round trip air fare within Greece between Athens, Mykonos & Santorini.
  
• Hotel service charges and taxes.
  
• Airfare Athens-Mykonos-Santorini and return in economy class , 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).

Sample hotels in Athens :

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

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

Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:

• For Deluxe rates : Nikos Villas in Oia , Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani) .
  
• First Class accommodation:
  Sun Rocks , in Firostefani , Astra Apartments, On The Rocks or Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the sea (Imerovigli), Grotto Villasin Firostefani .
  
• For a private villa at the Pantheon with a private swimming pool, please add $660 Per person for the total stay in Santorini to the deluxe rate listed above.