Greek Islands Discovery

Arrive in Athens at any time.

As your fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until your Group Meeting this evening, so check-in to the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city.
Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of the group meeting. After the meeting, you can head out for a meal at a local restaurant with the group (optional).

Please make every effort to arrive on time for this important welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us - contact numbers are provided in these notes. Your Tour Leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up.

Day 2 is a full day to explore Athens. In the early evening, we will travel by subway to the port of Pireaus to board our overnight ferry to Chania on the island of Crete. Please note we do not have cabins or allocated berths on this trip. If you wish to upgrade to a cabin, please advise your Tour Leader and they will do their best to help you once on board. Please note that this is at your own cost and depends on availability.

Ferry time Athens to Chania - approximately 9.5 hours.

We sail into Souda Bay Port on the western part of the Island of Crete, early in the morning, approximately 6am. We will be collected at the port and transferred to our hotel in the centre of Chania's pretty historic quarter, in time for breakfast. Please note that due to our early arrival, we may not be able to check in to our hotel for a few hours. The rest of the day will be free to recover from our sea journey and enjoy the many sites Chania has to offer the visitor. Relax at one of its many harbour-side cafés, wander the streets of the old town with its fascinating blend of ancient and modern, Turkish and Venetian architecture, reflecting the diverse history of the island.

Crete is Greece’s largest island, and filled with stunning scenery and friendly people. Although most tourists go to the major towns on the north coast, we will be visiting some of the smaller towns of the interior. Crete has an interesting and full history, beginning with the Minoan culture, which flourished from about 2800 BC and suddenly disappeared around 1450 BC. Crete then passed through the hands of the Romans, Genoese, and Venetians before the Turks finally conquered it in 1670. It became a British protectorate in 1898 after much social and civil unrest, and was finally united with mainland Greece in 1913.

The Samaria Gorge is situated in the National park of Samaria, in the White Mountains or Lefki Ora, high above Chania. We pack up and set off early in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day, driving up the windy access road to the Omalos Plateau to set off on our walk downhill from Omalos towards the gorge. Samaria is the most famous gorge in the area and home to some of Greece’s most endangered species, such as the Cretan wild goat, or Kri-kri.
The hike is possible for anyone of average fitness.
After a rocky descent of about 2 hours, we reach the bottom of the gorge where we continue along the riverbed. We take our time here, savouring the spectacular scenery and stopping off on route to eat our picnic lunches. We walk about another 2.5 hours after lunch, before arriving at the tiny coastal village of Agia Roumeli where we spend the night. Our luggage will be transferred by van and then ferry in time for our arrival at the hotel in Agia Roumeli.

Estimated travel time: 1 hour
Estimated hiking time: 4-5 hours

Today we will catch a late morning ferry to Loutro where we will spend the next two days. Loutro is a great little village, lost in the age-old traditions of this most rural area of southwestern Crete. It is only accessible by boat or by foot, so has largely been left untouched by the mass tourism affecting other regions of Crete. It is a secret the locals and only the most adventurous of travellers like to keep to themselves. Enjoy the local tavernas and beautiful unspoilt pebble beaches with plenty of opportunities for taking a dip in the sparkling Libyan Sea.
On arrival, why not explore some of the other hikes in the area - wander over the hill to Marmara for a tasty seafood lunch at this secluded restaurant, or if you're feeling more energetic, why not hike the spectacular (and far less well-known) Aradine Gorge for some more wildlife spotting and gorge scrambling. Or you could rent a kayak and paddle off to explore some of the incredible coastline and hidden, secluded beaches and coves.
On Day 6, we will enjoy a lunchtime cooking lesson of Greek specialties with a local family - something not to be missed!

Estimated Travel Time: ferry ride Agia Roumeli to Loutro, approximately 30mins

This morning we will catch a local ferry to Sfakia where a private van will be waiting to meet and transfer us to the delightful town of Rethymno. After exploring the vibrant and beautiful historic Venetian centre, we continue to the north coast and the island's capital, Heraklion. Once in Heraklion you will have the option to vsit the Ruins of Knossos, Crete’s most famous ruins from the Minoan culture of ancient Greece, lying just outside the city. It was this site that inspired the myth of the Minotaur, the half-bull, half-man creature that lived underneath King Minos’ palace and terrorized the people of Greece.
In the evening head out for a meal and a few drinks in the harbour area with its many trendy bars and restaurants.

Estimated Travel Time: Loutro to Rethymno 2 hours; Rethymno to Heraklion 1.5 hours

After an approximate two-hour ferry ride from Heraklion, we will arrive at Santorini Island where we'll transfer to our hotel in the village of Perissa, just next to the famous Perissa Beach. In the evening you have the option of a stop at a local winery to taken in the sunset (wine-tasting optional), overlooking the spectacular volcanic bay of Santorini.

This world famous island is the southernmost island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located 63 nautical miles north of Crete. Spend the next two days at leisure: take a boat trip around the volcanic bay stopping off for a swim in the thermal springs and a climb to the top of the lava of the bay´s volcanic islands; hang out on the beach; check out the nearby Akrotiri "red" cliffs and beach; wander in the local villages or rent a scooter or quad bike to explore the whole island! In the evening, the pretty white-washed village of Oia perched on cliffs of the far end of the island is known as one of the best places to watch the sunset...don´t miss it!

Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours

Around three hours by ferry from Santorini is Naxos, the biggest island of the Cyclades. This island is known in mythology as the place where Theseus abandoned Ariadne, after slaying the Minautor of Knossos - and also as the island where Ariadne met Dionysus, god of wine and protector of Naxos.

Discover the secrets of the island by bicycle, bus, scooter, quad bike, or car, including historical sites, Venetian ruins, a marble quarry, and some amazing scenery and beautiful beaches. Don't miss the chance to try the liquor, kitron, one of the three official drinks of Greece.

Take some time to wander the streets of Chora, the pretty historic quarter of Naxos Town.

Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours

The morning is free for you to continue your explorations of Naxos. This afternoon we travel by ferry from Naxos to Athens.
We end our Island Discovery with a final night in Greece's vibrant and fascinating capital.

Estimated Travel Time Naxos to Athens: 7 hours

Depart at any time