A Country For All Seasons

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Athens

   Although it's hard to not keep craning your head to take in the spectacle of the Acropolis at the center of town (especially when it's lit up at night), there's more to Athens than its dense concentration of ancient ruins. Athens is a center for contemporary art, with modern galleries sitting beside museums stuffed with art dating back millennia. This combination of the old and new is especially clear at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a spectacular open-air theater that has hosted concerts and plays for nearly 2,000 years. The city's culture is also reflected in its diverse food and drink, which combines traditional Greek favorites with influences from across the Mediterranean, and the world, as fitting Athens' deep history as a humming harbor hub. While Athens' variety is enough to keep you busy, from the hidden back alleys of the center, to the city's showy coast, the city works well as a base for day trips, whether down the coast, or to the Peloponnese. Head to oracular Delphi, or hunt for where Lord Byron's carved his name into the monumental Temple of Poseidon at the tip of Cape Sounion.

   Upon your arrival in Athens, a driver will meet you and drive you to your centrally located accommodation. The drive takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

   Our representative will then meet with you to answer any questions you have and to get you settled for the rest of your trip.

   

   Athens by Tuk-Tuk Afternoon or Evening 2-Hour Private Tour

   The past meets the future when you explore Athens from an electric tuk-tuk! Your ride will start by the Greek Parliament, then continue past many of the city's cultural landmarks on your way to Mt. Lycabettus, where you'll have some free time to enjoy its legendary views of the city, including the magnificent view of the Acropolis. You'll then descend back into Athens, exploring the center and several other memorable vistas, before your return to Syntagma Square.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Athens

   

   Best of Athens in a Day Private Walking and Driving Tour

   Only in Athens for a short time? Don’t worry, you can still get through 2,500 years of culture and history in just seven hours! Enjoy a scenic, see-it-all tour around the vibrant city and embark on a journey throughout ancient and modern Athens. Discover the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, and others city highlights with a fun and knowledgeable guide in the comfort of your own private vehicle!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 7 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Athens by Night Food and Wine Tasting Private Tour

   Seeking an extraordinary Greek culinary experience to tease your senses? Follow an expert food guide on a quest to discover Athens by night, and experience exquisite Athenian delicacies. Enjoy the best views of Athens after dusk and explore sophisticated eateries to devour the finest of authentic Greek cuisine, including the best souvlaki in town! And to top it all off? A wine tasting focused on indigenous local varieties (plus ouzo!)

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

3. Day 3 Traveling to Corfu by Airplane / Arrival in Corfu

   

   From Athens to Corfu the best option will be to take a flight on one of the low cost airlines. On your day of departure, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the airport for your flight. Suggested Flight: Departure: Arrival:

   
   

   Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. In case you would prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. In addition, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   The jewel of the Ionian Sea, Corfu exudes a sense of elegance, nostalgia and aristocratic grandeur. Its charming old town, with its noble architecture, sophisticated ambience, and impeccable sea views, has a prime spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Corfu’s multicultural history is a juxtaposition of conquests by the Venetians, French, and British. Their stories are reflected in the island’s eclectic, neoclassical, and Art Nouveau architecture. Corfu's historical center is protected by two Venetian Fortresses: the Old Fortress which played a crucial role in Corfu’s history protecting the island from many sieges, and the hilltop New Fortress, with its vaulted passageways, underground galleries, and astonishing views of the Old Town. Discover the island’s unique history by visiting a few of its grand palaces, like the Achilleion Palace, built by Empress Elizabeth ("Sisi") of Austria in 1892, with its luscious gardens and impressive collection of marble statues. Corfu's countryside is dotted with pretty villages, expansive olive groves, vineyards, and herbal gardens. The coastline is a dream world of its own, with crystalline azure waters and secret coves only accessible by boat.

   Upon arrival at the airport, our driver will pick you up and take you to your accommodation.

   

   For Your Eyes Only

   After you arrive in Corfu, we recommend heading to one of the main town's must-sees: Palaio Frourio, a 15th-century Venetian fortress. Separated from the town by a moat, the fortress boasts two small peaks, or korypha, that are the source of Corfu's name. While the fort tends to draw visitors for its history, some come for its breathtaking views or because it was one of the locations in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only."

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Your First Full Day in Corfu

   

   Corfu in a Day Private Tour

   Join us on this full-day private tour of Corfu, and let us take you to everything you must not miss on Corfu in just a day! Enjoy the ease and comfort of your private luxurious vehicle and start your day by visiting the monumental palace of Achillion, built by the famous Empress of Austria Elizabeth aka Princess Sissi. Continue by visiting the Old Town of Corfu, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and round up your day by enjoying the seaside views of Paleokastritsa, where the trees and the water become one in an emerald dreamscape. A full-day experience of Corfu that combines history, art, culture and natural beauty, this Corfu in a day tour is ideal for first-timers and those spending a short time on the Homeric island of the Phaeacians.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 7 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Mingle with Locals in Picturesque Villages

   Corfu is stuffed with humble hamlets, so don't spend all your time on the beach! If you're interested in history, or just want to immerse yourself in the island's traditional culture, head to Old Perithia. As the name implies, this is Corfu's oldest village, although most of its traditional homes have been abandoned. Located at the base of Mt. Pantokrator, this village is located in a secure location, with views of the sea, but invisible from the coast. Corfu's second largest town, picturesque Lefkimmi boasts astonishing architecture, with tall Venetian-style houses, quiet squares, hidden churches, and a canal linking the town to the sea.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your Second Full Day in Corfu

   

   Corfu Food Walking Private Tour

   Get enchanted by the historic city of Corfu and indulge in a delightful walking food tour around the town. Seize the opportunity to experience the Greek gastronomy in depth and feel just like a local. Explore the narrow streets – or ‘Kantounia’- of Corfu with the help of your knowledgeable local guide and discover the city’s hidden gems!
   

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 3 hours 30 minutes

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   

   Museum of Asian Art

   Located at the upper extremity of 'Spaniada,' the central park area of Corfu Town, the Palace of St Michael and St George stands prominently. This distinguished structure, dating back to the era of English governance, was initially constructed as the opulent residence for the British Lord High Commissioner of that time. Presently, it houses the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, a unique institution in Greece dedicated exclusively to the diverse arts of Asia.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 Traveling to Heraklion by Airplane, via Athens / Day Stop in Athens / Arrival in Heraklion

   

   Today a driver will pick you up from your accommodations and take you straight to Corfu's airport, with plenty of time to catch your flight to Athens.

   
   

   Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. In case you would prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. In addition, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   Although it's hard to not keep craning your head to take in the spectacle of the Acropolis at the center of town (especially when it's lit up at night), there's more to Athens than its dense concentration of ancient ruins. Athens is a center for contemporary art, with modern galleries sitting beside museums stuffed with art dating back millennia. This combination of the old and new is especially clear at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a spectacular open-air theater that has hosted concerts and plays for nearly 2,000 years. The city's culture is also reflected in its diverse food and drink, which combines traditional Greek favorites with influences from across the Mediterranean, and the world, as fitting Athens' deep history as a humming harbor hub. While Athens' variety is enough to keep you busy, from the hidden back alleys of the center, to the city's showy coast, the city works well as a base for day trips, whether down the coast, or to the Peloponnese. Head to oracular Delphi, or hunt for where Lord Byron's carved his name into the monumental Temple of Poseidon at the tip of Cape Sounion.

   

   From Athens to Heraklion the best option will be to take a flight on one of the low cost airlines. On your day of departure, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the airport for your flight. Suggested Flight: Departure: Arrival:

   
   

   Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. In case you would prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. In addition, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   Visitors to Heraklion, Crete's capital, are greeted by the imposing Venetian Koules Fortress, a reminder of the importance of this historic gateway to the rest of the island. A vibrant university town, Heraklion is home to some of the island's most important landmarks, such as the Knossos Palace, with its striking Bronze Age ruins, complete with colorful, stunning frescoes. Heading to the center, the bustling Old Town has many markets and cafes, along with neoclassical buildings and a 10th century church with impressed stained glass. Heraklion is a great base for exploring the island, but before you hit the road, take the time to stroll along its Venetian harbor, lined with traditional fishing boats and offering spectacular views of the Koules Fortress.

   Upon arrival to Heraklion airport, our driver will meet you and drive you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Enter Via Koules Fortress

   Koules is an impressive Venetian fortress dating from the early 16th century. An easy and scenic walk from the shoreline along a breakwater takes you to the main entrance. It's an amazing place to go right after your arrival. Grand wooden doors open into rooms where artifacts from Venice's golden age are on display, while thick stone walls keep everything cool. Don't forget to climb to the roof to take in great views of the sea and across the harbor, the town itself.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Traveling to Chania by Private Car / Arrival in Chania

   Upon your arrival at Heraklion Airport, a driver will meet you and take you to your accommodation in Chania. On the way, you will stop for Archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace Private Tour. The duration of the transfer and tour combined is around 6 hours.

   Crete’s most romantic destination offers an irresistible sense of charm. Chania’s Old Town is undeniably captivating, with winding alleyways lined with charming boutique stores, fragrant jasmine trees and bougainvillea, and picturesque squares dotted with local taverns serving Cretan delicacies. The Venetian harbor opens up to panoramic views of the Aegean and the striking Egyptian Lighthouse, which once guided ships safely into the harbor. Traces of centuries of conquests are evident in the amalgam of cultures that intertwine in the cobblestone streets and historical districts of this enchanting town. The district of Splantzia is lined with reminders of the town's Ottoman period. In the afternoon, take a walk along the marina, lined with Venetian boathouses reborn as exhibition spaces and cafes. At sunset people gather by the harbor to witness the magical sunset or simply stroll along the esplanade.

   Upon arrival to Chania you'll be taken directly to your accommodation.

   

   Feast Your Eyes on the Old Venetian Harbor

   Dating back to the 14th century, Chania’s Venetian Harbor is a wonderful place for an introductory stroll. The harbor is a great place to catch the sunset, but we also recommend following the winding streets from the coast inland. For the best part of the Old Town, walk along Angelou Street, one of the nicest back alleys, with 16th and 17th century Venetian architecture. From there, you'll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, tavernas, bars, pastry shops, monuments, and galleries in every direction.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Chania

   

   Street Stories of Chania Group Tour

   Experience the unique beauty and culture of Chania by joining this fantastic foodies’ walking tour through one of Greece’s most picture-pretty cities. Chania has everything: ancient ruins, centuries-old monuments, strong local traditions, and exquisite cuisine that you get to taste during the tour.
   

   Escape the tourist traps and dive into secret corners and local neighborhoods — each stop has a story to tell and food is more than enough to skip lunch!
   

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Chania Wine, Food & Sunset Group Tour

   If wine is your thing, you’ll be glad to know there’s plenty of it in Chania! As well as good food (including ice cream), strong spirits (from wine to raki), alternative bars and clubs, and mythical tales hidden down back alleyways and secret gardens. You'll check it all out and more after sunset on this tour that visits the spots only locals know.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

9. Day 9 Your Second Full Day in Chania

   

   Slow Food and Wild Views Private Tour

   Admire spectacular views and explore the local slow-food. Explore traditional villages, admire epic sceneries, discover the Cretan culture, hear stories of the area’s thrilling past, and indulge yourself by trying the best “slow food,” wine, and raki in the region.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Leather and More

   Shopping in Chania streets can turn into a fun activity even for those who normally do not like spending their vacations souvenir-hunting. Skrydlof Street, also known as Leather Street or Stivanadika (after a type of Cretan boot) is a small shop once home to cobblers. These shoemakers have been replaced by shops selling leather goods. There are also four weekly outdoor markets held in the city center. Our favorite, and the largest, is the one that takes place on Saturdays on Minoos Street, along the city's western wall.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    Sadly the time has come to leave Crete behind. We'll arrange for a driver to take you to Chania airport for your departing flight. The drive to the airport is about 30 minutes.