Greek Gems: Athens and Santorini in 6 Days

Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Our transfer will be waiting for you at the airport. After boarding our luxurious vehicle, sit back and relax as the driver transports you to the hotel for check-in. Overnight Athens.

Breakfast and get ready for the most amazing city tour. From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, with the half-day sightseeing and Acropolis Museum tour, you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Hear insightful commentary from your guide and pass top Athens attractions including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Greek Parliament building, and the Presidential Palace. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided half-day tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens. We depart for a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games occurred in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then pass the Athens Trilogy, including the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Continue passing by the National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae the gateway, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Stroll up to the UNESCO-listed site that served as the ancient citadel and tour the buildings as you hear how they reflected Athens’ prosperity in the 5th century BC. Then we will visit the New Acropolis Museum which is only 300m. away from the sacred rock of Acropolis and where at last 4000 priceless statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era. Overnight in Athens.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Piraeus port to take the ferry to Santorini. Arrival in Santorini and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Santorini on your own. Overnight in Santorini

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Sail across Santorini’s beautiful ‘caldera’ (flooded crater) and visit the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia on this 6-hour cruise. Board a sightseeing boat, and admire Santorini’s cliffs as you cruise to Nea Kameni. Enjoy free time to walk around its volcanic crater, swim in the warm springs, and visit Thirasia island. Explore and have lunch here at leisure before cruising back to Santorini. Departure: The excursion starts from the port of Santorini. There the guides of your excursion will be waiting for you, to give you all the important information and to orientate you on the boat. Volcano: Our first destination will be the famous volcano of Santorini! After 20 minutes of sailing, we will reach Nea Kameni’s jetty. Should you be interested in being guided to the volcano, you should pay 5euro/ per person as an entrance fee. Then, you will walk to the volcano’s ridge with your guide and he is going to explain everything about the history and the geology of the volcano. You will stay at the volcanic island for 1.5hr and in the end, you will embark again on our boat for the next stop. Hot Springs: Our next stop will be the island of Palea Kameni where the famous hot springs are located on the west side. A place that is popular for its thermal waters. We will stop there for 30 minutes at a distance of 30 meters from the shallow waters of Agios Nikolaos beach. The waters are mixed with mud that they are full of sulfur, iron, and other metals coming from the volcano and they are very good for the skin, rheumatism, arthritis, and other physical pains. Important Note: To reach Agios Nikolaos beach is essential to swim extremely well. Thirassia: The next stop is the island of Thirassia. Thirassia is a miniature of what Santorini used to be several years ago. Today is a virgin island, still untouched by tourism and modern lifestyle. The island of Thirassia is only 9 sq. km in size and has approximately 300 permanent inhabitants. We will stay there for 2 hours, to explore this picturesque and traditional village as well as to taste the authentic Santorinian cuisine. Should you wish, you can also walk to the main village of Manolas, which is the capital of Thirassia. The view over Santorini is spectacular from there.

Breakfast at the hotel and a free day at your disposal. In the afternoon the wine tour. Taste the celebrated wines of Santorini and admire the charming landscapes during sunset time as you move between three of the most distinctive island wineries on a 4-hour sunset wine-tasting tour. Learn about the island’s unique viticulture, which is amongst the first to produce wine in the Mediterranean, and explore the cellars of each winery to see where the wine is bottled and matured. Sample some of the top wine vintages each estate has to showcase served alongside local snacks and enjoy views of the iconic Santorini’s sunset during wine tastings at the final winery visit.

Explore the crème de la crème wine estates of Santorini and taste a selection of 12 different wines in three celebrated wineries. Enjoy delicious platters of cheese from small Greek producers and listen to expert advice about Greek wines, food pairing, and wine tasting. Enjoy personalized attention hear interesting facts about wine from your wine-expert guide and experience a wine-tasting session during sunset time at a hill-top winery on the volcanic cliffs.

Estate Argyros or Avantis Winery

Gavalas Winery or Hatzidakis Winery

Santo Winery or Venetsanos Winery (Sunset views, Greek cheeses & tapas)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Santorini airport to take your flight back