Day 1 - Arrive Athens

Overnight: Electra Palace

Day 2 - Athens Sightseeing Tour

This morning is at leisure to relax and explore Athens independently. You might like to spend some time in the well-equipped spa or on the hotel’s roof top sipping a cocktail at the pool bar.

Overnight: Electra Palace   

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Athens At Leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure in Athens exploring independently or indulging in the exceptional facilities at your hotel. Perhaps you might like to get stuck into the tastiest treats on the street with a market tour and meze-making class. At the crossroad between the Orient and the West, Greek gastronomy has been infused with the best of both worlds and is a heaven for any food lover. One of the country’s well-known and best loved of dishes, meze are small shared plates of bread, cheese, mouth-watering meat and fish dishes accompanied by Greek rice, traditionally indulged to accompany alcoholic drinks or served as an appetizer. In the company of a local chef, start with a visit to carefully selected specialty food stores, where you can taste some of the finest olive oil, cheese and honey available and local delicacies such as ‘pastourma’ cured meat. Afterwards, return to the chef’s restaurant to prepare three authentic meze recipes. Your chef teaches you how to cook in true Greek-style and you enjoy savouring the fruits of your labour!

Overnight: Electra Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Athens - Crete

Today you are privately transferred to Athens Airport to board your flight to Crete.

Upon arrival at Heraklion Airport, you are met by your local guide and privately transferred to your hotel. En route, stop at Knossos to visit the famous palace which belonged to King Minos and was the centre of the       Minoan civilisation. Evidence has been unearthed of mosaic floors, the grand staircase, and the throne complex. Continue to your hotel where you are assisted with check-in.

Overnight: Blue Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Crete Sightseeing Tour

Early this morning, accompanied by your guide, board the first boat of the day travelling to the island of Spinalonga. This local fishing boat ferries you and the island guards across the short distance of water to the island, where you can see the remains of the Venetian fortress that was built in 1579 to defend the city of Elounda. The island also acted as a former leper colony from 1903 right up until 1957. Wander along the ruined streets of this former community and imagine the lives of those isolated in this remote place. You can visit the burial ground, hospital and decontamination area and listen to stories of the remarkable people who created a life here. Upon your return to the mainland, take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Plaka, filled with flowers, tavernas and shops selling handmade wares.

This afternoon is at your leisure to relax and enjoy all the hotel facilities.

Overnight: Blue Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Crete Sightseeing Tour

This morning you meet your guide and private vehicle for a half-day excursion. Your tour begins at the picturesque village of Kritsa, renowned for its traditional weaving. See the famous Byzantine church of Panagia Kera with its beautiful frescoes. You are then driven to the Minoan settlement and archaeological site of Gournia. Gournia is the only example of a large town far from the great palaces and in some sense independent of them, and so it is of particular interest for the evidence it provides of everyday living.

Overnight: Blue Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Crete At Leisure

Spend the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities at the hotel.

Overnight: Blue Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Crete - Santorini

Today you are privately transferred to Crete Airport in time for your flight to Santorini.

On arrival, you are welcomed to the island by your local representative as you exit customs into the arrivals hall, and transferred to your hotel, where you are assisted with check-in procedures.

Overnight: Canaves Oia

Meal Plan: B

Day 9 - Fira & Oia

Take the opportunity to soak up Fira’s vibrant atmosphere by strolling through its many streets and photographing the spectacular views over the multi-coloured cliffs. Afterwards, you may wish to visit Oia. Known for being the most picturesque town in Santorini, it sits on the north-western tip of the island, playing host to a number of beautifully white-washed houses, sculpted from the rocky clifftops, with its windmills and caves also perched up on the cliff edge. Continue with a visit to one of the three best wineries on the island, sure to convince you that this Aegean Sea isle, with some of the oldest vineyards in the world, produces truly unique white wine using the Assyrtiko grape. Red wine connoisseurs, however, are very much impressed by the up-and-coming Mavrotragano variety. Alternatively, art lovers may prefer to visit the Art Space, a unique gallery set within caves of pumice rock.

Overnight: Canaves Oia

Meal Plan: B

Day 10 - Santorini At Leisure

You have free time today to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

Dinner suggestion: You might like to to get the Culinary Concierge treatment - experience local flavour at its finest with a mouth-watering array of meze-style cuisine at a local restaurant. The chef or restaurant manager spends time with you explaining the ingredients and their deep connection to local cuisine.

Overnight: Canaves Oia

Meal Plan: B

Day 11 - Depart Santorini

Today you are privately transferred to Santorini Airport for your departure flight.

Meal Plan: B