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Itinerary

MAY 12 – USA / ATHENS: Depart on your overnight flight to Athens, Greece.

MAY 13 – ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE:  Upon arrival at Athens airport, you will be met by your Tour Director and shortly afterwards will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

MAY 14 – ATHENS: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Later, depart on a half-day guided tour in Athens.  This city tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Your expert guide will first take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. You will then continue and pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and the Constitution Square. On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the harmony between material and spirit, the monument that puts order in the mind, the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: the new Acropolis Museum.  (B)

MAY 15 – ATHENS / MYKONOS: After breakfast, depart by private transfer to Piraeus where you board a ferry bound for Mykonos. On arrival in Mykonos, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of your day and evening are at leisure.

MAY 16 – MYKONOS: After breakfast, depart on a half-day excursion. Discover the highlights of Mykonos on a comfortable city walk to the unique sites like Little Venice and the windmill area, Paraportiani church and the harbor front. Afterwards, board your coach and start an excursion that takes you all over the island to the beautiful bays and beaches like Agios Ioannis, Plati Yalos, San Stefanos and Kalafatis as well as to the traditional village of Ano Mera with its picturesque village square and 16^th century monastery.  This afternoon, return to your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore. (B)

MAY 17 – MYKONOS / SANTORINI: After breakfast, depart by private transfer to the port where you board a ferry bound for Santorini. On arrival in Santorini, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of your day and evening are at leisure. (B)

MAY 18 – SANTORINI EXCURSION: Shortly after breakfast, depart on a full day tour to visit the most important places of Santorini. Head to Profitis Ilias Mountain, the highest peak of the island (567 meters) which is located between Pyrgos and Kamari. The Mountain’s name is Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah), coming from the Monastery with the same name located at the top. From this vantage point, you will enjoy a striking view of the entire island, from the patchwork agricultural plains to the hilltop village of Oia. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of Megalochori, one of the most beautiful traditional villages of the island. Typical traditional cycladic houses, neoclassic buildings and small houses dug in the volcanic rock blend together with harmony. We find here also the typical small white churches with blue domes. Enjoy some free time for photos or for a walk at the famous Red Beach, well known for the unique color of the sand and the hill behind it. Soaring red lava cliffs which drop right to the sandy shore and into the clear blue sea. On to Koutsoyannopoulos Winery. Being the only one of its kind in Greece, the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum occupies a natural cave. It is eight meters below ground, 300 meters long and has a labyrinth-like shape. The Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum presents the history of wine and the life of vine-growers in Santorini since the 1600s. You will have the opportunity to see representations of the history of wine and to taste four of the best wines that winery produces today, in a specially designed wine-tasting area. On your way back to the hotel, pause in Oia, known for breathtaking sunsets. Oia is one of the most photographed places in Greece. It has inspired artists, poets, and every visitor to the island. The beauty of Oia is unsurpassed. Small white cave houses dug into the volcanic rock, interspersed by splashes of rich ochre, deep fuchsia, cobalt blue, oyster pink and earthy red. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

MAY 19 – SANTORINI: Enjoy breakfast followed by a full day at leisure in Santorini. Your hotel is located a short 10-minute walk from the stunning cliff-perched town of Fira. This evening, transfer to the port and travel by boat to Armeni Restaurant in Armeni Bay, Oia, where you will enjoy dinner. (B/D)

MAY 20 – SANTORINI / CRETE: After breakfast, depart by private transfer to the port where you board a ferry bound for Crete. On arrival in Crete, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of your day and evening are at leisure. (B)

MAY 21 – HALF DAY CRETE EXCURSION: After breakfast, depart on a half-day excursion to Lassithi Plateau. Drive through the beautifully cultivated lands of Crete, once revered by ancient Rome, to the 17th century Kera Monastery, renowned for its remarkable frescoes. You’ll continue through small villages to the Lassithi Plateau for a breath-taking view over the below landscape; mountains encapsulating a valley with thousands of the island’s characteristic windmills. Proceed to Avdou village where the production of olive oil is the main occupation of the villagers. Thanks to fertility and soil quality, the production covers a large percentage of the overall production of the Cretan sector. The combination of climate, soil fertility as well as the specialization of farmers leads the Cretan virgin olive oil quality and demand worldwide. Here you will have an olive oil tasting. This afternoon return to your hotel where the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. Enjoy dinner in your hotel. (B/D)

MAY 22 – DEPART ATHENS – USA: This morning you will be transferred to Heraklion where you will board your flight to Athens. In Athens, board your flight back to the USA. (B)

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

→ Inclusions

 Inclusions

• Roundtrip air from Chicago to Athens
• English speaking Tour Director for duration of tour
• 9 nights’ accommodation in 4-Star hotels: 2 nights in Athens, 2 nights in Mykonos, 3 nights in Santorini, and 2 nights in Crete
• Breakfast each morning, except day of arrival
• Welcome dinner in a local restaurant in Athens, with wine
• Dinner in Armeni Restaurant or similar in Santorini, with wine
• Farewell dinner in hotel on Crete, with wine
• Luxury motorcoach for transfers and sightseeing as outlined in itinerary
• Half-day private Athens city tour in luxury coach with local English-speaking guide
• Entrance to Acropolis site & Acropolis Museum
• High-speed ferry tickets Piraeus-Mykonos, Mykonos-Santorini and Santorini-Heraklion, Crete, in economy class
• Half-day tour of Mykonos city and island with English speaking escort
• Full-day tour of Santorini villages in luxury coach with English speaking escort
• Wine tasting on Santorini
• Half-day tour of Lassithi plateau in Crete including olive oil tasting
• Air ticket from Heraklion to Athens, including taxes
• Portfolio of e-documents
• Porterage of one suitcase per person
• 24-hour emergency support while in Europe

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

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