Delve Deep: Greek Islands

Helloooo, Athens! Cue epic adventures, crystal-clear water and more gyros than your fat pants can handle. Think: 4am kebab – but better. Gather ‘round Spartans! Tonight we'll meet the gang and dine Greek style: brace yourself for a legendary included group dinner at your hotel.

Tick off your ancient must-dos today on a stroll with your local Trip Leader. See the likes of Monastiraki Square, the ruins of the library of Hadrian, Filopappou Hill (for spectacular views over Athens and the Acropolis) and Syntagma Square for the changing of the guards. Then: delve deeper into these archeological sites with an afternoon of free time – the mighty Acropolis is waiting. Ready to dial up your ancient history quota? Jump on an optional afternoon trip to Cape Sounion and Attica. Or spend your free time hunting down the best Greek donut shop in Athens. And this evening? It’s all yours. We rec finding local haunt for some seriously good saganaki – it’s cheese, it’s fried, it’s goddam delicious.

We’re not going to lie, this morning’s an early one – but it’s going to be oh-so-worth it! Set sail from the birthplace of democracy to Mykonos, Greece’s unofficial beach party capital. As a group, we’ll hit up the windmills in Little Venice for THAT photo, check out the white-washed shop fronts of Old Town and make a mental note of all the beachfront cocktail bars to check out later. Then: the rest is up to you! Ever heard of Paradise Beach? It’s where Europe goes to party. ‘Nough said.

Sore head this morning? DW we’ve got the cure – a free day lazing on Mykonos’ soft sandy beaches. If you’re up for it, spend your day at a Greek cooking class. Drool-worthy dishes and REAL local history? Say less. Or lace up those Nikes for an included hike around Paradise Beach. It’s 100% up to you. Looking for some local inspo? Your Trip Leader’s more clued-up than the Cluedo World Champion ‘96. Make the most of it!

Say goodbye to Mykonos – we’re hopping over to Paros this morning. Expect: more white-and-blue coloured paradise. Get your bearings around Parikia (aka Paros’ capital) before cutting loose to do whatever you want. Get your architecture fix at the Church of 100 Doors. Explore the cobblestone streets in Naoussa. Or grab some chill time at Kolimbithres Beach. Options, options...

Oh, what’s that? Free time to do your own thing? We thought so. Soak up the sweet beach vibes. Settle in at a taverna. Or jump on the bus to Lefkes for some sick views. Want to explore a little deeper? There’s a full day trip to Naoussa, Kolymbithres beach and the church of Ekatontapiliani on offer. And a wine tasting experience with: a local guide, snacks, a swim stop, and (the most important ingredient) WINE. Say less. Tonight? We’re dining like locals with an included group meal, so get ready to share your top Greek legends/arty AF shell pics (we know you’ve got them).

Hop back on the ferry: the blue-domed cliffside houses of your Insta feed await in Santorini – #nofilter necessary. Get the tour of Fira with your in-the-know Trip Leader (the side of the island with the best views). Then: it’s time to make your friends back home jealous AF with THAT sunset pic. Lucky for you, we’re no rookies when it comes to picking the best spot. So settle in, this is going to be one to remember. Finally: it's time for another included dinner with the gang. Get ready to stuff your face with alllll the local bites.

On today’s agenda? OPTIONS. Get your fill of blue-domed churches, rustic windmills and whitewashed houses with an adventure around the island. Or sign up for a full-day volcano excursion, starting with a sail in a traditional caldera before getting your hike on – volcano style. And just in case your iPhone gallery wasn’t filled last night, you could even join an Oia sunset tour later. Best day ever? We’re not surprised.

Whip out your camera and snap those final pics – it’s your last morning in Santorini. Disclaimer: this afternoon we’ve got a lengthy ferry ride back to Athens to finish off our island hopping adventure. But sometimes it’s about the journey, right? We’ll be back in Athens later this eve for our last night of the trip *sob*.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye. Try not to get too emotional – you could be an ugly crier. Or why not keep the good times rolling in Athens with our post (or pre) tour activity option? Think: a guided stroll around the city’s incred Acropolis with a local expert. It’s available to book via ‘Your Topdeck Experience’ in the app when you book your chosen tour. FYI you can also enjoy this activity before your trip begins, too.