Best of Greece with Island Hopper

Day 1
Welcome to Athens
Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you'll have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal.

Day 2
Explore Amazing Athens Dive Into Culture
Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation'. Along our journey into antiquity, you'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.

Day 3
Journey to Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplion
Depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in Corinth, join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. Continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where you'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist. Later, travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theatre and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, you'll dine in our hotel this evening.

Day 4
Continue to Ancient Olympia Connect with Locals
Travel through the Arcadian mountains towards the Peloponnese and the historic site of Olympia. En route, visit a family-run honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste thyme-infused honey straight from the hive and learn how traditional practices are helping to protect the region’s biodiversity. Later, explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games, held here in 776 BC. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience with the Karabelas family at their olive and wine estate. Enjoy homecooked food, traditional dancing and an evening of warm Greek hospitality.

Day 5
Onwards to Patras and Delphi
Join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. You'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.

Day 6
Off to Thermopylae and Kalambaka
Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks who once journeyed to Delphi to seek guidance from the most influential oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. See the statues that honour the strength of athletes who competed in the Pythian Games, held in Apollo’s name. Later, enjoy a scenic drive to Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his Spartans famously held the line against the Persians. Continue across the fertile Thessaly plain, known as the breadbasket of Greece, before arriving in Kalambaka.

Day 7
Admire Meteora and Return to Athens
The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are your first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. After a scenic drive back to Athens, settle in for a final dinner with your travel companions to reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.

Day 8
Cruise to Santorini
Depart Athens and cruise to Santorini, where you'll spend the next three days exploring the island's dramatic beauty. Stroll through the volcanic island's quaint clifftop towns. Blue-domed whitewashed facades cling dramatically to the multi-coloured cliffs providing a spectacular backdrop for exquisite sunsets. Join your companions this evening for a memorable meal of Greek cuisine.

Day 9
Santorini Your Way
View the magnificent caldera, see the island's ancient ruins or ramble through the winding streets of Fira and Oia - today is yours to enjoy a leisurely exploration of this beautiful island on your own. Indulge in a day of sunbathing and relaxation on one of its many beaches or shop up a storm at its boutique stores.

Day 10
Enjoy Sunny Santorini
Toast to the spellbinding beauty of Santorini with another full day at leisure to relax and soak up the island’s atmosphere. Wander through whitewashed streets, unwind on a volcanic beach or visit a local winery to learn about the island’s unique winemaking traditions and sample its distinctive wines. For those looking to explore more, join an Optional Experience. You could set sail on a catamaran cruise, gliding across the caldera and stopping for a swim in the Aegean’s crystal-clear waters. Alternatively, opt to board a caique and cruise to Nea Kameni, where you can hike an active volcano, soak in the hot springs, and enjoy a casual dinner with wine as the sun sets over Oia. This evening, an Optional Experience takes you to a traditional Greek wedding celebration—enjoy authentic food, wine, music and dancing, and even smash a few plates in true Greek style.

Day 11
Cruise to Mykonos
Take a short ferry transfer to Mykonos - its characteristic hillside windmills overlook the beautiful bay and stand as an enduring greeting to all who arrive. Enjoy an orientation before spending the rest of your day getting lost amidst the island's labyrinthine lanes, lined with whitewashed cottages and tumbling cerise bougainvillea. Take to the playground of the rich and famous and perhaps experience the island's vibrant nightlife.

Day 12
Admire Mykonos
Set your watch to island time and enjoy a glorious day soaking up the laid-back vibe of Mykonos. Spend your day relaxing on its beautiful beaches, sip champagne in the picturesque Little Venice waterside, or visit some of its historical treasures, including the 17th-century Church of the Paraportiani, the Archaeological Museum and the Aegean Maritime Museum.

Day 13
Marvel at Mykonos
Kick back and enjoy another idyllic day in beautiful surrounds. Indulge in local seafood flavours, enjoy a leisurely swim in the calm waters of the Aegean or consider a trip to see the mythical sanctuary of Delos, believed by the ancients to be the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.

Day 14
Cruise to Athens
Return to Athens via a high-speed ferry. After being transferred to your hotel, enjoy some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing at your own pace.

Day 15
Farewell Athens
Say a fond farewell to Greece and your newfound friends as you are transferred to the airport for the flight home.

Dining Summary
7 Dinner (D)
14 Breakfast (B)
Be My Guest
Olympia: Say "opa!" to a traditional Greek experience with the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm. Join the family for dinner and dancing, and learn about their history on the land.
Dive into Culture
Athens: Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.
Iconic Experience
Athens: Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
Corinth: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Join a Local Specialist and gain insight into Corinth's eventful past.
Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Specialist.
Archaeological Site of Olympia: Join a Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
Delphi: With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
Meteora: With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
Santorini: Enjoy an orientation of stunning Santorini upon arrival. 
Mykonos: View the Windmills of Kato Mili and wander the beautiful blue and white streets of Chora.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Delphi: Visit Axion Esti, a family-run organic beekeeping facility in Stemnitsa. Meet Sophia and Anthony and learn how their passion for bees has grown into an award-winning operation. Suit up to see the hives up close, explore the museum, and sample local honey while discovering the importance of pollinators to the ecosystem. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Must-see Highlights
Discover Santorini and Mykonos
Visit the Acropolis and Museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient Theatre at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the home of the Oracle at Delphi, the incredible rock monasteries in Meteora, Santorini and Mykonos
View the Parthenon, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae
See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace in Mycenae
Trafalgar Difference
Delphi: Designed by renowned architect Nikos Valsamakis in 1965, the Amalia Hotel Delphi is a notable example of postwar Greek architecture. It integrates seamlessly with the Delphic landscape, with rooms arranged to follow the terrain.