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Athens, Santorini and Crete in 8 Days
View from a restaurant in Plakias, Crete.
By Wolfgang Staudt from Saarbruecken, Germany (Uploaded by Gary Dee)
[CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Our Athens-based personnel meets you at the international airport, assists you with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable four-star hotel – your base for the next two nights. Check in, relax, then take a stroll through the lively streets. Browse for treasures and curios, savor a coffee or aperitif at a terrace café, or enjoy a fine meal in the old Plaka district.
DAY 2 – ATHENS (B)
This private tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Your expert guide will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, 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, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). 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. Break for lunch on your own, the guide will be happy to suggest few choices for your Greek lunch. Afternoon leisure walk of the ancient district of the Plaka. The guide will walk you back to the Divani Palace for the deluxe hotel category. Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur. Private guide.
DAY 3 – ATHENS – SANTORINI (B)
We’ll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the blue Aegean to Santorini. Air fare is included in economy class with tax, Isle of Ancient “Atlantis”(?!), where you’ll find a room waiting in a beach hotel, or a cliff-side Villa.
DAY 4 – Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel (or Villa), or venture out to explore ON YOUR OWN. Some suggestions that you may wish to consider (on your own): Akrotiri, reputedly the site of fabled Atlantis. Then on to Athinios port to take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Visit Thirassia Island and watch sunset in Oia. Return to your hotel/villa early evening – the decision is totally yours.
DAY 5 – Santorini- Own activities (B)
Whether to stay in your lovely hotel and enjoy the beach, the service, and the amenities, or to venture out to explore some of the dramatic cliffs, coves, and villages… that is the question! No doubt, you’ll mix a bit of both. Relax, and revisit a favorite café or shop, sip an ouzo or retsina at a waterside café, discover a beach or two, or pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at sea. Your days will be filled.
DAY 6 – SANTORINI, CRETE (B)
We’ll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion and your hotel. Flights operate only on Thursday and Saturday. On other days, it will be the fast ferry which is 2 hours (business class), or flights via Athens (Supplement applies$ $ 115).
DAY 7 – CRETE (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore on your own the Venetian part of the old town, see below for more details on tours in Crete.
DAY 8 – DEPARTURE – Crete – Athens (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously in bed. Then we’ll call for you and see you to the airport to begin your journey home. Air fare is included Crete – Athens. Bon Voyage.
| RATE in US $, per person in double occupancy: | |
| First Class (Sea view room in Crete) | $2307 |
| Deluxe: 5 stars (Sea View room in Crete) | $2775 |
| Deluxe with an upgrade to a suite in Chromata in Santorini (Private Bungalows with private pool are available upon request) | $3715 |
Price includes:
- Air transportation from Athens to Santorini, Crete, and back to Athens, in economy class, tax included.
- Transportation from Santorini to Crete by ferry or air based on the itinerary & dates you choose.
- Transportation between airport and hotels in Greece
- Guided sightseeing as indicated in ATHENS, including preset menu lunch as indicated “L”.
- Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary.
- Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
Athens:
- Divani Palace Acropolis (5 Stars Moderate)
- Electra Palace (four stars).
Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:
- For Deluxe rates: Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea (Firostefani).
- First Class accommodation: Sun Rocks, in Firostefani, Astra Apartments, On The Rocks or Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the sea (Imerovigli.) Cliffside suites in Firostefani, or Rose Bay on Kamari Beach Hotel. For Katikies Villas & Pantheon, please add 20 % supplement to the deluxe rate.
Crete:
- Heraklio / Hersonissos Area:
- Creta Maris (5 stars)
- Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
- Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
- Atlantis Hotel (5 stars – Town property)
- Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)
- Heraklio /Amoudara Area:
- Candia Maris Hotel (5 stars)
- Elounda Area:
- Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars):
Supplement $65 per person per night with breakfast & dinner included (part of the deal, cant delete).
- Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars):
- Lasithi Area:
- Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars): PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool: Supplement $200 Per person per night.
4 – Star Properties:
- Heraklio Area:
- Sylva Maris Bungalows hotel (4 stars)
- Galaxy Iraklio Hotel (Town property)
- Asotria Capsis Hotel (Town Hotel)
- Marina Beach in Gouves area
- Pantheon Palace in Gouves area
- Hersonissos Maris – pool sharing (4 stars)
- Lasithi Area:
- Miramar in Aghios Nikolaos
Not Included:
- International air transportation from your home country.
- Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
- Any meal not specifically mentioned.
- Beverages, and personal expenses
- Gratuities for local personnel
- Travel insurance.
- Airport taxes.
