Saturday, June 29 – Athens – Tour Begins
Our tour begins in the capitol city of Athens, a cultural trove for art, food, music and history. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers at our Amazing Journeys Welcome Event followed by a dinner featuring Greek specialties at a local restaurant in Athens – Opa! (D)
Sunday, June 30 – Athens
Ascend the steep hill of the Acropolis, Greek for “highest city.” This is the perfect place to start our tour. The Acropolis was the religious center of ancient Athens and is crowned by the Parthenon, considered the pinnacle of classical Greek architecture. We’ll visit the magnificent New Acropolis Museum, an archaeological museum focused on the findings of artifacts found at the Acropolis, and consistently rated as one of the best museums in the world. Here, we’ll learn about the Parthenon and its surrounding temples, including a top-floor gallery that offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Acropolis and modern Athens.
After stopping at a local coffee house to recharge, we’ll head over to the Jewish Museum. Here, you will be immersed in the understanding of the Jewish communities in Athens and in Greece in the 19th and 20th centuries.
This evening is free for further discovery of Athens as there are many fun neighborhoods within close proximity of our hotel. Our recommendation – walking through the Plaka neighborhood, the perfect spot for people watching, shopping and food! Or perhaps you’ll search for the perfect rooftop restaurant with a view of the Acropolis, lit up at night. Wherever you end up, we know you’ll love Athens food scene! (B)
Monday, July 1 – Athens – Mykonos
This morning, transfer to the port of Piraeus for an exciting high-speed ferry ride to Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands. Enjoy magnificent views as we cruise across the brilliant Aegean Sea to this island paradise. This afternoon, walk through the narrow, picturesque streets of Mykonos as we explore the Old Historic Town on our cultural walking tour. We’ll visit Kato Milli, the famous Windmills to learn how they operate, the picturesque Little Venice, Lena’s House to learn about daily life in Mykonos of centuries past, Manto Mavrogenous Square, and more.
This evening is free to enjoy so many dining options of Mykonos – whether exploring the fantastic restaurants in the Old Town or admiring the breathtaking sunset at our hotel, you are sure to have a magical evening. Our luxurious 5-star hotel is located by Mykonos’s longest fine-sand beach, about 12km from Mykonos Town and offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the Old Town. Although with a hotel this beautiful, you may never want to leave! (B)
Tuesday, July 2 – Mykonos
Today we’ll embark on a village tour and cooking class with a local Greek family in what’s bound to be a highlight of our trip. Our culinary hosts will welcome us into their beautiful Mykonian residence and treat us like family. They’ll teach us about Mykonian history and culture, share stories about their family life and make us feel as if we’ve known them forever. We’ll learn about the true Mykonian lifestyle and taste some traditional meze snacks, such as dakos with kopanisti cheese and tomato, enjoy full-bodied wine and Cretan raki. Wander through fresh vegetable gardens and learn about local organic farming under the warm Greek sunshine. In the kitchen, we’ll make tzatziki and spinach pie, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, fresh grilled vegetables with orzo and several other delectable dishes. Then we’ll gather around the table with our host family, sharing our meal and stories together.
The rest of the day is yours at leisure whether relaxing in the warm Greek sun by the pool or on the beach – you are in the Greek Isles, after all. (B, L)
Wednesday, July 3 – Mykonos
Spend a day at leisure in paradise. Are you the person who likes to spend time with new friends having a drink around the pool or lazing on the beach? Or perhaps you want to spend your day delving deeper into the history of Greece by exploring the local churches and monasteries or the nearby island of Delos. Perhaps you’re up for a hike with others. Or, exploring one of the beach communities, having a leisurely lunch on the sand. You can visit the local markets, shops and galleries back in Old Town, or visit a museum or two. The day is yours to spend however you’d like.
This evening, enjoy a delicious seafood dinner together as a group in Ornos, a village on a narrow isthmus, situated between two beaches. (B, D)
Thursday, July 4 – Mykonos – Santorini
Today we leave Mykonos behind and take the fast ferry to the most spectacular destination in the Mediterranean, the fabled island of Santorini. Revel in the breathtaking scenery of this charming paradise as we head towards our luxurious hotel, located near the city of Fira.
One of the most famous sunsets in the world happens in the village of Oia, as the sun dips down below the caldera off the coast of Santorini. Tonight, you’ll get to see the gorgeous sunset for yourself and take in all the beauty the island has to offer. After, feel free to stay in Oia to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants overlooking the caldera and the whitewashed buildings with their blue domes or built into caves in the stunning cliffs. (B)
Friday, July 5 – Santorini
Our exciting day begins with a visit to the excavation site of ancient Akrotiri, the most important prehistoric settlement found anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. Known as the “Minoan Pompeii” the flourishing town was at once destroyed and preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C. Next we’ll visit a region known for its wine production and spend time in the small, charming village of Megalochori with its cobble-stone streets filled with whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and bell towers as we wind through its labyrinth of alleys. Its caldera views will take your breath away.
We’ll have the unique experience of venturing into an underground cave where we’ll visit the Koutsogiannopoulis Wine Museum to learn about the centuries-old production in this region, followed by wine tasting and some local snacks.
Join together this evening with our Amazing Journeys friends for our community Shabbat, followed by dinner at a restaurant perched along the edge of the cliffs of Santorini with stunning caldera views. (B, D)
Saturday, July 6 – Santorini
Spend this morning at leisure – relax by the pool with breathtaking ocean views, visit a local museum, shop in Fira’s charming town center on “gold street,” known for its jewelry, sit in a café to people watch, or explore the picturesque streets and alleys of Fira.
This afternoon, enjoy the beauty of Santorini from the sea as we climb aboard our yacht to sail around the caldera and take in the views while enjoying our Farewell Dinner onboard. (B, D)
Sunday, July 7 – Santorini – Tour Ends
This morning we say “avtio” to Greece as we head back home with memories of our Amazing Journey. (B)
Our Hotels:
Nights 1-2 Hotel Titania, Athens
Nights 3-5 Royal Myconian, Mykonos
Nights 6-8 Santorini Palace, Santorini
Please note:
– Alternate hotels may be used.
– The order of the tour may be changed.
– Some activities are weather dependent.
Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time. By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website. All rooms are non-smoking.
Cancellation Policy: Prior to December 27, 2023, there is a $175 penalty for cancellation. From December 28, 2023 to February 27, 2024 there is a $375 penalty for cancellation plus $100 for each additional hotel night reserved. From February 28 – March 28, 2024, the cancellation penalty is the amount of the deposit including any additional hotel nights. From March 29 – May 7, 2024, the cancellation penalty is 50% of the total for the trip package including any additional hotel nights. From May 8, 2024 or after and “no-shows” will receive no refund including any additional hotel nights. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation after the start of the trip. Your decision not to participate on the tour due to State Department advisories, fear of travel, illness or any other reason will be deemed a cancellation.
Travel Protection: Amazing Journeys recommends you purchase travel protection. Information will be sent with your tour confirmation.
Flights and Transfers: It is important that you not purchase airfare until you receive a confirmation letter from Amazing Journeys, which will contain specific flight parameters. This tour begins in Athens (ATH) and ends in Santorini (JTR). Transfers between the airports and hotels are not included.
Twin Accommodations: Twin accommodations are available if you and a friend are traveling together. When signing up for twin occupancy, should one of the roommates cancel, the remaining traveling roommate will assume the cost of a single supplement. Standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellation.
Passports & Visas: A passport is necessary to travel on this itinerary. It must be valid for six months beyond the last day of the trip. If you are arriving from the US, Canada, Australia or UK, there are no visas are necessary at this time. Please note that visa requirements can change at any time and it is up to the traveler to be aware of visa requirements.
Baggage: Each traveler will be limited to one suitcase. Your carry-on bag must fit up on the bus and cannot go under the bus based on luggage-hold size limitations. We recommend a backpack, tote bag or purse, as you will be responsible for your own luggage when boarding and disembarking ferries as we move from island to island.
Fuel Surcharges: Should oil costs go above $65 a barrel and our tour operators adjust the rate of the tours cost accordingly, we reserve the right to adjust the cost of the tour.
Exchange Rate: In the case of currency fluctuations of greater than 3%, we reserve the right to adjust our pricing accordingly in order that we may be able to operate the tours effectively.
Taxes & Gratuities: Taxes, surcharges, and government fees are subject to change. Gratuities have been included on this tour and include tips for the local guides, drivers, luggage porters and included meals. Gratuities are not included for housekeeping staff in the hotels and tipping is at your discretion.
Activity Level- 3 out of 5: This means you’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for 1-2 hours isn’t a big deal. You can navigate hills, uneven ground and cobblestones, climb into various modes of transportation and could possibly anticipate changes in elevation. You can expect some longer days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own. There will be some early mornings and some of the touring days may be longer with select included activities occurring later in the evening.
Vaccines & Precautions: At this time there are no specific vaccinations required for international travelers. We recommend you visit a travel clinic or see your health professional to be sure you are up to date on vaccinations needed for international travel. Requirements can change at any time. You can get more information at the following web sites: www.cdc.gov/travel or www.travelersvaccines.com. It is recommended you bring along an official government issued Covid-19 proof of vaccination card as countries and venues along the way may still require it and there is a possibility you may be denied entry without.
We must have a minimum of 15 participants in order to operate this tour with an Amazing Journeys Onsite Tour Coordinator. If less than 15 participants are confirmed by the date of travel, the tour will continue with the Local Tour Guides.
