fbpx

Premium Greece Cyclades Islands

Premium Greece Cyclades Islands

From $ 8,460 AUD

Description

Let the charm of the Cyclades wash over you on this nine-day Premium island adventure in Greece. Start off in the storied city of Athens, explore the villages of Paros, uncover ancient riches in Naxos and soak up the views in Santorini, where you’ll spend two nights unwinding at your spacious Feature Stay hotel. Hike a caldera, taste local wine as you take in sunset views, sample kitron and take a cooking class with organic ingredients. Travel with a passionate local leader who’s eager to share the magic of their country as you discover fascinating histories, incredible food and welcoming locals.

Trip Name
Premium Greece Cyclades Islands
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Soak up the beauty of Santorini from your Feature Stay hotel, offering volcano or sea views from your private balcony, a swimming pool, spacious rooms and a prime location.
  • Taste a variety of Greek foods throughout the trip, including a visit to an olive oil press museum in Naxos, a cooking class complete with local kitron tasting and a sunset wine tasting with views of the caldera in Santorini.
  • Learn the tricks of the trade in Naxos during an in-depth cooking class with a local, using organic ingredients from her garden to create regional specialties which you’ll then enjoy for lunch.
  • Hike along Santorini’s caldera, passing steep cliff faces and impressive views as you learn about the geological history of the island along the way.
  • Explore Paros with an expert guide who will share insider knowledge of the island’s history and villages.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Athens
Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. Your adventure begins in Athens, Greece’s capital. There’s a lot to experience in this ancient city, so arriving a few days early is highly recommended. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to visit Athens’ iconic Acropolis or walk around the National Garden. After your meeting, get a taste of Greece’s celebrated cuisine during dinner with your group at a local restaurant and perhaps toast the beginning of the adventure with a glass of ouzo.
Day 2 - Paros
This morning, you’ll be transported to Athens' port at Piraeus, where you’ll board a ferry to Paros – a beautiful and relaxed island with a layered history. Ferries are a great way to travel between the islands and are essential to reach many remote islands in Greece's archipelagos. In the afternoon, get to know Paros during an island tour with a local guide. Start off in Parikia, the island’s main town, where you’ll visit the Ekatontapiliani church, also known as the Church of a Hundred Doors. Drive across the island, passing ancient marble quarries and verdant hills, to Marpissa for a visit to a cultural centre to learn about island life from a group of local women. Carry on to Naoussa – a village known for its whitewashed alleys, Venetian castle and scenic port. Then, join your trip leader for a taste of Greece’s favourite street food — the iconic souvlaki wrap, or gyros, with freshly grilled meat tucked into soft pita bread. Delicious vegan options are also available.
Day 3 - Paros
The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s no shortage of things to see and do on the island. You might like to take a guided morning hike along the coast – starting off at a fishing village and weaving through some of the island’s best beaches. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to visit the nearby island of Antiparos – a favourite secret holiday spot for royals and celebrities. Or maybe you’d like to spend the day relaxing on one of Paros’ many beaches, cooling off with dips in Aegean Sea. Speak to your leader for more information about the activities on offer today and for tips on how to make the most of this island.
Day 4 - Naxos
Say goodbye to Paros this morning and catch a short ferry to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has something for everyone – from beaches to an Old Town and hundreds of years of Venetian history. Take some time to settle in, then regroup in the late afternoon to learn about the town. Visit the Portara with a local guide – this giant marble doorway is the only remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo from 530 BC. Naxos is unique in the fact that it is the Cyclades’ only self-sufficient island, meaning all produce is grown and available on the island without imports. Because of this, the cuisine is hyperlocal and differs from the rest of the country. Try it for yourself this evening during a group dinner, where you’ll learn all about the regional specialties.
Day 5 - Naxos
Drive to Kaloxylos in the heart of the island’s biggest olive grove (which is also one of the oldest in the world!). Here, you’ll tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil in Greek culture and traditional extraction methods. After your visit, you’ll put your new knowledge to good use as you travel to the nearby village of Galini for a hands-on cooking class. Meet with a local who will share her culinary knowledge with the group, leaving you with recipes you can cook up at home. First, collect fresh ingredients from your host’s organic garden and learn about cultivation and farming on Naxos. Then put the ingredients together to create a Naxian dish from scratch, enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch. The evening is free for you to explore Naxos at your leisure. Your trip leader will be on hand to provide recommendations. For a taste of the island’s culture, perhaps sample the beloved local kitron liqueur which has a history stretching back to the 19th century and is produced exclusively on Naxos.
Day 6 - Naxos
Today is free for you to explore more of Naxos as you wish. You may like to head to one of the island’s beaches or discover more of its history at a local museum. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos in Chora Naxos dates back to the 17th century and houses artefacts from the Neolithic to the early Christian periods, and the Geological Museum of Apeiranthos digs up the natural history of the island. If you’re after a sweet treat, walnut cake flavoured with local kitron is an excellent regional specialty. Your leader will be on hand to help tailor a day that suits your interests.
Day 7 - Santorini
Depart Naxos in the morning and catch a ferry to Santorini. When you arrive in Santorini's capital, Fira, you’ll be met and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel – Majestic Hotel and Spa. With views of the Santorini caldera or Aegean Sea from your private balcony, elegant marble bathrooms, plus a swimming pool, sauna and champagne lounge, this is an excellent base for soaking up the whitewashed island scenery or heading out to explore the city centre. Tonight, make sure you catch Santorini's world-famous sunset.
Day 8 - Santorini
In the morning, embark on a hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island you see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion that destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. Your walk will take you along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and sweeping views along the way. The walk ends in the town of Oia, built on a steep slope inside Santorini’s volcanic caldera. Later this afternoon, join a private, immersive experience at the Symposion Cultural Centre, where you’ll go on a guided tour of a historic winery which has been transformed into a cultural space, accompanied by an intimate musical journey led by a local artist. Through mythological storytelling, handcrafted instruments and a curated Greek wine tasting, you’ll gain insight into the deep connection between music, heritage and the human experience. End your evening with a visit to a local winery where you'll take part in a wine tasting with food pairings while looking out over the Santorini caldera as the sun sets.
Day 9 - Santorini
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you want to spend some more time in Santorini, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 8,790-
06-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 8,790-
13-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 8,790-
15-09-202623-09-2026AUD $ 8,890-
22-09-202630-09-2026AUD $ 8,790-
27-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 8,530-
13-10-202621-10-2026AUD $ 8,460-
18-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 8,490-
09-05-202717-05-2027AUD $ 8,795-
23-05-202731-05-2027AUD $ 9,145-
30-05-202707-06-2027AUD $ 9,145-
13-06-202721-06-2027AUD $ 8,795-
27-06-202705-07-2027AUD $ 8,795-
29-08-202706-09-2027AUD $ 8,795-
05-09-202713-09-2027AUD $ 9,145-
12-09-202720-09-2027AUD $ 9,145-
19-09-202727-09-2027AUD $ 9,145-
26-09-202704-10-2027AUD $ 9,145-
03-10-202711-10-2027AUD $ 8,795-
17-10-202725-10-2027AUD $ 8,795-
07-05-202815-05-2028AUD $ 9,235-
21-05-202829-05-2028AUD $ 9,600-
28-05-202805-06-2028AUD $ 9,600-
11-06-202819-06-2028AUD $ 9,235-
25-06-202803-07-2028AUD $ 9,235-
27-08-202804-09-2028AUD $ 9,235-
03-09-202811-09-2028AUD $ 9,600-
10-09-202818-09-2028AUD $ 9,600-
17-09-202825-09-2028AUD $ 9,600-
24-09-202802-10-2028AUD $ 9,600-
01-10-202809-10-2028AUD $ 9,235-
15-10-202823-10-2028AUD $ 9,235-

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Transport

Ferry, Private vehicle, Taxi

Map