Learn all about the Cyclades islands on this amazing 8 day journey!

Itinerary:

Day 1: MYKONOS
Arrival at Athens Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. Welcoming by the tour guide and transfer to the port of Rafina approx. 15 km. Away. From there we will take the «SEE JET» (a modern catamaran ship). Departure at 17:15, and after a 2 hour journey, we arrive at 19:15 in Mykonos. Transfer to our hotel. Mykonos, bathed in brilliant light, filled with windmills, cool “Meltemi” (north wind) blowing, is one of the most cosmopolitan places for intellectuals, artists, and ordinary tourists from all over the world – a “homeland” weather holiday. Mykonos is considered as a summer meeting of international jet-set. But of course you can find some quiet corners away from any hustle and bustle, where you can rest.

Day 2: DELOS
Boat trip to Delos. Mythology linked Delos with the birth of Artemis and Apollo, god of light, wisdom and poetry. Since the island was for millennia a sacred place of worship, and was forbidden to mortals. Today the island is uninhabited. A unique large excavation of the ancient world, a place which for nearly a millennium was the political and religious center of the Aegean Sea and continues to attract thousands of visitors every year as a place of worship. Particularly impressive is the way of the Lions, the three temples of Apollo, altars, sacred inscriptions and incomparably beautiful mosaics. Early in the afternoon return to Mykonos, have dinner and rest.

Day 3: PAROS
Depending on the ferries during the morning or afternoon, excursion by boat to Paros (approx. 2 hours journey). Early afternoon arrival in Paros: Transfer to our hotel – delivery rooms, a brief meeting at the hotel reception. For the rest of the day we take a walk in the port of Parikia, which is also the capital of the island, in the same place that the ancient city was located. Dominated by the ruins of the Venetian fortress, the houses hiding behind a sea of flowers, basil and jasmine, windows and doors, according to custom, are always open to “Welcome foreigners”. Cobbled streets lead us to one of the most impressive monuments of Christianity, the church Katopyliani or Ekatontapiliani with many legends. The precious relics kept here, pictures, paintings, sculptured ornaments. The temple is dedicated to the Assumption.

Day 4: GULF OF MARATHI, LAFKA
Tour of the island to visit the ancient marbles of the Gulf of Marathi, which made the island very rich in ancient times. Here they had the best marble in all of Europe. The most famous ancient sculptures such as the Venus de Milo, the Hermes of Praxiteles etc. are made of Parian marble. Visit the village Lafka (short stroll). Later, you can go to the beach “Meadow” or “Gold Coast” for a swim. In return we will visit the picturesque harbor of Naoussa. Here you can dine.

Day 5: NAXOS
Early in the morning by boat to Naxos. First, our arrival at the port of Naxos, you can see the Portara, in Greek it means “great gate”. We will visit the archaeological gate of the temple that was dedicated to the god Apollo, and the Orthodox cathedral “Metropolis.” The trails are narrow and partly covered with curvature roofs, steep turns and unexpected deadlocks. We will visit the museum with findings of the Cycladic civilization and the nearby village “Moni” with a late ancient Christian church (6 cent.) “Panagia Drosiani” which contains frescoes dating to the 7th century. Return to the port of Naxos, and late afternoon return to Paros. Transfer to hotel, dinner and rest.

Day 6: SANTORINI
In the afternoon boat from Paros to Santorini. The island stands out from all the other islands of the Cyclades, for the strange shape and geological structure due to the catastrophic explosion of a currently inactive volcano. An interesting view at the harbor entrance is that of the steep wall, the ridge is filled with white houses. The coast drops sharply on the west, the east coast is flat and the beaches are sandy and pebbly and ideal for swimming. We arrive late afternoon in the harbor. Transfer to hotel. There’s a chance after the distribution of rooms for a short walk to village Oia, to enjoy the sunset. Return to the Hotel.

Day 7: PROPHET ELIAS, KAMENI
After breakfast we have another important element in our program for today. We are going by bus to “Prophet Elias” a point that you can enjoy the spectacular views of the island. Then continue to the Cape. Here we will visit a Minoan settlement from the 2nd century BC that was buried beneath volcanic ash. On the way back we will make a brief stop at a winery for a tasting and then we will visit the archeological museum. The afternoon will be boat trip to the volcano island Kameni. Return to the hotel in Santorini, dinner and rest.

Day 8: RETURN HOME
Early in the morning with the first flight fly from Santorini to Athens and then back home.