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Greece
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Crete Region
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Chania
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Tours & Activities
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Greek Islands & the Mainland: 11 Days of Pure Paradise, 1st Class Traveling
11 days
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring the Venetian-Looking Town of Chania
Stop At: Chania Venetian Lighthouse, Old Port, Chania Town, Crete Greece
Our tour of Greece starts in the town of Chania, on the island of Crete. It is from Chania that tomorrow and the following day we would be making daytrips around the island. Please arrive at the hotel in Chania by no later than 11:00am, so we can have most of the day to explore. Note that if you cannot arrive by 11:00am, then simply let us know and we will still work around your schedule.
Perhaps most atmospheric at night when the many bars and romantic restaurants light up along the shores and under the stars, Chania is home of a charming port that serves some of the tastiest food in all of Greece. Surrounding this historic town are streets containing boutique hotels, as well as shops that commonly illustrate Crete’s fascination with artisanship.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 2: The Archaeological Site of Knossos, the Beaches & Caves of Matala & the Charming Town of Rethymno
Stop At: Knossos Archaeological Site, Knosos, Heraklion, Crete Greece
We start off the day by making a daytrip via a 2-hour drive to Heraklion, home of an archeological site called Knossos. Next, we take a 1.5-hour drive to the village of Matala, home of great beaches and caves. Lastly, we take a 1-hour and 45-minute drive to the charming town of Rethymno, where you can do a little sightseeing, have a nice dinner and enjoy some evening entertainment. The ride back to Chania from Rethymno takes about 1 hour.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We are making a daytrip from Chania. The hotel is there.
Day 3: Exotic Islands of Imeri Gramvousa and Elafonisi
Stop At: Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Crete Greece
Today we make a daytrip to the western side of Crete. We first take a 45-minute drive to Kissamos, followed by a 1-hour boat ride to Imeri Gramvousa. This small island hosts the remains of a Venetian fort as well as of buildings left behind by Cretan insurgents who were compelled to live as pirates during the Greek War of Independence. After exploring the sites, relaxing at the beach and returning to the mainland, we take a 1-hour drive to the island of Elafonisi. When the weather is fine it is possible to walk from the mainland to the island through the shallow water. The drive from Elafonisi back to Chania takes about 1.5 hours.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We are making a daytrip from Chania. The hotel is there.
Day 4: World Renowned Santorini Island & the Nearby Volcanic Island of Nea Kameni
Stop At: Nea Kameni, 84700 Greece
Today we take an early-morning, 2-hour speed boat ride from Heraklion, Crete to Santorini Island. Part of today includes a visit via a quick ferry ride to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni.
Whitewashed and pastel-colored cubic buildings and blue-domed churches seemingly pile onto one another, cling onto the cliff-side caves of a caldera to form a dramatic landscape and striking views in what is one of the most unique destinations on earth. Especially in the villages of Thira and Oia, one can wander through a labyrinth of narrow and stone-paved alleyways filled with seasonally vibrant taverns and cafes as well as boutique shops and hotels. In these very same alleyways, you can find some pretty vibrant nightlife in the summertime.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 5: Exploring the Rest of Santorini Island, Red Beach & Sunset at a Winery
Stop At: Oia's Main Street, Greece
Cycladic in style yet complimented by some neoclassical elements, Santorini is every photographer’s fantasy. With its villages perched several hundreds of feet above water, adding to this volcanic island’s allure is a stunning and world renowned-sunset, best viewed from Oia. Now throw into the mix locally produced and internationally acclaimed wines, archaeological remains and beaches with sand or pebbles made of solidified lava of various colors (e.g. Red Beach). Suddenly you have what is one of the most romanticized – and unsurprisingly visited – islands in all the Mediterranean.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 6: An Intro into the Islands of Mykonos & Delos
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Delos, 846 00 Greece
Today we should be taking an early-morning, 3-hour speed boat ride from Santorini Island to Mykonos Island. Part of today includes visiting the ruins in the island of Delos, which can be reached via a 30-minute boat ride.
Now famed for seasonally hosting some of the best beach parties and nightlife in all the Mediterranean as well as featuring an exciting fashion scene combined with stylish bars, restaurants and shops, what initially put Mykonos under the international spotlight is its clear and calm waters and quintessential Cycladic architecture: whitewashed cubic buildings, a labyrinth of narrow and stone-paved alleyways and numerous little churches dotted around town.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 7: Exploring the Rest of Mykonos Island
Stop At: Fokos Beach, Fokos, 846 00 Greece
Today is all about sightseeing and beaches around the island. How crowded should you expect it to be? Although Mykonos is one of Greece’s chicest and most visited destinations, the island usually only feels overcrowded in July, especially in August and sometimes in September. Visit Mykonos virtually any other time of the year and experience an island as authentically Greek as anywhere “off the beaten path.”
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 8: The Highlights of the Capital of Greece, Athens
Stop At: Acropolis, via Dionysiou Areopagitou str., Athens 105 58 Greece
Today we should be taking an early morning, 4-hour speed boat ride from Mykonos Island to Athens. Only today and tomorrow morning do we plan on exploring the capital, with the key attractions being the ancient citadel of Acropolis and its museum, the Hellenic Parliament building, a flea market called ‘Monastiraki’ and the Plaka neighborhood. While Athens as a whole may not be aesthetically pleasing, the areas we plan on taking you to undoubtedly are.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 9: A Little More of Athens & Then Meteora's Breathtaking Nature & Spirituality
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
The morning is dedicated to exploring Athens some more. Afterwards, we should be taking a 5-hour drive from Athens to Kalabaka, home of an Eastern Orthodox monastery complex site called Meteora.
Even if you aren’t the religious type, you will be impressed. Majestic Meteora is a place known to put visitors in touch with both nature and spirituality.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 10: The Monasteries & Nature of Meteora
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
One of the largest and most impressive Eastern Orthodox complexes in all of Greece, Meteora is home of stunning monasteries perched onto surreal-looking and seemingly unapproachable sandstone rock pillars (there are steps). We will need a full day to visit all six monasteries. Note that some of the monasteries may be closed, depending on when you go. Our day will begin bright and early.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 11: Our Tour Ends This Morning
Stop At: Athens International Airport, Attiki Odos, Spata Artemida 190 04, Greece
Meteora is the final destination on our group tour of Greece. From here, we'd take you back to Athens, with a complimentary drop-off at the airport upon request.
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
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Day 1: Exploring the Venetian-Looking Town of Chania
Stop At: Chania Venetian Lighthouse, Old Port, Chania Town, Crete Greece
Our tour of Greece starts in the town of Chania, on the island of Crete. It is from Chania that tomorrow and the following day we would be making daytrips around the island. Please arrive at the hotel in Chania by no later than 11:00am, so we can have most of the day to explore. Note that if you cannot arrive by 11:00am, then simply let us know and we will still work around your schedule.
Perhaps most atmospheric at night when the many bars and romantic restaurants light up along the shores and under the stars, Chania is home of a charming port that serves some of the tastiest food in all of Greece. Surrounding this historic town are streets containing boutique hotels, as well as shops that commonly illustrate Crete’s fascination with artisanship.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 2: The Archaeological Site of Knossos, the Beaches & Caves of Matala & the Charming Town of Rethymno
Stop At: Knossos Archaeological Site, Knosos, Heraklion, Crete Greece
We start off the day by making a daytrip via a 2-hour drive to Heraklion, home of an archeological site called Knossos. Next, we take a 1.5-hour drive to the village of Matala, home of great beaches and caves. Lastly, we take a 1-hour and 45-minute drive to the charming town of Rethymno, where you can do a little sightseeing, have a nice dinner and enjoy some evening entertainment. The ride back to Chania from Rethymno takes about 1 hour.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We are making a daytrip from Chania. The hotel is there.
Day 3: Exotic Islands of Imeri Gramvousa and Elafonisi
Stop At: Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Crete Greece
Today we make a daytrip to the western side of Crete. We first take a 45-minute drive to Kissamos, followed by a 1-hour boat ride to Imeri Gramvousa. This small island hosts the remains of a Venetian fort as well as of buildings left behind by Cretan insurgents who were compelled to live as pirates during the Greek War of Independence. After exploring the sites, relaxing at the beach and returning to the mainland, we take a 1-hour drive to the island of Elafonisi. When the weather is fine it is possible to walk from the mainland to the island through the shallow water. The drive from Elafonisi back to Chania takes about 1.5 hours.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We are making a daytrip from Chania. The hotel is there.
Day 4: World Renowned Santorini Island & the Nearby Volcanic Island of Nea Kameni
Stop At: Nea Kameni, 84700 Greece
Today we take an early-morning, 2-hour speed boat ride from Heraklion, Crete to Santorini Island. Part of today includes a visit via a quick ferry ride to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni.
Whitewashed and pastel-colored cubic buildings and blue-domed churches seemingly pile onto one another, cling onto the cliff-side caves of a caldera to form a dramatic landscape and striking views in what is one of the most unique destinations on earth. Especially in the villages of Thira and Oia, one can wander through a labyrinth of narrow and stone-paved alleyways filled with seasonally vibrant taverns and cafes as well as boutique shops and hotels. In these very same alleyways, you can find some pretty vibrant nightlife in the summertime.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 5: Exploring the Rest of Santorini Island, Red Beach & Sunset at a Winery
Stop At: Oia's Main Street, Greece
Cycladic in style yet complimented by some neoclassical elements, Santorini is every photographer’s fantasy. With its villages perched several hundreds of feet above water, adding to this volcanic island’s allure is a stunning and world renowned-sunset, best viewed from Oia. Now throw into the mix locally produced and internationally acclaimed wines, archaeological remains and beaches with sand or pebbles made of solidified lava of various colors (e.g. Red Beach). Suddenly you have what is one of the most romanticized – and unsurprisingly visited – islands in all the Mediterranean.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 6: An Intro into the Islands of Mykonos & Delos
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Delos, 846 00 Greece
Today we should be taking an early-morning, 3-hour speed boat ride from Santorini Island to Mykonos Island. Part of today includes visiting the ruins in the island of Delos, which can be reached via a 30-minute boat ride.
Now famed for seasonally hosting some of the best beach parties and nightlife in all the Mediterranean as well as featuring an exciting fashion scene combined with stylish bars, restaurants and shops, what initially put Mykonos under the international spotlight is its clear and calm waters and quintessential Cycladic architecture: whitewashed cubic buildings, a labyrinth of narrow and stone-paved alleyways and numerous little churches dotted around town.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 7: Exploring the Rest of Mykonos Island
Stop At: Fokos Beach, Fokos, 846 00 Greece
Today is all about sightseeing and beaches around the island. How crowded should you expect it to be? Although Mykonos is one of Greece’s chicest and most visited destinations, the island usually only feels overcrowded in July, especially in August and sometimes in September. Visit Mykonos virtually any other time of the year and experience an island as authentically Greek as anywhere “off the beaten path.”
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 8: The Highlights of the Capital of Greece, Athens
Stop At: Acropolis, via Dionysiou Areopagitou str., Athens 105 58 Greece
Today we should be taking an early morning, 4-hour speed boat ride from Mykonos Island to Athens. Only today and tomorrow morning do we plan on exploring the capital, with the key attractions being the ancient citadel of Acropolis and its museum, the Hellenic Parliament building, a flea market called ‘Monastiraki’ and the Plaka neighborhood. While Athens as a whole may not be aesthetically pleasing, the areas we plan on taking you to undoubtedly are.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 9: A Little More of Athens & Then Meteora's Breathtaking Nature & Spirituality
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
The morning is dedicated to exploring Athens some more. Afterwards, we should be taking a 5-hour drive from Athens to Kalabaka, home of an Eastern Orthodox monastery complex site called Meteora.
Even if you aren’t the religious type, you will be impressed. Majestic Meteora is a place known to put visitors in touch with both nature and spirituality.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 10: The Monasteries & Nature of Meteora
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
One of the largest and most impressive Eastern Orthodox complexes in all of Greece, Meteora is home of stunning monasteries perched onto surreal-looking and seemingly unapproachable sandstone rock pillars (there are steps). We will need a full day to visit all six monasteries. Note that some of the monasteries may be closed, depending on when you go. Our day will begin bright and early.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.
Day 11: Our Tour Ends This Morning
Stop At: Athens International Airport, Attiki Odos, Spata Artemida 190 04, Greece
Meteora is the final destination on our group tour of Greece. From here, we'd take you back to Athens, with a complimentary drop-off at the airport upon request.
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- 10x Breakfast
- Accommodation included: 10 nights
- Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- All Entry Fees and Taxes
- Private Transportation
- All Hotels
- Tour Guides
- Entry/Admission - Chania Venetian Lighthouse
- Entry/Admission - Knossos Archaeological Site
- Entry/Admission - Elafonissi Beach
- Entry/Admission - Nea Kameni
- Entry/Admission - Oia's Main Street
- Entry/Admission - Archaeological Site of Delos
- Entry/Admission - Fokos Beach
- Entry/Admission - Acropolis
- Entry/Admission - Meteora
Not included
- Flights
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Alcohol
- Travel Visa (only applicable to citizens of certain countries)
- Travel Insurance
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- To make your booking official, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions, which you could find here: CharlieTheTraveler.com/Tours-Terms-and-Conditions
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
75%
Cultural
60%
Original
30%
Nightlife
20%
