Greece: Athens & the Islands

Welcome to Athens, capital of Greece and birthplace of democracy. Blessed with a beautiful coastline and warm Mediterranean climate, you’ll slip effortlessly into the holiday vibe. A private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting at the airport to transport you to your central boutique hotel. Here, you’ll join your Pack Leader and group for a welcome meeting before heading out to enjoy a special meal at the home of an esteemed local chef. Bond with your group over a delicious Greek dinner – complete with Acropolis views – and raise a glass of retsina to eight more days of adventure. 

Today, you’ll explore Athens on foot, led by a local expert who will take you on a romp through the ages. Starting at the Acropolis, the crowning glory of ancient Greece, you’ll climb the marble steps to the Parthenon for astounding views of the city. Next, you’ll visit the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium – built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Finally, you’ll delve into the winding alleyways of picturesque Plaka – the oldest part of Athens – dotted with whitewashed churches and crumbling neoclassical mansions. Save some energy for tonight as you’ll have a chance to check out the city’s vibrant nightlife. From chic rooftop spots to acclaimed cocktail bars, the possibilities are endless.

There’s a free morning in store, so enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or head out to explore the atmospheric suburbs that cling to the base of the Acropolis. This afternoon, you’ll be scouring the streets for tasty treats on a walking food tour of the city. Follow delicious aromas to an old bakery to taste a variety of Greek pies. Wind your way past ornate Byzantine and Orthodox churches to Athens’s Central Market for a cheese and meat plate washed down with local ouzo or tsipouro. Sample souvlaki in Monastiraki Square – the perfect place for people-watching – before finishing off in St Irene’s Square with the sweet Greek dessert of loukomades (fried donuts with honey).

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the port of Athens for the island-hopping part of your adventure. Boarding a ferry, you’ll cruise for five hours across the Aegean Sea to Naxos. The largest and least developed of the Cyclades (the Greeks themselves come here on holiday), the island has some of the loveliest beaches and most dramatic scenery. Arriving into the photogenic seafront town of Chora, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon. Explore the steep cobbled alleys below the hilltop kastro (castle) and fortified Venetian mansions, or find a quiet spot for a swim. Later, you might like to walk into town for dinner with your group. 

Your first stop today will be at the small farming village of Eggares on Naxos. Set on a fertile plain, this tiny cluster of whitewashed houses is the centre of the island’s olive oil production. At the characterful local museum, you’ll learn how the oil is manually extracted using traditional tools, plus have the chance to taste some olive-based products such as oils, jams and cookies. Then, you’ll continue to the nearby village of Galini where your host Ms Voula will be waiting to start a cooking class. Using products from her nearby farm, you’ll help prepare an authentic menu of delicious Greek dishes, which you’ll sit down to enjoy together while learning about local life and agriculture on the island. 

No visit to Greece would be complete without some free time at the beach. Today, you’ll be free to swim, sunbathe and relax to your heart’s content on one of Naxos’s many idyllic sandy stretches lapped by balmy turquoise waves. If you’d like to explore the island, your Pack Leader will be full of suggestions and can help you make arrangements. Options might include a luxury catamaran cruise around Naxos or a walking tour of the old town. Late afternoon, enjoy a drink at a beachfront cafe and watch the sun sinking slowly towards the horizon, marking the end of another blissful day.

This morning, you’ll continue your journey across the Aegean to picture-perfect Santorini. The island’s unique landscape was formed around 1200BC when a huge volcanic eruption left behind a steep-walled, sea-filled crater. Arriving by boat, it’s hard not to be awed by the multicoloured cliffs rising sheer out of the turquoise sea. After a free afternoon to relax and explore, tonight you’ll visit the beautiful village of Oia – the face of a thousand postcards. With its terraces of white Cycladic houses and blue-domed churches carved into the clifftop, the sunsets here are mesmerising. You’ll have time to wander through the old town’s maze of cobbled lanes, boutiques and flower-bedecked cafes before returning to your hotel. 

For your final day, we’ve got something special in store. Following a relaxed morning, you’ll set sail after lunch on a small-group catamaran cruise. The two-hulled yacht includes ample space for sunbathing on deck, a shady cabin, plus hammock-style nets on the bow. Spend an afternoon sailing inside the Santorini caldera, dropping anchor in secluded bays to swim and snorkel off the boat. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to bathe in a healing thermal spring. The water here is full of sulphur, iron and other metals coming from the volcano. Tonight your crew will prepare a delicious farewell dinner to be enjoyed on board under the glow of a Santorini sunset. A fitting finale to your epic Greek odyssey.  

Alas, your journey has come to an end. You’ve soaked up the sites of ancient Athens and visited some incredible Aegean islands, forming firm friendships along the way. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel with your group before saying your goodbyes and transferring to Santorini Airport for your flight home. 

Welcome to Athens, capital of Greece and birthplace of democracy. Blessed with a beautiful coastline and warm Mediterranean climate, you’ll slip effortlessly into the holiday vibe. A private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting at the airport to transport you to your central boutique hotel. Here, you’ll join your Pack Leader and group for a welcome meeting before heading out to enjoy a special meal at the home of an esteemed local chef. Bond with your group over a delicious Greek dinner – complete with Acropolis views – and raise a glass of retsina to eight more days of adventure. 

Today, you’ll explore Athens on foot, led by a local expert who will take you on a romp through the ages. Starting at the Acropolis, the crowning glory of ancient Greece, you’ll climb the marble steps to the Parthenon for astounding views of the city. Next, you’ll visit the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium – built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Finally, you’ll delve into the winding alleyways of picturesque Plaka – the oldest part of Athens – dotted with whitewashed churches and crumbling neoclassical mansions. Save some energy for tonight as you’ll have a chance to check out the city’s vibrant nightlife. From chic rooftop spots to acclaimed cocktail bars, the possibilities are endless.

There’s a free morning in store, so enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or head out to explore the atmospheric suburbs that cling to the base of the Acropolis. This afternoon, you’ll be scouring the streets for tasty treats on a walking food tour of the city. Follow delicious aromas to an old bakery to taste a variety of Greek pies. Wind your way past ornate Byzantine and Orthodox churches to Athens’s Central Market for a cheese and meat plate washed down with local ouzo or tsipouro. Sample souvlaki in Monastiraki Square – the perfect place for people-watching – before finishing off in St Irene’s Square with the sweet Greek dessert of loukomades (fried donuts with honey).

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the port of Athens for the island-hopping part of your adventure. Boarding a ferry, you’ll cruise for three hours across the Aegean Sea to Mykonos. Greece’s answer to St Tropez, the island is known for its sugar-cube houses, beautiful beaches and hedonistic party scene. After checking in at your hotel, you’ll head to the photogenic Old Town for a guided walk through the winding stone alleys. Then, you’ll be free to explore the kaleidoscope of elegant cafes, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants lining the whitewashed streets. Don’t miss climbing the small hill behind town where seven iconic windmills overlook the harbour – particularly atmospheric at sunset. 

No visit to Greece would be complete without some free time at the beach. Today, you’ll be free to swim, sunbathe and relax to your heart’s content on one of Mykonos’ many idyllic sandy stretches lapped by balmy turquoise waves. From celebrity spotting on trendy Psarou and the party vibe at Paradise to the dramatic setting of Panormous and the watersports haven of Kelafatis, there’s a beach style to suit everyone. Late afternoon, why not enjoy a drink at a beachfront cafe and watch the sun sinking slowly towards the horizon, marking the end of another blissful day.

Soak up the holiday vibe with a free day to explore the island. Your Pack Leader will be full of suggestions and can help you make arrangements. Options might include a catamaran cruise, a scuba diving or snorkelling excursion, sea kayaking to secret beaches, a jet ski experience or a Jeep adventure across the island. With so many great activities on offer your biggest decision will be which to choose. Or maybe you’d simply prefer a day of relaxing by the pool at your boutique seafront hotel. 

This morning, you’ll continue your journey across the Aegean to picture-perfect Santorini. The island’s unique landscape was formed around 1200BC when a huge volcanic eruption left behind a steep-walled, sea-filled crater. Arriving by boat, it’s hard not to be awed by the multicoloured cliffs rising sheer out of the turquoise sea. After a free afternoon to relax and explore, tonight you’ll visit the beautiful village of Oia – the face of a thousand postcards. With its terraces of white Cycladic houses and blue-domed churches carved into the clifftop, the sunsets here are mesmerising. You’ll have time to wander through the old town’s maze of cobbled lanes, boutiques and flower-bedecked cafes before returning to your hotel. 

For your final day, we’ve got something special in store. Following a relaxed morning, you’ll set sail after lunch on a small-group catamaran cruise. The two-hulled yacht includes ample space for sunbathing on deck, a shady cabin, plus hammock-style nets on the bow. Spend an afternoon sailing inside the Santorini caldera, dropping anchor in secluded bays to swim and snorkel off the boat. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to bathe in a healing thermal spring. The water here is full of sulphur, iron and other metals coming from the volcano. Tonight your crew will prepare a delicious farewell dinner to be enjoyed on board under the glow of a Santorini sunset. A fitting finale to your epic Greek odyssey.  

Alas, your journey has come to an end. You’ve soaked up the sites of ancient Athens and visited some incredible Aegean islands, forming firm friendships along the way. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel with your group before saying your goodbyes and transferring to Santorini Airport for your flight home.