ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Athens
Welcome to Athens, the cradle of western civilization. Athens is a vibrant city that’s at once ancient and modern, classic, and constantly evolving. From its rich historical heritage along with the landmark Acropolis to hip and trendy bars to high-end boutiques and multicultural cuisine, Athens has it all. You will be picked up from Athens International Airport by your private driver and transferred to your luxury hotel. Enjoy your afternoon and evening exploring the historic neighborhood of Plaka or enjoying a leisurely stroll along Dionysiou Aeropagitou, a pedestrianized street that is the longest walkway in Athens and is akin to walking along a living open-air museum. Ask your Travel Advisor for recommendations of their favorite restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
DAY 2
Wine and History in the Shadow of the Acropolis
Meet your licensed English-Speaking guide at the lobby of your hotel to begin your tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Head to the top of Acropolis via the gates of Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis and an iconic example of classical antiquity and admire one of the world’s most important architectural structures, the Parthenon along with the ancient temples of Parthenon, Erechteion and Athena Nike which are considered the most important monuments in Western civilization. Your guide will help you discover more about the site’s significance, as well as the bountiful heritage and cultural achievements of the Greek civilization during the Golden Age. From there, you will continue your tour by heading to the world-renowned Acropolis Museum, where nearly 4,000 artifacts are on display providing a detailed insight into the everyday life of Ancient Greece. From the Acropolis Museum, you head to an authentic old-fashioned wine shop to get acquainted with their distinct wines along with local delicacies.
DAY 3
Athens to Naxos
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel to head to Athens Airport for your flight to Naxos. Naxos is the largest and most lush of the Cycladic Islands, offering one the chance to see another side of the Greek Islands. Meet your driver at Naxos Airport to be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day either soaking in the sun at your hotel’s pool or at one of the island’s numerous beaches. Please ask your Travel Advisor for further recommendations of their favorite things to do and see while on the island.
DAY 4
Savor Local Delicacies in Naxos Town
Embark on a food walking tour that will have you starting your tour by exploring the old town and having an informative walk up the Venetian Castle, where you’ll visit a terrace cafe to enjoy a snack inspired by the Venetian presence on Naxos while gazing at the breathtaking views from the highest point. You will then visit a family-run tavern to savor traditional Naxian delicacies. Cleanse your palates afterwards with some refreshing ice cream, made with local milk from the farms of Naxos. You will then head to one of the oldest liqueur stores of Naxos, where the original and famous citron of Naxos is made. You will end your tour in a charming wine bar hidden in the heart of Naxos Town where you will have a wine tasting session of Greek varieties only accompanied with a variety of Naxian cheeses.
DAY 5
Day at Leisure
Enjoy your day at leisure relaxing by your hotel’s pool or on any of Naxos’ beaches. Alternately you may also further explore the island by hiking along one of the many scenic trails.
DAY 6
Cheese & Wine Trails
Enjoy a cheese and wine tour where you will have a great opportunity to be immersed into the authentic Naxian lifestyle and learn how to make cheese and wine in the island of Dionysus, the God of wine. You will get to meet locals as you head to small cheese family farm and observe and help the owners make their signature cheese. You will get to taste all kinds of local goodies made with products taken from the farm, try the owner’s wine and exchange life experiences over the family table. From there, you will continue onwards to a family-run vineyard, where you will learn about the indigenous varieties and about the differences in traditional vs modern methods of wine-making before sampling five different local wines, paired with more Naxian cheese, including the island’s famous gruyere cheese.
DAY 7
Naxos to Paros
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel to head to Naxos Port for your ferry to Paros. Harmoniously blending archetypical Cycladic architecture, well preserved traditional villages, chic cosmopolitan bars and restaurants and picturesque beaches to top it all off, it’s not to be missed. Meet your driver at Paros Port to be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day either heading for a refreshing dip in the sea or exploring its main town of Naoussa with its charming alleys with quaint houses, vibrant bougainvilleas and array of shops. Please ask your travel advisor for further recommendations of their favorite things to do and see while on the island.
DAY 8
Organic Farm Tour with a Farm-to-Table Meal Experience
Explore a traditional organic farm and discover innovative sustainable cultivation techniques. Learn more about their impact on production quality and the variety of products they make from their crops. Enjoy a tour around the crops grown on the farm and visit the livestock - their free-range chickens and goats. After your tour, you will have the opportunity to taste their local products paired with some fine wine on the balcony overlooking the sea and the picturesque town of Naoussa.
DAY 9
Day at Leisure
Enjoy your day at leisure relaxing by your hotel’s pool or on any of Paros’ beaches. Alternately you may also further explore the island with a fun and engaging bike tour.
DAY 10
Cruise around Paros and Antiparos
Enjoy a cruise which will have you visiting Kampana Island, Panteronisi, Antiparos Cave and Despotiko and seeing hidden coves and beaches along the way. You will have several stops to swim and snorkel and admire the amazing views before enjoying lunch aboard your cruise.
DAY 11
Paros to Athens
After breakfast, meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Paros Airport to catch a morning flight to Athens for your departure flight.