Athens and Popular Greek Islands, Classical Greece Tours, Greece Tours, Greek Island Hopping
ATHENS WITH GREEK ISLANDS CORFU – CRETE – RHODES
ATHENS AND GREEK ISLANDS CORFU - CRETE - RHODES
ATHENS - CORFU -CRETE - RHODES ISLANDS
Athens – Corfu – Crete – Rhodes Greek islands
The Greek Islands are a treasure trove of beauty, culture and adventure. With each island offering its own unique charm and attractions. From sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters to ancient ruins and bustling towns, Greece is a country made for multi-destination travel.Island hopping is a great way to get to know them and in this tour we combine three of the Greek popular islands at the edges of Greece, Corfu (north), Crete (south), Rhodes (south-east) with Athens the cradle of western civilization.
Athens. No more to say, the place where civilization born. 3000 years of history with a huge impact on the development of democracy, philosophy, the arts, architecture and science.
Corfu. In the beautifully preserved Old Town of Corfu, a UNESCO world heritage site, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical “repertoire” came to be successfully applied to local artistic traditions. Palaces, fortresses, austere public buildings of the Venetian rule uniquely blend with lines of drying washing in tiny alleyways and small secluded squares. Strolling through a complex of narrow cobbled streets with stairways and vaulted passages, the so-called “kantounia”, will make you feel as if you’ve travelled to Genoa or Naples.
Crete. Crete simply has it all! Crete is a tapestry of splendid beaches, ancient treasures, impressive mountains-capes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, weaving in vibrant cities and dreamy villages where locals share their traditions, world-famous cuisine and hospitable people with generous spirit.
Rhodes. The largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is known for its beach resorts, ancient ruins and remnants of its occupation by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. The city of Rhodes has an Old Town featuring the medieval Street of the Knights and the castlelike Palace of the Grand Masters. Captured by the Ottomans and then held by the Italians, the palace is now a history museum.
Tour Code: ACoCR-11
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Season: All the year round
Location: Athens and Corfu, Crete and Rhodes islands
Style: Island hopping – History – Photography
HIGHLIGHTS
- Athens sightseeing with Acropolis and museum.
- Corfu, a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Crete, a unique blend of history, culture, natural beauty and warm hospitality.
- Rhodes, a sun kissed UNESCO World Heritage island.
INCLUDED
- Transportation with Luxury car / minivan or bus
- Experienced En speaking driver
- Hotels 3*, 4*, 5* or traditional guesthouses (clients choice)
- Meals Breakfast (B,_,_)
- Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
- Official En speaking local guides
- Meet & Greet on the arrival at the Athens airport
NOT INCLUDED
- Flight ticket (Flight tickets can be included upon request)
- Accommodation overnight tax (0.5€ per day per room for guesthouses -1.5€ per day per room for 3* hotels – 3€ per day per room for 4* hotels – 4€ per day per room for 5* hotels) paid directly by the clients to hotel.
Day 1: Corfu arrival (_,_,_)
Arrival at Corfu Airport. Welcome and private transfer to your hotel in Corfu Town. Check in and free time to get a first hint of Corfu. Corfu is a cosmopolitan Mediterranean island with rich multi-cultural heritage, stunning natural landscape, crystal seas and a very good preserved Old Town of Corfu
Day 2: Explore Northern Corfu. (B,_,_)
After breakfast private guided tour to Northern Corfu. Visit to Cape Drastis, antiquated village of Peroulades, Kanali tou Erota(The beach of Canal d’Amour) in Sidari, Porto Timoni , Lacones village with panoramic Kinopiastes village views), Palaiokastritsa (The Blue Eye Cave-ticket included). Lunch at a local restaurant on your own. Return to hotel. Optional Greek night. In the evening, transfer to Kinopiastes village for dinner a local tavern with Greek dishes, live music and dancing
Day 3: Corfu Old Town – Athens. (B,_,_)
HD guided tour to Archaeological museum. Old Fortress, Kanoni, Vlacherna and historical town. Lunch on your own and transfer to airport for your flight to Athens. Transfer to hotel.
Day 4: Athens ss, Acropolis and Museum. (B,_,D)
Full day Athens city tour. Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Evzones in their picturesque uniform, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaikon Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. Then Acropolis, the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens, 5th Century BC, with Parthenon – a place any civilized person has to visit. We complete the tour with the new Museum of Acropolis. In the evening, walk to Monasiraki and have dinner at a tavern with souvlaki and shish kebab dishes.
Day 5: Delphi Excursion (B,_,_)
FD excursion to Delphi. Delphi city considered by the ancients Greeks to be the omphalos of the world and holy religious center. Today you will discover those archeological sites, including the Temple of Apollo, theater, market and the famous Omphalos (navel of the earth) and the Delphi museum with the fascinating sculptures. Continue to visit a traditional Greek village of Arachova before drive back to Athens for overnight. OPTIONAL In the night walk to Plaka and have dinner at a tavern with Greek music and folklore show
Day 6: Crete island – Chania (B,_,_)
Morning transfer to Athens airport and get your flight to Chania Crete. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the picturesque Chania on your own. Walk at the Venetian harbor and the old city. Go to the leather street (Skridlof), at the knives street (Sifaka), walk on the Kanevaro street, the old Muslin quarter on Zambeliou. Go to the old municipal market of Chania, a beautiful building from the early 20th century, to buy herbs and cheese. From the back door walk down to Agios Nikolaos Square with its plane tree, which is over 200 years old and have a coffee. For dinner, you can walk to Tamam tavern, in an old Turkish bath, and test the amazing mezes.
Day 7: Elafonissi Beach excursion (B,_,_)
Full day tour to the famous Elafonissi Beach with a stopover to visit the Chryssoskalitissa Monastery en route. The sand of Elafonissi is bright white, but in many places, it is pinkish due to the fine particles of countless seashells it contains. Passing through the lagoon sea of 1-meter depth at most, you can get on the island just in front with a number of beautiful and uncrowded coves. Spend some relaxing time here before returning to the hotel.
Day 8: Chania – Rethymnon – Heraklion – Knossos (B,_,_)
Morning drive to Rethymnon to visit the Fortezza, the citadel of the city of Rethimno (walk around on your own). The castle built by the Venetians in the1573 to protect the city. We continue our tour to the city of Heraklion, we visit the archaeological site of Knossos. It is the location of the legendary Palace of Minoan and the most important evidence of the existence of Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age. The guide often associates its history with the Greek mythology of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur. It follows the visit to Heraklion museum, it contains by far the most important and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete. Transfer to your hotel and check-in. OPTIONAL transfer to mountain village of Karouzanos for dinner at a tavern with Cretan food, local music, and traditional local dances may be a great ending. Seat in coach or private transfer can be arranged.
Day 9: Heraklion – Rhodes island (B,_,_)
Morning transfer to Heraklion airport and get your 1hr flight to Rhodes. Transfer to your hotel. In the rest of day walk to the old town of Rhodes.
Day 10: HD Rhodes city and Old town tour (B,_,_)
HD guided city tour and old city walking tour. Colossus of Rhodes, Acropolis of Rhodes, Mandraki, Temple of Apollo, Old City: Jewish Quarter, Hippocrates square, famous street of the Knights, Grand Master Palace, Archeological Museum and Fortifications of the Palace.
Day 11: HD Lindos tour – Departure
Morning tour to Lindos. HD tour to the picturesque little town of Lindos. Visit the Acropolis (Lindos Acropolis 250 stairs) with the fantastic views, wander the small streets in the white town and visit a traditional ceramics studio. Transfer to Rhodes airport for your flight to Athens to catch your flight back home.
Note: The tour can start from any other place Athens or Crete or Rhodes. Contact us to tailor it as you wish.