The Greek Isles: An Active Journey to Naxos, Santorini, and Crete

Fly overnight to Athens and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Gather for a short orientation walk in the vibrant Plaka neighborhood, admiring the city’s iconic sites. This evening, get to know your trip leader and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at a restaurant with views of the Acropolis. (D)

Walking: 1-2 miles over paved city streets

Take an early ferry to Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades. Arrive in time for lunch at a local restaurant and then set out on a walking tour of the old town, or Chora, with your guide. Filled with architectural gems, the old town reveals layers of history, from the myth-infused sites of the ancient Greeks to the Venetian conquest in the 13th century. Ascend cobbled streets to Kastro, the town’s castle district, once home to the island’s nobility. Learn about local legends and customs as you meander its narrow lanes, and end your walk at the Portara, a massive marble doorway that is all that remains of a sixth-century Temple of Apollo. The site offers a stunning vista of the town and the Aegean Sea beyond. (B,L)

Walking: 2-3 miles over paved and uneven cobblestoned streets

Venture into the beautiful interior of Naxos for a hike along the Seven Villages trail. Beginning in the village of Kourounochori, head into verdant hills and valleys on paths that weave through the remote villages, passing olive groves and timeless scenes of rural life. Along the trail, stop to admire marble kouros statues that date back to the ancient Greeks. Enjoy lunch at a local winery and visit the ruins of a 17th-century Jesuit monastery. Return to Chora and enjoy a free afternoon to take a walk to the beach or relax at a waterfront café. (B,L)

Hiking: 4 miles (3-4 hours with stops) on stone and dirt paths, village lanes, and small roads, approx elevation gain of 1,300 feet.

Board a morning ferry to Santorini and transfer to your hotel on arrival. After lunch, join your trip leader for a short orientation walk in Fira, Santorini's lively main town. Travel to the village of Imerovigli, where striking blue-domed churches perch high above the sea. From here, set out on an afternoon hike to Oia, following the cliff on a trail shaped by the caldera itself, or continue to Oia by road. Meet up for a guided walk through Oia's picturesque lanes before dinner on your own in one of the villages' charming restaurants. (B,L)

Walking: 1 mile (30 mins) orientation tour of Fira.
Hiking: 5 miles (3-4 hours) on paved and dirt roads and village lanes, approximate elevation gain of 1,070 feet.

This morning, visit the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, a Cycladic Bronze Age settlement known as one of the most important prehistoric sites in Greece. With a local expert, tour its Minoan ruins dating back to 5,000 BC. Continue to Akrotiri beach and enjoy an afternoon at leisure on the beautiful Aegean coast. Opt for a swim in its crystal-clear waters, or sip a glass of ouzo (an anise-flavoured Greek aperitif) while relaxing at a seaside taverna where you can enjoy the day's freshest seafood catch. Later, head out on a sunset sea-kayaking excursion. Paddle along the island's southern coast toward the famed Red, Kambia, and White beaches while admiring the sunset over the sea. Alternatively, hike from the hilltop ruins of ancient Thera, once the island's religious and commercial center, down rocky switchbacks to the seaside town of Kamari, arriving in time to watch the sunset. Tonight, enjoy dinner with the group. (B,D)

Walking: 2 hours

Optional hiking (afternoon): 5 miles (4 hours) mostly downhill on rocky paths with some switchbacks.
Optional sea kayaking (afternoon): 3 hours

Note: During your free afternoon at Akrotiri beach, a shuttle will be available to take you back to the hotel to freshen up before the included kayaking or hiking activities.

The morning is yours to explore Santorini at your leisure. After lunch on your own, transfer to the port to catch a ferry to the island of Crete. Arrive in Heraklion by late afternoon and set out on an orientation walk through the Old Town, passing the Heraklion Archeological Museum, Cathedral of St. Titus, the old Venetian Loggia and Morosini Lion Fountain. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with the group. (B,D)

Walking: 2 hours on paved or cobblestoned city streets

After breakfast, travel to the town of Elounda on the eastern coast. Today’s trail brings you past the Elounda salt pans and along a narrow causeway that separates the Spinalonga Peninsula from the mainland of Crete. Hike along the peninsula’s rugged coast, taking in panoramic views of Crete and its hilly interior. Head back to Heraklion and during a free afternoon, consider visiting the impressive Heraklion Archeological Museum or the Bronze Age Palace of Knossos. In the evening, set off on a culinary walk with a local guide, sampling local specialties at traditional shops and food producers. Taste locally made cheeses, learn about the diverse uses and varieties of herbs on the island, and stop in at a bakery to sample Greek pastries. End the tour at a restaurant on the harbor, savoring Cretan seafood dishes accompanied by raki, a traditional Cretan welcome drink.  (B,D)

Hiking (morning): 4-5 miles (2.5 hours) on mostly flat dirt and gravel trails

Walking (afternoon): 2 hours on paved or cobblestoned city streets

Embark on a full-day, back-country excursion, exploring Crete by 4x4 jeep and by foot. Immerse yourself in the island’s rich history and culture, exploring traditions and everyday life from the era of the ancient Minoans to today. Your journey begins at sacred Mount Juktas, known in Greek mythology as the resting place of Zeus. Visit the Church of Christ Savior, poised on a rocky outcrop, and take in 360-degree views from the mountaintop. Continue by jeep along country roads and sample renowned olive oils and wines.  Follow a path through a forest to the archaeological site of Fourni and discover an ancient cemetery next to the ruins of a wonderfully preserved stone theater. Learn about Cretan cuisine—and the fresh ingredients that go into it—over a delicious three-course lunch. Then step into a pottery workshop to watch artisans plying their ancient craft. Tonight, toast your Greek Isles adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Hiking: 1-2 miles of short hikes during 6-hour jeep safari

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. (B)