Location: Santorini
Day 1 - 10 May 2019
Santorini National Airport JTR
Content: Our tour of Greece starts in Santorini. We took flight to Athens International Airport and take a connecting flight to Santorini. From the Santorini airport, we took a taxi to our hotel.
Absolute Bliss
Content: We stayed at Absolute Bliss in Imerovigli. This was a big splurge for us, but if we were ever going to pay for a hot tub with a view, Santorini would be the place to do it. We had a wonderful experience at this hotel. It’s quiet, it’s private, the views are amazing, and the service is 5-star.
Location: Santorini
Day 2 - 11 May 2019
Kamari
Content: We visited the black sand beaches at Kamari and saw the unique Red Beach. Drive to the top of Profitis Ilias, the highest point on the island. We also visited the ancient ruins at Akrotiri (similar to Pompeii in Italy) or Ancient Thira.
Imerovigli
Content: Imerovigli has quite a few outstanding restaurants. One of our favorite things to do in Santorini was to eat. We had a blast searching out the best restaurants with sunset views of the caldera. La Maison nice restaurant but also the most expensive. The sunset views, the service, and the food were unbelievable.
Location: Santorini
Day 3 - 12 May 2019
Catamaran Cruise
Content: We experienced the beauty of Santorini on a 5-hour, luxury small group catamaran cruise. Snorkel among the marine life, and enjoy a Greek buffet meal with drinks.
Sunset Wine Tour
Content: We sipped our way around Santorini as the sun begins to set on a 4-hour wine tour of the island. We visited 3 traditional wineries, learn about Santorini’s unique viticulture, tasted at least 12 wines, and enjoyed a spectacular sunset at the last winery!
Location: Santorini
Day 4 - 13 May 2019
Oia
Content: We started in Fira and end in Oia. The walk is 10 km (6 miles) and it took 3 hours.The walk from Fira to Oia allows you to explore four wonderful little villages (Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia), got breathtaking views along the caldera, and end with dramatic sunset views on Oia.
Pelekanos
Content: We spent the rest of the day exploring Oia, cliff jumping in Ammoudi Bay. At Pelekanos, the food is terrific and you get a nice view over Oia from the rooftop setting. We ate an early dinner here before watching the sunset.
Location: Naxos
Day 5 - 14 May 2019
Naxos Rock Villas
Content: We took Seajets ferry from Santorini to Naxos its the fastest service. Took one hour to reach Naxos. This small property offers three villas (but they will be adding on more rooms in the near future). We stayed in the Apollo villa and had two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen and living area, and the most amazing terrace with an infinity pool. For what you get, the price is relatively low, especially compared to hotel rates in Santorini and Mykonos.
Naxos Village Walk
Content: This is a nice, easy walk that takes you through several villages and to one historical site on Naxos. Start and end in the town of Melanes, walk on ancient marble paths, visit the Kouroi of Flerio, and enjoy the views along the way. This wonderful walk only takes a few hours of your time and it is a great way to explore this part of Naxos
Apano Kastro
Content: Apano Kastro is the remains of an ancient Venetian citadel perched on a hilltop in the center of Naxos. It’s only a 5 km (3 mile) hike through rural Naxos. The best part is the stunning view across the island. We really enjoyed the village walk, but this short hike to Apano Kastro was one of our favorite things to do on Naxos.
Nostimon Hellas
Content: In Naxos, we ate at Nostimon Hellas, which serves traditional Greek food with a twist.
Location: Naxos
Day 6 - 15 May 2019
Mount Zas
Content: We started the day off with a hike up Mount Zas, aka Mount Zeus. Not only we got 360° views from the summit but we also got bragging rights that we stood on the highest point in the Cyclades.
Rotonda
Content: After the hike, we had lunch at Rotonda. This restaurant gets rave reviews for its food and its views across Naxos.
Sightseeing on Naxos
Content: We spent the afternoon sightseeing on Naxos. There are several historical sites to visit, such as the Temple of Demeter and Panagia Drosiani Church. Visit the small villages of Apiranthos, Apollonas, or Moutsouna. Go to the beach or take windsurfing lessons at Mikri Vigla, Agios Prokopios, or Agios Georgios beaches.
Location: Mykoons
Day 7 - 16 May 2019
Boho Suites
Content: We took an early ferry to Mykonos. Seajet has a ferry that covers the distance between Naxos and Mykonos in just 35 minutes.This is where we stayed. Rooms are large and come with a small living area and kitchenette. On the terrace is another seating area and private hot tub. There is not much of a view from the terraces at this property. We stayed in suites #1 and #2, which are on the lowest level. We had no view but loved having access to a hot tub
Delos
Content: Once in Mykonos, we got settled at your hotel. Had lunch in Mykonos town. We took the day trip to Delos. Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. It takes just a few hours to day trip to Delos from Mykonos.
Raya Restaurant
Content: We had a wonderful experience at Raya Restaurant for dinner, a Mediterranean seafood restaurant. Other great restaurants in Mykonos town include Captain’s, M-Eating, and Caesar’s.
Location: Athenes
Day 8 - 17 May 2019
Hotel Grande Bretagne
Content: By ferry, it takes 2.5 to 5 hours to cruise from Mykonos to Athens. There are two ports in Athens, Piraeus and Rafina. Piraeus is the bigger port but many ferries also sail to Rafina. Hotel Grande Bretagne is one of the premier luxury hotels in Athens. Not only do you get a wonderful view of the Acropolis from this hotel, but it has an excellent location. This hotel is located right on Syntagma Square. From here, it is just a short walk to Plaka and the Syntagma metro station is just one block away. Some rooms offer views of the Acropolis. Have brunch, dinner, or a drink at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and enjoy the view over Athens.
Acropolis Museum
Content: The Acropolis Museum is an archeological museum that houses the artifacts found on the Acropolis and the surrounding slopes. This is a great place to visit before you step foot on the Acropolis because you learn about the history behind the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and other temples and sanctuaries on the Acropolis.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
Content: This is the final stop of the day. The Temple of Olympian Zeus was built to honor Zeus and it was planned to be the greatest temple in the ancient world. However, construction was not completed until the 2nd century AD. Not long after its completion, it was pillaged by a barbarian invasion. Now, fifteen of the original columns still stand.
The Athens Gate Hotel
Content: Athens Gate Hotel has a rooftop restaurant that offers 360° views of the area. We had dinner here and thought the food was mediocre for the price.
Location: Athenes
Day 9 - 18 May 2019
Acropolis
Content: The Acropolis starts to get very busy at 8:30 am with big tour groups arriving between 9 am and 10 am. If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, it’s worth it to roll out of bed early.
Areopagus Hill
Content: Exit the Acropolis from the main gate and then it’s just a short walk to Areopagus Hill. Also known as Mars Hill, you get one of the most iconic views of the Acropolis from here.
Sin Athina
Content: Sin Athina is a great restaurant that, guess what, has views of the Acropolis from its rooftop. Have lunch here, or at one of several other nearby restaurants, before moving on.
Benaki Museum
Content: The Benaki Museum houses Greek works of art from prehistory to modern time, as well as an extensive collection of Asian art. The Benaki family donated their house and their enormous collection of art and artifacts to Greece.
Mount Lycabettus
Content: For a sprawling view of Athens and the Acropolis, walk or take the Lycabettus Cable Car to the peak of Mount Lycabettus. From here, you get to see just how big this city is, with the Acropolis proudly rising up in the center from the low, white buildings.
Location: Athenes
Day 10 - 19 May 2019
Athens International Airport ATH
Content: Athens is one of those rare relaxing airports where the stress of travelling just flies by. It starts with the extraordinarily quick security line and process (for an airport of this size) the politeness of the security staff so rare nowadays - a good final impression of Greece to departing passengers. The very short immigration lines. To the shorts walks to the airport gate. Free excellent Wifi. Plenty of seating.