The Experience

Experience Athens, considered the cradle of western civilization, and the enchantments of three of Greece,™s most beautiful islands ~ Mykonos, famous for windmills and nightlife ~ Santorini, reputed site of Atlantis ~ Crete, home of the fabled Minotaur and the Palace of King Minos. You begin with two nights in Athens, a city tour then dinner before proceeding to the islands. Finally, return to Athens for a final night before your flight home.

Includes:

• Athens Arrival Transfer with Meet and Greet
• 3 Nights Athens
• Athens City Tour
• One 3-Course Dinner in Athens
• Air from Athens to Mykonos
• 2 Nights Mykonos
• Ferry from Mykonos to Santorini
• 3 Nights Santorini
• Ferry from Santorini to Crete
• 3 Nights Crete
• Air from Crete to Athens
• Daily Breakfast

Day 1 ~ Arrive Athens:
You will be met coming out of customs at Athen,™s Eleftherious Venizelous International Airport by your driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it for a private transfer to your hotel for two nights accommodation. (Your driver will have your ferry tickets. Note: Limit of one suitcase and one handbag per person on transfers. Porterage is not included.) (Accommodations, Athens)

Day 2 ~ Athens:
After breakfast, you will be picked up in your hotel lobby for your Athens Sightseeing Tour about 8:45 a.m. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Athens)

Athens Sightseeing Tour – Visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awe-inspiring Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium(site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the unknown Soldier. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University and National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis museum, a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens. The Acropolis Museum is closed on Mondays. Tour includes the entrance fees. Meals and gratuities are not included. (Tour lasts five hours.) (Note: Guests staying at the Hermes Hotel ,“ please meet at CHAT Tours office.)

This evening arrive on your own for dinner at the Restaurant Mamacas (English: Mommies,) with confirmed reservations for 8:30 p.m. This delightful Greek taverna began offering fresh twists on traditional Greek cuisine such as beef grilled with tomato, parsley and onions when it opened 1988. Dine from a selected menu offering choice of appetizer, salad and main course. Your meal includes dessert, 1/2 bottle of mineral water and 1/2 bottle of house red or white wine per person. (Gratuities are not included. Please present your voucher prior to ordering.)

Day 3 ~ Athens to Mykonos:
After breakfast at your Athens Hotel, you can arrange an optional private transfer to Athens Airport for your flight on either Olympic or Aegean Air to Mykonos. Shared transfers are available from Mykonos airport to your hotel. Mykonos has an active nightlife, beaches of golden sand and unique whitewashed architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Mykonos is best known for its well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red roofed churches. (Breakfast, Athens; Accommodation, Mykonos)

Day 4 ~ Mykonos:
A glorious full day of leisure to relax, or explore, or swim, or sun, or any combination you choose. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Mykonos)

Day 5 ~ Mykonos to Santorini:
After breakfast, make your way to the ferry port on Mykonos for your high-speed catamaran ferry to Santorini. Flying Cat 4 service is safe, fast and stable. Note: You will receive your ferry tickets upon arrival in Athens; ferry ticket delivery additional. Optional shared transfers are available. (Breakfast, Mykonos; Accommodations, Santorini)

Days 6 & 7 ~ Santorini:
Then on Santorini, check into your hotel for three nights on a volcanic island with a four-thousand year history that many archeologists think may be the site of Atlantis. (Breakfast & Accommodation, Santorini)

Day 8 ~ Santorini to Crete:
Make your way from your hotel to the ferry port in Santorini for your high-speed ferry trip to the Island of Crete. Once on Crete, you,™ll have three nights accommodation either in the towns of Chania, Elounda or Heraklion. (Note: Ferry service from Santorini lands in Heraklion; optional transfers to Chania or Elounda are available. Note: Ferry from Santorini to Crete does not run on Wednesdays. Optional shared transfers are available. (Breakfast, Santorini; Accommodations, Crete)

Days 9 & 10 ~ Crete:
Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands, has a 600 mile-long coastline of coves, bays and peninsulas, many with sandy beaches along the blue Mediterranean. In addition to the many amenities of a world-class destination, Crete,™s historic importance as the home of the Minoan civilization with such sites as Knossos, Phaistos and Gortys, attracts thousands of visitors each year. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Crete)

Day 11 ~ Crete to Athens:
One night accommodation either at the Athens Airport or in downtown Athens (Transfers optional). (Breakfast, Crete; Accommodations, Athens)

Day 12 ~ Depart Athens:
After twelve days in the sun, head home relaxed and ready for your next Avanti destination. (Breakfast, Athens)