Athens & the Islands

10 or 13 days

Greece, Turkey

When you reach the top of the Acropolis and look out across Athens, history stands still. In the shadows of the Parthenon’s mighty 2,400-year-old columns, the only sound you hear is the ancient gravel beneath your feet. Your connection to antiquity hits home as you sail the Aegean Sea, where Naxos & Santorini bring new discoveries and timeless lessons.

Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 25, April 12, May 1. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Athens & the Islands tour

Day 1: Fly overnight to Greece

Day 2: Athens

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Day 3: Athens

Take a guided tour of Athens

With your expert local guide you will:

See the Ancient Olympic Stadium
See Syntagma Square, the central square of Athens
Visit the Acropolis

Visit the Acropolis Museum, home to ancient ruins and prehistoric artifacts

Add this in-depth excursion:

Cooking class

No other country blends land and sea in its cooking quite like Greece, and this is your chance to learn a few mouth-watering essentials. From olives to orzo, lemons to lamb, you'll be introduced to techniques and flavors that will surely please. And when your class is complete, you'll get to dive in and enjoy your finished product.

Take a walking tour of Athens

With your Tour Director you will see:

Plaka district
Athenian Trilogy

Day 4: Athens • Amfissa Valley • Delphi

Take a day trip to the Amfissa Valley and Delphi

Visit an olive farm in the Amfissa Valley

Visit the Delphi Museum

Take a guided tour of Delphi

With your expert local guide you will see:

Temple of Apollo
Delphi Archaeological Museum

Day 5: Athens • Naxos

Travel by ferry from Athens to the beautiful shores of Naxos Island

Explore Naxos on a walking tour

Enjoy free time to explore on your own

Participate in a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Greek cuisine

Enjoy a cheese tasting with dinner

Day 6: Naxos • Santorini

Take a ferry or hydrofoil to Santorini

Take a walking tour of Pyrgos, a hilltop village situated at one of the highest points in Santorini

Day 7: Akrotiri • Fira

Travel to the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, often called the “Minoan Pompeii”

Visit the Akrotiri archaeological site with a local guide

Explore the town of Fira

Day 8: Santorini

Take a walking tour of the coastal village of Perissa and see the famous black sand beach

Enjoy free time and take in one of Oia's world-famous sunsets

Day 9: Santorini • Athens

Fly back to Athens

Take a day trip to Cape Sounion

Visit the Temple of Poseidon

Tour Cape Sounion with an expert local guide

Add this in-depth excursion:

Greek evening

Friends, feta, and fresh Mediterranean flavors—opa! Stuff yourself like an olive during a traditional Greek dinner. Then, link arms for a night of music and dancing. You might even get to experience the famous plate-smashing tradition. Whatever the night brings, you'll enjoy a lively celebration and experience the best of Greece’s theatrical culture.

Day 10: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

Day 10: Athens • Mycenae • Epidaurus • Argolida region

Travel via Mycenae and Epidaurus to the Argolida region

Tour Epidaurus and Mycenae with an expert local guide

Learn about traditional clay techniques at a Mycenaean pottery experience

Day 11: Argolida region • Nafplio • Olympia region

Travel via Nafplio to the Olympia region

Visit the Palamidi Fortress

Enjoy a short boat ride through Nafplio Bay (weather permitting)

Explore Nafplio on your own

Stop for a photo at Kaiafas Lake