Greek Island Hopping

Day 1

Arrive in glorious Athens by 3pm (or choose to arrive the day before so you are rested and ready for your amazing adventure.) We transfer to our luxurious hotel, located near a charming historic district at the foot of the Acropolis. Early this evening we meet in the hotel lobby for introductions, followed by a short walking tour of the city’s oldest neighborhood, Plaka. Its narrow lanes and stepped alleys, little squares with small churches, lively shops, cafes and grand neoclassical-style houses are delightful and impressive. Dinner is at a traditional Greek tavern serving family-style meals with fresh Greek produce. Overnight Athens. (D)

Day 2

After our mighty Greek breakfast, we will have a guided tour of the Parthenon, a temple on the Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Parthenon is located on the top of the Acropolis hill, created between 447 and 432 B.C., at the time of the Pericles golden age. It is considered to be one of the most significant monuments in the world. We will also visit the New Acropolis Museum built to house the vast exhibits that were found during the excavations in the Acropolis, and who were too many to fit in the former small Acropolis Museum. We’ll enjoy our lunch here at the Museum on its beautiful terrace. We transfer to the Rafina port and travel two hours by high-speed catamaran to the island of Tinos, beginning our island hopping adventure! We’ll check into our wonderful small hotel with a pool for two nights and enjoy a delicious dinner. Overnight Tinos island. (B,L,D)

“This may have been my first trip with Canyon Calling but it certainly won’t be my last. Why did I wait so long? I will cherish these memories and all the friends we met along the way.”
— Jan N.

Day 3

After breakfast, our hike starts in Volax, a village noted for its unique round boulders. We follow a winding path downhill to the village of Koumaros, known for its old fountains and medieval arches. In Xombourgo we are welcomed into a traditional Greek home with an aperitif of Tinian raki, a spirit distilled from wine. You’ll find this throughout our time in Greece, and it is wonderful. Our host Nicoletta (a lovely Greek lady) will have an interactive cooking class for a lunch of local specialties. We dine together on this delicious feast and enjoy some local wine or beer, sharing stories of family and island living. This takes us into the afternoon, and the small remainder of our hike ends in Chora (Tinos Town) where we return to our hotel. We’ll have free time to rest and/or explore the town and dinner is on our own. We can recommend an excellent tavern. Opa! Overnight Tinos island. (B,L)

Hiking: 5.5 miles, 3.5 hours; elevation gain 660’/loss 1,667′

Day 4

After a leisurely breakfast today, our Greek Island Hopping adventure takes us from Tinos to Naxos, the largest and most fertile island of the Cyclades. We board our interisland ferry, with our packed lunch, and enjoy this two-hour ride. Once we arrive in Naxos port, we collect our bags, and are met with our private transfer to our wonderful beach hotel for two nights. This property is right on the sea and offers among other amenities, a pool, restaurant and bar. Your patio may have some hanging vines, butterflies floating through, the scent of the sea in our nostrils..ahhh… This afternoon is free to enjoy the beach, swim in this gentle area, have an umbrella drink, and/or walk to the old part of Naxos town for shopping. We’ll meet back up for dinner and share another spectacular Greek dinner. Overnight Naxos island. (B,L,D)

Day 5

After breakfast, we’ll find out why Naxos is famous for its crystal clear waters. There is no better way to explore its coastline than from the vantage point of your own sea kayak! Today, we will paddle to small beaches ideal for swimming and snorkeling away from the crowds. En route we will also enjoy some delicious snacks. This afternoon we’ll return to our hotel to freshen up before we visit the town of Naxos. Right on the sea, it features iconic views, delightful shops, and unique local art. We’ll walk to see “Chora” and the famous “Portara”, a massive marble doorway that stands proudly as the jewel of Naxos. Myth has it that this was exactly where Ariadne, the Minoan princess, was abandoned by her lover Theseus, after he killed Minotaur on the island of Crete. Greek mythology is present everywhere.  After this fun day, we’ll enjoy dinner at a Greek restaurant by the sea featuring local delicacies.  Overnight Naxos island. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Following a breakfast that includes some of the best yogurt in the world, our Greek Island Hopper takes us on a two hour ferry ride to Santorini, claimed as the fairest of the Cycladic islands. Santorini differs from the other islands due to its geology, the result of a now-dormant volcano. Its volcanic soil gives the world it’s famous wines from Santorini with a special flavor and aroma. Upon arrival at the port, we’ll collect our bags and have a private transfer to a beautiful winery. There’s a short tour explaining their field to table process, and provides an excellent excuse for us to savor them. We’ll enjoy an exquisite wine tasting with a light lunch in a superb location with dramatic views. We’ll check into our hotel and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. It’s a short stroll to town for some shopping or gelato (or both!).  We’ll meet back up for dinner tonight, which is in a beautiful place surrounded by pistachio trees. Overnight Santorini. (B,L,D)

Day 7

After our wonderful breakfast, we hike!  Set high above the sea in the town of Fira, starts a trail that begins on a stone path and turns into a dirt footpath while following the edge of the caldera all the way to Oia town. This is the famous “Caldera Trail”.  We follow the footsteps of ancient merchants, farmers and sailors, and experience a once in a lifetime adventure at the edge of the crater that inspired the mythical (or not so mythical) Atlantis. Arriving in Oia, we explore its narrow passageways and quaint, cosmopolitan shops. We’ll have lunch with a coffee or cold beverage and rest. We then return to our hotel to collect our bags, then a private transfer to the airport for a short flight back to Athens. We’ll check into our luxurious accommodations, right next to the airport and get cleaned up from our hike and travel day. Our Farewell dinner will be right at our splendid hotel. The desserts are so beautiful it’s hard to eat them.. but we’ll manage. We’ll share our stories, laugh at our memories, hug with our hearts, and say Farewell.. for now.  Overnight Athens. (B,L,D)

Hiking: 6.5 miles, 4.5 hours, elevation gain 1100’- loss 1795′

Day 8

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel, and literally walk a few hundred yards to the Athens terminal to check in for our departing flights or choose to stay and play in Greece! (B)

“Having everything written into the price is so perfect. It completely takes away from the burden of having to worry about what you can or can’t afford while on the trip.”
— Sandy R.

• 8 days / 7 nights fully guided tour with an English speaking local guide and a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
• All transportation as outlined in the itinerary
• All accommodations, double occupancy
• All meals as outlined in the itinerary from Day 1 through Day 8
• All Activities and gear as outlined in the itinerary
• All activity guides, and activity guide gratuities
• All excursions, entrance fees and permits, and taxes

• Round-trip transport to/from Athens, Greece
• Alcoholic beverages (unless noted in the itinerary) and other items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your local Trip Leader and Guide at the end of the tour