Amazing Mainland to Greek Islands: 16-Day Tour of Greece

Greece has long enjoyed special prominence in the Western world as being the birthplace of democracy. Today, you will be able to walk the very streets and squares where some of the world's earliest philosophers and statesmen pondered humanity. Meeting you at your hotel, a private guide will lead you on a guided tour of Athens that will include all the must-see highlights as well as some off-the-beaten-path delights often missed by the hasty traveler. From the scenic Acropolis to Constitution square, this tour will allow you to compare modern and ancient Athens side by side.

Today, you will depart the hustle and bustle of Athens and make your way to the famous Peloponnesus Peninsula and into the rolling hills and olive groves that make this one of Greece's most scenic regions. As you will see, there is no shortage of sights to see as you make your way by road through this storied landscape. After crossing the Corinth Canal, you will make your way to Epidaurus, which is known for its well-preserved Greek amphitheater. Afterward, you will pay a visit to the ruins of Mycenae. Your road trip will conclude at the site Olympia, where the pan Hellenic games celebrated ancient athleticism.

The nice thing about Greek ruins is their abundance. Unlike other countries where rare archeological finds are painstakingly preserved and kept intact behind ropes, barriers, and other obstacles to keep public access at a safe distance, in Greece, you are able to get up-close and personal with the foundations, columns, temples, and other ancient ruins. This will certainly be the case as you stroll through Olympia to appreciate the site of the original Olympic games. Here, you can actually run on a track that was once used by the ancients. After enjoying your visit, you will depart the Peloponnesus for Delphi.

After waking up in Delphi, you can almost sense the sacredness of this ancient holy site. It was here that an intoxicated oracle was said to have been able to predict the future by being in direct communication with the gods. Greeks would come for miles around to hear her wisdom and predictions. As you explore this site in the mountains of mainland Greece, it will not be hard to imagine the arrival of caravans and delegates from the various Greek city-states. In the afternoon, you can make your way into the heart of the Greek mainland.

As you will notice, the Greek interior is just as rugged as the coast. When you wake to your first morning in Meteora, you will be able to enjoy a region that seems to have been carved by the hand of Zeus himself. Known for its mountaintop monasteries, cliffs, and abrupt rock formations, Meteora was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. After visiting two breathtaking orthodox monasteries, you will depart this mesmerizing landscape and return to the coast and Athens.

The rugged beauty and hilltop history of the Greek interior will be replaced today as you turn your back on the mainland and make your way out to the seascape of the Aegean archipelago and some of Greece's most famous islands. After enjoying a fortifying breakfast at your Athenian hotel, you will return to the airport to catch a flight to Mykonos, a vibrant and charming example of why so many seek out the Greek island in the summertime. Upon your arrival at the island's airport, a transfer will convey you to your comfortable hotel so that you can spend the rest of the day exploring.

Long a treasure trove of historic sites and archaeological artifacts, the Cycladic islands extend to the south and east of the Greek mainland. Today it beckons visitors with their pristine beaches and coastal waters. You will be able to enjoy a tour through this famous island chain on a voyage to the nearby island of Delos, where you can visit the amphitheater and other ruins. Delos is one of the most well-preserved archeological sites in the Mediterranean world.

Today, you will be able to enjoy this jewel of the Aegean Sea at your own pace on a leisure day in Mykonos. For those in search of some educational explorations, the island's principal village boasts an array of boutique art galleries, museums, and archaeological sites that can inspire even the most indifferent imagination. Likewise, relaxation can be found at many of the island's thermal spas or sandy beaches, which are great for taking a plunge into the azure waves or reclining with a good book.

Your island-hopping tour will continue as you depart the iconic windmills of Mykonos to make your way deeper into the Cycladic island chain to Santorini. After enjoying a traditional Greek breakfast from your hotel staff in Mykonos, you will make your way to the port and board the ferry to Santorini. At first glimpse, the height of Santorini is arresting because it seems to rise out of the waves like some gargantuan sea monster, but the warmth of this island will quickly win you over as you enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Perhaps, no better ambassador exists for the geologic origins of the Cycladic island chain than Santorini. As the smoldering remains of a 16th-century BC eruption, the island actually comprises the eastern edge of a flooded volcanic crater that lends the region its fertile soil and rugged appearance. Today, you will be able to enjoy a comprehensive exploration of this landscape on a tour of the island's highest point, a traditional Greek winery, and a number of scenic villages where you can catch a glimpse of authentic Greek culture.

For the intrepid traveler, Santorini provides a vast array of active adventures that inspire the spirit and offer excellent opportunities for recreation. If two feet are not enough, you can explore the island from two wheels on a bicycle tour of the Santorini's many whitewashed villages or take to the waves on a day cruise and snorkeling adventure. If rest and relaxation are your goals, Santorini boasts numerous sandy beaches where a quick dip in the waves is the best antidote for the midday heat. No matter how you decide to spend this day of leisure, your hotel staff will be happy to offer recommendations.

Today, you will turn your back on the Cycladic island chain and make your way to Greece's largest island. A land of abundant natural beauty, ceramic skills, and outstanding cuisine, Crete rarely fails to delight the visitor who makes the journey to its golden shores. Between the warm hospitality, the character of the island, and the millennia of history that supports it, your arrival to Crete will signal your immersion in a distinct land with its own take on Greek life. After arriving by ferry, a transfer will convey you to your hotel for an evening of leisure.

After enjoying the many sights, sounds, and smells of mainland Greece and the Cycladic islands, Crete will be your opportunity to unwind and chart your own course through this magical landscape. This two day stretch of leisure will provide you with the canvas upon which you can paint your Cretan adventure with the help and recommendations of your helpful hotel staff. Today, you will have the option to explore the history of Crete or to immerse yourself in the stunning coastline that annually attracts thousands of visitors.

Within a short distance from your hotel, numerous archaeological sites present visitors with an excellent source of Cretan history, and you can take in the rustic ruins and impressive frescoes of the early civilizations that spread quickly through the ancient world. Likewise, an excursion to the island's interior will reveal and awe-inspiring landscape of mountain ranges that stretch across the horizon in addition to innumerable caves and gorges. These are just some of the options for you to explore today as you chart your own course through Crete.

On your final morning in Crete, you will embark on a breathtaking tour of the nearby palace of Knossos, where the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization is well-displayed through the archaeological ruins. You will encounter these ruins before making your way to Heraklion to see the more recent historical influence of the Venetians, who bought the city in 1204. You can also enjoy a visit to the famous Heraklion Archeological Museum. After the tour of these memorable attractions concludes, you will make your way to the airport for your return flight to Athens, marking the conclusion of your Greek adventure.