Culture and Charm: A Family-Friendly Greece Vacation

What to expect on this itinerary
Ancient tradition comes to life, and contemporary luxuries provide a comfortable journey during your 9-day Greece family vacation. Your immersive adventure in the legendary mythology takes you to Athens, Patmos, and Rhodes for insight into the marvels of ancient life, fabled coastlines, and charming towns. The classical pillars showcase masterful artwork. Medieval castles revitalize the world’s connection to the cradle of Western Civilization. From snorkeling in the crystal-clear Aegean Sea to entering the cave in which St. John captured the Book of Revelations, your family-friendly vacation in Greece blends the best of religious, artistic, and cultural heritage. Begin planning your dream Greece vacation by visiting the Greece family vacations page on Zicasso.
Customizable Itinerary
Athens – Arrive in Greece with a Grand Tour of the New Acropolis Museum
The city of Athens stands as a symbol of Western Civilization’s classical antiquity. The luxuries of contemporary life bustle around the Kolonaki neighborhood with art galleries, shoe shops, and exclusive Greek jewelers highlighting their work with elegant window displays. Bistros and quiet cafes set out tables along the cobblestone walkways for patrons to watch the city-life pass by. Your flight lands at Athens International Airport, where your private transfer greets the family upon arrival.
Your hotel is situated near the heart of the famous Plaka, the ancient neighborhood of Athens glowing with pristine marble beneath the celebrated image of the Parthenon. Settle into the comforts of your luxury hotel before your guide greets the family in the lobby. Cafes, restaurants, hidden bars, antique homes, and souvenir shops line the pedestrianized lanes of the historic Plaka. The aroma of roasting meat and vegetables drifts over the marble walkway. You reach the Acropolis Museum for a fabulous introduction to Athens’s incredible history.
The modernist architecture stands at the foot of the Acropolis hill juxtaposing the classical designs for which Greece is known. The surviving ancient treasures continue to attract visitors from around the world, as well as intrigue the kids with precious artifacts from the 5th century BC. Floating ruins decorate the galleries embodying the impressive collection. A gathering of 6th-century statues of young women decorates the first-floor featuring the women draped in clothing with elaborately braided hair carrying pomegranates, wreaths, or birds.
What's Included:
Patmos –Travel to Patmos to Tour the Fishing Village, Beaches, and Trails
Patmos – Explore the Monastery of St. John and the Charming Chora
Patmos – Sail the Aegean to Secluded Isles Finding Beaches and Snorkeling
Rhodes – Venture to Historic Rhodes with a Tour of the Old and New City
Rhodes – Discover the Lindos Acropolis and Traditional Lindos Village
Rhodes – Visit the Palace of the Grand Masters before a Leisurely Half-Day
Athens – Return to Athens to View the Ancient and Contemporary City
Athens – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the grandeur of ancient Greek life on the Acropolis when viewing the Parthenon up close
- Listen to the legendary life of St. John on Patmos Island where saint wrote the Book of Revelations while exiled from Rome
- Explore the fascinating history of the Lindos Acropolis on Rhodes finding the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia and the grand remains of a Hellenistic temple
- Sail the crystalline azure waters of the Aegean Sea on a family-friendly cruise around Patmos for chances to swim, snorkel, and sample delicious food
- Follow in the footsteps of Knights of St. John on Rhodes when traversing the antique cobbled streets leading from the Archeological Museum to the Palace of the Grand Masters
- Wander the stunning galleries of the New Acropolis Museum in Athens for majestic views of the Parthenon
- Uncover the fascinating blend of contemporary architecture and ancient wonders in search of the Colossus of Rhodes on a private tour of Rhodes
Detailed Description
Greece immerses the family in the thrills of ancient history and the exciting myths captured in iconic architecture during your personalized family Greece vacation. From the capital city of Athens to the Dodecanese island chain, you will visit traditional tavernas and uncover fascinating ruins for a unique interactive experience with history. The beauty of coastal cliffs will appeal to the drama of the natural scenery while the stories captured in artifacts, antique towns, and gorgeous waterways will captivate the kids as you experience authentic Greece.
The family discover begins with your arrival in Athens. The capital city continues to bustle with activity around the mixture of contemporary and historic neighborhoods. Spend time immersing the kids in the lush history surrounding the Acropolis with a guided tour of the New Acropolis Museum. Fly to the island of Patmos for an introduction to the beauty of the Sea and the splendors of an isle often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean.” Uncover the layers of history spanning the cliffs and sandy beaches, small towns, and quaint villages. Cruise the tranquil azure waters to secluded bays for snorkeling excursions or hidden beaches on which you can unwind. Follow the trails between towns finding the Cave of St. John and the Monastery of St. John for insight into time the disciple spent on the island after his exile from Rome.
The island of Rhodes is steeped in remarkable history and mystery shrouded in the legend of the Colossus once gracing its shores. The charming architecture of the old city contrasts with the Art Deco design of the Italian city erected in the 1930s. Wander along the immense city walls and climb to the top of the Lindos Acropolis, follow in the footsteps of the Knights of St. John and traverse the galleries of the Palace of the Grand Masters. Upon your return to Athens, the ancient splendor of the city-state’s Golden Age appears in the form of the Acropolis. A private tour takes you from Syntagma Square, around the historic Plaka, and to the summit of the central hill where the family can bask in the remarkable design, artistry, history, and legend of the temples overlooking the city, including the renowned Parthenon.
Consider learning more about our travelers’ favorite travel experiences by reading their Greece travel reviews.
Starting Price
$3,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 674 reviews
If you're considering a trip to Greece, look no further than Zicasso. Our travel expert planned an unforgettable journey for our family; Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, and every detail was executed with care, expertise, and passion.
From the moment we arrived in Athens, we were immersed in the country’s warm hospitality. Our agent made sure we had the perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. The historical sites in Athens, like the Acropolis and the ancient Agora, were must-sees.
Mykonos is vibrant yet relaxed. The beaches were beautiful. Every meal on this trip was a highlight. Fresh seafood, local cheeses, olive oil, and delicious pastries—each bite told a story of Greece’s deep culinary heritage.
In Santorini, we were captivated by the island’s charm—whitewashed buildings, breathtaking sunsets, and the deep blue Aegean Sea. We visited traditional villages, giving us a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions that are still very much alive.
Throughout the trip, what stood out most—beyond the stunning landscapes and ancient history—was the friendliness of the Greek people. Their warmth and pride in their culture made every moment feel welcoming and genuine.
Our agent didn’t just plan a vacation—he created an experience rooted in history, tradition, and hospitality. I can’t recommend him and Zicasso highly enough.
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The travel fairy at Zicasso's tour operator, as she called herself (and I felt it fit her well), certainly put together a magical trip to Greece for our group of four. We all had a fantastic vacation in Greece and were super-impressed and pleased with the staff at the travel company.
The connections for flights and ferries, as well as all of the transfers to and from our hotels and excursions, were seamless, which made for a stress-free vacation. The hotels they arranged for us ranged from old Venetian buildings in older parts of Athens and Heraklion to an upscale small resort in Naxos, as well as a fantastic hotel in Chania that overlooked the harbor. My husband and I loved every one, especially the resort in Naxos.
I highly suggest this travel company because they listened to our group's likes and dislikes to plan the perfect trip. Our trip consisted of Athens, Naxos, and two places on Crete, filled with two food tours, a boat trip, historical excursions to the Parthenon and Knossos, as well as excursions in nature to Imbros Gorge and Balos Beach. Any guide during these excursions was very knowledgeable.
We would change only the following two things. Naxos was so beautiful and we were all sad to leave and wish we could have added an extra day to just relax on the beach for a full day. So, my suggestion to anyone traveling to Greece would be to save at least one full day at one of the beautiful islands without an excursion.
The other thing we would change is to take a boat to Balos Beach instead of walking down to the beach. My husband is 80 years old and although he is in good shape, the hike was very steep and scary in some parts. As we were walking down to the beach, we loved the incredible vistas, but were also concerned about having to walk back up the equivalent of 66 flights of stairs. I say this just as a cautionary tale to really look into this walk before your trip. The views were hard to beat, but the walk was not easy.
Highlights of this trip included the hotel in Naxos (our resort on Plaka in Naxos), with super-friendly and helpful staff, private tour of Knossos and the museum, and the charming city of Chania. Greece is truly a beautiful country, with stunning vistas, beaches, historical sites, museums, and cute narrow streets filled with shops and restaurants.
Thank you for a vacation that will stay in our hearts forever.
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Hello, Zicasso and our travel company. We cannot say enough good things about our trip to Greece and the excellent service from you!
Our travel agent was our primary contact for the majority of the planning of the trip and we had excellent assistance from her team. All of them were fantastic in every way, providing us assurance that we were listened to for what we wanted. They also provided us well-informed guidance on what we did not know, but needed to make the best decisions for our trip. They were genuinely invested in us having a memorable experience with their caring tone and patience, especially being available to answer our questions, and always doing it promptly and thoroughly.
Our trip was absolutely seamless! We had a daily update the day prior via WhatsApp for the next day's agenda. All transfers were on time and courteous hosts educated us about Greece and got to know us personally. They supported us throughout the trip with restaurant recommendations and coordinating any other interests we had. For example, on our free day in Santorini, they helped us coordinate a day at the black-sand beach, which was relaxing and beautiful.
We absolutely loved Greece, from the charming streets of Chania to the deep, navy blue Aegean Sea on our day boat trip seeing all of Santorini and the bustling city of Athens, with the Acropolis and its rich history dating back to 2500 BC. And of course, the delicious fresh food wherever we were!
It was a fantastic, memorable experience for our family in a beautiful place that we will cherish. Thanks for all your team's work in making it so enjoyable and easy for our family! We will be sharing the experience we had with you with our friends, family, and co-workers, encouraging them to use your excellent services!
Thanks again.
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This was a dream vacation made reality–five stars!
We just returned from the most unforgettable two-week adventure through Greece, all thanks to the exceptional planning and care of Zicasso's travel operator and her team! From the moment we landed until our final farewell in Athens, every detail was flawlessly executed.
Our journey began in Crete, where we were welcomed by a warm, knowledgeable guide who brought Chania's rich history to life during all of our many activities. From touring the many villages to hiking Imbros Gorge to the Palace of Knossos, we felt immersed in the true spirit of Crete.
Next was Santorini, where the sunsets were just as magical as we’d hoped. Our stay was filled with stunning cliffside views, wine tastings, and personalized recommendations that made it feel like we were exploring the island with a local friend.
Naxos was an unexpected gem—less touristy, but bursting with charm. The tour guide here was particularly fantastic, taking us to authentic villages, ancient ruins, and serene beaches that felt like our own private paradise.
Our final days in Athens were the perfect ending to this epic journey. The historical sites were breathtaking and our guide’s passion for Greek history made every moment at the Acropolis and the museums feel deeply meaningful.
What truly set this experience apart was how responsive and supportive our agent and her team were throughout the trip. Any time we had a question—whether about transportation, recommendations, or small changes in plans—they replied quickly and helpfully, making us feel completely at ease and well cared for.
Throughout the trip, the logistics were seamless—beautiful accommodations, smooth transfers, and thoughtfully curated excursions. Every guide was not only professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly kind and engaging. It felt like we were traveling with friends who truly cared about our experience.
We can’t thank our agent enough for crafting such a memorable and enriching vacation. Greece was always on our bucket list and now we’re already dreaming of our return!
Highly, highly recommended!
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Zicasso's tour operator helped us plan the perfect vacation for a family of five. We were able to do everything from food tours (highly recommend!) to historic tours to beaching it! The entire trip ran smoothly. Our agent and his team were always there to help throughout the entire process and the vacation itself.
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Me and my five friends did a girls' trip to Greece for 11 nights. I was nervous about planning a trip that far and did my research online. Zicasso received great reviews and I thought it was great to connect with a travel team in Greece. We worked with our travel agent for months to plan our trip of a lifetime. She took the time to listen to our needs with patience and also asked lots of questions to determine what the best itinerary for our vacation would be. She was amazing.
The transportation company that picked us up from locations and took us from hotel to hotel was amazing too.
We stayed in Athens the first few days and that was a great hotel. The rooms were spacious and we were right in the middle of town. We could walk anywhere we wanted to go, even to the Acropolis. We had wonderful tour guides, doing mostly private tours, and the guides felt like family at the end of our trip. We loved Athens, all the shopping and food and hustle and bustle of the city.
Our next adventure was Chania. That hotel was fabulous too. We loved the city and again, our hotel was within walking distance to everything. Our agent also provided us with ideas for restaurants the days we didn't have tours planned, as well as other things to see. Chania was one of our favorites, especially the tour of the 7 Villages of Apokoronas. What a beautiful tour, and we got to stop at a cheese factory, try cheese, hike, and learn about the olive trees and history. Our tour guide was amazing; so full of knowledge and such a wonderful and friendly personality.
Our next leg was the town of Rethymno. We loved it. It was so quaint and our hotel was the most beautiful boutique hotel, with so much history. We also did a walking tour of Rethymno Old Town and learned about the town and its historical places while snacking on Greek cookies and coffee. Our guide was amazing too. We had another private tour the next day of the Eleftherna and Rethymno villages, which were amazing to visit. Our agent kept us busy with lots of tours and we loved every minute of it.
We saw monasteries and also visited Heraklion, where we did a food and wine tour. That was so amazing too. The food in Greece and all the villages was also fresh and delicious. Every place we visited was fabulous. Our tour guide and his team did an amazing job.
We did a Heraklion Village tour and toured the Lasithi Plateau, which was beautiful. We stopped at a little café for coffee and ate lunch at a wonderful restaurant the tour company's owner suggested. It was the best food ever.
The hotels we stayed in were all top-notch. We requested four- and five-star hotels, which we got. Our drivers were always on time and went out of their way to make us happy. The breakfast in every hotel was amazing and delicious.
I had never been to a country that was so stress-free and where everyone was so nice and accommodating. I felt like we needed to stay another two weeks, but we will be back. Our agent was in touch with us the entire time and we appreciated that. She went above and beyond to ensure we were happy and having a great trip. We had no mishaps and can't wait to go back.
Thank you, Zicasso and our travel company, agent, and teams, for making the trip a memorable one and the trip of a lifetime. We love you all and you are family now.
Yamas!! Roxanne, Barbara, Nora, Frances, and Annette – California girls and Texas girls!
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