Greek Legends Come Alive: Family Adventure to Athens, Santorini, Crete

Little girl playing by Paraportiani church in Mykonos, Greece

What to expect on this itinerary

On this 7-day family vacation through Athens, Santorini, and Crete, immerse yourself in the mythology and history of the ancient Greeks, be amazed by the Aegean Sea, and indulge in the delectable Mediterranean diet. Explore the legendary Acropolis, acquire a newfound appreciation of Doric architecture, bask in revitalizing sunshine, and adventure through breathtaking mountain passes. This weeklong vacation seamlessly combines extravagance with education and will provide your family with a unique perspective of Greece’s enduring culture.

Countries Visited

Greece

Places Visited

Athens, Santorini, Crete

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Athens – Welcome to Greece

When you land in Athens, a private driver will be waiting to greet you. Your driver will attend to your luggage and escort you to your hotel. After a short drive, you will arrive at your spectacular hotel in the heart of Athens. Your gracious hosts will welcome your family as one of their own, handle your luggage, and show you to your room with a superb view of the Acropolis. Your hotel will also provide your family with a traditional Greek dinner of feta, olives, lamb, and baklava.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Dinner
Day 2

Athens – Immersed in the Acropolis

Day 3

Santorini – Scuba Dive and Cook with a Master Chef

Day 4

Santorini – Kayak Tour through Calderas

Day 5

Crete - Adventure through the Dikti Mountains

Day 6

Crete – Excavate a Minoan Ruin

Day 7

Crete – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Immerse your family in the mythos and magic of the legendary Acropolis
  • Revel in a splendid sunset at the majestic Temple of Poseidon
  • Scuba dive through sacred caves and caverns
  • Savor the delectable and nutritious Mediterranean diet and partake in a cooking course with a master chef
  • Marvel at the magnificent calderas on a guided kayak tour through the Aegean Sea
  • Bask in the sunshine at a world-renowned beach in Santorini
  • Adventure through the Dikti Mountains to the inspiring Lassithi Plateau in a comfortable off-road vehicle
  • Uncover the ancient secrets of a Cretan civilization by excavating a Minoan ruin and handcrafting pottery

Detailed Description

This 7-day family Greece tour perfectly captures the wonder and mystique of Athens, Santorini, and Crete. Greece is a country that is steeped in history and culture. This personalized vacation combines historical teachings with engaging guides that will leave your family with a very immersive experience.

Your vacation will begin in Athens. You and your partner will acquire a newfound appreciation of Doric architecture and Greek mythology, and your children will come to understand that history does not just exist in a classroom. As your family walks through the Beule Gate and begins to explore the Parthenon and the Temple of Nike Athena, you will feel an intimate connection to ancient Greece and each other. The following day, you will depart in a private aircraft and transfer to Santorini.

In Santorini, you will find peace in the beautiful capital of Fira and scuba dive through underwater caves. You will also learn to prepare a traditional Greek meal that consists of a Greek salad, lamb, and pistachio baklava with a world-class chef. For your next adventure, you will kayak on the sea above stunning calderas. You can spend the rest of the day swimming, sunbathing, and basking in the sun at one of Santorini's world-class beaches.

After Santorini, you will board a private sea shuttle for Crete. Your first guided activity on Crete will be an off-roading adventure through the Dikti Mountains. Here, you can witness the impressive view of the Aposelemis Dam and appreciate the simple life of a local monastery. The following day, your family will become archeologists and excavate an ancient Minoan ruin in search of coveted artifacts. After your dig, you will travel to a local artisan pottery school, where you will have the opportunity to create Minoan pottery.

Starting Price

$2,400 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

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 940 reviews

Review: Family Trip to Greece, Milos, Athens, Santorini, Meteora, Delphi, Acropolis Tour, Cooking Class

Our travel agent put together an outstanding two-week trip to Greece for our family of two adults and two older teens - the trip of a lifetime! All four of us got to do things we loved, and it was overlaid with the sheer beauty and fascinating  history of Greece. Our agent listened carefully to our interests and preferences and had great recommendations for fabulous excursions, guides, and logistics. The guides were what really made everything "come alive" and we would highly recommend them for families - we had great times engaging with them and their personal attention made each destination interesting for all. Our itinerary: We spent a couple of days in Athens (Acropolis, exploring old town, the funicular, etc.), then had a car and driver for a two-day trip to the Meteora monasteries and Delphi. We then took a quick flight to Milos, a quieter island with the most amazing collection of beaches, where we stayed four nights/3 days at an exquisite gem of a small hotel in Pollonia. Finally we went to Santorini by ferry, and enjoyed four nights/3 days there at a hotel based in Imerovigli, which we would highly recommend as a convenient, peaceful location with incredible views from sunrise to sundown. 

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Greece Family Trip Review: Crete, Athens, Santorini, Acropolis, Winery, Catamaran Ride, History, Private Tours, 8-Day Vacation
Our family of 4 took an 8 day trip to Crete, Santorini and Athens… and we could not have done it without the planning, recommendations and assistance of Anthony and the travel agency. We gave Anthony our budget and a rough idea of what we wanted to do with our 2 kids (5 & 7) and he was able to create a trip of a lifetime. Whenever we needed a driver or some assistance, even a last minute restaurant recommendation Anthony and his team were readily available with great solutions. He really listens and can modify things to suit your particular needs. Everything was planned and went accordingly for us, including boarding passes to flights, ferries, booster seats in all vehicles, a private Greek mythology tour and tour of the Acropolis, winery tour and even a stunning catamaran ride in Santorini. We will 100% be recommending this travel company to all my friends and family. Thank you for such an incredible family vacation!

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Review: Family Trip to Greece, Athens, Santorini, Crete, Milos, Meteora, Sailing, Wine Tasting, Mythology & History

The company managed to design an itinerary that met all our requests, but they also had a nice flow to the itinerary to give us a balance between tours and relaxing day trips. We spent 5 days in Athens & the Peloponnese region touring many excavation sites, learning a tremendous amount about Greek mythology. There after we spent 4 days in Milos, which is just an amazing island with so much to experience. Santorini for 4 days after, and ended our trip with 3 days in Crete. Every island had a different vibe and experience. All our hotels were amazing, and the recommended restaurants did not disappoint either. We have many food allergies in our family, the agency helped us ensure the restaurants and hotels were well informed on our restrictions.

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Greece Luxury Trip Review: Cooking Class, Sunset Cruise, Food Tour, Acropolis, Culture, History, 10 Nights

My husband and I recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Greece, exploring the breathtaking islands of Crete, Santorini, and Naxos, and the vibrant city of Athens. Our trip was meticulously planned and executed by Zicasso’s exceptional team, who went above and beyond to ensure every detail was perfect. From the moment we set foot in Greece until the day we reluctantly departed, they were with us every step of the way, turning our vacation into the memory of a lifetime.

Chania, Crete: Our adventure began in Chania, Crete, where we stayed at a luxurious hotel and spa. This boutique hotel, situated right on the waterfront, offered stunning views and impeccable service. The highlight of our stay in Crete was a delightful cooking class, where we learned to prepare traditional Cretan dishes with fresh, local ingredients. The warmth and hospitality of the staff at the hotel made us feel right at home.

Santorini: Next, we traveled to the iconic island of Santorini. Our hotel was nestled on the cliffs overlooking the caldera and provided an idyllic setting for our vacation. One of the most memorable experiences was the catamaran sunset cruise, on which we sailed around the island, marveling at the stunning volcanic landscape and enjoying a delicious onboard dinner as the sun set over the Aegean Sea. The hotel staff ensured every moment was magical. The hotel concierge kept in touch with us via WhatsApp. She was amazing!!!!

Naxos: Our journey continued to the charming island of Naxos. The hotel’s blend of traditional architecture and modern amenities provided a comfortable and stylish retreat. Our travel agency organized a fantastic Naxos town food tour, allowing us to savor the island’s culinary delights and learn about its rich history. We also embarked on a private village tour, exploring the quaint villages and experiencing the authentic Naxian way of life. The hospitality at the hotel was exceptional, making our stay truly memorable.

Athens: Our final destination was the bustling city of Athens. Located in the heart of the city, our luxurious hotel offered stunning views of the Acropolis and easy access to Athens’ historical sites. The staff went out of their way to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable.

Outstanding Service: The personal touches provided by Zicasso’s travel agency truly set them apart. During the planning phase, I had the pleasure of speaking with the founder and lead travel designer. He took the time to understand our expectations and preferences, recommending Naxos instead of Mykonos based on our interest in food tours, culture, and history. Trusting his advice was one of the best decisions we made, as Naxos turned out to be one of our favorite islands.

His company’s commitment to our satisfaction was evident from the moment we landed in Athens, where we were greeted by an agent, with a lovely gift, who walked us to our gate for the flight to Chania. Throughout our trip, we communicated via WhatsApp, receiving daily messages with our boarding passes and itinerary. Their professionalism shone through when unexpected situations arose, such as a five-hour ferry delay in Crete. They reassured us continuously, adjusting our schedule as needed without any hassle.

When my luggage was lost on the flight from Naxos to Athens, the company promptly contacted the airline and ensured my luggage was delivered to our hotel in Athens. Their proactive and attentive service made all the difference.

Each hotel provided us with sumptuous breakfasts, a feast for the eyes and the palate, prepared by amazing chefs. The food throughout our trip was memorable and the hospitality at every location was outstanding.

Every trip I take from now on will be compared to this bucket-list vacation that Zicasso’s company planned for us. I would not hesitate to use them the next time I visit Greece, knowing it will be another dream trip.

Final Thoughts: The travel agency turned our Greek vacation into a seamless, extraordinary experience. Their attention to detail, personalized service, and commitment to excellence made our trip a true dream. If you’re planning a trip to Greece, I highly recommend them – they create memories that last a lifetime.

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Luxury Greece Trip Review: Crete, Santorini, Athens, Catamaran Sunset Cruise, Acropolis, Botanical Gardens, Changing of the Guard
Traveled to several locations on Crete, Santorini, and Athens Greece having use this Travel Agency working with Dimitrios.Dimitrios was very helpful and responsive to my emails and calls and worked to understand the type of trip I was looking to put together. From the type and location of hotel properties, to the type of tour activities, he stuck with me through the process to make the trip - exactly what we wanted. And he even met up with us in Athens over lunch.As for the trip itself - many companies encouraged Santorini, Mykonos and Athens. I can not say enough about Crete - except that I wish I had more time there. If you can spend the time - Crete is a far superior destination to many of the smaller island - and should not be missed. We were in Santorini near the end of 'the season' - and we truly enjoyed missing the crowds. We got to relax and sit and enjoy. And of course the feel of the island - and the sunsets are - just as 'advertised'. Oh - and I thought the whole Catamaran Sunset Cruise thing was going to be a little 'touristy' but it was truly a great experience. Great to get in the water. Great to see the island from another perspective. Great staff and great food. (Have I overused the word Great?.... No. It was.)Athens - it turns out - is more than just the Acropolis. We truly enjoyed the Botanical Gardens, Changing of the Guard, walking down streets to find a hidden gem of a cafe or shop. And the people of Athens (Greeks and visitors both) were wonderful.We do wish we had more time - on Crete and to see more of the mainland as there are so many other places we did not have time to get to.... But we will come back.Great trip. Thank you travel company. Thank you Dimitrios. Thank you to the people of Greece!!

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Greece Luxury Travel Review: Athens, Aegean Sea, Santorini, Mykonos, Ikaria, Acropolis, Local Cuisine

I am writing to express my heartfelt appreciation for the unforgettable vacation we had in Greece in September 2023. From the moment we landed in Athens, the beauty and history of Greece were evident. The Acropolis, with its ancient structures, was a sight to behold. The entire family of four adults was fascinated by the stories of Greek mythology, which was such a joy to hear while seeing the actual sites.

Our visit to the stunning islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Ikaria was equally memorable. The white-washed houses against the backdrop of the azure Aegean Sea were truly picturesque. The local cuisine, especially the fresh seafood and traditional Greek salad, was delectable.

The overall warmth and hospitality of the Greek people made us feel at home. The guided tours were informative and well-organized, ensuring we didn't miss any significant sights.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your meticulous planning and organization. Every detail, from our comfortable accommodations to the seamless transportation arrangements, was taken care of by Zicasso's tour company. This attention to detail allowed us to relax and immerse ourselves in the rich culture and history of Greece. This vacation has provided us with cherished memories that we will hold dear for years to come. Thank you once again for making this possible. Looking forward to our next adventure together.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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