Island Hop Through History: Unique Greek Island Hopping Itinerary

Temples of Paestum, archeological area in Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

During this luxurious 9-day excursion to Delos, Tinos, and Nea Kameni have been arranged for you to uncover the beauty, history, and culture of the remarkable Greek Islands. This vacation immerses you in the history and culture of each destination. Explore the iconic sites of the Acropolis, traverse the ruins of Akrotiri, venture to the charming island of Tinos, and uncover the diverse ancient history of Greece.

Countries Visited

Greece

Places Visited

Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete

Suggested Duration

9 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Athens – Tour the Acropolis

Your exclusively crafted trip, which has been designed with history and culture in mind, will begin when you land at Athens International Airport. Your private transfer will be waiting to escort you to your luxurious hotel. After you have had time to check-in and become acquainted with your new surroundings, your expert guide will arrive to begin your private tour of the Acropolis. Some of the first impressive sights that you will witness include the Theatre of Dionysus, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. Afterward, you will be transferred to the Acropolis Museum, which contains thousands of pieces of history that have been collected from the area surrounding the Acropolis.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Lunch
Day 2

Mykonos – Exclusive Tour of Mykonos

Day 3

Mykonos – Immersion into Delos’ Culture

Day 4

Mykonos – Discover the Church of Tinos

Day 5

Santorini – Initial Impressions of Santorini

Day 6

Santorini – Nea Kameni’s Volcano and Hot Springs

Day 7

Crete – Tour Knossos Palace

Day 8

Crete – Explore the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Day 9

Crete – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the iconic sites of the ancient Acropolis, including the unparalleled Parthenon
  • Indulge in a visit to the intriguing Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, which dates back to the 16th century
  • Discover the ancient island of Delos, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during an exciting day-trip to the island
  • Traverse the charming island of Tinos, which is considered the holiest Greek Island, during an exclusive excursion
  • Uncover the ruins of Akrotiri, which is an archaeological site on Santorini
  • Swim in the idyllic hot springs of Nea Kameni, which is a volcanic island near Santorini
  • Marvel at the preserved frescoes of Knossos Palace, which is an ancient palace of Crete
  • Delight in a private tour of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which is considered to be one of the premier museums in all of Greece

Detailed Description

A tour of the stunning islands of Greece can be considered a trip back in time because each island is full of history and intrigue. This luxurious, 9-day journey to discover the history and culture of the islands will begin the moment you land at Athens International Airport. One afternoon to discover the history of Greece’s capital city will be the perfect way to begin your trip. After checking in at your luxurious hotel, your afternoon will feature an exciting tour of the Acropolis. Your expert private guide will lead you around the fascinating ruins from the Theatre of Dionysus to the Parthenon. After you are left in awe of the ruins and temples that are still standing after centuries, your tour will continue to the renowned Acropolis Museum. Here, you will uncover more pieces of history as you witness a plethora of rare artifacts. After your tour nears its end, you will enjoy an evening in Athens at your leisure.

The following day, your immersive discovery of the Greek Islands will begin when you depart Athens via speed boat and venture to the island of Mykonos. You will be traveling in pure luxury as you cruise over the Aegean Sea and admire your gorgeous surroundings. The next three nights on Mykonos will lead you to the best parts of the island in addition to intriguing day trips to the nearby islands of Delos and Tinos. Historical attractions can be found around every corner alongside the island’s many wonderful shops and delicious restaurants. From the age-old windmills of Mykonos to the archaic ruins of Delos, you will discover nearly all that this idyllic destination has to offer. On day five, your journey will continue to the beautiful island of Santorini. Two nights on this island will allow you to engage in its lifestyle and culture. An exclusive tour of the island and an exciting day trip to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni will highlight your visit. The fascinating ruins of Akrotiri will be an archeological marvel, and to climb the crater of Nea Kameni’s volcano will be an unforgettable experience.

The final island destination of your luxurious, island-hopping adventure will be the ancient island of Crete. Crete is Greece’s largest island and is filled with an intriguing history that spans thousands of years. After you check-in to your opulent hotel in Heraklion, your first afternoon on the island will feature a visit to Knossos Palace. Your expert guide will lead you around the remains of the palace, and you will marvel at the details and design of the impressive structure. The following day, your discovery of Crete will continue with a guided tour of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The museum is considered to be one of the best in the world for Minoan art, and you will learn more about this ancient civilization as you view countless pieces of art and artifacts. Each room of the museum will fascinate and immerse you deeper into the culture of the island. On the morning of day nine, a brief flight will carry you back to Athens International Airport, where you will board your connecting flight home. You will leave Greece enriched and captivated by its history, culture, and beauty.

Every aspect of this luxurious, island-hopping adventure is customizable, so you will be able to adjust anything and everything about this itinerary to further accommodate your moods and desires once you are in Greece.

Starting Price

$3,100 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 824 reviews

Greece Tour Review: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, History, Culture, Tradition, Local Cuisine, Shopping, 8 Nights

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.

See more

Greece Trip Review: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, History, Culture, Local Cuisine, 10 Nights

Our trip to Greece was everything we had hoped for and more. Each day was filled with experiencing the culture, the history, and the amazing atmosphere of Athens and the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. It was all made possible by our amazing "travel fairy," Zicasso's travel designer! At every turn, we were taken care of, which made our trip the best it could be. We couldn't have done it without her. She and her team were there for us no matter what, big questions/issues and small.

See more

Greece Vacation Review: Naxos, Athens, Cuisine, Walking Tour, 10 Nights

Zicasso's travel company made our bucket-list trip to Greece come to life! They organised all our tours and transportation, worked with us to provide activities that were in line with our interests, and even gave detailed information on suggested itineraries for our free days.

Some highlights included the walking tour(s) of Athens, our trip to see Santorini, and the best steak I have ever had at a beach hotel in Naxos! Our only suggestion is that we went on a day tour to Delos which was self-guided. There is so much history there though that a guided tour would have been helpful. I would definitely recommend booking your tour with them!

See more

Greece Luxury Tour Review: Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Delos, Historical Sites, Local Cuisine, Sunset Catamaran Cruise
"Zicasso’s trip planner and her company provided my wife and me with the ultimate Greek vacation. I would definitely recommend her and her company."

See more

Greece Honeymoon Review: Paros, Santorini, Crete, Athens, Acropolis, Boat Ride, 11 Nights

If I could give them more than five stars, I would. I cannot recommend Zicasso's tour operator enough!!! Our agents were amazing and created the most perfect honeymoon for my husband and I!! We went to Paros, Santorini, Crete, and Athens and loved them all. It was amazing not to have to worry about a thing. We had zero issues and we had the best time.

We went to wonderful restaurants and beautiful hotels, had two fun boat trips, a beautiful tour throughout Kissamos, Crete, and the best tour guide for the Acropolis/Athens.

If you want an amazing trip with beautiful memories and zero worries, I would absolutely use this tour operator!!!

See more

Greece Tour Review: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Horseback Riding, Food Tours, 10 Days

We had a wonderful time in Greece. We spent 10 days there and went to Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. The accommodations were great and the planned excursions were fantastic. The weather was perfect.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

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

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews