Week-Long Greece Family Vacation in June

We vacationed in Greece in June this year and spent time in four main locations: Athens, Crete (Chania and Heraklion), Santorini, and Naxos.This was our first time visiting Greece and we wanted to make our family vacation extra special with our two young adult children who were home from college. This was also our first time using a travel consultant to plan a vacation. We’re a very active family that likes to get out and about.

The Zicasso travel agent and the team at the company were amazing! They tailored our trip to include key things we wanted to experience, ie, Greek history and culture, local cuisine, and water activities. They ensured our vacation flowed smoothly and organized everything, from accommodation to domestic flights, ferries, excursions and tours, and a driver for transportation to and from excursions. We could just sit back, relax, and enjoy! They were always there if we needed them and sent me a message once a day as a reminder of our next day’s planned activities. Our accommodations were spectacular and fitting for our family’s needs, and each location included breakfast, which was a wonderful start to the day.

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.

My daughter and I planned a trip to Greece to celebrate her college graduation. A friend told me about Zicasso and they set me up with a tour company to help plan out our trip. They exceeded my expectations and our trip was seamless because of their help. The owner was amazing from the start. We discussed what we were most interested in when it came to picking out which islands suited us best. She had many ideas and then we collaborated on what fit best with our timeline, budget, and dates.

We went to Crete, Santorini, and Naxos, and ended in Athens. In total, our trip was 10 days. The travel company does everything for you except domestic flights. Honestly, if we had had to do all the trip planning ourselves, it would have been so much more work. Knowing there will be someone to greet you and get you to your next destination when you land at airports or seaports is huge.

We picked hotels that were three to four stars and they were all fabulous. Our family has traveled extensively and I usually do most of the legwork myself. However, there are places like Greece where you need help and insight. The travel company’s owner knew the hotels well and had relationships with the staff. We couldn't have done it without her.

We enjoyed all four destinations. We loved Chania in Crete and had a wonderful cooking class/olive oil tasting that I would highly recommend. We loved our guide and the chef, and the food was delicious. We would definitely go back to Crete.

We then ferried over to Santorini, which was worth seeing, and we kayaked and hiked there. The best food and wine was in Santorini. However, I would not go back. There are way too many tourists and cruise ships.

We then ferried to Naxos and loved it. We rented a car and found a tiny town (one eating shack) where we hopped on a little boat with 12 other people. It was beautiful.

We then flew to Athens and had a great private tour to see the Acropolis/Parthenon. It was magical.

We planned our 3 week honeymoon to Greece with this agent this summer.  The locations he selected for our hotels were amazing! In Athens we were right next to the Parthenon and a bustling market. In Crete we were in the heart of Rethymon and a short walk to the beach. In Santorini we were right on the cliff overlooking the caldera and a lovely walk to Fira.  In Naxos we were 30 seconds from St. George beach in Naxos town.  I don't think we could have found such fantastic locations without the firsthand knowledge of our agent.  Beyond the locations, every hotel we stayed at was beautiful with great accommodating and helpful staff. The hotel in Crete was particularly wonderful.

During the planning phases, we had regular productive conversations with our agent as we fine-tuned the itinerary. When our first initial plan came in over budget, he found creative ways to modify it without lessening the length of the trip.  This was critical for us since we really wanted 3 weeks in Greece and our agent was very understanding and helpful as we restructured it.  Our honeymoon ended up being all we hoped for and more!  Thanks to our agent and his company!