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

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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

$3,900 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.

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Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 2108 reviews

Greece Multigenerational Trip Review: 10 Days

Zicasso’s travel agent created an itinerary that was perfect for Bob, me, and our three grandsons. We hit traditional high points in Greece, but also lots of gems off the beaten trail. All the guides were so enjoyable and really helped make the experience so memorable for our grandsons. We stayed at very exceptional places and there was no worry about transportation or any safety issues!

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Greece Travel Review: Athens, Santorini, Naxos, Parthenon, Caldera Hike, E-Bike Tour, 10 Days

From the moment we walked off the plane, everything was planned seamlessly! Drivers, hotels, tours, and transfers! Zicasso’s travel agent did an amazing job listening to the types of activities we like to do and was able to put together an itinerary that was amazing! The people we met, the sites we were able to see, and the food were fantastic. She also checked in with us to make sure everything was going well. If we needed her, she was easy to reach out to. She planned the perfect balance of guided activities along with some self-exploration! We cannot thank her enough for planning this vacation!

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Greece Trip Review: Athens, Crete, 1 Week

Zicasso’s travel specialist, from the beginning planning stages of our trip to Greece to the end, was exceptional. He listened carefully to our interests and tailored our trip accordingly. He was available as we requested changes and immediately responded, and this continued throughout the trip.

Each tour in Crete and Athens went without a hitch. Guides were highly knowledgeable and friendly. He is very invested in you having a wonderful experience and goes the extra mile. I would highly recommend the travel company.

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Greece Vacation Review: Athens, Santorini, Caldera Hike, Easter Celebration, 8 Nights

Everything was well planned and coordinated. All of the drivers and tour guides were on time and did a fine job! The hotels were very nice and the restaurant suggestions were very helpful. It was also a pleasure getting to meet Zicasso’s travel specialist in person when we arrived in Athens!

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Greece Tour Review: Crete, Santorini, Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Chania, Beaches, Local Cuisine, 10 Nights

Zicasso’s travel specialist was a fantastic travel agent. She was organized, professional, responsive, and thorough. She curated a travel experience that was just what we were looking for. We would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great vacation experience.

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Greece Travel Review: Guides, 12 Days

Our travel company and Zicasso were truly excellent trip resources and designers of our two-week vacation to Greece. They arranged every detail. We had transportation prearranged, lodging that was extraordinary, and food that was unforgettable.

Our guides for various day tours in each location were phenomenal. They were never rushed and seemed to give us limitless time. They made arrangements for us that were not part of their paid services, just because they were so welcoming. The guides were all graduates of universities who had completed months of additional studies to become certified as guides. We learned so much from our trip about the places, but also about the culture and what it's like to actually live in Greece. Bravo!

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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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