Ultimate 10-Day Greek Islands Vacation

The beautiful country of Greece is known for its history, landscape, cuisine, and many amazing islands. This immersive trip to some of Greece’s premier island destinations will begin with a two-night stay in the capital city of Athens. Full of history and culture, your first sights of Athens will come into view when you land at Athens International Airport. The ancient city will quickly begin to captivate you and will blend seamlessly with the iconic landmarks that can be found around every corner. A private transfer will lead you to your luxurious hotel that will be centrally located in the heart of the city. Once acquainted with your room, you can begin to explore this intriguing city at your own pace. Plaka, which is one of the oldest parts of Athens, will be an excellent place to spend your first afternoon and evening. This area is filled with artisan boutiques and many cafes, and you can navigate the narrow and winding streets to discover some of the ceramics, jewelry, and clothing that is for sale in the shops. The delectable scent that emanates from the doors of restaurants will draw you into an authentic taverna for your first savory dinner in Greece. The moussaka, which is a typical Greek dish of baked eggplant, tomatoes, and meat, will be absolutely delicious. The sweet baklava dessert, which is filled with honey and nuts, will be the perfect culmination to your meal. After dinner, you will see some of the landmarks that are beautifully illuminated under the night sky before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Locals and tourists alike will begin to fill the streets of Athens as your second day begins. This morning, you can savor a tasty breakfast and coffee at your hotel before an expert guide arrives to lead you on a private tour of the amazing Acropolis. Dating back thousands of years, the fascinating ruins will transport you back in time to ancient Greece. During your tour, you will witness the Theatre of Dionysus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the unparalleled Parthenon. You will also learn the history of the Greek gods as you marvel at intricate, impressive, and well-preserved buildings with exquisite statues and detailed columns. There will be time to pause for a light and refreshing Greek salad for lunch at a local cafe before your tour continues to the nearby Acropolis Museum. Home to a treasure trove of relics and artifacts from Greece’s past, the museum will have you marveling at the many pieces of history that you can see. The history and culture of Greece can be felt in every room, and your visit will be nothing but memorable. After your tour concludes, you can enjoy your last evening in Athens by touring more of the city’s beautiful neighborhoods and delighting in another delicious meal.

Feelings of excitement will be in the air this morning, and after a delightful breakfast, it will be time to venture to the first magnificent Greek Island on the itinerary. You will travel in luxury via private speed boat, and with a refreshing drink in hand, you will be able to feel the cool breeze as the boat glides over the blue waters. After an enjoyable ride, you will arrive at the intriguing island of Mykonos, and a quick transfer will land you at your luxurious hotel. Once acquainted with your plush surroundings, an expert guide will arrive to begin your private tour of the island, which will have you exploring some of Mykonos’ most popular towns and areas. As you journey around the island, you will admire the signature whitewashed streets and buildings. One of the first places that you will see is the area that is known as Kato Milli, which is home to the island's age-old windmills. Although no longer in use, they are considered an important symbol of Mykonos and will be an incredible sight. Your tour will continue to the village of Ano Mera, which is filled with iconic attractions. Here, you will certainly marvel at Panagia Tourliani, which is a monastery that dates back centuries. You will then be tossed deeper into the history of the island with a visit to Gyzi Castle, which is another ancient landmark.

Once your tour concludes, you can enjoy the balance of your first day in Mykonos with a visit to one of its many beaches, such as Ornos Beach or Agrari Beach. A relaxing afternoon and another delicious meal at a seaside restaurant for dinner will be an ideal way to end your day.

The rising sun will glisten on the beautiful sea as day four begins in Mykonos. It will feel like true paradise as you sip on a freshly brewed cup of coffee and gaze out at the gorgeous landscape. An exciting visit to the nearby island of Delos will highlight your day. A private boat will glide you through the peaceful waters to arrive at this interesting island. Delos is full of history and culture, and today, you will experience the best of it. An expert guide will greet you upon your arrival to the island to begin your exclusive tour. You will journey around the ancient ruins to witness awe-inspiring remains of ancient structures. Delos is believed to be the birthplace of the Greek god Apollo, and you will witness the remains of three different temples that are dedicated to him. You will also marvel at how detailed the columns are before your tour continues to the Sacred Lake and Terrace of Lions. History will come to life as you learn about the vibrant history of how the lake once was before viewing the magnificent row of white marble lions that overlook the area. The lions will be impressive, and it will be easy to see why the Terrace of Lions is one of the most popular attractions of the island. You can then visit the remains of the Temple of Isis before your tour leads you to the nearby Archeological Museum. The many pieces of history that are on display in the Museum will amaze you. Marble sculptures and parts of statues that date back thousands of years will be a wonder to witness, and by the end of the day, you will feel connected to Delos and its captivating history. Afterward, you will enjoy the short boat ride back to Mykonos, which will allow you to indulge in a delicious dinner before continuing to explore all that Mykonos has to offer.

The sweet smell of freshly baked pastries from the nearby bakery shops will be a welcoming wake-up call on this morning. Another intriguing day trip will be in store, and today, you will venture to the nearby island of Tinos. With coffee in hand, you will board a private boat for the short ride across the Aegean Sea. Upon your arrival to the island, a local guide will greet you to begin an exclusive tour. Tinos is considered the holiest of the Greek islands because it is the home of the most visited Greek church: the Church of Evangelistria. Also referred to as Our Lady of Tinos, the church is dedicated to Mary, who is believed to be the patron saint and protector of all of Greece. Thousands flock to this sacred site every year to visit the holy building and to see the icon of Mary that the Church was built around. You will admire the gorgeous details and marble facade of the Church as you tour this special location. Your journey around Tinos will continue, and wonderful panoramic views can be found around every corner. Soon, you will arrive in the village of Volax, which is known for its unique artisan shops. Here, you will witness modern day artists as they weave beautiful, handmade baskets. You can then pause for a sumptuous lunch at an authentic nearby cafe before your guide leads you to see some of the island’s decorative dovecotes. These unique structures date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and were built to attract pigeons, doves, and other birds. Known as a symbol of Tinos, the dovecotes contain detailed geometric patterns and will be a very memorable sight. As the sun then begins to set, you will board your private boat for the short but enjoyable ride back to Mykonos, where you will continue to discover the delicious food, wonderful beaches, and shops of the island.

The gentle breeze will be felt through your hotel room window as another glorious day begins in Mykonos. A delightful seaside breakfast will be an excellent way to begin your day before jetting off for the next Greek Island. You will board the private speed boat to begin the pleasant ride to the exciting island of Naxos, where you will feel the warmth of the sun as you cruise over the clear blue sea. Upon your arrival in Naxos, a local guide will greet you to begin your private tour of the island that will have you admiring the picturesque scenery of the village of Sangri. The highlight of your visit to the village will be an opportunity to witness the Temple of Demeter. The ruins of the ancient Temple date back to the sixth century BC and the marble details and columns will be a marvelous sight. Your tour will continue around the island to arrive in the village of Damalas. This quaint village is known for its restored olive mills, and you will be provided with the unique opportunity to tour one of them. Inside, you will learn about the age-old olive oil making process in addition to viewing some of the refurbished equipment and materials. You will then journey back outside to explore the nearby pottery workshop, where you will witness how the talented artisans craft gorgeous pottery pieces. Afterward, you can delight in a sparkling water before your tour ventures to the final stop of the day: Panagia Drosiani. Panagia Drosiani is one of the oldest churches in Greece, and you will marvel at the stone details and many frescoes. The wonderful sights of the day will remain on your mind as you then return to your luxurious hotel. A delectable dinner at one of the island’s mouthwatering restaurants will be an ideal way to finish your day.

This morning, you can sip on a delicious cup of coffee while you prepare for the day. The gorgeous sights of Naxos and the blue sea will be so picturesque that they will seem as though they have been taken from a postcard. The first half of your day will be at your leisure to continue to enjoy the luxurious surroundings of your hotel or to set out on the streets to explore some of the boutiques with handmade goods. The winding roads will lead you from one interesting shop to another, and you may also choose to visit one of Naxos’ amazing beaches. Plaka Beach is one of the island’s best-known beaches and will be absolutely stunning. The clear blue skies, crystal waters, and golden sand will symbolize luxury, and time will easily pass as you soak up all that Plaka Beach has to offer. On the beach, you can delight in a tasty snack before embarking on a private sailing experience. Your expert guide will also be your captain, and they will help you to uncover the intriguing areas around Naxos and to learn more about its history and landscape. You will be provided with an up-close look at fascinating caves before delighting in a swim in magnificent waters around this idyllic location. You can also admire the unparalleled view of the evening sunset as your boat cruises back toward Naxos. Once back on the island, the enticing smells that emanate from the many restaurants will draw you in for another savory meal, and you will dine on an authentic dish of spanakopita, which is a Greek dish that is made with spinach and feta cheese and baked like a pie. Then, you will indulge in a local Naxos specialty for dessert: walnut cake or melachrino.

Locals around the island will begin to open their shops and cafes as another day begins in Naxos. One more delicious breakfast on the scenic island will be in store for you before venturing to the final island destination of your trip. After the last bite of breakfast, you will board a private speed boat for another amazing ride across the Aegean Sea. The sea breeze will guide your boat to the stunning island of Santorini. Santorini was formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred a number of centuries ago, and the firsts sights of the island will be breathtaking. Its towns are situated on cliffs, making this destination truly unique and special. A private transfer will lead you to your luxurious hotel with panoramic sea views. From your balcony, you can admire your new surroundings before an expert guide arrives to begin your private tour of the island. The first stop of your tour will be the ancient site of Akrotiri. The settlement of Akrotiri dates back thousands of years and was founded by the Minoans. It was unearthed in the 20th century after having been buried under volcanic ash for centuries, and the remains at the site will be a wonder to see. The ruins contain many well-preserved frescoes and unique pieces of pottery, and it will feel like you are traveling back in history as you journey around the captivating site. You will also appreciate the signature white and blue homes that line the roads here. A popular destination for tourists, Fira is known for its artisan shops. Artwork by local artists and gorgeous, handmade jewelry will be on display as you explore a few of the boutiques. You can stop at one of the cafes for a light lunch of tasty feta cheese and fresh tomatoes before discovering more of the shops. Later in the afternoon, your tour will venture to the final village of the day: the village of Oia. Ideally located, Oia is the best place on the island to watch the sunset, and you will appreciate the sights of the setting sun as the rays glide over the crystal waters. You will then have the rest of the evening at your own pace.

Today, you will be immersed deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Santorini. You will enjoy a puff pastry that is still warm from the oven for breakfast as you gaze out at the scenic views from your hotel. Then, you will head to Perissa Beach to spend the rest of your morning. The black lava sand and sparkling waters will welcome you upon your arrival, and several hours of relaxation will allow your morning and afternoon to easily pass. You can sip on a refreshing cocktail as you soak up the warmth of the sun and amazing atmosphere, and later in the day, you will head back out on the Aegean Sea for an exclusive private sightseeing cruise. The sun will continue to shine as you begin your scenic journey to the nearby island of Nea Kameni. Nea Kameni is at the center of the Santorini caldera or large volcanic crater that formed from the volcanic eruptions in the past. The first part of your tour of the island will be an exciting exploration to the volcano, where you can marvel at the volcanic sights as your expert guide explains more about the history and terrain of this unique island. Excitement will fill the air as you journey near the top of the crater and gaze out at the fantastic views. The volcanic terrain has caused the waters around the island to be exceptionally warm and filled with minerals, making them home to sought after hot springs. Known around the world for their perfect temperature and rumored healing qualities, the hot springs will be the highlight of your visit. Here, you can indulge in some free time to swim in these idyllic waters before venturing back to the boat to return to Santorini for the evening. The sunset will be a beautiful sight as you step back on the island before visiting a local taverna for your final dinner in Greece.

This morning, you can explore the fascinating island of Santorini one final time. With a coffee in hand, you can venture out from your hotel to travel around more of the quaint roads. A private boat and transfer will lead you back to the mainland of Greece and then to Athens International Airport for your return flight. Although you will not want your exciting adventure to end, you will head home knowing that you experienced the very best of the incredible Greek islands during this 10-day getaway.