12-Day Enchanting Luxury Greece Vacation Tour from Athens: Explore to Santorini and Crete
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Athens' Must-See Classics: Guided visits to the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Temple of Poseidon, plus a taste of traditional Souvlaki in Plaka
• Santorini Caldera Luxury Stay: Stay in upscale cliffside accommodation in Imerovigli and enjoy a cruise to the Volcano
• Crete's Culture & Heritage: Explore the Palace of Knossos and walk through the atmospheric old town of Chania
• Top-Rated Greek Beach Experience: Spend a full day relaxing at Elafonisi, one of Greece's most beautiful and famous beaches
12 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Depart Home
All packed and ready for your Luxury Vacation? Head to the airport and board your flight! Next stop: the cities and islands of Greece!
Please note: there is no any itinerary or hotel on the first day.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: No Hotel - 2
Day 2 — Arrival Day
Meet & Greet at Athens Airport and transfer you at the hotel. We proposed a luxury hotels for your stay located at the center of Athens, which you can explore the delights of the city, to walk at Constitution Square and the House of Parliament, or at traditional area of Plaka.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: TITANIA Hotel (4*) - 3
Day 3 — Athens City Tour & Acropolis Museum
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then we start your half day tour of Athens. At the end of your tour you will return to your hotel and the rest of the is at leisure.
From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, with the half-day sightseeing and Acropolis museum tour you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Hear insightful commentary from your guide, and pass top Athens attractions including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Greek Parliament building and Presidential Palace. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided half-day tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens.
The Athens half-day tour, depart for a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then pass the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library.
Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann's House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae the gateway, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Stroll up to the UNESCO-listed site that served as the ancient citadel, and tour the buildings as you hear how they reflected Athens' prosperity in the 5th century BC.
Continue the expert guided Athens sightseeing and museum tour with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the ACROPOLIS museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you.
Highlight:
*Panoramic city tour of Athens city centre
*Guided tour of Acropolis with professional guide
*See top Athens attractions such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Constitution Square and Panathenaic Stadium
*Visit the Acropolis of Athens and see the world-famous Parthenon temple
*Guided tour of the Acropolis Museum
*See the Erecthion with Caryatids
Acropolis
Panathinaiko Stadium
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: TITANIA Hotel (4*) - 4
Day 4 — Athens - Magical Santorini
After a tasty breakfast, appreciating life like a Greek, we will pick you up at the agreed time, in one of our private vehicles, to drive you to the port, where you will continue on to your next destination, the island that is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, Santorini. As the ferry approaches the port, you will admire the capital city of Fira, with its white houses perched on the Cliffside and facing the volcano.
Upon disembarkation, one of our English-speaking representatives will welcome you, escort you to your hotel and introduce you to some of the most outstanding features of this picturesque island. The rest of the day is free for you to wander through the narrow streets and become part of this amazing world.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: ANDROMEDA VILLAS SUITES & SPA (4*) - 5
Day 5 — Semi Private Sunset and Dinner Catamaran Cruise
Get picked up from your hotel to go enjoy a 5-hour cruise on a catamaran around the amazing Caldera of Santorini. Swim and snorkel in the crystal deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea and enjoy a delicious barbecue prepared on board.
Sunset Tour
Starts from the Port of Vlychada
1st stop: Red Beach for snorkeling and taking photographs.
2nd stop: White Beach for swimming, snorkeling and barbecue on board.
3nd stop: Hot Springs for mud bath. Sail past the volcano, Aspronisi, the ancient lighthouse, Akrotiri and Indian Rock.
Sail below Oia for sunset.
Ends at Ammoudi Port after SUNSET
INCLUDED:
*Greek menu prepared on the spot (Greek salad, shrimp saganaki, grilled chicken and pork skewers, roasted vegetables, pasta with red sauce, *stuffed vine leaves, vegetarian meal)
*Snorkeling equipment (mask & snorkel)
*Drinks (Santorinian white wine, soft drinks)
*Towels, Jacket, Wi-FiMeals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: ANDROMEDA VILLAS SUITES & SPA (4*) - 6
Day 6 — Discovering Santorini
Free day to explore, at your own pace, this magical island, considered to be the lost continent of Atlantis. The name of the island was given by the Venetian Giacomo Barozzi due to the presence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Eirini. His descendants remained until 1576, when the island became part of the Duchy of Naxos and until the Turkish conquest by Piyale Pasha.
Optionally, On this free day, we recommend exploring the island, tasting its wine and its excellent local cuisine. We cannot miss tasting the tomatokeftedes (a kind of tomato balls), the fava dishes (a vegetable smaller than a pea) and the cheese called Chloro.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: ANDROMEDA VILLAS SUITES & SPA (4*) - 7
Day 7 — Santorini - Heraklion, Crete
At the appointed time, we will transfer you to the new port of Santorini, Athinios. There, you will board the ferry bound for the largest island of Greece, Crete. More precisely you will arrive at the port of Heraklion, the capital of the island and home of the legendary King Minos and his Minotaur.
Heraklion was the most important city of the Minoan civilization and it literally means the glory of the goddess Hera. The Palace of Knossos, the oldest palatial complex in Europe, is located in Heraklion.
Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Minoan Palace of Knossos
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: AMIRA Luxury Resort & Spa (5*) - 8
Day 8 — Tour Knossos and Heraklion
Set off for a guided exploration of the magnificent Palace of Knossos. This 3,500-year-old Minoan palace is a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. The evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe's oldest city; it flourished for nearly 2,000 years as an economic center, trading with cities across the Mediterranean.
Follow it up with a guided stroll through the streets of Heraklion, exploring the old city's medieval streets with architecture representing the island's Venetian past. Highlights include the elegant arches of the Loggia, now in use as the town hall, and the Koules Venetian fortress along the harbor walls. In the afternoon, don't miss the Archaeological Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world.
In the evening, you'll head onward to Chania, a city (and region) on the northwest coast of Crete. Chania itself is the second largest city in Crete and one of the most scenic spots on an island with stiff competition for that title. Life in this former Venetian city revolves around its charming 14th-century harbor, narrow streets with winding alleys, and colorful architecture influenced by past Ottoman and Egyptian eras.
Entrance: 15 euro/person (not included)Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: AMIRA Luxury Resort & Spa (5*) - 9
Day 9 — Discovering Crete
Your day is at leisure. You might consider a day trip to the Balos Beach lagoon for a day of relaxation. Leaving the port of Kissamos toward Gramvousa exploring the area and then arriving at Balos Beach for a day or swimming in the shallow turquoise waters of the lagoon. Balos Beach is one of the most picturesque and photographed beaches in Greece.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: AMIRA Luxury Resort & Spa (5*) - 10
Day 10 — Elafonissi Tour
Ιn Chania there is a heaven on earth called "Elafonisi".
In the southwestern part of the island one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in Greece is to be found. Elafonisi is a small island so close to the beach that one can actually walk there from the beach… The crystal clear turquoise shallow waters in combination with the thin white and coral-red sand create a landscape of unparalleled beauty! The route to Elafonissi won't leave you disappointed. We pick you up with our bus and our escort from your hotel or a location in its vicinity. Driving through small traditional villages and crossing the Topolian gorge we reach our destination.
After reaching Elafonissi you are free to relax on the beach and enjoy the lovely scenery surrounding you. We are stay on the beach for four hours approximately. On our way back we make a stop at the village Elos, where you get the chance to dine at a traditional tavern and try Cretan dishes (optional).
Some time later we head back to your base… our trip has come to its end… we hope that you have enjoyed it!!!Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: AMIRA Luxury Resort & Spa (5*) - 11
Day 11 — Wind Down
The day is all yours to enjoy all the amenities at your hotel. Relax in their large outdoor fresh water swimming pools with comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas or at their private sandy beach with comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas and Water sports with instruction like Windsurfing, Sailing, Snorkelling, Scuba diving, Water-skiing. Pamper yourself at their state of the art Wellness Club before an evening and dinner at the ALMYRA Mediterranean Restaurant.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: AMIRA Luxury Resort & Spa (5*) - 12
Day 12 — Crete - Departure (Athens)
At the agreed time, our representative will transfer you to either Heraklion or Chania airport, where you will board your flight back to Athens. Upon your arrival you will connect to your international flight, which ideally should depart after 12:30 pm. Having spent a few fantastic days with us, we hope to see you again soon to create new and extraordinary moments that will be lovingly etched in your memory.
Have a nice trip! or as Greeks say: "Kalo taksidi!"Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- SPECIAL PERKS & GIFTS TO SHOW OUR HOSPITALITY AND APPRECIATION
- 2-night stay at the 4* TITANIA Hotel in Athens in a Superior Double Room
- 3-night stay at the 4* ANDROMEDA VILLAS SUITES & SPA in Santorini in a Superior Caldera View Double Room
- 5-night stay at the 5* AMIRA Luxury Resort & Spa in Rethymnon Crete in a Superior Sea View Double Room
- All Daily Breakfasts except on day of arrival
- Intra-Greece luxury ground transportation and transfers by air-conditioned vehicles
- Four included excursions and optional excursions available all with Hotel pick up and drop off
- Dinner included with your Santorini Sunset Cruise
- English-speaking guides / escorts / drivers
- Professional guides for included sightseeing tours
- Speed Ferry from Piraeus (Athens) to Santorini
- Speed Ferry from Santorini to Heraklion (Crete)
- Domestic Flight from Crete to Athens
- Domestic Flight includes Checked baggage 1 piece up to 23kg per person
- Domestic Flight includes Cabin baggage Carry-on up to 8kg per person
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- All taxes & VAT (excluding accommodation tax)
Not included
- International flight tickets
- Personal expenses
- Customary tips to drivers, guides and escorts
- Meals unless specified
- VISA expenses, if necessary
- Accommodation Tax (Climate Crisis Resilience Fee): The accommodation tax will be calculated and paid directly to the hotel based on the number of overnight stays and the category of the hotel
Additional Tax To be Paid: As of January 1, 2024, all hotels in Greece are required to implement a new environmental fee defined as the Climate Crisis Resilience Fee. This fee was established under Article 30 of Law 5073/2023 and replaces the previous Accommodation Tax. The fee is to be paid by guests staying in hotels, furnished rooms/apartments (rooms to let), and short-term rentals. Accommodations are responsible for collecting this fee from guests and remitting it directly to the tax authorities. The Climate Crisis Resilience Fee is charged per room, per night and must be collected from hotel guests upon check-out. Only in Group Bookings can this tax be collected in advance and only if indicated in the included section. The specific amount of the fee varies based on the hotel’s category and the period of the stay, as detailed below:
| March - October | November - February |
|---|---|
| 1 Star: 2,00 Euros | 1 Star: 0,50 Euros |
| 2 Star: 2,00 Euros | 2 Star: 0,50 Euros |
| 3 Star: 5,00 Euros | 3 Star: 1,50 Euros |
| 4 Star: 10,00 Euros | 4 Star: 3,00 Euros |
| 5 Star: 15,00 Euros | 5 Star: 4,00 Euros |
Cancellation policy
Read the full cancellation terms
Package cancellation fees include airfare & ferry. Once airfare and/or ferry tickets are purchased, either at time of booking for Instant Purchase or at time of full payment, tickets will be issued and are always subject to 100% penalty. After airfare and or ferry tickets purchase, only the remaining land package will be subject to the fees below:
- 92 or more days prior to departure refund equivalent to 90% of the value of your booking;
- 91-62 Days Prior to departure refund equivalent to 50% of the value of your booking;
- 61 Days or Less Prior to departure refund equivalent to 0% of the value of your booking;
Note:
• Cancellation fees are calculated based on the date we receive your Email Request and travel service start date.
• If a tour is scheduled to depart within the next 9 days, we will not change a traveler's departure date and will not offer a refund.
• In the event that you do not use the services for any reason and do not cancel the booking by email notice, no refunds will be provided.
• All refunds will be processed as quickly as possible and will be debited to the original form of payment and account which is used at the time you made the booking.
Important info
Special notes
Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement of 40% may apply when not sharing a room. If you are traveling solo, please contact us to adjust the price (a single supplement applies for a private room, and a refund will be issued for a shared room).
Car Rentals: T4f is not responsible for the services and policies imposed by car rental companies. It is important to review the details of your rental agreement provided locally. Car rental companies typically require drivers to provide a valid license, major credit card and meet a minimum age requirement. Additional fees may apply for changes in rental length, drop off location, additional drivers and optional additional insurance coverage. Passengers are responsible to become familiar with local traffic laws and road signs. T4F is not responsible for any expenses, fines or administrative fees for traffic violations, damage to the vehicle, and theft of items inside the vehicle or of the vehicle itself.
Children: All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age for children on escorted tours for T4f is 2. There is no minimum age on independent packages. Discounts for children sharing a room as third may apply to children under 12. Most hotels do not permit children under 18 to occupy a room without an adult. Accompanying adults are responsible for the safety of their children including to provide any necessary safety equipment (such as infant/child seats) where appropriate. If a person under the age of 18 years will be travelling with an adult other than his/her parents, or with only one parent, a notarized letter written by the parents, or non-travelling parent, granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel should be carried.
Child Pricing: Where you have arranged shuttle transport services, no charge is made for children under the age of two as long as they sit on an adult passenger's lap. If a child aged greater than two years requires a seat they will be charged the full price. For children of two and above a seat must always be booked at the price quoted at the time of booking for the relevant Services. Where you have arranged private transport services, all children and infants count towards the occupancy of the vehicle, regardless of age, and this must be included in the total number of passengers at the time of booking. Children below the age of 2 are free of charge, provided they share a room with 2 paying adults.
[Airline notes]Airline Booking: T4f offers a choice of airlines and airfares for your convenience, but is not responsible for the services and policies imposed by the airline selected. Airline schedules and flights are subject to change without notice. T4f is not responsible for penalties incurred for tickets, international or domestic, not issued by T4f due to schedule and/or flight changes. Airline reservations completed online are subject to review and, should T4F deem it necessary, may be rebooked to match minimum connecting time requirements and/or tour package itineraries, in which case you will be notified immediately.
Airline Contact Information: Pursuant to Secure Flight requirements, passengers are responsible to provide T4fL with their full name as it appears on their passport (or other government-issued I.D. when traveling), date of birth, gender, address, phone number, email and redress or known traveler number (if available) for all passengers. Passengers must ensure that names are correctly listed on their documents. T4F will not be responsible for passengers who do not receive an invoice or documents or are denied boarding due to inaccurate information.
Airline Name Changes: Any name change including minor spelling corrections may require airline reservations to be canceled and rebooked. Reservations are subject to current availability and pricing at the time of rebooking. Once airline tickets are issued, subsequent name corrections will be subject to an airline rebooking fee which may be as much as the full value of the airline ticket plus a 50€ revision fee per change.T4f will not be held responsible for the denial of services by a carrier due to any name discrepancy. Name changes must be advised in writing.
Airline Taxes & Surcharges: If you purchased airfare, airline taxes and surcharges are included. Prior to completion of full payment there is a potential for a price increase(s) due to increases in government-levied taxes and fees and/or increased surcharges. To avoid potential increases, you may choose to accelerate your final payment in order that your tickets may be issued. Once issued, airline tickets are no longer subject to potential increases but are fully non-refundable. Certain overseas domestic flights are subject to air taxes which can only be paid locally; in these cases, the specific flights and amounts of those taxes are indicated in our package presentation and pre-departure documentation.
Airline Tickets: Once full payment is received, T4f airline tickets will be issued and are fully non-refundable. Should airline tickets require to be issued earlier than the Final Payment Due date: you may be required to pay a larger non-refundable deposit and/or complete full payment. Once issued, some Published Instant Purchase Airfare tickets may be changed prior to the departure date and the airfare applied toward travel within 12 months of the original date of issue. This is subject to a 50€ revision fee and fees assessed by the airline of 200€ or more plus any difference in airfare. However, some tickets are non-changeable; specific fees and policies may vary by airline.
Airline Seat Assignments: As a courtesy service, airline seat assignments are requested on your behalf and, when available, are displayed in order of Passenger #1, #2 and so on. Assignments reflect the best available seats at the time of booking. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only; in this case, the display shows "N/A". Seats are subject to change by your airline(s) including, for example, when there is a schedule change or equipment change after your initial booking; this may cause seat assignments to be changed or even cancelled. Some airlines offer preferred seating for an additional fee; these seats may only be purchased directly from the airline. You will need your family name and the 6-digit airline "Record Locator" which is displayed with the flight details on your reservation. In the event that you change seat assignments directly with your airline, changes will not be reflected on your invoice or documents. At the time that T4f documents are issued, the currently assigned seats will be listed based on the assignments stored in your airline reservation at that time.
Airline Schedule Changes: In the event of an airline schedule change, T4f will make every effort to inform passengers of the schedule change and new flight schedule prior to departure. T4F is not responsible for schedule changes including, when applicable, changes in routing and/or the number of stops in the itinerary. T4F is unable to provide compensation for schedule changes, seat assignment modifications, or cancellations implemented by an airline. In the event of any change in flight itinerary made directly between passengers and their airline, it is the passenger's responsibility to advise T4F of amended flight details in writing. T4F cannot be held responsible for land services, including arrival and/or departure transfers, if flights are changed without its knowledge.
Airline Baggage: Checked bags are typically limited to a total dimension of 62 inches by adding length + width + height (example: 26"+26"+10" = 62”), and a maximum weight of 50 lbs (23kg). Many airlines apply charges for checked bags including flights which begin and end within the USA. The most inexpensive airfare options commonly known as Basic Economy airfares do not include any checked bags or seat assignments before the day of departure. However, for some airlines, other airfare categories also do not include checked baggage. This will be clearly displayed in our airfare selection and on your proposal /invoice. Where available, we highly recommend selecting airfares which include at least 1 piece of checked baggage. T4f is not responsible for checked bag fees, excess luggage or weight charges levied by an airline. Checked baggage allowances displayed on reservation details and invoices reflect the applicable allowance at the time of booking but are subject to change by your airline(s). If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
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