Best of the Greek Islands

**Fully escorted from arrival in Athens
** Our Australian escort will be in Europe and will meet you in Athens when you arrive at the hotel.

Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
 Commencing 1 September, 2011

Athens 3 nights, Rhodes 2 nights, Crete 5 nights, Santorini 3 nights,  Paros 2 nights,  Mykonos 3 nights

This tour combines perfectly with our Best of Turkey tour
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Close your eyes and imagine.....photogenic whitewashed alleyways and colourful bougainvillea.....glorious  beaches dotted with colourful parasols....white "sugar-cube" houses and buildings with blue roofs .... cobbled streets ... crystal clear seawater warm enough to bathe in .... historically rich cities and life at an unhurried pace and in a genuinely friendly atmosphere ....  then ..open your eyes.... stop imagining... it's real and its the Greek Islands!

Each island is unique with it's own charm and character and we've selected a few of the best - close enough to each other for ease of travel
and different enough to provide a contrast and invitation to explore at your own pace. 
The trip is unhurried - the pace of life in the islands is slow and relaxed - what could be nicer than wandering the cobble stoned alleys, each corner forking off to another offering an unexpected find.  And then.. when it's time to rest....stopping in a local taverna for meze - appetizers which are served before or with the main dishes, usually accompanied with ouzo or tsipouro.  They come in small plates and are one of the basic elements of the Mediterranean culture of sharing food and wine with friends, in a joyful and unhurried environment.

 

The trip begins in Athens.  You will be met at the hotel in Athens on 01 September and the group will be escorted until tour ends on 5 October, 2011.  
We can find the best airfare for you or you can use your frequent flyer points to fly to and from Athens.
 
We have included sightseeing tours in Athens but left the time on the islands 'at leisure' to ensure this trip is perfect for everyone.  

The islands are charming enough to invite casual exploration.  Your Australian escort is on hand to give advice on what to see and how to get there. 
It's fun and cheap to hop on local buses and explore the 'other side' of the island or if you feel like more organised sightseeing, guided tours
can be booked from the hotels for those who wish. 

Others may prefer to 'get lost' wandering the meandering alleyways and relax during their time on the islands.    

Every morning we'll meet up over breakfast and discuss our plans for the day and every evening we'll try local restaurants and tavernas, sample fresh seafood and unique cuisine of the island,  mix with the locals and soak up the atmosphere.  This is your holiday and we want it to be absolutely perfect!

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Day 1    01 September, 2011    Arrive in Athens.  Accommodation:    Philippos Hotel (or similar)  3 nights    The family owned Philippos Hotel is the most ideally located in the heart of the old city district, only a two minutes walk from the Acropolis, the Plaka, the Herodus Atticus ancient theatre and the new museum of the Acropolis.   The Metro Station Acropolis is a few steps away from the hotel as well as the tramway station, only one stop away from the main shopping and business areas.    The area around the hotel is one of the most peaceful and quiet spots in the city and yet it is situated just a 15 minute walk from the central square of Syntagma and the Parliament building.


Day 2  02 September, 2011   Athens (B)    Morning tour of Athens including Constitution Square, Temple of Zeus, Stadium, site of the first Modern days Olympics and the spectacular Acropolis and its Museum. Remainder of day is free to explore the ancient marketplace in Plaka or enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes. 

Day 3  03 September, 2011   Athens - Poros  - Aegina - Athens  (B,L)   Today we enjoy a full day cruise in the Saronic Islands, visiting Poros, Hydra and Aegina. After transferring from Athens to Piraeus by motor coach, you'll set sail for the island of Hydra, where you'll have free time for strolling, shopping and swimming. Next, it's on to the island of Egina, passing through the narrow strait separating the Peloponnesian coast from the island of Poros. Upon arrival in Egina (Aegina) you can either join an excursion to the Temple of Aphaia (cost not included) or take a walk around the main town. Egina is one of the Saronic islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf. The lovely island is only 31 miles (50 kilometres) from Athens, and is a popular getaway for Athenians during the summer months.  After lunch served on board, you'll sail to Poros in the southern Agrosaronic Gulf. You'll have free time to explore Poros - perhaps you'd like to visit ancient Trizina, the ruins of the Russian Dockyard or take a stroll in the Lemon Forest. After sailing back to Piraeus port we transfer back to the hotel for evening at leisure.

Day 4  04 September, 2011  Athens - Rhodes  (B)    Departure transfer from the hotel to Athens Airport for our flight to Rhodes. Upon arrival, transfer from Rhodes Airport to the hotel. Accommodation:  Mediterranean Hotel  (or similar)  2 nights  On the island’s most privileged location, Hotel Mediterranean is set in the heart of Rhodes’ most popular sandy beach near the Aquarium, minutes away from Rhodes city, next to the Casino and a small distance from the Medieval City, Castle of the Knights and Ancient Ruins.    Perfectly positioned, Mediterranean is one of the very few hotels of the island that combines the benefit of proximity to Rhodes town, for those who seek to take advantage of the city life or explore the attractions of the Medieval town, with the comforts and all round hospitality provided by a first class hotel on the beach front

Day 5  05 September, 2011   Rhodes  (B)  Day at leisure.   Rhodes, the largest of Greece's 12 Dodecanese islands, lies in the midst of the Aegean and is its most important urban area. Rhodes is the name of the main town as well as the island and actually consists of three different cities: ancient, medieval and modern. For visitors, the main attraction is Rhodes' fabulous walled Old Town, Europe's largest inhabited medieval city.  The history of Rhodes' Old Town is fascinating. Divided into three quarters -- the Knights', the Turkish and the Jewish -- it contains the island's entire chequered history. Enter via St Catherine's Gate and head right to discover the Avenue of the Knights, a magnificent medieval thoroughfare which houses the immense, 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. This was partially destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1856 and reconstructed in grand style by the Italians (Mussolini -- always prone to delusions of grandeur, planned to use it as a holiday home!). It's now a museum, containing fine antique furniture, sculptures and mosaics.

Day 6  06 September, 2011   Rhodes - Heraklion, Crete  (B)  Transfer from the hotel to Rhodes Airport for our flight to Heraklion. Upon arrival, transfer from Heraklion Airport to the hotel. Accommodation: Atrion Hotel (or similar) overnight  Atrion hotel welcomes you to a quiet corner in the heart of Heraklion, a short walk from the Historical museum, seafront promenade and Venetian port.   Fully renovated in 2004, this modern, minimal-style hotel is right next to Heraklion's vibrant centre, with its cafés, shopping centre, tavernas and museums but also a short stride from the seashore.

Heraklion is an attractive Mediterranean city with a rich cultural heritage. The first European civilisation, the Minoan civilisation, flourished on this land 5000 years ago. For centuries it was and still is, the metropolis of Crete. Visitors discover many places of interest, and enjoy its cheerful, bustling atmosphere.

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Day 7  07 September, 2011   Heraklion - Chania, Crete  (B)   Today, transfer from the hotel in Heraklion to the hotel in Chania by coach. Remainder of the day at leisure.  Accommmodation:  Casa Delfino Hotel (or similar) 2 nights    This Chania hotel, Casa Delfino Suites, is an elegant 17th Century Venetian mansion in the old Venetian harbor of Chania, Crete. It has been carefully and attractively restored as an exclusive luxury hotel with twenty-one suites. Each suite has been individually designed and stylishly decorated with custom made furnishings. All suites are air-conditioned, complete with modern bathrooms decorated with marble.  A secluded entrance leads to the large sheltered courtyard of pebble mosaics, where guests can enjoy the peaceful shade. The old walled town invites the visitor to become lost amongst its theatrical bustle of shops, markets, taverns, bars, and village street life. The town is a beautiful puzzle of Minoan, Venetian, and Turkish architecture highlighted by hidden squares.

Day 8  08 September, 2011  Chania (B)   Day at leisure.   There is so much to see and many excursions to choose from. Samaria Gorge, a national park that has the longest ravine in Europe, with spectacular landscapes along its eighteen kilometres. Or take a rugged walk down to Agia Roumeli that takes six or seven hours. There is also Gramvousa Castle & Balos Bay - Once the haunt of pirates, this beautiful location is accessible by charter boats that will take you there for a day trip. Moni Agias Triadas, a monastery with a 17th century multi-domed church on the Akrotiri peninsula. Moni Gouvernetou, dating back to the Venetian period, is still inhabited by monks. Moni Chrysoskalitsas, named for the 90 steps that lead up to its church; a 5km walk up from Elafonisos. There is the Blue Diving Centre, a professional diving school / diving shop that has classes and day trips to the best diving locations.

Day 9  09 September, 2011  Chania - Agios  Nikolaos, Crete (B)   Today, transfer from the hotel in Chania to the hotel in Agios Nikolaos by coach. Remainder of the day at leisure. Accommodation :  Hermes Hotel (or similar)  2 nights    Situated on the coastline of Agios Nikolaos, on top of the beach and overlooking the marvelous bay of Mirabello, the Hermes Hotel is the ideal location.  All the rooms of the hotel are equipped with Satellite-TV, music channels, wireless internet access, mini bar, hair-dryer, Air-Conditioning, direct-dial telephone, safe deposit box, bathtub, bathroom amenities and a balcony.

Day 10  10 September, 2011 Agios  Nikolaos, Crete  (B)   Day at leisure. The beautiful town of Aghios Nikolaos is situated on the north coast of Crete and enjoys a glorious setting overlooking the beautiful bay of Mirabello, with an easy access to the fascinating Minoan archaeological sites in the surrounding areas, including the magnificent and world-famous Palace of Knossos. 

Day 11  11 September, 2011  Agios  Nikolaos - Heraklion - Santorini  (B)  Early morning departure transfer from the hotel in Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion port for embarkation on the highspeed ferry to Santorini.  Upon arrival, transfer from Santorini port to the hotel with remainder of day at leisure.   Lets walk into town this afternoon and view the amazing Santorini sunset, then find a taverna that takes our fancy for dinner (own expense) .  Accommodation:  Dream Hotel (or similar)  3 nights        Dream Island Hotel is located in Fira just 3 minutes walk away from  the centre whilst the same distance from the Caldera and the cable car that leads to the  port of Fira. It faces the East side of the island and lies on a quiet location with view to the Aegean Sea. Built in 2006  All rooms have a private balcony viewing the pool and sea ,air conditioning, telephone, mini fridge , safe box, TV and free high speed Internet access.    

Fira, the capital town of Santorini, is the ideal place to stay in a traditional Cycladic-style town, with whitewashed houses and narrow stone-brick alleyways. This is an an amazing setting, surrounded by quaint tavernas and cafes, opposite the small volcanic isles and the Caldera.

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Day 12  12 September, 2011 Santorini (B)    A full day at leisure to explore spectacular Santorini -- scene of one of the world's most violent volcanic eruptions around 1450 B.C. -- is arguably the most scenically dramatic of all the Greek Islands with its pitch-black beaches, rugged landscape and stunning caldera (volcanic crater).  For those in the mood, we can take a local bus to Oia (own expense) and spend the day exploring the charming village before catching the famous sunset.  Or perhaps we'll spend the day exploring more of Fira and then take an afternoon sunset cruise under sail (own expense).  We'll leave the booking of this till we arrive in Santorini and go with the mood of the group.   This is your holiday after all!

Day 13  13 September, 2011  Santorini (B)   Our last day in Santorini to spend exactly as you wish.  Santorini architecture is unique, with houses that are carved into the cliffs, creating small whitewashed caves that stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Apart from the “cave” houses, Santorini architecture is characterized by manors and charming churches. The Catholic and Orthodox Cathedrals in Fira are stunning, while there are many smaller Cycladic-style churches scattered throughout the island. Fira and Oia are home to several wonderful museums, which display artefacts from the archaeological digs in the Akrotiri site and Ancient Thira, as well as objects from rural and naval life in Santorini Greece.

Day 14  14 September, 2011  Santorini - Paros  (B)  Departure transfer from the hotel to Santorini port. Embarkation on the high speed ferry for Paros. Upon arrival, transfer from Paros port to the hotel. Accommodation:  Paros Agnanti Hotel (or similar)  2 nights    The Krios Beach (2 km from the capital, Parikia) is 80m away from the hotel and is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island.
The beach situated on a leeward side of the island has fine, silver sand and the sea is always calm with crystal clear water.    Each room of our hotel is decorated with a different style.   The result of the combination of antiques and cycladic elements is serenity and relaxation.   All the rooms have balconies with a sea-view and a view to Parikia  and all have air-conditioning, telephone, television, satellite TV, music, mini bar, hairdryer and safety box.

Paros is located in the heart of the Cyclades and its neighbouring islands are Naxos, Ios, Sifnos and Syros.   Paros is 90 nautical miles away from the harbour of Piraeus and halfway between Athens and Santorini.  Third in popularity after Syros and Santorini, Paros is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades with the most exquisite beaches.  It is a typical Cycladic island with traditional little villages full of whitewashed cubic houses with blue doors and windows, narrow streets, flowered balconies and squares, beautiful churches, lovely chapels, monasteries, a hilly countryside with endless vineyards and rare wildlife.   

Day 15  15 September, 2011  Paros (B)  Day at leisure.   The best and safest way to get around Paros is by bus. There are very good & frequent bus connections all around the island and they are cheap (example: fare between Parikia and Naoussa is 90 Eurocents) and usually very punctual.    Bus fares are collected by a boy working on the bus, or by the bus driver himself during the low season. You pay on the bus, not when you enter it.   The bus will also stop for you in the middle of nowhere, so if you see one and want to hop on it, just wave! If you are on it and want to get off somewhere, just give the bus driver a sign!

Day 16  16 September, 2011  Paros - Mykonos  (B)  Departure transfer from the hotel to Paros port. Embarkation on the high speed ferry for Mykonos. Upon arrival, transfer from Mykonos port to the hotel. Accommodation:  Petasos Beach Hotel (or similar)  3 nights     Welcome to Mykonos and the Petasos Beach Resort & Spa.    The luxurious newly renovated Petasos Beach stands majestically on a private peninsula offering great class, impeccable taste in seductive and stunning sea views of the Aegean for unique privacy and relaxation. Everything composes an unforgettable picture. Aesthetically perfect premises, breathtaking nature, warm and kindhearted people with a tradition of excellence in service, dedicated to your well being.  You are invited to experience.

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 Day 17  17 September, 2011  Mykonos  (B)    You will soon realise that this is a beautiful island with fantastic landscapes and picturesque white villages, hundreds of little family churches, chapels and stunning windmills. Mykonos is a grand example of unique Cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of narrow alley ways and streets. The earthen colours of the bare hills which surround the town's gleaming whiteness is set between the aura of an incredibly blue sky and even deeper blue sparkling sea. Its many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches adds a flavour of culture and custom to the scene, enhanced even further by many museums and the historical ancient site of nearby Delos. Together with being friendly and open people, the locals have a healthy understanding of what it means to have a good time. Put this together with all the island's other qualities and it is no wonder Mykonos has been often named "the jewel" of the Aegean Sea.

Day 18  18 September, 2011  Mykonos (B,D)   Day at leisure   Sadly it's our last day on the Greek Islands.  We'll walk down to a local taverna on the beach tonight and enjoy Greek music and Greek dancing over our farewell dinner.

Day 19  19 September,  2011  Mykonos - Athens (B)  Group departure transfer from the hotel to Mykonos airport.

 

          Tour cost $AU8590 ** includes:

        
Tour cost does not include:

                                                   

**  Please note:   This tour involves services which are settled in a number of currencies and the exchange rate has been calculated on

rates current at the time of uploading this tour onto our website.  

Should there be a fluctuation of exchange rates of more than 3% from this time to the time we receive payment, we reserve the right to pass on an exchange rate surcharge.

 

These prices are based on 2011 estimates and are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge

To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

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