Greece has got something like 1,400 islands. There is so much of Greece you can’t know even if you’re Greek. It’s sprinkled out all around the edge of the Aegean, all over the place. It’s already a secret place wherever you go, even if it’s somewhere huge like Athens or Corinth. The place enchanted me.
– Joanna Lumley, English actress
Join Trails of Greece, 7-night adventure, April 22 to April 29, 2023
(Tour is sold out)
April 22, 2023 Naples to Athens:
This tour is a continuous of Amalfi, you will be arriving late afternoon in Athens. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Brown Acropol 1 night. Free time for the evening.
Flight information:
Departing Naples on Easy Jet @11:45 arriving in Athens at 14:25
Greece is one hour ahead of Italy.
ONE DAY IN ATHENS ITINERARY
This one-day itinerary for Athens will start bright and early at the Acropolis and take in many of the main attractions and monuments of Athens in an easy, walkable route.
All up you will cover around 5 kilometers, almost all of it flat, and you can pace yourself at your leisure. You will see some truly magnificent ancient sites as well as some modern wonders.
THE ACROPOLIS & MUSEUM
Opens at 8am The Acropolis translates to “highest point of the town,” was the location of the thriving ancient citadel originally occupied by the Mycenaen kings. As time passed, the Acropolis became home to several temples, shrines, and sanctuaries. The most famous of the temples is the temple to Athena, the Parthenon. There is also a theater and sanctuary for Dionysus on what is now referred to as the Southern Slope. Hopefully, you will have arrived early before the sun and the crowds and can explore this incredible site at your leisure. Many people would say you need 2 hours to explore the Acropolis although some, of course, will say much longer! Read Complete Guide to visiting the Acropolis!
SYNTAGMA SQUARE, PARLIAMENT AND THE EVZONES
Syntagma is a famous meeting place for the city and is popular for concerts, protest marches, and other public gatherings.
ERMOU PEDESTRIAN STREET
Ermou Street is the central pedestrian-only street that runs for 1.5 kilometers from Syntagma Square, west.
It is where all the big brand high-street stores are found such as Zara, H&M, and Sephora as well as numerous specialty shops, particularly fashion boutiques.
The street was one of the first modern roads in Athens and became a pedestrian zone in 1997.
CATHEDRAL OF ATHENS Parallel to Ermou Street walking towards The Acropolis is popular Mitropolis street where you will find The Metropolitan Cathedral of Annunciation (aka Metropolis) is the main cathedral of Athens and all of Greece. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Athens. THE ANCIENT AGORA, MONASTARAKI & PLAKA e end of either Ermou Street or Mitropolous Street you will be at Monastiraki Square, one of the busiest squares in Athens. It is home to a metro station, a famous flea market, Hadrian’s library, and more, and is surrounded by tavernas, small shops, and market stalls.
CENTRAL MARKET
Much of the market is indoors and there you will find many butchers, fishmongers, and other vendors selling a wide variety of fresh food.
The market has been in operation since 1886 and is the modern market that largely replaced the Ancient Agora nearby.
PSYRI AND STREET ART
Psryi is home to a plethora of cafes, tavernas, bars and shops and some of the best food in Greece. At night it becomes very busy and dynamic with live music playing and dancing in the streets is not uncommon.
ROOFTOP BARS
There are some excellent rooftop bars in and near Psyri such as A for Athens, 360 Cocktail Bar, Couleur Locale, and Pella Inn which you can combine with dinner in Psyri. Many are quite small though so it can pay to book ahead.
Other great rooftop bars across the city include Anglais Athens, MS Roof Garden, Thea Terrace and the famous rooftop at Athens’s most expensive Hotel, the Grande Bretagne.
The Clumsies does not have a rooftop but is considered one of the best bars in the world and is definitely worth a look if you have time.
Included: Breakfast, transfer from airport to hotel to airport
April 23, 2023
HIKING THROUGH THE SOUNIO NATIONAL PARK
Free Morning
Meet in Lobby of Hotel at 13:00
We will drive through Athens Riviera to Cape Sounion and visit the Temple of Poseidon (visit the site - luggage will
remain in the car and driver will look after them)
Guided hiking from Sounion to Lavrion
(10KM, mostly flat)
Dinner at a seaside tavern (your cost)
Drop off at Athens International Airport at 21.30
Hikers who opt to be in Athen's; transfer is at 20:30 in lobby of hotel.
April 23, 2023 to April 26, 2023 - Trails of Crete
The mystery of Crete runs deep.
Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force
coursing warmly and beneficently through their veins,
sensing their soul beginning to grow.”
Upon arrival at the airport Heraklion a transfer will be waiting for you at the transport you to Hotel Aquila Atlantis Hotel. Aquila Atlantis Hotel makes the heart of Crete beat really fast. It’s perfectly located in the heart of Heraklion city.
April 24, 2023 Lost in Sea Side Villages:
Start Time: 10:00AM
Today there is no hiking only leaving your footprints in the small Greek villages of Rethymo and Chania.
The prefecture of Rethymno is one of the four prefectures of Crete, attracting thousands of visitors. It is the most mountainous region of the island, bordered to the west by the White Mountains and to the east by Mt. Psiloritis. It is considered the most picturesque region of Crete, boasting excellent natural features, including imposing canyons and gorges, lush vineyards and evergreen forests, sparkling rivers and lakes, long sandy beaches and high
mountains with impressive caves and caverns.
Chania (also spelled: Hania) is the capital city, a place where different civilizations have flourished throughout the centuries. Strolling around the Old Town’s maze-like alleys with the beautiful Venetian mansions, the fountains and the churches will guide you through well-preserved historical monuments.. Get familiar with the city of Chania by wandering around in its streets, visiting its museums and admiring the different architectural styles presenting the historical route of the city.
Duration: 1 Hour drive to Rethymno, 1 Hour drive to Chania and 2 hours Drive back to Atlantis Hotel. 4 Hours of Transfers
April 25, 2023: The Wonderful Kritsa Gorge
Departure at 9:00AM
Kritsa-a place famous for its history and natural beauty! Put your hiking shoes on and join us in this hiking day to visit one of the most famous hiking areas of East Crete. It's gonna take us about 70 min to get to Kritsa Village, where our hike begins, so we will have plenty of time to admire the north side of East Crete as we drive by the beautiful Dikti mountains and the gorgeous deep blue Cretan Sea, through the small gorge of Selinari with the beautiful Monastery and by the area of Neapolis with the thousands of olive trees.
The gorge itself is a wonder of nature with its unusual rock formations, the narrow passages and it's amazing flora. It used to be the ancient passage connecting East Crete with the rest of the island and has been created millions of years ago by the waters of Dikti Mountains flowing towards the sea creating a river that eroded the rocky cliffs, creating this beautiful scenery! Definitely a place to be!
At the end of the hike, we will visit the beautiful, picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos
Duration from Heraklion: 7 hours
INCLUDED: Recommended : Hiking gear, Warm comfortable clothes.
Not Included: Lunch
Suggestion: "KARNAGIO" Restaurant.
26 April to 29 April 2023
Santorini, "The Precious Gem of the Aegean!"
The power of the volcanic island of Santorini creates an energy that overwhelms the senses. Exquisite luxury, amazing food and wine and the unforgettable Santorini sunset are just the start of what this legendary Greek island in the Cyclades offers visitors.
Santorini a product of its many contrasts: black earth against whitewashed homes clinging to the cliff-side, or wild volcanic sculptures against sleek Cycladic lines.
If it’s always been your dream to visit Santorini, here is just the start of what awaits you.
Santorini View Hotel by Secret embraces minimalist lines that make seamless connections with the surroundings, thus skillfully encapsulating the island's enchanting dynamism. The swimming pool is a natural extension of the sea and the horizon in the distance, making VIEW HOTEL by Secret an unsurpassed hotel in Santorini with sunset view. Everything here is in perfect balance, ready to welcome guests into vibrant spaces that will inspire, showcasing the essence of Santorinian hospitality coupled with exceptional services for a stay beyond anticipation.
Included: Breakfast
April 26, 2023-Leisure Day
Upon arrival at Hotel. If rooms are not ready, relax and freshen up , have a light snack or lunch before or just drop off your bag and within 15 minutes walk, you can Explore Oia.
April 27, 2023: Caldara Trail to Lighthouse Trail
Start time 9:00am
You’d be missing out on some of the best views in Europe if you didn’t walk the Caldera path at least once in your life. Santorini is a pretty amazing place. A volcanic eruption over 3000 years ago morphed this tiny island in Greece into something you don't expect to see . You also have tiny towns full of buildings dressed in white, adding to the otherworldly utopia feeling. The walking path is a mix of paved, pedestrian streets and dirt hiking trails. On our way from Oia to Fira you will pass through the towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli and enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the island.
The trail from The View hotel to Fira is 10KM (6 Miles) and we will stop for 2 hours.
Approx. time of arrival is 11AM.
Fira is the beautiful capital of the island and the biggest and most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini. It is located in the western edge of the island.
We depart Fira at 1:00P towards the Village Pyrgos. (5KM-3 miles) Please note: we will be on the road slightly on this path. You will have 30 minutes to explore the beautiful village and take pictures, stop for a drink.
From Pyrgos Village we will walk to Profitis IIisas (5KM -3 Miles) Being the highest mountain of the island, it is located almost in the middle of it providing fantastic views to all the directions.
At 16:30 we will have a transfer to drive us to our last part of our trail - The Lighthouse. (5K or 3 miles)
Once we start our walk in Akrotiri, we will visit The Venetian Castle, located in the highest point of the village. From there we can have a general view of the landscape which is the protagonist of the myth of the lost city of Atlantis, as well as the covered ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. We continue our hike through old paths, windmills, vineyards and mysterious caves.
We will end our trek at Giorgaros Fish Tavern restaurant and watch the sunset.
After supper our transfer will be waiting for us to return us back to the hotel.
Included: Breakfast, one hiking escorts, one-way transfers with minibus to hotel, one transfer during the trail.
Excluded: Lunch and Dinner Duration: 8 hours hours (22KM, 14Miles)) Lunch and Dinner Duration: 8 hours (22KM, 14Miles))
April 28, 2023: Private Boat to Thirassia Island
Start Time: 10:00am
Sail across Santorini’s beautiful ‘caldera’ (flooded crater) and visit the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia on this 6-hour cruise. Board a sightseeing boat, and admire Santorini’s cliffs and as you cruise to Nea Kameni. Enjoy free time to walk around its volcanic crater, swim in the warm springs, and visit Thirasia island.
Departure: The excursion starts from the port of Ammoudi Bay (Please note: we will walk to the Port about 35 Minutes, there are many stairs to descend ). The guide of your excursion will be waiting for you and give you all the important information to orient you on the boat.
Thirassia: is a miniature of what Santorini used to be several years ago. Today is a virgin island, still untouched by tourism and modern lifestyle. The island of Thirassia is only 9 sq. km in size and has approximately 300 permanent inhabitants. We will stay there for 2 hours, so as to explore this picturesque and traditional village as well as to taste the authentic Santorinian cuisine. Should you wish, you can also walk at the main village of Manolas, which is the capital of Thirassia. The view over Santorini is spectacular from there.
Volcano: will be the famous volcano of Santorini! After 20 minutes sailing, we will reach Nea Kameni’s jetty. Should you be interested in being guided at the volcano, you should pay 5euro/ per person as an entrance fee. Then, you will walk to the volcano’s ridge with your guide and he is going to explain everything about the history and the geology of the volcano. You will stay at the volcanic island for 1.5hr and in the end you will embark again to our boat for the next stop.
Hot Springs: Our final stop will be the island of Palea Kameni where the famous hot springs are located on the west side. A place that is really popular for its thermal waters. We will stop there for 30 min at a distance of 30 meters from the shallow waters of Agios Nicholaos’ beach. The waters are mixed with mud that are full of sulfur, iron and other metals coming from the volcano and they are very good for the skin, rheumatism, arthritis and other physical pains. Important Note : In order to reach Agios Nicholaos’ beach it is essential to swim extremely well.
End of tour: 16:00 you can either walk up back to the Hotel or take a donkey or the provided transfer back to the hotel.
Farewell dinner is at hotel tonight at 19:30 Prepaid
Hike Levels: Upon arrival of the island there are 300 stairs uphill, the rest of the trail is moderate.
Included: One hiking escort, Duration is 6 hours
Don’t forget to wear your hiking shoes, hat and bring a bottle of water with you!