Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Rafina
You'll get picked up from the airport and head to your hotel in Rafina. That evening, you'll meet your tour guide and the other travelers at a traditional taverna down by the port for dinner and a chance to get to know everyone.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional taverna dinner in the port of Rafina)
- Day 2
Tinos
You'll catch an early morning ferry heading to Tinos for a full day exploring the island. The main attraction here involves around 600 pigeon houses scattered across the landscape, along with dramatic rock formations and several nice beaches to see. Next, you'll visit the Kechronvouni monastery where roughly 40 nuns currently live and maintain the grounds. After that, strolling through the old town gives you a chance to sample local produce at the markets and shops. By late afternoon, you'll head to the Evangelistria pilgrimage church, which draws visitors mainly for its famous icon of the Virgin Mary. The ferry back gets you back by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Tinos
- Island discovery tour with round trip
- Visit Kechronvouni monastery
- Guided stroll through old town with local produce sampling
- Visit Evangelistria pilgrimage church (Church of the Virgin Mary)
Landmarks Kechronvouni Monastery Evangelistria Pilgrimage Church - Day 3
Naxos
The morning ferry takes you to Naxos, and once you arrive, the afternoon is yours to explore Naxos Town. The medieval old town features narrow alleys that climb steeply up a hill overlooking the harbor, so walking through here takes some time. You can check out the cathedral and the gate of the Apollo temple, both worth seeing. Local stores throughout the old town sell Naxiot cheese and traditional island liqueurs if you want to pick up some souvenirs or try regional specialties. Plan for a leisurely afternoon wandering around and getting a feel for the place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Naxos
- Guided walk through Naxos Town medieval old town
- Visit cathedral and Apollo temple gate
Optional Activities
- Sample Naxiot cheese and local stores
Landmarks Naxos Town Cathedral Apollo Temple Gate - Day 4
Naxos Island Round Trip
Today covers Naxos on a round trip tour since it's the biggest island in the Cyclades. You'll see the Temple of Demeter, the Byzantine church of Panagia Drossiani in Moni, and head up to Apiranthos, a traditional mountain village. The quarries at Apollon have an unfinished Kouros marble statue that's quite something to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Island round trip exploration
- Visit Temple of Demeter
- Visit Byzantine church of Panagia Drossiani in Moni
- Visit traditional mountain village of Apiranthos
- Visit ancient quarries of Apollon to see unfinished Kouros statue
Landmarks Temple of Demeter Panagia Drossiani Church Apiranthos Ancient Quarries of Apollon - Day 5
Delos and Mykonos Boat Excursion
A full day by boat takes you to Delos, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll walk through Apollo's sacred district, look at ancient houses where people actually lived, and check out a small museum there. After that, the boat heads to Mykonos where you can walk around town, see the famous windmills, white buildings, and various churches.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full-day boat trip to Delos (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit ruins of sacred district of Apollo
- Visit former residential areas and museum on Delos
- Boat travel to Mykonos
- Guided stroll through Mykonos Town with windmills, churches, and white houses
Landmarks Delos Sacred District of Apollo Mykonos Town - Day 6
Naxos
Today is completely free for you to plan however you'd like. The castro district of Naxos-Chora is worth wandering through if you want more of the medieval atmosphere, or you could take a hike to see different parts of the island landscape. If you prefer relaxing instead, the island has long sandy beaches that are perfect for spending a quiet afternoon. Your tour guide remains available throughout the day if you'd like recommendations about where to go or tips on what to do.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore castro district of Naxos-Chora
- Hiking
- Beach time on sandy beaches
- Day 7
Paros Island Round Trip
Paros fills your day on a round trip with several stops. The marble quarries at Marathi show where stone comes from for sculptures. You'll grab Greek coffee in Lefkes, a small mountain village, then see the fishing port at Naoussa. The historic Katapoliani church in Parikia is next, followed by local food tastings, swimming, and time wandering through the fragrant streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Island round trip exploration
- Visit marble quarries of Marathi
- Visit small mountain village of Lefkes
- Visit picturesque fishing port of Naoussa
- Visit Katapoliani church in Parikia
- Local products tasting with tour guide
Optional Activities
- Swimming in the sea
- Stroll through alleyways
Landmarks Marble Quarries of Marathi Lefkes Naoussa Katapoliani Church Parikia - Day 8
Naxos to Santorini
You'll take the ferry to Santorini and check into your hotel. A guided winery tour includes tastings so you can try local wines. Spend the rest of the afternoon however you'd like, whether that's relaxing by the pool or just settling in and enjoying the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Santorini
- Guided winery tour with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Pool relaxation
- Day 9
Santorini Island Tour
A guided tour covers Santorini's landscape and key sites. You'll see Akrotiri, an ancient city buried by volcanic eruption with artifacts still on display. The Catholic quarter has its own character, then you'll pass through Fira, the capital. Another winery tour with tastings follows before heading to Oia, the oldest village with white and blue houses clinging to the cliffs above the sea. Dinner together at a taverna wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner together in a taverna)
Included Activities
- Island tour
- Visit buried city of Akrotiri
- Explore Catholic quarter
- Guided tour of Fira
- Guided winery tour with wine tasting
- Visit Oia village
- Dinner in a taverna
Landmarks Akrotiri Fira Oia - Day 10
Santorini
Another free day for you, though an optional boat trip to the pre-glacial islands is available if you're interested. You'd visit Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and Thirassia during this excursion. On Nea Kameni, you can walk along the crater of the still-active volcano. Palea Kameni offers hot springs where swimming is possible, which is quite different from regular beach swimming. Thirassia has a traditional village called Malonas if you want to see how people live on these smaller islands. The return journey takes you along the Caldera cliffs, providing some impressive coastal views. Otherwise, you can spend the day however you prefer on your current island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and Thirassia (bookable on site)
- Walk by volcano crater on Nea Kameni
- Bathe in hot sulfur springs on Palea Kameni
- Walk through village of Malonas on Thirassia
- Beach relaxation on Thirassia
- Drive along Caldera cliffs back to Santorini
Landmarks Nea Kameni Palea Kameni Thirassia - Day 11
Santorini to Germany
Your time in the Cyclades wraps up today after your busy vacation in Greece. You'll fly out from Santorini back to Germany, so pack up and head to the airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your island hopping and beach time.
