ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Athens
Welcome to Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. Athens is a vibrant city that’s at once ancient and modern, classic, and constantly evolving. From its rich historical heritage along with the landmark Acropolis to hip and trendy bars to high-end boutiques and multicultural cuisine, Athens has it all. You will be picked up from Athens International Airport by your private driver and transferred to your luxury hotel. Enjoy your afternoon and evening exploring the historic neighborhood of Plaka or enjoying a leisurely stroll along Dionysiou Aeropagitou, a pedestrianized street that is the longest walkway in Athens and is akin to walking along a living open-air museum. Ask your Travelive specialist for recommendations of their favorite restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
DAY 2
Tour of the Acropolis with an Ancient Storytelling Walk
Meet your licensed English-speaking guide at the lobby of your hotel to begin your tour of the Acropolis. Head to the top of the Acropolis via the gates of Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis and an iconic example of classical antiquity and admire one of the world’s most important architectural structures, the Parthenon along with the ancient temples of Parthenon, Erechteion, and Athena Nike which are considered the most important monuments in Western civilization. Your guide will help you discover more about the site’s significance, as well as the bountiful heritage and cultural achievements of the Greek civilization during the Golden Age. From there, you will continue your tour with a unique and engaging storytelling experience where professional storytellers will pop up unexpectedly and breathe life into ancient myths for you in the historical part of Athens. Each story will be accompanied by live music, traditional Greek songs, and food tastings.
DAY 3
Athens to Naxos
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel to head to Athens Airport for your flight to Naxos. Naxos is the largest and most lush of the Cycladic Islands, offering one the chance to see another side of the Greek Islands. Meet your driver at Naxos Airport to be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day either soaking in the sun at your hotel’s pool or at one of the island’s numerous beaches. Please ask your travel advisor for further recommendations of their favorite things to do and see while on the island.
DAY 4
A Blend of History and Local Flavors
Embark on a tour where you will explore Naxos’ intriguing medieval castle town and get acquainted with local delicacies. Learn about the island’s Venetian and Ottoman past in the first part of your tour, as you see picturesque churches, the Archaeological Museum, and the Capuchin Convent. Stroll through the maze-like alleys in the Old Market, a labyrinth complex of buildings, narrow streets, and small squares with an array of shops tucked within them. You will also get to admire the iconic Temple of Apollo, adorning the entrance of the island for more than 2,500 years on the island of Palatia. Continue your tour with a visit to a local citron distillery where you will get to stroll the citrus garden, learn about this unique fruit, visit the distillery area, and learn of the production process and then end your tour with a gastronomic sampling of the local products along with an array of local delicacies.
DAY 5
Day at Leisure
Enjoy your day at leisure relaxing by your hotel’s pool or on any of Naxos’ beaches. Alternately, you may also further explore the island by hiking along one of the many scenic trails.
DAY 6
Discovering Naxos’ Traditional Villages
Set out to explore Naxos’ traditional villages on your tour today. Start your day by heading to the small village of Damalas to a traditional pottery workshop, where you will learn the history of pottery craftsmanship through the ceramist’s interactive workshop. After getting initiated into the ancient craft of pottery, you will also see an old olive press and gain insight into practices and a way of life that’s now long gone. Your tour continues as you head to the scenic village of Halki, adorned with beautiful neoclassical mansions where you will visit a local distillery and learn about the also get to sample three local liqueurs. Your next stop will be at the Church of Panagia Drosiani, which dates to early Byzantine times and is one of the oldest in the Balkans. From there, head further up the mountain to the charming village of Apiranthos, with marble-paved alleys and gorgeous views. Finally, you will also get to see the impressive 20-foot-tall Kouros Statue, dating back to the 7th BC.
DAY 7
Naxos to Paros
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel to head to Naxos Port for your ferry to Paros. Harmoniously blending archetypical Cycladic architecture, well-preserved traditional villages, chic cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, and picturesque beaches to top it all off, it’s not to be missed. Meet your driver at Paros Port to be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day either heading for a refreshing dip in the sea or exploring its main town of Naoussa with its charming alleys with quaint houses, vibrant bougainvillea, and an array of shops. Please ask your travel advisor for further recommendations of their favorite things to do and see while on the island.
DAY 8
Village Hopping in Paros
Today’s tour will have you seeing the essential sites of Paros with an added local flair. Your tour begins with a walk around Naoussa, the island's second-largest town, where you will enjoy a leisurely stroll through its winding alleys, admire its whitewashed houses, and discover the small Venetian harbor with its traditional fishing boats docked side by side. From there, you will head to Parikia, the island's capital, with a history dating back 5,000 years, where you will explore the iconic Lady of a Hundred Doors, one of the oldest churches, the Old Market Street, and the 13th-century Venetian fort built with its impressive vestiges of ancient Greek temples. Continue your tour by heading inland, to Lefkes, the highest-situated village on the island, amphitheatrically built on terraced hillsides below the mountains of Paros. Discover this well-preserved village with charming houses, picturesque chapels, and the Church of Holy Trinity, built entirely from local marble. You will also get to savor Greek coffee and traditional sweets in the pleasant old village square.
DAY 9
Day at Leisure
Enjoy your day at leisure relaxing by your hotel’s pool or on any of Paros’ beaches. Alternately, you may also further explore the island with a fun and engaging bike tour.
DAY 10
Tastes and Sights of Antiparos
Explore the nearby island of Antiparos today. Enjoy a stroll around the cultured main town of Antiparos, Chora. Charming and cosmopolitan, Chora is home to the island’s stately 15th-century Venetian Castle, enclosed within a fortress and built to protect the townspeople from the raiding pirates who regularly plundered this small and craggy Cycladic Island. You will also get to visit the Historical and Folklore Museum and learn all about its cultural and historic importance. You will then get to head to a local’s house where you will get to learn all about tradition as you participate in a hands-on cooking class and learn about techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. You will then sit to enjoy your home-cooked meal with your host.
DAY 11
Paros to Athens
After breakfast, meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Paros Airport to catch a morning flight to Athens. Upon your arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel of choice. Spend the day at leisure exploring at your own pace. Ask your Travelive specialist for dinner recommendations so you can spend your last night in Greece reveling in great views and even better food.
DAY 12
Departure
A driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to take you to Athens International Airport for your departure flight.
