Compare Greece Exclusive: A unique trip to mainland, Santorini & Mykonos by Greeking.me vs Greece, Beyond The Islands by Sky Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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0 | Poor
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| Duration | 12 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 6,245 | $ 1,795 |
| Price Per Day | $ 520 | $ 256 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
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Daily breakfast and many meals |
| Description |
Have an exclusive and immersive Greek experience in a span of 12 days. Let us take you around Greece’s most wonderful regions, helping you gain local insight into Greek culture and daily life by tasting, seeing and doing the best of what the country has to offer. Guided by local experts and transported by professional drivers, make the most out of your stay in Greece and fulfill your holiday dreams; stay at luxury hotels, savor traditional flavors, explore the impressive history and admire the striking landscapes. Delve into the sun-soaked Greek islands and the extraordinarily diverse mainland to discover beauty as you’ve never seen before. Doused in comfort and with the element of stress completely eliminated, this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. By the end of your expedition, you’ll have been rewarded with thousands of fond moments that will become treasured memories. |
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of ancient Greece on this 7 day journey – an experience like no other. Visit archaeological sites, temples, ruins and monuments. Explore the Ancient city of Athens, one of Europe’s most historic and cultural cities. Head to Olympia, the birthplace of Olympics. Pay a visit to Meteora to explore its spectacular clifftop monasteries. Saving the best for the last is a trip to Delphi, home to 4th century BC Temple of Apollo and the legendary Oracle.
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Day 1: Welcome to Greece!
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Athens
As soon as you arrive in Athens, you’ll be welcomed by our professional driver who’ll take you to your hotel in the comfort of a luxury vehicle. Check-in, freshen up and prepare to meet your traveling group and your tour leader!
Get introduced to the historic Greek capital by setting on an exploration of its highlight spots and landmarks. Discuss about the trip details and get to know each other during our welcome dinner! Savor authentic Greek dishes, taste traditional Greek liquors or wines and get ready for your Greek adventure!
Day 2: Get the basics down and enjoy a magical sunset!
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Athens
Start your day with the star of the show: the Acropolis Hill. Meet with your licensed guide and begin your 4-hour Acropolis and Acropolis Museum tour by ascending the sacred rock. Come upon some of the most significant monuments in ancient Greek history and learn a lot of insight knowledge on Greek culture. Walk by the Theatre of Asclepius, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Propylaea and the Temple of Athena Nike until you reach the Erechteion and the world-renowned Parthenon, the primmest example of ancient Greek engineering and architectural excellence.
After leaving no stone unturned on the hill, walk the short distance to the modern Acropolis Museum were artifacts, sculptures, and everyday items the Acropolis excavations brought to light are waiting to be discovered. With your guide by your side, marvel at the exhibits and get educated on the ancient Greek way of life.
Having enjoyed some free time and a light lunch, embark on a sunset tour to Cape Sounio. Sit back and relax as your driver leads the way across Athens’ Riviera to reach the seaside haven of Cape Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon. En route to Sounio, enjoy the beauty of Athenian Riviera. Once you reach your destination, admire the marvelous temple and take in the stunning view out to the Aegean as the sun meets the sea in an eruption of colors. Your adventurous day will come to an end with a luxurious meal in one of the best seaside restaurants in the city. Your drive to your hotel will find you sated and full, ready for a refueling night’s sleep.
Day 3: Off to the Greek countryside you pop!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Athens
It is time to explore the beautiful Greek countryside with a day-trip to Epidaurus and Nafplio. Wake up early and hop on your luxurious vehicle to inquire into the Greek mainland. Your first stop will take place at the impressive Corinth Canal, a narrow strip of land that connects the Peloponnese with the rest of the mainland and offers the perfect opportunity for some serious picture snapping. Take a short walk around and hear your expert guide explain the history of the region as you take in the breathtaking view of the landmark before hitting the road once again.
Soon you’ll reach your first destination: the UNESCO heritage site of Epidaurus, where you will embark on a guided tour of its archaeological site. Along with your licensed guide, you’ll learn the history behind the Temples of Artemis and Asclepius, the Tholos, among others, and, of course, the famous Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, known across the world for its impeccable architecture and unmatched acoustics.
Saving the best for last, Nafplion, Greece’s most romantic seaside town, will be your final destination. Discover its nostalgic beauty with a guided walking tour that will take you around its highlights; take a cone of freshly made gelato and marvel at the Venetian fortress of Palamidi, the picturesque cobbled alleys and admire Nafplio's exquisite architecture before getting in your modern vehicle to head back to Athens in luxury and comfort!
Day 4: Explore the Greek mainland at its best!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Athens
Another day of exploration of the Greek mainland lies ahead, and this time it will take you to one of the most historically-rich towns of Greece, Delphi! Dig into ancient Greek spiritualism the archaeological site of Delphi is known for on a guided tour across Delphi’s numerous monuments. Look into the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre of Delphi, the Athens Treasury, and the acclaimed Oracle, where the ancient world would come for advice before its most significant life decisions.
Gaze at the striking view of Mount Parnassos as your guide’s vibrant story-telling takes you on a journey through time. Following your stroll around the archaeological site, admire the fascinating exhibits housed in the Delphi Archaeological Museum that reveal a lot about the culture and religion of ancient Greece.
Day 5: Catch the sunshine at the 'queen of Cyclades'!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Mykonos
The time you’ve been waiting for has finally come: it is time to delve into the Greek islands, the quintessential element of Greece, and your first stop will be none other than the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos!
Your driver will take you to Athens’ International Airport with plenty of time to catch your flight, while another driver will be waiting for you at the airport of Mykonos to transport you in comfort, luxury, and style to your upscale hotel in the ‘island of the winds’!
The rest of the day will be free, in order for you to explore the island at your pace and visit one of the many nearby beaches of Mykonos.
Day 6: Sail away to Mykonos' neighboring islands!
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight: Mykonos
When you think of Mykonos, you think of luxury, and after a day of resting, you’re ready to take on one of the most fascinating and luxurious experiences of your holiday: a full-day sailing trip to Delos and Rhenia island.
Rise and shine early in the morning, get in the provided shuttle and arrive at the port of Mykonos, where the crew will welcome you and give you an essential safety brief before explaining the itinerary for the day ahead. Your first stop will be at the uninhabited island of Rhenia for a dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea. Swim to your heart’s content, and take advantage of the snorkeling equipment on board, provided to you free of charge, to inspect the bottom of the ocean. Because an empty belly bears nobody, following your swimming endeavors, you’ll be served a light lunch on board, accompanied by a complimentary house wine and soft drinks.
Next comes the island of Delos, allegedly the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. A 1,5-hour guided tour around the archaeological site, one of the most outstanding in Greece, will give you insight into the depths of the rich history of the island. You’ll also get half an hour of free time to explore the UNESCO-listed island for yourself, before sailing back to Mykonos, where you’ll end your extraordinary day with a sendoff drink toast. Your driver will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation to rest and recharge your batteries.
Day 7: Free day in Mykonos
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Mykonos
After a day of sailing, your day will be free for you to wind down and indulge in relaxing activities or swimming! You’re on vacation, after all, you deserve some downtime! Your tour leader will be there to assist according to your needs.
Day 8: Arrive at Santorini; home to fire and ash!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Santorini
Why limit yourself to one Greek island when there are so many breathtaking ones to explore? The next destination of your magical trip is the whimsical island of Santorini, known for its vast history, breathtaking caldera, unmatched views, and sophisticated wines.
Your driver and tour leader will take you to the port of Mykonos to catch the ferry to Santorini. Upon your arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel with a private vehicle. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure: take in the breathtaking caldera views from your balcony or sip a cocktail at the pool bar overlooking the Aegean. A truly upscale Santorini experience for you to enjoy.
Day 9: Explore Santorini's cultural treasures!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Santorini
Make the remarkably unique island of Santorini your oyster by setting about a full-day tour around its beauties including a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri.
With Santorini's trademark caldera as your starting point, kick-off your expedition across the famous island by taking as many pictures as you can of the heart-stopping view out to the Aegean. Next on your itinerary is a visit to Akrotiri, the Minoan Age settlement that was inhabited since 3000 BC and destroyed by the volcano’s eruption. Your guide will narrate stories that reveal the legends, myths and moments in history that will help you gain a deep understanding of the ancient civilization of Santorini.
Following your immersion into antiquity, reach the highest peak of the island, the Monastery of Prophet Elias, before delving into the picture-perfect town of Oia, doused in the Cycladic colors of blue and white and full of picturesque corners offering ravishing views. Take a relaxed walk around the streets and buy bits and bobs as mementos before heading back to your hotel.
Day 10: Indulge in the world-renowned Santorinian wines and taste local delicacies!
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Santorini
The word ‘Santorini’ brings three things to mind: stunning views, out-of-this-world sunsets, and delectable wines, and you can explore all three with the help of experienced professionals and with the stress of planning completely eliminated.
After a relaxing free morning, embark on a Santorini wineries tour at sunset for one of the most remarkable experiences of your life. Visit three different award-winning local wineries to taste luscious Santorinian wine, and enjoy an ambrosial Greek tapas dinner. Your wine-expert guide will introduce you to the superb vineyards of Santorini, explaining how their weaved shape protects the precious grapes from the island’s intense wind; this is your chance to see where some of the most widely-known Greek labels come from.
Taste the most delectable local varieties, including Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and Vinsanto, popular for its sweets notes, and learn how they are enriched by the minerals of the volcanic soil. At your last stop, you will indulge in a toothsome Greek tapas dinner that will complement the delicate flavors of the wines.
Having gained inside knowledge regarding Santorini’s wine production and having tasted the best wines the island has to offer, your day will wrap up at a local-beloved spot for a Santorinian sunset that will make for the most romantic setting anyone can ask for!
Day 11: Relax on your own and enjoy a farewell dinner!
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Santorini
Spend your day relaxing at the beach or catching some exercise—and even more views—from one of Santorini’s more than 12 scenic walking routes, ranging from between two to eight miles each.
A farewell dinner is included tonight at a wonderful restaurant with calder views.
Day 12: Say goodbye to your favorite destination!
Meals: Breakfast
As with all good things in life, this amazing Greek experience has come to an end. Say goodbye to the friends you’ve made during your time in Greece and have your driver pick you up from your hotel to take you to the airport with plenty of time to catch your flight home. This exclusive 12-day trip will make you love Greece just as much as we do. Until next time!
Day 1: Arrive in Athens
Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival, you will be met by a Sky Vacations ambassador and transferred to your hotel where the balance of the day is yours to explore the city.
Day 2: Athens City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, depart on an exciting day of sightseeing. Highlights of your tour includes a drive through the city where you will see important monuments such as the stadium built for the first modern Olympic Games (1896), Hadrian’s Arch, Constitution Square and much more. You’ll also visit the ancient Acropolis and the breathtaking Acropolis Museum.
Day 3: Olympia
Today you depart Athens for ancient Olympia. On the way, you will pass the famous Corinth Canal, see the ancient city of Mycenae, Epidaurus which was the most important healing center in the classical world and is home to the most famous of ancient theaters. You’ll also see the charming seaport town of Nafplion before arriving to Olympia.
Day 4: Delphi
Your day begins with an exciting visit to Ancient Olympia, founded in the 8th Century BC. Famous the world over as home to the Olympic Games, you ‘ll have time to explore the site, tour the ruins and visit the museum. From Olympia you’ll head to beautiful Nafpaktos situated on the Gulf of Corinth before arriving to Delphi.
Day 5: Meteora
Departing your hotel after breakfast, your first stop is Delphi, site of the 4th century BC Temple of Apollo and home to the legendary Oracle. Explore this extensive mountainside archeological complex before heading to Meteora.
Day 6: Athens
Your tour today highlights the stunning rock formations of Meteora and the six amazing monasteries built right in the cliffs. This is unlike anything in the world! Following your visit to Meteora you’ll head back to Athens for a final overnight.
Day 7: Farewell Greece
Today your private transfer will take you to the Athens Airport for your onward journey.
