Socrates – Crete, Santorini and Athens Tour

Itinerary

DAY 1: ATHENS / CHANIA (CRETE)

Arrival in Athens. Connecting flight to Chania, Crete. Upon arrival, you will be met by our assistant and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 2: CHANIA SMALL GROUP WALKING TOUR

This tour connects you with the city’s essence, that is made complete by delicious food and warm outgoing people. Join our knowledgeable guide to this mouth-watering walk around Chania that combines a stroll through its known sights and the lesser known quarters with visits to authentic and colorful food stores and old school eateries. We will get a glimpse into the past and living history of Chania, architecture and lifestyle as we walk the town, while exploring Crete’s flavors and aromas. We will speak with the people behind the scenes and taste local culinary delights, such as the syrupy “loukoumades”, traditional “bougatsa” pie, honey, rusks, olives, herbs & spices. An easy walking pace is followed with rests that make the tour suitable for all fitness levels.

DAY 3: CHANIA AT LEISURE

Free day at Chania town to relax and explore at your own leisure.

Chania is a coastal town of Northwestern Crete and one of the most important ports of the island. The city of Chania is built in the ruins of ancient Kidonia. It withstanded many intruders and civilizations, the imprints of which can be seen on the facade of its fine monuments.

The beautiful city of Chania has managed to uphold its local authentic color, despite the rise of tourism. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and the most picturesque in Crete.

DAY 4: CHANIA / SANTORINI

Early morning pick up and transfer to Heraklion port for your ferry ride to Santorini island. Upon arrival in Santorini, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.

DAY 5: SANTORINI,  MORNING SEMI-PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR

Explore Santorini with a 4 hour morning tour of the island (with experienced English speaking driver).
Visually, Santorini is the most spectacular of the isles in the Cyclades. With its brilliant flooded caldera, high cliffs and charming villages, it is the Greek Isle of everyone’s dreams. Our tour will take us to Santorini’s highest peak, crowned by the Mount Profitis Ilias Monastery. At 883 feet, Mt. Profitis Ilias rugged landscape is largely composed of volcanic rocks as a result of hundreds of eruptions during the last two million years, some of them being large caldera-forming events. Here, in this remote spot, we’ll have an ideal photo opportunity to capture the beauty of this ancient island.
We’ll discover the village of Pyrgos, which was the capital of Santorini until 1800. Here we’ll be able to admire the beautiful old houses and the Venetian Fortress crowned by several churches.
Our half-day tour then takes us to one of the island’s most famous traditional wineries. Viniculture is an ancient art in Santorini, and the fact that vines thrive at all is amazing considering the fact that the island has limited water resources. But the volcanic soil is an excellent medium for producing grapes, especially the Assyrtiko grape – a rare, white variety.
After our visit, we’ll drive through the countryside to visit Oia. This traditional Greek village of whitewashed cubes is perched impossibly high on cliffs at the north west tip of the island. Here, take in the stunning views of the island from one of the charming cafés or stroll above the rooftops of the homes carved into the cliffs and gaze into the deep blue waters of the caldera far below.
Balance of the day at leisure to enjoy the sun, the unforgettable view and the most romantic sunset in the world.

DAY 6: SANTORINI

Free day in Santorini to enjoy the sun, the unforgettable view and the most romantic sunset in the world. Santorini is the essence of a Greek island, where sea meets weather-beaten rock and colors are bold and elemental. Blue-domed chapels stand on hilltops; houses are simple white cubes, sunsets flamboyant orange. The half-moon island, with its rearing cliffs and dramatic outlooks, is all that remains of a huge volcanic explosion.

DAY 7: SANTORINI / ATHENS

At the indicated time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Athens. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 8: ATHENS GUIDED ACROPOLIS AND MYTHOLOGY WALKING TOUR

Taste the real history and experience ancient Greek culture in a relaxed and fun walk full of surprises. Start your visit with the world-famous Acropolis and uncover what hides behind the universal myths at Athens’ greatest landmark. Continue with a uniquely entertaining storytelling experience where professional storytellers pop up unexpectedly and bring ancient myths to life just for you in the streets of Athens! Each story is accompanied by live music, traditional Greek songs and food tastings.

DAY 9: DELPHI FULL DAY TOUR

Ancient glory, natural beauty, mountain living and local surprises. The ancient oracle of Delphi, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, sits on the slopes of a beautiful mountain still home to traditional lifestyles and crafts. Explore past splendors, discover present wonders and experience local life in this very special corner of Greece, like few travelers do.

DAY 10: CAPE SOUNION SUNSET TOUR

A gorgeous coast and a stunning Greek temple! Don’t let the sea escape you, because Athens is all about the sea! Tour the celebrated Athens Riviera shoreline all the way to the stunning Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean sea, and end your day admiring the dramatic sunset over Cape Sounio.

DAY 11: ATHENS AIRPORT

According to your international flight, you will be transferred to the airport. END OF SERVICES