Greece

Your overnight flight to Greece may bring on dreams of Zeus and Apollo, but fear not, the gods are on your side tonight. After all – we’re visiting their homeland!

Upon arrival to Athens’ newly constructed airport, your Perillo Tours representative will greet you and privately transfer you to your deluxe 5-star hotel in the heart of Athens. You will be assisted with your check-in for a smooth and effortless experience.

Time to relax and adjust to your new time. We’ve arranged a welcome cocktail followed by a scrumptious roof top dinner with breathtaking views as you watch the sunset.

Begin your journey back to ancient Greece, “the cradle of civilization”. Your sightseeing tour brings us to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Royal Palace, the Pan-Athenian Stadium and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Stop at the first Olympic Games of the modern era held in 1896 followed by the world-famous Acropolis.

Visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheio and finally—the glorious Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, with its many priceless artifacts.

After, a fun walking tour in the Plaka and central market. We stop for lunch at a typical local taverna. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop or just stroll.

Morning is at leisure. In the afternoon we depart for Cape Sounion. Marvel over one of Greece’s most photographed monuments on this half-day tour to the Temple of Poseidon from Athens.

Wind your way along the coastal cliffs and beaches on the scenic drive to Cape Sounion, then grab your camera as you spot the magnificent remains of the Temple of Poseidon, perched high on the sea cliffs.

You have a chance to get up close to the ancient monument, explore ruins dating back to 444 BC, and soak up the impressive coastal views. Dinner follows at a local fish restaurant before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast we depart for Piraeus Port to board the highspeed ferry to Mykonos Island.

On this jet-set island, beautiful beaches, chic boutiques, and elegant nightclubs - all vie for the tourist’s attention. Beneath its sophisticated surface, however, lies a quintessential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot the island and sheep graze in the shadow of whitewashed windmills.

Visit Little Venice in Mykonos, find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over the picturesque harbor. Be sure to send your regards to Pete the Pelican.

Located only 3 ½ nautical miles from Mykonos by ship, in ancient times Delos was the spiritual center of the Cycladic Islands and as the mythical birthplace of Apollo, it was considered a sacred island.

Today Delos is essentially a large archeological site, with its ruins taking up almost 1-square mile and with no inhabitants except members of the French School of Archeology who have been excavating the island for over 100-years. Overnight stays on the island are forbidden.

Return for a leisure afternoon. Evening a dinner awaits you in the town.

After breakfast the day is at leisure to explore, swim or shop till you drop. If so inclined, we offer an optional cooking class to learn a traditional Mykonian dish from the freshest of ingredients.

Today we depart Mykonos for Santorini by superfast ferry. Upon arrival to Santorini, you will be transferred to your hotel in Fira. Late afternoon, you will be picked up for a Fira walking tour followed by dinner.

Today we begin with a visit to Pyrgos, the best-preserved medieval village on the island. It is situated at the foot of Mt. Profitis Ilias, (Mt. Prophet Elijah), Santorini’s highest peak at 1900 feet.

Next we visit Koutsogiannopoulos Winery for a great lunch and of course, a wine tasting!

Finally today, you’ll enjoy the prehistoric village of Akrotiri to visit the well-preserved excavations from 1600 B.C. After, we’ll return to our hotel to relax, or explore a bit more!

The morning is at leisure. This afternoon, it’s a sunset Catamaran Cruise by the magical Caldera (a volcanic cauldron). We’ll sail the sea route from Red Beach, to White Beach, to the Black Mountain and the Hot Springs. What a spectacular sunset. It’s great to be alive!

As the night falls, a sumptuous dinner is served complete with wine and dessert. Marvel at the shimmering stars in the sky and twinkling lights on the island by night!

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our short flight back to Athens (approx. 35 min.) to connect with our flight home to the States.

Overnight flight, and back in time to the origins of our Western culture - Classical Greece.

Arriving at Athens Airport, meet your host and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of your day is at leisure for your first taste of Athens.

Welcome dinner at your hotel and overnight in Athens.

After breakfast, depart for your Athens sightseeing tour including the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum. Our expert guide will take you to see the center of the city, the Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National library.

On your way to the Acropolis, you will see Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and have a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the famous Parthenon.

Your first taste of Athens would not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a modern home for the artistic wonders and architectural masterpieces of the classical era.

Returning to your hotel, the remainder of your day and evening is at leisure.

After breakfast, depart for your 4-day tour of Classical Greece. Leave Athens by the scenic coastal road and reach the Corinth Canal for a short photo stop.  

Enjoy the imposing landscape in the Corinth Canal’s protected waters, one of the 19th century world’s engineering masterpieces dating back to 602 B.C.

Continue to Epidaurus with its 4th century B.C. theatre, famous for its astonishing acoustics. Next, the town of Nafplion, a modern seaside resort and old town, is crowned by the mighty ramparts at the Palamidi Fortress.

The last stop of the day is Mycenae, Homer’s city of Atreides - the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese, Tripoli and Megalopoli.

Arrival at your hotel for included dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we’ll visit ancient Olympia, where the idea, and the site of the Olympic Games, were born.

Visit the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which hosts the famous statue of Praxiteles, Hermes.

Continue through Achaia and Rio-Antirrio towards Delphi, passing through the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos and Itea. We arrive in Delphi to enjoy dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Located on the slopes of Mount Parnasus, Delphi was believed to be the center, the “naval” of the Earth!  It’s also the home of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.

In ancient times Parnassus was sacred to the Dorians and in mythology to Apollo and the Corycian nymphs. At the oracle of Apollo, Pythia, the high priestess of the temple, under the influence of the ancient god Apollo delivered her famous prophesies.

You will also visit the Treasury of the Athenians and the Delphi Museum, which hosts valuable pieces of art like the famous bronze charioteer.

Depart for Kalambaka. Enjoy your dinner at hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Perched on huge granite rocks, the monasteries seem to suspend between earth and sky, providing a magnificent view. Each monastery contains priceless historical and religious treasures.

Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant in Kalambaka (not included), before returning to Athens bypassing Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae where a stop will be made to visit the memorial of Leonidas and the brave 300 Spartans.

Return to Athens and overnight at our hotel.

Early this afternoon we board our ship and settle in our cabin. Mykonos invites you to admire its stunning coastline, soft sandy beaches, and rugged rocky landscape.

Affectionately known as the ‘Island of the Winds’, Mykonos is home to the 16th century windmills that have become iconic landmarks on postcards. The energetic Greek island is well known for its beauty, diverse range of bars, cafes and restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere.

Tonight, we depart Mykonos for Kusadasi, Turkey.  Enjoy dinner at sea.

This morning, we arrive in the stunning coastal town of Kusadasi where you’ll join your expert guide for an excursion to the iconic Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.  (Save some time to browse the port-side Bazaar.)

This afternoon we depart for the volcanic Patmos which enjoys an enchanting lace-like coastline and dramatic sheer cliffs.  Fascinating shore excursions such as the Monastery of St. John are available for purchase.

Tonight we depart Patmos for Crete!

This morning we dock in Heraklion, Crete. You’ll travel to the very depths of European history and mythology when you visit the Palace of Knossos, just outside Heraklion, the capital of Crete.

This was not only the site of Minoan Crete’s grandest palace but also where the legendary King Minos is said to have built the labyrinth to contain the deadly Minotaur. That is until it was killed by the heroic Theseus who escaped back to Athens with King Minos’ daughter, Ariadne. 

Was the Minotaur half-man or myth? You’re about to find out!  We depart Heraklion for Santorini at Noon today.

Santorini is close – let’s sail there next! Thought by many to be the lost continent of Atlantis we’ll visit the charming Oia Village. On route admire the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and neighboring islands. Built on the Caldera rim, Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture.

We walk along the cobble-stone streets and the white-washed houses with blue shutters appearing as a beautiful travel poster. Our excursion ends in Fira where our guide will show us the way to the cable car back to the ship.

Enjoy a final dinner on board as we navigate toward Athens.

We arrive in Athens early this morning. Disembark and transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

This afternoon we enjoy our high-speed ferry (under 2 hours), from the Port of Santorini to Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your tour guide and will be transferred to your hotel.

Dinner is on your own and overnight in Heraklion.

After breakfast, we’ll meet the ancient Minoan people of Crete – one of the first civilizations in Europe from 4000 years ago. See the well-restored Palace of Knossos, the centerpiece of their culture.

You’ll be amazed by their technology – especially their water management – before the Romans!

History is very much alive in Heraklion, just as in most Greek cities. We’ll see it all! The central square surrounded by stores and restaurants, dominated by the “Fountain of the Lions” built by Morozini, the Venetian governor in 1628.

We’ll return to our hotel for a free afternoon to relax or explore Heraklion into the night. Enjoy your free evening!

After breakfast, we head east from Heraklion to the municipality of Agios Nikolaos which features the towns of Elounda, and the famous island of Spinalonga. Let’s check it out!

Elounda is just over an hour away. Then, a brief sailing to the uninhabited island of Spinalonga. This tiny islet is a very well-preserved Venetian fortress town. Its later, more tragic history was as the last leper colony of Europe, from 1903-1957. There are no residents and no hotels here. But it’s a big attraction for locals, vacationers, and film makers alike. Of course, you’ll have your camera!

We’ll sail back to Elounda with time for lunch on our own. Then we’ll check-out the center of charming Agios Nikolaos with its many beaches, restaurants, bars and shops.

Don’t miss a small, charming lake called “Voulismeni”, which is located below the cliffs in the city-center. The Goddess Athena bathed here – so you could do worse!

Later this afternoon we head back to our hotel in Heraklion.

After breakfast, we’re sorry to say, it’s off to the short flight to Athens, connecting to your international flight back to the USA.

No tears! We’ll all be in touch with our traveling companions and maybe meet on our next Perillo Tour!