The modern academy of Athens in Greece

Athens, Santorini, and Crete Vacation for History Lovers

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Greece

Places Visited

Athens, Santorini, Crete

Suggested Duration

7 Days

On this historically rich 7-day vacation through Athens, Santorini, and Crete, you will be immersed in the mythology, philosophy, and architecture of the ancient Greeks. Discover the striking geology and landscape of the islands, indulge in a historically inspired wine tour, hike through the Samaria Gorge, and kayak on the Aegean Sea. This weeklong vacation effortlessly combines extravagance with history and will leave you with a unique experience that has you living ancient Greek culture.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Discover the wealth of knowledge and collection of ancient artifacts at the world-renowned National Archaeology Museum
  • Immerse yourself in the mythology, philosophy, and architecture at the legendary Acropolis
  • Uncover living history at the ancient Thira archeology site
  • Bask in the sea and sunshine as you kayak through the crystal-clear, sparkling Aegean Sea over inspiring calderas
  • Indulge in an off-road adventure to the peak of the Lassithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus
  • Marvel at inspirational mountain passes as you hike through history from Samaria Gorge to Sweet Water Beach
  • Sample local grapes and olives on a historically inspired olive oil and wine tour

Detailed Description

This weeklong, historical journey through Athens, Santorini, and Crete perfectly combines extravagance with antiquity and will leave you with an experience that not only allows you to learn about the past but live in it.

After you land, a private driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your luxurious accommodation, which will be located in the heart of the City. The following morning, your tour through the ages will begin at the National Archeology Museum. This Museum is the perfect place to begin your discovery of Greece because it contains one of the most impressive and diversified collections of ancient Greek artifacts in the world. During your visit, your guide will explain how each different era built upon the previous one in addition to many other interesting historical facts. Afterward, you will begin your ascent to the legendary Acropolis. Tidbits of philosophy, mythology, and history will captivate your heart as you walk the same marbled steps that Plato and Aristotle once did. As you hike up the steps, you can admire the aesthetic beauty and architectural feat of each intricate temple.

The next day, you will fly from Athens to Santorini on a private aircraft, where you will experience breathtaking views of the Greek islands. When you land, a private driver will escort you to your opulent accommodation that will overlook the infamous, blue-domed churches. During your time in Santorini, you will explore the ruins of Ancient Thira, glide over crystal-clear waters and inspiring calderas, sift through the famed Atlantic Bookshop, and unearth the spectacular Byzantine Castle. Each activity will include a passionate, energetic, and knowledgeable guide to ensure that you acquire a detailed understanding of the cultural significance that surrounds each iconic site.

Your final destination will be the enigmatic island of Crete. Your first activity will be an off-road adventure through the Dikti Mountains to the inspiring Lassithi Plateau, where you will walk through the cave where Zeus was born. In the cave. During the remainder of your excursion, you will witness the impressive Aposelemis Dam and appreciate the serenity of a monk monastery. Your final day will be spent enjoying Greece's natural splendor as you hike through history and savor the local grapes and olives on a historically inspired wine tour.

Nearly everything about this itinerary is customizable, so you can adjust nearly anything and everything to better suit your moods and interests once you are in Greece.

We work closely with the best Greek travel agents to ensure that you have a fully personalized trip of a lifetime.

Starting Price

$3,000 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.94 stars based on 2364 reviews.

Greece Tour Review: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, History,...

If you're considering a trip to Greece, look no further than Zicasso. Our travel expert planned an unforgettable journey for our family; Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, and every detail was executed with care, expertise, and passion. 

From the moment we arrived in Athens, we were immersed in the country’s warm hospitality. Our agent made sure we had the perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. The historical sites in Athens, like the Acropolis and the ancient Agora, were must-sees.

Mykonos is vibrant yet relaxed. The beaches were beautiful. Every meal on this trip was a highlight. Fresh seafood, local cheeses, olive oil, and delicious pastries—each bite told a story of Greece’s deep culinary heritage.

In Santorini, we were captivated by the island’s charm—whitewashed buildings, breathtaking sunsets, and the deep blue Aegean Sea. We visited traditional villages, giving us a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions that are still very much alive.

Throughout the trip, what stood out most—beyond the stunning landscapes and ancient history—was the friendliness of the Greek people. Their warmth and pride in their culture made every moment feel welcoming and genuine.

Our agent didn’t just plan a vacation—he created an experience rooted in history, tradition, and hospitality. I can’t recommend him and Zicasso highly enough.

Reviewed By Vicki P.

Greece Vacation Review: History, Culture, Biking, Cuisine,...

We had an amazing experience working with Zicasso's travel specialist and her company's team for our two-week trip to Greece. The itinerary was thoughtful, family-friendly, and beautifully balanced, with just the right mix of cultural experiences, local flavor, recreation, and downtime. It was clear from the start that a great deal of care and collaboration went into planning this journey and the result was a trip perfectly suited to our family. Every stop, activity, and transition reflected a deep understanding of what would engage and inspire us.

What truly set our tour company apart was the exceptional Traveler Care team. Throughout the entire trip, they were consistently attentive, warm, and impressively responsive, often going above and beyond, even outside regular hours. Their real-time guidance and reassuring presence gave us complete peace of mind, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy the journey without ever feeling uncertain or unsupported.

We never once felt unsure or alone while navigating a multi-stop itinerary across several islands and regions. Thanks to the travel company, we were able to focus entirely on what mattered most: being present and making lifelong memories with our children.

If you’re planning a trip to Greece and want something truly unforgettable — not just a vacation, but a seamlessly orchestrated, soul-stirring, memory-making journey — you must work with this company! They took the time to truly understand our family and crafted an experience that felt uniquely ours at every step. Their combination of deep local expertise, personalized care, and flawless execution is nothing short of world-class. Every family should be so fortunate — the company is, quite simply, in a league of its own.

Reviewed By Chris T.

Italy, Greece Honeymoon Review: Culture, Cuisine, Snorkeling,...

My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.

The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.

If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.

Reviewed By Grace B.

Greece Travel Review: Athens, Nafplio, Paros, Food Tour,...

Our Zicasso travel specialist and the team were great; helpful, immediately available when needed, and they ensured everything was as planned. The trip was wonderful, with great diversity in accommodations, activities, and locations. We really loved our time.

Reviewed By Tom O.

Greece Vacation Review: Santorini, 15-Day Trip

I cannot recommend Zicasso's trip planner enough for her exceptional travel planning services! As frequent travelers, with experience working with various travel agents, we can confidently say she is by far the best we’ve ever encountered. From the very beginning, she took the time to learn our likes and dislikes, crafting a personalized itinerary that perfectly suited our preferences.

She coordinated a dream trip for us to Greece, planning two completely different weeks for our vacation. The first week was spent touring classical Greece, where we were fortunate to have a university professor as our tour guide, enriching our experience with incredible insights. The second week included a beautiful journey through the stunning islands of Greece. Every detail was planned exceptionally well and we felt fully taken care of throughout our trip.

In the past, we’ve faced issues with travel agents, where things fell through once we were on vacation. However, that was never the case with her. She was personally available to contact during our trip, which proved invaluable when our flight was delayed. In fact, she even helped us extend our trip by a day with only four days left, allowing us to visit Santorini, which was a highlight of our journey!

Her passion for her work shines through in every interaction. She genuinely cares about her clients and possesses amazing knowledge of travel destinations. Trust her and her recommendations to take care of your travel needs, and you will not be disappointed. Thanks to her for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime!

Reviewed By Cristie S.

Greece Tour Review: Culture, 11 Days

Zicasso's travel agent was most helpful. The accommodations she picked were perfect and everything about each hotel was fantastic, from the service to the cleanliness and friendly staff. She was very quick to respond and provide insight. I would use her again for any of my travel needs!

Reviewed By Lainey B.

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