Athens, Santorini, and Crete Vacation for History Lovers

This morning, your guide will lead you on a historical excursion through Athens. Your first stop will be the National Archeology Museum. This museum will be the perfect starting point for the day because it contains one of the most impressive and diversified collections of ancient Greek artifacts in the world. After an informative tour of the National Archeology Museum, you will journey to the legendary Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. This contemporary and interactive Museum contains a spectacular array of ancient Greek pottery and sculptures and offers a visually stunning rendition of what the Acropolis actually looked like thousands of years ago.

Today, you will have an early morning in order to catch your flight for Santorini. You will arrive in Santorini around 9 am, and a driver will be waiting to escort you to your new accommodation. When you are ready for your first adventure of the day, your private driver will meet you in the lobby to escort you to the ruins of Ancient Thira. After a few hours of walking through this ancient site, your driver will return you to your hotel, so that you can get ready for your kayaking tour. During your kayaking excursion, you will glide over the sea, pass breathtaking cliffs, and come to understand the delicate relationship between the landscape and the legends that surround them.

When you are finished with breakfast and ready to embark to Oia, your driver will be waiting for you in the lobby. This morning will be yours to stroll through the vibrant city of Oia and to unearth the world-famous Atlantis Bookshop. Before you do anything, you will want to meander through the maze of charming streets that are filled with artesian shops, cafes, and bakeries. Once you are ready, your driver will lead you back to your hotel, where you can relax and prepare to explore the Byzantine Castle. The Byzantine Castle ruins are located on a hilltop settlement and offer a stunning view of Therasia, the caldera below, and the coastline of Santorini.

Today, you will venture to the mystical island of Crete. After you finish breakfast, your private driver will lead you to the marina, where you will board a luxurious speed boat. Shortly after, your guide will arrive in a comfortable Land Rover, and you will embark on an off-road excursion. This adventure will lead you to the Lassithi Plateau. You will then make your way to the Cave of Zeus. After lunch, you will begin the sightseeing portion of your off-roading adventure, where you will discover the brilliant Lassithi Plateau windmill farm and learn how this pilot program helped pave the way for renewable energy projects on the islands.

Today will be your final day in Greece, and you will go on a hike early in the morning. No visit to Crete would be complete without a hike through the breathtaking Samaria Gorge. As you make your way through the gorge, your guide will be by your side every step of the way. When you finally emerge upon the Libyan Sea, you will be able to change into your bathing suit and sandals and order yourself a beer. After your hike through history, you will have about an hour to change and relax before beginning a history-inspired olive oil and wine tour. During your tour, you will travel from olive groves to vineyards in a luxury vehicle with the accompaniment of a personal wine sommelier.

In the morning, you will wake up early enough to savor a strongly roasted coffee while the sun gradually illuminates the country. Tidbits of philosophy, mythology, and history will continue to swirl around in your mind, giving rise to a lifelong appreciation for ancient Greece's vibrant and enduring culture. When you are packed and ready to depart, your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby and help you make your way to the Heraklion International Airport for your flight home.