Step Back in Time: Athens & Santorini History Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
This historically-based 7-day getaway promises to be the perfect vacation for avid explorers of history or anyone that is interested in the millennia-old. History buffs have been flocking to Greece for years, and it is a well-known fact that this nation is the true cradle of civilization. Steeped in a storied past of political upheaval, fierce struggles of power, and endless myths and legends, Greece practically begs to be explored. Traverse the Acropolis, witness the iconic sites of Athens, and indulge in an authentic hammam spa experience.
Customizable Itinerary
Athens – Sunset Dinner with a View
Once you arrive in Athens, a private driver will lead you to your luxury accommodation in the heart of the city. After checking in and having a bit of time to regroup, you will spend your first evening partaking in a Greek feast. The meal will be complete with all of the standard Mediterranean fare for which this country is known and beloved. Tonight, you will be feasting a stone’s throw away from the world-famous Acropolis. As you are wined and dined, you will have an unrivaled view of Athens and its iconic site.
What's Included:
Athens – Historical Tour of Athens
Athens – Exploring Corinth’s Past
Athens – Seek Your Future in Delphi
Santorini – Island-Hop to Therasia
Santorini – Santorini’s Archaeological Gems
Santorini – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in an evening of wining and dining as you gaze upon a 360-degree view of the world-famous Acropolis
- Witness all of the iconic sights of Athens while being regaled with wondrous backstories that bring them all to life
- Explore the past while also seeking your future at the world-famous Oracle of Delphi during a private tour
- Marvel at some of Santorini’s most famous locales while delving into the fascinating history behind each site
- Bask in an authentic hammam spa experience, where you will learn how ancient Greeks of the Ottoman and Byzantine era found their bliss
- Escape on a day-trip to explore the idyllic, island haven of Therasia
- Uncover the history of Corinth and embark on a full-day tour to view its most famous sights, including the Corinth Canal
Detailed Description
Historians with a keen interest in uncovering secret gems and fascinating truths about the world’s past will tell you that exploring Greece is essential. From archaeological remains to mystical tales and legends of ancient mythology, Greece has a little bit of everything to excite and satisfy every history buff’s desires. From the world-famous Acropolis in Athens to the charming and timeless villages of Santorini, this historically-based, 7-day journey will have you knee-deep in history. You will also witness the most riveting and wondrous landmarks of Greece while experiencing new and exciting adventures. You may even learn a thing or two en route.
The first half of your trip will lead you to Athens, where you will settle in the lap of luxury at your hotel. During your first evening, you will feast on a delicious and authentic Mediterranean meal under the stars. Your opulent offerings will be complete with a picturesque locale that will provide you with an unrivaled view of the world-famous Acropolis.
The following day, you will be led on a historical, VIP tour of Athens, where you will explore the city’s iconic sights, such as the Acropolis, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Zeus, and Parliament. Your guide will time your tour just perfectly so that you will be able to see the famed changing of the guards, which is something that is on almost every tourist’s must-see list for Athens. After hearing about the Ottoman and Byzantine era in ancient Greece and culminating the evening with an authentic hammam experience, you will recognize that you made the correct choice in Greece for your historical tour.
The next day, you will uncover the captivating past of Corinth. While you are here, you will witness majestic sights, such as the Corinth Canal and seemingly endless relics of this once-influential Greek enclave. A full day of discovery at Delphi will follow, which is where you can wander among whispers of the past in addition to seeking your own future fortune from the Oracle of Delphi like so many others before you.
The second half of your historical adventure through Greece will have you sailing to the stunning locale of Santorini. Upon your arrival to this beloved Greek Island, you will have just enough time to check-in to your luxury island accommodation before being whisked away to your first adventure, which will be an island-hopping excursion to nearby Therasia.
This lovely, volcanic island may be small, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to the historical department because this island has been able to maintain its pristine and simple framework from the past. Here, you will immediately fall in love with the charming villages of the island, all of which harken back to olden times. As you wander among the old churches, landscaped gardens, and old cave dwellings, you will be fascinated by the stories that your private guide shares with you about this intriguing and unassuming locale.
A full day of exploring the archaeological gems of Santorini fill your final day in Greece. From seeking insight into the past at the ancient settlement of Akrotiri to perusing the Prophet Elijah’s Monastery, there will be no better way to end your time on this gorgeous Aegean island, except by indulging in an awe-inspiring sunset after strolling through its world-famous streets.
Throughout your entire getaway to Greece, your hotel accommodations will be the epitome of luxury, and you will have every one of your wants and desires accommodated. You will also have a private driver available to you, who will be ready to take you to and from every destination during your stay. Everything about this historically-based tour through Greece is entirely customizable, so you can adjust anything and everything about this itinerary to your moods and desires once you are in Greece.
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.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 314 reviews
Zicasso's travel company made our bucket-list trip to Greece come to life! They organised all our tours and transportation, worked with us to provide activities that were in line with our interests, and even gave detailed information on suggested itineraries for our free days.
Some highlights included the walking tour(s) of Athens, our trip to see Santorini, and the best steak I have ever had at a beach hotel in Naxos! Our only suggestion is that we went on a day tour to Delos which was self-guided. There is so much history there though that a guided tour would have been helpful. I would definitely recommend booking your tour with them!
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Words cannot describe how wonderful this trip to Greece was! Zicasso’s tour operator did a wonderful job planning out our days so we could experience the highlights of Athens, Santorini, and Crete! The accommodations at all three spots were more than comfortable and had lovely staff and a good breakfast.
We did run into one problem in Crete at the hotel, where our rooms were up on the third floor and there was no elevator and no staff to carry our bags. I had to ask for room changes. We could all walk up the steps, but not carrying 50-pound suitcases! The staff quickly offered us rooms accessible by elevator and the rooms were beautiful! They gave us a complimentary bottle of wine for our troubles.
All of the drivers arrived on time, many giving us information about what we were seeing as they took us to destinations. The tour guides who had been arranged were knowledgeable and had a great way of presenting archeological sites, as well as museums.
We especially enjoyed our private tour to a small town in the mountains in Crete, where we were given a tour of a family's olive gardens, as well as a fabulous meal with them! We had such a good time with them and we all had tears when we left them! I cannot give enough stars for this fabulous vacation!
Our agent was available to us the whole time as we ran into a few questions. Nothing major, just a few small things. I will definitely be using Zicasso and our travel agency in my future travels. Bravo to our agent!
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Fabulous, Fantastic, Fun! We had an absolutely amazing 10 days traveling in Athens, Naxos, Santorini, and Crete. We were traveling with four 20somethings with varied interests. Zicasso's tour planner listened to my description of what we were looking for and created a masterpiece of a trip!
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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.
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We had a wonderful time in Greece. We spent 10 days there and went to Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. The accommodations were great and the planned excursions were fantastic. The weather was perfect.
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From start to finish, our experience with Zicasso's travel expert was top-notch! To date, it was the best trip we have taken. After talking to our agent on the phone to get what type of trip we were looking for, she put together an itinerary that suited us perfectly. Our trip included Athens, Naxos, and Santorini. All of our vehicle transportation, in-country flights, ferries, hotels, and tour guides were planned out for us. All we had to do was show up. We enjoyed all the tours planned out for us and it kept us from wandering unknowingly into the tourist traps. I can't express enough what a wonderful experience we had, thanks to our agent's expertise. The trip was absolutely seamless!
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