☼  Highlights for A Greek Adventure 

★ Experience an in-depth guided tour of the historic Acropolis in Athens
★ Enjoy the lovely ferry rides between the islands
★ Stroll along the picturesque waterfront in Mykonos
★ Enjoy fully guided visits to the ancient archaeological sites of  Delos (Mykonos) and Akrotiri (Santorini)  
★ Witness the famous blue domes of Santorini
★ Relish a sunset excursion to Oia, at the northern tip of Santorini
★ Take advantage of an optional self-guided bicycle tour around Mykonos or Santorini
★ Take part in a fully-guided tour of Istanbul’s major sights, including the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque

  What’s Included for A Greek Adventure 

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   ACCOMMODATION        9 nights (or 13) of accommodation at highly rated, centrally located hotels.  All hotel taxes are included.  (Please note that any porterage fees, if applicable, are not included.  Housekeeping tips are optional.)

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   TRANSPORTATION       Private airport transfer upon arrival.  Ferry rides between islands.  All transfers to and from ferry ports.   Private transfers between listed destinations (usually by minibus).  A flight from Santorini back to Athens at the end of the tour. (A flight to Istanbul along with private airport transfers will be included with the Istanbul extension)

   MEALS      11 meals:  9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.   An additional dinner will be included with the Istanbul extension.

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   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Guided tours of the ancient Acropolis in Athens and the archaeological sites of Delos and Akrotiri, including entrance fees.   Entrance fees to the Ancient Agora of Athens (with Temple of Hephaestus), The Temple of Olympian Zeus, The Lykeion, Hadrian’s Library, and other ancient sites in Athens.   Excursion to the town of Oia in Santorini.  

Optional excursions to places such as Sounion (Athens), Pyrgos (Santorini), and other places can be add at the behest of the group.  A private full day tour of Istanbul is included in the Istanbul extension.

An optional self-guided bicycle tour will be made available in Mykonos and Santorini.

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   TOUR ASSISTANT       A Blue Onyx Tour Assistant to handle all logistical aspects of the group, offer valuable information, and organize the tour from start to finish.   The Tour Assistant is always available (remotely) to answer questions and help solve issues, should they arise.  

   Itinerary for A Greek Adventure (10 or 14 days)   

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DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Arrive at Athens International Airport where you will receive private transportation en route to your centrally located Athens hotel. 

 
         ACCOMMODATION:   Attalos Hotel or Hotel Titania or The Gem Society Hotel  (3 nights)

DAY 2:   TOUR OF ACROPOLIS, FREE TIME
Your group will meet in the lobby at 10 a.m. and proceed on foot to the historic Acropolis where a Local Expert will lead you on a private, guided tour of The Parthenon, The Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and other sections.  After the tour, you’ll have time to dabble in local cuisine, shop in the trendy Monastiraki district, or navigate the ancient cobblestone streets of our favorite section of Athens: The Plaka.  You will also receive entry tickets to other historical and archaeological sites in Athens, such as the Agora of Athens and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.  It is recommended to visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus close to sunrise and the Agora of Athens (specifically the Temple of Hephaestus) close to sunset for the best photographic opportunities.

  MEAL:  Breakfast       

DAY 3:   FREE DAY IN ATHENS, OPTIONAL TRIP TO SOUNION
There’s a wealth of things to do in Athens and the great thing is that your hotel is right in the middle of everything!  Perhaps check out the impressive remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus or the Temple of Hephaestus.   Or view the treasury of ancient art and artifacts at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.  Or just wander around the city and indulge in its unique atmosphere and enjoy its excellent cuisine.

In the afternoon, we can arrange a visit to the fascinating Temple of Poseidon at Sounion (about 40 minutes south of Athens) to do some sightseeing and watch the sunset.  Bonus points to the person who can spot the “world’s first graffiti.”

OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Guided visit to Sounion

  MEAL:  Breakfast   

DAY 4:  FERRY TO MYKONOS, WATERFRONT EXCURSION, FREE TIME
You’ll catch your morning ferry to Mykonos, arriving just after noon.  After checking into your hotel, you may want to go on a self-guided excursion to the waterfront of Mykonos Town (provided by your Tour Assistant).  The self-guided tour will allow you to take a gander at the historic Panagia Paraportiani church, get lost in the seemingly endless narrow footpaths of the main town, enjoy a photo op at the windmills, or sit and relax at our favorite cafe!

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Damianos  (3 nights)

DAY 5:  EXCURSION TO DELOS AND FREE TIME
In the morning, you will meet with a Local Expert who will lead you on a ferry ride to the nearby isle of Delos and direct an in-depth tour of this highly significant historical and archaeological site.   There are many intriguing aspects of this minute island, including the Terrace of the Lions, the Temple of Isis, and the Delos Synagogue – the oldest of its kind in the world.  

This tour concludes in mid-afternoon, so you should still have plenty of free time to explore Mykonos afterwards.  Don’t miss “Little Venice.”  You may also want to take a bus ride to Platis Gialos and its extraordinary beaches.

  MEAL:  Breakfast 

DAY 6:  FREE TIME IN MYKONOS
The entire day is yours to continue to discover the wonders of Mykonos.  Voyage to the quaint town of Ano Mera and its old monasteries.  Sip drinks at an outdoor cafe next to the sea.  Visit one of several fine museums or galleries.   Or just relax by the pool at the hotel.

For interested parties, this might be a good day to enjoy an optional bicycle tour around Mykonos.  

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:   A bicycle outing in Mykonos

  MEAL:  Breakfast 

DAY 7:  ARRIVAL IN SANTORINI, POSSIBLE EXCURSION TO PYRGOS
Around 10 a.m., you’ll board a ferry to spectacular Santorini, a small island cluster made up of the remnants of a dormant volcano.  After arrival (at noon) and hotel check-in, you have the option of visiting lovely Pyrgos, which offers not only a wealth of Cycladic history, but also sweeping panoramas of Santorini. 

  MEALS:  Breakfast               ACCOMMODATION:    Theoxenia Boutique Hotel or Loizos Stylish Residences or Deluxe Rest Boutique Hotel (3 nights)

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:    Visit to Pyrgos

DAY 8:   TOUR OF AKROTIRI, SUNSET EXCURSION AT OIA
In the morning, your group will enjoy a guided visit to the ancient archaeological site of Akrotiri at the southern tip of the island, entry fee included.  At the end of the tour, there will be an included lunch at a nearby beachside restaurant (The Cave of Nikolas). 

In the late afternoon, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and convey you to the town of Oia for breathtaking sunset views. 

  MEAL:  Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 9:  FREE DAY IN SANTORINI, POSSIBLE BICYCLE EXCURSION, FAREWELL DINNER
Feel free to spend the day at leisure, perusing shops and cafes, snapping photos of the breathtaking cliffs, and ambling through the many museums and galleries.  Consider a trip to the Venetian Castle at Emporio.  Gaze at the black sand beaches of Perissa.  Or indulge in a nice seaside dinner at Kamari. 

This day would also be a good one to partake of an optional bicycle excursion around Santorini.  

At day’s end, we have a special farewell dinner planned for you at a restaurant close to your hotel. 

  MEAL:  Breakfast, Dinner

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:    A bicycle outing in Santorini

DAY 10:  DEPART FOR ATHENS (AND ISTANBUL)
You’ll check out of your Santorini hotel early to catch your flight back to the Athens International Airport.  From there, you can return home or extend your visit with a three-day extension in Istanbul.  Kaló taxídi! 

If you should opt for the four-day extension, your tour will include a flight to Istanbul from Athens and private transportation from the Istanbul airport to your centrally located Istanbul hotel.  Your likely arrival in Istanbul would be between 2 and 3 p.m.

  MEAL:  Breakfast               ACCOMMODATION:   Edibe Sultan Hotel (3 nights)

DAY 11:  TOUR OF ISTANBUL
Today, we’ve arranged for you a private full-day tour of the all of the major sights of Istanbul – including Topkapi Palace, The Hagia Sophia, and The Blue Mosque.  One of the details you will learn on your tour is precisely why The Blue Mosque was treated with scorn, derision, and outright hostility upon its initial presentation to the public.

  MEAL:  Breakfast

DAY 12:  FREE DAY IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul is easily one of the most intriguing cities in the world and there’s an abundance of things to do there.  Peruse Turkish ceramics and other handiworks at the Grand Bazaar.  Sample coffee and pastry at a local cafe.  Or relax at a thermal bath.  

  MEAL:  Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13:  FREE DAY IN ISTANBUL
Continue to explore this largest city of Turkey which straddles two continents.   If it is open, the Basilica Cistern – one of many ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city – is well worth the price of admission.  (If the Basilica Cistern is closed, there are other ancient cisterns to visit, such as the Theodosius Cistern.) The Chora Church is a 14th century Orthodox temple with mosaics which depict the life of Christ.  The Galata Tower offers panoramic views of Istanbul.   

If you’re looking for a riverboat excursion without having it take up the entire day, there’s a commuter ferry between Eminonu and Kadikoy.  A round-trip journey doesn’t take long and costs less than $2 for the entire journey.

At the end of your final day in Istanbul, we’ve arranged a special farewell dinner at a wonderful local restaurant.

  MEAL:  Breakfast, Dinner 

DAY 14:  DEPART FOR USA
In the morning, you’ll check out of your Istanbul hotel early to catch your flight back to the United States.  We sincerely hope you enjoyed your vacation.  Birçok mutlu dönüş! 

  MEAL:  Breakfast

   Optional Excursions for A Greek Adventure

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DAY 3: 

Optional Excursion #1:  Optional visit to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion

Make an visit in the early evening to the highly photogenic Temple of Poseidon at Sounion about an hour south of Athens.  Stay to watch the sunset. 

The price is somewhat dependent upon how many people participate.  Generally, the cost of the round-trip transportation tends to be $40-$60 per person.  The entry fee is something that should generally be bought in person, at the ticket booth and it costs about $12. 

DAY 7: 

Optional Excursion #2:  Visit to Pyrgos, with round-trip private transportation

Pyrgos has many salient features to recommend it:  sweeping views of Santorini, an old-world feel, remnants of an ancient castle, and several very good restaurants

The price is dependent upon how many people participate, but the cost of the excursion to Pyrgos should be about $15 – $25 per person.

Optional Bicycle Excursions can be made available each or any day you are in Mykonos or Santorini.

The cost of the bicycle excursion in Mykonos, including round-trip transportation to and from the bicycle rental shop, and the bicycle rental itself (half day), will be around $30 per person.  Hiring an actual guide to lead you on a bicycle tour runs anywhere from $20 to $50 per person, depending on how many participants there are.

The cost of the bicycle excursion in Santorini will a little higher, around $35 – $40 per person, including round-trip transportation to and from the bicycle rental shop, and the bicycle rental itself (half day).  The cost of hiring a guide to lead a bicycle tour is similar to that of Mykonos.

Sept 28 – Oct 11, 2022                          

A Greek Adventure, with Istanbul Extension $1,860, per person, insurance included
 Book Now      initial payment due on 01/15/22

THE WEATHER
In October, highs generally range from the mid 60’s to the low 70’s and the lows reach the low to mid 50’s.  There’s is plenty of sun and occasional rainfall in October.

We advise our guests to bring sunscreen with them on this tour along with a small umbrella.

BUGS AND PESTS
There shouldn’t be much of a problem with bugs and pests on this tour.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF TOUR
On a scale of 1 to 10, the level of physical activity of this tour is 7, which is high.  Several days will incur a great deal of walking, and there will be some steep stairs to ascend, such as on the slopes of the Acropolis and other places.  The nice thing, though, is that the physical demands of the trip diminish toward the end.

IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS
We urge our guests to use common sense on our tours.  Be wary of strangers offering you something or trying to sell you something.  Keep guard of your important belongings, such as purse, wallet, keys, and cell phone.  Pickpocketing is a problem in Athens, and pickpockets there are wily.  A common scam that occurs is where one person will walk up to you, pretending to ask directions, while his or her partner in crime will slip past you from another direction entirely, casually taking your wallet or cell phone.  Be aware of your belongings at all times.

We also urge our guests to use extra caution while crossing the street in Athens.  Walk defensively and look in every direction before crossing. Don’t walk distracted.

WHAT TO BRING
We urge our guests to pack light.  As previously stated under our Terms and Conditions, all of our guests are allowed one carry-on measuring 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9).  For this trip, the carry-on must weigh no more than 8 KG (17.5 pounds) due to restrictions on the flight from Santorini to Athens.  You are also allowed a small personal item, such as a small laptop bag or purse.  Your small personal item must be able to fit under an airplane seat.  We strongly recommend bringing travel size toiletries. We recommend bringing sunscreen and possibly insect repellent.

JOURNEYS BETWEEN DESTINATIONS
The ferry ride from Athens to Mykonos is about four or five hours. The other journeys will be brief.

OUR HOTELS
We always book hotels that are centrally located, highly rated, and close to major attractions.  Having said that, there are a couple of things that one should understand about hotels in Europe, especially if one is from the United States.  More often than not, hotel rooms in Europe are smaller than hotel rooms in the United States. Additionally, hotel rooms in Europe may not have the same amenities that our American guests may be used to seeing.   

On the other hand, for our American guests who are traveling to Europe for the first time, the breakfasts that are offered at European hotels are a huge breath of fresh air.  There is usually an abundance of protein sources in the form of cold cuts, cheeses, eggs, milk, and yogurt, along with an assortment of fresh fruit, pastries, cereal, fruit juice, tea, and coffee.  Occasionally, some European hotels will serve a hot breakfast as well and this often consists of scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and pancakes or waffles.

OUR RESTAURANTS
We strive to treat our guests to lunches and dinners at restaurants with interesting settings and this tour is no exception to that concept.  Whether it be right off the beach in Santorini, overlooking the marina in Mykonos, or at a lovely, elegant restaurant in the heart of Ios, Blue Onyx Travel will always seek out compelling venues for your included meals.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND CREDIT CARD USAGE
The Tour Leader will be able to tell you where to exchange currency and there will usually be a place to do so within walking distance of your hotel.  Most major banks will be able to exchange any currency that you have brought with you, for a small fee.

In most European countries (Greece included), the best exchange rate can be obtained by simply withdrawing money from a standard bank ATM using your debit card (not to be confused with your credit card).  For instance, let’s say it’s your second day in Athens and you need withdraw some euros. Just go to a local bank which has an ATM machine (often in a small, enclosed lobby-style room) and withdraw the amount of money you want.  Nearly all standard ATM machines worldwide have the capacity to issue instructions in English, so English speakers should have no problem at all understanding how to use them.

When we tell you to seek out standard bank ATM machines, we mean it.  Avoid the omnipresent stand-alone ATMs which are not part of a bank. Euronet, Moneybox, Travelex, and Cashzone are examples of independent ATM machines which have very unfavorable exchange rates.  If you have any questions at all while on tour, just ask your Tour Leader to point you the direction of a standard bank ATM. Now it’s true that your home-based bank, such as Wells Fargo, will charge a small fee ($5) for this transaction, but the European bank will not.

But wait, why don’t I just use my credit card for all my purchases, you may ask?  That’s okay, but there’s usually a 3% foreign transaction fee (or higher) for these types of transactions.  And there might even be an additional transaction fee from the store or restaurant in which you’re using your VISA card.  Dollar for dollar, withdrawing cash from a standard bank ATM is the most cost-effective way to exchange currency.

THE TOUR LEADER
All of our Tour Leaders must undergo a rigorous training course designed to help them handle not only the ups and downs of a tour group situation, but also the disparate personalities that they might encounter.  All of our Tour Leaders are thoroughly background checked and must adhere to a strict code of conduct at all times. You can rest assured that we are placing you with a Tour Leader who has your best interests at heart.