GREECE

Highlights of Greece (8 days)

Join us in Greece!

This is that rare 8-day tour which covers a lot of ground without feeling rushed.  And we’re confident you’ll fall in love with Greek culture – from the superb cuisine, to the beaming hospitality of the Greek innkeepers, to the turquoise waters of the Aegean sea, to the famous blue domes of the Cyclades islands.   

OVERVIEW

Enjoy several of the main sights of Greece during this delightful eight day survey of Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.  An in-depth tour of the Acropolis of Athens and a sunset excursion to the lovely town of Oia in Santorini are included.  And with a very reasonable price tag, you won’t have to dispense of your life savings to see Greece.  Furthermore, you’ll have several opportunities to enrich your vacation with various optional activities and leisure time.   There’s never been a better time to see Greece than now

 

QUICK FACTS

Starts and Ends in:        Athens, Greece

Age Range:        5-90

Service Level :   Value

Dates:     June 4 – 11, 2023 (Sun – Sun)

Degree of Physical Activity: 7 (High)

Tour Size:           5

Prices: $1183  travel package, per person including Sounion and Delos.

$1143 travel package, per person, including Delos but not Sounion

Payment Method:  credit card

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Tour Information


☼  Highlights for Highlights of Greece


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
Opt for visits to the ancient archaeological sites of Sounion, Delos, and Akrotiri
Witness the famous blue domes of Santorini
Relish a sunset excursion to Oia, at the northern tip of Santorini



What’s Included for Highlights of Greece (Value) 


D
   ACCOMMODATION       7 nights of accommodation at good, well placed hotels.  


D.  
   TRANSPORTATION       Ferry rides between islands.  All taxi transfers to and from ferry ports and airports.  A flight from Santorini back to Athens at the end of the tour.    


D
   MEALS      5 breakfasts,


D
   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Guided tour of the ancient Acropolis in Athens, including entrance fees.     Scheduled transportation to the town of Oia in Santorini to see the famous blue domes and to watch the sunset.  Optional excursions to Sounion, Delos, and Akrotiri archaeological sites are available.


D
   TOUR LEADER       A Blue Onyx Tour Leader to handle all logistical aspects of the group, offer valuable information, and guide your group from start to finish.



Itinerary for Highlights of Greece (8 days)


D

🔴 DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Enjoy your included private transportation to your centrally located hotel.
        
 
  ACCOMMODATION:   Hotel  Arethusa (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 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.

  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, there will be an optional visit to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion to do some sightseeing and watch the sunset.  Bonus points to the person who can spot the “world’s first graffiti.”  This excursion includes round-trip transportation only.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:   Round-trip transportation between your hotel and the Temple of Poseidon. $70 per person

  MEAL:  Breakfast 

🔴 DAY 4:  FERRY TO MYKONOS, FREE TIME
You’ll catch your morning ferry to Mykonos, arriving in the early afternoon.  A taxi will meet you at the ferry port and take you to your hotel for check in.  The rest of the day is yours to explore this glittering gem of the Cyclades.  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 find a local cafe.

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Ioanna’s House (2 nights)

🔴 DAY 5:  FREE TIME, OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO DELOS
Continue to explore Mykonos on your own in the morning.  Around noon, you may want to have lunch at one of the most relaxing places in Mykonos:  Cine Manto.  In the afternoon, you have the option to 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.  

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Guided tour of Delos, including ferry rides and entry ticket – $80 per person.

🔴 DAY 6:   FERRY TO SANTORINI, EXCURSION TO OIA
In the morning, you’ll board a high-speed ferry to the island of Santorini, which is actually a mostly submerged dormant volcano.  After hotel check-in and free time, a minibus will transport your group to the kaleidoscopic town of Oia for sightseeing and to watch the sunset.   

    ACCOMMODATION:    Hotel Babis  (2 nights)  

🔴 DAY 7:   OPTIONAL TOUR OF AKROTIRI, FREE TIME
In the morning, you have the option of a guided visit to the ancient archaeological site of Akrotiri at the southern tip of the island.  

Feel free to spend the rest of the afternoon 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.  

  MEAL:  Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Guided tour of Akrotiri, including entrance fee – $50 per person

🔴 DAY 8:  DEPART SANTORINI FOR ATHENS
You’ll check out of your Santorini hotel relatively early to catch your included taxi to the airport and your flight to Athens.   From there, you can return home or extend your vacation in Athens!  Kaló taxídi! 

  MEAL:  Breakfast

 
Optional Excursions for Highlights of Greece


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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 including round-trip private transportation to the highly photogenic Temple of Poseidon at Sounion about an hour south of Athens.  Stay to watch the sunset (Price: $70 per person).

🔴 DAY 5: 

Optional Excursion #2:  Guided Tour of Delos Archaeological Site, including ferry rides.

Delos is a small island near Mykonos and a UNESCO World Heritage Site which contains a variety of significant ancient sites, including the House of Dionysus, the Temple of Hera, and the Synagogue of Delos – one of the world’s oldest synagogues. (Price: $80 per person). 

🔴 DAY 7: 

Optional Excursion #3:  Guided tour of Akrotiri Archaeological Site

Akrotiri is the location of an ancient town on the southern end of Santorini island which was buried by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC.  This excursion includes a fully guided tour of the Akrotiri site, entry fee included.  (Price: $50 per person).

 
Dates & Prices for Highlights of Greece


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June 4 – 11, 2023 (Sun – Sun)                           $859                      


D

 
What to Expect for Highlights of Greece


D
  The Weather

Like most Mediterranean places, Greece tends to have long, warm summers and cool, moderate winters.  In the summer months, highs generally range from the mid 80’s to the low 90’s and the lows reach the upper 60’s.  There’s is plenty of sun and little rainfall in the summer months.

We advise our guests to bring sunscreen with them on this tour.

  Bugs and Pests

Depending on who you talk to, you’ll hear very different versions of the mosquito situation in Greece.  Based on our own experiences in Greece, we can tell you two things that we believe: 1. Mosquitoes tend to be more of a problem on the mainland than on the islands.  2. The mosquito problem begins in June, peaking in July or August, and abating in September.

Some hotels in Greece have insect repellent plug-ins that look like air fresheners.  Be sure to ask the front desk of your hotel to see if they can supply you with a plug-in.  You may want to bring some insect repellent with you. We also recommend that you keep your hotel room windows closed at night and leave the air conditioning on.  Mosquitoes don’t like air conditioning.

  Physical Activity of Tour

On a scale of 1 to 10, the level of physical activity of this tour is 6, which is moderate.  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 diminish toward the end of the tour.

  Potential Issues

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) and a personal item, such as a laptop bag or purse.  We strongly recommend bringing travel size toiletries.  We recommend bringing sunscreen and possibly insect repellent.

  Journeys Between Destinations

The only journey on this tour which will be long is the five hour ferry ride between Athens and Mykonos.  The other journeys will be brief.

  Your Hotels

We strive to book hotels that are centrally located, highly rated, and close to major attractions.   The service level of this tour is Standard, which means that the hotels are upscale and usually include a full breakfast.   

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 exact same amenities that our American guests may be used to seeing.  For instance, many European hotels do not have elevators.

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.

  Your 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.  The Santorini dinner, in particular, will take place at a venue with a beautiful view.

      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 VISA credit card for all my shopping and for the fancy dinner, you may ask?  That’s fine, 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 in the country you’re visiting 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.

★★★★★
“!”

-Gillian, Kansas City, MO

  • 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
  • Opt for visits to the ancient archaeological sites of Delos and Akrotiri 
  • Witness the famous blue domes of Santorini
  • Relish a guided sunset excursion to Oia


What’s Included for Highlights of Greece (Value) 


D
   ACCOMMODATION       7 nights of accommodation at good, well placed hotels.  


D.  
   TRANSPORTATION       Ferry rides between islands.  All taxi transfers to and from ferry ports and airports.  A flight from Santorini back to Athens at the end of the tour.    


D
   MEALS      5 breakfasts,


D
   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Guided tour of the ancient Acropolis in Athens, including entrance fees.     Scheduled transportation to the town of Oia in Santorini to see the famous blue domes and to watch the sunset.  Optional excursions to Sounion, Delos, and Akrotiri archaeological sites are available.


D
   TOUR LEADER       A Blue Onyx Tour Leader to handle all logistical aspects of the group, offer valuable information, and guide your group from start to finish.


Itinerary for Highlights of Greece (8 days)


D

🔴 DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Enjoy your included private transportation to your centrally located hotel.
        
 
  ACCOMMODATION:   Hotel  Arethusa (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 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.

  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, there will be an optional visit to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion to do some sightseeing and watch the sunset.  Bonus points to the person who can spot the “world’s first graffiti.”  This excursion includes round-trip transportation only.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:   Round-trip transportation between your hotel and the Temple of Poseidon. $70 per person

  MEAL:  Breakfast 

🔴 DAY 4:  FERRY TO MYKONOS, FREE TIME
You’ll catch your morning ferry to Mykonos, arriving in the early afternoon.  A taxi will meet you at the ferry port and take you to your hotel for check in.  The rest of the day is yours to explore this glittering gem of the Cyclades.  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 find a local cafe.

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Ioanna’s House (2 nights)

🔴 DAY 5:  FREE TIME, OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO DELOS
Continue to explore Mykonos on your own in the morning.  Around noon, you may want to have lunch at one of the most relaxing places in Mykonos:  Cine Manto.  In the afternoon, you have the option to 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.  

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Guided tour of Delos, including ferry rides and entry ticket – $80 per person.

🔴 DAY 6:   FERRY TO SANTORINI, EXCURSION TO OIA
In the morning, you’ll board a high-speed ferry to the island of Santorini, which is actually a mostly submerged dormant volcano.  After hotel check-in and free time, a minibus will transport your group to the kaleidoscopic town of Oia for sightseeing and to watch the sunset.   

    ACCOMMODATION:    Hotel Babis  (2 nights)  

🔴 DAY 7:   OPTIONAL TOUR OF AKROTIRI, FREE TIME
In the morning, you have the option of a guided visit to the ancient archaeological site of Akrotiri at the southern tip of the island.  

Feel free to spend the rest of the afternoon 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.  

  MEAL:  Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Guided tour of Akrotiri, including entrance fee – $50 per person

🔴 DAY 8:  DEPART SANTORINI FOR ATHENS
You’ll check out of your Santorini hotel relatively early to catch your included taxi to the airport and your flight to Athens.   From there, you can return home or extend your vacation in Athens!  Kaló taxídi! 

  MEAL:  Breakfast


June 4 – 11, 2023 (Sun – Sun)                           
$859
 
     

THE WEATHER
Like most Mediterranean places, Greece tends to have long, warm summers and cool, moderate winters.  In the summer months, highs generally range from the mid 80’s to the low 90’s and the lows reach the upper 60’s.  There’s is plenty of sun and little rainfall in the summer months.

BUGS AND PESTS
Depending on who you talk to, you’ll hear very different versions of the mosquito situation in Greece.  Based on our own experiences in Greece, we can tell you two things that we believe: 1. Mosquitoes tend to be more of a problem on the mainland than on the islands.  2. The mosquito problem begins in June, peaking in July or August, and abating in September.

Some hotels in Greece have insect repellent plug-ins that look like air fresheners.  Be sure to ask the front desk of your hotel to see if they can supply you with a plug-in.  You may want to bring some insect repellent with you. We also recommend that you keep your hotel room windows closed at night and leave the air conditioning on.  Mosquitoes don’t like air conditioning.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF TOUR
On a scale of 1 to 10, the level of physical activity of this tour is 6, which is moderate.  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
Some of journeys between destinations on this trip tend to be longer than on other trips.  The ferry ride from Athens to Mykonos is about four hours. The ferry ride from Santorini to Athens runs about 8 hours.  However, it’s an open secret that we love longer ferry rides in Greece.

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.  For example, some hotels in Europe do not have an elevator.  

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.

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